Uploaded February 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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On February 17, 1974, Robert Preston performed one of the most bizarre stunts in United States military history. Preston, who was then a private in the Army, stole a helicopter from Fort Meade and flew it to Washington, D.C., where he led Maryland State Police helicopters on a chase that ended on the south lawn of the White House. In recognition of the fortieth anniversary of this strange act of military insubordination, we present you with that evening's report from Nightly News.

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