One of our local TV stations here in the Atlanta area is called "11 Alive". It is on Channel 11, of course. I wonder if anyone that hears that is reminded of John F. Kennedy. "11 Alive".. I saw that today because it was on Aug 2, 1943 that a Japanese destroyer rammed an American patrol torpedo boat (called a PT boat.) It was PT 109 and two crewmen were killed. Eleven survived and one of them was Lt. John F. Kennedy. First, they stayed in the water for five hours clinging to the debris. Then, they swam to a small coral island. (With Lt. Kennedy towing a badly wounded man as he swam.) Kennedy went back out to sea, hoping to flag down a ship...he didn't see one, so he swam back to the island but with the strong currents and his bad back, he became ill. After he recovered enough, the PT 109 crew then swam to another island (which he thought was Nauru Island but in fact was Cross Island.) It was there that they met up with two natives and Kennedy carved a message onto a coconut shell.
The message was : "Nauru Is. Native knows posit. He can pilot. 11 alive need small boat".
The men were rescued. John F. Kennedy had the coconut shell preserved in wood and plastic and he kept it as a paperweight on his desk in the Oval Office.
It has always been a source of amazement to me to read of those who survive when others might just give up. Can you imagine what it must have been like to have been in the open ocean like that, not knowing if you can make it to an island, and even if you reach shore if you might encounter the enemy? Kennedy always tried to downplay the experience but he never, ever forgot the men he served with nor the men who rescued them.
"Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye" by Kenneth O'Donnell and David Powers is a book about John F. Kennedy that I can recommend to you. Written by two of his closest friends and advisors, it is a book to read and remember.
Also, you might have seen the film "PT 109" starring Cliff Robertson as John F. Kennedy. I knew that it was from the 1960's but I was curious, so I just looked it up. It was released in June of 1963 and President Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, just five months later.
Hi Kay - what a fascinating bit of information ... he obviously was destined for great things, despite his privilege ... thanks for this - interesting to know. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYes, he came from a background of great wealth and privilege but it is also true that he worked very hard in his life. I know that there have been many harsh words against him but I think that we should remember that his life was cut short by an assassin and we will never know what great things he could have accomplished.
DeleteThe story of PT 109 is fascinating. Profiles In Courage was required reading when I was in high school.
ReplyDeleteWonder how many in high school know that book these days. Not many, I bet.
DeleteI had never heard of this until now - your blog never ceases to teach me new things, to amaze and entertain me at the same time!
ReplyDeleteThere was a film made about this, PT 109. I think it is a good movie, but you have to read about it to get the full scope of the story.
DeleteAnd thanks, Meike! I teach, amaze AND entertain! :-)
Good tale.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is a true one. Glad to tell about an American president in a good light.
DeleteWell, I've never heard this story before but I read it out to the Best Beloved and he already knew it! Amazing. x
ReplyDeleteI should think that most Americans would know this but I don't know that many folks in other countries would, your Best Beloved must love history like I do!
DeleteThank you for this book recommendation. Kennedy was a hero of my youth, and still is, regardless of later revelations. But I had not remembered that 11 alive phrase.
ReplyDeleteI didn't say but those two men who wrote that book, they were in the car behind President Kennedy when he was killed. I don't think that either one of them ever got over it.
Delete11 Alive, I think of Kennedy every single time I hear them say that on CHANNEL 11 on TV. I do wonder how many others think of that.
John F. Kennedy was dearly loved and for good reason. My all time favorite president for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd his death and funeral was something that I experienced in 1st grade and will never, ever forget.
DeleteI think many forget about his navy service
ReplyDeleteIf any knew of it to begin with! I work with a lot of young folks and it is sad to know how little they know of any kind of history.
DeleteHe was strong and brave, no matter what anyone thought of him politically.
ReplyDeletePolitics! Don't get me started, I am someone who is right in the middle, so neither side likes me. :-)
DeleteKay- Everytime I read something about JFK it makes my heart hurt a little bit. In spite of any faults he may have had I think he was a man among men and always felt sad that he was assassinated in the prime of his life. You wonder what a full terms of his leadership might have been like.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this wonderful, informative post. I did not know any of that. xo Diana
Exactly so, you do wonder. Do you know that President Kennedy refused to be photographed wearing a hat since he felt it somehow took away from the dignity of being President? Makes you sigh just thinking of that, doesn't it?
DeleteDidn't you ever see the movie PT 109 starring Cliff Robertson as JFK? You should if you don't have time to read any books about it! Take care, my friend and DON"T work too hard!! xx
That is a fascinating story about Kennedy. It shows an indomitable spirit.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does. If you read the accounts of what happened after they were in the water, you will see that he absolutely was determined to survive along with all those who were with him. A great story that everyone should know, not just Americans.
DeleteIt's a wonderful story. I saw the movie starring Cliff Robertson playing JFK years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe movie, of course, is called, "PT 109".
DeleteOh yes, Lee! I mentioned it in my replies above, I should have written about it in my post. In fact, I will go back and add it just now! Thanks!
DeleteI have written about other stories from World War II from the South Pacific on my blog. It truly was a World War.
I never knew about the message on the coconut shell. Next on my reading list will be biography of JFK.
ReplyDeleteThe book that I told you about, I really liked that one since it was written by two very close friends.
DeleteYes, I lived through the JFK presidency and the aftermath. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have written about JFK before, but when I saw that the Aug. 2 was the anniversary of the PT 109 sinking, I felt like I had to mention it.
DeleteThat was so interesting - I had no idea that he was such a hero.
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me with your snippets of information.
I have been off-line for a while but look forward to catching up with your blog again. I hope you are still "walking the walk!" x
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DeletePat, just managed to delete my reply to you above! Don't ask how I do the goofy things I do, we don't have enough time! Lovely to hear from you. Hope to walk our walk this week, weather permitting! xx
DeleteThank you for stopping by the new sixty and commenting. I remembered part of that story about JFK but thanks for the reminder. He was a hero in every sense.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have been a follower of yours for some time but I don't have much time to blog these days, so glad to see your post, it was a good one! Take care!
DeleteInteresting facts I didn't know. I've read quite a few sea related, ship sinking books over the years and it must be grim thinking you could spend the time remaining on a tiny island somewhere or adrift for weeks in a small lifeboat.
ReplyDeleteJust typed a long reply to someone about the Leopoldville! Look that up! I have written about it several times before but I just had to mention it again here. And did you know that there will be another movie out in September about Louis Zamperini? Look out for it!
DeleteMy favorite Aunt was a huge Kennedy fan and helped on his election back in the day. This was interesting and very moving to see what a hero he was. I'll never forget those Kennedy years when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteHeroes, we are need of them!
DeleteHi Kay, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I've been terrible with my visits and blog posts! When I was fairly young we went to see that movie. It was kind of traumatic for me as I was only about 6 years old at the time. I always had great respect for JFK and remember how sad it was that he was murdered. After all of the pain he endured during the war, he should have been able to enjoy a long and happy life into old age.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to forget that we had a President who was assassinated within living memory of many people. (Other presidents killed also, and even Reagan was never the same after he was shot.) I so agree, after all the pain during the war, he should have had a long and happy life.
DeleteCan't thank you enough for your comment and I am truly glad to see you blogging again. I REALLLY was craving me some "CraveCute!" LOL!
I have forgotten it now but I had that book many years ago, I suppose when it first came out. I had several books about JFK, mainly I liked his speeches. Theodore Sorrensen (spelling) was one, can't remember now. One would have thought the world would have improved by now............alas, no.
ReplyDeleteWe live in hope that our country and the world will improve. It is hard to believe that these days, I agree. x
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