In a statement released Sunday, the president cites McGovern's distinguished World War II military service as "a decorated bomber pilot over the battlefields of Europe" and says in Congress "this hero of war became a champion for peace."

 

McGovern said he learned to hate war by waging it. In his disastrous 1972 presidential race against Richard Nixon, he promised to end the Vietnam War and cut defense spending by billions of dollars. He helped create the Food for Peace program.

 

McGovern died Sunday morning at the age of 90 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 

President Obama's full statement is below:

 

"George McGovern dedicated his life to serving the country he loved. He signed up to fight in World War II, and became a decorated bomber pilot over the battlefields of Europe. When the people of South Dakota sent him to Washington, this hero of war became a champion for peace. And after his career in Congress, he became a leading voice in the fight against hunger. George was a statesman of great conscience and conviction, and Michelle and I share our thoughts and prayers with his family."