For many years I was a member of a Christian organization called the FGBMFI –
(Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International).

Many of us men gave our testimonies telling of God’s miracles in our lives.
I am enclosing one such given some years back by Commander Wilgus.
Prop driven planes were still in use in those days.

My son has a Christian friend that is a retired USN - Lt. Commander and my son
showed his friend Wilgus’s  testimony who recognized Carl Wilgus immediately;
and said that they were together in cadet training at the Pensacola Air Station,
in Florida - - a coincidence.
*********************************************************************************************************

OUR GOD IS ABLE TO DO ANYTHING!

The following was a testimony given by . . .
Commander Carl Wilgus, United States Navy
 

One of the great experiences of my life as a Christian occurred years ago while flying a
four-engine aircraft from an airfield in Florida.  I was an Ensign Plane Commander at the
time and pilot of the aircraft.  I had completely given my life to the Lord a few months earlier.

We had just taken off from the airfield when number two engine blew the exhaust stack loose,
allowing flames to enter the nacelle area where the fuel, oil lines and oil tanks were located.
We quickly reduced power on that engine and continued climbing on the three good ones.
The aircraft was quite heavy and we were still very low, so we did not stop the engine
completely by “feathering” the propeller.  Instead, we closed the throttle and set full low rpm
to obtain minimum drag.

We climbed a few hundred feet, then turned back toward the airfield.  The other three engines
were getting hot.  Suddenly number one engine “seized” internally and completely stopped.
The propeller, however, was turning so fast that all the nose section bolts sheared.  Oil ran
back on the red-hot exhaust stacks and the whole engine was on fire.  I ordered, “Feather
number one,” and reached for the throttles to get maximum power.  The plane was dropping
so fast I realized we couldn’t clear the trees immediately below.  To myself I said, “So this is
how I’m going to die!”  There wasn’t a doubt in my mind but that I had just traveled my last
mile in this life.

At that instant I looked out and saw Jesus standing with arms outstretched waiting for me.
I remembered my name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life - - that I was a child of God.
A feeling of peace, joy and sheer ecstasy swept over me.  I saw another figure standing
there - - but sideways to me.  I recognized him immediately as “Death” but his hands,
which were behind his back, were bound together.  Death could not touch me and the
Lord was waiting for me with open arms!  I cried out, “JESUS, SAVE US!”  That huge
airplane sailed over the treetops and did not crash.  I don’t know how - - only it was the Lord.

We were now so low I planned to ditch the plane in the ocean near shore, but with number two
engine at maximum power -- blown stack or not -- we continued to hold altitude and airspeed.
We were just clearing the wave tops when I saw an unused runway that was too short for big
planes, and was closed to all aircraft.  We turned quickly, landed safely, and were able to stop
at the very end of the runway.  Our God is able to do anything!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.