Teenage Hero Awarded Scouts’ Medal Of Honor Nathan Thew, 15, Risked His Life To Save Pal From Drowning

The buddy system saved 14-year-old Justin Bowman’s life.

When Bowman started to tire after trying to swim across the Spokane River last August, he was saved by his swimming buddy, 15-year-old Nathan Thew, a Boy Scout with lifesaving training.

Thew swam 55 feet out to Bowman and pulled him to safety in the midst of a quickening current near Post Falls.

On Thursday, Thew joined the elite ranks of Boy Scouts when he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

To win the award, a recipient must display unusual resources and risk in saving someone from danger, said Steve Twiggs, Boy Scout council advancement chairman.

“I’m glad I remembered what I was supposed to do,” Thew said. “The only thought in my head was to get to (Bowman) and make sure he didn’t drown.”

Thew did just that, even though he admits Bowman wasn’t fully cooperative.

“Once I got a hold of him he must have thought I was a big old cushion and squeezed me,” Thew said.

He actually had to pull away to get Bowman to relax enough so he could tug him ashore.

“I just remember every time I’d go down and coming back up further down the river,” Bowman said.

Thew’s parents saw the rescue that August day. His mother, Beth Smith, said she saw a different person than the son she knew make the rescue.

“I was watching him and I remember thinking where did he learn to do this and who is this person,” Smith said. “I had no idea he had that kind of training and he was very mature. He took command of the situation. And this is my baby?”

Smith, who pinned the medal onto her son’s shirt Thursday, said she was proud that he is a lifesaver and getting the award was not his motivation.

“My husband yelled that his friend was in trouble and his reaction was automatic, he just dove in,” she said. “I’m pleased to see I’m raising a person who is so willing to save another’s life.”

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