Adm. John McCain-- Part 2: World War II Service and Family

Admiral McCain held several commands during World War II's Pacific campaigns.  He was a pioneer of aircraft carrier operations which proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

In 1942, he commanded all land-based aviation operations in support of the Guadalcanal Campaign, and in 1944-1945 he aggressively led the First Carrier Task Force.  His operations off the Philippines and Okinawa and air strikes against Formosa and the Japanese home islands caused tremendous destruction of Japanese naval and air forces in the closing months of the war.

Sadly, the  stress of his war service took a drastic toll on his health, and McCain died of a heart attack four days after the formal Japanese surrender.  His death was front page news across the United States.

Several of his descendants also graduated from the USNA at Annapolis.    He and his son, John S. McCain Jr.  were the first father-son pair to achieve four-star admiral rank in the U.S. Navy.  His grandson, John S. McCain III also graduated from Annapolis and became a U.S. senator from Arizona and was the Republican candidate for president in the 2008 election.

Two great grandsons have also graduated from the USNA and both are currently serving.

I'll have to research Senator John McCain's father.

What A Family.  --GreGen