John S. McCain III Trivia Quiz

Answer: Coco Solo, Panama

McCain was born August 29, 1936 at Coco Solo Air Base, Panama Canal Zone, Panama to Admiral John S. "Jack" McCain, Jr. and Roberta McCain. Some question his eligibility to run for president since he was not born in the United States. His eligibility is assured because both of his parents were U.S. citizens and at the time Panama was U.S. territory.

Answer: False

McCain didn't particularly excel in other academic endeavors and certainly held the strict regimen of military discipline in disdain, resulting in him graduating 894th out of 899. Not quite the anchorman, but close.

Answer: Sidney

Slew was his grandfather's nickname. Admiral John S. McCain was an important figure in the allied war in the Pacific during World War Two.

Sandecker is the last name of an admiral in some of Clive Cussler's books.

Stetham is the name of a U.S.-guided missile destroyer (DDG-63), named in honor of Petty Officer Second Class Robert Dean Stethem. Stethem was tortured and murdered by terrorists during the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 on June 14, 1985.

Answer: Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida was established in 1914 and is the home of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (The Blue Angels).

Naval Air Station Miramar, California was made famous in the movie "Top Gun." On October 1, 1997, the base was turned over the the U.S. Marine Corps and became Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida was commissioned in 1940 and is the thrid largest naval base in the United States.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland is where Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) is headquartered. NAVAIR is responsible for acquiring naval aviation weapons systems.

Answer: Accident on the USS Forrestal.

A rocket was accidentally fired from an F-4 Phantom. It flew across the flight deck and struck a wing-mounted fuel tank on McCain's A-4 Skyhawk. McCain escaped, though he was hit in the legs and chest by shrapnel. The Forrestal was severely damaged. The conflagration killed 132 Forrestal Sailors and 62 were injured.

Answer: 5 1/2 years

McCain was released on March 15, 1973 during Operation Homecoming.

Answer: His father, Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was Commander in Chief, Pacific.

The Vietnamese did think McCain was going to die so they interrogated him mercilessly for two days. Once they learned his father was an admiral, the Vietnamese did give him minimal medical attention and left him in the care of fellow prisoners where they thought he would die.

In 1968, McCain's father was appointed as CINCPAC. Once the communists learned of his father's appointment, they offered McCain early release. He refused and spent the next five years in the infamous Hoa Lo prison, aka the "Hanoi Hilton", enduring cruel treatment and solitary confinement.

Answer: False

It was extremely difficult for MCain, but through intensive physical therapy, positive attitude and help from fellow aviators, he eventually was able to return to flight status.

Answer: Yes

After returning to flight status and completing the National War College, McCain served as the Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of Naval Attack Squadron 174 (VA-174) from July 1975 to July 1977 (one year in each position). Unlike his father and grandfather, McCain did not attain the rank of admiral. He retired as a captain.

Answer: His numerous extramarital affairs.

McCain freely admits his first marriage ended because of his infidelity. In his book "Worth the Fighting For", McCain explains his failed marriage. "Sound marriages can be hard to recover after great time and distance have separated a husband and wife. We are different people when we reunite. But my marriage's collapse was attributable to my own selfishness and immaturity more than it was to Vietnam, and I cannot escape blame by pointing a finger at the war. The blame was entirely mine."

Answer: Corporate officer

After marrying Cindy (Hensley) McCain and retiring from the Navy, McCain worked briefly as the Vice President of Public Relations for Cindy's father's Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship.

Answer: 1982

McCain was elected to Arizona's 1st congressional district in 1982. He had been thinking for running for office in 1976 while living in Jacksonville, Florida, but determined he could not win.

Answer: He was censured by the Senate for exercising "poor judgment" but commited no crime.

None of the senators were convicted of any crimes. McCain paid $112,000 to the U.S. Treasury, refunding the amount of political contributions he received from Keating and reimbursed Keating himself $13,000 for travel on Keating's corporate jet.

Answer: True

McCain and Senator John Kerry, another Vietnam veteran, though not a former prisoner of war, drafted legislation to normalize relations with Vietnam. Normalization occurred on July 11, 1995.

Answer: False

It is named for his grandfather. Admiral John "Slew" McCain was on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to witness the Japanese surrender, then died four days later. All U.S. destroyers are named after important naval figures.