Bob Dole, a great friend of BiH and American hero, has passed away

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Former Republican Senator, multiple presidential candidate, World War II hero, and a great friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina Robert Bob Dole passed away today at the age of 98. Dole had been battling the consequences of his World War II injuries for decades, and in recent months had been fighting advanced lung cancer. The death of Senator Dole was confirmed by his family, as well as the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

He was born Robert Joseph Dole on July 22, 1923, in Russell; his father sold dairy products, and his mother was a traveling saleswoman selling sewing machines and other products. Dole grew up wanting to become a doctor.

That changed after World War II, which nearly killed him and left him permanently disabled, earning him two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Star awards.

Dole enlisted in the army in 1942 and was a second lieutenant when he was sent to Italy in 1944. The following year, while attempting to rescue a military radio operator, Dole was hit by German machine-gun fire that cost him a kidney, shattered his right shoulder, and damaged his neck and spine, leaving him temporarily paralyzed from the neck down. In the decades that followed, he had limited use of his left arm, while his right arm was completely paralyzed.

He held leadership positions in the Republican Party in the Senate for over a decade, representing the state of Texas from 1969 to 1995. During his years in the Senate, Dole chaired the Finance Committee, served as Senate Majority Leader from 1985 to 1987, Minority Leader from 1987 to 1995, and then again as Republican Majority Leader of the Senate from 1995 to 1996.

He also ran for the White House several times. He was the vice-presidential candidate for Gerald Ford in 1976, unsuccessfully attempted to win the Republican nomination in 1980 and 1988, and came closest to the White House in 1996 when he was defeated by Democratic candidate Bill Clinton.

In the 1990s, Bob Dole was a great friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina and fought for its interests both in the Senate and in American society.

He visited Bosnia and Herzegovina multiple times, along with the current US President, then-Senator Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and others.

He was also declared an honorary citizen of Sarajevo, and in 2019, he was awarded the Key to the City of Sarajevo. In addition to these honors, Dole is also the recipient of the highest American awards such as the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and other international awards.