OREGON - An airman who allegedly deserted Ellsworth Air ForceBase where he was stationed, survived in his car for
16 days under four feet of snow. Thomas Truett, 29,
left his post in South Dakota on December 3rd and
drove West, through North California, until his 1982
Mazda sports car became stuck in the wilderness of
Oregon. He attempted to walk out of the woods, but
weather conditions were too severe. He survived in his
automobile for 16 days with only a bottle of orange
juice and a package of M&Ms. When he was finally found
Truett had lost more than 20 pounds. Upon release from
the hospital he is to be turned over to the Air Force
where he will face federal desertion charges.
