North Bellmore Boy Honored by American Legion Auxiliary

David Collins, 12, of North Bellmore was presented with the American Legion Auxiliary Youth Hero Award at a ceremony held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Saturday.

While in a pool with other children at a graduation party this past June, Collins noticed another boy laying in the bottom of the pool’s deep end.

While the other children thought the boy was playing, Collins immediately swam to the deep end, dove down 10 feet, pulled the lifeless boy up to the surface and alerted adults. Adults then performed CPR and the boy’s life was saved.

"It's all a blur," Collins told Patch. "I just went on instinct." 

In August, Collins was presented with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal by Senator Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick and Assemblyman David McDonough, R-Merrick.

American Legion Auxiliary Youth Hero Award winners are recognized for demonstrating a physical act of valor such as CPR, first aid or the Heimlich, or serves as the inspirational role model for the organization and their community.