United States Navy Admiral, Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient. As a United States Naval Aviator, he was shot down in the Vietnam War on his 201st mission flying an A4e. He served seven and a half years as a Prisoner of War, and was the highest-ranking Naval officer captured. He was awarded the CMOH for his valor and bravery while imprisoned. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior Naval officer in the Prisoner of War camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader in the prisoners' resistance to interrogation and in their refusal to participate in propaganda exploitation, Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and attendant torture after he was detected in a covert communications attempt. Sensing the start of another purge, and aware that his earlier efforts at dissuading his captors from exploiting him for propaganda purposes had resulted in cruel and agonizing punishment, Rear Adm. Stockdale resolved to make himself a symbol of resistance regardless of personal sacrifice. He deliberately inflicted a near-mortal wound to his person in order to convince his captors of his willingness to give up his life rather than capitulate. He was subsequently discovered and revived by the North Vietnamese who, convinced of his indomitable spirit, abated in their employment of excessive harassment and torture toward all of the Prisoners of War. By his heroic action, at great peril to himself, he earned the everlasting gratitude of his fellow prisoners and of his country. Rear Adm. Stockdale's valiant leadership and extraordinary courage in a hostile environment sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service." After his retirement as the most highly-decorated officer in the history of the United States Navy, he became the President of South Carolina's Citadel Military School. In 1992, he was selected by businessman and independent Presidential candidate Ross Perot to be his Vice-Presidential running mate.