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Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, one of the longest-serving senators in United States history, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. A Medal of Honor recipient and the first Japanese-American to ever serve in Congress, Inouye will be remembered for playing a vital role in everything from the investigations during Watergate to Iran-Contra, according to The Associated Press.

Inouye, who was elected to the Senate in 1963, was given the Medal of Honor after losing his arm during a World War II battle in Italy. The battle in question took place on April 21, 1945, when Inouye led his platoon against heavy fire from German troops. Despite being wounded by a sniper and then later a grenade, he managed to guide his platoon to capture an important road junction.

Heroics aside, Inouye has been a staple on Capitol Hill for decades. Politicians from both sides of the aisle heaped praise on Inouye, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"He was the kind of man, in short, that America has always been grateful to have, especially in her darkest hours, men who lead by example and who expect nothing in return," he told the AP.