Hey everyone, welcome to the show. Great to be
here. Imagine facing death not just once, but
countless times. And each time, finding a reason
to fight, to endure, to somehow come back stronger.
Yeah, it's almost unbelievable when you lay it
all out. That's the incredible true story we're
diving into today. This deep dive explores a
really powerful biography, honestly. A testament
to the strength of the human spirit against,
well, unimaginable adversity. Absolutely. It's
filled with moments of intense drama, profound
resilience and significant historical weight,
too. Definitely. You really feel the sweep of
history through his life. So if you're drawn
to stories of courage, sheer determination and
the will to survive against absolutely all odds,
please do like and subscribe for more deep drives
like this one. Yeah, we appreciate that. Today,
we're delving into American Patriot, the life
and wars of Colonel Budd. And folks, the Amazon
link is right there in the description. Right.
This book is such a profound look at a man who
lived through these huge moments in American
history. You name it, he was there, the Depression,
World War II, Vietnam, and then everything after.
We'll uncover some truly remarkable aspects of
his journey, kind of hinting at the deeper meanings
within his experiences. You know, what does it
really take not just to live, but to truly persevere?
That's the core question, isn't it? So we'll
be tracing Bud Day's life from his difficult
childhood in Sioux City all the way to his distinguished
military career. We'll focus on those crucible
moments, the things that really forged his character
and showed that extraordinary fortitude. We'll
look at his early life, his time in the Marines,
then the Air Force, obviously his harrowing time
as a POW in Vietnam. Which is just staggering.
And then his impactful post -military life, too.
It didn't stop after he took off the uniform.
Not at all. Our sources for this deep dive are
excerpts from this biography, acknowledgements,
the prologue, and multiple chapters covering
his whole life. Our mission really is to understand
what made Bud Day such a compelling figure. What
were those foundational experiences that shaped
this, well, extraordinary individual? Okay, let's
unpack this. Starting right at the beginning,
those early days. Bud Day's childhood in Sioux
City, Iowa. It sounds like it was more than just
tough. It was a constant struggle, wasn't it?
It really was. Born in this riverside suburb,
which was kind of geographically separated from
the main part of Sioux City by these unique loose
hills. Right. And the rivers there, too. Yeah,
the Missouri and the Big Sioux. But his early
life was just steeped in poverty. His father,
Ed Day, often couldn't find work. So unemployment
was a constant issue. Chronic unemployment, yeah.
Which meant the family faced evictions frequently,
moving between these small, uninsulated frame
houses with only the most basic amenities. It
wasn't just hardship. It was this persistent
insecurity. And his mother, Christine. She sounds
like she carried a huge weight. She absolutely
did. A homemaker. But she also had four kids
from a previous marriage. And Ed, the father,
expected them all to work to help out. Whoa.
So her life was just relentless labor. The biography
suggests she had a somewhat fatalistic outlook
and stuck very closely to traditional roles,
which wasn't uncommon then. Yeah. The opportunities
were limited. Yeah. And there's that. poignant
story about his sister Joyce. She had ambitions.
Yeah. Joyce wanted to go to college, which was
a real beacon of hope in that environment, you
know, shows her drive. But her father disapproved.
Ed Day actively discouraged it. Maybe societal
norms. Maybe he just thought it wasn't practical.
We don't know for sure. But the tragedy is she
did achieve her educational goals and then she
died young. I don't know. Yeah. Another layer
of hardship for Bud growing up makes you think
about the dreams that got extinguished, right?
And how that loss impacted him. Definitely. But
amidst all that struggle, the book highlights
this incredible resourcefulness. Yeah. Like the
mothers using cereal box cardboard to patch shoes.
That detail is so telling, isn't it? It just
shows the depth of the poverty and the sheer
ingenuity needed just to survive in Riverside.
