On September 14, 1965, a hunting expedition intended to be just a two-minute trophy affair turned into a grueling fight for survival for three individuals stranded in the rugged terrain of Alaska.
Texas businessman Thomas Brawner, his guide and pilot Ralph Marshall, and hunter Helen Burnett found themselves in a dire situation after their plane malfunctioned while attempting to hunt mountain goats in the Bering Glacier country east of Cordova.
The initial plan seemed simple: a quick landing on Hanna Lake, abundant with game, to bag a goat. However, upon landing, a wing strut collapsed, grounding their aircraft and stranding the trio in the unforgiving wilderness.
Marshall described the mechanical failure, recalling, “The float fitting to the fuselage came loose after we landed. The fuselage was laying right on top of the floats. It was impossible to fly the plane out in that state.” With no option but to leave the aircraft behind, the group set off on foot, in search of safety and shelter.
Having packed only meager supplies — three sleeping bags, a plastic tarp, some salt, and a couple of guns — the hunters quickly realized the gravity of their situation. Burnett, who owned a bar called The Club in Anchorage, had suggested Hanna Lake as a possible hunting spot, but there was no concrete plan in place, leaving them disoriented and uncertain about their location.
The three trekked about three miles away from the crash site, settling in a small valley surrounded by peaks, hoping to find better conditions. Unfortunately, the area provided little shelter or firewood. “The area was so green; we had a heck of a time finding enough to cook with,” Marshall recounted later.
As each day passed, their situation grew increasingly desperate. They took turns hunting for goat, which became their primary source of food, cooked with limited supplies. “I didn’t know goat could taste so good with nothing but salt washed down with glacier water,” Marshall remarked, reflecting on their sparse diet.
Back in Anchorage, concern was mounting as the trio failed to return. Brawner’s wife, Sybil, anxiously awaited news, and Burnett’s absence at her bar did not go unnoticed either. The Civil Air Patrol, joined by the Coast Guard, Air Force, and volunteer pilots, quickly initiated search efforts.
Many in Anchorage feared for their loved ones as they knew the dangers of the Alaskan wilderness too well. Search teams scoured the area, interviewing over 100 individuals and exploring every possible lead.
The search was hampered by poor weather, with rain and fog obstructing visibility, causing delays and forcing planes to remain grounded.
As the days turned into eleven, hope began to wane. Capt. Victor Rhine, commander of the Civil Air Patrol in Cordova, expressed his growing concerns: “I don’t see how he can be anywhere around (Cordova). We’ve searched all the country at least three times. We’re going to try the glaciers next and then I’m fresh out of ideas where to look.”
On the fourteenth day of their ordeal, with spirits dwindling and exhaustion setting in, the trio decided to leave their makeshift camp and search for Yakataga, thinking it may provide a better chance of being found.
Marshall later reflected on the difficulty of their planned march, stating, “We would have had a terrible time getting out — it’s real rough country. It would probably have taken four or five days, and I might have made it by myself.” The uncertainty loomed for Brawner and Burnett, both of whom had less wilderness experience.
Meanwhile, the search operation continued to narrow in on their location. Coincidentally, on the same day the trio decided to move, rescuers discovered their abandoned plane and the note left behind. Shortly thereafter, an Air Force C-130 flying above spotted smoke rising from the small fire the group had managed to build, a beacon of hope for the search teams.
That moment proved fortuitous as the C-130 dropped emergency supplies, including a radio, to the stranded hunters who had almost given up hope. As they were being located, the stranded individuals remained passive observers, not waving at the circling aircraft, but feeling a renewed sense of optimism.
However, the rescue operation couldn’t happen immediately. The terrain surrounding them was too rough for a plane landing, requiring a helicopter to extract them. The following day, September 29, a helicopter from Eielson Air Force Base arrived and successfully transported the three hunters to safety in Yakataga.
The relief upon their rescue was palpable. As they were airlifted to safety, the emotional reunion between Brawner and his wife brought tears to both their eyes. Sybil, who had endured two weeks of uncertainty, rushed to her husband as soon as she spotted him disembarking from the helicopter.
Brawner, visibly exhausted and grateful to be reunited with his wife, shared his thoughts with the press: “My blood just turned to ice — I’m warm now for the first time in two weeks.”
Once the survivors regained their health, they reflected on the ordeal with newfound humor. Burnett quipped about the looseness of her clothes, while Marshall lightheartedly commented on the unexpected length of their hunting trip: “We thought we’d stop and get a two-minute goat, and it ended up being two weeks.”
After spending time in the company of their rescuers, Brawner was flown directly to Anchorage for medical treatment, while Marshall and Burnett were taken back to Cordova. Brawner, the less physically prepared of the group, faced the toughest time emotionally and physically in the wilderness.
Each of the survivors carried a striking sense of humility and newfound appreciation for the fragility of life. They learned valuable lessons from their harrowing experience. “In this business, it’s bound to catch up with you sooner or later,” Marshall stated, recognizing the risks of their wilderness endeavors.
Soon after the rescue, Brawner expressed eagerness to return to Alaska. With a promise to come back the next year, the Texan looked forward to sharing more adventures in the Alaskan wilderness, though his wife was less than enthusiastic about this prospect, recalling the panic she endured during their two-week ordeal.
The story of survival served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Alaska and the tenacity of those who navigate its wilderness. Their experience highlights the importance of preparation, communication, and teamwork in the face of natural challenges.
In summary, the misadventures of Brawner, Marshall, and Burnett provide vital insights into human resilience and the necessity for caution in exploring the wild. Alaskan wilderness, while alluring, conceals dangers that must be respected. This narrative not only marks a significant rescue operation but also encapsulates the enduring spirit of those who venture into the vast, untamed terrains of Alaska.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2025/04/27/how-a-two-minute-alaska-hunting-stop-in-1965-turned-into-a-two-week-slog-for-survival/
