 Upon his return to the United States a few days later , McCain was reunited with his wife Carol and his family . She had suffered her own crippling , near @-@ death ordeal during his captivity , due to an automobile accident in December 1969 that left her hospitalized for six months and facing twenty @-@ three operations and ongoing physical therapy . Businessman and POW advocate Ross Perot had paid for her medical care . By the time McCain saw her , she was four inches ( ten centimeters ) shorter , on crutches , and substantially heavier . As a returned POW , McCain became a celebrity of sorts : The New York Times ran a story and front @-@ page photo of him getting off the plane at Clark Air Base in the Philippines ; he authored a thirteen @-@ page cover story describing his ordeal and his support for the Nixon administration 's handling of the war in U.S. News & World Report ; he participated in parades in Orange Park and elsewhere and made personal appearances before groups , where he showed strong speaking skills ; he was given the key to the city of Jacksonville , Florida ; and a photograph of him on crutches shaking the hand of President Richard Nixon at a White House reception for returning POWs became iconic . The McCains became frequent guests of honor at dinners hosted by Governor of California Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan , and John McCain made a strong impression speaking at a large prayer breakfast hosted by the governor . McCain had admired Ronald Reagan while in captivity and afterwards , believing him a man who saw honor in Vietnam service and a potential leader would not lead the nation into a war it was unwilling to win . 
