After seeing the film, President Kennedy called PT 109 a “good product,” but he worried about the length of the film at 2 hours and 20 minutes. He said, “It’s just a question of whether there’s too much of it”.
Who was JFK's XO on PT-109?
Leonard Thom was born on September 8, 1917, in Sandusky, Ohio, the oldest of eight children. In high school, the husky Lenny played football, lettering in a sport that showcased his natural talents and ever-growing size.
How true is the PT-109 movie?
Overall, PT-109 does a good job with keeping things accurate. However, they altered one significant part of the story with the sole purpose of writing ethnic minorities out of history. In real life, two native islanders played a pivotal role in rescuing the crew of PT-109.
Are any of the PT-109 crew still alive?
Gerard Zinser, the last surviving crewman from the sinking of John F. Kennedy’s PT 109 in the South Pacific in World War II, died on Aug. 21 at a hospital in Orange Park, Fla. … Zinser, who lived in Orange Park, had Alzheimer’s disease, The Associated Press reported.What happened to Kennedy's coconut?
After the crash of his PT 109 boat, Lt. Kennedy gave the coconut to two natives to deliver to PT base at Rendova so he and his crew would be rescued. His father later had the coconut shell encased in plastic on a wood base and President Kennedy used it as a paperweight on his desk in the Oval Office.
Who played Leonard Tom in 109?
PT 109 (1963) – Ty Hardin as Ensign Leonard J.
What happened to JFK's older brother Joe during WWII?
Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. A US Navy lieutenant, he was killed in action during World War II while serving as a land-based patrol bomber pilot, and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Who was the captain of PT-109?
PT-109 was an 80′ Elco PT boat (patrol torpedo boat) last commanded by Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy, future United States president, in the Solomon Islands campaign of the Pacific theater during World War II.What was JFK's rank in the Navy?
Rank orderHighest rankPresident9CaptainAbraham LincolnRonald ReaganLieutenantJohn F. KennedyJimmy Carter
Has PT-109 been found?A National Geographic expedition has found the WWII patrol boat that became a cornerstone of the Kennedy legend. A National Geographic expedition led by explorer Robert Ballard has found what is believed to be the remains of John F. Kennedy’s PT-109.
Article first time published onWhat happened to the men of PT-109?
On August 1, 1943, a Japanese destroyer rams an American PT (patrol torpedo) boat, No. 109, slicing it in two. The destruction is so massive other American PT boats in the area assume the crew is dead. Two crewmen were, in fact, killed, but 11 survived, including Lt.
Who was killed on PT-109?
The engines failed, however, and the boat was left drifting. Seconds later, the destroyer, traveling at 40 knots, slammed into PT-109, slicing it from bow to stern. The crash demolished the forward gun turret, instantly killing Marney and Andrew Kirksey, the enlisted man obsessed with his death.
What happened to JFK's PT boat?
Although the wreckage was still afloat, it was taking on water, and it capsized on the morning of August 2. After a discussion of options, the men abandoned the remains of PT 109 and struck out for an islet three and a half miles away.
What happened to the survivors of PT-109?
Spilled fuel ignited on the water, causing crews of the other PT boats to assume there had been no survivors. Two crew members were never seen again, but 11 who survived, all wearing life vests, managed to board what was left of PT-109. One had been badly burned and couldn’t swim.
What was Cliff Robertson blackballed for?
He committed suicide in 1995. For his part in exposing the embezzlement, Robertson said, he was blackballed in Hollywood for 3 1/2 years. “I broke the unwritten commandment: Thou shalt never confront a major mogul on corruption,” he told The Times in 1998. “Suddenly, the phone stopped ringing.”
Which former US president kept a coconut shell on his desk as a reminder of a harrowing incident while in the Navy during World War II?
Throughout his brief presidency, John F. Kennedy kept a paperweight on his desk made out of half a coconut shell preserved in a piece of wood. Carved into the shell was a message: “NAURO ISL…
What did JFK keep on his desk?
Magnifying glass (5″ x 2″), letter opener, framed photographs of his children, an ashtray with JFK’s fingerprints on it (apparently a gift from J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation), a wooden handle with the die of the Presidential seal, a lamp, and ink and pen holders.
What island did JFK swim?
PT-109 incident Two American sailors died in the incident. Kennedy later had the crew swim to the larger Olasana Island where they were found and helped by Melanesian scouts, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, dispatched by coastwatcher Reg Evans.
How old was JFK when he became president?
No.PresidentAge at start of presidency35John F. Kennedy43 years, 236 days Jan 20, 196136Lyndon B. Johnson55 years, 87 days Nov 22, 196337Richard Nixon56 years, 11 days Jan 20, 1969
How much is a picture of JFK worth?
An assortment of 19 original negatives of President John F. Kennedy sold for $9,492 according to Boston-based RR Auction.
Which president was a 5 star general?
President Eisenhower reached the status of a five-star general while serving as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II (1942-1945). He is one of only nine U.S. officers to have worn the five-star insignia.
Which president was the best commander in chief?
George Washington is best remembered as the first President of the United States, but there might not ever have been a United States, had Washington not so ably performed in the role for which he seemed to have been born: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
What was the fastest ship in ww2?
HistoryFranceInstalled power4 water-tube boilers 74,000 PS (54,000 kW; 73,000 shp)Propulsion2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbinesSpeed37 knots (69 km/h; 43 mph) (designed)
Where did they film the movie PT 109?
The exteriors were filmed at Little Palm Island (formerly Little Munson Island), now a resort in the Florida Keys. Power and fresh water were run out to the island for the film, allowing the resort to be built years later.
What did PT stand for in PT boat?
PT (Patrol, Torpedo) boats were small, fast, and expendable vessels for short range oceanic scouting, armed with torpedoes and machine guns for cutting enemy supply lines and harassing enemy forces.
Are there any PT boats left?
Today, just four combat-veteran PT boats still exist in the United States; of those, only PT-305 is fully restored and operational, complete with original-model engines. An operational PT-305 promises to become one of The National WWII Museum’s most exciting artifacts and teaching tools.
What happened to PT boats after the war?
After the war, most of the remaining PT boats were destroyed by the US Navy because they were too expensive for a peacetime Navy. Each boat had three Packard 3A-2500, V-12 aircraft engines with as much as 1,850 hp each, which consumed vast quantities of high-octane gasoline.
How many ships did PT boats sunk in ww2?
By the last patrol on the night of April 28, 1945, American PT boats had been fighting in the coastal waters of North Africa, Italy, and France for two years. During that period, they fired 354 torpedoes, claiming 38 vessels totaling 23,700 tons sunk.
Why did JFK get a Purple Heart?
Lieutenant John F. Kennedy receives one of the Navy’s highest honor for gallantry for his heroic actions as the commanding officer of a motor torpedo boat during World War II on June 12, 1944. The future president also received a Purple Heart for wounds received during battle.
How long was JFK in the military?
John F. KennedyMilitary serviceBranch/serviceUnited States NavyYears of service1941–1945RankLieutenant
Was there a real PT 73?
The real PT-73 was a 78-foot Higgins boat assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 13, which saw service in the Aleutians and in the Southwest Pacific theater. On 15 January, 1945 it ran aground, and was destroyed to prevent it falling into enemy hands.
