JFK LOSES IT WHEN SEEING PHOTO OF NAVY HOSPITAL BED FOR JACKIE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 25, 1963, President John F. Kennedy lost his temper when he saw a photograph in the Washington Post of a Navy man standing in a bedroom built for Mrs. Kennedy at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod in the event she went into labor.
The bedroom, funded at taxpayer expense, was provided by Jordan Marsh & Company at a cost of $5000.
The President, whose temper was rarely if ever seen in public, immediately telephoned USAF General Godfrey McHugh*. JFK asked the General if he had seen the photo of "that silly bastard...(standing) next to the bed?" The President added...
"You just sank the Air Force budget."
General McHugh's response to the President's tirade was to say that he was appalled. JFK answered,
"Well, I'm appalled too!"
The President was concerned that the photograph would convince Americans that his administration was wasting their money on "foolish" items for his family's own benefit.
*General Godfrey T. McHugh (1911-1997) was born in Brussels, Belgium & educated at the University of Paris. GTM served in the USAF in WWII & received the Legion of Merit. In 1961, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General & served as military aide to JFK.
"July 25, 1963: Phone call about furniture purchase," www.youtube.com/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 25, 1963, President John F. Kennedy lost his temper when he saw a photograph in the Washington Post of a Navy man standing in a bedroom built for Mrs. Kennedy at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod in the event she went into labor.
The bedroom, funded at taxpayer expense, was provided by Jordan Marsh & Company at a cost of $5000.
The President, whose temper was rarely if ever seen in public, immediately telephoned USAF General Godfrey McHugh*. JFK asked the General if he had seen the photo of "that silly bastard...(standing) next to the bed?" The President added...
"You just sank the Air Force budget."
General McHugh's response to the President's tirade was to say that he was appalled. JFK answered,
"Well, I'm appalled too!"
The President was concerned that the photograph would convince Americans that his administration was wasting their money on "foolish" items for his family's own benefit.
*General Godfrey T. McHugh (1911-1997) was born in Brussels, Belgium & educated at the University of Paris. GTM served in the USAF in WWII & received the Legion of Merit. In 1961, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General & served as military aide to JFK.
SOURCE
General Godfrey McHugh
Photo by Robert Knudsen (1962)
JFK Library Image
