Seventeen-year-old Mary Isely had done her American Red Cross lifeguard training. She worked at the Astro Movie Theatre, in Clemson, South Carolina.

Mary also renewed her Red Cross CPR certification. And on one fine day she had to use it.

A baby in the parking lot was having a problem in breathing. Everyone wanted to call 911. Mary remembered her training. She could make out that the baby had a blocked airway. Mary did four cycles of back blows and chest thrusts. She had also practiced the same so she was proficient. All of a sudden she heard the baby cry which meant that she was breathing again. Soon after that the Emergency Services arrived and confirmed that the baby was okay.

For this act of Mary Isely was awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit for her heroic actions. This is the highest award given by American Red Cross to individuals for saving lives.