Lieutenant kennedy rendezvoused his boat with two others, pt 162 and pt 169. When the pt109 is destroyed, kennedy and the rest of his crew must keep their wits about them to survive and escape. Kennedy s pt 59, photographed in an unspecified location near vella lavella and choiseul, played a key role in the diversionary mission at choiseul island in early november 1943. Mcmahon died sunday at an encinitas convalescent home in northern san diego county, where he lived for the last 15 years. When one thinks about president kennedys naval career in world war ii, what most often comes to mind is his command of motor torpedo boat pt109. Kennedy is seen aboard the patrol torpedo boat pt109 boat during world war ii in the pacific theatre, in this handout photograph taken on march 4, 1942. Kennedy skippered in the south pacific during the second world war. The boat, pt109, is sent on a mission to rescue american soldiers trapped on a japaneseheld island. Pt109 stowed on board the liberty ship ss joseph stanton for transport to the pacific, 20 august 1942. Survivor of pt 109 dead at 63 washington ap george h. The race was a pt boat scramble in the south pacific during world war ii. Kennedy and his pt109 crew members after their boat was destroyed by a japanese warship. While on a mission kennedys pt boat the 109, is rammed by a japanese destroyer.
The seventh 40ton motor torpedo boat mtb built there, she was launched on 20 june, delivered to the navy on 10 july 1942, and fitted out in the new york naval shipyard at brooklyn. The pt 109 story of the patrol boat in the south pacific captained by lt. Eroni kumana, islander credited with saving jfk and pt109. Kennedys war time experiences during which he captained a pt boat, took it to battle and had it sunk by a.
Actually, the last scene in the movie pt 109 shows kennedy and this boat sailing off into the sunset to begin new adventures on his path to the white house. Because pt 109 was filmed during kennedys administration, cooperation from the navy in furnishing ships for the movie was easy a destroyer from key west participated along with three airsea rescue boats converted to pts. Pt59 was an sclass patrol torpedo boat pt boat of the united states navy, built by the electric launch company of bayonne, new jersey. Cliff robertson stars in this stirring saga of kennedy s wartime exploits as skipper of a pt boat in the solomon islands. Before rob lowe, before greg kinnear or martin sheen, there was cliff robertson, the first actor to portray john f. The story of jfk and pt 109 you havent heard ecumen. Called pt 109 the film was the first commercial movie about a serving american president. Jkf was then a young navy lieutenant, commanding the now famous pt 109, which as pt boats go, was something of a heap. Jul 11, 2002 and in world war ii, pt service was nearly the only way a relatively new officer could skipper his own boat.
Ritchie gives him exactly one week to whip his new boat into shape. In the film, pt 109 is navy gray in color, but the real boat was actually painted dark green when jfk commanded her to camouflage it when moored along the. Motor torpedo boat 109 pt109 was laid down 4 march 1942 by the elco works naval division of the electric boat company in bayonne, new jersey. Kennedys war time experiences during which he captained a pt boat, took it to battle and had it. Kennedy was the commander of a patrol torpedo boat on the prowl for japanese destroyers in august 1943. Kennedy as an officer of the united states navy in command of motor torpedo boat pt109 in the pacific theater of world war ii. With cliff robertson, robert culp, ty hardin, james gregory. Jfk and pt109 how historical perspective can shift. Through eyewitness accounts of survivors, local islanders and other pt crews on patrol that night, along with powerful footage from the war in the pacific, we retell the remarkable. May 30, 2017 pt boat officers lr james jim reed, john f. Kennedy jfk as an officer of the united states navy in command of motor torpedo boat pt 109 during the pacific war of world war ii.
We were 4 decks down, no pop corn, no soda, just cold water to drink. Pt 109, an account of kennedys world war ii heroism in command of a motor torpedo boat that was rammed by a japanese destroyer, marked the first time a major studio, in this case warner. Pt 109 is a 1963 american technicolor biographical war film, filmed in panavision, which depicts the actions of john f. The meaning of films title pt 109 is pt boat 109 or patrol torpedo boat 109 or motor torpedo boat pt 109. The the japanese destroyer amagiri came out of the darkness without any running lights and was only spotted a few seco. May 31, 2017 the boat, pt 109, is sent on a mission to rescue american soldiers trapped on a japaneseheld island. Pt 109 s collision with a japanese destroyer contributed to kennedy s long. Cliff robertson stars in this stirring saga of kennedys wartime exploits as skipper of a pt boat in the solomon islands. But warner brothers found it necessary to publicize locally that the destroyer and other. Kennedy requests to be put in command of a pt boat and is given the rundown pt109. It is named after the 35th president of the usa john f kennedy who was stranded on this island along with his crew after his patrol torpedo boat was sunk by a japanese cruiser the night of.