Making do with literally nothing. Exactly. It
wasn't just mending clothes. It was maximizing
every single resource. That likely instilled
in Bud this profound pragmatism, you know, understanding
the value of resourcefulness, a trait that pops
up again and again. And somehow, young Bud had
this dream of becoming a doctor, which for a
Riverside boy then must have seemed completely
outrageous. Absolutely audacious. The book notes
even just attending college was rare in that
neighborhood. So to aim for a doctor. It reveals
this significant inner drive, a refusal to be
limited by his circumstances. He believed in
something different. How did he even start thinking
that way? Reading seems key. That was pivotal.
A retired police officer nearby, he got loads
of discarded books and magazines because he was
injured and he just told Bud, take whatever you
want. Wow, what a gift. Huge. It unlocked this
whole universe for him way beyond Riverside.
Shows how access to information can just transform
a life. He was also known as a tough kid, right?
A scrapper. Didn't back down even though he was
small. Yeah, being from Riverside meant you might
get targeted. There was a stigma. And his father's
advice was direct. Stand up for yourself no matter
the size difference. A formative lesson. Totally.
It gave him this lifelong refusal to be intimidated,
a willingness to fight for himself. And it wasn't
just physical fights. It was this deep inner
resilience. And you see that thread running through
everything later. It absolutely foreshadows his
later resilience, yeah. Okay, let's move to his
military beginnings. He joins the Marine Corps.
What was that like coming from that background?
Well, Marine boot camp, especially the old Corps
version Bud went through, was designed to break
you down and rebuild you. Intense discipline,
physical, mental. For most recruits? Probably
unprecedented hardship. Right. But for Bud, having
already lived through the daily grind of poverty,
the structured demands, while incredibly intense,
might not have been the same kind of fundamental
shock as for others. Though the drill instructor's
greeting sounds pretty formidable. And then there
was that twist of fate getting sick during training.
Yeah. He contracted cat fever, had to go to the
hospital, light duty, got held back several recruit
classes. Which might have saved his life. Given
the staggering casualties in the early Pacific
campaigns. It's entirely possible. This bout
of illness could have inadvertently kept him
out of some of the absolute bloodiest battles
of the war. Crazy how things work out. And the
book mentions Doris Sorensen briefly before he
enlisted. Yeah, just a hint. They hadn't known
each other long, but he asked her to write to
him while he was deployed. Suggests something
more than casual, right? Foreshadows her huge
role later. It's interesting. His father discouraged
his sister's college dreams. but approved of
Budd joining the Marines. Yeah, Ed Day apparently
gave a nod and said it was one of the few smart
things you ever did. Probably reflects the times,
you know. Military service seen as more traditional,
acceptable for a young man, maybe more practical
in his eyes than an education, especially for
women then. Makes sense. So Budd serves in the
Pacific in World War II. The book isn't heavy
on combat details, but we know that theater was
brutal. exceptionally brutal. Island hopping
campaigns, just horrific casualty rates for the
Marines, fierce resistance, devastating losses.
Even without specifics, you know he faced immense
danger. But even there, his resourcefulness shines
through in pretty unorthodox ways. The horrible
hooch, using grenades for fishing. That's an
incredible story. Johnston Island, not the front
lines, but still, he builds a makeshift whiskey
still? The horrible hoop. And fishes with hand
grenades. Highly illegal, surely. Oh, absolutely.
Dangerous, too. Using liberated grenades to stun
fish for the officer's mess. Shows audacity,
right? A willingness to bend, maybe break, the
rules to get something done, and the secrecy.
Imagine getting caught. Big risks. After the
war, he heads back to Sioux City. What's his
mindset? Probably like a lot of returning vets.
Mixed emotions, right? Wanting to reconnect with
his old life, see familiar faces. But the war
changes you profoundly, so there's likely a disconnect.
Eager for normalcy, but carrying that weight.
And that's when things get serious with Doris,
though he hesitated about the age difference.
Yeah, he gets back. She's still in high school,
about 17. He's 20, almost 21. That four -year
gap made him pause, question if it was right.
Seems thoughtful, actually. Maybe he felt more
mature after the war. Shows a certain character.
But they connected. And he used the GI Bill.
