02.02.08
McCain’s Military Career
As a Navy vet who loves the Navy and somebody who strived to be a model Sailor during his time in the service, I cringe with disgust whenever anybody yaks about McCain being a “war hero” or running on his military credentials.
The McCain Navy Record:
John Sidney McCain III entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1954. Young McCain wanted to become an admiral. He planned to be the “first son and grandson of four star admirals” to achieve such a distinction. But that was not to be. McCain III possessed none of the innate character and discipline traits that helped mold his father and grandfather into great military leaders.His father, John S. “Junior” McCain, and grandfather, John S. McCain, Sr., were famous four-star Admirals in the U.S. Navy. His father commanded U.S. forces in Europe before becoming commander of American forces fighting in Vietnam. His grandfather commanded naval aviation at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Both men became highly influential in U.S. Navy operations.
At the Academy, aside being known as a “rowdy, raunchy, underachiever” who resented authority, Cadet McCain became infamous as a leader among his fellow midshipmen for organizing “off-Yard activities” and hard drinking parties. Robert Timberg wrote in his book, The Nightingale’s Song, that “being on liberty with John McCain was like being in a train wreck.”
McCain’s grades were “marginal.” He drew so many demerits for breaking curfew and other discipline issues that he graduated fifth from the bottom of the class of 1958. Despite his low “class standing,” and no doubt because of the influence of his family of famous Admirals, McCain was leap-frogged ahead of more qualified applicants and granted a coveted slot to be trained as a navy pilot.
Good Party Animal - Bad Pilot:
He spent the next two and a half years as a “naval aviator in training” at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas, flying A-1 Skyraiders.While a pilot trainee, McCain continued to party hard. He drove a Corvette and dated an exotic dancer named “Marie the Flame of Florida.” Timberg wrote that McCain “learned to fly at Pensacola, though his performance was below par, at best good enough to get by. He liked flying, but didn’t love it.”
McCain Lost Five Military Aircraft:
McCain, the “below par” pilot, eventually lost 5 military aircraft, the first during a training flight in 1958 when he plunged into Corpus Christi Bay while trying to land. The Navy ignored the crash and graduated McCain in 1960.While deployed in the Mediterranean, the hard partying McCain lost a second aircraft. Timberg described the crash: “Flying too low over the Iberian Peninsula, he took out some power lines which led to a spate of newspaper stories in which he was predictably identified as the son of an admiral.”
Unscathed, McCain returned to Pensacola Station where he was promoted to flight instructor for Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi. The airfield at Meridian, McCain Field, was named in honor of McCain’s grandfather.
In 1964 McCain became involved with Carol Shepp, a model from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he had met at Annapolis. They were married in Philadelphia on July 3, 1965.
Flight instructor McCain lost a third aircraft while flying a Navy trainer solo to Philadelphia for an Army-Navy football game. Timberg wrote that McCain radioed, “I’ve got a flameout” before ejecting at one thousand feet. McCain parachuted onto a beach moments before his plane slammed into a clump of trees.
The Navy dismissed the crash as “unavoidable” and assigned McCain to the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal in December 1966, which was patrolling the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. In Spring 1967, the Forrestal was assigned to join the Operation Rolling Thunder bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
McCain lost his fourth plane on board the Forrestal on July 29, 1967 when a rocket inadvertently slammed into his bomb laden jet. McCain escaped, but the explosions that followed killed 134 sailors. McCain was transferred from the badly damaged Forrestal to the USS Oriskany. Shortly afterwards, on Oct. 26, 1967, he was shot down and captured by the Vietnamese.
Post-POW Years: Political Ambition and a New, Young, Rich Wife:
Upon his release from North Vietnam and return to the United States in 1973, McCain reunited with his wife, Carol, who had been permanently crippled in a car accident while he was a POW.Still yearning to become an admiral, McCain enrolled in the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. and underwent physical therapy in order to fly again. The Navy excused his permanent disabilities and reinstated him to flight status, effectively positioning him for promotion.
Timberg described McCain’s advancement: “in the fall of 1974, McCain was transferred to Jacksonville as the executive officer of Replacement Air Group 174, the long-sought flying billet at last a reality. A few months later, he assumed command of the RAG, which trained pilots and crews for carrier deployments. The assignment was controversial, some calling it favoritism, a sop to the famous son of a famous father and grandfather, since he had not first commanded a squadron, the usual career path.”
While Executive Officer and later as Squadron Commander McCain used his authority to arrange frequent flights that allowed him to carouse with subordinates and “engage in extra-marital affairs.”
This was a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice rules against adultery and fraternization with subordinates. But, as with all his other past behaviors, McCain was never penalized; instead he always got away with his transgressions.
