Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] John Sidney McCain, III (NSN: 0-624787), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 26 October 1967 in North Vietnam. While attacking the thermal power plant at Hanoi, Commander McCain, despite extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and more than fifteen surface-to-air missiles in the air, pursued the attack until his aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Although his aircraft was severely damaged, he continued his bomb delivery pass and released his bombs on the target. When the aircraft would not recover from the dive, Commander McCain was forced to eject over the target. By his exceptional courage, superb airmanship, and total devotion to duty, Commander McCain reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: October 26, 1967
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Source http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=23680
Tell that to the families of the men missing in action that John berated, insulted, lied to, and caused to break down in Senate hearings.
A number of other people on that Senate panel were amazed by McCain’s actions. They found them hard to fathom.
John suffered two broken arms from ejecting improperly.
I don’t know how accurate the description on his citation is.
I do know that many of the MIA’s stories were never resolved.
We can’t read their full story.
I have a hard time imagining any of them fighting to keep John McCain’s information secret.
BTW:
Thanks for the post. It was obviously reasoned to post it.
I don’t think TEA Party members are terrorists.
I don’t think Trump supporters are crazies.
John’s view on Conservatives are fairly well known.
John doesn’t have much of a problem trashing me.
There were hundreds of pilots that performed similarly.
McCain did nothing here that was extraordinary.
If every pilot or soldier or marine who went into battle against the enemy and emerged alive with mission accomplished were to be awarded a distinguished medal, then the medal would have little value other than to reflect that a person did his duty.
His citation lists no concrete actions of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. He flew a mission, dropped bombs and was shot down. And for that he receives a Distinguished Flying Cross. And he kept this citation sealed until very recently because he knew it would draw attention to his being given privileged treatment in the handing out of awards.
There were hundreds of thousands that served in Vietnam and they were brave and accomplished their missions, did their duty, without any one putting them for such a high award. And they never complained.
McCain was no ace pilot, he saved no lives, he performed no acts that were crucial to winning a military battle.
There are many brave service members that performed much more that McCain and they received mere service ribbons. But McCain receives high medals for what? For doing his duty?