The Carnegie Medal is a bronze medallion three inches in diameter and is awarded to civilians who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.
Ira Walker Cook, 15, school boy, saved J. Glenn Springs, 16, school boy, from drowning, Fords Ferry, KY, May 31, 1913.
Glenn, who was learning to swim, became distressed in deep water in Walker's Pond, 30 feet from the bank, and went beneath the surface.
Ira, who was on the bank, called to a young man near Glenn to go to Glenn's assistance; then, when the young man made no move toward aiding Glenn, Ira swam to Glenn and grasped his arm.
Glenn caught Ira's arm with both hands, and both went beneath the surface. Ira jerked himself free and reached the waters surface before Glenn. He grasped Glenn and holding him at arm's length swam 10 feet to water in which he could stand, and then helped Glenn to wade to the bank.
Ira Walker Cook
Born: June 14, 1898
Died: Oct. 7, 1978
Buried: Mapleview Cemetery, Marion, KY
This wonderful piece of history has a home in the Crittenden County Historical Museum, 124 East Bellville St., so all that visit can see and read the history of the Medal and Ira Walker's Cook brave deed.
The Medal and history was donated to the Museum by Ira's son, Percy Cook.
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