College, then law school. Huge for someone from
his background. Monumental. The GI Bill just
opened doors for millions like Bud. Though the
book hints these vets, having seen war, kind
of shook up the traditional college scene. Disruptive.
Maybe just brought a different perspective, less
traditional. But Bud seized the opportunity at
Morningside College, then University of South
Dakota Law School. Really focused. And worked
multiple jobs, too. Including dangerous ones.
Yeah, GI Bill helped, but didn't cover everything.
Car payments, living expenses, he works tough
jobs, stockyards, meatpacking plants, shows that
incredible work ethic, that grit to provide.
Doris's mother sounds like she played a key role.
She did. Apparently had a very direct, insightful
chat with Doris about Bud's feelings. Basically
gave her a blessing, affirmed his love, that
likely solidified things for them. They got married
in December 46, shortly after her mom passed
away. Their early married life shows bits of
his personality, too. Handling the chivalry,
their simple first Christmas. Right, the chivalry,
that noisy newlywed tradition. But apparently
handled it with quiet, firm resolve. Calm, decisive,
didn't get flustered. And that first Christmas,
not much money, just talking. It highlights their
connection, finding contentment in each other,
not stuff. Then the incident at Frank Work's
store. Catching a burglar who had ties to his
past. That's a powerful story. The burglar was
the brother of a schoolmate from Riverside. A
personal conflict there. But Bud's commitment
to the law, to doing what's right, won out over
those connections. Shows his core principles.
But then a big setback. Denied a Marine Corps
Reserve Commission. Because it's something from
the past. Yeah, that jeep theft incident back
in Hawaii during the war came back to bite him.
Denied the commission. For someone with his service
record, that was a huge blow. Devastating. Frank
Work remembers him vowing to get serious. Yes,
apparently Bud wrote on a napkin, promising to
buckle down. Frank Work believed in him, saw
his potential, but it was a real moment of reckoning
for Bud, a turning point. And frustratingly,
he couldn't get called up for the Korean War
either, despite trying. Right. His National Guard
unit wasn't activated, and when he tried to volunteer
repeatedly, he got rebuffed. For someone trained,
experienced, wanting to serve, must have been
incredibly frustrating. Sidelined. The third
time trying to get back into service, basically.
And he ends up joining the Air Force in 51. Why
the Air Force? Well, the Air Force was expanding
rapidly because of Korea. They needed pilots
badly. His prior experience, his determination
to fly, which the Marines had denied him, likely
made him a good candidate. It was his path into
the air. His early time at Goodfellow AFB sounds
more positive, though. Even before flight training.
Yeah, while waiting for a training slot, they
actually gave him substantive work. Legal advisor,
trainer, he got recognized early, earned a good
officer efficiency report in ER, set a good trajectory.
But Doris had a tough adjustment in West Texas.
Oh, yeah. Big contrast to Iowa. Basic housing,
the relentless heat, dust, insects. Yeah. It
was challenging for her. Highlights the sacrifices
military families make, right? Definitely. Then
flight training at Moody AFB. That culture sounds
intense. Flying into thunderstorms. The faint
heart. Huh. Yeah, that saying. It sums up the
attitude. Pushing boundaries, bravado, taking
calculated risks, even in severe weather. Attracted
a certain type of person to flying back then.
And Bud's skills really started showing there.
Intuitive genius. His instructor saw it quickly.
More than just technically good, he had this
innate feel for flying, almost instinctive. That
natural talent plus the training really set him
apart. Which maybe helped in that first near
fatal incident, the T -33 fire. Yeah. Those sucker
doors. Absolutely. Those auxiliary air intakes,
risky design, engine fire on takeoff, flames
near the main fuel tank, disaster. But Bud reacted
incredibly fast. What did he do? Counterintuitively,
he kept the nose down to maintain airspeed instead
of pulling up like you might instinctively do.
precise control, decisive action. He became the
first and apparently the only pilot to ever survive
that specific failure in a T -33. Incredible.
But probably not the kind of recognition he wanted.
Exactly. Gained him attention, but yeah. Then
came Strategic Air Command, SAC, at Bergstrom
AFB. Different vibe from training. Very different.