Timberg wrote, “Off duty, usually on routine cross-country flights to Yuma and El Centro, John started carousing and running around with women. To make matters worse, some of the women with whom he was linked by rumor were subordinates . . . At the time the rumors were so widespread that, true or not, they became part of McCain’s persona, impossible not to take note of.”
In early 1977, Admiral Jim Holloway, Chief of Naval Operations promoted McCain to captain and transferred him from his command position “to Washington as the number-two man in the Navy’s Senate liaison office. McCain was promptly given total control of the office. It wasn’t long before the “fun loving and irreverent” McCain had turned the liaison office into a “late-afternoon gathering spot where senators and staffers, usually from the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, would drop in for a drink and the chance to unwind.”
In 1979, while attending a military reception in Hawaii, McCain met and fell in love with Cindy Lou Hensley, 17 years his junior, who was the daughter of James W. Hensley, a wealthy Anheuser-Busch distributor from Phoenix, Arizona. McCain filed for and obtained an uncontested divorce from his wife in Florida on April 2, 1980 and promptly married Cindy on May 17, 1980.
He resigned from the Navy in 1981 and went to work for his father-in-law in Phoenix; where he used the opportunity to make powerful and wealthy friends in Arizona including banker Charles Keating and Duke Tully, the editor-in-chief of the Arizona Republic. Keating was later convicted of fraud, racketeering, and conspiracy and Tully was disgraced for concocting a phony military record of combat in Korea and Vietnam including medals for heroism.
McCain ran for Arizona’s First Congressional District in 1982. McCain won the congressional seat. In 1987 McCain was elected to the US Senate.
mpinkeyes said,
February 2, 2008 at 9:45 am
Thanks for posting this. The irony here is funny. I was just sitting down to start wtiting a post I had been thinking about for a couple of days. I decided to come here first. I am glad I did. I was about to write a post expressing my guilt for continually bashing McCain. The reason for my guilt was his war hero status. I felt guilty bashing a war hero on a daily basis but felt it was neccessary. Now I can bash guilt free and can forget that post I was going to write.
Philip said,
February 2, 2008 at 1:26 pm
This is a great post and I really like your blog. I’m just wondering what your sources are for this?
James Woods said,
February 2, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Yeah please post your sources.
Ryan said,
February 2, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Most of this information can be found at “Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain”
http://vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/
As for the specific information, it was taken from the book “The Nightingale’s Song” by Robert Timberg
http://www.amazon.com/Nightingales-Song-Robert-Timberg/dp/B000CC49OE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201995950&sr=8-1
alaskancamel said,
February 4, 2008 at 12:43 pm
One more thing on McCain…
Look at his past on Alcohol and Tobacco…if you think its bad now, they will become almost illegal if he wins.
Ryan said,
February 5, 2008 at 9:52 am
Remember the tag line from the movie “Alien vs. Predator?”
I’m beginning to feel like that now that we’ve hit super tuesday…
We're hip to you lying scums. said,
February 8, 2008 at 5:10 pm
McCain’s pure scum…and a dumbass too.
I’ve noticed during recent debates his clear lack of understanding of just about everything relevant to the role of the federal government.
More generally, McCain often completely gets wrong the point of questions and statements put forth by others. For instance, in one Republican debate, one candidate made a statement about the election to the Presidency in 1952 of the Republican candidate (Eisenhower) due in part to his, and the party’s, position to end the war in Korea. McCain “corrected” him by saying that Eisenhower didn’t end the war in Korea–missing the point entirely which was to say that historically, including in the case of Vietnam, Republicans have been the ones elected to end wars started by Democrats.
This man doesn’t even employ sound logic.
micky2 said,
February 9, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I lost my right to vote due to my retched past.
But if I still had that right I would vote for McCain just to make sure those other two cheerleaders dont get in.
Horse, donkey ?
If I choose neither I’ll get stuck with one anyway. So unfortunatly , now I have to go figure out if I like horses or donkeys better.
I wont need a step ladder to figure this one out.
If a Dem takes the White house,
What will become of all the lives lost in Iraq ? Will it all of been for nothing ?
What will become of the GWOT ?
Our medical, our taxes.
Its sad but true. I think we are faced with choosing between the lesser of three evils here.
Yea, I have some problems with McCain but I’m not hysterical about it.
Now if hillary or Obama gets in, I’ll go freeking nuts at no fault of my own.
Jay @ Old Ford Road said,
February 10, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Ummm… partying, womanizing, living dangerously–that describes lots of military personel.
McCain is still a war hero! So what’s the point? Besides, the only baggage that counts is Obama and Hillary’s, right?
