Sen. John McCain's military history through photos McCain crashed while training in Corpus Christi just two years into his Naval career

Sen. john McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer Wednesday. Click through to see historical photos of his time in the Navy. Sen. john McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer Wednesday. Click through to see historical photos of his time in the Navy. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, STF Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, STF Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Sen. John McCain's military history through photos 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

As the country still comes to grips with the news that Arizona Sen. John McCain has brain cancer, history-obsessed citizens are digging up archival photos of the former Navy captain.

McCain joined the Navy in 1958 and did some of his training in Corpus Christi. McCain, then 23, crashed an AD-6 Skyraider into the bay in 1960 and sheared the skin off the plane's wings, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"The engine quit while I was practicing landings," McCain wrote later in his autobiography.

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The accident in Corpus Christi foreshadowed an event on Oct. 26, 1967, that would change his life.

That day, McCain was shot down while flying a mission in North Vietnam. He was taken prisoner and held for 5½ years. McCain endured torture resulting in serious injury to his right shoulder, abdomen, and foot, ABC reported.

McCain was released on March 14, 1973. One of the first people he met upon being freed was President Richard Nixon.

Photo: Reddit Photo of McCain meeting President Richard Nixon in 1973 after being...

McCain retired from the Navy in 1981. He was elected to Congress in 1983 and then the Senate in 2001 where he currently serves.

On Wednesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said McCain is "undoubtedly the toughest man in the United States Senate. He is an American hero and has served our country like few ever will."

McCain is recovering from surgery that removed a blood clot from around his left eye. He and his family are exploring treatment options for the glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer, he was diagnosed with.

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