User:Neverworked/sandbox

Gregory P. Robertson is a United States Parachute certified Skydiver Accelerated Freefall Instructor and Safety & Training Advisor who performed the first mid-air rescue of an unconscious skydiver in April of 1987.

The Rescue
On April 18, 1987, Gregory saw fellow skydiver Debbie Williams get knocked unconscious in a freefall collision. He quickly dove to her and pulled her reserve ripcord 10 seconds before she would have hit the ground. He then deployed his own parachute and landed safely.

Media Coverage
The story of the rescue broke in The Phoenix Gazette’s afternoon edition on Wednesday, April 22, 1987. By the next day, newspapers and television networks around the world had reported the story.

Honors and Awards
In recognition of this accomplishment, Gregory received multiple honors and awards. AT&T presented Gregory with its highest award, The Gold Vail Award. This was only the 21st such award presented in the company’s 110-year history. The Carnegie Hero Foundation presented him with a Carnegie Hero Medal. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale awarded him The Diploma for Outstanding Airmanship, which was the first time in their 82-year history that they presented this award to a skydiver. The President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, sent him a Letter of Congratulations. The Governor of Arizona, Even Mecham, presented him with a Certificate of Merit. The Kiwanis Club awarded him their Robert P. Connelly Medal of Heroism. At a Banquet sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, Gregory received the Arizona Aviator’s Trophy.

TV Recreations
Between 1987 and 2001, Gregory provided technical direction and appeared in four recreations of the rescue for different television networks. These recreations played around the world and are now available for viewing now on YouTube.