John McCain, the veteran of US politics and commended war hero, has died aged 81, little over a year after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
On Friday it was revealed that McCain had discontinued treatment against brain cancer. The following day (Saturday 25) his death was announced.
A statement released by McCain’s office which confirmed his death read:
Senator John Sidney McCain III died at 4:28 p.m. on August 25, 2018. With the Senator when he passed were his wife Cindy and their family. At his death, he had served the United States of America faithfully for sixty years.
People have been paying their respects to McCain over Twitter after the news of his death broke just moments ago.
McCain was perhaps most well known for being the Republican presidential nominee in the 2008 presidential election. He was also known across for his time as a prisoner of war during his time in Vietnam.
As a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, McCain’s plane was shot down Hanoi and he was captured by North Vietnamese troops. For more than five years McCain was tortured and later became a decorated US war hero.
The dedicated congressman ran for presidency in 2000 and 2008 and it was in 2008 that he won the Republican nomination with an interesting choice of running mate, then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. McCain lost in the general election to Democrat Barack Obama.
As a result of his time and torture as POW, McCain was unable to lift his arms above his head. He also had other health scares such as bouts of skin cancer which left a large scar on his face.
Little over a year ago McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer and after stopping treatment on Friday (24 August) McCain died on the 25.
Our thoughts go out to the McCain family at this hard time.
Rest in peace.