SAC was known for being highly structured, rigid
bureaucracy. Sometimes clashed with the more,
uh... Freewheeling attitudes of the experienced
WWII and Korean War pilots. And those older guys
could be a bit dismissive of younger pilots like
Bud. A definite hierarchy. And then another near
-death experience. In the F -84 this time, that
plane had a bad rep. Notorious. Challenging,
treacherous flying characteristics. Pilots even
wrote songs about how unreliable it was. Just
underscores the dangers early jet pilots faced
constantly. Flying machines with known flaws.
Followed by deployment to Japan. Shitose. Flying
those F -84s near the Soviet border. High states,
Cold War stuff. Extremely tense, perilous work.
Flying armed jets along the border, constant
threat of Soviet bombers violating airspace.
U .S. pilots had authority to engage. He was
right on the front line. Any mission could escalate
instantly. Meanwhile, Doris, back at Bergstrom,
had that experience with the Officer's Wives
Club. Yeah, found it a bit formal, maybe cliquey.
Strict protocols. It wasn't entirely welcoming,
apparently. Made her resolve that when they got
to England later, she'd be more inclusive. Shows
her own growth. And England did become a favorite
posting for them. But still facing challenges.
Financial responsibilities. Yeah, even in England,
life wasn't simple. Bud was supporting his parents
and Doris's father, whose business was failing.
Big responsibility. And they decided to adopt.
Yes. A huge, life -changing decision. They adopted
their son, Stephen, from a German orphanage in
1957. A really profound and joyous moment for
them. But England was also where he had another
miraculous escape. An F -84 explosion this time.
Right after a near crash. He was really living
on the edge. Seriously. First, the near crash
landing at Wethersfield in 0 -0 visibility. Just
exceptional piloting, though. Maybe he should
have bailed out. But then the catastrophic F
-84 explosion right after takeoff from Woodbridge.
Much worse. And his reaction? Remarkably calm,
apparently, during the emergency itself. Just
focus. He ejected incredibly low right as it
exploded. It's amazing he survived, but badly
injured. Miraculous survival. Ejected low. Explosion
almost simultaneous. Severe injuries, including
a powdered ankle. The surgeon told him flat out,
you'll never fly again. Devastating for a pilot.
But Bud's response. Simple, defiant. Well, I'm
going to try. Just speaks volumes about his will,
right? Refusal to accept limits, that core determination.
And Major McCarthy's comment that God was saving
him for something special. That stuck with Bud.
Deeply. Became a cornerstone of his belief system.
Gave him this sense of purpose. That his life
had meaning beyond just survival. Probably gave
him immense strength later on. Interestingly,
the Pentagon analysis of the crash noted both
correct and incorrect pilot actions. Standard
procedure, right. Analyze to learn, improve safety.
Highlights the complexity. Even in survival,
there are always lessons. But despite the crash,
the injuries, his ERs afterwards were exceptional.
Recommending early promotion. Incredible, isn't
it? Shows his resilience, his dedication. His
superiors still held him in incredibly high regard.
But then, ROTC duty in St. Louis. That sounds
like a career setback for a fighter pilot. Yeah,
generally seen that way. Instructing college
kids. Not the cockpit. Right. A detour. Potentially
hindering advancement. Understandably disappointing
for him. Felt grounded. So during that time,
he and Doris start a real estate business. Yeah.
Always planning ahead. Very practical. Recognized
the risks of flying. Wanted financial security
for the family. Started the Armed Forces Land
Corporation. Bought and renovated houses back
in Sioux City, including his childhood home.
Planned to eventually retire there. Maybe bud
practice law. Shows their foresight. Strong roots.
