Cody Clawson: Lost Scout Saved by Harrison Ford

Picture this: a 13-year-old kid, lost in the wilds of Yellowstone, cold and scared, with nothing but a belt buckle to save him. Then, out of nowhere, a helicopter swoops in, piloted by none other than Harrison Ford—yep, the guy who played Han Solo and Indiana Jones. This isn’t a movie script; it’s the real-life story of Cody Clawson, a Boy Scout whose tale of survival and rescue is so wild, it’ll stick with you long after you finish reading. At Phacts, we’re all about digging into incredible true stories, and this one’s a gem. Let’s dive into every detail of Cody’s wild adventure, step by step.

A Boy Scout Trip Goes Wrong

It was July 10, 2001, and Cody Clawson, a 13-year-old from Huntsville, Utah, was excited for a Boy Scout camping trip. He was part of Troop 241, a group of kids heading to Loll Boy Scout Camp in Targhee National Forest, just a mile south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The camp was about 40 miles north of Jackson, a rugged spot surrounded by trees, mountains, and wildlife. Cody was a typical Scout—eager, curious, and ready to earn some merit badges.

The troop arrived at the camp that Monday, and the boys started unloading supplies from their vehicles. Cody grabbed some gear and followed someone he thought was his dad, heading toward the campsite. But in the bustle of setting up, he took a wrong turn. Before he knew it, he was alone, wandering off the trail into the thick forest. Wearing just a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals, he wasn’t dressed for trouble. By 2 p.m., his troop noticed he was gone and started searching. After four hours with no sign of him, they called the authorities in Fremont County, Idaho, and Teton County, Wyoming.

Lost in the Wilderness

Cody didn’t realize how lost he was at first. He kept walking, hoping to spot a familiar face or landmark. But Yellowstone’s wilderness is massive—over 3,400 square miles of tough terrain. The forest was dense, and the trails weren’t always clear. As hours passed, the sky darkened, and the weather turned nasty. Rain started falling, then sleet—icy pellets that stung his skin. Temperatures dropped, and Cody, soaked and shivering, knew he was in real danger.

He didn’t panic, though. Thanks to his Boy Scout training, he had some survival skills up his sleeve. Cody found a small cave—a rocky overhang that offered a bit of shelter. He curled up inside, trying to stay warm as the rain pounded outside. “It was pretty scary,” he later told ABC News. All night, he huddled there, hungry, tired, and wondering if anyone would find him. Eighteen hours ticked by, and Cody was still missing.

A Glint of Hope

The next morning, Tuesday, July 11, Cody woke up to a faint sound—aircraft buzzing overhead. Search teams were out in full force, combing the area with planes and helicopters. The Teton County Sheriff’s Office had called in every resource they had. Cody knew this was his chance. He stumbled out of the cave, his legs stiff from the cold, and looked for an open spot where he could be seen.

Here’s where his Boy Scout smarts kicked in. Cody remembered a trick from his training: you can use something shiny to signal for help. He pulled off his Scout belt, which had a big, polished brass buckle. Standing in a clearing, he tilted it toward the sun, catching the light and flashing it up at the sky. It wasn’t easy—his hands were shaky, and the clouds kept moving—but he kept at it, hoping someone would notice.

Harrison Ford Enters the Scene

Meanwhile, up in the air, a helicopter was cutting through the morning mist. The pilot? Harrison Ford, the famous actor known for blockbuster roles like Han Solo in Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Ford wasn’t just a celebrity, though—he was a skilled pilot who lived part-time in Jackson, Wyoming. He owned a Bell 407 helicopter and often volunteered with the Teton County Search and Rescue team. “I’m gonna fly anyway,” he once said in an interview, “so I might as well fly search and rescue and help people.” His help saved the sheriff’s department $1,000 an hour compared to hiring a private pilot.

Ford had been flying for two hours that morning, scanning the forest with another searcher. Around 8:30 a.m., about 10 miles from Cody’s camp, they spotted a tiny flicker of light bouncing off the trees. It was Cody’s belt buckle signal. Ford circled back, zeroed in on the clearing, and set the chopper down on a nearby hill. A rescuer hopped out, shouting Cody’s name. “We’re here to get you,” the man yelled, “but you’ll never guess who’s flying the helicopter!”

