The fact is the missile did not hit McCains plane, it hit that of the plane next to him - pilot was CDR Fred White
Why McCain claimed in his book that the missile hit his plane and in fact he never mentions his deceased squadron mate CDR Fred White ( who died beside him on the deck due to exploding ordnance from McCains plane, after managing to escape his plane) )! is open to conjecture
But there is a good report that gives very plausible clue- will post link if I can find it
McCain wants to blame the crash on A,erica going to Vietnam, heck, he probably is worse than Kerry, blaming his own wingman getting hit since his book covers that up.
Stokholm syndrome of a weak character. Bod Dole was similarly antiWWII blaming his maimed hand self consciousness on the war and jews.