Profile of the Day: John McCain

John McCain

Today we remember Senator John McCain, who passed away on August 25 at the age of 81. An American war hero and U.S Senator, McCain is remembered for staying true to his principles and his lifetime of service to the country.

McCain was born on August 29, 1936 at Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. In 1958, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, following in the footsteps of his father and paternal grandfather who were both four star admirals.

During the Vietnam War, McCain’s plane was shot down by a missile while on a bombing mission. Forced to eject, McCain had broken both his arms and a leg and was captured by the North Vietnamese. He endured 5 and a half years as a prisoner of war before finally being released on March 14, 1973. When he finally retired from the Navy in 1981, McCain had earned numerous military decorations and awards, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Purple Heart.

In 1987, McCain was elected to the U.S. Senate and served as the U.S. Senator from Arizona for six terms until his death. As senator, McCain developed a reputation as a “maverick” for his willingness to disagree with his party on certain issues. He firmly believed in putting the country first over politics. He ran for President twice, but lost the Republican nomination to George W. Bush in 2000, and then in 2008, lost the general election to Barack Obama.

In 2017, McCain was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor called a glioblastoma. When asked in an interview how he hoped to be remembered, McCain said, “He served his country and not always right. Made a lot of mistakes. Made a lot of errors, but served his country. And I hope you could add honorably.”

RIP John McCain (1936-2018).
 

View John McCain’s Geni Profile

Image: United States Congress