John McCain John McCain

John McCain John McCain

Sen. John McCain, U.S. military hero held captive in Vietnam, long-time politician who ran for President twice, and wrestler in high school and the U.S. Naval Academy, passed away Saturday after a year-long battle with brain cancer less than a week before his 82nd birthday.The senior senator for Arizona had learned in July 2017 that he had what the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix described as a "primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma."John Sidney McCain III was born on Aug. 29, 1936, in Panama at Coco Solo Naval Air Station, arriving into a prominent military family with his father, John McCain Jr., and grandfather, John McCain Sr., who were the first father-son admiral pair in U.S. Naval history.A 1954 graduate of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., McCain's senior yearbook describes him as "infamous as one of our top-flight wrestlers." While a student at Episcopal, he also participated in football, drama, and yearbook staff, among other activities."As a wrestler, Johnny was good, not great," wrote Robert Timberg in his 1999 book "John McCain: An American Odyssey." "Competing at 127 pounds, he could be counted on to win when he was supposed to and sometimes spring an upset. In one match he pinned his opponent in thirty-seven seconds, setting a school record. McCain and his teammate, Richey, seemed like peas in a pod, small, tough, cocky.""Maybe Napoleon was like that when he was young," said Riley Deeble. "But a lot of people who are small physically do seem to, certainly in the school atmosphere, become a little extra aggressive to make up for it. They create a little more space around themselves so they don't get stepped on."Deeble, who coached the wrestling team for a time and remained an avid fan thereafter, discerned an indomitable quality in McCain and Richey. "They might be up against somebody a lot more knowledgeable or stronger or tougher and they might be getting knocked all over the mat," he said, "but they never backed off."After graduating from high school, McCain entered the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, M.D., following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. The 5'7", 127-pound midshipman participated in both wrestling and boxing.McCain graduated from Annapolis in 1958, launching an enduring military career as a naval aviator and a pilot. While flying in the Vietnam War in 1967, he was shot down and captured by North Vietnam. He remained a prisoner of war for five-and-a-half years - enduring physical and mental torture -- eventually being released in 1973. In his 1999 autobiography "Faith of My Fathers," McCain shared the details of his time as a P.O.W.McCain has been awarded several military honors, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Commendation, and Prisoner of War. Just last fall, he was presented with the Liberty Medal.McCain launched a political career that spanned four decades, first serving as the Navy's liaison to the U.S. Senate beginning in 1978. From 1983 to 1986, McCain served in Congress as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 1st Congressional District. His career as a U.S. senator for Arizona began in 1987, a seat he held until his passing.McCain has run for president twice. In his first campaign, in 2000, he withdrew from the race against Republican rival George W. Bush. In his second campaign, in 2008, he lost the election against Democratic rival Barack Obama.UPDATEFuneral arrangements have been announced for John McCain. His body will like in state inside the Arizona state capitol building in Phoenix on Wednesday, and then in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Friday. A private burial will take place on the grounds of the Naval Academy on Sunday.