Scott O'Grady
Encyclopedia
Scott Francis O'Grady is a former USAF Captain and former United States Air Force
fighter pilot who gained prominence after the June 2, 1995 Mrkonjić Grad incident
, in which he ejected over Bosnia
when his F-16C
was shot down by a Bosnian Serb SA-6 while he was patrolling the no-fly zone
. He also participated in the Banja Luka incident
where he fired upon one enemy aircraft. The film "Behind Enemy Lines" is loosely based upon his experiences.
O'Grady is running for the 2012 Republican
Primary nomination for Texas State Senate District 8.
in Serb territory. He survived for almost six days by eating leaves, grass and ant
s, and avoiding Serb patrols while trying to contact Magic, NATO's airborne command center. He evaded capture and was rescued on June 8 by U.S. Marines
of the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines
within the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
based on the USS Kearsarge
.
in episode #5 "Downed Pilot". This has been shown on the National Geographic Channel. It was also covered in "Escape! – Escape From Bosnia: The Scott O'Grady Story" on the History Channel BBC also made a documentary entitled "Missing in Action" that was later purchased by 20th Century Fox and Discovery Communications.
The 2001 film Behind Enemy Lines starring Gene Hackman
and Owen Wilson
is loosely based on this event. Although O'Grady gave it a positive rating on the film review television show Hot Or Not, he sued the film company in 2002 for making the film without his permission. O'Grady took the legal action against 20th Century Fox
for a film he believes was made about him without seeking his permission. He took action over the documentary, Behind Enemy Lines: The Scott O'Grady Story, which was a reedited version of a BBC documentary purchased and edited by Discovery Communications, which owns the Discovery Channel. The documentary was broadcast several times on the Discovery Channel, and O'Grady accused Fox of using it to promote the film. O'Grady took offense at the portrayal of 'his' character in Behind Enemy Lines "as a pilot who disobeys orders and swears". The suits were settled in 2004. Fox made a confidential settlement with O'Grady. A Texas court ruled against O'Grady and in favor of Discovery Communications stating in effect that the events in a persons life is not the same thing as one's likeness or image.
O'Grady co-authored two books, one with Michael French detailing his experiences of being shot down over Bosnia and his eventual rescue — Basher Five-Two: The True Story of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O'Grady. He later wrote a book concerning the spiritual effects from his experience in Return with Honor with Jeff Coplon. Another book has also been written: "Good to Go": The Rescue of Capt. Scott O'Grady, USAF, from Bosnia by Mary Pat Kelly.
, New York
, a son of William P. O'Grady and Mary Lou Scardapane (née Giustra, remarried), and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School
in Spokane
, Washington. He is a former cadet in the Civil Air Patrol
and a 1989 Air Force ROTC graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
's campus in Prescott
, Arizona
. Three years after he was rescued, O'Grady left active duty in the U.S. Air Force and joined the Air Force Reserve, where he continued to fly the F-16. In May 2007, he completed a master's degree
in biblical studies
at Dallas Theological Seminary
in Dallas
, Texas
. He resides in Frisco
in Collin County, Texas
.
O'Grady is an active Republican
, having endorsed such political candidates as Texas State Senator
Brian Birdwell
of Granbury
, Texas, a recovered burn victim of the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon
. On September 19, 2011, O'Grady announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican
Primary nomination for Texas State Senate District 8, following the retirement of Sen. Florence Shapiro.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
fighter pilot who gained prominence after the June 2, 1995 Mrkonjić Grad incident
Mrkonjic Grad incident
The Mrkonjić Grad incident was the shooting down of a United States Air Force F-16C by a Bosnian Serb Army SA-6 surface-to-air missile near Mrkonjić Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on June 2, 1995...
, in which he ejected over Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
when his F-16C
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
was shot down by a Bosnian Serb SA-6 while he was patrolling the no-fly zone
No-fly zone
A no-fly zone is a territory or an area over which aircraft are not permitted to fly. Such zones are usually set up in a military context, somewhat like a demilitarized zone in the sky, and usually prohibit military aircraft of a belligerent nation from operating in the region.-Iraq,...
. He also participated in the Banja Luka incident
Banja Luka incident
The Banja Luka incident on February 28, 1994, was an incident in which six Republika Srpska Air Force J-21 Jastreb single-seat light attack jets were engaged, and four of them shot down, by United States Air Force F-16s southwest of Banja Luka, Bosnia....
where he fired upon one enemy aircraft. The film "Behind Enemy Lines" is loosely based upon his experiences.
O'Grady is running for the 2012 Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Primary nomination for Texas State Senate District 8.
Incidents
The Mrkonjic Grad Incident occurred June 2, 1995, near Mrkonjić GradMrkonjic Grad
Mrkonjić Grad is a town and municipality in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Republika Srpska entity. It is located in the Bosanska Krajina, between Banja Luka and Jajce.-Name:...
in Serb territory. He survived for almost six days by eating leaves, grass and ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
s, and avoiding Serb patrols while trying to contact Magic, NATO's airborne command center. He evaded capture and was rescued on June 8 by U.S. Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
of the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines
3rd Battalion 8th Marines
3rd Battalion 8th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina consisting of approximately 1,100 Marines and Sailors...
within the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
based on the USS Kearsarge
USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)
USS Kearsarge is the third of the United States Navy. She is the fifth ship to be named in honor of the USS Kearsarge, a sloop-of-war that gained fame during the American Civil War, which was in turn named for Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire.-Construction:Kearsarges keel was laid down on 6...
.
Media
The incident was depicted on the documentary television program Situation CriticalSituation Critical
Critical Situation is an American documentary television series. Produced in conjunction with the National Geographic Channel, the series examines various disasters or violent incidents. It replaced Seconds From Disaster, a similar program with a more forensic approach...
in episode #5 "Downed Pilot". This has been shown on the National Geographic Channel. It was also covered in "Escape! – Escape From Bosnia: The Scott O'Grady Story" on the History Channel BBC also made a documentary entitled "Missing in Action" that was later purchased by 20th Century Fox and Discovery Communications.
The 2001 film Behind Enemy Lines starring Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman is an American actor and novelist.Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two, Hackman has also won three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs in a career that spanned five decades. He first came to fame in 1967 with his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde...
and Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson
Owen Cunningham Wilson is an American actor and writer, known for his roles in the films The Haunting, The Royal Tenenbaums, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Wedding Crashers, You, Me and Dupree, Bottle Rocket, the Cars series, The Darjeeling Limited, Marley & Me, Midnight in Paris, Shanghai Noon,...
is loosely based on this event. Although O'Grady gave it a positive rating on the film review television show Hot Or Not, he sued the film company in 2002 for making the film without his permission. O'Grady took the legal action against 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
for a film he believes was made about him without seeking his permission. He took action over the documentary, Behind Enemy Lines: The Scott O'Grady Story, which was a reedited version of a BBC documentary purchased and edited by Discovery Communications, which owns the Discovery Channel. The documentary was broadcast several times on the Discovery Channel, and O'Grady accused Fox of using it to promote the film. O'Grady took offense at the portrayal of 'his' character in Behind Enemy Lines "as a pilot who disobeys orders and swears". The suits were settled in 2004. Fox made a confidential settlement with O'Grady. A Texas court ruled against O'Grady and in favor of Discovery Communications stating in effect that the events in a persons life is not the same thing as one's likeness or image.
O'Grady co-authored two books, one with Michael French detailing his experiences of being shot down over Bosnia and his eventual rescue — Basher Five-Two: The True Story of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O'Grady. He later wrote a book concerning the spiritual effects from his experience in Return with Honor with Jeff Coplon. Another book has also been written: "Good to Go": The Rescue of Capt. Scott O'Grady, USAF, from Bosnia by Mary Pat Kelly.
Personal life
O'Grady was born in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, a son of William P. O'Grady and Mary Lou Scardapane (née Giustra, remarried), and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School
Lewis and Clark High School
- History :In October 1883, Central School, a two story wooden building, was the first school located on the southwest block at Fourth and Steven Reynolds...
in Spokane
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, Washington. He is a former cadet in the Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
and a 1989 Air Force ROTC graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university in the US specializing in aviation and aerospace engineering. It teaches the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace. Called "The Harvard of the Sky" by Time Magazine in 1979, Embry-Riddle has a history dating back to...
's campus in Prescott
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. It was designated "Arizona's Christmas City" by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in the late 1980s....
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. Three years after he was rescued, O'Grady left active duty in the U.S. Air Force and joined the Air Force Reserve, where he continued to fly the F-16. In May 2007, he completed a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in biblical studies
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
at Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary located in Dallas, Texas. It is known for popularizing the theological system known as Dispensationalism...
in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He resides in Frisco
Frisco, Texas
Frisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
in Collin County, Texas
Collin County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 491,675 people, 181,970 households, and 132,292 families residing in the county. The population density was 580 people per square mile . There were 194,892 housing units at an average density of 230 per square mile...
.
O'Grady is an active Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, having endorsed such political candidates as Texas State Senator
Texas Senate
The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing 31 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 672,000 per constituency. There are no term limits, and each term is four years long. The Senate meets at the...
Brian Birdwell
Brian Birdwell
Brian D. Birdwell is a Republican from Granbury, Texas, who represents District 22 in the Texas Senate. A retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, Birdwell is a decorated survivor of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on September 11, 2001.-Election to Texas...
of Granbury
Granbury, Texas
Granbury is a city in Hood County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,718. It is the county seat of Hood County and the principal city of the Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, Texas, a recovered burn victim of the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
. On September 19, 2011, O'Grady announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Primary nomination for Texas State Senate District 8, following the retirement of Sen. Florence Shapiro.