[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN O'GRADY

  Mr. BRYAN. Mr. President, the nation sighed with relief this morning 
as we heard reports that Air Force Capt. Scott F. O'Grady, the United 
States pilot downed by a Serbian surface-to-air missile, had been found 
in good health, and was resting comfortably on a United States aircraft 
carrier.
  Yesterday, in the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary of 
Defense Perry and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General 
Shalikashvili, gave a presentation on United States policy towards 
Bosnia. As was clear from this hearing, there is little agreement on 
what United States policy should be towards this war-torn region, and 
many deeply troubling questions continue to surface regarding the depth 
of United States involvement in Bosnia, and the need for a strong and 
coherent United States and NATO policy.
  But today, I would like to focus on a good news story, and extend 
commendations to Captain O'Grady and the American military personnel 
who were involved in his remarkable recovery.
  Although details of the rescue effort are still being released, it is 
clear that many American military personnel put themselves at great 
risk in the all-out attempt to locate Captain O'Grady and safely bring 
him out of Bosnia.
  The ability of Captain O'Grady to evade capture by the Bosnian Serbs 
for nearly 6 days in heavily wooded areas is a great tribute not only 
to the courage and survival skills of Captain O'Grady, but also to the 
outstanding training he has received as a U.S. Air Force pilot.
  Equally outstanding was the courage and competence of the marines who 
went into Bosnia under extremely dangerous conditions. Early reports 
indicate two CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters under attack by both 
Serbian surface-to-air missiles and small arms fire were able to land 
within 50 meters of where Captain O'Grady was concealed. The commander 
of these marines, Col. Martin Berndt, reached out, grabbed the young 
pilot, and took off in a matter of seconds.
  Finally, many American pilots risked their lives during the past 6 
days, flying through a highly sophisticated Serb integrated air defense 
system in an attempt to pinpoint the location of Captain O'Grady. Many 
of these flights were extremely hazardous routes in and out of 
thunderstorms. During the actual rescue mission, additional American 
pilots covered the Marine helicopters with fighter and electronic 
monitoring aircraft.
  Mr. President, the training, competence and experience that led to 
the spectacular success of this rescue mission gives credit to the 
outstanding job done by Secretary of Defense Perry and General 
Shalikashvili, as well as Adm. Leighton Smith, the NATO commander for 
Southern Europe. But our highest tribute should go to the courageous 
young men who were on the ground in Bosnia or flying low overhead. They 
have demonstrated the best of our U.S. Armed Forces, and the quality of 
the young men and women we have defending our national security. And a 
special tribute must go to the remarkable young man, Captain O'Grady, 
whose actions and courage serve as an example for us all.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  

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