US Air Force Colonel (Retired) George “Bud” Day passed away this weekend at the age of 88.  Col Day received the Medal of Honor following his 5 and a half year stint as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he bunked with now-Senator John McCain much of the time.

Prior to that, Col Day was enlisted as a US Marine in World War II and an Air Force Pilot during the Korean War.  He flew the F-84 Thunderjet in Korea and was flying an F-100 Super Sabre when he was shot down in Vietnam.  After he was repatriated in 1973, he underwent rehabilitation for his significant physical injuries, and he would eventually fly the F-4 Phantom II.

He had a significant retired career and frequently spoke to a wide variety of audiences, including the US Air Force Academy.

One of Col Day’s most notable post-Air Force endeavors was a lawsuit against the US military after it tried to end free, lifetime healthcare for its retirees as a cost-cutting measure.  The lawsuit ultimately failed, though it spurred Congress to force the Department of Defense to alter its plans and extend care beyond age 65 for military retirees.

Regardless of ideology or politics, he was considered one of the greats.

ADVERTISEMENT