Marine Saved After 36 Hours Floating In Sea Comes Home

SPOKANE - Ten days after surviving 36 hours floating alone in the Arabian Sea, Lance Cpl. Zachary Mayo returned home to his family last night, ready for some sleep.

Mayo stepped off a civilian flight from Washington, D.C., and into the arms of Osburn, Idaho, family members, who were joined by a welcoming contingent of seven uniformed Marines at Spokane International Airport. Television cameras and reporters also were on hand.

"I'm just glad to be home," said a tired Mayo, who said his first order of business was to head home for some sleep.

After that, Mayo plans to spend a month helping recruit for the Marines.

Mayo was on the aircraft carrier USS America before dawn Nov. 25 when a strong wind and a jolt from a swinging door knocked him overboard. He hadn't been able to sleep and had gone on deck to gaze at the stars.

"I joined the Marine Corps to see the world and do a lot of things, but I never thought that I'd fall off a ship," the 20-year-old said.

After falling overboard, Mayo treaded water for about 15 minutes and put his Marine training to use by tying his pants in a knot and inflating them for use as a life preserver. He floated alone under the hot sun and estimates he swam for 20 to 30 hours in hopes that he might be spotted.

The Navy gave him up for lost after a lengthy search. Then, as Mayo bobbed in the waters asleep, a Pakistani fishing boat spotted him. The crew picked him up and took him to their village.

Mayo was greeted at the airport by his mother, Cindy; his father, Stan; his grandmother, Ila Wild; and an uncle, George Wild.

"I didn't think I was going to be able to come home for Christmas, and here I am," he said.