I Will Never Surrender

Air Force Major George Day was a 41 year old veteran of war and combat, in World War II and Korea, and on an August morning in 1967 he was in his third war flying one more mission. This mission seemed like all the others, until an enemy rocket slammed into his aircraft destroying it. It was then that Major Day's nightmare began, a nightmare that would last for the next six years of his life.

When ejecting from his aircraft, Major Day's body was slammed into the fuselage, breaking his arm in three places and damaging his left knee. Falling away from the debris around him, his parachute opened and on reaching the ground he was immediately captured and then severely beaten by the enemy. For the next two days, Major Day was tortured and spent most of that time hanging upside down by ropes. At last, an enemy medic crudely tried to set his broken arm, and the torture let up slightly. His injuries were judged so severe and his left knee so swollen that his captors felt Day was incapable of escaping. They loosely bound him, placing him in a cave for three days. Only, Day did escape. He was barefoot and injured, but he traveled south for two days. Day's feet were repeatedly cut by rocks and battle debris, but he refused to stop. He kept moving south. All around him, he could hear the sounds of the enemy and their dogs as they pursued him, day and night.

Major Day, with great will, for two days kept pushing himself. On the second night of his escape, he was unable to go on without rest. He found refuge, a place to hide, under a bush. In a sleep that would come and go, the night was suddenly shattered by a nearby explosion. The explosion was so close to him, that Major Day's body was thrown into the air, rupturing his eardrums and sinuses. Shrapnel had cut into his right leg, leaving large, open wounds. For two more days, vomiting blood and disoriented, he remained in the brush unable to move on. Finally, he began his movement toward the south and to what he believed would be his freedom.

Major Day traveled for what was several days, living on small meals of berries, and two frogs swallowed alive. He after having traveled for over a week, finally reached the Ben Hai River. The Ben Hai River marked the boundary of the Demilitarized Zone. Still having to hide from the enemy patrols during the day, he left his hiding place in the jungle at night and using a bamboo log floated across the river. (Don't forget the extent of his injuries already received). Major Day avoided the enemy patrols for another week, and came close to attracting the attention of American helicopters and aircraft. Wounded, weak and struggling he with an unbelievable strength continued south hoping now to meet an American patrol.

It was between the 12th to 15th day of having escaped that Major Day began to hear nearby sounds of American helicopters and artillery fire. Under the cover of night, he continued on until he had the basecamp in sight. Major Day knew if he approached the camp at night, that the American forces might easily mistake him for the enemy. So he lay down in the jungle to wait for the coming dawn. It was shortly before the sun rose, that Major Day looked up to see a North Vietnamese soldier pointing his gun at him. Unwilling to surrender, he attempted to escape yet once more, and was shot in his left hand and leg. Major Day was recaptured a day and a half later, and was returned to his original prison camp.

Major Day was refused medical treatment for his wounds and injuries, and soon the wounds were infected. He was continually tortured for two days, without any rest, before the enemy at last believed they had broken this man's will. The Major had answered their questions, but he had given false information to them. Though he appeared a broken man on the outside, the man on the inside was still standing tall. Day, physically was a wreck, and was transferred two months later north to the "Hoa Lo" prison camp. In Hoa Lo, his torture was continued by the enemy. The conditions here were barbaric, with American prisoners being tortured and humiliated year after year. In February of 1971, there were several American prisoners who gathered for a religious service, which was forbidden. It wasn't long before the enemy guards, enraged, rushed into the room with rifles pointed at the prisoners. There was one American who quickly stood to his feet, though ragged, battered and beaten, he was unbroken. This American was Major George Day. He while staring into the barrels of the enemy rifles began to sing "The Star Spangled Banner", the American National Anthem. Another prisoner beside him rose to his feet, Commander James B. Stockdale, the ranking American in the prisoner camp. Commander Stockdale joined Major Day in singing the song. Quickly the other prisoners around them joined in the singing, and then from throughout the camp could be heard the voices of other prisoners singing with them.

Five years later, Major George Day was awarded this nation's highest honor-The United States Congressional Medal of Honor, for the above actions. Please note the following which was a part of Major Day's Citation:

"Despite his many injuries, he continued to offer maximum resistance. His personal bravery in the face of deadly enemy pressure was significant in saving the lives of fellow aviators who were still flying against the enemy. Col. Day's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces."

I wonder if we still possess this type of character, and if we as Americans would be willing to pay this price if called upon. Major Day is without any doubt an American Hero. Do we have heroes like him left today? If once again, war should come, what will we find in the hearts and souls of our people. Will we too, refuse to surrender and fight no matter the cost, for this freedom we have. Let's keep America free.