Here is a look at the life of U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

Personal: Birth date: August 29, 1936

Birth place: Panama Canal Zone

Birth name: John Sidney McCain, III

Father: John McCain, Jr., Navy admiral

Mother: Roberta (Wright) McCain

Marriages: Cindy (Hensley) McCain (May 17, 1980 - present); Carol Shepp (1965 -1980, divorced)

Children: with Cindy: Bridget, 1991 (Adopted from Bangladesh), James, 1988, John, 1986, Meghan, 1984; with Carol: Sidney, 1966 (daughter); Andrew, 1962 (Adopted from Carol's previous marriage), Douglas, 1959 (Adopted from Carol's previous marriage)

Education: U.S. Naval Academy, 1958

Military service: U.S. Navy, 1958 -1981, Captain

Religion: Raised Episcopalian

Other Facts: Has been awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

McCain's father and grandfather were both four-star U.S. Navy admirals. They were the first father and son to achieve this rank.

Timeline: October 26, 1967-March 14, 1973 - After his plane is shot down, McCain is held prisoner by the North Vietnamese.

1977-1981 - Navy liaison to the U.S. Senate.

1981 - Retires from the U.S. Navy.

1983-1987 - U.S. Representative from Arizona's 1st District.

November 4, 1986 - Wins the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Barry Goldwater.

1989-1991 - Is investigated as being one of five senators, called the Keating Five, who interfered with regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, a financier accused of financial violations and is convicted of securities fraud. McCain is cleared, but the Senate Ethics Committee decides that McCain showed poor judgment in his efforts for Keating, who was a large contributor to McCain's campaign.

1990s - As part of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, McCain works with Democrats, including John Kerry, on normalizing relations and increasing trade with Vietnam.