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6. Iceal “Gene” Hambleton Rescue

After his reconnaissance plane was knocked down over Vietnam, Iceal Hambleton – a high-rank U.S. intelligence operative – parachuted down with nothing but a radio transmitter. The worst part was that he landed right in between two enemy battalions, which were getting ready to launch the largest Vietnamese offensive to date. And, though he could communicate with ‘Home Base’, he knew Viet intelligence was listening in.

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There were two things Hambleton knew best – America’s most classified secrets and the game of golf. And you’d never guess which one helped him escape a slow and painful death. He used “golf-talk” to communicate, which left Viet interpreters confused and allowed base to guide him out of harm’s way.

They even made a movie about him, starring Gene Hawkman as Hambleton. Iceal didn’t always like being nicknamed after the actor, but he’s best known as ‘Gene’ Hambleton.