Richard Phillips

Captain Richard Phillips was taken hostage when Somali pirates took control of the U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama, on April 8, 2009. Phillips was held on the Maersk's 28-foot lifeboat during a four-day standoff between the pirates and U.S. Navy forces before he was rescued uninjured on April 12, 2009.CNN: American Captain Rescued... (April 12, 2009) He returned home on April 17, 2009, greeting his wife and family at Burlington International Airport in Vermont.MSNBC: Captain Held by Pirates Flies Home a Hero

Richard Phillips testified in front of Congress on April 30, 2009, and stated that commercial ships should be protected by government-supported armed corps.Associated Press: Ship captain: Just arming crews won't stop piracy (April 30, 2009)

According to reports, the use of force in the rescue operation had been directly approved by President Barack Obama beforehand.Associated Press: Obama approved force to rescue pirate hostage (April 12, 2009) The rescue took place at dusk on April 12, 2009, when sharp shooters using night vision goggles simultaneously killed three pirates standing 100 feet away in a steeply pitching lifeboat. Defense Secretary Robert Gates described the pirates as "untrained teenagers with heavy weapons."Daily News: President Obama vows to do battle with ... Somali pirates (April 13, 2009)

Following the rescue, President Obama was quoted as saying that he was "very pleased" with the outcome and said that Phillips' demonstrated courage was "a model for all Americans."The Press Association: Navy kills pirates to free captain (April 12, 2009)

On April 12, 2009, reports said both the FBI and the U.S. Navy were negotiating with the pirates for Phillips' release—even as the Maersk Alabama arrived safely in port in Kenya. Crew members of the Maersk have called the 53-year-old Phillips a hero for allowing himself to be captured in order to save them.Telegraph.co.uk: American sea hostage is a 'hero' say crew members (April 12, 2009)

At about midnight on April 9, 2009, Captain Phillips managed to briefly escape by jumping overboard. He was quickly recaptured. Both the U.S. Navy and the pirates were sending more ships to the location on the morning of April 10, 2009.CNN: More pirates searching for lifeboat, official says

In the early morning hours of April 8, 2009, the Maersk Alabama was chased by Somalian pirates for nearly three hours before it was overtaken. Later in the day, reports surfaced that the crew of the Maersk Alabama had regained control of the ship from the four attackers and was holding one in custody. The pirates, however, had taken Phillips hostage as well.

After nearly 12 hours of trying to negotiate with the attackers, the two sides agreed to exchange hostages, with the U.S. crew giving up the attacker and the pirates giving up Phillips. After the crew of the Maersk Alabama released the attacker however, the pirates reneged on the deal and fled with Captain Phillips on a lifeboat.CNN: More pirates searching for lifeboat, official says