Shirley E. Gardner

Shirley E. Gardner, 19, farmer, saved William H. McNamara, Jr., 9, from drowning, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, April 14, 1914. William fell from a viaduct into the middle of the east branch of the Housatonic River at night and drifted helplessly in water 10 feet deep. He could not swim. Gardner, who was heavily clothed and who had been standing near William, dived and swam about 15 feet to William. William grabbed Gardner tightly around the neck with both hands, and they went beneath the surface. After breaking away from William, Gardner tried to swim to the viaduct with William, but the current was too strong. Then he swam over 80 feet with William and reached water in which he could stand. Other young men then helped him to the bank with William. Gardner was nearly exhausted. He was disabled two days.