Iran. Operation Eagle Claw. US President Jimmy Carter decides to launch a raid to free the 52 American diplomats still in Iranian hands. The mission is detailed and complex. Problems begin immediately upon approaching the Desert 1 base set up in the desert east of Tehran. A firefight breaks out with unknown vehicles, possibly smugglers’ vehicles. When an Iranian gasoline truck is hit, it explodes into a fireball. Eight helicopters arrive from the aircraft carrier as planned, but two of them experience mechanical problems and turn back, and a third becomes unusable upon landing. Carter then cancels the mission. But in the ensuing confusion, a helicopter collides with a C-130 loaded with fuel. Eight Americans are killed and many others are injured. The surviving helicopters return to the aircraft carrier. Carter will describe it as one of the worst days of his life.
