Return with Honor

by Scott O'Grady

When Air Force pilot Scott O'Grady was shot down over Serbian-held Bosnia, no one, not even the upper echelons of the military, knew where he was for six, long days. Return with Honor is O'Grady's riveting account of that time, filled with the incredible, never-before-revealed details about the tricks and strategems he used to avoid the enemy and survive.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Military History, Autobiography, Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

On June 2, 1995, U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady was flying a mission over Bosnia to enforce the NATO no-fly zone. At 27,000 feet, he was shot down by an anti aircraft missile. His F16 fighter jet was literally cut in half! After surviving his fiery descent to earth, his ordeal on the ground began as he was relentlessly hunted by Bosnian Serbs behind enemy lines. This is a true life thriller about a real American hero who humbly refers to himself not as a hero, but as a survivor.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second half a little more than the first half. The first half led up to the events and the second half was the events of surviving. I remember when this happened and have wanted to read the book for years. This is the type of strength and courage that has kept America's freedom. Freedom isn't free and is bought with a price.

[Julie Custard Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. My brother was part of this mission so it was very touching to me.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting details. He ate a bunch of ants, munched leaves, drank the sweat out of his socks...all expected, but the details that fascinate me concern modern warfare.

A USAF pilot carries a "blood chit," which is a promissory note from the US government promising to pay money to whoever offers assistance to a downed pilot (in 11 different languages no less)...and his "Geneva card," which states that he expects to be treated humanely according to guidelines set by the Geneva Convention. It's like trying to stop a rapist wielding a knife who broke into your house by telling him "Stop. You can't do this to me. It's AGAINST THE LAW."

I can see the courtroom and the lawyers now..."Did you tell him you did not wish to be raped?" or "Did you tell him you did not wish to be tortured and beaten as a captured prisoner of war? Well, how was this Bosnian shepherder supposed to know? Did you speak in Croatian?"

Ironies, ironies. Scott O'Grady spent years studying his ass off, attending different schools, trainings, assignments all over the world, simulations, flies a $20 million science fiction machine...the average age of the Marine unit sent in to get him: 19. What did they have: Lots of GUNS. And I'm not talking about a little 9 mm Beretta tucked under their left arm pit.

"As I huddled in those woods, I didn't feel like Captain O'Grady, fighter pilot. I was just a scared guy named Scott, getting by on his wits, discovering more about himself each day. I gained a new sense of self-worth, and it had nothing to do with medals or decorations."

He lost 25 pounds in six days of escape and evasion.

Love the anecdote about the Marine unit sergeant. A colonel, lt colonel, and sergeant major led the Marine mission, meaning they STAND by their most exposed troops, really leading it. They're in the helicopter flying out, taking fire from all sides, and a bullet ricochets off the sergeant's canteen O'Grady just handed back to him. A young Marine picks up the casing and shows the sergeant who waves it off and tells him "you can keep it." I can't help but smile imagining bullets bouncing off this crusty old bastard.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of this book goes really slow and boring; but, it ended up being one of the most inspirational books I've ever read. Of course, I remembered when he was shot down in Bosnia, and we all prayed for him. Scott O'Grady talks about how he could feel the prayers of the world sustain him in his 6 day escape and evasion. He is a devout Catholic and this is a wonderful story of a modern miracle.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

put a good story and a good perspective of things to me

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several inspirational forces at play within the pages of Return with Honor, Air Force Captain, and fellow Texan, Scott O’Grady’s story of service and survival. First Captain O’Grady takes the time to explain the characteristics of various planes and jets he’s flown over the years, a fascinating opportunity for me to really put to use my Attack and Interceptor Jets guidebook. Second, he speaks about the honor of serving America, of striving to achieve honorable goals in life. Third, Captain O’Grady thanks God for all the right things….the blessings and gifts along with the hard lessons, the crosses in life, and life itself. I am grateful for men like Scott O’Grady, for the men and women who serve others in serving our great Nation. May God bless them.

“The Tomb [of the Unknown Soldier:] stood for what lasted. It wasn’t the reward that mattered or the recognition that you might harvest. It was your depth of commitment, your quality of service, the product of your devotion---these were the things that counted in a life.” US Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/art...

