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[World War II]. John F. Kennedy Autograph Letter Signed to a Crew Member of the PT 109. ...
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"In regard to the story - it came out in this weeks New Yorker. Hersey has done a fairly good job... they have agreed to turn over the funds to Navy Relief... This is good - and makes the whole thing worth-while..."
[World War II]. John F. Kennedy Autograph Letter Signed to a
Crew Member of the PT 109. Four pages of a bifolium, 5.375" x
6.75", Hyannisport, Massachusetts; June 19, 1944. Letter addressed
to "Mac" [John Edward Maguire], Radioman 2nd Class from the
PT-109, on the publication of "Survival" by reporter John Hersey in
The New Yorker, which covered the incredible story of
the PT-109 survivors, and the reproduction rights that were to
benefit the Navy Relief and the families of the two casualties.In 1943, 26-year-old Lieutenant Kennedy commanded a Navy patrol torpedo boat that the Japanese destroyer Amagiri cleaved in half one fateful night in the treacherous South Pacific waters surrounding the Solomon Islands. The collision sent a fireball of igniting aviation fuel one hundred feet into the sky and flung thirteen crew into the water, killing Sailors Andrew Jackson Kirksey and Harold Marney. Kennedy, a former member of the Harvard University swim team, personally rescued the most seriously wounded of the survivors, one of which he towed by the strap of a life-jacket clenched in his teeth, and was ultimately able to guide his remaining crew on a four-hour swim to the closest island tiny enough to lack a Japanese base. From there, Kennedy led the men to eventual rescue. The incident exacerbated JFK's preexisting health conditions and he spent several months recuperating in a naval hospital.
The story came to national attention on June 17, 1944, two days before this letter was penned by Kennedy, when reporter John Hersey published his article "Survival" in The New Yorker detailing the incident and the heroism of its crew. The letter is written on Hyannisport imprinted stationery and is accompanied by its original typed transmittal envelope. Kennedy writes, in full:
"Dear Mac: Glad to have your letter which has been following me around - In regard to pictures - I am having that print of the entire crew taken with Mr. Webb that day at Guadal reproduced and will send along 1/2 dozen - I have already sent one to Mrs. Kirksey.
In regard to the story - it came out in this weeks New Yorker. Hersey has done a fairly good job although there are some features of it I didn't like - I don't think he did enough justice to Mr. Thom - you - Harris and the others but its done now. The good feature about it is this - The Readers Digest has bought the reproduction rights for $2000.00 and they have agreed to turn over the funds to Navy Relief. I talked with them on this score and worked it out so that Mrs. Kirksey and her family get whatever portion of this they may need - the rest to go to Navy Relief. This is good - and makes the whole thing worth-while as I have always been concerned about her. I know that this will be agreeable to you - & Bill & Mac [Patrick H. McMahon] - as I took it on myself to act on your behalf on this score as I thought that that would be what you all would want.
Also some artist sent me some prints of our boat being run-down - I will forward them to Mr. Thom for distribution. Heading up to the hospital New England Baptist - Sunday for an operation. If you or any of the boys are ever in Boston give me a call. Best of luck to you all
[signed] Jack Kennedy
Mac: Regarding Starkey and the Purple Heart - while I know he wasn't hurt as badly as you - as you only gained... [balance of sentence not present]."
As evidenced by Kennedy here, Reader's Digest purchased the redistribution rights to the story for $2,000, which was split evenly between Andrew Jackson Kirksey's widow and the family of Harold W. Marney, and reprinted Hersey's article on August 1, 1944. The sensational story of JFK's heroism in the PT-109 incident spread from there and catapulted him to national fame and success in 1946, when he won his first political campaign as Congressman in Boston's 11th Congressional District. War-time letters written by Kennedy concerning his naval service are incredibly uncommon. This particular example is especially noteworthy as it illustrates the extraordinary character and compassion of the future president, as well as the camaraderie between Kennedy and Maguire.
Condition: Postscript incomplete. .375" split along one fold extending through both sheets. Lightly toned with smoothed fold from mailing. Stray blue pen marks on page 4. Light wrinkling. Expected wear and soiling to envelope.
Auction Info
2023 November 13 - 14 Americana & Political Signature Auction Signature® Auction #6276 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2023
13th-14th
Monday-Tuesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
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