In 2001, the wilderness near Yellowstone National Park became the unlikely stage for an incredible story of survival, rescue, and a touch of Hollywood magic. Thirteen-year-old Boy Scout Cody Clawson found himself separated from his group, lost and alone in the rugged terrain of Wyoming. What should have been a routine trip had turned into a dire situation, with Cody facing the chilling reality of being stranded for over 18 hours.
It was a terrifying ordeal, but Cody’s Boy Scout training kicked in. Among the many survival skills he had learned, one stood out as a beacon of hope: the use of his belt buckle to reflect sunlight and signal passing aircraft. With no other options available, Cody took a deep breath and began using the buckle, carefully catching the rays of the sun and flashing them in wide arcs across the sky. His hope? That someone, anyone, would notice the glint of light and come to his aid.
Hours passed, and just as his resolve was beginning to wane, Cody saw a small aircraft appear in the sky. He redoubled his efforts, flashing his belt buckle with renewed determination. The plane circled, and the pilot spotted the signal. It wasn’t just any pilot — it was none other than Harrison Ford, a longtime advocate for aviation and a volunteer for search-and-rescue missions in the Yellowstone area.
Ford, who was known for his love of flying and his commitment to helping in emergencies, had been piloting the plane that noticed Cody’s distress signal. Recognizing the importance of the situation, he expertly landed the aircraft near Cody.
When Ford stepped out of the cockpit and called out to him, Cody’s heart skipped a beat. He could hardly believe his ears — that voice, the one that had commanded the Millennium Falcon and delivered iconic lines as Han Solo in Star Wars, was now offering him a lifeline.
“Hey there, you doing alright?” Ford asked, his voice warm and reassuring, yet with the no-nonsense tone of someone who had seen it all.
Cody, still in shock, took a moment to absorb the surreal situation before replying, “Is that… is that really you?“
Ford chuckled, a genuine laugh that echoed with the same charm and humor of his famous on-screen persona. “Yeah, it’s me. Han Solo in the flesh — but no blasters today. You sure earned yourself a merit badge for this, kid.”
Cody, still trying to wrap his head around the reality of the situation, managed a smile. “I think I’m gonna need one for surviving out here first.”
Ford nodded. “Well, surviving was the easy part. The real merit badge here goes to your belt buckle. I’ve seen a lot of things in my day, but that? Smart thinking.”
As Ford helped Cody into the plane and prepared to take him back to safety, the young Scout couldn’t help but marvel at how a simple survival skill — one he had learned in Scouts — had made all the difference. What had started as a terrifying night in the wilderness had turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as the person who came to his rescue was none other than his childhood hero, Han Solo himself.
This story not only underscores the importance of the skills that Cody had learned in Scouts but also highlights Harrison Ford’s deep commitment to volunteer search-and-rescue efforts. Ford, a seasoned pilot and passionate supporter of conservation and emergency services, had spent years assisting in rescue missions in the Yellowstone area. His unexpected role in Cody’s rescue was just one example of the many lives he had touched with his willingness to use his skills for the greater good.
Cody’s story of survival and the incredible twist of having Han Solo himself come to his rescue serves as a reminder that sometimes, heroes appear when you least expect them — whether they’re flying a plane or saving the day on the big screen.
