My assessment of McCain along those lines goes something like this.
His first lost aircraft was flown into the drink, by him. He complained about engine problems. They hauled the aircraft out and the mechanic tested the engine. Once prepped, it started right up with no problems.
One of his next two losses, found him trying to hot dog it including flying too low. He evidently hit some wires and down he went.
It’s a wonder he lived to see actual flight duty.
If his initial instructor had had his way, he wouldn’t have.
He was just not interested in applying himself and playing by the rules.
The story continues that he didn’t have to make all his flight landings to pass his flight certification. His instructor was miffed.
He was the same way in college. He was very irresponsible.
His pappy was high up on the Navy, and John couldn’t be booted.
I don’t know if his shoot-down was because he just didn’t play by the rules as of that time. Then again, perhaps he did and I’m off base with that.
What I do know is that John was a screw-up before and after his Navy days. That causes me to wonder what we don’t know about his military service.
John may have acted heroically too. Some reports seem to indicate that. With him, I’m always waiting for the Paul Harvey report..., the rest of the story.
When Daddy and Grand Daddy are both Admirals, I imagine that gets you a lot of slack cut in the Navy. Slack regular Joes like you or I never get.