Senator John McCain was born on August 29, 1939 in the U.S. territory of the Panama Canal Zone. He earned his bachelor degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958, and attended courses at the National War College, 1973-1974.
Taking after his father and grandfather, Senator McCain enlisted in the United States Navy as an officer. Senator McCain was a Naval Aviator until he was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. He was held as a POW in Hanoi. When the North Vietnamese learned that Senator McCain was the son and grandson of two naval admirals he was offered early release, but Senator McCain chose to stay with the other prisoners because he thought leaving them there would be like betraying them, so he stayed there for 5 and 1/2 years before his release. He was Director of the US Navy's Senate Relations Office from 1977-1981. Senator McCain stayed in the Navy until 1981, his military awards include; the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In 1982 Senator McCain was
elected to the House of Representatives with 66% of the vote and was re-elected
in 1984 with 78% of the vote. In 1986 Senator McCain was elected
to the senate. John McCain has been in the US Senate since 1987 up
until now.
A staunch opponent of Special Interest Groups,
Senator McCain looks to eliminate Pork Barrel Spending in the government.