Ave Atque Vale, Col. Day

[Subdeacon Joe]

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Col-Bud-Day-Medal-of-Honor-recipient-dies-at-88-4691827.php

 

Born
Feb. 24, 1925, in Sioux City, Iowa, where the airport is named for him,
Day joined the Marines in 1942 while still in high school. He returned
home, graduated law school and passed the bar exam in 1949. He entered
the Iowa National Guard
in 1950 and attended flight school. He was called to active duty in the
Air Force the next year and did two tours as a bomber pilot in the
Korean war.

In
Vietnam, Day was shot down over North Vietnam on Aug. 26, 1967. He
bailed out, but the landing broke his knee and his right arm and left
him temporarily blinded in one eye.

 

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, August 26, 1967.

Entered service at: Sioux City, Iowa.

Born: February 24, 1925, Sioux City, Iowa.

Citation: On 26 August 1967, Col. 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

Ben Hai 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.

[

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]

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

[Utah Bob #35998]

Damn. Another hero gone. Rest in honored glory Colonel.

[DocWard]

Well Stated, UB.