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All Eternity Lies Before Me
A suspense-filled real-life drama perfect for veterans and fans of military dramas alike, the author interweaves her memories as a Navy pilot’s wife with the tale of what happened to her husband’s crew after having to ditch their crippled plane in stormy North Pacific waters during the Cold War.
Alfa Foxtrot 586, a P-3 Orion turboprop, was conducting a sensitive Cold War mission off the Kamchatka Peninsula on October 26, 1978, when a propeller malfunction turned into four engine fires and the pilot—Loreen Grigsby’s husband, Jerry—was forced to ditch into remote, mountainous seas churned by a frigid North Pacific storm. The aircraft sank within ninety seconds, taking one of the three rafts with it—which left thirteen men to huddle together in the remaining two rafts, the smaller of which soon began to leak.
Told from Loreen’s perspective as a navy wife at home as well as through the eyes of the men who survived the disaster, All Eternity Lies Before Me weaves a gripping tale of struggle, uncertainty, grief, and heroism. It shares Loreen’s terror as she receives notifications about her husband’s crew’s desperate battle against wind, seas, and biting cold. It details the ad hoc search and rescue mission, a valiant effort to rescue the men before time runs out. And, tragically, it tells how a young Navy wife becomes a widow and single mom.
But Jerry’s death is not the end of Loreen’s story—and in the years following his loss, she discovers resilience, strength, and even new love with one of the accident survivors, Matt Gibbons. As she begins her journey toward a brighter future, she’s inspired by the camaraderie and brotherhood forged between the survivors and their rescuers—and ultimately, the long-term lessons learned by all involved become part of the lasting legacy of this event.
Alfa Foxtrot 586, a P-3 Orion turboprop, was conducting a sensitive Cold War mission off the Kamchatka Peninsula on October 26, 1978, when a propeller malfunction turned into four engine fires and the pilot—Loreen Grigsby’s husband, Jerry—was forced to ditch into remote, mountainous seas churned by a frigid North Pacific storm. The aircraft sank within ninety seconds, taking one of the three rafts with it—which left thirteen men to huddle together in the remaining two rafts, the smaller of which soon began to leak.
Told from Loreen’s perspective as a navy wife at home as well as through the eyes of the men who survived the disaster, All Eternity Lies Before Me weaves a gripping tale of struggle, uncertainty, grief, and heroism. It shares Loreen’s terror as she receives notifications about her husband’s crew’s desperate battle against wind, seas, and biting cold. It details the ad hoc search and rescue mission, a valiant effort to rescue the men before time runs out. And, tragically, it tells how a young Navy wife becomes a widow and single mom.
But Jerry’s death is not the end of Loreen’s story—and in the years following his loss, she discovers resilience, strength, and even new love with one of the accident survivors, Matt Gibbons. As she begins her journey toward a brighter future, she’s inspired by the camaraderie and brotherhood forged between the survivors and their rescuers—and ultimately, the long-term lessons learned by all involved become part of the lasting legacy of this event.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 2, 2025
A thorough telling of a roller-coaster tale of survival and loss.
Loreen Gibbons’s All Eternity Lies Before Me is, indeed, a story of hope, faith, and love.
Told from two points of view: one from deep in the action of the 1978 Navy Alfa Foxtrot 586 ditching in tempestuous foreign seas, and another from the Navy wife whose faith is tested through reports, rumors, and truths.
Emotions managed in the wake of a life-and-death situation and the pursuit to keep a family together through storms of disbelief and grief bring this brave memoir to a heroic conclusion.
A reader can only imagine the scars uncovered while writing these pages of dashed hopes, shaken faith, and constant love. Yet here, a second chance blooms, a credit to the author for a cathartic and healing work.
Loreen Gibbons’s All Eternity Lies Before Me is, indeed, a story of hope, faith, and love.
Told from two points of view: one from deep in the action of the 1978 Navy Alfa Foxtrot 586 ditching in tempestuous foreign seas, and another from the Navy wife whose faith is tested through reports, rumors, and truths.
Emotions managed in the wake of a life-and-death situation and the pursuit to keep a family together through storms of disbelief and grief bring this brave memoir to a heroic conclusion.
A reader can only imagine the scars uncovered while writing these pages of dashed hopes, shaken faith, and constant love. Yet here, a second chance blooms, a credit to the author for a cathartic and healing work.
October 23, 2025
In Loreen’s suspenseful story, the detail and research to determine what happened when her Navy pilot husband and crew ditched their crippled plane impressed me. The book demonstrated the camaraderie of the Navy community when their fellow families need support. It also showed how historic enemies (USSR) can come to the rescue. The impressive landing in the ocean with survivors allowed the Navy to gain important insight into the equipment failure preventing another tragedy from happening.
I started both reading and listening to the audiobook, but the audiobook was so well done, I stopped reading and finished by listening.
I started both reading and listening to the audiobook, but the audiobook was so well done, I stopped reading and finished by listening.
February 28, 2025
This is an excellent book, written by a strong woman. The emotions involved in writing this must have been painful to experience - reliving such a painful period in her life. And with that, to write such a beautiful book that doesn’t shy away from the pain, doesn’t descend into hagiography, and fills the reader with such hope. I am truly impressed.
March 10, 2025
My uncle, Dennis Mette, was part of the SAR team and I’ve heard stories of the ditching many times. Loreen’s point of view provides an emotional component that stands in contrast to the military jargon and facts of the event. Bravo for sharing such an emotional and personal experience with all of us.
July 2, 2026
Just an amazing book dealing with the Cold War, loss, and military life from the perspective of those who have lost everything. It offers both a spiritual and personal insight into heartbreak and building a life after.
July 14, 2025
This is an amazing story of bravery, courage, discipline of a. Crew on a flight mission near the Aleutian aIslands. Thank you Loreen for sharing your incredible story.
September 2, 2026
Enlightening
Those who were directly involved provide insights into the immediate and long term impact(s) of the event from personal and analytical perspectives.
Those who were directly involved provide insights into the immediate and long term impact(s) of the event from personal and analytical perspectives.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews