Scott O'Grady

My hero (Drew it)

Scott O'Grady is my hero because he survived a plane crash when a missile shot down his F-16. Regardless that he had landed in enemy territory after evacuating from his jet, he did not ever surrender to the enemy. He evaded solders and used his great skills and survival techniques to remain safe and alive. Even though he had heard of all the other people who had been in similar "life or death" situations, he did not give up.

Scott was born on October 2, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York. He has two younger siblings: Stacy and Paul O'Grady. After moving so much, he graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, and then joined the state university. Scott then earned a degree in aerospace management in 1989 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona. He was then commissioned in the Air Force on April 20, and trained and served as an F-16 pilot in South Korea, Germany, and the Aviano base in Italy. This remained his job from then, and now.

On the day of June 2, 1995, Scott was patrolling the skies over Bosnia, to help enforce the "no fly" zone, when his F-16 was targeted and shot by a missile. After the missile had hit the target, the plane was consumed in flames, and Scott, hesitant about what to do, ejected from his plane. After several hours, Scott landed in a forest in Bosnia. He had landed in hostile territory.

Some heroes have claimed their title as "hero" from their actions. Scott might have also have been named "a hero" because of his actions, or maybe, his faith and trust in God and himself. Throughout his whole experience, including the destruction of his F-16, Scott had always prayed to God and trusted in him.

Scott's courage, or as some might call it, "call of duty", was also a factor of his heroism. He never let fear consume him. When he was in Bosnia, trying to run and hide from the Bosnian people who had heard of his landing, his feet had sometimes stopped. He was frightened and surprised, but he'd wake up from his "paralysis" and keep moving. He knew that his family, and the Air Force, was waiting for him.

This last heroic aspect is what most hero's actions are based on - perseverance. "To never give up" is what they say. Pushing themselves, to keep on going: this is what Scott must've done. Pushing himself 'til the very end, while he was stranded in Bosnia and when the missile had shot his plane. I know that he never stopped anything or anyone from keeping him away from his goal: to return safely to the Air Force.

Scott O'Grady, former American pilot, was a hero to many people. His skill and leadership inspired many people to make the same groundbreaking achievements. Today, he remains in the Air Force, working as a captain, and is still remembered for what he had done 12 years before.