This movie hit the theaters in the usa in june 1963, just after i graduated from high school, and only five months before president kennedy died from a bullet in dallas, texas. It told the story of kennedy as an officer of the united states navy in command of motor torpedo boat pt 109 during the pacific war of world war ii. Japanese forces attack pt boat with kennedy on board history. Kennedy takes command of pt 109 to fight the japanese in the solomon islands. Kennedy that was cut in half in a collision with a japanese destroyer was a big part of the kennedy story. The story is about his short career as a naval officer in command of pt109 and its subsequent sinking in the straits of rendova during wwii. The three boats spread out to make a picket line across the strait. His wealthy, well connected father pulled some strings, and in 1942 jack as he was known volunteered for service with a pt boat unit in the pacific. Robinson, now 91 and living in sacramento, california, recalls. As i understand the incident, the motor torpedo boat pt109 was cruising with the one engine idled and importantly, muffled. It told the story of kennedy as an officer of the united states navy in command of motor torpedo boat pt109 during the pacific war of world war ii. Ross died sunday at george washington university hospital after going into a coma july 12 when he suffered a heart attack. The film was adapted by vincent flaherty and howard sheehan from the book pt 109.
Pt 109 was a pt boat patrol torpedo boat last commanded by lieutenant junior grade john f. As i understand the incident, the motor torpedo boat pt 109 was cruising with the one engine idled and importantly, muffled. Kennedy, future united states president, in the pacific theater during world war ii. See more ideas about john kennedy, movies and cliff robertson. His actions to save his surviving crew after the sinking of pt 109 made him a war hero.
Oct 20, 2015 kennedy was the commander of a patrol torpedo boat on the prowl for japanese destroyers in august 1943. When kennedy took charge of pt109, on april 25, 1943, he was already a millionaire. I missed the real story of the pt 109 and her crew. After a battle with several japanese ships, pt 109 was inadvertently rammed by the japanese. Jack kennedy, george barney ross rear, and paul red fay.
Cliff robertson wa chosen by kennedy himself to play the part. The script mayday 109 tells the true story of what happened when the pt boat captained by john f kennedy was sunk by a japanese. This 40th anniversary edition of pt 109 reminds us once again of the courage of president kennedy and the men who served with him on his pt boat during world war ii. His boat was rammed by a japanese destroyer and cut into two pieces. The first time i saw the movie pt 109, as a 20 year old marine, aboard a msts troop ship in 1964. Jfks motor torpedo boat pt59 from wwii may be at the.
Pt is a symbol referring to a motor torpedo boats hull classification symbol aka hull codes aka hull numbers, in this case pt stands for patrol torpedo. Aug 01, 2019 after five hours of clinging to debris from the decimated pt boat, the crew made it to a coral island. This bronze tie clip was modeled after pt109, the boat that young lieutenant john f. About a year and a half ago, doyle began his mission to locate the littleknown pt59 after he read an internet rumor that the boat was at the bottom of the river off 208th street in new york city. Kennedys actions after the pt109 was sunk by a japanese boat on august 12 1943 is an inspiring tale of leadership, encourage, and valor. The first time i saw the movie pt109, as a 20 year old marine, aboard a msts. Jfks motor torpedo boat pt59 from wwii may be at the bottom. Kennedys experiences as a pt boat commander and the heroic tale of jfk in world war two long before the day a sniper would take his life in dallas texas. Pt 109 is the based on the true story of an incident in the life of president kennedy when we skippered a pt boat during wwii. Aug 09, 2014 eroni kumana, a solomon islander who was credited with helping to save the lives of thennavy lt. Pt is a symbol referring to a motor torpedo boat s hull classification symbol aka hull codes aka hull numbers, in this case pt stands for patrol torpedo. When the pt 109 is destroyed, kennedy and the rest of his crew must keep their wits about them to survive and escape.
Arthur reginald evans, dsc 14 may 1905 31 january 1989 was an australian coastwatcher in the pacific ocean theatre in world war ii. Occasionally, movies will lend their titles to the numerical designation of a. At a later date, when asked to explain how he had come to be a hero, one of the young commanders involved, by then an aspiring politician, replied. Insisting on skippering a pt boat, kennedy accepts command of pt 109, a battlescarred, crewless mess of a boat moored beneath camouflaged netting.
Pt 109 dvd, 2011 beautifully filmed boat and action scenes of a mediocre story of the wwii exploits of president john f. Soon, his crew starts to assemble, including his executive officer leonard thom ty hardin and several other sailorsamong the actors making up his crew are. After five hours of clinging to debris from the decimated pt boat, the crew made it to a coral island. The tale of that coconut is the heroic story of pt 109. Pt 109 1963 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. He looked a bit like kennedy and was able to recreate many of his mannerisms. The dramatic story of the rescue was widely distributed by kennedys congressional campaign in 1946. Eroni kumana, a solomon islander who was credited with helping to save the lives of thennavy lt. The meaning of films title pt 109 is pt boat 109 or patrol torpedo boat 109 or motor torpedo boat pt109. Bob donovan has written the definitive story of my brothers heroic efforts to save his crew in 1943 after their torpedo boat was cut in half by a japanese. Vincent, before he became a priest, was the quartermaster on the much more seaworthy pt 60. In july 1943, according to the official navy report, kennedy and the crew of pt 109 were ordered into combat near. Exploring the blackett strait between the islands of gizo and kolombangara, ballard and his colleagues found a mark 18 torpedo tube, a mark 8 torpedo, and pt boat training gear a cranking.
