FIRST TWO COMMANDERS IN CHIEF OF U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that the first two Commanders in Chief of the United States Special Operations Command, General James J. Lindsay, USA (Ret.) and General Carl Stiner, USA (Ret.), have joined over 100 former general and flag officers to endorse John McCain for President of the United States.

"Alone among the candidates, Senator McCain had the wisdom to envision a winning strategy in Iraq, and the courage to advocate that strategy despite fierce opposition. That type of leadership -- placing America's interests first -- is precisely what will be required to navigate the difficult challenges ahead," said General Lindsay.

"Senator McCain has served America with great distinction as a military officer and a statesman, and his unmatched national security credentials qualify him to lead America's armed forces from his first day in office," said General Stiner.

John McCain thanked General Lindsay and General Stiner for their support, stating, "I am deeply honored to have earned the support of two of the finest military leaders this country has produced. General Lindsay and General Stiner are true pioneers in the world of Special Operations, and this country owes them a great debt of gratitude for their service. I am proud to have them on board."

General Lindsay's command assignments ranged from platoon through Major Command in peacetime and war. His early assignments were with the 82nd Airborne Division and 77th Special Forces Group. He held eight different positions in the 82nd Airborne from platoon to division level. In Vietnam, he served with the Vietnamese Airborne Brigade, commanded the 2d Battalion 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division and was the G3, 9th Infantry Division. As a General Officer, General Lindsay commanded the 82nd Airborne Division, the Infantry School, and the XVIII Airborne Corps. He also served as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command and was the first Commander in Chief of the United States Special Operations Command.

General Stiner was the second Commander in Chief of the United States Special Operations Command, serving from 1990 to 1993. Previously, he spent a large part of his career as commander of many of the nation's preeminent contingency strike forces, such as the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the Joint Special Operations Command. Among the missions with which he was involved are the Achille Lauro hostage rescue, the invasion of Panama, and operations during Desert Storm.