I met John McCain for the first time in the courtyard of the Hanoi Hilton, 47 years ago.  I considered him a friend until his death.  We frequently disagreed on political policies and tactics, but I have known few men whom I have respected as much as John McCain.  My respect was based on the circumstances under which I met him. In 1970, I was one of 57 American prisoners of war (POWs) held at a camp 25 miles northwest of Hanoi, called Son Tay.  For unknown reasons in July we were moved out of that camp to another one nearby.  We learned later that the U.S. government was planning a raid on Son Tay.  We believed they knew we were no longer there, but the raid would wreak havoc on the morale of the North Vietnamese as well as boost our morale.  Both aims were achieved, in spades. The raid took place on November 21, 1970.  It so alarmed the North Vietnamese that on November 24, they took POWs from all...(Read Full Article)