 McCain later stated that being commanding officer of VA-174 was the most rewarding assignment of his naval career.When his stint ended in July 1977, the change of command ceremony was attended by his father and the rest of his family, as well as some of his fellow POWs; speaker Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, Jr. said that John had joined Jack and Slew McCain in a place of honor in Navy tradition, a tribute that deeply moved McCain.During their time in Jacksonville, the McCains' marriage began to falter.