Daniel K. Inouye

Hawaii senator, Medal of Honor recipient, and longest-serving chamber member at his death.

Overview

Inouye, a Japanese American who lost an arm leading charges in Italy with the 442nd Regiment, for which he received the Medal of Honor in 2000, was elected with Hiram Fong as Hawaii's first senators in 1959. He served from 1963 to 2012, sitting on Watergate's committee, chairing Iran-Contra's in 1987, chairing Appropriations and the Defense subcommittee, and as president pro tempore from 2010 he was third in line to the presidency. At his death he was the Senate's senior member, and Honolulu's international airport and a navy warship carry his name.