I Remember Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. on Memorial Day

[Octafish]

Among those I remember on Memorial Day 2006 is Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. a brave man. Big brother to three U.S. Senators, one of whom became President of the United States. The four brothers all were veterans of the armed forces, three serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Joe Kennedy lost his life in the closing months of World War II, while on an extremely dangerous Top Secret mission. He died in the service of his country to fight fascism and to keep America free. Let all who read this know, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. is a hero of our nation.



Ensign Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. with his Navy flight trainer.

JPK was being groomed for a life in politics by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. So, Joe Jr. was preparing for just such a career, serving as a delegate from Massachusetts voting for FDR at the 1940 Democratic convention.

A brave, athletic and conscientious man, he volunteered for service in the US Navy before World War II. After completing his training in multi-engine aircraft, JPK was assigned command of a US Navy B-24 Liberator on anti-submarine warfare duty, flying missions out of an airbase in the UK over the North Atlantic from 1943-44.

On one mission, Kennedy’s four-engine aircraft was attacked by a Focke-Wulf 190, perhaps the German’s best propeller fighter. Instead of hightailing for a cloudbank, Kennedy turned his ship toward the fighter and ordered his crew to open up. The surprised FW tore off.

After completing his tour of 35 missions, IIRC, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was ready to be rotated stateside. Instead, he volunteered for a top-secret mission. The targets were the V-2 launch sites along the coast of France. The V-2 was developed by Werner von Braun and his team at Peenemünde.

One of Hitler's super-weapons, history's first ballistic missiles were used to rain death, destruction and terror upon London. The allies were worried that if the Nazis continued developing their super-weapons, the V-2’s descendants would be delivering bombs — possibly atomic — to New York City.

So the US Navy and Army Air Corps developed a secret weapon to use against the German V-2 sites along the coast of France. The plan was called: Operation Aphrodite and its objective was to knock out the V-2 sites along the coast of France. So, the Navy and Army Air Force converted B-24s and B-17s to create something out of Buck Rogers. They wanted a remote-control flying mega-bomb.

The plan called for developing, basically, history’s first guided cruise missiles (Hey, Condi! You reading this?). The entire fuselage was filled with Torpex and gelignite, IIRC, and was to be armed by a rather elaborate, and untested, electronic arming panel. The giant plane had been converted from being a bomber capable of carrying sixteen 500 pound bombs and requiring a 10-man crew into one giant flying bomb.

Joe Kennedy had completed his tour of duty and was scheduled for rotation home. Instead, he volunteered to skipper an experimental version of the B-24 bomber. His job was to get the ship airborne from its airfield in Great Britain, point it toward Europe, and bail out over the countryside. Sounds simple, but it was anything but. It was state-of-the-art science, engineering, and warfare.

Joe Kennedy’s plane was among a few Liberators and Flying Fortresses modified for a very early version of remote control. The way the thing worked was with a primitive 2-channel remote-controled robotic pilot. One radio signal could make the plane dive and climb and another signal could make it turn left and right. A prototype video camera would also send information to the Mother Ship, where the remote pilot sat before a tiny TV monitor a few miles behind and above the flying bomb.

Joe Kennedy and his fellow volunteer pilots were needed to get the flying bombs airborne. One aloft, they were to turn on the radio-guidance controls and arm the flying bomb. Then, somewhere over the English countryside, the pilot and bombardier were to bail out at an altitude of about ONE THOUSAND FEET.

The scientists and engineers in the Mother Ship would take over and signal on two radio frequencies: One to turn the stick RIGHT or LEFT; or push the stick FORWARD or pull the stick BACK. Primitive today, they were the first remote-controlled weapon of mass destruction. The Mother Ship would follow two miles or so back and then fly it over the English Channel and guide it down into the rocket launch sites.

It was dangerous work. Because of the modifications to the B-17s, one pilot was killed and another lost an arm in the process. By the time it was Joe’s turn in the B-24 there was reason for concern about a plan that was seeming to look like a suicide mission.

