Hunter Honors Duke Cunningham, Remembering Vietnam War Valor over Scandal

Hunter honors Duke Cunningham, remembering Vietnam War valor over scandal

Randy “Duke” Cunningham. (File photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy) Retired Congressman Duncan L. Hunter issued a statement honoring his late colleague Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who died last week at age 83, focusing on the decorated pilot’s military service rather than the bribery scandal that ended his political career. “Duke Cunningham, my friend and colleague, represented the very best of American Heroes who go out to meet our enemies at the gate…

The Complicated Legacy of Former Rep. Duke Cunningham

It was almost inevitable that, when news spread last week of Randy "Duke" Cunningham's death at age 83, people chose to remember him not as a disgraced politician but as a war hero. Cunningham was the first U.S. Navy air ace in Vietnam — a fearless fighter pilot who shot down five enemy planes. He even braved heavy fire to rescue his wingman, an act described in his second Silver Star citation as showing "complete disregard for his personal safe…

Notorious 50th Congressional District Rep. -- and 'top gun of greed' -- Randy 'Duke' Cunningham dead at 83

Randall Harold “Duke” Cunningham, former 50th Congressional District representative, and Navy flyer who shot down five MiGs over Vietnam and then shot himself in the foot with greed, died Wednesday in a hospital bed in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cunningham was 83. His family put the news on social media. No cause, no grand statement. Just the way it goes: a man who once wanted the world’s attention went out with a few lines online. Cunningham, a Rep…