Harrison Ford Rescued a Lost Boy Scout With His Helicopter

On July 8, 2001, a 13-year-old Boy Scout named Cody Clawson wandered away from his group at Loll Boy Scout Camp in Targhee National Forest, near the southern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. He was wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals.

By nightfall, temperatures had dropped and rain turned to sleet. Clawson found a rock outcropping and sheltered underneath it. He had no food, no water, no jacket, and no way to signal for help. He spent 18 hours alone in the wilderness.

Back at camp, a search-and-rescue operation was launched. Teton County Search and Rescue called in volunteers, including a local pilot who had helped with rescues before: Harrison Ford.

Ford was not some accidental bystander who happened to fly overhead. He was an active volunteer with Teton County SAR and had rescued a stranded hiker from Table Mountain just the year before. When he heard about the missing boy, he took off in his Bell 407 helicopter and searched for two hours.

Clawson, meanwhile, was using his Scout training. When he heard a helicopter overhead, he pulled off his belt buckle and angled it to flash sunlight at the aircraft. Ford spotted the glint and landed.

The first words out of Ford's mouth: "Boy, you sure must have earned a merit badge for this one."

Clawson's reply: "I already earned this badge last summer."

Ford flew the boy to safety. Clawson later said that Ford's casual "good morning" when he landed reminded him of Han Solo.

Indiana Jones rescued a Boy Scout. The Boy Scout rescued himself first.