Hyperbole Prattle

Posted by Stan Harrington

The following Veterans Day 2013, it was so good to see so many of you posting stories and pictures of the veterans in your lives. Their stories need to be told, the sacrifices that they made to insure the freedoms that we hold sacred as Americans. Whether they serve on the land, in the air, or upon the seas, they are the protectors of our freedoms. As well, they are Ambassadors of our country. On foreign soil the example they set is how America is judged by the host nation. They are most often viewed as “warriors” or “conquerors “, seldom is the respect shown for the thousands that render aid and assistance in the time of natural disaster anywhere throughout the world.

However, at the same time in our own nation we have a tendency to overlook or do not recognize some of our veterans and the sacrifices they have made except on special days, such as Veterans Day. Each and every veteran that has served will have “ghosts” or stories they cannot or wish not to disclose. That is how they insulate themselves and the reality that they have faced. Any man or woman that has honorably served their nation deserves this respect despite their age, color of skin, beliefs, or handicaps incurred while on active duty. Case in point, do you recognize the two individuals in the picture attached. One is easily identified as President Richard Nixon. The other, I have heard him called every name in the book over the years. To name just a few, “cripple”, insane, war monger, idiot, fool, grouchy old man, worthless, and some that I will not print. If I were to ever meet this gentleman, I would be humbled in his presence. Out of admiration and respect, I would refer to him as “Sir”. Despite serving his nation for the majority of his life, he is deserving of that respect as a veteran. The next time you see this ”patriot” overlook his limp and other handicaps you might observe. Disregard his political party affiliation or philosophy; don’t be so quick to judge him. The second man in the photo with the President is Senator John McCain, R-Arizona. In this photo he is Lieutenant Commander John McCain III, U.S. Navy. This picture was taken the latter part of March 1973. This picture was taken at a “meet and greet” ceremony hosted by the President. Just days prior to this meeting, Commander McCain and 142 other military men had been “guests” of North Vietnam as Prisoners of War. One hundred and forty-three men were released on March 14, 1973 following their stay at the “Hanoi Hilton” in North Vietnam. Commander McCain had been their guest from September 30, 1967 to March 14, 1973, a total of five years and six months as a Prisoner of War. Those handicaps that you observe and often make fun of, were imposed on him by his “hosts”.

On July 29, 1967, Lieutenant McCain was sitting in the cockpit of his A-4 Skyhawk awaiting a catapult launch from the carrier U.S.S. Forrestal in the South China Sea. A missile from a second aircraft accidently launched, striking his aircraft or the aircraft sitting next to him, immediately exploding on impact. He was able to open his cockpit, crawl out and get a hold of the refueling probe of his aircraft to get down to the deck. On fire, he rolled to extinguish the flames. In this accident, 134 sailors were killed and heavy damage to the carrier Forrestal. She would return to the states for repairs. Instead of returning with the U.S.S. Forrestal; Lieutenant McCain volunteered to transfer to Attack Aircraft Squadron 163, embarked on the carrier U.S.S. Oriskany due to their shortage of pilots. It was from this carrier that Lieutenant McCain would launch on the morning of September 30, 1967 on a mission over North Vietnam. Over the targeted zone, a Russian made, ground fired missile would strike his aircraft. He managed to bailout of his aircraft but was captured as soon as he was on the ground. He received little medical attention by his captors. In total, Lieutenant Commander McCain flew twenty three missions over North Vietnam.

As a “guest” of the “Hanoi Hilton” he was subject to constant and intensive interrogations by his hosts who had great difficulty in understanding the Genève Convention Code of Conduct in the treatment of Prisoners of War. It was not until late into his interment that his “hosts” discovered that he was the son of the highest ranking officer in the Pacific, Admiral John McCain II, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC). They offered him “early release” in hopes that it would influence some of the other POW’s to divulge information for their early release. Lieutenant McCain refused their offer and stood by their policy that prisoners would be released by the order that they were taken prisoner. Through treaty negations, the one hundred forty three Prisoners of War would be released on March 14, 1973.

Coming home, after his recover and rehabilitation period, Lieutenant McCain would return to active duty and re-qualified for flying status. Being advanced to Commander, he would assume the Command of an Aircraft Squadron based out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Following this Command, he would retire from the Navy in 1981 as a Captain (equivalent to Colonel in other military services). Captain McCain’s Naval Honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion Of Merit, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and a host of other decorations.

Perhaps, now the next time you see Senator McCain standing at the podium on the floor of the Senate, you might want to consider what he has endured and willingly gives in the service of his country. He is a veteran, a patriot, and the type of Commander that I would be proud to serve under.

As a side notes, one other Naval Aviators that was a guest of the “Hanoi Hilton” and released the same time that Commander McCain was released was Commander “Marty” Lewis. I was proud to serve under his Command after he returned to active duty. Perhaps, one of the most inspirational Commanders that I served with during my career.

As well, there are several personal coincidences that have occurred that I thought interesting. During WWII, Admiral John S. McCain I served in both WW I and WWII. On May 18, 1945 (my birthday) he raised his pennant on the carrier U.S.S. Shangri-La (the first ship that I served on in the Navy starting in 1964) as Commander Aircraft South Pacific Forces he controlled all aircraft operations in the South Pacific, including those of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Terry’s dad spoke highly of him even if he was in the Navy. At the same time, Commander John S. McCain, II was a Submarine Captain in WW II. During part of my tenure in the Pacific Operating Area, he would elevate to Commander Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC) which is also during part of the timeframe that Commander McCain was a Prisoner of War.