wpatton's first JFK

On the eve of World War Two - In London, September 1, 1939. With the attack by Hitler's armies on Poland, war threatens. The three most promising Kennedys - Joe Junior, Kathleen and Jack - hurry to attend a special sitting of the British House of Commons. United States Ambassador to England, Joseph P. Kennedy, is greeted by a British Bobby. Right - with Joe Junior, JFK and young Robert. In his early days as ambassador, Joe Kennedy and his charming young family had taken England by storm, becoming enormously popular. However, after the outbreak of War, Ambassador Kennedy sent his family home to escape the bombing in London and publicly expressed doubts about England's ability to stand up to Hitler's onslaught, losing popularity, and eventually losing his position as ambassador as well. In 1941, at age 24, after previous rejections due to a bad back and other health problems, Jack Kennedy was sworn in as an ensign in the Navy. His influential father had helped both Jack and older brother Joe overcome any health or other obstacles to get in the Navy. As his first assignment, Ensign Kennedy was assigned to ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) in Washington and was there during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. Ensign Kennedy was abruptly reassigned to a desk job in South Carolina in Jan., 1942, possibly due to a romantic relationship with a Danish woman, Inga Arvad, who had been friendly with high ranking Nazis. In the South Pacific, Lt. John F. Kennedy at the controls of PT 109. Jack had volunteered in 1942 for PT boat duty while attending officer training in Chicago, then underwent PT boat training in Rhode Island. But his bad back temporarily kept him from getting the combat assignment he wanted. Jack complained he had been 'shafted' and was promptly given the nickname "Shafty." July, 1943 - The crew of PT 109 with their skipper Jack Kennedy (far right). His motorized torpedo (PT) boat was an 80 foot long plywood vessel powered by 3 engines capable of 40 knots. But the PT boats and the torpedoes were prone to mechanical problems. It was tough, dangerous duty that attracted Ivy league men like Jack with sailing experience, who wanted to command their own small boats. 1943 - In the Solomon Islands the young man used to a life of luxury lived in fairly primitive conditions in a thatched-roof hut while his PT squadron was put in shipshape.
Jack's PT 109 was at first a dirty, bug infested boat in need of repairs. Jack and his crew cleaned and painted the boat while mechanics fixed the engines and hull. PT 109 then went on night training patrols. Returning from patrols, Jack and the others often raced their boats back into the dock. On one occasion, Jack couldn't stop PT 109, crashed into the dock and earned a temporary new nickname, "Crash" Kennedy. Mid-July 1943, PT 109 was ordered into combat - the mission, to disrupt night-time Japanese supply convoys of ships known as the "Tokyo Express." Monday, August 2, 1943 - On night patrol PT 109 was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, killing two of the 13 crewmen. Jack rescued a nearly drowned crewman with bad burns, dragging him out of the water onto the floating hulk. In the process, Jack swallowed a lot of sea water and gasoline and would suffer life long stomach problems. 12 hours later they abandoned the wreckage of PT 109 and swam for a nearby island using a makeshift raft built from pieces of the boat. Jack swam while towing the burned crewman for four hours. That night Jack Kennedy swam out with a lantern and a pistol hoping to flag any patrolling PT boats, but was unsuccessful. They moved to a larger island nearby, with Jack once again towing the injured crewman. Jack made two more attempts to flag PT boats without success. The men lived on coconut milk and rainwater until they eventually made contact with friendly natives. Jack carved a rescue message into a coconut husk which made its way back to the Navy and the crew of PT 109 was rescued by PT boats. A few weeks later, the story of PT 109 and Jack Kennedy made the front page of the New York Times and Boston Papers. Later, flattering accounts appeared in The New Yorker magazine and Reader's Digest. Jack spent a total of nine months in the South Pacific. After PT 109, he commanded a gunboat, the 59, but saw little combat. He returned to the states, then underwent surgery for his back problems. June 12, 1944 - The presentation of the Navy and Marine Corps medal for Gallantry in Action to Lt. John F. Kennedy during a simple ceremony at Chelsea Naval hospital in Massachusetts. Jack had also received the Purple Heart. Later in June, he underwent his first back surgery, but would suffer life long discomfort. A reunion in Hyannis Port with PT 109 crew members, September, 1944. Left to Right - Red Fay, JFK, L. J. Thom, Jim Reed, Barney Ross, Bernie Lyons, young Teddy kneeling in front with cousin Joe Gargan. Right - A candid snapshot of the Kennedy girls on the porch. Left to right - Kathleen, Pat, Eunice, Jean.