A-4 Skyhawk of John McCain High Top Canvas Shoes
This design is based upon A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo 149959) flown by pilot Lt Cdr John S McCain whilst with VA-163 “Saints”. BuNo 149959 is the aircraft in which he was shot down on Oct. 26, 1967, during Operation Rolling Thunder.
Born on August 29, 1936, John McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 and received a commission in the United States Navy. He became a naval aviator and flew ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, McCain was almost killed in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. While on his 23rd bombing mission on October 26, 1967, he was shot down over Hanoi, seriously injured, having fractured both arms and a leg when he ejected from the aircraft. He was subsequently captured by the North Vietnamese and became a prisoner of war until 1973. He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981.
