John S. McCain Jr.

John S. McCain Jr. was a distinguished United States Navy officer who rose to the rank of Admiral and served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Command during the latter years of the Vietnam War. The son of John S. McCain Sr., a prominent World War II admiral, he continued a formidable family legacy of naval service, which was later extended by his son, Senator John McCain. His career spanned four decades, encompassing command in World War II, the Korean War, and significant leadership roles during a tumultuous period in Southeast Asia.

Early life and education

Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, he was the son of John S. McCain Sr. and Katherine Vaulx. He spent much of his youth in Washington, D.C. where his father was stationed. Following family tradition, he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1927, graduating in 1931. His early naval training included service aboard the battleship USS ''Oklahoma'' and the cruiser USS ''Cincinnati'', providing a foundation in surface warfare before he transitioned to the submarine service.

Naval career

After completing training at the Submarine School in New London, he served on several submarines prior to World War II. During the war, he commanded the ''Gato''-class submarine USS ''Gunnel'' in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, earning a Bronze Star Medal for his actions. Post-war, he held important staff positions, including duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as a naval aide to the Secretary of the Navy. He commanded Submarine Squadron 6 and later served as the director of the Undersea Warfare Division within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Vietnam War and command

Promoted to vice admiral, he served as Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe from 1965 to 1967. In 1968, he was promoted to admiral and appointed as Commander in Chief, Pacific Command (CINCPAC), with headquarters at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii. In this role, he oversaw all U.S. military forces in the Pacific and Asia, including operations during the Vietnam War such as Operation Linebacker II. He worked closely with officials like Creighton Abrams and Ellsworth Bunker and was a key advisor to the Nixon Administration on Southeast Asia policy until his retirement in 1972.

Post-military life and death

Following his retirement from the United States Navy, he remained in Hawaii. He served on the board of directors for several corporations and was active in various veterans' organizations. He died suddenly of a heart attack on March 22, 1981, while on a flight from Europe to the United States; the aircraft was over the North Atlantic Ocean. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, alongside his father.

Legacy and honors

His naval career was recognized with numerous awards, including three Navy Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star, and the Legion of Merit. The guided-missile destroyer USS ''John S. McCain'' (DDG-56) was named in honor of both him and his father. The McCain family legacy of service is unique in American history, being the first father-son pair to achieve four-star admiral rank. His son, John McCain, continued the tradition of public service as a United States Navy pilot, POW, Congressman, and long-serving Senator from Arizona. Category:1911 births Category:1981 deaths Category:United States Navy admirals Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:McCain family