On a dark, moonless night in August 1943, a young John F. Kennedy faced a harrowing test of leadership that would later bolster his image as a war hero and significantly impact his political trajectory. The tale of PT 109, a patrol torpedo boat under his command, resonates as a story of survival, ingenuity, and bravery.
It was in the black waters of the Solomon Islands during World War II when the PT 109, with Kennedy at the helm, embarked on a mission to disrupt the Japanese supply lines known as the “Tokyo Express.” The mission took a catastrophic turn when the Japanese destroyer Amagiri collided with Kennedy’s boat, slicing it in two and spurring a dramatic fight for survival.
The collision was sudden and devastating. Two sailors perished, but eleven, including Kennedy, survived the wreckage. Despite a serious back injury, Kennedy’s relentless determination emerged. “So this is what it’s like to die,” he thought as he was flung against the deck. But death was not to be his fate that night.
The survivors clung to the remains of the PT 109, as Kennedy, a former Harvard swim team member, summoned the strength to guide his men to relative safety. “Ship at two o’clock!” had been the chilling warning from a crewman before the destroyer struck, leaving the survivors adrift in hostile waters. Kennedy, displaying a blend of aristocratic poise and naval grit, made a critical decision. They would not wait passively for rescue.
Under his command, they embarked on a treacherous swim to an island known as Plum Pudding, three miles away. With McMahon’s burns still raw and agonizing, Kennedy towed the injured engineer with a strap from his life jacket in his teeth, swimming the perilous stretch of ocean.
Kennedy’s resolve did not wane on Plum Pudding Island. With limited resources, no fresh water, and the constant threat of enemy discovery, Kennedy took action. His nocturnal swims in search of rescue were fraught with danger, once leaving him adrift and disoriented by the merciless currents.
The turning point came when Kennedy etched an urgent plea for help on a coconut shell. This unorthodox message would not only save his crew but also return with him to the Oval Office as a paperweight—a tangible emblem of his valor. The coconut read: “NAURO ISL COMMANDER . . . NATIVE KNOWS POS’IT . . . HE CAN PILOT . . . 11 ALIVE NEED SMALL BOAT . . . KENNEDY.”
Kennedy’s ordeal concluded with a covert rescue operation, a testament to his leadership and resourcefulness. His reputation as a war hero was cemented. Kennedy’s actions earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Purple Heart, marking him as the only U.S. president to receive these honors.
Relevant articles:
– TIL that when JFK was serving in the Navy during WW2, his patrol boat was sunk by a Japanese destroyer. Kennedy led his men to safety with an injured crew member to a nearby island and survived there by drinking coconut milk until they eventually got rescued
– John F. Kennedy and PT 109, JFK Library
– PT-109 sinks; Lieutenant Kennedy is instrumental in saving crew, History.com
– Remembering PT-109, smithsonianmag.com