John McCain
Politician, Veteran
August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018
American war hero and dedicated politician, John McCain has passed away at the age of 81 according to multiple reports. Regarded as one of Washington’s most influential US Senators, McCain died after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
McCain was born in 1936 at the Coco Solo Naval Station in the Panama Canal zone. McCain’s father was a naval officer which required the family to move between multiple postings in both the United States and the Pacific. Altogether, McCain attended 20 different schools before the family settled for good in northern Virgina. McCain was a good student that excelled in wrestling.
Upon graduating from highschool, McCain chose to follow in his father and grand father’s footsteps by enrolling at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. During his time here, McCain was viewed as both a friend and informal leader for many of his classmates. He was a protector that would stand up against the bullying that some of his classmates endured. Despite his high IQ, McCain struggled with some subjects in school. In classes that enjoyed like history and literature he achieved top marks but only studied enough to pass other subjects that he found more difficult like math.
Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, McCain would begin training as a pilot. He would see his first bit of action in 1967 during the Vietnam War. McCain’s plane was shot down in 1967 during a bombing mission. After ejecting from the plane, McCain broke both his arms and a leg and was captured upon landing. Despite his injuries, his captores gave him no medical attention and instead tortured him for information. After learning that his father was a senior Admiral in the Navy, McCain became a prisoner of war.
In mid 1968, McCain’s father was promoted to commander of all US forces in the Vietnam Theater. In an act of appeasment, the Vietnamese offered to release McCain early. McCain refused the preferential treatment saying he would not leave unless each of the men captured before him were also released. This led to McCain being held prisoner for another five years. During this time, he recieved weekly beatings and was nearly driven to the point of committing suicide. Finally in 1973 of being held prisoner for five and a half years, McCain was released. He was left with lifelong injuries that prevented him from raising his arms above his head.
After his return home, McCain spent several more years serving in the Navy before transitioning into a political career. As a politician, McCain was seen as a bridge-builder, committed to creating bipartisian government. Although a devoted Republician, McCain would frequently build alliances and friendships with democrats to ensure the government was acting in the best interest of the American people.
McCain served six terms in the US senate from 1987 – 2018. Even with two unsuccessful bids to become the nation’s next President, McCain achieved respect from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Unlike other politicians that often fade away after losing a presedential election or primary, McCain did the opposite and won reelections with ease.
During his six terms in office, McCain was influential in the creation of several acts as well as voting to confirm several supreme court justices. McCain was a popular figure in government throughout his tenure in office. He was known as a straight talker that got to the point and didnt sugarcoat or spin issues like his political counterparts.
Throughout his military and political careers, McCain was awarded several military decorations and honors. His lengthy list of achievements includes: a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He and Feingold shared the 1999 Profile in Courage Award, presented by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. He was awarded the Eisenhower Leadership Prize and the Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in 2017. Foreign countries including Georgia and Kosovo honored him with their Order of National Hero and Order of Freedom, respectively. He also holds honorary degrees from The Citadel, Northwestern University, and The Royal Military College of Canada, among others.
McCain is survived by his wife Cindy and seven children and their families.
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