Up Front

The great escape

Even if you don’t know the name Thomas Hamill, you probably know something about his story. Hamill is the truck driver from rural Mississippi who signed up for the most dangerous job in the world: delivering fuel and other supplies to our soldiers in Iraq. On April 9, 2004, Hamill’s truck convoy was ambushed near Baghdad. Five people in the convoy were killed. Hamill was injured, taken prisoner and held hostage for 24 days until he made a daring dash to freedom.

Hamill’s capture and escape made headlines worldwide and served as the basis for a best-selling book, “Escape in Iraq: The Thomas Hamill Story.”

Contributing Editor Peter Horner caught up with Hamill at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville earlier this year where Hamill was signing copies of his book and shaking hands with his fellow over-the-road professionals. The first thing Horner asked Hamill: What were you thinking when you decided to go drive a truck in Iraq?

For the answer, turn to this month’s “Life on the Road” column on page 38. The conclusion to Ham-ill’s amazing story, including his escape, will appear in the June issue of OTR’s sister publication, Pro Trucker. You won’t want to miss that, either.