He also aced Armed Forces Staff College. Graduated
outstanding, even met Admiral John S. McCain
Sr. there. Significant achievement. Validated
his leadership, strategic thinking, and yeah,
that early connection with McCain Sr. is fascinating,
given his later relationship with John McCain
Jr. But then another non -flying job? Niagara
Falls. Despite his record, it's baffling. Must
have been deeply frustrating. Highly qualified
pilot, needed pilots, gets an admin role, but
his passion for flying was so strong. He kept
flying anyway. Over 30 hours a month. Test pilot
instructor. Accumulated almost 5 ,000 flying
hours. Just wouldn't give it up. Again, stellar
ratings, recommendations for early promotion,
even in that role. And during this time, he kind
of reconciles with his deceased father. Gains
a new perspective. Yeah. Seems as he matured,
faced his own challenges, he gained a deeper
appreciation for what his father went through.
That posthumous understanding, respect. Part
of personal growth. Then Luke AFB in Phoenix,
1967. Yeah. Right before Vietnam. Doris wasn't
keen on Arizona initially. Understandable, coming
from green Iowa to the desert landscape. Just
another adjustment military spouses make, right?
Small detail, but relatable. So he arrives in
Vietnam at the peak of his career. Senior major,
expected promotion soon. Reputation for macho
and intellect. And one of only two lawyer fighter
pilots in the Air Force then. Yeah, he was quite
a figure. Highly respected, unique skill set.
But his initial job there. Scheduling? Seriously?
Seems crazy, right? A senior major combat pilot
stuck in a non -operational scheduling role.
Huge underutilization. Must have felt like a
dead end. Fortunately, that changed. He gets
picked to command Operation Commando Sabre. The
Mistys. Top secret stuff. Now that was more like
it. Flying F -100Fs as forward air controllers
FACs over North Vietnam, specifically Route Pack
1. Which was? The northernmost, most heavily
defended area, bordering China. Intense anti
-aircraft fire. Their FAC missions were incredibly
dangerous, but vital. And their tactics. Hit
my smoke. Sounds aggressive. Very. Unique and
daring. Instead of just directing strikes to
coordinates, they'd fly low, mark targets with
their own smoke rockets, and then tell the fighters,
hit my smoke. Allowed for more precision. Much
more. Especially on moving or hidden targets,
often caused huge secondary explosions, confirming
good hits. High risk, high reward. Bud was Misty
1, the first commander. What was his leadership
like in that unit? He commanded with experience,
bluntness, but also deep concern for his pilots.
Earned immediate respect from the volunteers,
like Misty 2, Bill Douglas. They saw his... skill,
his courage, prioritize the mission and his men's
safety, something he said he learned in the Marines.
These missions sound terrifying. Flying into
hot zones, no formal flight plans, relying on
skill and nerve. The guy in the back seat, the
pit. Absolutely crucial role. Eyes and ears,
spotting targets, guiding strikes, navigating
constant danger, minimal armament on their F
-100Fs, but they'd engage enemy positions directly
if needed. Required incredible coordination,
bravery. And their planes got hit often. Yeah.
Bud became known as a magnet ass. Yeah. Yeah.
The nickname reflected reality. His plane seemed
to attract more than its share of enemy fire.
But his reaction telling Doris, remember, that's
the name of the game. Just stoic acceptance of
the extreme risk. He was also developing Air
Force doctrine for these jet FACs while leading
them. Right. His experience, the misty tactics,
they provided valuable lessons, shaped future
Air Force operations, shows his forward -thinking
commitment beyond just flying sorties. But then,
tragically, his run ends. Shot down near Vin
Lin, what happened immediately? Ejected at high
speed. Got thrown against the canopy. Broken
arm, dislocated knee, eye injury. Lands in a
heavily bombed area. Immediate thought. Survival.
Evasion. Race against the gomers, as he called
them, to get rescued. His initial treatment by
militia sounds horrific. Paraded, mocked, crude
medical care. Brutal. Dehumanizing. Paraded through
villages. Ridicule. Then this French -speaking
Vietnamese doctor gives him rudimentary, agonizing
care for his broken arm. Just intense physical
pain and psychological distress right off the
bat. Then interrogation. He refused to talk.
