Colonel George Day Thesis Statement

Purpose Statement: To inform my audience about the extraordinary life of Colonel George “Bud” Day and why he is considered the highest decorated airman in US Air Force history.
Thesis Statement: The remarkable life of Colonel George “Bud” Day was one of bravery, perseverance and honor.
Introduction Attention Getter: I’d like to tell you a little bit about a man that is regarding as the highest decorated Airman in the history of the US Air Force. The story of Col. George “Bud” Day is an extraordinary one that every American should be inspired by. Many who have served in the military have contributed and sacrificed for their country; George Day is someone who set the bar to the highest level.
Overview of Main Points: 1) His broad military

He then went on to join the Army Reserve in 1948 which ultimately led him to joining the Air Force in 1950 where he served in Korea and Vietnam. (American Patriot)
A. George Day started his military career by dropping out of High School and enlisting in the US Marine Corps at the age of 17. He served in the Pacific Theater during the war but was not exposed to any direct combat and was discharged from the USMC in 1945.
B. After his discharge from the Marine Corps he joined the Army Reserve and attended college to study law. He used his GI Bill and to complete law school, but was not allowed to take the BAR exam in Iowa due to a firearm incident he had within the city limits.
C. In 1950 the Korean War had just begun and George Day moved his commission to the newly established Air Force Reserve. The Air Force planned on taking advantage of Day’s law background but the Air Force was also in desperate need of pilots. Ultimately he was selected for pilot training and went on to fly multiple types of aircraft. (American

It was a dangerous new mission and one that led to Day being shot down over North Vietnam where he would spend nearly six years as a POW.
A. The F-100 was never used to fly as a Forward Air Controller and George Day thought that it was an awful idea. Nonetheless, George Day was put in charge of developing and implementing tactics for this new mission.
B. George Day flew his last mission in Vietnam on August 26, 1967 when he was shot down over North Vietnam. Despite suffering injuries due to the ejection he was able to escape his initial capture and nearly escape to South Vietnam. Unfortunately during was re-captured and spent five years and seven months in a POW camp in Hanoi.
C. During his time in Hanoi he was interrogated, beaten and tortured. He was John McCain’s roommate and helped care for him when he was brought to the prison. He never lost faith in his country and pressed everyone in the camp to do the same. Return to honor was his mantra and he helped struggling fellow POW’s to answer that