April 13, 2009
Captain's Heroism A Beacon For Americans
Harry Smith: Richard Phillips' Selflessness Unfathomable To Greedy CEOS
-
Play CBS Video Video Hometown Heroes In Captain Richard Phillips hometown, Underhill Center, VT, there is a collective sigh of relief. Bianca Solorzano Reports.
-
(AP)
-
In The Spotlight Harry Smith Reporting The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith offers commentary for CBSNews.com.
The American on board the life boat heroically gave himself up to his captors so his crew and his ship could go free. The standoff has gone on for several days - patience is not plentiful. The White House says if the captain's life is threatened, use deadly force.
And suddenly all three pirates are visible to the snipers, and one pirate has his gun at Capt. Phillips' back. Seconds later, the three pirates are dead. Training, skill, luck and guts brought the drama on the high seas to an end.
And we wake up to a military that did its job flawlessly. And a merchant captain who acted in a way no American CEO could fathom.
Capt. Richard Phillips' selflessness has us all in awe.
By Harry Smith
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
