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John McCain, POW

John McCain, POW. Faith of My Fathers John McCain. Captured. McCain, a Naval Academy graduate, was flying his 23 rd bombing mission in his A-4E Skyhawk on Oct. 26, 1967 when he was hit by a missile over Hanoi He broke both arms and a leg while ejecting and nearly drowned in a lake

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John McCain, POW

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  1. John McCain, POW Faith of My Fathers John McCain

  2. Captured • McCain, a Naval Academy graduate, was flying his 23rd bombing mission in his A-4E Skyhawk on Oct. 26, 1967 when he was hit by a missile over Hanoi • He broke both arms and a leg while ejecting and nearly drowned in a lake • NVA soldiers dragged him out and crushed his shoulder with a rifle butt and bayoneted his knee before he was blindfolded and paraded down the streets • McCain was transported to the Hanoi Hilton

  3. 1967-1968 • Though gravely wounded, his captors refused to give him medical care, until they discovered his father was commander of all forces in Vietnam • By this time, he lost 50 lbs, was in a chest cast, and had white hair • He was put into a cell with two other Americans, not expecting him to live a week, and after a few months, was put into solitary for 2 years • His captors offered him early release because of his high-ranking father, but rejected it because it was against the Code of Conduct • After his repeated refusals at accepting the North Vietnamese propaganda statements, a program of severe torture began in Aug. 1968 • He was bound by ropes that cut off all circulation and beaten every two hours while suffering from dysentery • Some days, he was forced to stand up for hours on end, while victim to intense psychological torture • Other times, if he fell asleep, he’d be beaten to unconsciousness • Things got so bad, that he tried to commit suicide, only to be stopped by guards

  4. 1969-1973 • Eventually, McCain was forced to make an anti-American propaganda “confession”, though that decision has haunted him since • He later said, “I had learned what we all learned over there: Every man has his breaking point. I had reached mine.” • Almost every POW yielded something to their captors at some time because the torture was so terrible • McCain was beaten two or three times a week for his stubborn refusal to sign further statements • Luckily, in 1969, treatment became slightly more humane, and he was allowed to be in contact with other POWs • After 5 ½ years of captivity, McCain was released on March 14, 1973 • Due to torture, he is still unable to raise his hands above his head

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