Scott O’Grady

Scott O’Grady Speaker Biography

American Hero, US Air Force Veteran, and New York Times Best-Selling Author

Captain Scott O’Grady is a leading veteran fighter pilot keynote speaker whose story of survival and service continues to inspire global audiences. Born in Brooklyn in 1965, O’Grady experienced a cross-country upbringing that ultimately led him to a career in aviation. After high school graduation in Spokane, Washington, he began his studies at the University of Washington before transferring to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. There, he earned his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science in 1989 and was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC. His early life laid the foundation for the extraordinary courage and leadership he would later demonstrate in combat. Although his academic path was rigorous, it was his battlefield experience that elevated him into the national spotlight. Today, he uses those experiences to educate and empower audiences as a top military resilience speaker. With every keynote, he delivers lessons forged in adversity, perseverance, and duty.

Air Force Pilot

Captain O’Grady’s military career took flight at Sheppard Air Force Base, where he completed the elite Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. He then trained as an F-16 pilot at Luke Air Force Base before deploying to Korea, Germany, and Italy in rapid succession. These global assignments sharpened both his technical skills and tactical instincts. By 1995, he was operating with the 555th Fighter Squadron in Aviano, Italy—a role that would change his life forever. In June of that year, while enforcing the NATO no-fly zone over Bosnia, O’Grady’s jet was struck by a surface-to-air missile. What followed became one of the most dramatic survival stories in modern military history. Although seriously endangered, he evaded capture for six days until a daring U.S. Marine rescue mission brought him home. His military service totals over 1,300 flying hours, including more than 1,000 in the F-16. His combat-tested experience now drives his impact as a leading veteran fighter pilot keynote speaker.

Books

O’Grady’s harrowing experience behind enemy lines is detailed in Return With Honor, a New York Times bestselling memoir that stayed on the list for six weeks. The book captures not only his physical survival but also his mental clarity under extreme pressure. It’s been praised for its honest, gripping narrative and used in leadership training and military academies across the country. To reach younger readers, he also authored Basher Five-Two, a youth adaptation that tells the same story of resilience in age-appropriate language. Furthermore, his survival story has been the subject of the Discovery Channel documentary Behind Enemy Lines. He’s also appeared on CNN’s Voices of the Millennium and Then and Now, programs that feature the most influential figures of the past quarter century. These media appearances helped amplify his voice and message to a broad, diverse audience, reaffirming his place as a thought leader in courage, leadership, and tactical decision-making.

Leadership and Faith

After retiring from active service in 2001, O’Grady sought to deepen his understanding of purpose and leadership. He enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary and earned a Master’s degree in 2007. In recognition of his contributions to public service and patriotism, he also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Portland. Notably, his keynote speeches reflect both his military discipline and personal faith, creating a compelling blend of character-driven leadership. Whether addressing Fortune 500 companies, military academies, or civic organizations, O’Grady emphasizes values like integrity, situational awareness, and personal responsibility. Consequently, his message resonates well beyond military contexts. His insights are relevant to anyone navigating high-stakes decisions or turbulent environments. His ability to draw leadership lessons from extreme conditions continues to influence corporate leaders and policymakers alike. As a leading veteran fighter pilot keynote speaker, Captain O’Grady exemplifies not only survival, but growth through adversity.