American Street » Blog Archive » When Johnny Comes Limping Home said,
February 11, 2008 at 12:36 pm
[...] His resume should inspire us all … to hurt ourselves. [...]
The Wyldth1ng said,
February 11, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Where are your references? I look at this and say, well it might be true or it might not.
Being in the military and knowing how easy it is for anyone to slander “us” and then seeing an “article” such as yours makes me believe that you don’t have an credible evidence to support this.
Hey, if you do great, then post that as well.
Ryan said,
February 12, 2008 at 5:20 am
Wyldthing, my references are in the comments above. I would never blindly slam or slander anybody in the military unless they are deserving of it. McCain’s career pisses me off because I knew people like him while I was in the Navy.
Want the whole story? Read the book “The Nightingale’s Song” by Robert Timberg
http://www.amazon.com/Nightingales-Song-Robert-Timberg/dp/B000CC49OE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201995950&sr=8-1
It’s not a negative book or a book specifically about McCain - just a book that traces the careers of several prominent people through Vietnam and into today.
MCCC69 said,
February 12, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I was surprised while watching the 5 vids on the Vietnam Vets Against McCain website the he did not get the customary promotions while in captivity because of collaborating(?) with the enemy allegations(?)The Navy was aware of these transgressions?
How can I find out his dates of rank i.e: promotions? He was captured as an O4 and retired as an O6. When did he become an O5? During captivity or after he went back on active duty? From experience, these records are proprietary. Right? I can be reached at jimhcampbell@msn.com
American Street » Blog Archive » TV Snide said,
February 20, 2008 at 4:59 am
[...] years. Maybe something that will be a bit nostalgic…. Oops, maybe those memories aren’t all that pleasant. Besides, to tell you the truth, I, for one, don’t want to see John McLiebercain McCain in [...]
Bill Anderson said,
February 21, 2008 at 12:01 am
It’s clear to see that McCain is the wrong person to be President,he is just and old white guy and a fool to boot.Many of us Vietnam Vets feel the same just ask some of the family members of are lost POW’s.
Ryan said,
February 21, 2008 at 7:37 pm
You are very right. Any of us Vets who give a damn about pride and dedication to our country and people should feel betrayed by McCain.
Ryan said,
February 21, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Check this out too:
http://apfte.net/
Doug said,
March 7, 2008 at 10:37 am
If you are asinine enough to imply that losing a plane on the flight deck of the USS Forrrestal on that fateful day in 1967 could in any way be attribluted to John McCain as his fault, then I would immediately question the credibility of the rest of your story. It’s people like you who help the causes of Hussein and HillBilly in their drives to capture the White House. By the way, I am a 22 year Navy vet!
Ryan said,
March 7, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Nobody is insinuating that the Forrestal incident was at all McCain’s fault. In fact, the article makes it quite clear:
If you choose to take that as somebody making an accusation regarding McCain’s responsibility there, then that’s on you.
Of course, it doesn’t change the fact that I will not endorse McCain as president. While I do realize that he would be a lesser evil than Obama or Clinton, I don’t think we should have to choose between the lesser of any evils. Good men could have been in this position but the political machine is broken. McCain is no conservative. Should we back him simply because he has an -R- behind his name? No way! I find very few redeemable qualities in McCain or his politics.
Rocky said,
March 14, 2008 at 2:22 am
The Forrestal fire WAS McCain’s fault. He is an all around disaster, and a loser. Research how he has tried to stop the families of Vietnam POW’s from accounting for their missing servicemen.
http://
judicial-inc.biz/82jjohn_mccain_and_the_uss_forresta.htm
Ryan said,
March 20, 2008 at 6:19 am
I have seen that before, and if it is indeed true (which given McCain’s history and attitude it is very likely true), then it is a shame that he was protected because of his family.
I understand that accidents happen, and even if McCain was hot rodding it was still an accident… But it was a preventable accident and he should have been punished as such. Having been in the Navy, I know damned well that if you cause an accident due to your own preventable actions, they will come down on you and punish you something fierce anyway.
Bob Cohen said,
March 23, 2008 at 10:54 am
How do I forward your article on Mccaines Military Career?
Ryan said,
March 24, 2008 at 1:39 pm
unfortunately there isn’t a way to directly forward the post. You will have to either copy and paste the whole post into an email or just send somebody the link:
http://arclightzero.wordpress.com/2008/02/02/mccains-military-career/
gasdocpol said,
April 30, 2008 at 8:23 pm
The worst part of it is that McCain’s Navy carrer is his strong suit.
He also has a volatile temper, is superstitious and a compulsive gambler..
His grasp of economics and Mideast politics does not even reach the level of superficial and incomplete.
gasdocpol said,
April 30, 2008 at 8:24 pm
The worst part of it is that McCain’s Navy career is his strong suit.
