In 1979, the world watched in horror as Iranian revolutionaries captured more than 50 Americans at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held them hostage for 444 days. But amidst the chaos, six others managed to evade capture and hide for nearly three months before making a daring escape, a story that would later inspire the Academy Award-winning film "Argo." This is the untold tale of their harrowing journey to freedom.

Uncovering the Extraordinary Escape that Inspired a Hollywood Blockbuster

The Calm Before the Storm

In the fall of 1979, Lee Schatz, a United States attache stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, visited his family in Post Falls, Idaho, for a few days. Though he was nervous about the tense situation in Iran, Schatz, a grain specialist, had requested the assignment, eager to witness the country's post-revolutionary transition firsthand. "You don't often see history made," he would later tell a local newspaper.Little did Schatz's parents know that their son would soon find himself at the center of a dramatic escape that would captivate the world decades later. As the Iranian revolutionaries stormed the embassy on November 4, 1979, Schatz and five other American diplomats managed to evade capture and go into hiding, setting the stage for a daring rescue mission orchestrated by the CIA and the Canadian government.

The Fugitives in Hiding

For nearly three months, Schatz and his fellow diplomats – Robert Anders, Cora Amburn-Lijek, Mark Lijek, Joseph Stafford, and Kathleen Stafford – lived in relative comfort, thanks to the efforts of the Swedish and Canadian governments. The Swedes concealed the group for almost two weeks, before the Canadians provided them with lodgings and supplies, allowing the six Americans to enjoy relative ease, even playing Scrabble to pass the time.As the world focused on the plight of the 52 hostages held at the embassy, the CIA and Canadian intelligence hatched a bold plan to extract the six hidden diplomats. Posing as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a fictional science-fiction movie, the CIA operatives provided the fugitives with fake passports and guided them through the Tehran airport on January 29, 1980, allowing them to escape without incident.

The Hollywood Connection

In 2013, director Ben Affleck's film "Argo" brought the story of the six diplomats' escape to the silver screen, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. While the movie took some creative liberties, Schatz, who was referred to as "the oddball from Idaho" in the film, enjoyed the cinematic depiction of the events. "It's a movie, guys, it's not history," he said, chuckling about his on-screen portrayal.The success of "Argo" not only shone a spotlight on the CIA's daring rescue mission but also highlighted the remarkable resilience and resourcefulness of the six Americans who managed to evade capture and ultimately escape the chaos of Tehran. Their story serves as a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the determination to overcome even the most daunting of circumstances.

The Lasting Legacy

The events of 1979-1980 in Tehran have left an indelible mark on American history, and the story of the six diplomats who escaped captivity has become a symbol of hope and perseverance. While the world may have known the outcome of the hostage crisis, the untold tale of Schatz and his fellow fugitives serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can triumph.Today, as the world continues to grapple with complex geopolitical challenges, the story of the "Argo Six" stands as a testament to the enduring power of courage, ingenuity, and the unwavering determination to overcome adversity. It is a story that not only captivates the imagination but also inspires us to believe that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, the human spirit can find a way to prevail.