Immediately. Led to beatings, torture, like being
hung upside down. Showed that inner fortitude
right from the start, sticking to the code of
conduct despite being injured, captured. And
he decided he had to escape, knowing the torture
would only get worse. An incredibly courageous
decision. Realized his condition, knew the torture
would escalate, felt he couldn't withstand it
indefinitely without potentially breaking. The
risk of escape seemed preferable to that. A desperate
gamble. The escape itself. Crawling through rice
paddies, extreme pain, constantly hiding. It's
almost unimaginable. An absolute ordeal. Broken
arm, dislocated knee. crawling for days. Constant
pain, exhaustion, near -captures multiple times.
His knowledge of the terrain from flying helped,
but physically, it was monumental. And he even
witnessed a U .S. bombing run nearby. Dangerously
close. The irony, right? Trying to evade the
enemy, almost taken out by friendly fire, must
have been terrifying, underscores the chaos.
But after nearly three weeks... He was recaptured.
Their reaction must have been furious. Oh, absolutely.
He debated them for that long. It was a huge
embarrassment, a major loss of face for the North
Vietnamese Army. Recapture meant intense anger,
desire for retribution. Return to the same hole.
More beatings, threats. Yes. Brutal treatment
upon recapture, beatings, threats. Even a pistol
held to his head. But even then, his defiance,
shouting back, his spirit just wouldn't break.
And finally, a real meal after three weeks on
the run. Seems small, but underscores the profound
deprivation. That first meager meal must have
been immense relief, a stark reminder of basic
needs. Then transferred to a more formal POW
camp. Hearing another American, Major Norris
Overly. Must have been profound. Hearing another
American voice after weeks of isolation, brutality,
a glimmer of hope, connection. Knowing he wasn't
alone anymore. Then arrival in Hanoi. Hillo Prison.
The Hanoi Hilton. Put in room 18. known for torture
yeah that marked a new even more harrowing chapter
room 18 was notorious systematic physical and
psychological torture was the norm there a definite
escalation and there he meets lieutenant commander
john mccain who was in terrible shape severely
injured very poor condition bud's first impression
was that mccain was actually dying just highlights
the brutal reality the physical toll but they
develop a close friendship despite differences
McCain talked a lot. Yeah, McCain was apparently
quite talkative. Despite different backgrounds,
personalities, that shared suffering forged a
deep bond. Though McCain's relationship with
their other cellmate, a SSEC pilot, was apparently
more strained. Different service cultures, maybe?
Could be. What about the Tet Offensive back in
Vietnam? Did that change things in the camps?
Tet was a military disaster for the North Vietnamese,
but a huge political victory in terms of shifting
U .S. public opinion. Inside the camps, that
likely contributed to a long -term reassessment
by their captors, though immediate changes weren't
always obvious. And news from home via the camp's
CBS system. Often bad news. Anti -war protests.
Yeah. Hearing about protests, draft card burnings,
negative statements from prominent Americans.
It was deeply demoralizing, often infuriating
for the POWs. They're enduring hell, and it felt
like their sacrifice wasn't supported, even opposed.
Created a painful disconnect, probably reinforced
their sense of duty. Overly gets released early
in the sink release program. He carried letters
out. Yes, a dictated letter from Budd to Doris,
and a note written and signed by McCain. Overly's
release was complex for those left behind hope,
but maybe anxiety too. For Doris, getting that
direct word, knowing Bud was alive, unbelievably
emotional. A tangible link. Bud gained this incredible
reputation among POWs, right? Resilience. Piss
on every tree in the forest. Huh. That description
says it all, doesn't it? Just captures the immense
respect they had for him, signifies his indomitable
spirit, his refusal to be broken, his constant
acts of defiance, big and small, a symbol of
resistance. He even got promoted to lieutenant
colonel while a POW. Recommended for Silver Stars.
Yes. recognition amidst that suffering, told
by a new arrival, Bob Creener, just underscores
his leadership, his character. Even in captivity,
his contributions were seen. And Doris back home
became this tireless advocate. Absolutely. Formed
a local POW MIA family group, became president,
then Arizona coordinator for the National League
of Families, relentlessly raised awareness, lobbied.
