PT 109 John F. Kennedy In World War II

Robert J. Donovan

Published by McGraw-Hill, 1961

About this Item

First Edition stated 1961PT-109 was an 80' Elco PT boat (patrol torpedo boat) last commanded by Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy, in the Solomon Islands campaign of the Pacific theater during World War II.The true story of an American hero and later the 35th President of the USAA man of courage and strength with a willingness to sacrifice his life for his fellow soldiers:"Kennedy was able to rescue MM1 Patrick McMahon, the crew member with the most severe wounds, which included burns that covered 70 percent of his body, and brought him to the floating bow. Kennedy also rescued Starkey and Harris, bringing them both to the bow. On instructions from Kennedy, the eleven survivors thrown from the 109 first regrouped, and then hoping for rescue, clung to PT-109's bow section for 12 hours as it drifted slowly south. By about 1 p.m.,on 2 August, it was apparent that the hull was taking on water and would soon sink, so the men decided to swim for land, departing around 1:30 p.m. As there were Japanese camps on all the nearby large islands including Kolombangara, the closest, they chose the tiny deserted Plum Pudding Island southwest of where the bow section had drifted. They placed their lantern, shoes, and non-swimmers on one of the timbers that had been used as a gun mount and began kicking together to propel it. Kennedy, who had been on the Harvard University swim team, used a life jacket strap clenched between his teeth to tow McMahon.It took four hours to swim to the island, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away, which they reached without encountering sharks or crocodiles." Wikipedia no dustjacket excellent binding bright sharp no unwanted marks. Seller Inventory # 12345885

Bibliographic Details

Title: PT 109 John F. Kennedy In World War II

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Publication Date: 1961

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

Edition: 1st Edition.