Written by: Jaymi Firestone
As our sister state of Arizona mourns the loss of their beloved Senator, John McCain, many others around the nation are remembering his legacy.
Senator McCain entered the spotlight when he was a Navy fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. His plane was shot down in 1968, and he suffered as a Prisoner of War until 1973. Just 13 short years later is when he began his tenure as the Senator for Arizona.
This journey to the spotlight began in 1958. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who both served in the Navy, he graduated from the Naval Academy that year. The next 2 years were spent in flight school, where he learned to fly fighter planes.
When the Vietnam War was in full swing, Senator McCain volunteered for combat and flew carrier-based attack planes that did low-altitude bombing runs targeting the North Vietnamese.
His first brush with death came on July 29 of 1967 when his A-4 Skyhawk plane (photo above) was accidentally shot by a missile on board the USS Forrestal. The explosions and fires of that accident killed 134 people. A fire broke out on board the aircraft carrier when an electrical mishap occurred, causing a rocket to misfire and strike McCain’s plane. Fuel spilled onto the carrier and the fire began briskly spreading.
Just a few short months later in the midst of more intense battle, McCain’s plane was shot down during a bombing run over the North Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. During the crash he broke both arms and one of his legs. That is when his imprisonment began and lasted 5 1/2 years. Three and a half years of those were spent in total solitary confinement and he was repeatedly beaten and tortured before his release shortly after the Vietnamese cease fire went into effect.
Senator McCain earned multiple honors for his bravery and loyalty to the US Navy. He received a Silver Star, which is given for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. He also received a gold star, which is given to a family member who lost a loved one during a war. The Purple Heart was awarded to McCain for being wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy while serving. And finally, the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is America’s oldest military aviation award given to any officer who distinguishes himself with heroism. All four awards made him a very decorated officer of the Navy.
He continued serving for a short period of time, after 9 excruciating months of rehabilitation from his injuries. He had lost much of his physical strength and flexibility due to malnutrition and injury, so his career in the Navy soon ended after returning to the United States.
He began in politics after his time of active duty. His first political assignment began in 1976 when he became the Navy’s Liason to the U.S. Senate. He retired completely from the Navy in 1981 and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and continued serving as one of Arizona’s representatives until the retirement of longtime Arizona senator, Barry Goldwater. McCain won the following election and remained a U.S. Senator until his recent passing.
Senator McCain was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, which is a very rapidly growing brain tumor, in July of 2017. Close to a year after his original diagnoses, he decided to discontinue medical treatments, and passed on August 25, 2018 at the age of 81.
Our sister state of Arizona, and the entire American population, will sorely miss this American Soldier and Lawmaker. “John never took the easy path in life – and through sacrifice and suffer he inspired others to serve something greater than self,” Sarah Palin tweeted soon after his passing was publicized.
Several memorial services will honor his life, and he will be laid to rest in Annapolis where his distinguished and remarkable career began. His life came full circle. He has passed from this life, but his legacy will live on.
