a grieving vice president biden called his son beau "the finest man any of us have ever known." a special father-son bond that was clear to everyone. >> my friend my father my hero. >> reporter: born in 1969 beau was often by his father's side growing up but he became a politician in his own right, a decorated iraq war veteran twice elected as delaware's attorney general, but family came first. >> this was an incredible loss beau was an extraordinary person. >> reporter: the grief gripped washington. >> i'd just like to express my sincere condolences to the entire biden family. >> i think about life cut too short. >> reporter: the obamas also paid their respects traveling to biden's home in a smaller than usual all-black motorcade. the president said beau was just like his dad and made a difference in the lives of all he touched and he lives on in their hearts. this is not the first time tragedy hit the biden family.