Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who gained fame as a US Navy flying ace during the Vietnam War and later served in the House of Representatives, has passed away at the age of 83 after a career that ended in disgrace due to his conviction for accepting $2.4m in bribes.
Cunningham passed away on Wednesday at a hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to former Representative Duncan L Hunter, who had visited him the week before.
Hunter stated, “He embodied the best of American heroes who confront our adversaries head-on.” Cunningham served alongside Hunter in Congress.
During the Vietnam War, Cunningham was one of the most decorated pilots, becoming the first Navy fighter ace in the war by downing five enemy aircraft. For his actions, he received a Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, 15 Air Medals, and a Purple Heart.
The citation for his second Silver Star reads, “With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he continued his attack through a hail of cannon fire to rescue his wingman.”
Cunningham served eight terms in Congress before pleading guilty in 2005 to receiving prohibited gifts from defense contractors in exchange for government contracts and favors, marking what was then the largest bribery scandal in congressional history.
Cunningham, a Republican from San Diego, admitted to accepting luxury items such as a house, yacht, Rolls-Royce, lavish meals, and Persian rugs and antique furniture from companies in exchange for steering lucrative contracts their way. He was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison in March 2006.
His corruption case contributed to the establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics in 2008.
Cunningham expressed remorse in his resignation statement, stating, “I have experienced great joy, great sorrow, and now great shame in my life. I cannot undue what I have done, but I can atone.” However, he later took a less apologetic stance, claiming that he regretted his guilty plea and complained about the IRS depleting his savings.
Cunningham is survived by his wife, Sharon Cunningham, their adult son and two daughters, and other family members. The family could not be reached for comment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/29/duke-cunningham-congressman-dies