For the Kennedys and the future of American politics, the tragedy was that the Navy ship used a rather primitive arming panel. The regular engineer/co-pilot refused to fly and instead the Navy sent aloft the engineer who designed and installed the system.

Over the English countryside, the ship exploded, killing the two flyers and changing American political history. Joe's younger brother John Fitzgerald Kennedy then became the heir to the family's political ambitions.

John F. Kennedy made an outstanding President, living up to his brother’s promise of greatness. JFK, it should be remembered, saved the world from nuclear annihilation during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

While he never lived to see the dream realized, JFK also stretched mankind’s imagination and reach to the moon. Ironically, he even used the NAZI rocket scientist who developed the V-2 to do so. The same von Braun who the allied air command sent his lost brother, Joseph, to destroy.

— Octafish

# # #

Two outstanding books on the subject of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. and his service in World War II:

“Aphrodite: Desperate Mission” by Jack Olsen

and

“The Lost Prince: Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy” by Hank Searls.

[man4allcats]

1. Thanks for the post.

I saw a documentary some time ago (I believe it was on The History Channel but not sure) regarding his last mission and his life in politics that he never got to live. Like so many other people from "The Greatest Generation" of which my own parents were members, he put it on the line and didn't ask about the price. That was back when America was a great nation. Those people are dead now. Too bad for us and too bad for the world.

[Octafish]

2. You're welcome, AYD! Didya hear about the coward Grover Norquist?

Grover, friend of tax cheats and partner of Jack Abramoff, wishes the "Greatest Generation" were all gone. His reason is they were mostly Democrats.

"Anti-American" Norquist called them. What a lie. The members of the Greatest Generation were willing to sacrifice their own lives to keep us free and beat the NAZIs and their fascist allies.

Here's what's true. Almost all the bravest patriots I've been priviledged to know or learn about were Liberal Democrats.

Norquist and his sissy ilk, have proved to be, more often than not, conservatives. Neo- or otherwise, cowards.

It's past time for Bush to condemn Norquist

Grover Norquist, for those who aren't familiar with his work, is not just another right-wing player in Washington. He is the player.

He helped write the Contract with America, he's helped write the Republican Party platform in every election since 1988, he created the infamous K Street Project, he hosts the notorioous "Wednesday Meetings" with all the key conservative activists and lobbyists, and he's a close ally of Karl Rove who has been asked to advice the Bush campaign on political strategy. If there's a vast right-wing conspiracy, Norquist is its ringleader.

And it's time for Bush to start denouncing the guy. Indeed, it's past time.

As Kos discovered, Norquist lashed out at the World War II generation this week — a.k.a. "the Greatest Generation" — calling them "anti-American."

"Yes, because in addition their demographic base is shrinking. Each year, 2 million people who fought in the Second World War and lived through the Great Depression die. This generation has been an exception in American history, because it has defended anti-American policies. They voted for the creation of the welfare state and obligatory military service. They are the base of the Democratic Party. And they are dying. And, at the same time, all the time more Americans have stocks. That makes them defend the interests of business, because it is their own interest. Because of that, it's impossible to bring to the fore policies of social hate, of class warfare."

CONTINUED...

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/2588.html

The Little Turd
from Crawford.

[Sydnie]

3. Norquist is a despicable turd

I can't wait until he no longer draws media attention or breath, for that matter.

Just thinking about him makes my blood boil!

[man4allcats]

6. I have heard of Grover Norquist but didn't know he made such a

statement about these people. I wish I could meet him so I could knock him on his ass. He would be truly fortunate that such was all he got from me. What a bastard!

[Melynn]

20. That's disgusting

Norquist is really vile. Or maybe he just more honest than his right wing brethren, who probably think the same way he does.

