Subdeacon Joe Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Col-Bud-Day-Medal-of-Honor-recipient-dies-at-88-4691827.php BornFeb. 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 returnedhome, graduated law school and passed the bar exam in 1949. He enteredthe Iowa National Guardin 1950 and attended flight school. He was called to active duty in theAir Force the next year and did two tours as a bomber pilot in theKorean war. InVietnam, Day was shot down over North Vietnam on Aug. 26, 1967. Hebailed out, but the landing broke his knee and his right arm and lefthim temporarily blinded in one eye. Medal of Honor citationRank 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 hisaircraft over North Vietnam when it was hit by ground fire. His rightarm was broken in 3 places, and his left knee was badly sprained. He wasimmediately captured by hostile forces and taken to a prison camp wherehe was interrogated and severely tortured. After causing the guards torelax their vigilance, Col. Day escaped into the jungle and began thetrek toward South Vietnam. Despite injuries inflicted by fragments of abomb or rocket, he continued southward surviving only on a few berriesand uncooked frogs. He successfully evaded enemy patrols and reached theBen Hai River, where he encountered U.S. artillery barrages. With theaid of a bamboo log float, Col. Day swam across the river and enteredthe demilitarized zone. Due to delirium, he lost his sense of directionand wandered aimlessly for several days. After several unsuccessfulattempts to signal U.S. aircraft, he was ambushed and recaptured by theViet Cong, sustaining gunshot wounds to his left hand and thigh. He wasreturned to the prison from which he had escaped and later was moved toHanoi after giving his captors false information to questions put beforehim. Physically, Col. Day was totally debilitated and unable to performeven the simplest task for himself. Despite his many injuries, hecontinued to offer maximum resistance. His personal bravery in the faceof deadly enemy pressure was significant in saving the lives of fellowaviators who were still flying against the enemy. Col. Day's conspicuousgallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond thecall of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. AirForce and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.[22 ]Air Force Cross citation The Air Force Cross is presented to George Everett Day, Colonel,United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in militaryoperations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in NorthVietnam from 16 July 1969 to 14 October 1969. During this period,Colonel Day was subjected to maximum punishment and torture byVietnamese 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 thecamp. Colonel Day withstood this punishment and gave nothing of value tothe Vietnamese, although he sustained many injuries and open wounds tohis body. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower, in the faceof the enemy, Colonel Day reflected the highest credit upon himself andthe United States Air Force
Utah Bob #35998 Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 Damn. Another hero gone. Rest in honored glory Colonel.
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