Bud Day

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 the Air Force Cross. As of 2016, he is the only person to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross. After his death, he was advanced to the rank of brigadier general effective March 27, 2018, as directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

Colonel "Bud" Day served 30 months in the South Pacific during WW II as an enlisted member with the US Marine Corps. He served as an Army reservist, and Army guardsman between WW II and Korea, and then in the Air Force during the Vietnam War (3 different services over the span of 3 different wars.) After being shot down on August 26, 1967, and serving 7 years in captivity, Colonel Day was repatriated in 1973. A recipient of virtually every other available combat decoration, he is widely considered the most decorated Airman in history. His autobiography is titled "Return With Honor" and he later expanded upon that book in a second autobiography titled "Duty, Honor, Country."

Bud Day Media

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  Air Force version of the Medal of Honor

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  U.S. Air Force Command Pilot badge (see en:Command pilot)

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  Prisoner of War Medal ribbon (United States)

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  War of Resistance Victory Commemorative Medal ribbon with device

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  Vietnam Psychological Warfare Medal ribbon-First Class

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  Vietnam Veterans Medal ribbon-First Class

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  Iowa National Guard Medal of Valor

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  Vietnam Parachutist Badge