October 26th

The plane of US Navy Pilot John McCain (who would later become a US Senator and then a candidate for President of the United States) was shot down over North Vietnam and, upon capture, he would spend the next 5 1/2 years in prison, two of which were spent in solitary confinement.  Following his torture, he signed a confession admitting to being a war criminal.  Those war wounds left him with several physical ailments but didn't deter his patriotism for his country as he built an entirely new career through political community service.  Though a highly respected Senator and well-liked among his peers, he could not garner enough of his party's support to earn the presidential nomination, falling to George W. Bush in 2000.  Eight years later, he secured The Republican Party's nomination and became their Presidential candidate ... but then lost the election by a wide margin to Barrack Obama.