[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SCOTT O'GRADY

                                 ______


                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 1996

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Air Force Capt. Scott F. 
O'Grady, who today received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the 
Air Force Commendation Medal at a special ceremony at the Pentagon.
  Scott's heroism and courage during his 6 days in hiding in hostile 
Bosnian territory after his F-16 was shot down by a Serb missile made 
him an immediate celebrity upon his return to the United States. 
Americans were riveted by the story of his avoiding detection by armed 
patrols and using basic survival techniques to stay alive for 6 days 
without food and water before his ultimate rescue by a group of 
courageous Marines from the U.S.S. Kearsage.
  On Friday, June 2, 1995, Scott was piloting his F-16 Falcon in a 
routine combat air patrol with another F-16 as part of the NATO 
operation to enforce a no-fly zone over Bosnia. Suddenly, he detected 
missiles aimed at him from the ground and took evasive maneuvers. One 
missile exploded between the two planes, but the second one scored a 
direct hit on Scott's plane, forcing him to eject. Dazed from the force 
of his abrupt separation from the aircraft and suffering burns from the 
explosion, Scott parachuted to the ground where Bosnian Serb troops 
were already searching for him.
  Quickly gathering his wits, he pressed his body to the ground to 
avoid discovery. He then used his survival training to collect dew for 
drinking water and gather grasses and insects for food. He stayed alive 
with only these things for 6 long days and was able to move around only 
at night. When the rescue team arrived on Thursday, they found him 
exhausted yet unbowed by his ordeal.
  I had the pleasure of meeting this young man when he returned to the 
United States for a hero's welcome that included a ceremony with 
President Clinton and Secretary Perry. He was exceedingly modest about 
his exploits and full of praise for his rescuers.
  I believe that Scott embodies the qualities for which Americans are 
respected around the world, namely dedication to duty, belief in God, 
rugged individualism, and a never-say-die spirit that keeps us going 
even when we fear that all is lost.
  I am proud of this native son of the State of Washington, who hails 
from my hometown of Spokane. I wish him congratulations and best wishes 
for the future.

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