Senator John McCain‘s remarkable record of leadership embodies his unwavering lifetime commitment to service. The son and grandson of four-star admirals, he was raised in the navy and in a tradition of military service that began before the American Revolution.

Senator McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in 1958, and served as a Naval aviator for 22 years, including in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

On October 26, 1967, during Senator McCain’s 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam, a missile struck his plane and forced him to eject, knocking him unconscious and breaking both his arms and his leg.

Senator McCain was taken as a prisoner of war into the now-infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where he was denied needed medical treatment and subjected to years of torture by the North Vietnamese. He spent much of his time as a prisoner of war in solitary confinement, aided by his faith and the friendships of his fellow POWs. 

[He was allegedly offered released after about a year on the basis of his rank as a publicity move by N Vietnam according to other reports. He stated that unless his fellow POWs were released at the same time, he would not accept their offer. Some reports state that his torture began after he decline the early release. — Editor]

When he was finally released and able to return home years later, Senator McCain continued his service by regaining his naval flight status.

His last Navy duty assignment was to serve as the naval liaison to the United States Senate. He retired from the Navy in 1981. His naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Senator McCain was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982 and elected to the United States Senate in 1986. He was the Republican Party’s nominee for president in the 2008 election.

Over the course of his career, Senator McCain served as Chairman of the Senate Committees on Indian Affairs, Commerce, Science and Transportation, and most recently, Armed Services.

Senator McCain is survived by his wife, Cindy, seven children and five grandchildren.
He was laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.

Statement from The Office of Senator John McCain

Washington, D.C. ­– The office of Senator John McCain released the following statement today:

“Senator John Sidney McCain III died at 4:28pm on August 25, 2018. With the Senator when he passed were his wife Cindy and their family. At his death, he had served the United States of America faithfully for sixty years.”

Memorials and Services

There will be memorial events celebrating the life of Senator John Sidney McCain III
in Arizona and Washington, D.C.
Please see below for more information:

On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, Senator McCain will lie in state at the Arizona State Capitol, where the public is invited to pay respects and honor the senator’s life and service.

At 10:00am local time, a private, formal ceremony inside the Rotunda of the Arizona State Capitol will take place to honor Senator McCain’s life and service to the State of Arizona and the nation.

On Thursday, August 30, 2018, at approximately 9:00am local time, Mrs. Cindy McCain and family will arrive at the Arizona State Capitol. Senator McCain will be carried with ceremony from the Arizona State Capitol by Arizona National Guard personnel and the motorcade will depart for North Phoenix Baptist Church.

The public is welcome to line the motorcade route from the Arizona State Capitol to North Phoenix Baptist Church.

On Friday, August 31, 2018, Senator McCain will lie in state at the United States Capitol, where the senator’s family, colleagues, staff and the public will honor his life and service. At approximately 11:00am ET, a ceremony will take place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda honoring the life and service of Senator McCain.

At the conclusion of the formal ceremony the public is invited to pay their respects as Senator McCain lies in state for the remainder of the day.

On Saturday, September 1, 2018, at approximately 8:30am ET, Senator McCain will be carried with ceremony from the U.S. Capitol by Armed Forces Body Bearers, secured and moved by motorcade to Washington National Cathedral. The motorcade will pause at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where Mrs. Cindy McCain will lay a ceremonial wreath honoring all whose lives were lost during the Vietnam War. The public is welcome to line the procession route along Constitution Avenue to pay their respects to Senator McCain.

Flowers may be sent to your local VA Hospital. Thank you.

On Saturday, September 1 at 10:00am ET, a national memorial service celebrating the life of Senator McCain will take place at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Senator McCain’s family, friends, congressional colleagues and staff, as well as U.S. and international leaders have been invited to attend and participate in the service.

Please note, this is a private service.

https://www.johnmccain.com/

The McCain Institute is in the arena, where Senator McCain’s values and legacy are being championed. It’s here that we cultivate character-driven leaders and fight for fundamental human rights. Get involved. Learn more. Find your place. And give to the Institute.

https://www.johnmccain.com/inthearena/