[WiseButAngrySara]

4. Thanks Octafish! Another great post to be bookmarked. I have so

radically changed my views on all things pertaining to war as possibly being truly good and noble, in part, because of the innumerable lies this current administration has fed us, and the manner in which they use noble words to disguise their selfish, evil intent. Your post, for a brief moment, gave me that 'old time feeling' of the good honorable war hero. How we need modern day heroes.


"He died in the service of his country to fight fascism and to keep America free. Let all who read this know, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. is a hero of our nation."

[dflprincess]

7. Of course, we also had a real president who was a true leader

And look what his sons did during the war:

http://www.homeofheroes.com/quickquiz/060101_firstfamilyheroes.html

Roosevelt's oldest son James Roosevelt suffered from bad eyesight, chronic ulcers, and flat feet, the latter of which made it impossible for him to wear combat boots. He served in a stateside command under a special waiver.

Despite physical ailments including flat feet, wearing tennis shoes, James Roosevelt became an officer with a Marine Raider Battalion, landing behind enemy lines at Makin Island and elsewhere, earning both the Navy Cross and Silver Star.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., was a Naval Officer who served at in Operation Torch and later commanded a ship in the Pacific where he earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

John Aspinwall Roosevelt, FDR's youngest son, served as a Naval Officer aboard the air craft carrier USS Hornet.

Elliot Roosevelt, a colonel in the U.S. Army Air Force flew a P-38 during the invasion of North Africa, and then flew photo-reconnaissance in support of the D-Day invasion at Normandy.

And, of course, Eleanor flew into combat zones to visit wounded soldiers. Thank heaven she didn't know that she didn't have to bother her beautiful mind with thoughts of war's cost.

[WiseButAngrySara]

10. There are few remarks which have galled me more, even though there

have been no paucity of callous remarks to chose from, than that of Barbara B*'s remark about not wanting to bother her beautiful mind! One of the DUers (I think Julie__) has this infamous quote as her sig!

[bleever]

18. Thanks for this info.

An interesting addition to the OP.

[Octafish]

8. John F. Kennedy was a real hero, too.

Thanks for the kind words, WiseButAngrySara. We need more people like these to fight today's fascist bastards.



For those new to the story:

JFK saw combat in the South Pacific as the commanding officer of PT-109, a patrol torpedo boat. On a moonless night, while the boats were floating in a disputed shipping lane, Kennedy's boat was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer. Two of Kennedy's crew were lost, but JFK gathered the survivors on what remained afloat, the bow section. He personally swam out and rescued several of his men. When the opportunity arose, he led them in a swim to a nearby island -- a few miles away, if memory serves. Kennedy personally towed the most seriously injured sailr, holding the guy's life jacket strap in his teeth. At night, he would swim out in shark-infested waters, carrying a lantern in hopes of signalling a passing US warship.

Here's how the United States Navy puts it:

Declassified (8 SEP 59)

Subject: Sinking of PT 109 and subsequent rescue of survivors.


Source: Survivors of PT 109.


Narrative: On the night of August 1, fourteen boats were ordered into Blackett Strait from the Rendova PT base in anticipation of the Bougainville Express running into Vila. Four patrol sections were formed: 1st, under Lt. G. C. Cookman was stationed in Ferguson Passage; 2nd, under Lt. W. Rome, whose station was East of Makuti Island; 3rd, under Lt. A. H. Berndston stationed between Makuti Island and Kolombangara; and the 4th, the section in which PT 109 was a part, under Lt. E. J. Brantingham stationed five miles West of the 3rd section. Lt. Brantinghams' boats were further subdivided into two sections; PT 159, radar equipped, operating with PT 157, while PT 162, under the command of Lt.(jg) J. R. Lowrey, was the lead boat of the second section with PT 109 following. PTs 159 and 162 both carried TBYs for inter-boat communications. Instructions were issued to Lt.(jg) Jack Kennedy, captain of PT 109, to follow closely on PT 162's starboard quarter, which would keep in touch with the radar equipped PT 159 by TBY.


