McCain's participation in the war was from 30,000 feet above those whom he killed and maimed with bombs. His personal involvement resided with the beatings he received from his captors. The only person he fought was himself. His pain and misery were endured because he was unable to destroy his future by allowing himself to be released due to his father's position.
What he saw of the actual war was far removed from the intense experience of fear and desperation at seeing friends wounded and dying within arm's length.
His heroism resides in a prison experience that punished him for his deeds as an impersonal deliverer of doom to many Vietnamese who never saw him nor had any chance to fight back against his jet and its bombs.
McCain's participation in the war was from 30,000 feet above those whom he killed and maimed with bombs. His personal involvement resided with the beatings he received from his captors. The only person he fought was himself. His pain and misery were endured because he was unable to destroy his future by allowing himself to be released due to his father's position.
What he saw of the actual war was far removed from the intense experience of fear and desperation at seeing friends wounded and dying within arm's length.
His heroism resides in a prison experience that punished him for his deeds as an impersonal deliverer of doom to many Vietnamese who never saw him nor had any chance to fight back against his jet and its bombs.