Do you know this heroic mystery man?

MORROW — Tony Armstrong witnessed a young boy save a drowning girl more than 60 years ago from a muddy, swollen Little Miami River and he can’t forget the memory of the heroic act.

Armstrong, now 71, told the Western Star that not knowing the identity of the heroic boy still bothers him to this day and he’s seeking help from anyone who can identify the unknown man.

It was in the early 1950s sometime in late May or early June when Armstrong said a group of children had gathered on the banks of the Little Miami River where Todd’s Fork connects in the village of Morrow.

At the time, that location was a popular place for children to swim during the summer. On that day, Armstrong said the river was swollen because of rains and a “whirlpool” or undertow was created where Todd’s Fork hit the Little Miami.

A couple of children had braved the strong current and were playing in the water. He said a little girl wasn’t paying attention and was swallowed up by the undertow.

“The last thing I remember is seeing her outreached arm going under. She didn’t come back up. We watched for several minutes and there was nothing,” said Armstrong, who was watching from across the river.

A young boy, around age 14 or 15, calmly removed some of his clothing and jumped in the water. He dove into the undercurrent and swiftly brought the girl out to the surface, Armstrong said. He brought her to the bank and made sure she could breathe.

The boy sat there for a moment and then put his clothes on and left. Armstrong never found out who he was and where he lived.

“I know you may think I’m crazy, but I can’t imagine the courage this young man had,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong, who lived on a farm in the Fort Ancient Valley at the time, said the event has never left him.

“I wish I knew who he was and who he has become as an adult. I always thought his rescue was heroic and his parents should have been told. In this day in age of electronic media, word of his rescue would have been known around the country in a matter of days,” said Armstrong, who now lives in Mariemont in Cincinnati.

Residents who have information about the event can call (513) 696-4521.

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