CASTINE – Listening to your conscience and accepting responsibility are the most important aspects of being a good leader, U.S. Sen. John McCain told Maine Maritime Academy graduates and their families Saturday during the school’s 62nd commencement.

In his address, the Republican senator from Arizona remembered the words of his Vietnamese captors at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where hundreds of American soldiers were imprisoned and tortured for military information during the war.

“‘Just [give us the information] and we will spare you any more pain,’ they promised. ‘Just say it and no one will know of your dishonor,'” McCain, 68, recalled. “The men I had the honor of serving with always had the same response: ‘I will know.’ That’s the sense of responsibility that makes you a good leader.”

More than 1,500 people attended the graduation ceremony, which was held inside the Oakey Logan Alexander Fieldhouse. They filled the seats and stood along the walls during the 90-minute ceremony.

Janice Zenter, the school’s associate for public affairs, said attendance was slightly higher than usual because of McCain’s role, but that the academy had extra ushers on hand to accommodate the anticipated crowd.

In all, 165 degrees were awarded to graduates representing 60 Maine communities, 24 states and three countries.

This year’s valedictorian was Allison Wingate-Bragg Tunick of Bangor, who had the highest grade-point average in the graduating class.

McCain, who is currently serving his fourth term in the Senate, received an honorary doctorate for his public service. He spent 22 years as an officer in the Navy, including five years as a prisoner of war, before turning to politics. He also ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000.

The senator wore a black robe over a gray suit as he spoke to the graduates and joked about his own academic record.

“Thank you for your kind invitation to give this year’s commencement address,” he said. “This is quite a privilege for someone who graduated fifth from the bottom of his United States Naval Academy class.”

He also spoke about the influences of his father and grandfather, both four-star Navy admirals, and the lessons he learned during his first cruise as a midshipman on the USS Hunt in 1957. He left the graduates with a traditional mariner’s farewell.

“Good luck,” he said. “Fair winds and following seas.”

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, William Sabatini of Mashpee, Mass. – like many of his classmates – hugged his friends and family and posed for photos inside the field house. In four weeks, he will begin his new job as a third mate on a 200-foot square-rigger.

Sabatini said he was happy to have McCain speak at his graduation.

“I was excited,” Sabatini said. “He’s a big celebrity.”