[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF COLONEL GEORGE EVERETT 
                              ``BUD'' DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life of one of America's greatest warriors, Colonel George Everett 
``Bud'' Day. Colonel Day was a proud resident of Northwest Florida 
where he retired from the United States Air Force after courageously 
serving our Nation with honor and distinction in three wars across four 
decades.
  Colonel Day's service began in 1942 when he voluntarily joined the 
United States Marine Corps and subsequently served 30 months in the 
South Pacific Theater during World War II as a non-commissioned 
officer. Following the War, Colonel Day attended Morningside College in 
Sioux City, Iowa earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctor of 
Humane Letters. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from St. Louis 
University, a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota, and a 
Doctor of Laws from Troy State University. Colonel Day was also 
admitted to practice law in South Dakota and Florida.
  After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Colonel Day 
continued his quest to serve our Nation when he joined the Air National 
Guard after receiving a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in 
1950. In 1951, Colonel Day was called to active duty in the United 
States Air Force and entered Undergraduate Pilot Training. Following 
his graduation from training, Colonel Day served two tours in the Far 
East as a fighter bomber pilot during the Korean War.
  In April 1967, Colonel Day was assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter 
Wing at Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. He later moved to Phu 
Cat Air Base where he organized and became the Commander of Detachment 
1 of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron also known as the ``Misty 
Super FAC's.'' This new unit flew two-seated F-100F Super Sabre 
aircraft in a pioneering top secret mission as Fast Forward Air 
Controllers operating inside many high threat areas of Vietnam and 
Laos.
  On August 26, 1967, flying under the call sign ``Misty-01'' and after 
flying more than five thousand hours defending our great Nation, 
Colonel Day was shot down over North Vietnam and began sixty-seven long 
and brutal months as a Prisoner of War. Despite severe injuries from 
his ejection over enemy territory and repeated torture, Colonel Day was 
always defiant to his captors who labeled him a ``hard resistor'' and 
often singled him out for exceptionally harsh treatment. During one 
such event in which Colonel Day participated in a forbidden religious 
service amongst his fellow prisoners, Colonel Day defiantly stared down 
the Vietnamese guards who tried to stop the service ultimately singing 
our National Anthem in protest. Colonel Day's resistance, leadership, 
and bravery in the face of deadly enemy pressure saved the lives of 
countless fellow aviators who were still flying over Vietnam, and he 
served as an inspiration to his fellow servicemembers who were also 
held as Prisoners of War.
  In March 14, 1973 Colonel Day was released after an unimaginable two 
thousand twenty-eight days of captivity. His heroism, determination, 
and courage were further echoed by the presentation of our Nation's 
highest award, the Medal of Honor by President Gerald Ford on March 6, 
1976.
  Colonel Day retired from the Air Force on December 9, 1977 as the 
Vice Commander of the great 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, 
Florida. By the end of his career, Colonel Day was the Air Force's most 
highly decorated officer having been awarded nearly seventy military 
decorations and awards with an astounding fifty earned for actions in 
combat. A patriot in the truest sense of the word, Colonel Day never 
stopped looking out for his brothers in arms.
  Following his retirement, Colonel Day continued to be a very 
passionate and active leader in the community and throughout the 
Nation. Colonel Day had a very successful law practice often 
championing veterans and military retiree issues. His leadership was 
instrumental in protecting the earned health care benefits of military 
retirees both in litigation before the federal court system and through 
his successful advocacy of the Congress which ultimately resulted in 
the restoration of military medical benefits.
  Colonel Day's most important legacy is that of a family man and as a 
great neighbor and friend to so many in our community. Colonel Day's 
enduring impact on his community and Nation will be felt for 
generations to come. Though many have bravely served their country 
before Colonel Day, and many continue to honorably serve, few have 
endured as much as Bud Day for duty, honor, and love of country.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me 
great pride to honor the life and service of an American hero, Colonel 
George Everett ``Bud'' Day. Our community and countless others will 
miss his unwavering perseverance and optimism, but his legacy will 
endure for years to come. My wife Vicki joins me in extending our most 
sincere condolences to Colonel Day's wife, Doris; their four children, 
Steven; George, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel (USAF retired); Sonja; and 
Sandra; their fourteen grandchildren; and the entire Day family.

                          ____________________