Bud Day was the commander of Detachment One of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the top secret group of F-100 Forward Air Controllers officially known as Commando Sabre, but better known by their callsign "Misty". Bud was shot down over North Vietnam, escaped, and came within two miles of freedom before being recaptured. This is part 1 on Bud Day, covering Bud's early life, the origins of forward air control, the F-100, the standing up of the Mistys, and Bud’s shootdown and subsequent escape.

Selected references:

Return With Honor by George E. Day

American Patriot, the Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day by Robert Coram

Hit My Smoke! Forward Air Controllers in Southeast Asia by Jan Churchill

Finally, yes I did say DMV instead of DMZ once!

Semper Fi,

Kelly “Beavis” Ramshur

[email protected]