| Early Life John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on Tuesday, May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusettes. He was the second of nine children born to Joseph and Rose Kennnedy. Jack, as he came to be called, was decsended from Irish immigrants who came to Boston in the late 1800's. His grandfather Patrick J. Kennedy, started work in Boston as a saloonkeeper and later entered Boston politics. Jack's mother, Rose, was the daughter of Boston's mayor, John Francis Fitzgerald, known as "Honey Fitz". The Kennedy family lived in a small suburb of Boston when Jack was born. Later, Joseph Kennedy became president of one of the Boston Banks. As the family achieved more and more wealth, they moved to a beautiful suburb of New York City. Jack attended private schools throughout his childhood, including one year at Caterbury School in New Milford, Conneticut and four years at Choate School in Wallingford, Conneticut. Although Jack was very ill throughout most of his youth, unlike his healthy older brother, Joe, he enjoyed competition and played six different sports in high school, but never made the varsity team. He graduated from Choate School in 1935. Although he graduated 64th in a class of 112, his classmates voted him "Most Likely to Succeed". Youth After graduation, Jack attended classes at the London School of Economics. Afterward, he attended Princeton University, but was forced to return home due to illness. In 1936, fully recovered, he enrolled at Harvard University. While there, he played several sports including football. One afternoon, while in football practice, he was tackled, oddly enough, by the Kennedy family chauffeur. From that point on, Jack continued to have severe back trouble. In 1939, Joseph Kennedy, Jacks's father, was the U.S. Ambassador to Britain. Jack accompanied his father to England during the summer before his senior year at Harvard. While there, he spoke with and interviewed several newspapermen, politicians, and government officials. This visit to England gave Jack his first glimpse into politics. When he returned to Harvard in the fall, he began work on his honors thesis, using all the resources and information he had acquired while in England. Once completed, he entitled his thesis, "Why England Slept" and he was widely praised for his vast knowledge of the subject and for his impartial view into the political discussions and policies that had preceeded the Munich Pact in 1938. He graduated cum laude from Harvard in June of 1940 shortly after his thesis was published. World War II In 1941, Jack registered to enter the Army, but was rejected because of his back injury and other physical problems. During that summer, he excercised using a rigorous program invented by Charles Atlas. That fall, he was accepted into the U.S. Navy. After a torrid affair with Inga Arvad, a Scandanavian beauty accused of being a Nazi spy, Jack was transferred from Washington D.C. to Charleston, South Carolina. There, as a Lieutenant, he was given command of a torpedo boad, PT109. On the night of August 2, 1943, while sailing just outside the Solomon Islands, Jack's PT boat was rammed by a Japanese Destroyer and split in two. Jack and the other 13 crew members were thrown overboard. Two of the men were killed, but Jack rallied the remaining crew and together they managed to swim to a nearby island. Jack personally towed one of the wounded crew members for nearly 3 miles. Over the next several days, the crew of PT109 survived on berries and coconuts. Each day, Jack would swim offshore in search of a rescue ship. After nearly two weeks, Jack carved a message on the shell of an unripe coconut and intrusted it to some natives of the island. A couple of days later he and his crew were rescured by a U.S. Naval ship. Upon his return to the United States, Jack was honored with two medals, the Purple Heart and the Marine and Navy Corps Medals. Despite these great honors, Jack's back was utterly ruined and he had also contracted malaria. After recovering from illness and a back operation in 1945, he was honorably discharged from th U.S. Navy. Upon leaving the Navy, Jack took a job as a journalist for the Hearst Newspaper. His first major job was to cover the meeting of the United Nations in San Fransisco, California. Shortly thereafter, Jack decide to enter politics. During World War II, his older brother Joe had been killed while serving in the U.S. Air Force on a secret operation called ANVIL. Later, his younger sister Kathleen was also killed in a plane crash from England. Among the Kennedy children, it had been destined for Joe to be the one to achieve greatness and enter politics. Upon his death, it was decided that this destiny of greatness would pass to Jack. Political Life Jack gained his first political triumph when he was elected to the Congressional seat in the 11th Massachusettes District in 1946. He was reelected in 1948, and again in 1950. Though he followed President Harry Truman's policies and the Truman Doctrine, he was not an avid Truman supporter. In April 1952, Jack announed that he would run for the Senate seat held by Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. He ran his campaign stating that, "Kennedy will do more for Massachusettes". When the election was over, he had defeated Lodge by more than 70,000 votes. It was at this time that Jack decided it was time to end his bachelor days. He was introduced to a striking brunette whom friends called Jackie. After several months of courtship, on September 12, 