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History Dispatches

ยทS2 E16

John F. Kennedy and PT-109

November 3
26 mins

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Episode Description

On August 2, 1943, a patrol boat commanded by a young John F. Kennedy was rammed by a Japanese destroyer in the waters of the Solomon Islands. Despite his own injuries, the 26-year old Kennedy spent the next week attempting to get himself and the surviving crew to safety. He even used a life jacket strap clenched between his teeth to tow an injured crewman in the water for more than five hours. This is the story of John F. Kennedy and PT 109.


Sources


https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/john-f-kennedy-and-pt-109

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2003/summer/pt109.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol_torpedo_boat_PT-109

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PT_boat

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lt._John_F._Kennedy_skipper_aboard_the_PT-109.jpg


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