NO WORD OF SURVIVORS OF THE PT109
Solomon Islands (JFK+50) Australian coast watcher Reginald Evans reported yesterday sighting the sinking of PT109 after it was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri.
So far there is no word of survivors including 109's commanding officer, Lt. j.g. John F. "Jack" Kennedy.*
*Having failed in the attempt to flag down a rescue ship, JFK swam back to the island where his surviving crew was waiting. When he arrived...
"he looked skinny, bedraggled & exhausted. He had a beard. His hair was matted over his forehead. His circled eyes were bloodshot."*
*Source: "PT109, JFK in WWII"
by Robert J. Donovan, McGraw-Hill, 1961.
PT Officers 1943
Jim Reed, JFK, Barney Ross, Red Fay
JFK Library Photo
"On the coast of Kolombangara,
looking through his telescope
Australia's Evans saw the battle
For the crew had little hope
Two were dead & some were wounded
All were clinging to the bow
Fighting fire & fighting water,
trying to save their lives somehow."
"PT109"
recorded by Jimmy Dean (1961)
lyrics by Fred Burch & Marijohn Wilkin
August 3, 1961
ON THIS DAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy received the credentials of newly appointed Nepal ambassador, M.P. Koirala, today at the White House.
Later in the day, JFK met with Senator Russell Long, UN ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson & Alphonse Donahue. Mr. Donahue presented the President with an original letter written by Abraham Lincoln.
August 3, 1965
CBS NEWS SHOWS FILM OF US MARINES BURNING VIETNAM VILLAGE
New York City (JFK+50) Columbia Broadcasting System television news broke new ground this evening when it telecast a film of US Marines burning a village in Vietnam.
The soldiers in the film, from the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, are shown setting fire to huts in the village of Cam Na.
CBS Headquarters
New York City
Photo by Aikidockd (2009)
August 3,1958
"NAUTILUS" ARRIVES AT THE NORTH POLE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Navy Department announced today that the world's 1st nuclear submarine, Nautilus, has made the 1st underwater voyage to the North Pole.
The nuclear submarine traveled almost a thousand miles under the Arctic ice cap to reach the North Pole.
The Nautilus was built under direction of US Navy Captain Hyman G. Rickover. She was launched on June 21, 1954.*
*The Nautilus took part in the naval quarantine of Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis.
Launching of the USS Nautilus
June 21, 1954
August 3, 1948
CHAMBERS POINTS FINGER AT ALGER HISS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Self-confessed communist & FBI informant Whittaker Chambers today accused Alger Hiss of being a communist spy.
The accusation came during a hearing of the House Un-American Activities Committee at the Capitol today.*
*Hiss was ultimately convicted of perjury & would serve 44 months in jail.
Richard M. Nixon, California congressman, was a member of the HUAC & believed Hiss was lying.
Whittaker Chambers Testifies
Alger Hill (circled) listens
photo by Fred Palumbo
Library of Congress Photo
August 3, 1923
COOLIDGE SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT BY HIS DAD
Plymouth Notch, Vermont (JFK+50) Having been informed by messenger that President Warren G. Harding had died during a speaking tour in California, Vice-President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President of the United States early this morning by his own father, a notary public.
Coolidge was visiting his family home in Plymouth Notch which is without electricity or a telephone. The town only has 29 residents.
The historic ceremony was conducted at the Coolidge home by the light of a kerosene lamp.
Calvin Coolidge
Sworn-in by his Father
Portrait by Arthur I. Keller
August 3, 1492
COLUMBUS SETS SAIL FOR EAST INDIES
Palos, Spain (JFK+50) The Italian-born explorer, Christopher Columbus, set sail from here today bound for the East Indies.
Columbus is seeking a shorter all-water route to the East Indies, China & Japan.
His 3 ships, Santa Maria, Pinta & Nina will 1st stop at the Canary Islands to restock supplies & make any needed repairs.*
*Columbus sets sail from the Canaries on September 6. The next time he sees land is Oct 12 in what is now the Bahama Islands.
