| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Interview with Col. Bud Day |
| 2004-10-15 |
| America's Most Highly Decorated Living Veteran Calls Kerry 'a Man of Benedict Arnold Qualities' Col. George E. "Bud" Day is America's most highly decorated living veteran officer. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, receiving more than 50 combat awards and the Congressional Medal of Honor. What he wants now is to stop John Kerry from being elected President. Day traveled from his home in Florida to Washington, D.C., last week to participate in the filming of two new ads by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. In one of the spots, he directly addresses Kerry: "How can you expect our sons and daughters to follow you, when you condemned their fathers and grandfathers?" In the early 1970s, when Kerry was meeting with America's Communist enemies in Paris and falsely claiming to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that U.S. forces in Vietnam were committing war crimes on a day-to-day basis, Day was a POW, languishing in a North Vietnamese prison. During his five-plus years of captivity he was brutally tortured. Now he is one of several former POWs featured in Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal, a documentary about the effect of the anti-war movement on American POWs in Vietnam. The film, which portrays John Kerry in an unsympathetic light, will soon air in part on 62 broadcast stations owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, despite loud protests from the Kerry camp. Many of the company's stations are in swing states. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #4 I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Colonel Day in the O Club at Brooks AFB in 1976. As a brash young captain, struck by seeing that much blue (Medal of Honor + Air Force Cross) that high in the ribbon cluster, I initiated a conversation and quickly discovered that Colonel Day is more than a hero, he is a true gentleman. He was, and is, one of America's finest. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-10-15 9:16:12 PM |
| #3 We know what a hero JOhn KErry is. How about Bud Day? DAY, GEORGE E. 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: 24 February 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. This man deserves to be heard. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2004-10-15 8:38:34 PM |
| #2 Hand Salute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Posted by: anymouse 2004-10-15 8:26:44 PM |
| #1 Thanks TW, this guy's military background is truly remarkable. God Bless the good Colonel. |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2004-10-15 7:41:56 PM |