You are correct in your recounting this evil act by McCain. I know one and knew one Naval Aviator POW who said the same thing! Both of these gentlemen are/were retired Admirals who knew all the details and their stories were backed up by their wives.
All three of us were very active in the Experimental Aircraft Association in the Washington D.C. area. BZ
I have known a number of POWs over the years and some of their wives as well. I have never called any of them victims which I consider an insult. But, many endured broken marriages, broken lives, and more challenges than anyone ought to have to endure. One of them was LTC Jim Thompson who was the longest held POW in the history of the United States. He was captured in South Vietnam long before Alverez was shot down in North Vietnam. Jim was a POW just a few days short of 9 years. His wife thought he was dead and moved in with another man. When he got back, his wife believed that his mind was affected by his captivity. She was right and she divorced him. He was unable to build a relationship with his children or any other woman after his divorce. He could function when on duty, but that was about it. I was just a Captain then, but I knew that he was not capable of performing as a Lieutenant Colonel. The Army should have medically retired him, but he had no other life so he was allowed to stay on active duty until he had a massive stroke.
Victims? No, none of them, but they were dealt a really tough hand and I will not sit in my easy chair and curse the choices that they made.