COLONEL DAY AND CAPTAIN SIJAN, AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR, 1976
Artist:
Maxine McCaffrey
Categories:
SUBJECTS >> OPERATIONS >> Vietnam War
Catalog Number:
1976.089
Location:
4E168
Description:
Maxine McCaffrey wanted to symbolically portray the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Col. George E. "Bud" Day and Capt Lance P. Sijan (1976) for their extraordinary heroism in evading and escaping capture while being downed pilots in North Vietnam. Maxine McCaffrey made their heads larger than life with the beautiful Medal of Honor hovering out in front. Ms. McCaffrey kept the heads in monochrome with the head of Captain Sijan darker since he had died. Colonel Day wears all his medals as the most decorated officer in our nation (1976); Captain Sijan is depicted in his battle dress as he died. The red background depicts the war in the jungles. Colonel Day?'s and Captain Sijan'?s heads are motionless as Ms. McCaffrey planned it to symbolize their death struggle--they were dead and survived by evading, escaping with unbelievable courage.