Sen. John McCain is 80 years old. He has a history of malignant cancers dating back to 1993 when he had the first of three malignancies surgically taken out. The removal of a tumor from his temple and upper arm in 2000 left a bulge on the left side of his face. In 2002, he underwent another operation to excise a skin tumor.

Last July McCain was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a savagely aggressive form of brain cancer. The average time of survival from first symptoms to death is one year. But given McCain's age and his medical history, this prognosis is optimistic.

Now while he is yet with us, the man and his works may be critically examined. For once departed, no evil may be spoken of the dead who can no longer defend themselves.

When news of the senator's brain cancer broke the Republicans and Democrats alike jostled each other to see who could heap the most lavish praises and excessive well wishes upon the stricken senator. There was an exception.

A San Diego State University professor, Jonathan Graubart, was incensed by the groundswell of sympathy for a man whom he considered to be a “war criminal.” The professor was roundly chastised. But a few sided with him. Why?

McCain does not consider himself a war hawk. He is perhaps the only one. A man would be hard-pressed to find a war or forceful intervention that this military adventurist did not enthusiastically support.

John McCain vs. The World

A few of the military actions that McCain backed are Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, interventions in West and Central Africa, Iran, Bosnia and Kosovo, Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, and even China.

The best example of what would have happened if McCain had his way is the 2003 invasion of Iraq, cheered on by McCain. The statistics are horrifying.

The U.S. dead and wounded are known with some exactitude; 4,497 fatalities and 36,710 injured.

For the Iraqis, no count was possible during the war or in its chaotic aftermath. The number killed ranges from 200,000 to 1,000,000. The injured can only be estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

About 4.4 million Iraqis were made destitute and homeless. Based on 2003 populations for Iraq and the U.S., that's equivalent to 48 million in the U.S. And 800,000 children were left with neither father or mother.

Iraq is an example of McCain/American interventionism. The aftermath left the U.S. worse off and the invaded nation in shambles.

Perhaps the outspoken professor was right.

McCain: War Hero or Political Pawn?

John McCain graduated from the Naval Academy at 894, in a class of 899. Ordinarily, he would not be qualified for flight training. But with a father and grandfather both four-star admirals, he became a naval aviator, but of suspect ability; he crashed three planes.

He volunteered for combat in 1967. Seven months later he was shot down on his 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam and was interned as a POW until his repatriation in 1973. McCain was awarded the Silver Star, but not for his military accomplishments.

The Silver Star is the nation's third-highest personal decoration. The criteria for its award is for “gallantry in action against an enemy in combat. The gallantry displayed must have taken place while in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operation.”

During the Vietnam War, 180 Silver Stars were awarded to naval personnel for “intrepidity in action.” However, 37 Stars were bestowed on a different basis. Those citations read, as does McCain's, for “intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War.”

The Tarnished Star...

The question arises, does being a POW for five-and-a-half years and remaining loyal to the U.S. warrant a metal? Or should performing one's duty with steadfastness be expected of our men in arms? I, for one, think the nation's third highest award should be reserved for those who exhibited extraordinary heroism under enemy fire.

This does not detract from any recipient of the Silver Star. They did not pin the medal on themselves. Rather, it reflects the emotions and gratitude of the nation rather than recognizing the life-threatening conditions of combat hazarded by our uniformed men.

Johnnie Got His Metal

So is McCain a war hero? His conduct as a prisoner was without blemish. But that falls short of the high bar of extraordinary action in combat.

It must also be said that not pinning a Silver Star on someone with four-star-admiral ancestry and a household name would be a public relations disaster second only to losing the Vietnam War.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA