Description:

Kennedy John


John F. Kennedy PT-109 1960 Presidential Campaign Jewelry

 

Two pieces of PT-109 themed campaign jewelry produced for John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential bid. Kennedy's heroic war record as Commander of the PT-109 greatly appealed to postwar voters. From the estate of Secret Service agent Warren "Woody" Taylor.

 

The two gold-plated pieces, one a Jolle manufactured tie clasp, and the other a bar pin, are both in the form of the shipwrecked torpedo boat. The first is engraved "Kennedy 60" in black block lettering near the bow of the ship, and incised "Jolle" along the spring-loaded clasp mechanism verso. The bar pin is engraved "Kennedy." Both with expected light surface wear, else near fine, 1.75" l.

 

At the onset of World War II, John F. Kennedy had been a 25-year-old Harvard University college graduate previously rejected from the military because of chronic health problems. Yet he had finagled his way into Naval Reserve Officer Training School in the fall of 1942, was promoted to lieutenant junior grade after graduation, and accepted one of his first commands in April 1943 aboard the PT-109. Commander Kennedy and his 12-person crew patrolled the waters off the Solomon Islands in the 80' long motor torpedo boat heavily armed with machine guns, cannon, and anti-tank guns.

 

In the early morning hours of August 2, 1943, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri rammed the PT-109, cutting it in half and killing two crew members, near the Japanese-held island of Kolombangara. PT-109 survivors hid on nearby Plum Pudding Island, Olasana Island, and Naru Island in the Blackett Strait to scavenge for supplies and reconnoiter rescue over the next several days. More than once, and despite reinjuring his back in the collision with the Amagiri, Kennedy towed the badly burned machinist Patrick H. McMahon on his back gripping only the life jacket strap between his teeth. The dangers were numerous: Japanese vessels, crocodiles, and sharks infested the South Sea waters.

 

Kennedy and the 10 survivors were eventually rescued on August 8, 1843 after a remarkable sequence of events that culminated in a S.O.S. message carved into a coconut shell!  Solomon Islanders Benjamin Kevu, Eroni Kumana, and Biuku Gasa were instrumental in achieving their rescue. The trio relayed messages to Australian coast watchers, delivered relief supplies, and transported the survivors in a canoe to safety.

 

The loss of the PT-109 had all the narrative elements of a superb adventure story: a catastrophic explosion and shipwreck; an exciting and unpredictable rescue; and acts of heroism, physical endurance, and ingenuity. Its storybook characters included the young and handsome Commander Kennedy, his nefarious enemies the Japanese, and his unexpected indigenous allies. In the 20 years following the event, Kennedy used the story of the PT-109 for his own ends. For the aspiring politician, the PT-109 represented his outstanding military record, one that compensated for his relative political inexperience.

 

John F. Kennedy's gallant leadership as Commander of the ill-fated PT-109 proved useful during his later political career. Kennedy frequently alluded to his war record during his 1947 Congressional race, 1953 Senate race, and 1960 presidential race. PT-109 pin-back buttons, booklets, paperweights, tie clips, and floating bath toys were just some of Kennedy's promotional propaganda. The ubiquitous tie clips, of which we have here a classic example, were made of brass, bronze, sterling silver, and gold-plated metal.

 

Warren "Woody" Taylor worked in the Secret Service for over 20 years, from 1961-1982. Assigned to Lyndon B. Johnson's Vice-Presidential Detail in the Dallas Motorcade, Taylor witnessed and later testified about the Kennedy assassination.

 

Provenance: Estate of Warren "Woody" Taylor

 



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