This Wedding Dress Was Made From The Parachute That Saved The Groom's Life In WWII
October 8, 2019
"This is the parachute that saved my life," Claude Hensinger said to his soon-to-be wife. "I want you to make a wedding gown out of it."
So, she did.
Credit: Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
Major Claude Hensinger was an American pilot during World War II. In 1944, his engine caught fire over Yowata, Japan, and he had no other choice but to evacuate the plane with his parachute.
Thankfully, he only suffered minor injuries after landing on some rocks.
That night, he kept himself warm with his parachute. The following day, he was brought to safety and was able to return home to the United States.
After he returned home, he met Ruth. The couple dated for about a year before he asked her to marry him.
Major Claude Hensinger and Ruth on their wedding day
When Hensinger asked Ruth to make the dress from his parachute she was excited. But she thought to herself "How am I going to make a gown out of 16 gores of nylon and all that bias?"
Ruth had emulated the pattern from a dress she fell absolutely in love with displayed in a window that looked identical to Scarlet O'Hara's in Gone With the Wind.
On July 19, 1947, Ruth and Major Claude Hensinger were married.
The dress is now on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
Sources: Smithsonian, Ripley's
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Twin Telepathy? Identical Sisters Speak In Perfect Sync During Live News Interview
Heartbroken Child Writes 7-Page Letter After Giving Up Her Beloved Cat
This 28-Pound Rabbit Wears Hats, Drives A Tiny Car, And Comforts Strangers
Holly The Dog Celebrates Her Final Day As 'Cuddle Manager' At Children’s Hospital
Twin Telepathy? Identical Sisters Speak In Perfect Sync During Live News Interview
Teen Takes Great-Grandma To Prom After She Reveals She Never Got To Go
Panda Gets A Leafy Surprise And Absolutely Loses It In The Best Way
Supermarket Worker Leaves Everyone In Tears, Wins Golden Buzzer On BGT
Family Cookout Turns Wholesome When UPS Driver Gets Waved Down