Richard G. Marks, 24, automobile body repairman, attempted to save Laurie K. Van Sistine, 3, from drowning, Berlin, Wisconsin, April 26, 1965. Laurie and her younger sister were in their father’s automobile when it moved down a ramp into the Fox River. Marks, who had only one arm, entered the cold water fully clothed and quickly waded to the automobile. He held to the bottom of the window opening and found purchase for one foot on the side of floating vehicle. Reaching into the front seat compartment he took hold of Laurie, who clung tightly to the steering wheel. Marks twice lost his foothold and had to release Laurie briefly to keep from losing his grip on the vehicle as it drifted farther from the bank and began sink. Laurie’s father, an excellent swimmer, swam to the automobile, removed the younger girl, and took her to the bank. Calling to the father for assistance in removing Laurie, Marks pulled her hands away from the steering wheel and drew her to the window. She then clung tightly to the edge of the window. Marks again lost his foothold and had to release Laurie. The father Swam back to the automobile, which then was 75 feet from the bank in water seven feet deep. He removed Laurie and swam to the bank with her as the automobile sank. Marks was affected by the cold, and his boots prevented him from swimming. He twice was submerged briefly. He called for help and then sank again, becoming inert. The father swam to where Marks had submerged and drew him to the surface. He towed Marks to the bank and revived him.
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