Bud Day
Bud Day | |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal (4, 3 with "V" device) Purple Heart (4) Full list | |
Other work | Author, Return with Honor Partner, Day and Meade (law firm) |
George Everette "Bud" Day (24 February 1925 – 27 July 2013) was a United States Air Force officer, aviator, and veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He was also a prisoner of war, and recipient of the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. As of 2016[update], he is the only person to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. He was posthumously advanced to the rank of brigadier general effective March 27, 2018, as directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.
Day's actions from 26 August 1967 through 14 March 1973 were the last to earn the Medal of Honor prior to the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War on 30 April 1975, though some honorees (e.g. Leslie H. Sabo Jr., honored on 16 May 2012) were cited for their medals after Day's recognition on 4 March 1976. Having earned over 70 awards, decorations, and medals, Day is considered to be the most decorated United States military officer since Douglas MacArthur.[1][2]
Early life and education
Day was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on 24 February 1925. In 1942 he dropped out of Central High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).[3]
After the war, Day attended
Military career
Enlisting in the USMC on 10 December 1942, Day served 30 months in the North Pacific during World War II as a member of a
On 11 December 1946, Day joined the
From February 1953 to August 1955 during the
Day was assistant professor of aerospace science at the Air Force ROTC detachment at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 1959 to August 1963.[3]
Anticipating retirement in 1968 and now a major, Day volunteered for a tour in
Prisoner of war
On 26 August 1967, Major Day was flying F-100F-15-NA, AF Serial No. 56-3954, call sign Misty 01,
Kippenhan was rescued by a USAF
Taken back to his original camp, Day was tortured for escaping, breaking his right arm again. He then was moved to several prison camps near
On 14 March 1973, Day was released after five years and seven months as a North Vietnamese prisoner. Within three days Day was reunited with his wife, Doris Sorensen Day, and four children at March Air Force Base, California. On 4 March 1976, President Gerald Ford awarded Day the Medal of Honor for his personal bravery while a captive in North Vietnam.
Day had been promoted to
Day, in 2008, said of his imprisonment, "As awful as it sounds, no one could say we did not do well. ...[Being a POW] was a major issue in my life and one that I am extremely proud of. I was just living day to day. One bad cold and I would have been dead."[11]
Retirement
After being passed over for nomination to brigadier general, Day retired from active duty in 1977 to resume practicing law in Florida. At his retirement he had nearly 8,000 total flying hours, 4,900 in single-engine jets, and had flown the
Following his retirement, Day wrote an autobiographical account of his experiences as a prisoner of war, Return with Honor, followed by Duty, Honor, Country, which updated his autobiography to include his post-Air Force years. Among other endeavors, in 1996 Day filed a
Posthumous advancement of rank
Day was posthumously advanced to the rank of brigadier general during a Heritage to Horizons summer concert series at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, on June 8, 2018. The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General David L. Goldfein, and attended by his widow, Doris Day. The posthumous advancement of Day was introduced by former prisoner of war cell mate John McCain and was directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The rank advancement was effective from March 27, 2018.[13]
Political activity and controversy
Day was an active member of the
Personal life and death
Day lived in
Day died on 27 July 2013 surrounded by family at his home in Shalimar.[20] He was buried on August 1 at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
John McCain, Day's prisoner-of-war cellmate, said on Day's death, "He was the bravest man I ever knew, and his fierce resistance and resolute leadership set the example for us in prison of how to return home with honor."[11]
Honors
A number of structures have been named after Day. On 14 March 1997, the new Survival School Building at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, was named in his honor. In 2002 the Sioux City, Iowa, airport was renamed Sioux Gateway Airport/Colonel Bud Day Field. On 7 May 2010, Day Manor, a visiting officers quarters (VOQ) at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, was dedicated in his honor. A section of State Road 397 just outside Eglin Air Force Base was named Col. Bud Day Boulevard on 12 October 2010.[21]
In May 2014, Florida's state legislature designated the U.S. Highway 98 overpass in front of the Hurlburt Field main gate "Colonel Bud Day Overpass."
On 4 January 2008 Day was awarded the Freedom Communications Spirit of Freedom Award on behalf of the Northwest Florida Daily News.
On 15 March 2014, he was named the
It was announced Day will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame on October 1, 2016, in Dayton, Ohio. [1]
A road in the city of Sikeston, Missouri is named after Day. The original name was Col. George E. Day Pkwy but was revised, after his posthumous advancement, to Gen. George E. Day Pkwy.
As of 2013[update] Day was the only person ever to have been awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross. He is widely considered to be the most-decorated airman in history.[22][23]
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Colonel (then Major), U.S. Air Force, Forward Air Controller Pilot of an F-100 aircraft.
Place and date: North Vietnam, 26 August 1967.
Entered service at: Sioux City, Iowa.
Born: February 24, 1925, Sioux City, Iowa.
