Steven Lee Halverson. saved Maxine V. Johnson, from drowning, Newman Lake, Washington, May 1, 1967. At night when a boat capsized in deep water in a lake, Mrs. Johnson, 44, two other adults, and two children were thrown clear, but a man and two other children drowned when the craft sank. While the other two adults supported the children, Mrs. Johnson started to swim to the shore to get help but became confused in the darkness and played out. Steven 14, schoolboy, was on the shore and heard cries for help from Mrs. Johnson and the others. He obtained life jackets and put them in a 14-foot aluminum rowboat, which had no oars. Paddling with his hands, Steven proceeded to 300 feet from the shore and met the two adults who were moving shoreward with the children. Steven took the children aboard, while the adults put on life jackets and clung to the boat. Steven then heard Mrs. Johnson call for help. She said she was unable to swim to the boat. Steven undressed to his trousers and dived into the cold water. In the darkness he proceeded 175 feet on a diagonal course and reached Mrs. Johnson in water 15 feet deep 190 feet from the shore. She was dazed and was treading water feebly. Steven took hold of Mrs. Johnson, who outweighed him by 20 pounds, and towed her 160 feet, reaching a float moored in barely wadable water near the shore. After resting briefly, Steven boosted Mrs. Johnson onto the float and then climbed out of the water. The two adults and the two children later reached the shore with the aid of others. 49608-5366
49608 – 5366
49608-5366