The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander John Sidney McCain, III (NSN: 0-624787), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 27 October to 8 December 1967. Commander McCain's captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected Commander McCain to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, Commander McCain reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.