O’Grady Receives 3 Military Awards

Fri., March 15, 1996

From Staff Reports

Flashing his famous grin, Spokane’s Scott O’Grady received a Bronze Star for heroism Thursday in a low-key Pentagon ceremony.

The fighter pilot turned national hero also was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

O’Grady, 30, was on a routine mission last June, enforcing a NATO no-fly zone over Bosnia, when his F-16 was shot down.

The Air Force captain, who had taken survival training at Fairchild Air Force Base, eluded Serb forces for six days, surviving on rainwater, grass and ants before being rescued June 8.

“Like it or not, Scott, you’re part of American history and always will be,” said Maj. Gen. Robert McIntosh, chief of the Air Force Reserve, who presented the medals Thursday. , DataTimes

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