All boats departed from Rendova at 1830 and reached their patrol station about 2030. The 4th section patrolled without incident until gunfire and a searchlight were seen in the direction of the southern shore of Kolombangara. No radio or other warning had been received of enemy activity in the area. It was impossible to ascertain whether the searchlight came from shore or from a ship close into shore. Presumably it was not a ship as PT 162 retired on a westwardly course toward Gizo Strait. PT 109 followed and inquired as to the source of the firing. PT 162 replied that it was believed to be from a shore battery. However, PT 109 intercepted the following sudden terse radio message: "I am being chased through Ferguson Passage. Have fired fish". That was all, but it was enough to inform the group that an action with the enemy was in progress, and a significant one. At this time PT 169 came alongside to inquire about the firing in Blackett Strait and to report that one of her engines was out of order. PT 169 lay to with PTs 109 and 162 to await developments.


In the meantime all contact with PT 109 had been lost. Instructions from base were requested and orders were received to resume normal patrol station. PT 162, being uncertain as to its position, requested PT 109 lead the way back to the patrol station, which it proceeded to do. When Lt. Kennedy thought he had reached the original patrol station, he started to patrol on one engine at idling speed.


The time was about 0230. Ensign Ross was on the bow as lookout: Ensign Thom was standing beside the cockpit: Lt. Kennedy was at the wheel, and with him in the cockpit was McGuire, his radioman; Marney was in the forward turret; Mauer, the quartermaster was standing beside Ensign Thom; Albert was in the after turret; and McMann was in the engine room. The location of other members of the crew upon the boat is unknown. Suddenly a dark shape loomed up on PT 109's starboard bow 200-300 yards in the distance. At first this shape was believed to be other PTs. However, it was soon seen to be a destroyer identified as the Ribiki Group of the Fubuki Class bearing down on PT 109 at high speed. The 109 had started to turn to starboard preparatory to firing torpedoes. However, when PT 109 had scarcely turned 30, the destroyer rammed the PT, striking it forward of the forward starboard tube and shearing off the starboard side of the boat aft, including the starboard engine. The destroyer traveling at an estimated speed of 40 knots neither slowed nor fired as she split the PT, leaving part of the PT on one side and the other on the other. Scarcely 10 seconds elapsed between time of sighting and the crash.


A fire was immediately ignited, but, fortunately, it was gasoline burning on the water's surface at least 20 yards away from the remains of the PT which were still afloat. This fire burned brightly for 15-20 minutes and then died out. It is believed that the wake of the destroyer carried off the floating gasoline there by saving PT 109 from fire.


Lt. Kennedy, Ensigns Thom and Ross, Mauer, Mc McGuire and Albert still clung to the PT 109's hull. Lt. Kennedy ordered all hands to abandon ship when it appeared the fire would spread to it. All soon crawled back aboard when this danger passed. It was ascertained by shouting that Harris, McMahon and Starkey were in the water about 100 yards to the Southwest while Zinser and Johnson were an equal distance to the Southeast. Kennedy swam toward the group of three, and Thom and Ross struck out for the other two. Lt. Kennedy had to tow McMahon, who was helpless because of serious burns, back to the boat. A strong current impeded their progress, and it took about an hour to get McMahon aboard PT 109. Kennedy then returned for the other two men, one of whom was suffering from minor burns. He traded his life belt to Harris, who was uninjured in return for Harris's waterlogged kapok life jacket which was impeding the latters' swimming. Together they towed Starkey to the PT.


Meanwhile, Ensigns Thom and Ross had reached Zinser and Johnson who were both helpless because of gas fumes. Thom towed Johnson, and Ross took Zinser and Johnson who were both helpless because of gas fumes. Thom towed Johnson, and Ross took Zinser. Both regained full consciousness by the time the boat was reached.


Within three hours after the crash all survivors who could be located were brought aboard PT 109. Marney and Kirksey were never seen after the crash. During the three hours it took to gather the survivors together, nothing was seen or heard that indicated other boats or ships in the area. PT 109 did not fire its Very pistols for fear of giving away its position to the enemy.


