OK so what did Stockdale think about McCain and do after release? http://www.historynet.com/vice-admiral-james-bond-stockdale-vietnam-war-hero-and-indomitable-spirit-at-the-hanoi-hilton.htm
And the endorsement thread I was looking for http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1940027/posts
And the angle to all that that I think you are overlooking is that the society of Naval Admirals is not all that large. They all know and take care of each other. And especially so when family names need protecting!