John McCain

John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018) was an American politician. He was a United States Senator from Arizona. McCain was the Republican Party's candidate in the 2008 United States presidential election. McCain married businesswoman Cindy McCain in 1980.

John McCain
Official portrait, 2009
United States Senator from Arizona
In office January 3, 1987 – August 25, 2018
Preceded by	Barry Goldwater
Succeeded by	Jon Kyl
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	John Jacob Rhodes
Succeeded by	John Jacob Rhodes III
Senatorial positions Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee In office January 3, 2015 – August 25, 2018[a] Preceded by Carl Levin Succeeded by Jim Inhofe Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007 Preceded by Ben Nighthorse Campbell Succeeded by Byron Dorgan In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 Preceded by Daniel Inouye Succeeded by Ben Nighthorse Campbell Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005 Preceded by Fritz Hollings Succeeded by Ted Stevens In office January 20, 2001 – June 3, 2001 Preceded by Fritz Hollings Succeeded by Fritz Hollings In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2001 Preceded by Larry Pressler Succeeded by Fritz Hollings
Personal details
Born	John Sidney McCain III (1936-08-29)August 29, 1936 Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone
Died	August 25, 2018(2018-08-25) (aged 81) Cornville, Arizona, U.S.
Resting place	United States Naval Academy Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Carol Shepp ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1980)​ Cindy Hensley ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	7, including Meghan
Parents	John S. McCain Jr. Roberta Wright
Relatives	Joe McCain (brother)
Education	United States Naval Academy (BS)
Civilian awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumous, 2022)
Signature
Website	Senate website
Military service
Nickname(s)	John Wayne
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1958–1981
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	Vietnam War (POW) Operation Rolling Thunder (WIA)
Military awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) with Combat "V" Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal (3) with Combat "V" Purple Heart (more...)

McCain's father and grandfather had been Admirals in the United States Navy. His great-great-grandfather was a slave owner in Mississippi.^[2] He served as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. When his plane was shot down, he was captured by the North Vietnamese military. He was a prisoner of war with Colonel and future Washington State Senator Leo K. Thorsness for more than five years. During that time, he was tortured.

Politics

In 1982, McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Arizona. In 1987, he became a U.S. Senator for Arizona. In 2000, McCain tried to be the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States, but George W. Bush was chosen. In 2008, he was chosen as the Republican candidate. His running mate was Sarah Palin. He opposed several foreign policies of the Obama administration. On November 4, 2008, he lost to Barack Obama.

McCain was popular for his support of the Arab Spring, protests and uprisings inside the Arab World, and protests outside those regions like many Russian protests. He said that the recent protests were worldwide and he encouraged intervention in the Syrian civil war.

Health

In July 2017, McCain under went surgery to remove a blood clot, causing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to delay a vote on the Better Care Reconciliation act to replace Obamacare.^[3] On July 19, 2017, it was announced McCain had glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.^[4]

On April 15, 2018, he underwent surgery for an infection complicated by diverticulitis and the following day was reported to be in stable condition.^[5]

On August 24, 2018, McCain's family announced that he was stopping treatment for his brain cancer.^[6] McCain died the next day at his home in Cornville, Arizona, four days before his 82nd birthday.^[7]

Legacy

After McCain's death, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that he would introduce a resolution to rename the Russell Senate Office Building after McCain.^[8]

Notes

1. Jim Inhofe served as acting chairman while McCain was on leave from December 2017 – September 6, 2018.^[1]