John H. Brinkman, 16, schoolboy, helped to save Eugene F. Fitzgerald, 16, schoolboy, from drowning, Colo, Iowa, July 4, 1952. While swimming in a pond, Eugene, who was a poor swimmer, became exhausted and was submerged briefly 35 feet from the bank. His calls for help attracted John, who ran to the bank just ahead of Cora B. Kimberley, her husband, and several others. Kicking off his shoes, John waded from the bank and swam to Eugene, who seized him tightly around the neck and pulled him beneath the surface. John pushed forcibly against Eugene's body with his knees and broke free. He took hold of Eugene, who had become inert, and brought him to the surface. John, who felt weak and had difficulty breathing, barely was abie to maintain his hold on Eugene and made no headway in attempting to tow him. Noting John's distress, Mrs. Kimberley, who was fully clothed, swam from the bank and reached the two youths and took hold of Eugene, who again sank. John with great effort swam 15 feet to a dock. Greatly exerting herself, Mrs. Kimberley repeatedly tried to raise Eugene by the hair but lacked the strength to do so. Although extremely tired, she then attempted to tow Eugene but was unable to move him appreciably. He suddenly slipped from her grasp and sank to a depth of three feet. Submerging, Mrs. Kimberley tightly grasped him and swam to the surface, succeeding in raising his head slightly. Removing his boots and trousers, her husband dived from the dock and swam to them. With aid from another youth, who was a good swimmer, Mrs. Kimberley and her husband towed Eugene to wadable water. Mrs. Kimberley nearly was exhausted and required assistance from others in reaching the bank. Eugene was carried from the water and given artificial respiration and was revived. John was fatigued, winded, and nervous but recovered. 3836-42623
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1996-2006 Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
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