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Boy Scouts
of America
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85 Years
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Transylvania Scout gets award for saving boy
By Jennifer Brevorka, staff writer
May 26, 2003 10:53 p.m.
BREVARD - Ricky Sampson had just enjoyed the thrill of parasailing over the
crystal blue waters of the Caribbean last December when a powerful explosion
rocked his boat.
As Sampson flew through the air, he didn't quite know what happened. But as soon as he hit the water, his Boy Scout instincts kicked in. The Brevard resident treaded water, keeping his head afloat, and focused on keeping Samuel Fraser safe. The 3-year-old was sitting in Sampson's lap when the stern exploded.
Sampson saved the tot's life. For that extraordinary act, the Boy Scouts of America honored the 16-year-old Sampson Monday with its highest award for saving a life.
"The scouting principles of servantship and leadership are not just up in (Sampson's) head," said scoutmaster Clyde Carter. "When he saved that boy he showed how the traits are instilled inside of him."
A passing boat picked up Mary, Charles and Laura Lawton Stone Fraser, rushing the adults to shore. Charles Fraser, the toddler's grandfather, died from the blast.
Ferried to a floating section of the mangled boat, Sampson awaited rescuers and calmed the toddler by singing "Old MacDonald" to the sobbing boy. The two were later carried safely to shore.
More than 100 people attended the ceremony at St. Timothy's United Methodist Church, including former Troop 701 member Congressman Charles Taylor.
When asked about his heroic actions, Sampson, holding Samuel in his arms after the ceremony, replied he simply acted as a servant of God.
"I just did what I was always trained to do," he said.
Sampson was awarded the Medal of Honors with Crossed Palms, a bronze medal with a red ribbon, at the Court of Honor for Troop 701. Out of 1.3 million scouts, only 12 received the medals in 2001, according to Boy Scouts of America.
Contact Brevorka at 232-2938 or JBrevork@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.
