William P. G. Malcolm, 22, tire builder, saved Jean Leatherwood, 15, and Joy K. O’Rourke, 2, from drowning, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, June 29, 1955. Jean and Joy were in the front seat of an automobile which coasted from the edge of a parking lot and plunged into a pond, settling to the bottom in murky water 12 feet deep 16 feet from the bank. Jean opened a window, crawled outside, and struggled to the surface. Although he previously had suffered a serious ear infection and had been warned by a physician not to swim, Malcolm at once dived into the water and swam 20 feet to Jean. Obtaining a hold, he towed her to the bank. Informed that Joy still was in the automobile, Malcolm swam to where the vehicle had sunk and on his second attempt swam downward five feet to a door window. He extended an arm inside and groped over the front seat but did not touch Joy. Extending his head and shoulders into the automobile, Malcolm got hold of Joy, who was floating near the roof. He drew her outside, rose, and towed her to the bank but had to be helped from the water by others. Malcolm was tired and winded and suffered a temporary impairment of hearing. All recovered. 43515-4003
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43515-4003