Wittum receives Carnegie Medal

Sarah Campbell / Salisbury Post Dave Parker, center, awards the Carnegie Medal to Eli Wittum, left, Tuesday at Riverpark in Cooleemee, as Dianne Scott looks on. Wittum was awarded the medal for saving Marlo Porfirio Ramos from drowning in the South Yadkin River on May 30, 2009.

By Sarah Campbell

scampbell@salisburypost.com

COOLEEMEE — When Andrew Carnegie created the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission in 1904 he said “I do not expect to stimulate or create heroism by this fund, knowing well that heroic action is impulsive.”

Impulse was exactly what 17-year old Eli Wittum, a rising senior at West Rowan High School, was acting on when he entered the South Yadkin River to save Marlo Ramos from drowning on May 30, 2009 at Riverpark in Cooleemee.

“I didn’t give it a second thought,” Wittum said. “I didn’t hesitate.”

Eli, the son of Cyndi Allison Wittum and Jimmy Wittum, received the Carnegie Medal on Tuesday at Riverpark.

“It’s a huge honor,” he said.

The award is given citizensofthe United States and Canada who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others. More than 80,000 individuals have been nominated for the honor, but only about 9,000 medals have been awarded.

Eli also received a $5,000 financial award, which he plans to use toward college.

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Eli had been going to Riverpark since the age of 2 and expected his trip on May 30, 2009 to be like all the rest — uneventful.

He helped his mother unload coolers, grills and other supplies for a cookout before heading down to the South Yadkin river with his buddy to swim. When the boys arrived at the water’s edge Eli immediately noticed a difference in the river’s terrain.

“It was pretty rough and choppy,” he said.

Cyndi said a storm the week before turned the river’s typical trickle into a wave-like rumbling.

After being down at the water for about 5 minutes, Eli saw Marlo sweep past him yelling for help. Eli knew from lifeguard training that entering the water alone to save the 15-year-old boy was a risky move, but he threw caution to the wind and swam after him anyway.

When Eli initially reached Marlo he was panicked.

“He got ahold of my neck and pushed me under,” Eli said.

After breaking free, he managed to grab Marlo, who had lost consciencess by that time.

“We drifted downstream and edged our way over to the shore,” Eli said. “I grabbed a downed tree and yelled for help.”

Three fishermen heard Eli’s cries for help and made their way over to assist him in getting Marlo onto the riverbank. Eli called 911 and Marlo was transported to the hospital.

Marlo was able to return to class at Davie High School the following week.

Cyndi said her son was unphrased by his act of bravery that day.

“He came back up to the picnic shelter and didn’t really say anything about it,” she said. “He just wanted to know if the food was ready.”

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Eli may be humble, but his bravery hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Eagle Scout was also awarded the Boy Scout Medal of Honor with Cross Palms in January.

“He was my hero before he got any award,” Cyndi told the Post in April. “I am thrilled that he has been honored.”

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery presented by the Boy Scouts of America.

Eli said being part of Troop 320 helped him make the rescue that day. The troop is active in a variety of aquatic activities ranging from swimming to kayaking.

Only about 230 scouts and scoutmasters across the country have received the honor in Scouting’s 100-year history.

The crossed palms signify saving a life as great risk to one’s own.

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Cleveland Mayor John Steele attended the award ceremony at Riverpark on Tuesday.

“I’m very proud of you,” he said to Eli. “You represent not only your family, but your town.”

Two other local residents who received the Carnegie Medal as youth were also on hand during the ceremony.

Davidson resident Dave Parker presented Eli with the medal.

“This award is not given lightly,” he said.

Dave, 41, was also 16 years old when he saved Juan Jimerson from drowning when a strong undertow pulled him below the surface at Fort Walton Beach in Florida on March 11, 1986.

“I want you to take a step back and realize what you have done,” he said to Eli. “There aren’t many people who get the opportunity to save a person and there aren’t many people who actually do.”

Salisbury resident Dianne Scott, 66, is one of the youngest recipients of the Carnegie Medal. She earned the honor at the age of 11.

Dianne was fishing at the Tallahatchie River in Mississippi with her twin sisters when her nurse, Dee, fainted and fell into the water.

“I jumped in and couldn’t find her at first, so I swam back to shore and told my sisters to call for help,” she said.

Dianne said she proceeded to remove her galoshes and noticed Dee floating in the middle of the river. The 70-pound girl then managed to swim out and pull the 180-pound woman to shore.

“The good Lord was with me that day,” she said.

Although she’s never forgotten about the rescue, Dianne said it came flooding back when she read about Eli receiving the Carnegie Medal in the Post.

“As soon as I read the article I thought he deserves it,” she said. “For him, it was somebody he didn’t know, his motive was to save somebody in trouble; for me, my motive was to save somebody I loved.”

Contact Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.