Yup, he was indeed a ballsy guy, never shirked his duty and was a stand up kind of man. I suspect he really stood his ground in prison camp, refusing to co-operate in any way with his captors, trying to coerce confessions or anything else.
I often thought it was his persistent, strong willed attitude, that resulted in the extra measure of torture handed out, causing his many severe injuries. Handicapped as he was, he still soldiered on for the balance of his life.
After military service, one of my fellow pilots said he was one class behind McCain in Naval flight training, at some base in Mississippi. Stories abounded of "an Admiral's kid," often on the edge of getting in trouble, but managing to stay in the program.
My friend said some guys march to the sound of a different drummer, McCain had his own orchestra. I thought a few of McCain's remarks were a bit over the top and his temper was well known, but overall a very good man that served his country so well. I'm glad he was on board.
R.I.P. Senator/Commander McCain