"FOR COURAGE, ENDURANCE & EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP"

LT. KENNEDY AWARDED NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL

 Solomon Islands (JFK+50) On June 12, 1944, Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in honor of the courage he exhibited as skipper of the PT109.

The patrol boat was sliced in two by a Japanese destroyer while on duty in the waters of the Solomon Islands.  Two of his crewmen were killed, but JFK, who was badly injured, was able to round up the survivors and have them climb on the remnants of the 109.

The skipper directed them to swim to a nearby island, but one of his sailors was so badly burned JFK had to personally tow him through the water with the strap of a life preserver clinched between his teeth.

JFK, along with two crewmen, received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.  According to William Doyle, while the medal is for "lifesaving" it is not considered a "combat decoration."

The final citation for JFK's medal reads...

"For extremely heroic conduct as Commanding Officer of Motor Torpedo Boat 109 following the collision and sinking of that vessel in the Pacific War Theater on August 1-2, 1943.

His outstanding courage, endurance and leadership contributed to the saving of several lives and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." 

SOURCE

"PT 109, An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy," by William Doyle, William Morrow-Harper Collins Publishers, 2015.

 

 

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

"FOR COURAGE, ENDURANCE & EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP"

JFK WINS THE PURPLE HEART

Solomon Islands (JFK+50) On June 12, 1944, Lieutenant j.g. John F. Kennedy was awarded the Purple Heart* as well as the Navy and Marine Corps Medal** in honor of his courage and leadership after the PT109 was rammed and set on fire by a Japanese destroyer near the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

Two of Lt. Kennedy's thirteen man crew were killed instantly and many of the survivors injured.  

Despite suffering an injury to his back, JFK directed his sailors back aboard the crippled boat and then engineered a swim to a nearby island.  One of the crew, Pappy McMahon, was so badly burned, JFK had to personally tow him using the strap of a life preserver in his teeth.  For six days and nights the crew waited to be rescued.  

Finally, the young Lieutenant was able to carve a message on a coconut, give it to some natives who, by way of coastwatchers, got it back to Navy headquarters.

The Navy and Marine Corps medal reads...

"for courage, endurance and excellent leadership...in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service."

*The Purple Heart is given in the name of the POTUS to those wounded or killed serving in the military of the U.S. after June 5, 1917.  As of June 5, 2010, 1,910,162 PHs had been awarded.

**The Navy & Marine Corps Medal, established by Congress Aug 7 1942, is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the US Dept of the Navy.

The Purple Heart Medal

www.afpc.af.mil/

USAF Photo (1999)

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

JFK WINS NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL

June 12, 1944


JFK WINS NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL 


U.S. Navy Lieutenant j.g. John F. Kennedy was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Medal today as well as the Purple Heart.


The award was given in honor of his courage & leadership after his patrol boat, the PT109, was rammed & set on fire by a Japanese destroyer near the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.


2 of the 13 man crew were killed instantly and many of the survivors injured.  


Despite suffering an injury to his back, JFK directed his sailors back aboard the crippled boat & then engineered a swim to a nearby island.


One of his crew, Pappy McMahon was so badly burned, JFK had to personally tow him using the strap of a life preserver in his teeth.


For 6 days & nights the crew waited to be rescued.  Finally, JFK was able to carve a message on a coconut, give it to some natives who by way of coastwatchers got it back to the Navy.


The medal reads for: "courage, endurance & excellent leadership...in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service."

              US Navy & Marine Corps Medal


June 12, 1963


MEDGAR EVERS SHOT & KILLED IN MISSISSIPPI


Medgar Evers, President of the NAACP Mississippi State Conference, was shot & killed today in his driveway.


Evers had also done investigative work in the murder case of Emmett Till.


He was shot in the back with a rifle & died less than an hour afterwards.*


*Medgar Evers was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

       Grave of Medgar Evers
   Arlington National Cemetery
      Photo by Willjay (2008)


June 12, 1898


PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DECLARED


Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippine Islands today after 30 years of Spanish rule.*


*By mid-August 1898, the rebels had driven Spain out but their hope for independence ended with the annexation of the islands by the United States.

   Emilio Aguinaldo

June 12, 1776


VIRGINIA ADOPTS "DECLARATION OF RIGHTS"


The Virginia Convention meeting in Williamsburg today adopted George Mason's "Declaration of Rights" by a unanimous vote.


The declaration promises "the equal right to life, liberty & property" to Virginians & their posterity."


The Declaration of Rights has 16 enumerated items.  #15 reads:


"That no free government or the blessings of liberty can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality & virtue."

 Virginia's Declaration of Rights (1776)