The Rescue Moment

Cody didn’t care who it was—he just wanted out of there. He scrambled toward the helicopter, his heart pounding with relief. Then he saw the pilot: a rugged guy with a familiar face and a voice that hit him like a bolt of lightning. “Good morning,” the pilot said, and Cody froze. “It sounded just like Han Solo from Star Wars,” he later told reporters. That’s when it clicked—Harrison Ford, the movie star, was his rescuer.

Ford grinned and helped Cody into the helicopter. “Boy, you sure must have earned a merit badge for this one,” he joked. Cody, still dazed, managed a reply: “I already earned this badge last summer.” Ford laughed, slapped him on the back, and lifted off. The short flight took them straight to the search-and-rescue headquarters, where Cody’s worried family and troop were waiting.

Back at Camp

When Cody landed, he was soggy, cold, and exhausted, but safe. His troop swarmed him, amazed he’d survived the night. Then the story got even better—they found out Harrison Ford had saved him. “The kids asked if I got an autograph,” Cody said, “but I told them, ‘No, but I got a hug and a handshake, and that’s better.’” Back at camp, he was a hero—and a little embarrassed. Getting lost wasn’t exactly a proud moment, but being rescued by a legend made up for it.

Ford didn’t stick around for the spotlight. He waved goodbye and flew off, humble as ever. For him, it was just another day of helping out. But for Cody, it was a memory he’d never forget. “Wow, Han Solo just rescued me,” he thought. “How cool is that?”

Who Is Harrison Ford, the Pilot?

Let’s take a step back and talk about the guy behind the rescue. Harrison Ford wasn’t just a Hollywood big shot—he was a real-deal aviator. Born on July 13, 1942, in Chicago, he’d been acting since the 1970s, starring in hits like Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. By 2001, he was 59 and a household name. But flying was his other passion. He got his pilot’s license years earlier and owned several aircraft, including that trusty Bell 407 helicopter.

Ford lived part-time in Jackson, Wyoming, where he loved the wide-open spaces. He started volunteering for search-and-rescue missions because he could—his skills and chopper were a perfect fit. In fact, this wasn’t his first rescue. A year earlier, in July 2000, he’d saved a hiker named Megan Freeman from Table Mountain in Teton County. She’d gotten sick from altitude and dehydration, and Ford flew her to a hospital in Driggs, Idaho. The guy was basically a real-life action hero.

Cody’s Life After the Rescue

What happened to Cody after that wild day? He went back to Utah with his troop, a little shaken but okay. The story made headlines—“Harrison Ford Rescues Boy Scout!”—and Cody got a taste of fame. He didn’t let it go to his head, though. Years later, he settled down in Ogden, Utah, with his wife, Kelsi, and their son, Kael, who was 16 months old by 2015. Cody got a job making filters for dialysis machines at a medical company—a steady gig far from the wilderness.

Looking back, Cody called Ford a “genuine hero.” “What he did gave me a different perspective on stars,” he told the Daily Mail. “They sometimes get portrayed as snobby people, but there really are good, generous people out there.” For him, that hug and handshake beat any autograph.

Why This Story Sticks With You

Cody Clawson’s tale is the kind of thing that makes you sit up straight. A kid gets lost, uses his wits to survive, and gets saved by a movie star—it’s almost too perfect. At Phacts, we’re hooked on stories that show how unpredictable life can be. Think about it: if Cody hadn’t had that belt buckle, or if Ford hadn’t been flying that day, things could’ve ended differently. It’s a mix of luck, skill, and timing that turned a scary situation into an epic rescue.

It’s also a reminder of what people can do when they step up. Cody’s Boy Scout training saved his life. Ford’s willingness to help saved the day. Together, they made a story that’s been told and retold for over 20 years. It’s not just about a kid and a celebrity—it’s about survival, kindness, and a little bit of movie magic in real life.

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Can’t get enough of Cody’s incredible rescue by Harrison Ford? At Phacts, we’re obsessed with true stories that blow your mind. Head over to phactsblog.com for more tales like this—there’s a whole world of wild facts waiting for you! Share this article with your friends, leave a comment with your thoughts, and sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a Phact. Let’s keep uncovering the coolest stories together!

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