“Only by God’s Grace and Duct Tape: Living Life in the Danger Zone” is an extraordinary memoir that takes readers on a remarkable journey from the humble beginnings of a young farm boy to the high-stakes world of military aviation and leadership. Published by Citi of Books, this is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms.
It’s a story told with honesty, humor, and unwavering faith—showing how God’s guiding hand and a little bit of resourcefulness can carry a person through life’s most dangerous and defining moments. Packed with gripping accounts of combat missions, unexpected career turns, and miraculous moments of survival, this book is both a legacy for the author’s family and an inspiring message to readers everywhere about perseverance, integrity, and divine protection.
Ben Votipka is the husband of 38 years to Pam, with three wonder son’s and daughter’s-in-law and 13 awesome grandchildren. He grew up on a dairy farm in Nebraska as #12 of 13 children and now resides in Eastern North Carolina where his wife grew up. Ben completed 30 years of military service that included 6 years in the Army as a helicopter mechanic and attack helicopter pilot. Then 14 years in the Airforce flying F-16s, F-15Es, T-37s and the T-6, plus an ALO/FAC with the 82nd Airborne where he made 106 static-line parachute jumps.
He finished out his last 10 years as and ALO/FAC in the Air National Guard while he fly as a pilot for Southwest Airlines. Ben is currently a Boeing 737 Captain and Check Airman when not flying for work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren and serving God and his community in many volunteer organizations. And any free time he has you can find him taking people up flying is a couple of WWII taildraggers and a small helicopter.
The memoir opens with the author’s childhood on a farm, where the values of hard work, humility, and determination were instilled early. His journey took a life-changing turn when he was given the rare opportunity to work on and eventually fly the revolutionary UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter—an achievement few thought possible. Over the years, he went on to pilot a range of powerful aircraft, including the AH-1 Cobra, F-16C, and F-15E, while taking on leadership roles that put him at the center of historic moments, such as leading 120 Air Force paratroopers during the largest combat jump since World War II. The narrative captures not only the technical demands of flying and combat leadership, but also the personal courage required to face each mission with conviction and faith.
This book goes beyond thrilling military exploits. It is a deeply human story about surviving life’s most harrowing challenges, from helicopter and small aircraft crashes to night flying at treetop level with NVGs, to high-speed bombing runs at 700 mph, to parachuting into tight and dangerous drop zones. In every situation, the author relied not only on his training, but also on a practical, problem-solving mindset—what he calls his “80% solutions” approach—often sealed together with literal duct tape to get the job done. Throughout it all, his faith in God’s grace was unshakable, guiding him to make moral, legal, and right decisions even when under extreme pressure.
“Only by God’s Grace and Duct Tape” is more than a military memoir—it’s an invitation to reflect on life’s unpredictable journey and the forces that guide us through it. Readers will find themselves drawn into vivid, high-adrenaline accounts of combat missions and aviation challenges, while also being moved by the author’s moments of vulnerability, gratitude, and faith. It appeals to veterans, aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates an honest story of overcoming adversity.
When you do the right things for the right reasons—and keep your trust in God—you can face any challenge with courage and resilience.
“Only by God’s Grace and Duct Tape: Living Life in the Danger Zone” by Opie Votipka is now available for purchase through the links provided below:
- Citi of Books: https://citiofbooks.com/bookstore/action-adventure/the-aukmondi-curse-of-the-uninspired/
- Amazon: https://a.co/d/8bKmxoi
- Barnes and Nobles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-aukmondi-h-d-higgins/1124812329?ean=9798893917574
- AbeBooks: https://www.abebooks.com/AUKMONDI-CURSE-UNINSPIRED-H-D-Higgins/32254192500/bd