Her strength was immense, mirroring his. Ross
Perot got involved, too. Yeah. Providing support.
Yes. Perot's involvement brought significant
resources, high -level attention to the POW issue.
His support was invaluable for the families.
Bud endured particularly intense torture in 69
after an escape attempt by others, his creed.
Return with honor. The retribution after that
escape attempt hit Bud hard. Return with honor
became his anchor. It meant resisting, upholding
military obligations no matter the cost, refusing
to break, collaborate, or bring dishonor on himself,
his fellow prisoners, his country. Even after
Ho Chi Minh died and things eased a bit for most,
Bud remained a target. Yeah, his reputation for
resistance meant he was still singled out, still
pressured. His spirit was constantly tested because
they saw him as a key figure of defiance. The
book mentions lighter moments, too, like winning
a checkers game against a guard. Little glimpses
of his enduring spirit, right? Finding moments
of defiance, maybe even humor, asserting his
humanity in that oppressive place. His competitive
streak was still there. Doris meeting with people
like General Chappie James, she was a force herself.
Definitely. Direct, forceful advocacy. holding
leaders accountable, ensuring the POWs weren't
forgotten, a tireless voice. Bud's leadership
in Room 7, emphasizing resistance, following
the senior ranking officer, SRO, that structure
was vital. Crucial. Maintain discipline, communication,
a united front. Following the SRO prevented the
North Vietnamese from dividing them. That organized
church service defying orders is a powerful example
of their collective resistance. His reaction
to hearing about John Kerry's anti -war activities
in 71? Yeah. Dismissive. Foreshadowing. Yeah,
strong negative reaction. Reflects that deep
divide between those serving, especially POWs,
and some elements of the anti -war movement back
home. Highlights the intense emotions around
the war. Even those crude Christmas performances.
McCain as Scrooge. Important acts. Vital for
morale, camaraderie, asserting their humanity.
Creating their own moments of normalcy, however
basic, was an act of defiance against the dehumanizing
conditions. Supporting the Christmas bombing,
seeing the pilots as Budd's brothers. Shows a
deep solidarity, right? Connection, loyalty felt
towards those still fighting, risking their lives.
They were all linked by the war. Their subdued
demeanor upon release reflected the ordeal. Absolutely.
Not big celebrations, but quiet strength. They
knew they'd survived, resisted, achieved a moral
victory. But the scars were deep. The experience
had profoundly changed them. And the returning
POWs became this rallying point for America,
but also that tension about the early releases.
Yeah, their return was a needed moment of national
unity, pride. But the circumstances around Overly
and others in the Fink release created lasting
unease, complex feelings for those who endured
longer, added layers to their shared experience.
Finally home. The reunion with Doris and the
kids must have been overwhelming. Incredibly
moving, surely. The end of years of uncertainty,
agony, the start of a long, difficult process
of healing, reconnecting. Younger military guys
saw him as a legend. Even small things, like
the hotel bathroom size. Met with profound respect,
awe. And yeah, those contrasts, a normal bathroom
versus his tiny cell became significant markers,
reminders of the deprivation he'd endured, deep
appreciation for simple things. Colonel Guarino
recommended him for the Medal of Honor. recognizing
his leadership, resistance. Though there was
some controversy around other MOH awards then.
Yes, Guarino saw exceptional valor, unwavering
leadership, but apparently had a cynical thought
about seniority playing a role. And there were
differing perspectives, some controversy surrounding
Jim Stockdale's Citation II, highlights the complexities,
sometimes politics, around top medals. Surprisingly,
the Air Force didn't give him a fighter command
job. He went for a PhD instead. Seems like a
shift, right? Despite his record, his desire
to lead fighters, he hit bureaucratic walls.
The PhD in political science suggests maybe he
saw his military career path changing or plateauing.
But he kept advocating for the returning POWs,
writing their ERs, still wanted to fly fighters.
Absolutely dedicated to his fellow POWs, ensuring
their sacrifices were recognized, still pushed
to re -qualify, lead, but faced ongoing frustrations
with the bureaucracy. His loyalty was fierce.
