Wright-Patterson Air Force Base celebrated the 65th anniversary of the service Friday by recognizing National POW-MIA Day with an Air Force legend.

The Air Force celebrated 65 years and it has had a lot of men and women who have done great things for America. But, the base honored one man who gave more to his country than many others.

Retired Air Force Col. Bud Day said, “It was a very uplifting experience.”

Day described his five years and seven months in a Vietnam prisoner of war camp. He spent 35 years in the military.

“Americanism survived in that camp,” Day said.

Day was at WPAFB on Friday to recognize the anniversary and National Prisoner of War Missing in Action Day.

Day is one of the most decorated airmen. He has 70 decorations – 50 associated with combat.

Day dropped out of high school at 17 and joined the Marine Corps to fight in World War II. After the war ended, he joined the Army Reserves and was appointed to the Air National Guard.

He volunteered for pilot training in the Air Force and flew jets in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

“I’ve been in all three wars and the generations were equal,” Day said.

Day was shot down over Vietnam, escaped his captors, only to be shot and caught again. He spent five-and-a-half years in the Hanoi Hilton and served as a senior ranking-officer while in prison.

“Those of us who got shot down later had to pick up the ball and make sure we could improve on that as we could and continue to lead regardless of what was going on,” Day said.