Description:

Signed by the Japanese commander of the destroyer that rammed John F. Kennedy's Patrol Torpedo boat and the New Zealand coast watcher who rescued JFK and six other survivors. Philatelic Envelope signed: "Kohei Hanami" in English and Japanese, 6.5" x 3.25"


PT-109 Signed by the Japanese commander of the destroyer that rammed John F. Kennedy's Patrol Torpedo boat and the New Zealand coast watcher who rescued JFK and six other survivors. Philatelic Envelope signed: "Kohei Hanami" in English and Japanese, "A.R. Evans", "Ed Drewitch P.T.-109", "Charles A. Harris", "Maurice L. Kowal", "Pat McMahon", "John Maguire RM2/c" and "Gerard E. Zinser P.T.-109", 6½x3½. Cachet depicts JFK and PT-109, 6-cent White House/US Flag stamp, postmarked Evanston, Ill., October 8, 1968. PT-109 was one of fifteen Patrol Torpedo boats sent out on patrol on the night of August 1-2, 1943 to intercept Japanese warships in the straits. The PT boat was creeping along to keep the noise at a minimum to avoid detection. Around 2 A.M., Lieutenant JOHN F. KENNEDY was at the helm when the Japanese destroyer Amagiri, commanded by KOHEI HANAMI, rammed the boat, cutting PT-109 in half in ten seconds. At the impact, Kennedy was thrown into the cockpit, landing on his back. Five crew members, including Kennedy and RM2/c JOHN E. MAGUIRE, clung to a floating section of the boat. JFK yelled out for others in the water and heard the replies of five crew members, including two who were injured: GM3/c CHARLES A. HARRIS had hurt his leg and MoMM1/c PATRICK HENRY McMAHON, the engineer, was badly burned. Kennedy swam to the injured while the others, including MoMM1/c GERARD E. ZINSER, were helped to what was left of PT-109. Although they were only 100 yards from the floating wreckage, in the dark it took Kennedy three hours to tow McMahon and help Harris back to PT-109. The next morning, natives came with food and supplies and a letter from the coast watcher commander of the New Zealand camp, Lieutenant ARTHUR REGINALD EVANS. The message indicated that the natives should return with the American commander. Kennedy complied, and the survivors were rescued on August 8th. Kennedy was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medals and the Purple Heart. The official account of the entire incident was written by intelligence officers in August 1943 and was declassified in 1959. Lightly creased and soiled. Erased pencil notes in blank margin on front. Identifying notes in pencil on verso. Overall, fine condition.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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June 10, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

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