40 Years Ago John McCain was shot down & became a prisioner of war

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: The ARRA and others opposed the massive amnesty for illegal aliens that was proposed by Democrats and supported by several leading republicans including Sen. John McCain. However, ARRA is proud of John McCain military service and sacrifice for our country. As a fellow veteran, I salute Captain John McCain for his valor and his commitment to Honor, Duty & Country during his 23 years of service in the United States Navy.

Today, marks the 40th anniversary of the day John McCain was shot down and became a guest of the North Vietnamese, spending much of his captivity in a prison camp which would come to be known as the Hanoi Hilton. Earlier that year, he narrowly escaped death aboard the USS Forrestal. A missile misfired on the deck of the carrier and it hit the fuel tank on John McCain's plane. He jumped from the cockpit of his fighter jet into the inferno below, rolling to escape. After the fire on the Forrestal, he would have been eligible to safely return home, but John McCain volunteered to continue fighting and transferred to the USS Oriskany.

On October 26th, 1967, while on his 23rd bombing mission, a surface to air missile hit McCain's plane, forcing him to eject, knocking him unconscious and breaking both his arms and his leg. He fell into a lake where he used his teeth to inflate his life vest. A North Vietnamese mob dragged him out of the water, where someone in the crowd bayoneted him and turned over to the local authorities. By the time John reached the infamous prison, he had received precious little medical treatment and was tossed into the care of Colonel Bud Day. His captors preferred that he die in American hands. But John McCain didn't die. Colonel Day nursed him back to health.

The Vietnamese soon realized that they were holding the son of the US Commander of the Pacific Fleet - they called him "The Prince". They offered him an early release, but McCain knew accepting an offer would violate the military code of conduct through which he pledged, "I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy." He repeatedly refused early release. The story of McCain's five and a half years of torture, beatings and solitary confinement is well known. After the war McCain needed extensive surgery to repair the clumsy, cruel medical treatment he had received from his captors, and he underwent years of physical therapy to be able to walk normally. He remains unable to lift his arms over his head.

Less known is the powerful faith he developed in his God, his country and his fellow prisoners of war. He says his closest relationships and friendships today are with the men who served with him as a POW. During his military career, he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired in 1981 with 23 years of service as a Captain, USN.

Captain John McCain came home more committed than ever to the notion of honor and service to his country. He has spent a lifetime in the service of the American people. The American people are fortunate that a leader of his caliber, intellect and bravery is one of the Republican candidates for president. For more Info See: John McCain, Sen. John McCain, John McCain

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