Max Cleland, war hero and former Georgia senator, dies at age 79

Former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, a triple amputee and veteran of the Vietnam war, died Tuesday at his home in Georgia at the age of 79. 

According to the Associated Press, Cleland was best known for his groundbreaking work as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Jimmy Carter.

During his tenure Cleland championed multiple veterans causes, and advocated for the medical communities acceptance of PTSD as an actual medical syndrome. 

Cleland was widely popular for his heroic actions in Vietnam, as well as an icon for people with disabilities. 

While deployed to Vietnam, Cleland picked up a dropped grenade, not knowing the pin had fallen loose.  As a result, he lost both his legs and right arm. 

In 2002, Cleland lost his Georgia Senate seat following a highly controversial and widely criticized attack ad by his opponent Saxby Chambliss. During the ad, Chambliss casted doubt on Cleland’s patriotism by likening the Vietnam veteran to Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. The ad also asserted that Cleland wasn’t concerned with the safety of America.  

Despite multiple Republicans speaking out against Chambliss’ ad, Cleland lost his seat to him by 7 percentage points. 

President Biden expressed his condolences to the family of his former Senate colleague saying he had “unflinching patriotism, boundless courage, and rare character.”

It is not yet clear if Biden will order flags to be lowered to half-staff. 

Cleland died from congestive heart failure, his spokesman said.