Growing up in Lithia Springs, Georgia, Ron Young, Jr. dreamed
of flying jets since the age of five. After becoming an Eagle Scout, Ron learned
he could fly Apache helicopters if he joined the Army, he enlisted. On March 23,
2003, during his first combat mission in the Iraqi war, he and copilot Chief
Warrant Officer David Williams went down with their Apache Longbow helicopter
amidst fierce gunfire about 50 miles southwest of Baghdad.
The two warrant officers eluded the pursuant Iraqi soldiers for more than an
hour, but they were finally taken captive and held prisoner for 22 days. Two
attempts were made to rescue the pilots, but the fire was so heavy – “like a
hornet’s nest” – that the efforts were unsuccessful. Finally, Young, Williams
and five other POWs were rescued by the Marines. “That was awesome… beyond
words. I was ecstatic… greatest day of my life,” Young said. He now shares his
story of dedication, courage and inspiration with audiences nationwide.
Ron is currently working as a cable news special contributor for The War on
Terror.
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