[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 REMEMBERING COLONEL GEORGE ``BUD'' DAY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to take time today to honor 
the life of a very brave man, and an exemplary Iowan, Col. George 
``Bud'' Day, who passed away over the weekend.
  Bud Day's brave and memorable military career started at the age of 
17, when he volunteered for the Marine Corps during World War II in 
Sioux City, IA.
  After this period of service, Bud returned home, and received a law 
degree from the University of South Dakota.
  His military service to this country, however, would resume.
  Bud Day joined the Air National Guard in 1950 and was called up for 
active duty a year later during the Korean War.
  By 1955 he had become a captain with the Air Force.
  With the same go-getter attitude he displayed throughout his service, 
then Captain Day went on to command a squadron of F-100s in Vietnam in 
1967.
  On August 26, Bud's plane was hit and took a steep dive. Upon 
ejection he sustained many injuries.
  Shortly after the crash, Bud was taken prisoner and tortured.
  Maintaining his unflagging spirit and fueled by his love for his 
country, Bud Day refused to cooperate and escaped his captors. 
Surviving treacherous conditions and life-threatening situations every 
minute, Bud spent 2 weeks trying to find U.S. troops.
  His efforts left him exhausted and he was later recaptured and 
returned to the same camp he had escaped from.
  He was then moved to the infamous ``Hanoi Hilton'' camp where torture 
was commonplace for the next 5 years of his life until his release in 
1973.
  Even after all of this, Bud Day resumed his service with the U.S. Air 
Force, and was appointed vice commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter 
Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.
  Three years after his release from the Hanoi Hilton, Bud received the 
Medal of Honor from President Gerald Ford for not divulging information 
in the face of torture, thereby putting his own life in imminent risk 
to save others.
  He has also received numerous other awards and recognitions such as 
the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism in military operations 
against an opposing armed force as a POW, making him one of America's 
most decorated servicemen.
  Bud Day remained public spirited even after his military service, 
continuing to advocate for veterans and other causes that were 
important to him.
  His life of service is a tremendous role model for future generations 
and he will be missed.
  I am proud to have been able to call Bud Day an Iowan and a friend.

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