Beege Welborn

Capt O'Grady, an F-16 pilot, did a masterful job surviving his ejection and staying hidden for the next six days, using every tool he'd been taught in SERE school. It was a miracle when they heard his voice over the radio of another F-16 flying patrol looking for him, and the rescue teams, who were everyday helo crews, ground combat teams, and mortarmen, swung into action.

"Basher 52, this is Basher 11; Roger—you’re alive.” This call from the skies over western Bosnia-Herzegovina set into motion a short, focused operation to rescue U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady (Basher 52) in the early morning of 8 June 1995. The 24th Marine Ex­peditionary Unit (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron Eight, commanded by Commodore Jerome E. Schill and con­sisting of the Kearsarge (LHD-3), Nashville (LPD-13), and Pensacola (LSD-38) were the prime players in the rescue, using highly trained people and standing operating procedures (SOPs) honed by months of practice from a forward-de­ployment posture that allowed for a successful short-notice mission.

Truly one of the United States military's finest hours.