1953, John Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married. Jack and Jackie Kennedy had three children. Caroline, who was born on November 27, 1957 and John Jr., born on November 25, 1960. Their third child, Patrick, died two days after his birth in August, 1963. In October, 1954 Jack went through a second back operation, and another in February, 1955. During this time, he studied and wrote a documentary based on the political lives of eight U.S. Senators. He entitled his work, "Profiles in Courage" and it was dedicated to Jackie. In 1956, Jack's book was published and in 1957, it won the Pulitzer Prize for biography. Jack returned to the Senate following his back surgeries and in 1957 he was elected to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In 1958 and 1959, most of his political emphasis was placed on labor reform, even though he was eventually forced to support the Landrum-Griffon Bill, which shifted several legislative issues away from labor. In 1956, Jack nearly wrestled the Vice-presidential nomination from Estes Kefuaver of Tennessee. This close race caused people to speculate whether or not this young Roman Catholic could one day become President of the United States. In 1958, he was reelected to the Senate by a margin of more than 874,000 votes. This lanslide victory made him a prime candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination. In 1960, Jack made the formal announcement that he would run for the office of President of the United States. The Presidential Race At he Democratic Convention, Jack defeated Adlai Stevenson, winnning the Presidential nomination on the first ballot. As his running mate, Kennedy chose Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas. Following one of Jack's speeches, in which he delclared," We stand on the edge of a new frontier.", his supporters chose that as a name for his program and campaign, the New Frontier. As Jack's campign for the Presidency got under way, he engaged in several political debates with his Republican opponent, Richard M. Nixon. While Nixon was seemingly a more experienced politician, Jack's mature-yet-young, stylish manner captured audiences, old and young alike, throughout the nation. In November, 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected to the office of President of the United States. At the age of 43, he was the youngest president ever elected to that office. He won by only 119,450 votes out of more than 69,000,000. Despite the closeness of the Presidential Race, Jack had now achieved his goal of political success and in the thousand days that would follow, he would attain his ultimate goal, greatness. The Presidency On January 20, 1961, Jack was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. His inaugural address dealt mainly with international relations and America's place in the history of the world. His closing statement, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." has become one of the cornerstone expressions of the United States and the American Spirit. His first order of business as President was to assemble his cabinet. He chose the following: -Secretary of State...Dean Rusk -Secretary of Defense...Robert McNamara -Secretary of Treasury...C. Douglas Dillon -Attorney General...Robert F. Kennedy -National Security Advisor...McGeorge Bundy -Special Assistant...Kenneth O'Donnell -Special Counsel...Theodore Sorenson -Press Secretary...Pierre Salinger -Ambassador to U.N....Adlai Stevenson The Bay of Pigs The first major event that occured while Jack was President, was the infamous Bay of Pigs. Several anti-Castro Cuban troops were supposed to invade and establish a beachhead in Cuba at what was called the Bay of Pigs. The invasion was a complete disaster. Many men were killed, several others were wounded and the objective of the mission was no where near achievement. Jack went on national television taking total resposiblity for the disastrous invasion. This event created a mild anti-American feeling abroad, but Jack gained strong support at home following the Bay of Pigs. His father's feelings were that bad things are going to happen in any Presidency. He said, "...at least Jack got it out of the way early." America & Kennedy on Berlin In June, 1961, Jack met with the leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, to discuss the growing trouble in Western Europe. Khrushchev had stated that he planned to sign a peace treaty with East Germany allowing them to take control over the travel and access routes as well as the borders of Berlin. Jack took a firm stance on his decision to oppose Khrushchev on this issue. Early in 1962, communists in Germany constructed a massive stone wall all the way across Berlin dividing it in two. This oppressive structure prevented the people of East Berlin from fleeing into West Berlin. Kennedy reacted to these actions by preparing the United States Armed Force and calling up the Nation Gaurd and Reserves. In the end, Khrushchev did not sign the peace treaty with Germany. Though the tension and hostility over Berlin was gone, the wall remained. The Cuban Missile Crisis On Sunday, October 16, 1962, a United States U2 Spy Plane flying over Cuba made a startling discovery. Photographs, taken from the plane, showed what appeared to be several unoperational missiles being placed in Cuba. After researching the photos, intelligence confirmed they were indeed surface-to-surface, medium-range belistic missiles from the Soviet Union. These deadly devices were capable of traveling up to 1000 nautical miles and once lauched, the