August 25 marks seven years since Sen. John McCain’s death

(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - On Aug. 25, 2018, Senator John McCain of Arizona, whose 35-year political career took him to the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, died at the age of 81. He had been battling brain cancer for more than a year at the time of his death.

McCain, who was a naval pilot during the Vietnam War, spent several years as a prisoner of war after being captured when his plane was shot down by a missile over Hanoi.

McCain fractured both arms and a leg when he ejected from his plane and nearly drowned after he parachuted into a nearby lake. He was pulled ashore and captured by North Vietnamese troops where he was then held as a prisoner of war for five and a half years.

McCain went on to have a successful political career in the United States Senate. In 2000 he ran for the Republican Presidential nomination but lost to Texas Governor George W. Bush.

He ran again in 2008 and won the Republican nomination, but ultimately lost the race to President Barack Obama.