Caroline Kennedy Recreates JFK’s Heroic WWII Swim in the Pacific
Eight decades ago, John F. Kennedy, then a US Navy lieutenant and future US President, performed a heroic swim between Pacific islands. This act of bravery was to save the crew of his torpedo boat, which a Japanese warship had destroyed during World War II. Today, his daughter, Caroline Kennedy, the current US ambassador to Australia, has recreated a part of her father’s heroic act.
The Legacy of JFK’s Heroism
John F. Kennedy’s heroism as the commander of PT-109 laid the groundwork for his military and leadership record. This record played a significant role in his election as the 35th president of the United States in 1960.
Recreating History
On Wednesday, Caroline Kennedy swam about three quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometers) between two small palm-fringed islets in the Solomon Islands. This swim took her approximately 30 minutes. She was accompanied by her son, Jack Schlossberg, the late president’s grandson.
Reflections on the Swim
Following the swim, Ambassador Kennedy expressed her renewed appreciation for her father and his crew’s heroism. Jack Schlossberg also expressed his admiration for his grandfather’s perseverance and survival skills.
The Historical Context
In the early morning darkness of August 1, 1943, JFK’s PT-109 was struck by a Japanese Imperial Navy destroyer. The small boat, with a wooden hull, was ripped open by the Japanese ship and capsized. Kennedy gathered his surviving crew – 11 of the 13 aboard PT-109 – and led them on a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) swim to tiny Plum Pudding Island, now named after him.
The Search for Rescue
In the following days, JFK and his crew swam to nearby islands, including Olasana and Naru, in search of food and rescue. The swim between Olasana and Naru, which her father made multiple times, was recreated by Ambassador Kennedy on Wednesday.
The Rescue
Eventually, the PT-109 crew received help from two islanders, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who were scouts for the Allies. They connected Kennedy with the US Navy. On August 8, 1943, a week after the PT-109 was lost, its surviving crew were safely back in US Navy hands. Kennedy was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal for his courage and leadership.
Honoring the Heroes
In a speech on Kennedy Island on Tuesday, Caroline Kennedy saluted her father as well as Gasa and Kumana, whose families were in attendance. She expressed her gratitude to them for what their fathers did 80 years ago.
The Significance of the Solomon Islands
Caroline Kennedy explained why the Solomon Islands hold a special place in her heart. She said, “This place made President Kennedy the man he was. It is where he first experienced the responsibility of leadership – the knowledge that the lives and safety of his crew depended on him. He risked his own life to save theirs. That became the way he lived his life.”
In a nutshell, Caroline Kennedy’s recreation of her father’s heroic swim during World War II is a testament to the enduring legacy of JFK’s bravery. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the war and the courage of those who risked their lives for others. This act of remembrance not only honors the past but also strengthens the bonds between generations and nations.