And in world war ii, pt service was nearly the only way a relatively new officer could skipper his own boat. Bob donovan has written the definitive story of my brothers heroic efforts to save his crew in 1943 after their torpedo boat was cut in half by a japanese destroyer, near the. When a japanese destroyer rammed the boat, kennedy acted to save his crew. Robinson, now 91 and living in sacramento, california, recalls that he and kennedy were later tentmates in the. Robert ballard will travel to the solomon islands to find the sunken wreck of kennedys boat, the pt109.
Kennedy and his pt 109 crew members after their boat was destroyed by a japanese warship. Thanks to the 1963 movie pt 109, adapted from the 1961 book pt 109. Pt 109 joined mtb squadron five and shifted to panama, replacing. At a later date, when asked to explain how he had come to be a hero, one of the young commanders involved, by then an. I really wish that pt109 would digitaly redone on dvd. However, this was cancelled, and she was reclassified as pt59 prior to. His actions to save his surviving crew after the sinking of pt109 made him a war hero. Pt109 was a pt boat patrol torpedo boat last commanded by lieutenant junior grade john f.
The young lieutenant and his crew first believed it to be another pt boat. Besides recounting how kennedy joined the navy, became a pt boat commander, was injured during his ships destruction, and swam in search of help, doyle expands upon donovans work by noting in more detail how kennedy used his war hero survival story to strengthen his bid in campaigning for his future political wins as a congressman, senator. He is chiefly remembered for having played a significant part in the rescue of future us president john f. Kennedy still remains a mystery to many, but author of pt 109 william doyle helps tell the unforgettable tale of world war iis shipwreck that paved jfks. Aug 16, 20 pt 109, an account of kennedys world war ii heroism in command of a motor torpedo boat that was rammed by a japanese destroyer, marked the first time a major studio, in this case warner. Without even a crew yet assigned to him, he is given one week to get the ship into working order. A lot of it having to do with the entire nature of the pt. Almost half of the movie goes by before the action really begins. Kennedy towed to safety after a japanese warship crushed their pt boat during world war ii, has died of natural causes. Kennedy and his surviving crew after their motor torpedo boat, pt109, was sunk by enemy action in august 1943. Jan 30, 2014 the tale of that coconut is the heroic story of pt 109. Exploring the blackett strait between the islands of gizo and kolombangara, ballard and his colleagues found a mark 18 torpedo tube, a mark 8 torpedo. Sep 24, 2012 actually, the last scene in the movie pt 109 shows kennedy and this boat sailing off into the sunset to begin new adventures on his path to the white house. When kennedy took charge of pt 109, on april 25, 1943, he was already a millionaire.
An american epic of war, survival, and the destiny. Sixty years later, the story of pt109 still captivates. Jul 28, 2019 in 1942, kennedy volunteered for pt motorized torpedo boat duty in the pacific. Kennedys pt59, photographed in an unspecified location near vella lavella and choiseul, played a key role in the diversionary mission at choiseul island in early november 1943. Mayday 109 movie, with young jfk as war hero, set to go. Jf kennedys pt109 towing a wounded crew member to safety. With his ship destroyed and on fire, two men dead, others injured and great confusion all around, jfk led his men to safety. The first time i saw the movie pt109, as a 20 year old marine, aboard a msts troop ship in 1964.
Barney ross who survived the sinking of pt 109 torpedo boat with lt. And i think jack was a bit of what was more of an unlucky hero than incompetent commander in this. During his 1961 inagural parade a full size replica float of the boat was featured in the parade route with all of the original crew members on the float as. The boat was laid down as motor boat submarine chaser ptc27, and was reclassified as bpt11 when assigned to transfer to britain under lendlease. Sep 07, 2017 pt 109 is the based on the true story of an incident in the life of president kennedy when we skippered a pt boat during wwii. See more ideas about boat, pt boat and john f kennedy. Donovan, and the screenplay was written by richard l. Motor torpedo boat 109 pt 109 was laid down 4 march 1942 by the elco works naval division of the electric boat company in bayonne, new jersey. Pt 109 was a movie that hit theatres in june of 1963, during the third year of john f. Cliff robertson stars as kennedy, with featured performances by. While on a mission kennedy s pt boat the 109, is rammed by a japanese destroyer.
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