Former Senator and 1996 Republican Presidential candidate Bob Dole announced today that he is being treated for Stage IV lung cancer, the Washington Post reports.
A World War II veteran who lost the use of his right hand after being wounded by enemy artillery fire that damaged his vertebrae, he retired from the Army as a captain, having been awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. Dole was elected to the Senate in 1968 and became Senate Majority Leader following the 1984 elections.
“While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own,” the 96-year-old Kansas native said in a statement.