John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917 â November 22, 1963) Despite having a bad back, Kennedy was able to join the U.S. Navy. 1943 given command of PT-109. On 30 May, several PT boats, including PT 109 were ordered to the Russell Islands in preparation for the invasion of New Georgia. After the invasion of Rendova, PT 109 moved to Lumbari. fifteen boats sent out on patrol on the night of 1-2 August 1943 to intercept Japanese warships in the straits. Ensign George H. R. Ross, whose ship was damaged, joined Kennedy’s crew that night. The PT boat was creeping along to keep the wake and noise to a minimum in order to avoid detection. Around 0200 with Kennedy at the helm, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri traveling at 40 knots came out of the darkness and cut PT 109 in two in ten seconds. Because the remnant was listing badly and starting to swamp, Kennedy decided to swim for a small island barely visible (actually three miles) to the southeast. Five hours later, all eleven survivors had made it to the island after having spent a total of fifteen hours in the water. Native coast watchers Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana first discovered the 109 crew on Olasana Island and paddled their messages to Ben Kevu, a Senior Scout who sent them on to coast watcher Lieutenant Reginald Evans. On the morning of August 7, Evans radioed the PT base on Rendova. Lieutenant “Bud” Liebenow, a friend and former tentmate of Kennedy’s, rescued Kennedy and his crew on Olasana Island on August 8, 1943 aboard his boat, PT-157.
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