John mccain bud day biography

In the decades since they shared a prison cell in North Vietnam, George “Bud” Day has remained a close friend of Republican John McCain and emerged as a staunch opponent of Democrats seeking the presidency.

As he did in 2004, when he took the lead in questioning Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry’s Vietnam War record, Day is eager this fall to do whatever he can to retain the White House for the Republicans — especially this Republican.

“I just want everyone to understand the difference between a board-certified physician and a student in medical school, because that is the difference,” Day said, comparing McCain with Democratic rival Barack Obama. “Who would want a student in medical school operating on them?”

‘Better than his wife’
Day, 83, a former Air Force colonel who earned the Medal of Honor and dozens of other honors for his service during World War II, Korea and Vietnam, was held in a Hanoi prison for six years, off and on in the same cell as McCain.

“I know him extremely well, better than his wife,” Day joked in a telephone interview.

That experience, Day said, has influenced his support for McCain and other Republicans as well as his contempt for the Democratic presidential candidates in 2004 and 2008.

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1925, Day quit high school to join the Marine Corps and then served 30 months in the Pacific. After earning a law degree, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Iowa Air National Guard in 1950. A year later, he was called to active duty for flight training and went on to serve two tours as a fighter pilot in Korea, then decided to make the Air Force a career.

He was flying an F-100, attacking missile sites in North Vietnam on Aug. 26, 1967, when his plane was hit. He ejected, breaking his arm and injuring his back in the process.

“I hit the ground real hard and when I woke up they had me,” he said.

After escape attempts and torture, Day was imprisoned. McCain,

United States Air Force Medal of Honor recipient (1925–2013)

George Everette "Bud" Day (24 February 1925 – 27 July 2013) was a United States Air Force officer, aviator, and veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He was also a prisoner of war, and recipient of the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. As of 2016, he is the only person to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. He was posthumously advanced to the rank of brigadier general effective March 27, 2018, as directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

Day's actions from 26 August 1967 through 14 March 1973 were the last to earn the Medal of Honor prior to the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War on 30 April 1975, though som

Events in the life of McCain from 1936 to 1981

The early life and military career of John Sidney McCain III spans the first forty-five years of his life (1936–1981). McCain's father and grandfather were admirals in the United States Navy. McCain was born on August 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone, and attended many schools growing up as his family moved among naval facilities. McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958. He married the former Carol Shepp in 1965; he adopted two children from her previous marriage and they had another child together.

As a naval aviator, McCain flew attack aircraft from carriers. During the Vietnam War, he narrowly escaped death in the 1967 Forrestal fire. On his twenty-third bombing mission during Operation Rolling Thunder in October 1967, he was shot down over Hanoi and badly injured. He subsequently endured five and a half years as a prisoner of war, including periods of torture. In 1968, he refused a North Vietnamese offer of early release, because it would have meant leaving before other prisoners who had been held longer. He was released in 1973 after the Paris Peace Accords.

Upon his return, McCain studied at the National War College, commanded a large training squadron in Florida, and was appointed the Navy liaison to the U.S. Senate. He divorced his wife Carol in 1980 and married the former Cindy Hensley shortly thereafter. He retired from the Navy in 1981 as a captain.

Early years and education

Family heritage

John Sidney McCain III was born on August 29, 1936, at a United States Navy hospital at Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone, which at that time was considered to be among the unincorporated territories of the United States. His parents were Navy officer John S. "Jack" McCain, Jr. (1911–1981) and Roberta (Wright) McCain (1

“My God, to witness him sing the national anthem in response to having a rifle pointed at his face - well, that was something to behold. Unforgettable.” – John McCain

A tribute to George “Bud” Day, one of the most decorated veterans in US history and the only person to be awarded the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross.

Once A Marine, Always A Marine

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1925, Day grew up in the Great Depression. He struggled through his adolescent years and on his 17th birthday did what many young men did during WWII. He dropped out of school and enlisted.

On December 10, 1942, just a year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Marines. Remarkably, Day would spend the next 35 years serving his country and would rise from a Marine private to an Air Force Brigadier General.

After completing Marine basic training, he shipped out for the Pacific and spent the next two and a half years with the 3rd Defense Battalion at Johnston Atoll. He returned to the States in 1945 and with WWII over was discharged from the Marines.

Over the next four years, he earned an undergraduate and law degree and by 1949 was a practicing attorney.

On June 25, 1950, the Korean War broke out.

From Korea to Vietnam

Having joined the US Army Reserve in 1946 and the Iowa Air National Guard in 1950, Day was called to active duty and sent to pilot training. He was soon flying combat missions over Korea. During his two tours as a fighter-bomber pilot with 559th Strategic Fighter Squadron, he proved to be an outstanding pilot and inspirational leader.

Surviving the war, he returned home and continued his Air Force career. In 1967, a year shy of retirement, he volunteered for Vietnam.

On August 26, 1967, while flying on what would be his last mission over North Vietnam, Day’s 100F fighter jet was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire.

With his aircraft crippled and out of control, Day was forced to eject. During his