OLDNAVYMCPO
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Maj George E. Day, the most decorated airman in history, only person to be awarded both the MOH and the Air Force Cross.
Day enlisted in the USMC on 10 Dec 1942. He served 30 months in the North Pacific on Johnston Island. Never saw combat.
Joined the Army Reserve on 11 Dec 1946 and served until 10 Dec 1949. On 17 May 1950, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Iowa Air Natl Guard. Called to active duty with the Air Force on 15 Mar 1951, he earned his pilots wings in Sep 1952. Day served two tours during the Korean War as a fighter/bomber pilot. Promoted to Capt, Day decided to make the Air Force a career.
In 1967, Day volunteered for duty in Vietnam even though he was close to retirement.
As a Forward Air Controller flying two-seat F-100F's over Laos and North Vietnam, on 26 Aug 1967, he was shot down 20 miles north of the DMZ. Following ejection, his crewmember was rescued. Day with a busted arm and injured knee, was not. He was captured by NVA. On the fifth night he escaped. For 15 days he evaded capture, unclothed and without boots.
He was recaptured by a VC patrol after being twice wounded by gun shots.
Next followed an ordeal of forced marches through the jungle bare foot, torture, beatings, starved and caged. In Dec 1967, Day was imprisoned with LCDR John McCain.
Day was finally released in Mar 1973 after more than five and a half years as a POW.
I've only very briefly touched on his story here, his life and his achievements are far too extensive to cover in this venue. He has written two autobiographies and a number of internet sites have detailed coverage of his life.
Although I read about him maybe thirty years ago, his story popped into my memory today. Those of you near my age will understand how that happens.
Day enlisted in the USMC on 10 Dec 1942. He served 30 months in the North Pacific on Johnston Island. Never saw combat.
Joined the Army Reserve on 11 Dec 1946 and served until 10 Dec 1949. On 17 May 1950, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Iowa Air Natl Guard. Called to active duty with the Air Force on 15 Mar 1951, he earned his pilots wings in Sep 1952. Day served two tours during the Korean War as a fighter/bomber pilot. Promoted to Capt, Day decided to make the Air Force a career.
In 1967, Day volunteered for duty in Vietnam even though he was close to retirement.
As a Forward Air Controller flying two-seat F-100F's over Laos and North Vietnam, on 26 Aug 1967, he was shot down 20 miles north of the DMZ. Following ejection, his crewmember was rescued. Day with a busted arm and injured knee, was not. He was captured by NVA. On the fifth night he escaped. For 15 days he evaded capture, unclothed and without boots.
He was recaptured by a VC patrol after being twice wounded by gun shots.
Next followed an ordeal of forced marches through the jungle bare foot, torture, beatings, starved and caged. In Dec 1967, Day was imprisoned with LCDR John McCain.
Day was finally released in Mar 1973 after more than five and a half years as a POW.
I've only very briefly touched on his story here, his life and his achievements are far too extensive to cover in this venue. He has written two autobiographies and a number of internet sites have detailed coverage of his life.
Although I read about him maybe thirty years ago, his story popped into my memory today. Those of you near my age will understand how that happens.