Meanwhile the IFF and all codes aboard had either been completely destroyed or sunk in the deep waters of Vella Gulf. Despite the fact that all water- tight doors were dogged down at the time of the crash, PT 109 was slowly taking on water. When daylight of August 2 arrived, the eleven survivors were still aboard PT 109. It was estimated that the boat lay about 4 miles north and slightly east of Gizo Anchorage and about 3 miles away from the reef along northeast Gizo.


It was obvious that the PT 109 would sink on the 2nd, and decision was made to abandon it in time to arrive before dark on one of the tiny islands east of Gizo. A small island 3 1/2 - 4 miles to the southeast of Gizo was chosen on which to land, rather than one but 2 1/2 miles away which was close to Gizo, and, which, it was feared, might be occupied by the Japs.


At 1400 Lt. Kennedy took the badly burned McMahon in tow and set out for land, intending to lead the way and scout the island in advance of the other survivors. Ensigns Ross and Thom followed with the other men. Johnson and Mauer, who could not swim, were tied to a float rigged from a 2 x 8 which was part of the 37 mm gun mount. Harris and McGuire were fair swimmers, but Zinser, Starkey and Albert were not so good. The strong swimmers pushed or towed the float to which the non-swimmers were tied.


Lt. Kennedy was dressed only in skivvies, Ensign Thom, coveralls and shoes, Ensign Ross, trousers, and most of the men were dressed only in trousers and shirts. There were six 45s' in the group (two of which were later lost before rescue), one 38, one flashlight, one large knife, one light knife and a pocket knife. The boats first aid kit had been lost in the collision. All the group with the exception of McMahon, who suffered considerably from burns, were in fairly good condition, although weak and tired from their swim ashore.


That evening Lt. Kennedy decided to swim into Ferguson Passage in an attempt to intercept PT boats proceeding to their patrol areas. He left about 1830, swam to a small island 1/2 mile to the southeast, proceeded along a reef which stretched out into Ferguson Passage, arriving there about 2000. No PTs were seen, but aircraft flares were observed which indicated that the PTs that night were operating in Gizo not Blackett Strait and were being harassed as usual by enemy float planes. Kennedy began his return over the same route he had previously used. While swimming the final lay to the island on which the other survivors were, he was caught in a current which swept him in a circle about 2 miles into Blackett Strait and back to the middle of Ferguson Passage, where he had to start his homeward trip all over again. On this trip he stopped on the small island just southeast of "home" where he slept until dawn before covering the last 1/2 mile lap to join the rest of his group. He was completely exhausted, slightly feverish, and slept most of the day.


Nothing was observed on August 2 or 3 which gave any hope of rescue. On the night of the 3rd Ensign Ross decided to proceed into Ferguson Passage in another attempt to intercept PT patrols from Rendova. Using the same route as Kennedy had used and leaving about 1800, Ross "patrolled" off the reefs on the west side of the Passage with negative results. In returning he wisely stopped on the islet southeast of "home", slept and thereby avoided the experience with the current which had swept Kennedy out to sea. He made the final lap next morning.


The complete diet of the group on what came to be called Bird Island (because of the great abundance of droppings from the fine feathered friends) consisted of coconut milk and meat. As the coconut supply was running low and in order to get closer to Ferguson Passage, the group left Bird Island at noon, August 4th, and using the same arrangements as before, headed for a small islet west of Cross Island. Kennedy, with McMahon in tow arrived first. The rest of the group again experienced difficulty with a strong easterly current, but finally managed to make the eastern tip of the island.


