JOHN MCCAIN: POW, POLITICIAN, ADVOCATE, AND NMAM FOUNDER
The legacy of John McCain is cemented in the history of our nation through multiple efforts. Growing up the son and grandson of esteemed Navy officers, McCain would continue his family’s life of service. This was before launching a successful political career and advocating for the military community in a profound way. From service as a POW during the Vietnam War, to helping military families receive the benefits and recognition they deserved, John McCain left an impact still felt to this day.
When Did John McCain Die?
John McCain passed away on August 25, 2018, a day after his family announced he would stop treatment for his cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and family at his home in Cornville, Arizona. Glioblastoma (GBM) was John McCain's cause of death. GMB, is a deadly brain cancer that grows quickly and destroys healthy tissue. It starts as abnormal cells in the brain or spinal cord, often causing headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and seizures. Sadly, while treatments can slow its growth and ease symptoms, glioblastoma has no cure. Although GMB is considered a rare cancer, there are 12,000 to 15,000 Americans diagnosed with glioblastoma each year. But before suffering from GMB, a young John McCain would follow in his family’s way to become a Navy officer. In fact, when considering his ancestor’s contributions to the Army, the McCains fought in every conflict for the U.S. since the Revolutionary War.
John McCain Vietnam Service
After growing up a Navy brat with his siblings and attending the U.S. Naval Academy, McCain began training as a pilot. However, that’s not to say he was particularly the ideal Sailor. Known for his pranks and goofing off in class, John McCain was building a reputation for enjoying a good time long before he was executing missions. This would be an omen to McCain’s style. He was known to conduct risky maneuvers in his aircraft that resulted in three crashes that included a power outage in Spain. All of these instances came before Vietnam, where John McCain would be thrown into the middle of Operation Rolling Thunder. This would lea to his experience as a prisoner of war. Before the flight that would turn John McCain into a POW, his ship, the USS Forrestal, was attacked as McCain was getting ready to take off. He suffered injuries from hot shrapnel but survived the mayhem that cost over 130 others their lives. On October 26, 1967, McCain was sent out to destroy a power plant in Hanoi, North Vietnam. However, he was struck with a missile while doing so causing him to eject into a lake, breaking his knee and both arms. By the time he woke up, it was too late. John McCain was captured, humiliated, and assaulted by the hundreds of Vietnamese who had come out once he was found, all before heading to his prison and home for more than half a decade.
How Long Was John McCain a POW?
Prisoner of war John McCain was held captive in North Vietnam for five and a half years. Ultimately, he was released with over 100 other POWs on March 14, 1973. However, this is not before experiencing hell on Earth. Already suffering from serious injuries, fighters for North Vietnam transported McCain to an infamous POW camp Hoa Lo, dubbed the Hanoi Hilton by Americans. While dealing with a broken shoulder, knee, and arms, instead of receiving medical treatment, McCain is beaten for information for days. However, the troops then realize his family's ties to the U.S. military and take him to the hospital for treatment so that they can use him for propaganda. Weeks pass and improvements aren’t coming for McCain, so he is sent back to the Hanoi Hilton to await death. Ironically, this would save him as other prisoners helped McCain regain his strength and ability to stand and walk. Sadly, his reunion with others is short-lived. Solitary confinement soon becomes McCain’s living situation for two years.
The Unthinkable and a Desire to Persevere
When those two years were up, the unthinkable happened—John McCain was offered a chance to go home. It’s now 1968 and the troops are willing to let him walk away. Many would have taken this chance and not one person would’ve blamed them but McCain refused. To him, the move was either a setup for a last-minute confession, a way to embarrass his family, or a way to demoralize the other POWs suffering. Furthermore, military officers have a policy to stay behind when others who are captured for longer have yet to be released. This leads to very dark times in which he is punished with beatings for not taking the offer and further interrogated. For John McCain, death nearly came early twice through two suicide attempts by hanging, resulting in more beatings as the vicious cycle continued. Broken and feeling defeated, McCain signed a dictated confession before being beaten the next day into recording a taped confession. Hell was home for McCain in Hanoi. It would finally come to an end once he was released with the others in March 1973. Despite never fully regaining the use of his arms or leg, McCain underwent surgeries, and extensive rehab. He would eventually be able to once again pass the physical exam to become a Navy pilot. His service is an exemplary example of being there for your fellow man. It also illustrates the unfortunate sacrifice required of those who serve.
Advocating for Our Military
After the Vietnam War, McClain went on to become involved in politics on multiple levels and became a U.S. Representative. Ultimately, he would run for President. However, this didn’t work out, but his time as a U.S. Senator was notable. One of the reasons Senator McCain is so known in the political world is his dedication to advocating on behalf of the military community. This includes serving on multiple committees while also working to increase defense budgets. In addition to legislation and being a voice for the military, Senator John McCain also came up with the idea for National Military Appreciation Month. This was made official by Congress months later, shining a light each May on our nation’s heroes. Related reads: