36 Facts About Bud Day

George Everette "Bud" Day was a United States Air Force officer, aviator, and veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.

Bud Day was a prisoner of war, and recipient of the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross.

Bud Day was posthumously advanced to the rank of brigadier general effective March 27,2018, as directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

Bud Day was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on 24 February 1925.

Bud Day passed the bar exam in 1949 and was admitted to the bar in South Dakota.

In later life, Bud Day was awarded a Master of Arts degree from Saint Louis University, a doctor of humane letters from Morningside, and a doctor of laws from Troy State University.

On 11 December 1946, Bud Day joined the Army Reserve, serving until 10 December 1949.

On 17 May 1950, Bud Day received a direct commission as a second lieutenant in the Iowa Air National Guard.

Bud Day was called to active duty on 15 March 1951 for undergraduate pilot training in the US Air Force.

Bud Day was awarded his pilot wings at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in September 1952, continuing through December 1952 in All-Weather Interceptor School and Gunnery School.

From February 1953 to August 1955 during the Korean War, Bud Day served two tours as a fighter-bomber pilot, flying the Republic F-84 Thunderjet in the 559th Strategic Fighter Squadron.

Bud Day was next assigned to the 55th Fighter Bomber Squadron and trained to fly the F-100 Super Sabre in 1957 while stationed at Royal Air Force Wethersfield in the United Kingdom through June 1959.

Bud 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.

On 25 June 1967, with extensive previous service flying two tours in F-100s, Major Bud Day was made the first commander of Detachment 1,416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Phu Cat Air Base.

Kippenhan was rescued by a USAF HH-3E, but Bud Day was unable to contact the rescue helicopter by survival radio and was quickly captured by North Vietnamese local militia.

On his fifth night, when he was still within 20 miles of the DMZ, Bud Day escaped from his initial captors despite his serious injuries.

Bud Day then was moved to several prison camps near Hanoi, where he was periodically beaten, starved, and tortured.

In December 1967, Bud Day shared a cell with Navy Lieutenant Commander and future senator and presidential candidate John McCain.

Air Force Major Norris Overly nursed both back to health, and McCain later devised a makeshift splint of bamboo and rags that helped heal Bud Day's seriously atrophied arm.

On 14 March 1973, Bud Day was released after five years and seven months as a North Vietnamese prisoner.

Bud Day had been promoted to lieutenant colonel and then to colonel while a prisoner, and he decided to remain in the Air Force in hopes of being promoted to brigadier general.

Bud Day underwent conversion training to the F-4 Phantom II and was appointed vice commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Bud 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 posthumous advancement of Bud Day was introduced by former prisoner of war cell mate John McCain and was directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

Bud Day was an active member of the Florida Republican Party, was involved in the 527 group Swift Vets and POWs for Truth, and campaigned with John McCain in 2000 and 2008.

Bud Day died on 27 July 2013 surrounded by family at his home in Shalimar.

On 4 January 2008 Bud Day was awarded the Freedom Communications Spirit of Freedom Award on behalf of the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Bud Day was chosen for this honor because of his embracing of the Air Force Core Values: integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do.

Bud Day is widely considered to be the most-decorated airman in history.

Citation: On 26 August 1967, Colonel Bud Day was forced to eject from his aircraft over North Vietnam when it was hit by ground fire.

Bud Day was immediately captured by hostile forces and taken to a prison camp where he was interrogated and severely tortured.

Bud Day escaped into the jungle and began the trek toward South Vietnam.

Bud Day successfully evaded enemy patrols and reached the Ben Hai River, where he encountered US artillery barrages.

Bud Day 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.

Bud Day was totally debilitated and unable to perform even the simplest task for himself.

The Air Force Cross is presented to George Everett Bud 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.