Rescues from the Sky: True Stories of the Air Medical Rescue Teams of the US Coast Guard who risk their lives to save others as seen through the eyes

$22.14
by Lee F Walters MD

Shop Now
Rescues from the Sky features the true stories of the US Coast Guard Aviation Medical Rescue Service as seen through the eyes of a wet-behind-the-ears flight surgeon fresh out of training. The events it recounts took place during the author's experience while stationed at US Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco from 1971 to 1973. The rescues are described in detail and include, among others: - The crash of a 747 on the runway on the author's first day of work - The hijacking of a 737 by two Bulgarians - The rescue of a woman bleeding from an abortion performed on a Russian submarine - Saving the life of a sailboat owner in Half Moon Bay who had a heart attack and fell unconscious while sailing in thirty-mile-per-hour winds toward a rocky shore - Rescuing a Czech crewman who developed appendicitis fifty miles at sea in a storm with fifty-five mile-per-hour winds Intersecting the dramatic rescues is a love story between the author and a young nurse and how their medical careers get in the way of their growing need to be together. The book also traces the author's training that led to his becoming a flight surgeon prior to his tour of duty. Though written under a pseudonym for personal reasons, this is a work of non-fiction that has been approved by the Motion Picture and Television Office of the United States Coast Guard. Several of the incidents recounted are also well documented in newspapers from the era. This book is ideal for anyone who likes adventure, excitement, humor, emergency medicine, aviation adventure, a tender love story, or all of the above. Following his stint in the Coast Guard, Lee Walters, MD, spent thirty-six years as a board-certified internist and infectious disease consultant. During his career he wrote medical articles that were refereed and published in medical magazines like JAMA, the official journal of the American Medical Association. Lee has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the US Coast Guard Commendation medal for the San Viken rescue of a crewman who fell ninety feet into a hold in a storm (recounted in the book), two teaching awards, and Top Doc awards from Phoenix, Arizona and State College, PA. He lives in Charlotte, NC, with his soulmate of 38 years and is preparing to start his next book.

Customer Reviews

No ratings. Be the first to rate

 customer ratings


How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review This Product

Share your thoughts with other customers