Kennedy's Heroic Actions after PT-109 Destroyed by Japanese Destroyer in WW2.

In the early hours, Patrol Torpedo (PT) boat 109 was actively patrolling the Blackett Strait in the Solomon Islands when it was unexpectedly struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. The collision resulted in PT-109 being ripped in half, and two crew members were killed instantly. The remaining crew, including Lieutenant junior grade John F. Kennedy, were stranded in a perilous situation. Despite sustaining a back injury, Kennedy took decisive action to facilitate their survival. Assessing the immediate threat, he ordered the crew to abandon the remains of the vessel, directing them to swim towards a small, nearby island, later identified as Plum Pudding Island (also referred to as Kasolo Island). Demonstrating exceptional leadership and determination, Kennedy personally aided an injured crewmember, Patrick McMahon, towing him by using a life jacket strap clenched in his teeth during a grueling three-mile swim. For the next few days, Kennedy and his crew faced desperate circumstances. They survived on scarce resources, including coconuts and rainwater. To increase their chances of rescue, Kennedy swam to surrounding islands seeking assistance. His efforts bore fruit when he encountered two Solomon Islanders, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who eventually helped relay a message to Allied forces using a coconut shell inscribed with details about their location. The plight of PT-109's crew and Kennedy’s exertions led to their eventual rescue by PT-157. Kennedy's actions during this crisis were later recognized as pivotal moments in his military career, earning him a Navy and Marine Corps Medal and later contributing to his political credibility when he pursued public office. Operational details show PT-109 as one of the several hundred torpedo boats deployed by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Statistics from the era indicate many encounters involving PT boats, but the incident involving PT-109 stands out due to Kennedy’s prominent future role as President of the United States. #MoofLife #WWII #PTBoat #JohnFKennedy #Leadership #Survival #RescueOperation #MilitaryHistory