Birthday

McCain was born Aug. 29, 1936.

Education

McCain attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and graduated to become an officer in the U.S. Navy. He later went to the National War College in 1973.

Pre-Congressional career

McCain’s father and grandfather were both Navy officers. As a naval officer, McCain served a total of six years in Vietnam – five-and-a-half as a prisoner of war after his plane crashed in the northern region of the country. McCain left the armed forces as a captain in 1981 with honors including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Congressional career

In 1976, McCain’s political career began as a Navy liaison to the Senate. In 1987, after four years as a U.S. representative, McCain won his first seat as an Arizona senator. After an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for president in 2000, McCain re-won his congressional seat and is currently serving his fourth term in the Senate. One of his landmark bills was the McCain-Feingold bill, a campaign finance reform bill aimed at reducing the influence of donated money to political campaigns. He is currently the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Declared candidacy

McCain declared his presidential candidacy April 25.

Family life

Religion

Episcopalian