LTC George L. O’Grady Honored for Military Service by Senate President Leroy Garcia

October 4, 2019

Trinidad, CO – LTC George L. O’Grady today was presented a tribute by Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia for his military service to American and for advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all. The recognition of his service and sacrifice for our country was presented at Mr. O’Grady’s home in Trinidad.“It was the honor of a lifetime to serve our country, and it is wonderful to be recognized today – so many years later – for that service. Thank you to everyone who came today, it is so humbling to be supported by so many members of the community I love and fought to protect,” said O’Grady. “Mr. O’Grady is a decorated military veteran whose bravery in combat and engineering innovations have no doubt contributed to the safe return of countless Americans,” said President Garcia. “While we can never truly repay our debt to Mr. O’Grady, it is an honor and a privilege, as a fellow veteran, to present this token of gratitude that recognizes and commemorates his service to and sacrifice for our country,” said President Garcia. The tribute from Mt. Rose read: “Mt. Rose Hospice presents this certificate and blanket to you, as a small token of appreciation for your service to our country. Your service has not gone unnoticed. You endured hardships and you were willing to risk your life to maintain our freedom. On behalf of the staff at Mt. Rose Hospice, please accept our thanks and gratitude. When you see these items, know that your service to the nation is deeply appreciated. Mt. Rose Hospice recognizes that we could not do what we do, if you had not done what you did. It is with the utmost respect and honor that we salute you today, for your bravery, hard work, and dedication!”O’Grady is retired master Army aviator with 5,000 total flight hours, of which 1900 were combat. He commanded the Cobras, the gun platoon of the 114th Assault Helicopter Company, during his first tour in Vietnam. The Cobras were responsible for night air assaults into base areas to protect villages and outposts. They became infamous for their bravery so much so that their call sign was given to the Army’s first attack helicopter. During his second tour, O’Grady commanded B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, providing reconnaissance and long-range patrols that blocked three infiltration routes leading out of Cambodia. His bravery and service earned him many awards including three Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, and two Presidential Unit Citations. Not only did he excel on the battlefield, but O’Grady also combined his combat experience and engineering talent to improve equipment. Outside of his combat tours, O’Grady drafted the Army’s first field manual on A Gunnery, helped set up the first instrumented helicopter firing range at Fort Rucker, and established the first door gunner training program. He also designed a flight helmet shield to block flare light, constructed helicopter cargo door airflow adapters, modified an M-39 cannon for helicopters, performed classified work on the Hellfire missile, redesigned the M-5 ammunition box, utilized the XM-3 smoke adaptor, and applied a microphone sensing system to develop a hostile fire indictor. O’Grady also developed a Relative Win Air Data System for more accurate rocketry and smoother flight that is still in use today.The ceremony and recognition was organized by Patient's Home by Mt. Rose Health Center Palliative Care and Hospice, a member of We Honor Veterans - a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program focuses on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgement and provides educational tools and resources to promote veteran-centric educational activities; increase organizational capacity to serve veterans; support development of strategic partnerships; and increase access to improve quality.For more information about the We Honor Veterans program, please visit https://www.wehonorveterans.org/. 

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