He also has a volatile temper, is superstitious and a compulsive gambler..
His grasp of economics and Mideast politics does not even reach the level of superficial and incomplete.
George said,
May 22, 2008 at 4:26 pm
How the hell can you blame McCain for losing the last two planes. He did not shot a rocket at his plane and I am sure he was not looking to get shot over Viet Nam.
gasdocpol said,
May 22, 2008 at 5:07 pm
George
The first 3 planes that McCain lost seem as if they were his fault.
McCain was a dangerous risk-taker fly boy who risked many men’s lives with his hot-dogging antics. The North Vietnamese broadcasted intelligence given to them by McCain - hence his preferential treatment at the Hilton. He also voted to normalize relations with Vietnam which foreclosed POW/MIA and Agent Orange investigations. He will destroy this nation (if there will be anything left of it after BushCo pulls up the stakes).
Comment by johnnypeepers
The 4th plane McCain lost seems not to have been his fault.
As for the 5th plane that McCain lost may or may not have been his fault.
cybergirl2 said,
May 27, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I read on anoether blog spot that the 4th incident in which McCain lost his plane was due to his wet starting his jet. As follows:
A tale of his hot dog A4 piloting days and results of the reckless misjudgements this so-called hero of lives with daily…
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/02/371864.shtml
McCain, who was on board the USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin on July 29, 1967, and whose A-4 Skyhawk was struck by an air-to-ground Zuni missile that had misfired from an F-4 Phantom.’
It is believed by many crewmen and those who have investigated the case that McCain deliberately ‘wet-started’ his A-4E to shake up the guy in the plane behind his A-4. ‘Wet-starts’, done either deliberately or accidentally, shoot a large flame from the tail of the aircraft.
In McCain’s case, the ‘wet-start’ apparently ‘cooked off’ and launched the Zuni rocket from the rear F-4 that touched off the explosions and a massive fire. The F-4 pilot was reportedly killed in the conflagration.
McCain was quickly transferred to the USS Oriskany (the only Forrestal crewman to be immediately transferred). After the disaster, McCain was shot down over North Vietnam on October 26, 1967.
It was also followed by a comment that McCain was quickly transferred because the remaining crewmen wanted to hang him because of what he did.
This should explain why a missile would come out of “no where” to hit McCain’s jet and cause an explosion.
It seems to me that if it were anyone else, he would be court marshalled. What incompitence!
gasdocpol said,
May 28, 2008 at 7:00 am
cybergirl
I was ready to accept the conclusion that the 4th plane that McCain lost was not his fault . If what you say is true, it would be part of a pattern.
That would mean that 4 and possibly all 5 of the planes that McCain lost were his fault.
Fred Dawes said,
May 30, 2008 at 7:41 am
Ryan is right whoever wins, we Lose, the side note would be our Nation once and for all will disappear.
McCain’s number one act in office if Obama rapes a little white boy in front of people and call’s out for mass jihad, will be to do mass Amnesty and that will remove us as a people and as a culture of laws and make us into mexico overnight, so no matter what you say or do its going to be fun inside this non nation when people can’t get a job or a home or a place outside prison to sleep in, your kids will become Prostitutes and your world will disappear in a sea of a Black/brown and yellow world of total corruption and your kids will not care. didn’t someone tell you that evil comes in many faces and McCain is only one face of evil.
gasdocpol said,
June 4, 2008 at 7:52 am
mickey,
What will become of all the lives lost in Iraq ? Will it all of been for nothing ?
All those lives we lost WERE already lost for nothing. McCain wants to lose even more lives for nothing!
veritasvincitprolibertate said,
June 24, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Sad but true, we have no choices this time, to be honest I don’t think we have had a choice since Reagan. I was for Ron Paul but alas that wasn’t to be, Barr looks interesting but given his voting record I am not truly convinced he is a convert . . .Plus I don’t think he has a snowballs chance in hell of getting in. So it’s not a choice about if we are screwed but more about how bad!
MATT LITVAK said,
July 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Here’s a little irony for the sack of garbage who posted this and all of the Obama’s supporters. I’m not exactly what you would call a McCain fan. He served his country honorably, you think you could do a better job flying a military jet, go strap one on and prepare yourself for death. He toughed it out in a slope prison for how many years, my guess you obango supporters would be crying like pussies after 5 minutes. He came back and tried to reform a squadaron that had been deciimated by Carter’s destructive military policies. And unlike Kerry he didn’t ask for a cluster of purple hearts for nothing.
Your little limpwristed 50%ofaNiggra snorted coke because, boo hoo, he lacked role models and was depressed by the blackexploitation films. Like all blacks he has mental and emotionaly problems you could not comprehend.