(1888PressRelease)
December 05, 2008 - The experts from the US Navy have recently announced that the remnants of a boat found in May 2002, in 360 meters of water in the South Pacific, are the remains of the boat skippered by John F Kennedy in the Second World War. The National Geographic exhibition, led by Robert Ballard, first sighted the wreck six years ago.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, in 1941, American troops were shipped to various tropical islands in the South Pacific. In Vanuatu 100,000 American troops were housed on the tropical island of Santo, while 25,000 more were based on Efate. The main objective of the Americans was to halt the Japanese advance across the chain of South Pacific islands.
It is almost sixty years ago, since a Japanese destroyer emerged out of the early morning darkness. Ploughing over the top of a PT-109, skippered by 26 year old John F Kennedy, ambassador’s son, millionaire heir and soon to be United States president. Two crew members were killed instantly, leaving the rest hanging to the still-floating section of the broken bow.
Realizing that there would be no rescue mission for the missing boat, Kennedy encouraged his men to make the several-hour swim to the nearest deserted island. In spite of a back injury, with fierce determination, Kennedy grabbed one of his crew member’s vests in his teeth and swam with him.
Starvation, exhaustion and thirst plagued the sailors, before they were finally rescued by local Solomon Islanders in dugout canoes. The islanders had been able to move around in the daytime, unnoticed by the Japanese. They passed onto a coastguard a coconut they had found with a rescue message carved on it by Kennedy.
Six long days after their boat was destroyed, Kennedy and his stranded crew members boarded a sister ship. For as long as JFK was president, the coconut that saved the men's lives, sat on the Oval desk at the White House. It was a daily reminder that in life there are Blue Moon Opportunities, if you have the courage to follow them through. Opportunities that change people's lives.
About the Author :
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