John F. Kennedy
U.S. Navy (USN) Motor Torpedo Squadron Two (MTBS-2) PT-109 and PT-59
35th U.S. President of the United States (POTUS) 1961–1963

Background
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born May 29, 1917 to parents Joseph Patrick Kennedy Sr. and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald Kennedy in Brookline, Massachusetts near Boston. He was named after his maternal grandfather. Nicknamed Jack and also known by his initials JFK.

His first schooling was in the Boston area then in September 1931 enrolled at Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut until he had an an appendectomy and withdrew to recover at home. In September 1931 he enrolled at Choate in Wallingford, Connecticut for his high school education where his older brother was also a student. In 1934 he was hospitalized for colitis then graduated in June 1935. He enrolled in Harvard University class of 1940 and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in government with a concentration on international affairs. Next, he enrolled at Stanford University School of Business to auditing courses before applying to Yale Law School but in early 1941 left to help his father write his memoirs about his service as U.S. Ambassador.

Wartime History
During 1940 Kennedy tried to apply to U.S. Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) but after months of training was disqualified due to his chronic lower back issues. On September 24, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR) with the help of Alan Kirk who was formerly the naval attache for his father. On October 26, 1941 commissioned as an Ensign and joined the staff of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in Washington, D.C.

During January 1942 assigned to Sixth Naval District in Charleston, South Carolina. On July 27, 1942 he entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training School at Northwestern University in Chicago for two months later. Afterwards, he volunteered to serve at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center in Melville, Rhode Island. On October 10, 1942 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. On December 2, 1942 he completed PT Boat training and was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Four (MTBS-4) and became a PT Boat instructor.

On December 7, 1942 assigned to PT-101 and used as a training boat until February 23, 1943. Next, Kennedy led PT-101, PT-98 and PT-99 from Melville to Jacksonville for assignment to MTBRON 14. During the voyage, he dove into the cold water to unfoul a propeller and was briefly hospitalized in Jacksonville. Afterwards, stationed in the Panama Canal area then sent overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC).

PT-109
During April 1943, assigned to Motor Torpedo Squadron Two (MTBS-2) and took command of PT-109 and conducted thirty missions in the Solomon Islands. On August 1, 1943 departs Rendova PT Boat Base as one of four PT Boats from Division B including PT-109, PT-157, PT-159 and PT-162 on a patrol of the Blackett Strait off Kolombangara. On August 2, 1943 at 1:30am while motoring in Blacket Strait, rammed by Japanese destroyer Amagiri. The collision split PT-109 into two pieces that sank.

The crew of PT-109 clung to the wreckage of the bow. Around 2:00pm, the survivors swam 3.5 miles southwest to Plum Pudding Island. During the difficult swim, Kennedy towed wounded McMahon, holding his life vest strap in his teeth despite back injuries. After dark, Kennedy swam two miles into Ferguson Passage in an attempt to hail any passing PT Boat without success then swam back to the island. Ashore, the survivors had no food or water. On August 3, 1942 at night Kennedy again swam out to find a friendly vessel and with Ensign George Ross swam to Naru Island (Nauro) to search for food or water and found a damaged canoe. On August 4, 1943 the survivors swam against a strong current southward to Olasana Island with Kennedy again towing McMahon. Ashore, the found coconuts but no fresh water. On August 5, 1943 Kennedy and Ross swam to Naru to the southwest were they found a canoe, packages of crackers and candy and a 50 gallon drum of water abandoned by the Japanese. Using the canoe, they paddled back to Olasana Island with the supplies.

Meanwhile, the sinking of PT-109 was observed by Allied Coastwatcher Lt. Reginald "Reg" Evans, who sent two of his Solomon Island scouts Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana to search for survivors. On Olasana Island they found the survivors. Kennedy scratched a message in a coconut shell in capital letters that read: "NAURO ISL… COMMANDER… NATIVE KNOWS POS’IT… HE CAN PILOT… 11 ALIVE… NEED SMALL BOAT… KENNEDY" and gave it to the scouts who departed to deliver the message to the coastwatcher. After delivering the message, August 7, 1943 in the morning Lt. Evans radioed Rendova and a rescue mission was organized. On August 8, 1943 the survivors were rescued by PT-157 and transported to Rendova PT Boat Base.

PT-59
Afterwards, Kennedy had a month to recover from his injuries then took command of PT-59 that was converted into a gunboat. On October 8, 1943 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. On November 2, 1943 departs on a rescue mission with two other PTs to rescue U.S. Marines from Choiseul Island. During the mission, PT-59 acted as a shield from shore fire and protected them as they escaped on two landing craft and delivering them to safety.

On November 18, 1943 he was relieved of command and admitted to the hospital on Tulagi then returned to the United States in January 1944 where he received additional medical treatment for his back injury at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Chelsea, MA. On June 12, 1944 he was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions on August 1-2, 1943, and the Purple Heart Medal for his back injury sustained in the collision. In late 1944, he was released from active duty and in early 1945 spent three months at Castle Hot Springs recovering from his back injury. On March 1, 1945, Kennedy retired from the Navy Reserve on physical disability and was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. Postwar, he requested his Navy and Marine Corps Medal be upgraded to a Silver Star, the award he been initially recommended and his father also advocated for the upgrade. In 1950, the Navy offered Kennedy a Bronze Star but he declined.

Awards
For his World War II service, Kennedy earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and Purple Heart. Both awards. He also earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with three battle stars, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

His Navy and Marine Corps Medal citation reads:
"For extremely heroic conduct as Commanding Officer of Motor Torpedo Boat 109 following the collision and sinking of that vessel in the Pacific War area on August 1–2, 1943. Unmindful of personal danger, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade) Kennedy unhesitatingly braved the difficulties and hazards of darkness to direct rescue operations, swimming many hours to secure aid and food after he had succeeded in getting his crew ashore. His outstanding courage, endurance and leadership contributed to the saving of several lives and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. — James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy"

Postwar
Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Massachusetts 11th District in office 1947–1953. Next, he was elected as U.S. Senator for Massachusetts in office 1953–1960. Afterwards, ran for U.S. President and became the 35th President of the United States (POTUS). While President, he displayed the coconut with the message encased in plastic on the resolute desk in the Oval Office of the White House.

On November 22, 1963 at 12:30pm Kennedy was assassinated while traveling in a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas shot once in the back and once in the head. He was immediately taken to Parkland Hospital but pronounced dead at 1:00pm at age 46. Afterwards, Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President.

Memorial
On November 25, 1963 Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 45 site S-45.

Display
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (JFK Library and Museum) includes displays related to his World War II service including the coconut he wrote the message and his military awards.

References
The White House - John F. Kennedy
Arlington National Cemetery ANC Explorer - John F. Kennedy (grave photos)
FindAGrave - John Fitzgerald Kennedy Sr. (photo, grave photos)

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