Miles J. Leavitt Jr., helped to save Cosimo Carnabuci from drowning, Nahant, Massachusetts, April 5, 1964. When his boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, Carnabuci, 62, lobster fisherman, swam in deep water to within 250 feet of shore. So cold that he could go no farther, he trod water and called for help. Among those attracted were Miles, 17, schoolboy, and Carol Ann Van Riper. Miles removed only his shoes and, taking with him a life cushion, entered the near-freezing water. He swain 250 feet to Carnabuci, who outweighed him by 60 pounds. Holding to one strap of the cushion while Carnabuci held to the other, Miles towed him 100 feet shoreward. Miles’s strap broke, but he grasped the side of the cushion and with difficulty continued towing Carnabuci. Feeling his limbs becoming numb, Miles called for aid in towing Carnabuci. Miss Van Riper entered the water and swam to 125 feet from shore, the exertion causing her severe pain in a shoulder which she had strained earlier. She met Miles and took hold of the life cushion. Together, Miss Van Riper and Miles towed Carnabuci the rest of the way to shore.
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