(CNN) - Fellow World War II veteran and long-time Senate colleague Bob Dole remembered his friend Daniel Inouye as a man who "consistently demonstrated his honesty and integrity."
Inouye died of respiratory complications Monday evening. He was 88.
The two men met after both were injured in the war a week apart. They ended up in the same army hospital in Michigan, forming a bipartisan friendship that lasted for decades.
Dole, a Republican, has said Inouye, a Democrat, was the best bridge player in the hospital.
"Danny and I saw service in World War II where he lost an arm and where I had other difficulties. When we left the hospital, we eventually became United States senators and he was always telling his friends that I talked him into it. I don’t recall it, but if Danny said it was true, that was good enough for me," Dole said in a statement Monday evening.
Recalling their days together in the Senate, Dole said although the two belonged to different parties Inouye "... treated everyone fairly and never once do I recall his being critical of another colleague – Republican or Democrat. Senator Inouye was one of the Senate’s giants. He believed in civility and compromise when necessary, and was a good friend."
Dole has had his own health problems and was recently discharged from Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Inouye joined the Senate in 1963, two years into Dole’s first term. Dole retired from the body in 1996.
From CNN Politics
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Sorry to hear of his passing. Unlike Bob Dole, who disobeyed orders so he could get some imagined glory, virtually wiping out his platoon in the process, Daniel Inouye was a real hero, who fought with the 442nd. My disrespect for Bob Dole stems from his rude railroading of the ugly and fascist themed WWII memorial, which ruined the Grand Vista of the National Mall. My research in opposition uncovered the shameful acts of war "hero" Bob Dole... as told without rancor by the guy who saved his life, Sgt. Carafa.
I noticed no one said anything about his hero war record
Bob Dole u are an American Hero along with you friend.
Inouye and Dole both are American heroes, patriots and great men who also were friends for over half a century. They also kept their country foremost in mind and remembered that disagreements never last long if all the right is on 1 side. I know it is inevitable that small-minded, nasty comments will be posted on this and other forums soon, but regardless the depth of their character and patriotism cannot be questioned. Neither got it right every time like all of us who are human, but they tried their best in the service of their country. RIP Senator Inouye.
our hearts and prayers goes out to the families
Inouye stayed a true patriot and was a real war hero till the end. Too bad others in congress don't follow in his steps (AZ comes to mind).