General Orders: GB-180, 22 March 1976[22]Citation: On 26 August 1967, Colonel Day was forced to eject from his aircraft over North Vietnam when it was hit by ground fire. His right arm was broken in 3 places, and his left knee was badly sprained. He was immediately captured by hostile forces and taken to a prison camp where he was interrogated and severely tortured. After causing the guards to relax their vigilance, Col. Day escaped into the jungle and began the trek toward South Vietnam. Despite injuries inflicted by fragments of a bomb or rocket, he continued southward surviving only on a few berries and uncooked frogs. He successfully evaded enemy patrols and reached the Bến Hải River, where he encountered U.S. artillery barrages. With the aid of a bamboo log float, Col. Day swam across the river and entered the demilitarized zone. Due to delirium, he lost his sense of direction and wandered aimlessly for several days. After several unsuccessful attempts to signal U.S. aircraft, he was ambushed and recaptured by the Viet Cong, sustaining gunshot wounds to his left hand and thigh. He was returned to the prison from which he had escaped and later was moved to Hanoi after giving his captors false information to questions put before him. Physically, Col. Day was totally debilitated and unable to perform even the simplest task for himself. Despite his many injuries, he continued to offer maximum resistance. His personal bravery in the face of deadly enemy pressure was significant in saving the lives of fellow aviators who were still flying against the enemy. Col. Day's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.[24]
Air Force Cross citation
The Air Force Cross is presented to George Everett Day, Colonel, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 16 July 1969 to 14 October 1969. During this period, Colonel Day was subjected to maximum punishment and torture by Vietnamese guards to obtain a detailed confession of escape plans, policies, and orders of the American senior ranking officer in the camp, and the communications methods used by the Americans interned in the camp. Colonel Day withstood this punishment and gave nothing of value to the Vietnamese, although he sustained many injuries and open wounds to his body. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the face of the enemy, Colonel Day reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, Special Orders GB-1152, (October 29, 1974)[22][25]
Badges and awards
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge | |||||||
Medal of Honor[22] | Air Force Cross[22] | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal[22]
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Silver Star[22] | Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster[26] | Distinguished Flying Cross[22] | Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters (3 awards for Valor)[22]
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Purple Heart with three bronze oak leaf clusters | Defense Meritorious Service Medal | Air Medal with silver and four bronze oak leaf clusters | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||||
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters
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Prisoner of War Medal | Combat Readiness Medal | Army Good Conduct Medal | ||||
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal | American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
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World War II Victory Medal
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National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star | Korean Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal with two silver and four bronze service stars | Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters
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Armed Forces Reserve Medal | Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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China War Memorial Medal | National Order of Vietnam, Knight | ||||
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
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Vietnam Psychological Warfare Medal 1st Class | Vietnam Veteran's Medal 1st Class | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
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United Nations Korea Medal
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Vietnam Campaign Medal | Republic of Korea War Service Medal
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Medal of Valor,
Iowa Air National Guard | ||||
Vietnam Master Parachutist Badge |
- Plus, Brig Gen Day was wearing one unidentified badge on his right pocket.
See also
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- New York Magazine. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Stoelting, Carrie; Stoelting, Stacie (August 2018). "August Edition: In Memory of John McCain, Bud Day, and All POWs". unitetheusa.org. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "George E. Day". VeteranTributes.org. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
- ^ Chris McGowan (2005). "Col. George "Bud" Day: Siouxland's Hometown Hero" (PDF). Siouxland Lifestyle Magazine. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
- ^ Nophsker, Gary (Misty 128). "Misty Unofficial History". MistyVietnam.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Bio, Day, George E. "Bud"".
- ISBN 1-85780-115-6, page 116.
- ISBN 1-85780-115-6
- The Atlantic Monthly. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- ^ "Rereading Vietnam". The Atlantic. 2007-08-25. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- ^ Gannett Company. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- ISBN 0-912173-16-5, page 258
- ^ Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs (June 11, 2018) http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1547139/col-george-day-advanced-to-the-rank-of-brigadier-general/. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Obama defends his patriotism; McCain and Clark trade shots". Los Angeles Times. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-07-18.[dead link]
- ^ Multiple sources:
- Mitchell, Alison (1999-12-21). "Bush and McCain pointing to a big South Carolina clash". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- "No shying away from God talk in campaign". The Boston Globe. 1999-12-23. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- Sidoti, Liz (2008-01-22). "Price of Power: McCain accepts ex-Swift Boaters' donations". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "Former POW criticizes Kerry". 2008-07-18. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05.
- "Any Questions (script)". SBVT website. 2004-10-12. Archived from the original on October 2, 2004.
- "Any Questions (video)". SBVT website. 2004-11-08. Archived from the original (WMV) on 2004-11-30.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "McCain surrogate makes controversial muslim comment". CNN. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- "McCain POW pal angers muslims". Miami Herald. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.[dead link]
- "McCain backer Bud Day warns of muslim attempts to 'kill us'". Fox News. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- "McCain POW bud: Muslims 'going to kill us'". 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- "Day teleconference (audio)". Miami Herald. 2008-07-18.
- ^ "McCain POW bud: Muslims 'going to kill us'". 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
- 2012 Hearing on religious freedom. United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original(PDF) on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Col. Bud Day, Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 88". myfoxny. Retrieved 28 July 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ McCurdy, Angel (12 October 2010). "Road named in honor of Bud Day". Northwest Florida Daily News. Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Valor awards for George Everett "Bud" Day". Hall of Valor. Gannett / Military Times. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
- ^ "One of AF most decorated heroes passes away". United States Air Force. July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ "Medal of Honor recipients – Vietnam (A–L)". United States Army. July 16, 2007. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ^ "Home of Heroes". Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ^ "George Day – Recipient – Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
Further reading
- Coram, Robert. American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day. Little, Brown and Company, ©2007.
- "John T. Correll, "The Strength of Bud Day" Air Force Magazine December 2005". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Johyn L. Frisbee, "Valor: The Long Road to Freedom" Air Force Magazine September 1984". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
External links
- "HistoryNet.com "Bud Day: Vietnam War POW Hero"". Archived from the original on March 20, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Gathering of Eagles biography, Air University 2008". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Major George E. Day, archived news link, Air Force Link". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "POW Network". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Interview at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library". Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- "The Things We Carry: A POW bracelet, a Medal of Honor recipient, and how the two came together, by Jeffrey L. Seglin". 2011-11-08. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- "Senator McCain on Death of Fellow POW Bud Day". c-span.org. July 29, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- "NN News Medal of Honor Article". Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- Col George Everett "Bud" Day at Find a Grave
- National Aviation Hall of Fame
- Appearances on C-SPAN