Colonel George Everett "Bud" Day U.S Air Force (Retired) is considered by many to be the most decorated U.S. Service man since General Douglas MacArthur.  He is the recipient of the Medal of Honor and seventy awards.  He is most well known for his heroic actions as a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam war.

A Major who was anticipating his retiement in 1968, he volunteered for a tour in Vietnam in 1967.  He had extensive flying experience (5,000 total hours, 4,500 in fighters and two tours flying F-100s) and was named the Commander of Detachment 1, 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Major Day's Squadron became the first Fast FACs, evaluating twin seat F-100s as Fast Forward Air Controllers.  Used as Fast FACs over North Vietnam and Laos all his crews (callsign Misty) were volunteers with a minimum of 100 combat missions and 1,000 hours. 
 
During a mission on 26 August, 1967 his aircraft was shot down and he was forced to eject.    He was on this 26th Fast FAC sortie and 65th mission into North Vietnam with Captain Corwin Kipperhan.  Colonel Day's right arm was broken in three places and he experienced back and eye injuries during the ejection. Kipperhan was rescued, by Colonel was no so lucky.

Unable to contact the helicopter with his survival radio, he was captured by local NVA militia.  Within 20 miles of the DMZ, it was during his 5th night of captivity that Colonel Day was able to escape.  After 12-15 days and despite his injuries he made it into South Vietnam, crossing the DMZ and coming within 2 miles of the Marine Corps Firebase at Con Thien.  Unfortunately, he was then recaptured by a Viet Cong patrol having been shot in the leg and hand.

Colonel Day was taken back to the original POW camp and tortured for escaping.  The NVA rebroke his right arm.  He was moved to several POW camps and beaten, starved and tortured during the process.  In December 1967, Colonel Day received a new cell mate, future Senator John McCain.  Day is credited with helping save John McCain's life.

After five years, seven months as a POW Colonel Day was released on 14 March 1973.  He had been promoted to Colonel while a prisoner of war. Col Bud Day was awarded the Medal on Honor for his actions while a POW by President Ford on 4 March 1976.

COL BUD DAY, MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION

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: 24 February 1925, Sioux City, Iowa.

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, Colonel 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, Colonel 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, Colonel 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. Colonel 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. 
 
Colonel Day spent a year in rehabilitation in order to return to active flying status.  He underwent conversion training to the F-4 Phantom II and was appointed the vice commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Colonel Day resumed the practice of law in retirement and is the author of Return With Honor, which detailed his experiences as a POW.

Not one to sit idle, Col Bud Day filed a class action lawsuit against the Federal Government on behalf of military retirees for breach of contract. Military retirees had been stripped of military medical care benefits and told to apply for Medicare at age 65.   He won a judgment in district court that was overturned on appeal in 2002.  However, Colonel Day's actions helped to highlight the issue so that the U.S. Congress established TRICARE for Life, restoring military medical benefits to career military retirees.

By the time he retired in 1977, Colonel Day had amassed almost 8,000 hours and had flown the F-80, F-84, F-100, F-101, F-104, F-105, F-106 Delta, F-4 II, A-4, A-7 II, CF-5 and the F-15.

Resources

Colonel Bud Day on Wikipedia