Richard Bakke
American soldier
Born on: May 13, 1946Died on: April 25, 1980
Aged: 33 years 348 days (407 months)
Birth Sign: Taurus
Operation Eagle Claw was a failed United States Department of Defense attempt to rescue 53 embassy staff held captive by Revolutionary Iran on 24 April 1980.
It was ordered by U.S. president Jimmy Carter after the staff were seized at the Embassy of the United States, Tehran.
The operation, one of Delta Force's first, encountered many obstacles and failures and was subsequently aborted. Eight helicopters were sent to the first staging area in Great Salt Desert called Desert One, but only five arrived in operational condition.
One had encountered hydraulic problems, another was caught in a sand storm, and the third showed signs of a cracked rotor blade.
During the operational planning, it was decided that the mission would be aborted if fewer than six helicopters remained operational upon arrival at the Desert One site, despite only four being absolutely necessary.
The field commanders advised President Carter to abort the mission, which he did.
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