Future Texas Senator Scott O'Grady?! Check it out:

http://www.redstate.com/izoneguy/2009...

http://www.scottfortexas.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmZGLr...

[Lewis Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and detailed account of Capt. O'Grady's rescue, and his tribute to the U.S. Marines and support personnel who performed his rescue.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return With Honor is the incredible story of U. S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady, who, while helping enforce the NATO No-Fly Zone in Bosnia, managed to survive a missile impact at 27,000 feet and then elude the relentless pursuit of the Bosnian Serbs. An inspiring tale of courage, faith, and patriotism. Okay, so I copied that part, but it says it well. I read this book soon after it was published and the event had been in the news. It was such a great story--everyone thought he had died or been captured, then there were reports of a signal and it was all hushed up to protect him,, etc, etc. If you like a thrilling true story, this is a good one. I especially liked how he describes his feelings of helplessness and dependence on God--humility from a fighter pilot!

[Jillaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not super well written, but, hey, the guy's a fighter pilot not an author. He survived being hit by a missile, ejecting from his plane, parachuting into enemy territory, and then evaded while surviving on practically no food or water. This is the first-hand account of Captain Scott O'Grady's 8-day ordeal in Bosnia in the late 1990s when his jet, patrolling as part of NATO's peace-keeping mission, was shot down my a missile. O'Grady gives some excellent background on the training of a military pilot that gets a bit technically confusing at times, but lends depth to the story. His will to survive and to rely upon God amidst his ordeal is a key theme of the book. It was a good read, but not fantastic.

[Danica McLaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris had this book from awhile back and it was really good. So sad to read about how this man lived out in the middle of the war for days before being rescued. All the while he was being hunted by the enemy and had no food. A great true story to read about one of our service men who gave his all for this great contry!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Scott O'Grady is a F-16 Pilot. O'Grady got shot down over Bosnia. He provides a candid. Now he struggles for survival. He has nothing but a radio. Do you think he'll get back home?

I have no connections.

I gave this book 4 stars because this was interesting. It was really full of action and adventure. I recommend this book to anyone who likes war books.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice change of pace for me. I thought it was the story that the movie "Behind Enemy Lines" was based on, and it might have been, but the book was much different...unrecognizable from the movie. I did like it, however, and thought that the fact that the author gave credit to all who were involved in his rescue, inclucing God, was very inspiring.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite "escape and evade" story, but I liked it. It's an easy read, and O'Grady makes his story easy to follow. I appreciated his bluntness of feelings and emotions about his whole ordeal. I especially liked his acknowledgement of God's involvement in his life when there seems to be so little talk of God today.

[Austin Outhavong · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think that the reason i liked this read was that it contains that element of "becoming" that i must like.

scott takes you from his youth to his life as a pilot. so i got to see how that path looks. and peek into a world that i've never seen.

[Lottimerrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

THis was really good. THe first part about the jet wasn't that intriguing to me but when he told about being shot down . . .well that was unbelievable! We need to know about heroes like this. A real feel good book!

[Travis Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the story of a fighter pilot that was shot down over Bosnia. What made the book interesting was that the book exploring his beliefs and experiences which allowed the reader to understand what kind of person he is and what kept him going on through the ordeal.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

How often can you read a first hand account of a jet fighter's survival story. This is a nice quick read. I felt that the book borderlines on Christian-lit. O Grady must have brought up his faith on every other page.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's the story of Captain Scott O'Grady getting shot down out of his F16 in Bosnia and his struggle to survive. There are lots of great paragraphs with life lessons contained in them.

The book was a quick read- took me a day and a half. I highly recommend it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last chapter is my favorite . Where he explains WHY to cherish life, not to take things for granted, love those around you and thank God for what you have because it all may be gone in a moment.

[Eric Jefcoat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capt. O'Grady gives a great description of all he overcame to survive after getting shot down over Bosnia. Don't make the mistake of reading it just once.

[Mark Doty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Russ Windsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to shake this mans hand on his book years and years ago. I finally read it and was amazed with what he endured to get back home.

[Wayne Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book and testimony! I didn't realize that Scott was a believer. He showed ultimate dependence on God's strength in a difficult situation. Would highly recommend!

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of survival and faith.

