John S. McCain Jr. | |
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Admiral John Sidney McCain Jr.
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Birth name | John Sidney McCain Jr. |
Nickname(s) | Jack |
Born |
Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S. |
January 17, 1911
Died | March 22, 1981 In air over North Atlantic |
(aged 70)
Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1931–1972 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
USS Gunnel (SS-253) USS Dentuda (SS-335) Submarine Squadron 6 USS Albany (CA-123) Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet Eastern Sea Frontier Atlantic Reserve Fleet U.S. Naval Forces Europe U.S. Pacific Command |
Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star |
Spouse(s) | Roberta McCain |
Relations | Adm. John S. McCain Sr. (father) Sen. John S. McCain III (son) |
John Sidney "Jack" McCain Jr. (January 17, 1911 – March 22, 1981) was a United States Navy admiral, who served in conflicts from the 1940s through the 1970s, including as the Commander, United States Pacific Command.
McCain grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931, after which he entered the submarine service. In World War II, he commanded submarines in several theaters of operation, was responsible for sinking several Japanese ships, and was decorated with both the Silver Star and Bronze Star. After the war, he held a variety of commands, specializing in amphibious warfare. He led the 1965 U.S. invasion of the Dominican Republic. He also served in several posts in Washington, including the Legislative Affairs Office and Chief of Naval Information, where he became influential in political affairs. He was a staunch anti-Communist, and was such an advocate of a strong naval presence that he became known as "Mr. Seapower".
During the Vietnam War, McCain was Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command (CINCPAC), commander of all U.S. forces in the Vietnam theater from 1968 to 1972. He was a stalwart supporter of President Richard Nixon's policy of Vietnamization. McCain played a significant role in the militarization of U.S. policy towards Cambodia, helping to convince Nixon to launch the 1970 Cambodian Incursion and establishing a personal relationship with Cambodian leader Lon Nol. McCain was also a proponent of the 1971 incursion into Laos. McCain retired from the Navy in 1972.