DROWNING IN SPACE

Introduction:

In 1959, Marine Lieutenant Colonel William Henry Rankin experienced a harrowing ordeal that few survival stories can rival. It was a fateful day in July when Rankin, piloting his F8 Crusader aircraft along the North Carolina coast, faced a series of catastrophic events that led to an astonishing tale of survival. This article chronicles the incredible journey of Rankin as he fell from the sky, battling extreme conditions and overcoming tremendous odds to emerge alive. His remarkable story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.

The High-Altitude Flight:

On that ill-fated day, Rankin and his wingman, Navy Lieutenant Herbert Nolan, embarked on a high-altitude flight in their F8 Crusader jets. Flying at an altitude of over 47,000 feet, they soared through the air swiftly, their orange and silver-gray aircraft nicknamed "candy stripers." Despite encountering a storm raging below, it initially posed no significant threat to their mission. Their destination was the Marine Air Base in Beaufort, South Carolina, and they expected to pass through the storm on their way.

The Engine Failure and Desperate Decision:

Tragedy struck when Rankin's aircraft was a mere nine miles away from the military base. His engine suddenly quit, accompanied by the alarming fire warning light. Unable to restart the powerless engine, Rankin realized the gravity of his situation. With limited options and facing the extreme altitude without a pressure suit, he made the terrifying decision to eject from the aircraft. Pulling the overhead handle, he was catapulted into the air while his plane disappeared into the clouds below.

The Free Fall from 40,000 Feet:

Now in a free fall at 40,000 feet with temperatures plunging to -65 degrees Fahrenheit, Rankin confronted the dire challenges of survival. Plunging from such heights subjected his body to severe decompression, causing immense physical distress. His stomach felt as if it had doubled in size, and the pressure threatened to rupture his nose. Bleeding from his eyes, ears, and mouth, Rankin braced himself for what seemed to be an imminent demise.

Perils of the Fall:

As Rankin continued his descent, his body succumbed to the numbing cold. His exposed wrists and ankles burned from the biting cold, exacerbated by the loss of one of his gloves during the ejection. The absence of necessary equipment, including a pressure suit, made his predicament even more perilous. Moreover, his parachute was designed to deploy automatically at 10,000 feet, a height he had already surpassed. Even if he could manually activate it, the conditions made it impossible.

The Terrifying Encounter with the Thunderstorm:

Within seconds, Rankin plummeted into the very storm he had flown over minutes earlier. The barometer on his parachute malfunctioned, triggered prematurely by the violent weather. As a result, he found himself trapped in the heart of a thunderstorm, more precisely a cumulonimbus cloud. These dense and unstable clouds towered up to 70,000 feet, subjecting Rankin to further turbulence and relentless assaults.

Battling the Elements:

The fighter pilot's body was tossed violently, akin to a ragdoll, against the fabric of his parachute. The ferocious storm and constant lightning strikes added to the nightmarish ordeal. Hailstones threatened to tear his parachute, and at times, Rankin struggled to breathe, fearing he would drown in the torrential rain. The continuous updrafts tossed him thousands of feet up and down, prolonging the tormenting experience.

The Triumph of Survival:

After enduring over 40 agonizing minutes inside the towering cumulonimbus cloud, Rankin finally descended to the ground. Remarkably, he emerged relatively unscathed, considering the extreme conditions he faced. The lightning hadn't struck him, his parachute remained intact, and he had not succumbed to drowning. Now faced with the challenge of landing safely, Rankin's misfortune continued as he was blown off course, crashing into a tree upon touchdown.

Escape and Recovery:

Despite the final hurdle, Rankin managed to extricate himself from the tangled parachute and, albeit injured, made his way through the forest until he reached a country road. However, hitching a ride proved difficult, as his bloodied and soaked flight suit presented a disheveled sight. Eventually, someone offered him assistance and took him to a nearby pay phone to call for medical aid. In the end, Rankin's injuries included numerous bruises, welts, decompression effects, and frostbite, but he made a complete recovery.

Conclusion:

Marine Lieutenant Colonel William Henry Rankin's survival story stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Falling from the sky, battling extreme elements, and enduring unimaginable conditions, Rankin defied the odds and emerged alive. His extraordinary tale serves as a reminder of the indomitable courage and unwavering determination that can guide us through even the most perilous circumstances.