Escape from Corregidor , first published in 1958, is the harrowing account of Edgar Whitcomb, a B-17 navigator who arrives in World War II Philippines just before its capture by the invading Japanese. He evades the enemy on Bataan by traveling to Corregidor Island in a small boat. However, Whitcomb is captured but later manages to escape at night in an hours-long swim to safety. Captured once again weeks later, Whitcomb is imprisoned, tortured and starved, before being transferred to China and eventual freedom. Whitcomb (1917-2016) served as governor of the state of Indiana from 1969-1973, and in later life made a number of solo sailing voyages before returning to his home state.