The Navy Sailor Who Rescued Survivors From a Floating Graveyard

This one’s heavy.We’ve heard a lot of military stories over the years… but this one stuck with us.Rick served in the U.S. Navy during the late 80s, and during a deployment in the South China Sea, they got a call about a stranded refugee boat.What they found when they got there… was nothing like they expected.There were bodies everywhere. Survivors that couldn’t even stand. People so far gone they had to be carried onto the ship.And the part that really messes with you… what those people had to do to stay alive.It’s the kind of story you don’t forget.But what hit us just as hard wasn’t just what happened out there. It’s what came after.We talk about the transition out of the military, losing that sense of purpose, and how moments like this don’t just disappear when you come home.A lot of guys carry this stuff for years… and never say a word.👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation.🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.Chapters: 00:00 – Brutal Navy Shellback Initiation00:40 – “They Beat the Hell Out of You”01:16 – Who Is Rick Estrada? (Navy Background)03:26 – Why He Joined the Navy04:15 – Boot Camp Reality vs Expectations06:39 – Cold War Deployment & Russian Encounters10:26 – Crossing the Equator Ceremony (Full Story)14:18 – Mission Redirected: Refugee Distress Call14:54 – Finding the Boat… Something Was Wrong15:43 – Bodies Everywhere (First Discovery)16:09 – 107 People… Only 57 Survived16:41 – Signs of Cannibalism17:20 – Carrying Survivors Onto the Ship18:01 – The Most Disturbing Moment18:50 – Burning the Boat19:15 – Searching for More Survivors20:12 – Dropping Them Off & Moving On20:23 – Port Calls & Wild Deployment Stories22:07 – “Peso Show” Culture Shock27:40 – Wanting to Go to War (Desert Storm)28:44 – Life After the Navy29:28 – Losing Purpose After Service30:40 – Reuniting With Shipmates31:48 – Trauma From the Rescue Mission32:34 – Getting Help & VA Struggles33:31 – Advice to Veterans