Guy E Wood

George E. Bud Day: Caged Eagle and Warrior Leader Guy E Wood

George Everett "Bud" Day is a warrior. Reported to be the most decorated military veteran since General Douglas MacArthur, Day's unparalleled array of nearly 70 decorations-50 of which he earned in combat-is capped by the Congressional Medal of Honor. He also holds the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star for Valor with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with three devices. Not only did Day fight in three of America's wars during his remarkable military career, but his service also included stints in the U. S. Marine Corps, U. S. Army, and U. S. Air Force. Additionally, he served in all three service components-active duty, reserve, and National Guard. Following his military service, Day retired from the Air Force and began service as an attorney in Florida. In 1996, Day initiated the biggest lawsuit of his career as he sued the United States government to force it to live up to its promise to provide free military medical care for all retired World War II and Korean War veterans. In a tumultuous see-sawing campaign, Day and his team of volunteers battled an army of government lawyers who brought the virtually unlimited taxpayer-funded resources of the federal government to the fight. Although Day's organization-Class Act- ultimately lost the "War to Restore," it was able to influence Congress to enact TRICARE for life, which Day recognizes as achieving nearly all of the group's objectives.