On 14 February 1979, militant Iranian students stormed into the United States embassy in Tehran and took 63 Americans hostage with an additional 3 Americans being seized at the Foreign Ministry. Although 10 of the hostages were freed by the militants, the rest remained for over a year. On 16 April 1980, President Jimmy Carter, after all diplomatic means had failed, approved a military rescue mission. The mission would be code named Operation Eagle Claw.
As a member of the United States Navy, John Diacsuk piloted RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters. On 24 April 1980, he was at the helm of helicopter # 5, call sign Hotel 27 during Operation Eagle Claw.
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May 4, 2022
