06/08/2026
Today marks 31 years since 51 Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lifted off from the USS KEARSARGE on two CH-53E Super Stallions to rescue Air Force pilot, Scott O'Grady who had been shot down over hostile territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina . The two helicopters were accompanied by two Marine Corps AH-1W Supercobra helicopter gunships and a pair of Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jump jets.
On June 8, 1995, at 0635, the helicopters approached the area where O'Grady's signal beacon had been traced. The pilots saw bright yellow smoke coming from trees near a rocky pasture where O'Grady had set off a flare. The first Sea Stallion, commanded by Major William Tarbutton, touched down and 20 Marines jumped off the aircraft and set up a defensive perimeter. As the second Sea Stallion, commanded by Captain Paul Fortunato and Captain James Wright, landed, a figure with a pistol who turned out to be the missing pilot appeared running towards the Marines and immediately went to the Super Stallion. As the side door opened, he was pulled in before the second 20 Marines poised to leave by the rear ramp could even move. They were called back to their seats, and those who had formed the defensive perimeter re-boarded the other helicopter. After a quick head count, the Super Stallions took off. They had been on the ground no more than seven minutes.
Mission Accomplished, Semper Fi Devil Dogs!
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Division 2d Marine Division 3rd Marine Division 4th Marine Division
