I see McGovern as a genuine war hero for his service as a pilot in World War II. After that, he must be seen as a complete fool.
No arguments there. I will never condemn McGovern for his service in a B-24 Liberator over Europe, McGovern is lucky to have come back alive at all, and I salute him for his wartime service.
As you say, his philosophy once he returned to the States took an abrupt left turn into radical pro-Communist philosophies and causes.
Triva: other ‘notables’ with B-24 experience in the War, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Palance, Lloyd Bentsen, Robert Altman, and of all people, Russell Johnson (played the ‘Professor’ on Gilligan’s Island).