Their new home was slightly larger than their former, offered brush for protection and a few coconuts to eat, and had no Jap tenants. The night of August 4th was wet and cold, and no one ventured into Ferguson Passage that night. The next morning Kennedy and Ross decided to swim to Cross Island in search of food, boats or anything else which might be useful to their party. Prior to their leaving for Cross Island, one of three New Zealand P-40s made a strafing run on Cross Island. Although this indicated the possibility of Japs, because of the acute food shortage, the two set out, swam the channel and arrived on Cross Island about 1530. Immediately the ducked into the brush. Neither seeing nor hearing anything, the two officers sneaked through the brush to the east side of the island and peered from the brush onto the beach. A small rectangular box with Japanese writing on the side was seen which was quickly and furtively pulled into the bush. Its contents proved to be 30-40 small bags of crackers and candy. A little farther up the beach, alongside a native lean-to, a one-man canoe and a barrel of water were found. About this time a canoe containing two persons was sighted. Light showing between their legs revealed that they did not wear trousers and, therefore, must be natives. Despite all efforts of Kennedy and Ross to attract their attention, they paddled swiftly off to the northwest. Nevertheless, Kennedy and Ross, having obtained a canoe, for and water, considered their visit a success.


That night Kennedy took the canoe and again proceeded into Ferguson Passage, waited there until 2100, but again no PTs appeared. He returned to his "home" island via Cross Island where he picked up the food but left Ross who had decided to swim back the following morning. When Kennedy arrived at base at about 2330, he found that the two natives which he and Ross had sighted near Cross Island, had circled around and landed on the island where the rest of the group were. Ensign Thom, after telling the natives in as many ways as possible that he was an American and not a Jap, finally convinced them whereupon they landed and performed every service possible for the survivors.


The next day, August 6, Kennedy and the natives paddled to Cross Island intercepting Ross, who was swimming back to the rest of the group. After Ross and Kennedy had thoroughly searched Cross Island for Japs and found none, despite the natives' belief to the contrary, they showed the two PT survivors where a two-man native canoe was hidden.


The natives were then sent with messages to the Coastwatcher. One was a penciled note written the day before by Ensign Thom; the other was a message written on a green coconut husk by Kennedy, informing the Coastwatcher that he and Ross were on Cross Island.


After the natives left, Ross and Kennedy remained on the island until evening, when they set in the two-man canoe to again try their luck at intercepting PTs in Ferguson Passage. They paddled far out into Ferguson Passage, saw nothing, and were caught in a sudden rain squall which eventually capsized the canoe. Swimming to land was difficult and treacherous as the sea swept the two officers against the reef on the south side of Cross Island. Ross received numerous cuts and bruises, but both managed to make land where they remained the rest of the night.


On Saturday, August 7, eight natives arrived, bringing a message from the Coastwatcher instructing the senior officer to go with the natives to Wana Wana. Kennedy and Ross had the natives paddle them to island where the rest of the survivors were. The natives had brought food and other articles (including a cook stove) to make the survivors comfortable. They were extremely kind at all times.


That afternoon, Kennedy, hidden under ferns in the native boat, was taken to the Coastwatcher, arriving about 1600. There it was arranged that PT boats would rendezvous with him in Ferguson Passage that evening at 2330. Accordingly he was taken to the rendezvous point and finally managed to make contact with the PTs at 2315. He climbed aboard the PT and directed it to the rest of the survivors. The rescue was effected without mishap, and the Rendova base was reached at 0530, August 8, seven days after the ramming of the PT 109 in Blackett Strait.

B. R. WHITE,
Lieutenant (jg), USNR,
MTB Flotilla ONE Intelligence Officer


J. C. McClure,
Lieutenant (jg), USNR,
MTB Flotilla ONE Intelligence Officer

More info: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-11.htm

The Coward of Crawford

[WiseButAngrySara]

11. And yet another "JK" War Hero is John Kerry. In spite of the Swiftboat

Liars, who lied only to protect the Coward of Crawford!

[bleever]

19. What a pleasure to read this on Memorial Day.

The heroics and sacrifices of so many men, including men whose names may only be commemorated on small stone monuments in tiny towns across America...

Their memory calls us to honor them by protecting the freedoms they died for, from all enemies, foreign AND domestic.


