A Life Saving True Story

It was one of those rare nights in the desert of Arizona. It was pouring rain, windy with thunder and lightning. All was quiet at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Then the call came in. Three people were trapped in a cottonwood tree in the middle of the raging Colorado River.


Rescue one, which was a large Huey helicopter, was readied by its crew and its U.S. Marine Corps aviators. Rescue one was noted for its quick response to any emergency. They were the only rescue helicopter for miles around and rescued injured civilians playing in the dunes as well as injured Air Force personnel from the nearby air force base.


They lifted off and were almost immediately on the scene. The Border Patrol was waiting. The situation was precarious. Spotlights were shown on the tree and there they were: three men almost in the top of the tree with the raging river below. The Aircraft Commander in command immediately established a hover and lowered a corpsman via a hoist line to the victims. All three were recovered with injury to no one.


This was just another rescue to the Aircraft Commander and crew. They flew back to base and all was well.


But something extraordinary had happened. The Marine aviator had maintained a flawless hover under exhausting conditions for 40 minutes to rescue the Mexicans--almost unheard of. This Aircraft Commander rescued hundreds of people for five years.


His outstanding service and heroic achievement was awarded with an Air Medal from the President of the United States.

I couldn’t be more proud.


You see, he is my son.


Sara Howard