The Man Who Rode the Thunder
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- Synopsis
- It was July 26, 1959. An F8U Crusader jet fighter streaked across the sky, down the Carolina coast, close to the speed of sound. Altitude: 47,000 feet. Flying conditions: Perfect. Marine Lt. Colonel William Rankin gave only a fleeting glance at the mounting black thunderheads far below. Seconds later began the most incredible 40 minutes in history. Here is the thrilling, detailed account of how Col. Rankin was forced to bail out at almost 50,000 feet without special pressure equipment. How, after dropping 7 miles in a free fall, he plunged into the grip of a violent storm--an inferno of turbulence, rain, hail, thunder and lightning such as no man had ever seen before. For over a half hour, Col. Rankin was an airborne captive of the storm, and his eventual survival was against overwhelming odds. Here is the true story behind that headline-making event. And here is the adventurous life of the Marine--a life that fitted him so well for the fantastic ordeal he was forced to undergo. You will go with Col. Rankin as he recalls his adventures as a Marine Sergeant in World War II; into early flight training to become one of the three oldest cadets ever admitted for flying. You will fly with him as one of the famous "Fearless Four" as they bomb the bridges of Toko-Ri in Korea. You will know the thrill of trailblazing the jet age when Col. Rankin assumes command of the famous Marine Fighter Squadron 122. Finally, you will share one of the most astounding adventures of modern times--a thrilling epic of man against the terrifying forces of nature--the story of a man who survived because he had lived and trained in the true tradition of the United States Marine Corps. This book also serves as an important contribution to medical inquiries into what happens to man at great altitudes.
- Copyright:
- 1960
Book Details
- Book Quality:
- Excellent
- Book Size:
- 208 Pages
- Publisher:
- Prentice-Hall, Inc.
- Date of Addition:
- 02/28/12
- Copyrighted By:
- Prentice-Hall, Inc.
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Has Image Descriptions:
- No
- Categories:
- History, Military, Nonfiction, Biographies and Memoirs
- Submitted By:
- Jamie Yates
- Proofread By:
- BookMouse
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.
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