He came from a prestigious military family as his father and grandfather were both Navy Admirals. He was offered an out of rotation release due to his family yet refused because other prisoners had been held longer. As a Naval Airman, he certainly showed his stripes.
I remember the day he was released in 1973, watching the newscast of he and several others stepping off the plane in the Philippines. He stood out with his awkward salute due to injuries sustained in his initial crash and later torture.
I think he's a crappy politician, but he was one helluva Airman.