Table Of Content

R660 'One of the most incredible experiences any human ever survived, an exciting, reai-life adventure." New rork Herald Tribune 50r pM 111 M "1 ''^^Wj WILLIAM H. RANKIN Lt.Col.,U.S.M.C. I What they are saying about THE MAN WHO RODE THE THUNDER "Graphic and moving^' —Los Angeles Mirror 'Truly an epic adventure'' —The Ottawa Journal ''Fascinating. A refreshing and immensely interesting book'' —Los Angeles Times "Conciseand well written . • .A book that anyone would enjoy." —Baton Rouge Advocate 'Top reading for the whole family" — Utica Daily Press 'The story of what no other human has experienced and survived" —The Boston Globe "Rankin's vivid and richly detailed recital will stand asa milestone in the literature and medicine of aviation" »The San Diego Union THEMANWHO RODETHETHUNDER is the amazing but true story of the most incredible 40 minutes in the his- tory of aviation—written bythe man who lived through them to write this book. Featured inThe Saturday Evening Post Condensed in The Reader's Digest The Man Who Rode The Thunder William H. Rankin USMC Lt. Col., PYRAMID BOOKS, 444 Madison Avenoe, New Yirk 22, New Yerk THE MAN WHO RODE THE THUNDER^ by William H. Rankin, Lt, Col., USMC This book is dedicated to John Skorich who was first and foremost a top Marine For the Record In writing this hook I have had the yaluahle assistance of Mr. Harry Kursh, of Peekskill, New York. His unique talents have helped me, especially with regard to the chapters dealing with the ejection and captivity in the storm, to recall details and clarify situations that otherwise might have remained ob- scure. His abilities have given shape and direction to this narra- tive, and Iwish here to record my indebtedness to him. I also would like to state that it is with misgivings that I have accepted the title of the book, which was suggested by the Publisher. Referring to myself as the manwho rode the thunder smacks ofa degree ofegotism, ifnot arrogance, which causes me some discomfort. However, the Publisher feels that the phrase has become associated with my name, and that it is appropriate the title of the book should thus identify the story it tells. W, H. Rankin Lt. CoU USMC A Pyramid Book, published by arrangement with Prentice-Hall, Inc. Pyramid Books edition: first printing, October 1961 © 1960 by Prentice-Hall, Inc. All Rights Reserved PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica CONTENTS 1. Not by Choice 9 2. When the Dust Clears 16 3. Wings for an Old Man 27 4. To Servewith Advantage 33 5. Action in Korea 40 6. Devilcat to Fearless to Surgery 56 7. Fabulous World of Jets 67 8. A Squadron of My Own 79 9. Supersonic! 93 10. The Big Bailout—Takeoff 121 11. The Big Bailout—Trouble! 131 12. The Big Bailout—Free Fall 139 13. The Big Bailout—In the Storm 151 14. The Big Bailout—Rescue 164 15. Airborne Again 176 Epilogue: What Now? 188 . ... at last his »ail-broad vans He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoke Uplifted, spurns the ground; thence many a league As in a cloudy chair ascending rides Audacious; but, that seat soon failing, meets A vast vacuity: all unawares. Fluttering his pennons vain, plumb-down he drops Ten thousand fathom deep, and to this hour Down had been falling, had not, by ill chance. The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud. Instinct with fire and nitre, hurried him As many miles aloft . . . With fresh alacrity and force renewed Springs upward like a pyramid of fire Into the wild expanse, and through the shock Of fighting elements, on all sides round Environed, wine his way . . . ... at last the sacred influence of light appears . . • ... a broken foe . . . Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light. And, like a weather-beaten vessel, holds Gladly the port, through shrouds and tackle torn; Or in the emptier waste, resembling air. Weighs his spread wings, at leisure to behold Foroffthe empyreal Heaven . • John Milton PARADISE LOST, Book II (1667) We are proud of the accomplishments of our aviation personnel. We are proud of their determination to remain, man for man and plane for plane, second to none in the world. We are even more proud that they do not seek glory for thendselves, but rather for the whole Marine Corps . . • General Clifton B. Gates^ Commandant, 1948-1951 U. S. Marine Corps