He eventually realized his Air Force career had
peaked, met the president of South Vietnam with
McCain, requalified in the F -4 Phantom despite
injuries, still protective of junior officers.
Yeah, seems he accepted the plateau, but still
served with distinction, requalifying in the
F -4 after everything, testament to his skill.
And intervening at the O -Club shows that leadership
instinct never left. But no promotion to general,
partly due to politics around Admiral Stockdale.
Another disappointment. Likely a significant
one. Complex military promotions, political factors
seemed to work against him. Must have been tough
after all he'd given. He wasn't shy about giving
feedback, was he? Telling the chief of staff
about POW treatment and that annual, oh shit,
party. Shows his character, right? Blunt feedback,
even to the top. And the party. His unique way
of coping, commemorating his shoot down. Unyielding
spirit. Strong anti -communist views, sometimes
controversial remarks, became active politically
in Florida. Yeah, his convictions, shaped by
his experiences, became central post -military.
He got heavily involved in politics, played a
key role in making Florida's first congressional
district a Republican stronghold. And that email
about John Kerry in 2004. Yeah. Comparing him
to Benedict Arnold shows the lingering divisions
from Vietnam. Deeply felt opinions about Kerry's
wartime activism. expressing them so publicly,
so strongly. underscores the lasting impact of
the war, the intense emotions veterans held.
He then dedicated himself to fighting for retiree
medical benefits. The Brown Bag Campaign. Became
a major focus later in life. Lawsuits, lobbying
Congress, tireless advocacy for veterans, ensuring
promises made were kept, continued commitment
to his peers. He reacted strongly to a court
opinion he felt distorted the military. Passionate
response. Saw it as misrepresenting military
culture, government obligations. Highlights his
core value. Honor, duty, keeping promises to
those who serve. Lifelong defense of military
integrity. Attended the Robbie Risner statue
dedication. Supported by Perot. Shows those POW
bonds. Absolutely. Lasting camaraderie, mutual
support within that community, recognition of
their shared sacrifice, resilience. Continued
advocating for veterans' promises, even if it
meant disagreeing privately with McCain on issues
like torture. Shows his independent thinking.
Right. Held firm to his convictions, his principles,
even when differing with prominent friends on
major ethical issues. Strong moral compass. Later
years. Nostalgic drives. Pheasant hunting. Still
leading, even casually. Glimpses of his personal
life. Enjoying simple things, connecting to his
past, and that natural leadership tendency even
in retirement during a hunt. And his humor endured.
That quote about refusing a drink. The only time
I ever refused a drink was when I didn't understand
the question. Perfect encapsulation of his wit,
right? Finding lightheartedness after all that
darkness. Speaks to his resilience. Worsening
health, but still active. Simple lifestyle. Guilt
about wasting food. lasting impacts. Yeah, determination
despite health challenges. And that frugality,
aversion to waste, powerful echoes of his depression
upbringing, those years of POW deprivation, experiences
shape you deeply. Became a living legend. Asked
at dining outs, Colonel, was it worth it? His
response. Always the same, powerful, unwavering,
God bless America, encapsulates his deep patriotism,
his faith, his belief in the meaning of his service.
And finally, the misties, that enduring bond,
remembering the fallen. Shows those deep connections
forged in combat, right? Commitment to shared
history, honoring their lost brothers. Unbreakable
bonds formed in extreme danger. Thank you for
joining us for this deep dive into the extraordinary
life of Colonel Bud Day. His life is just an
incredible example, isn't it? Unwavering courage,
resilience that's almost beyond comprehension,
and this profound lifelong commitment to duty
and honor. Absolutely. His journey, humble beginnings
to war hero, tireless advocate, it offers profound
lessons about the human spirit. Truly does. What
an amazing story. Please share your favorite
moment or what aspect of Bud Day's story resonated
most deeply with you in the comments below. We
genuinely love to hear your thoughts. And we
really encourage you to delve further into American
Patriot, the life and wars of Colonel Budd, and
explore other biographies of these remarkable
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