PT-109

PT-109
Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Im · Public domain · source
Ship name	PT-109
Ship country	United States
Ship class	Elco 80-foot PT boat
Ship builder	Elco
Ship fate	Sunk

PT-109 was a US Navy Elco 80-foot PT boat that played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater. The boat was commanded by John F. Kennedy, who later became the 35th President of the United States. During its service, PT-109 was part of the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWO (MTBRON 2) and operated in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. The crew of PT-109 included Leon Drawdy, Edman Mauer, and John Maguire, among others, who were all part of the United States Naval Reserve.

Introduction

The story of PT-109 is closely tied to the early career of John F. Kennedy, who was a young officer in the US Navy at the time. Kennedy's experience on PT-109 had a profound impact on his life and later influenced his decisions as President of the United States. The boat was also crewed by other notable individuals, including Leon Drawdy, who was a US Navy lieutenant (junior grade) and Edman Mauer, a US Navy motor machinist's mate. The crew of PT-109 was part of the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWO (MTBRON 2), which was commanded by Robert B. Kelly and operated under the US Pacific Fleet.

Background

PT-109 was an Elco 80-foot PT boat, which was a class of motor torpedo boats used by the US Navy during World War II. The boat was built by Elco and was commissioned in 1942. PT-109 was part of the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWO (MTBRON 2), which was based in the Solomon Islands and operated in the Pacific Theater. The squadron was commanded by Robert B. Kelly and included other notable boats, such as PT-105 and PT-107. The crew of PT-109 was trained at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center in Melville, Rhode Island and later deployed to the Pacific Theater.

Sinking of PT-109

On August 1, 1943, PT-109 was on patrol in the Blackett Strait, near the Solomon Islands, when it was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. The collision occurred at around 2:30 am and caused significant damage to the boat. Despite efforts to save the boat, PT-109 sank just a few minutes later. The crew, including John F. Kennedy, was forced to abandon ship and swim to the nearby Plum Pudding Island. The sinking of PT-109 was part of a larger campaign, known as Operation Cartwheel, which was aimed at capturing the Solomon Islands and New Guinea from Japanese forces. The operation involved the US Navy, the US Army, and the Royal Australian Navy, among other Allied forces.

Aftermath

The sinking of PT-109 had a significant impact on the crew, particularly John F. Kennedy, who was injured during the collision. Kennedy and his crew were forced to swim to the nearby Plum Pudding Island, where they survived on coconuts and rainwater for several days. The crew was eventually rescued by the US Navy and returned to their base in the Solomon Islands. The sinking of PT-109 was widely reported in the media, including in The New York Times and Time Magazine, and helped to establish John F. Kennedy as a hero of World War II. The incident also involved other notable individuals, including Byron White, who was a US Navy lieutenant and later became a Supreme Court Justice, and Paul Fay, who was a US Navy lieutenant and later became the Secretary of the Navy.

Legacy

The story of PT-109 has become an important part of John F. Kennedy's legacy and is often cited as an example of his bravery and leadership. The incident has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including PT 109, which was released in 1963 and starred Cliff Robertson as John F. Kennedy. The story of PT-109 has also been commemorated in various ways, including the creation of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, which features an exhibit on the boat and its crew. The incident has also been recognized by the US Navy, which has named several ships and facilities after John F. Kennedy, including the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. The legacy of PT-109 continues to be felt today, with the boat remaining an important symbol of American heroism and sacrifice during World War II. The story of PT-109 has also been linked to other notable events and individuals, including the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Guadalcanal, and Douglas MacArthur, who was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific Theater.