Jeffery was working as a crewman with Garland Godfrey aboard the launch Cape Hatteras, ferrying six passengers from Lynnhaven Inlet to the collier Pantelis A. Lemos, anchored just east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

One of the passengers, Georgios Dracodaidis , was attempting to board the coal-hauling ship using an accommodation ladder when he lost his balance and fell.

Jeffrey yelled, ``man overboard,'' and ran forward to throw a life ring. Then he threw another; then an oar; then a fuel stick. It was apparent Dracodaidis by then lacked the strength to help himself because of the numbing water.

Jeffrey dived in, swam to Dracodaidis , placed him in a lifesaving arm hold and held his head above water.

Godfrey deployed the launch's life raft, towing it behind as Jeffrey fought to to stay afloat.

Just as Jeffrey reached for the raft, both men slipped beneath the surface.

When they resurfaced, Jeffrey struggled to maintain a hold on the victim. Gaining control, he once again reached for the raft, but could not grasp it. He fought to control Dracodaidis , but began succumbing to hypothermia and exhaustion.

The launch again brought the life raft near the two men. Then Godfrey jumped into the water after them.

But it was too late. Both had slipped beneath the water for the final time. They have never been seen again. (Information retrieved from NamUs.gov)