Boy Scout honored 60 years later for role in helping save friend’s life

It was a crisp, snowy afternoon on Dec. 30, 1963 when three friends, all members of Boy Scout Troop 101, went sledding in Connellsville.
What happened during that adventure would test what two of the Scouts – Ron Goron and Rich Dunston – learned, when their friend William Leighty found himself in a life-threatening situation.
“We happened to be recreating at Billy’s family farm when Bill got a little too close to the edge of a short cliff,” Dunston, now 77, recalled. “And when he went over the side the snow was very deep, and by the time we got to him it was apparent that he had landed on his head and stopped breathing.”
Dunston and Goron, who were 17 at the time, sprang into action using their Boy Scout training and immediately rendered first aid to their unconscious friend.
“The proper protocol was to treat the victim for shock and then begin artificial respiration (CPR) if he wasn’t breathing,” Dunston said. “And the other thing to do – at the same time – was to send someone for help.”
Goron left to get help while Dunston administered CPR until Dr. William Colvin arrived on scene and was able to treat Leighty. According to an article from the Connellsville Daily Courier, the doctor praised the young men, calling their actions “instrumental” in saving Leighty’s life.
However, despite both boys’ efforts in saving their friend, only one Scout, Dunston, would be recognized for his actions.
“When I got my award, it was on a Sunday morning during a regular church service with the Scoutmaster, and some people from the congregation and I were very surprised,” Dunston said. “But over the years It’s always bothered me that Ron never got any recognition.”
Now, 60 years, 5 months and 20 days later, Goron is getting the recognition Dunston knows he deserves.
On Saturday at the Church of The Immaculate Conception on Crawford Ave in Connellsville, Goron was recognized for his actions. Wanting to keep it a surprise from his friend, Dunston coordinated with the church to give Goron an official Certificate of Merit from the Boy Scouts during the evening Mass.
Both honored and surprised, tears ran down Goron’s face as Dunston delivered the citation to the congregation.
“It was my job,” Dunston said after receiving his accommodation, “same way it was with Rich. It was our job to help people.”
Duston read from the citation which notes Goron’s “equally vital role” in saving Leighty’s life.
“Scouting relies on training and teamwork and that day both Dunston and Goron worked together as they had been trained to save their friend and fellow Scout’s life,” the certificate read.
Dunston praised his friend’s actions on that day and gave thanks to the Westmoreland Fayette Boy Scouts Council for recognizing Goron.
The Rev. Paul Lisik, who celebrated the Mass, said the actions of the two young men on that day set a shining example for others to follow.
“They left everything go, they didn’t worry about themselves, and they went for their incurred fellow Scout and friend,” Lisik said. “And that is the whole teaching of Christ – No greater love hath one to lay down one’s life for one’s friend – and that’s what they did that day.”