:patriot:

[cmkramer]

21. The irony of JFK

He was a sickly,frail skinny kid all his life. More than likely, he would have been classified 4-F. In World War II, strings were actually pulled to get him into the military and into combat.

[Jara sang]

5. My dad grew up right around the corner from the Kennedys.

He didn't know them though. My aunt worked on Senator Kennedy's(JFK) presidential campaign and has a letter signed by him thanking her for her work.

[Octafish]

9. That letter must be a treasure to her and your family.

The Kennedy's believe in public service, giving their all to make this country a better place for ALL Americans and this world one of peace.

Robert F. Kennedy dropped out of Harvard University in order to enlist in the United States Navy. The war ended before he was called into action. He returned to graduate from Harvard in 1948 and then earned a law degree from the University of Virginia.

Source: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAkennedyR.htm

Contrast that with this self-centered, deluded warmonger:

[niallmac]

12. Thanks. I had only scant info about Joes death.

[Octafish]

14. You're welcome, niallmac. Here are more reports...

...Sorry, I can't find the official USN report.

Top Secret Mission: Project ANVIL

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/6940/anvil.html

The Aerial Torpedo{/b]

http://www.vectorsite.net/twcruz1.html

The War Hero

http://www.historyplace.com/kennedy/warhero.htm

[Virginian]

13. I made a pilgrimage to the JFK Library a couple of years ago.

It was a place I had wanted to visit since I contributed to it in 1964.
There was one area dedicated to Joe Jr. He had always just been a story to me, but standing there in front of his pictures I felt a deep sorrow for a promise lost.

I first became aware of politics during camelot. I would read anything about the Kennedys I could get my hands on. The charisma of that administration felt almost tangible but in an instant in late November it turned to a vapor and slipped through my young fingers.

I stood there in the Joe exhibit studying his pictures. Through those prints I could sense what would have been. Joe seemed to breathe life into the room over 60 years after his death. For an instant the image of Joe as President flashed in my mind. Joe's presidency would have been one of, if not the greatest era in American history. There wouldn't have been a baby-boomer alive today that didn't adore or want to be like Joe. This country would be loved and not hated throughout the world today. Because of Joe's example and his expectations from us, nearly every citizen would take time out from developing a career to develop humanity within themselves by giving back to the country and to the world. The Peace Corps and other organizations like it would be bigger and stronger. Joe would have changed the world.
The flash of what-would-have-been was over and reality seeped back into my mind and with it a great sorrow for our loss, America's loss.

[Octafish]

15. What a family.

Thank you for sharing your experience at the library. If ever I am there, I will remember your words. And I share your understanding of what might have been for our nation and our world.

Here are the three oldest boys, before the war, with their Pa, the much-maligned Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.



Interestingly, the guy may have made a fortune during Prohibition, but he was wealthy way before then as a banker and after on Wall Street. And, unlike the DuPonts and Rockefellers, he supported FDR and the New Deal because he saw that it was right for the nation.

And, no matter what, he didn't spoil his kids into believing they were somehow priviledged to lord it over their fellow Americans. Joe Sr. ingrained in each of his boys and most of his girls the importance of service to the nation.

As long as there are people like you, Virginian, who remember what these Kennedys stood for and worked for -- to make this a better nation for ALL Americans and a world at peace -- we may yet see their dreams fulfilled.

[hedgehog]

16. Certain despicable characters hate the Kennedy family so much

that they besmirch this man by claiming he did it as a stunt aimed at gaining fame for a future political career. Alternatively, he supposedly volunteered trying to outshine Jack's PT 109 saga. I have relatives who were in London though out the war. God bless the men who tried to take out the V-2 rocket sites is what I say!

[H2O Man]

17. Nominated.

We often think of "what might have been?" in terms of John and Robert. As time goes on, fewer Americans are aware of Joseph, other than as a footnote in history. He was a hero, and there is a very good chance he would have been president.