The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-11-08
Congressional Medal Given War Veteran Who Saved
 , Lads From Drowning
THRILLING RESCUE
 IN LOCAL WATERS
Risked Own Life Beneath Propeller's Blades - Too C Modest to Present Himself For Award He Is Located After Extended Search First Bridgeporter to Re ceive the Distinguished Medal.

The long arm of the Federal Gov ernment has been extended into Bridgeport on numerous occasions to Intercept offenders against the coun- tiy's jaws in order that condign pun ishment might be administered to did Uncle Sam display the pertinacity that he has exhibited for several months in locating one of his Bridge port nephews whom he wanted, not exploit. The nephew he sought was George M. Brown, a former employe of the New England Steamship Com pany, who besides setting up the rec ord of making six rescues from drowning in one day has established a new Marathon mark for lodging the award for his feat by keeping out of reach of the Federal officials who have been anxiously awaiting the chance to pin on Browns broad chest medal of honor awarded by the Secretary of the Treasury under authority of the Acts of Congress dated June 30, 1874. and May 4, 1s2, for persons who endanger their own lives in saving or endeavoring to save lives from the perils of the sea-" Ac- costing to the records of the local Eo:e.rraent officials the medal given 10 8-own at the Federal building on Tuesday was the first ever conferred in Bridgeport.
 Tho feat for which Brown was
 
 Eve bcys from drowning off the Union roc, dock on July 27, 1919. and the v-,.rl was promulgated by the Treas ry Department on February 25th -tst During most of the intervening tisle the modest hero has been work ing out Of town and has thus been stic ts dodge the officers entrusted with the medal.
 Browns exploit is described by eye witaesses along the waterfront as the rnast thrilling and daring feat they hd ever witnessed, the rescue of each ono of the boys placing him in 1nml- rent danger of losing his own life. On the afternoon of the rescue five young boys, all residing on Arctic street. John Horwack, Eddie Hara- bosky, Roma Harabosky, Josephy Krall and Michael Losky, went for an outing in the harbor in a small flat bottomed boat. Shortly atfer 4 o'clock the twin screw steamer City of Lowell left the dock crowded with Sunday excursionists for New York. At this time the skiff occupied by the boys was only a short distance from the wharf. The rushing water from the propellers of the big steamer up set the frail craft and all five boys were thrown into the water, each IT peril of being drawn under by the suction of the propellers.
 v When the accident occurred, Browr was at the other end of the pier fully a hundred feet from the scene of the impending tragedy. The first intima. ton he had of something wrong was when he heard woman's voice, save the boys" Brown didn't wait to in vestigate but ran full speed for the edge of the dock, leaping over a gate set in place to keep trespassers away When he arrived at the strngpiec' alongside the shed he was still heav fly clad and had on his army shoes Without a moments hesitation h. plunged into the water and swan T feet to where the boys were strug gling. To do this, he was compelled t perform the perilous feat of swim ming past the moving propellers O the steamer. This was task tha could only be performed by an ex pert swimmer of powerful physiqu and under the most favorable condi tions, there was grave danger of be ing drawn uinder the propellers an being ground into sausage meat.
 Handicapped hl was by hi heavy clothing and realizing from h: experience on the waterfront tn grave risk he was running, Brow plunged ahead into the vortex. TwiC the suction from the propelers whir ing at the rate of 120 revolutions
 minute with a force sufficient to tea the bottom out of a tugboat, drew hil under the water as the onlooke, gasped in horror and averted the faces. Each time Browns indomitS ble energy and skill brought hi1 through and a cheer of relief wel up as he finally managed to free hin self and reach the struggling boy Bystanders had meanwhile lowered
 rope and a life buoy Brown brougl two of the boys, one on each arm, the rope and left them there as l sped to answer the cries of "Save m mister" from the remaining trio. TT third boy was bleeding at the mout and almost exhausted when Brow reached him and brought him back
 the life buoy. Without pausing f breath he hurled himsclf aga through the water and brought u fourth boy to safety. Meanwhile u fifth boy had been sucked under u dock and Brown summoned the la