Navy veteran McCain, groundbreaking Air Force general among Medal of Freedom recipients
By Leo Shane III
Friday, Jul 1
Navy veteran Sen. John McCain, groundbreaking Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught and Gold Star father Khizr Khan will be among 17 individuals honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom later this month, White House officials announced Friday.
The award, the nation’s highest civilian honor, is presented to individuals “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace” or other significant endeavors.
President Joe Biden will award the medals during a White House ceremony July 7. In a statement, he said the group members " embody the soul of the nation: hard work, perseverance and faith.”
McCain is one of three posthumous honorees on the list. He was a Navy pilot and prisoner of war during the Vietnam War before becoming representing Arizona in the U.S. House and Senate for 35 years. He died in 2018.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2022/07/01/navy-veteran-mccain-groundbreaking-air-force-general-among-medal-of-freedom-recipients/