Private First Class

California Army National Guard

7/11/1998

Special Act Award (Gold)

On July 11, 1998, Early Ditsavong and three friends were enjoying a day at a sandy beach where the north fork of the American River flows into Upper Lake Clementine. As they got up to leave, he saw a young boy struggling in the water and leapt in to save him. He pushed the boy to shore after helping him escape from a deep pool where the current from the river swirled into the lake. The ten year old boy made it to safety, but, unfortunately, Mr. Ditsavong disappeared under the water in the strong current and drowned.