[Justin]

The story Return with Honor by Captain Scott O'Grady. The author reveals his life story along with the events in his military career including his life changing event that occurred in Bosnia in his nonfiction book Return with Honor.
In the beginning of our story our author starts out in the United States talking about his childhood and the events of his life that led him to enlisting into the United States Air Force. While learning about his military background we learn about our conflict of the story along with the characters. In the story the conflict that is revealed is about the war between Bosnia and the Serbs, but the way our characters connect to this is how NATO is involved along with the Air Force. The main idea is how Captain Scott survived being shot down while in the enemy territory of Bosnia and the lessons of what he has learned from this.
Captain Scott o’Grady’s book Return with Honor is a good read the book is entertaining yet informative. The way he writes about the conflict he faces throughout the story really grabs the attention of the reader because it almost makes the reader feel like they are experiencing this first hand. The book is written in an informative and entertaining aspect. This is showed as he informs the reader of events yet along entertaining the reader by making his work graspable and thrilling leaving the reader in suspense after every sentence.
I feel this book is a good read for someone who enjoys reading about war related topics or just someone looking for a good read to sit down and get pulled into the book. Overall I would recommend this book to someone looking for a good read.

[Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super-short book that will inspire you and remind you that because there are no guarantees in life, there must surely be miracles.

Scott O’Grady flew his F16 on a night mission over Bosnia on the night of June 2, 1995. It was a routine flight, and no one expected problems. But that was before the Serb-fired anti-aircraft mistle sliced O’Grady’s plane in half, leaving him to eject over hostile skies and hope his chute and ejection seat would work as advertised.

This is a powerful, impactful story of a young American who loved his country and recognized that, without God, he had no hope of living. I enjoyed this book immensely, and it reminded me of the extreme importance of those tiny miracles—tender mercies—call them what you wish—that happen in our lives constantly that we largely take for granted or ignore altogether. This book reminded me of how much richer and glorious my own life would be if I stop taking credit for things and started mentally taking notes on the numerous ways in which a providential hand has steadied me, uplifted me, and enabled me to survive the battering and banging of mortality.

There’s plenty of suspense here as O’Grady is as close as five feet from hostile Serbs who would have likely ended his life or used him for a bargaining chip. You’ll read about radio signals sent in hope that go unanswered. You won’t be wondering how soon the book will end because you’ll be too immersed in its content.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott O'Grady's book Returning with honor is a biography about the U.S. Air force captain Scott O’Grady was on a mission flying over Bosnia. He was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile.
On June 2nd, 1995 U.S. Air force Captain Scott O’Grady was shot down over Bosnia. He had an F16 fighter jet and it was literally cut in half. Somehow he survived and then he had to hide because he was being hunted constantly by soldiers. This book was pretty boring at the beginning but as it went on it got really good. It took him 6 days to escape.
This book was not that good in the beginning, it was really boring. Then as the story went on it got insanely good. The 10 minutes we had at beginning of class I was actually kinda excited to read it which is a first. I've always hated reading but now I don't really mind it. I just need to read something I like.
I like the author's style with this book. He made it so you actually want to read it like u wouldn't want to stop reading it and you would look forward to reading it.
This book is definitely worth reading. I personally hate reading and it made me want to read it.

[John Jannuzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a thrift store. I knew nothing about it, but thought I'd give it a try. ' glad I did. It is not a literary masterpiece, but a good, short, easy read. It is more than just an account of his six days on the ground in Bosnia after being shot down. He gives a detailed account of his journey to become a fighter pilot, and tells of his training and life as a military pilot. He is candid about his faith, and how it grew through, and from his experience. His humility came out throughout the book, as he recognized his good fortunate, and the many people that helped him along the way. Yup, this was well worth the $1.50 I paid for it. I enjoyed it.

[Donovan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recently out of the USAF when this took place and I remember well the emotional ride that the country went through.
The story is presented very well and the details are fascinating. There were a few places where the flashback sections didn't flow as well and that is the only reason for the 4 star rating. The story itself is great. The faith aspect is beautifully conveyed. (I would like to hear him now, 30+ years later).
His attitude and appreciation for the marines who rescued him, his training that prepared him, and his faith that sustained him, are nicely detailed.
Worth the time to read this? Absolutely.