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JERSEYVILLE - Navy Hos-pitalman Trenton R. Smith, son of Terry L. Smith of Medora, recently provided support for the dawn rescue mission of the American fighter pilot who was shot down over Bosnia-Hcrzego-vina.Smith provided support while assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit MEU) embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge.Smith helped fellow Marines from the 24th MEU as they planned and executed the successful rescue operation to extract Air Force Capt. Scott O’Grady from Bosnia.Members of the 24th MEU were notified immediately to be ready for a rescue mission in case O’Grady was still alive. Confirmation of O’Grady’s survival was received early June 8 and the mission was launched at dawn from USS Kearsarge.The rescue team flew 87 miles into Bosnia aboard two Marine CH-53E Super Stallion and two%Trenton R. SmithNavy hospitalman AH-1W Cobra helicopters in company with two AV-8B Harrier attack jets.With the Cobra attack helicopters and Harrier attack jets providing airborne cover, the two rescue helicopters landed andMarines fanned out to set up a defensive perimeter. Within seconds O’Grady was running from the woods toward the helicopters and was pulled aboard. The rescue team lifted off after spending less than two minutes on Bosnian soil.On the flight back to USS Kearsarge, the rescue team was fired upon from the ground by at least one surface-to-air missile and various small arms fire. Two helicopters received hits from small arms fire, but no one aboard was injured.The Marine helicopters and Harrier aircraft landed safely aboard USS Kearsarge at about 7:30 a.m., after executing a picture perfect rescue mission they had practiced countless times in training exercises.The 1992 Southwestern High School graduate joined the Navy in August 1992.■ ■ ■Marine Pfc. Christopher A. Turner, son of Sandra A Turner of Dow, recently completed 11
Newspaper Details
Alton Telegraph
Alton, Illinois, US
Fri, Jun 23, 1995
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Hayner P.
IL, USA 11 Oct 2023
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