Eleven of the 13 men aboard survived, and their tale, declared the Boston Globe, “was one of the great stories of heroism in this war.” Crew members who were initially ashamed of the accident found themselves depicted as patriots of the first order, their behavior a model of valor. The collision was part of a wild night of blunders by 109 and other boats that one historian later described as “the most screwed up PT boat action of World War II.” Yet American newspapers and magazines reported the PT-109 mishap as a triumph. With virtually no warning, a Japanese destroyer emerged from the black night and smashed into PT-109, slicing it in two and igniting its fuel tanks. The 80-foot craft had orders to attack enemy ships on a resupply mission. Patrol Torpedo boat 109 was idling in Blackett Strait in the Solomon Islands. on August 2, 1943, a hot, moonless night in the Pacific.

Just months later, the boat collided with a Japanese ship, killing two of his men (John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library, PC101). Kennedy arrived in the Pacific and took command of the PT-109. His life and death have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries and feature films. His assassination raised questions of a possible conspiracy that are still being debated today. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas. He did help to further the civil rights movement, but most of the legislature he initiated did not become law during his presidency. He was the youngest man and first Catholic to hold that office.ĭuring his presidency, Kennedy gave many inspiring speeches these speeches, rather than his legislative accomplishments, became his legacy. In 1960, Kennedy won the presidential election by a very narrow margin but carried the electoral college 303–219, beating Richard Nixon to become the 35th president of the United States. The couple came to be regarded almost as American royalty he was popular due to his charm, good looks, and vitality, and Jackie became an icon of fashion and grace who was active in promoting the arts and historic preservation. In 1953, he married Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier, a photographer-columnist for the Washington Times-Herald. He wrote a Pulitzer Prize–winning book, Profiles in Courage. He later went on to serve three terms in House of Representatives, followed by a term as senator from 1953 to 1961. After leaving the Navy, Kennedy worked as a journalist for several years.

He later served as a lieutenant in the Navy, where he earned a Purple Heart, among other honors, during World War II.

Kennedy studied Political Science at Harvard University. He was born in 1917 into a wealthy family with considerable political ties. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. Jacqueline Bouvier Years Of Military Serviceģ5th President Of the United States John F.

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