Robert H. Gunnerud, 18, schoolboy, died as the result of helping to save Vera Mae Martin, 17, from drowning, Tunica, Louisiana, May 15, 1949. A motorboat in which Vera Mae, Gunnerud, Carl V. DeLaney, Jr.; Beverly A, Chambers, and eight other persons were riding on the Mississippi River was swamped by waves 50 feet from the bank in water 30 feet deep. DeLaney remained in the boat, which had freeboard of six inches, and the others jumped into the water. Vera Mae and Miss Chambers, neither of whom could swim, drifted in a current of 1.5 m.p.h. Gunnerud rose and swam 10 feet to Vera Mae. He tried to tow her toward the bank but made no progress. The others reached the bank. At the boat, DeLaney obtained a removable section of wooden deck three feet long and two feet wide and entered the water. He swam pushing the section 30 feet to the young women. Vera Mae attempted to climb onto the section and lost her hold. Gunnerud helped her take hold. Miss Chambers grasped DeLaney around the neck, and they were submerged. DeLaney broke her hold beneath the surface, and they rose. Miss Chambers attempted to climb onto the section, but she slipped and dislodged herself and Vera Mae. Gunnerud grasped Vera Mae and thrust her to the section, and DeLaney aided Miss Chambers to it. All took hold and drifted 75 feet. Gunnerud suddenly released his hold and with great effort swam a short distance toward the bank and sank just beneath the surface. DeLaney swam 10 feet to him and tried to tow Gunnerud toward the bank. They drifted 60 feet and reached a point 25 feet from the bank, where DeLaney became extremely tired. He could no longer support Gunnerud, who then was inert, and released him. Gunnerud sank and did not reappear. DeLaney with great effort swam to the bank. Vera Mae and Miss Chambers drifted 700 feet holding to the section and were picked up by men in a motorboat and taken to the bank. Vera Mae suffered from shock but recovered. The body of Gunnerud was recovered the following morning. 3666-41928
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