intended target would have approximately five minutes of warning. Jack was notified the next day. First, he organized the Executive Committee of National Security Council. It was comprised of several cabinet principles and a few vital congressional leaders. The committee was know as XCOM, spearheaded by the Attorney General, Robert Kennedy. On October 22nd, in a televised speech, Jack declared a quarantine on all vessels bound for Cuba from the Soviet Union. In reality, this action was a blockade. Since a blockade is technically an act of war, however, it was called a quarantine, thus avoiding any military confrontation with Soviet vessels. For the next couple of days, the tension in Washington was greater than it had been since the Korean conflict nearly a decade before. Finally, on October 28, 1962 Premier Nikita Khrushchev withdrew all missiles and offensive weapons from the island of Cuba and agreed never to introduce any form of offensive weaponry on that island in the future. This was the turning point of Jack's Presidency. He now had stronger support than ever and had gained a great respect throughout the world as well as in the United States. The Nuclear Test Ban In 1963, several nations were testing nuclear weapons within their nation's borders. In August of that same year, Jack met again with the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, along with the Prime Minister of Britain. These three leaders signed a nuclear test-ban treaty prohibiting any nation from atmospherically testing nuclear weapons. In October, the three leaders met again and agreed not to launch any nuclear weapon into space, as well. Throughout this nuclear contest between the United States and the Soviet Union, Jack was willing to negotiate, but only from a point of strength. Kennedy on Civil Rights Because of the delicate nature of the Civil rights issue, Jack had, throughout his entire political carreer, taken a neutral stance regarding it. However, once he was President, Jack realized that the civil rights issue could not be avoided and that it must be handled with decisiveness and careful consideration. In June of 1963, Jack publically stated to the nation that America faced a "moral crisis" and that there must be no prejudice among whites, nor any discontent among blacks. He asked Congress for extensive legislation regarding civil rights. Though the wheels were put in motion, an extensive civil rights bill was not passed through congress until 1964, almost a year after Jack's death. The Space Program One of Jack's greatest goals as President was to organize a program specifically for space research and exploration. Thus, the National Aeronautics and Sapce Administration (NASA) was formed. Under Jack's presidency, a man named John Glen was placed into space. Several other satellite space missions were completed, as well. During a speech to promote the space program, Jack said that he believed the American people should committ themselves, "...to landing a man on the moon, and returning him safely to the earth." Though Kennedy would not live to see it, near the end of the decade, Neal Armstrong became the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. In the fall of 1963, Jack toured the country making appearances and speeches to support and promote the space program. Late in November, he traveled with Jackie to Dallas, Texas. The Assassination & Mourning On the morning of November 22, 1963, Jack awoke and prepared for a luncheon where he would make yet another speech to promote the space program. He and Jackie got into the back seat of a convertible limousine and the Governor of Texas, John Connally got in the front seat. The vehicle, along with the motorcade of police and secret service behind it, began to move forward through the crowded city streets. People were cheering and waving signs at the President and First Lady. As the motorcade turned right onto Houston Street, it slowed down to 10 miles per hour. Suddenly, at 12:30 in the afternoon, a cacophony of shots broke out. The President clutched his throat and began to slump forward. As he did so, another shot rang out and the President flew back as the bullet pierced his skull. The motorcade, along with the several police and secret service agents, raced to Parkland Hospital. Half an hour later, at 1:00, President John F. Kennedy, was pronounced dead. Within an hour, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was aboard Air Force One being sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. John Kennedy's body was placed in a casket and sent to Washington, D.C. Over the next three days, thousands of mourners made there way under the great rotunda of the U.S. Capitol to pay there last respects to the fallen leader. On November 25, 1963, world leaders from 92 different countries along with over 1,000,000 U.S. citizens, attended the funeral. Family, friends and mourners followed the horse-drawn procession from Saint Mathew's Cathedral in Washington to Jack's final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery. There, an eternal flame was lit by the President's widow to mark his grave. After the Assassination Following the assasanation of John F. Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and labeled as the loan assassin. He was shot by Jack Ruby in the Dallas Police Station before ever being brought to trial. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed a seven-member committee under Chief Justice Earl Warren to investigate the murder of John Kennedy. Two years later, the investigation was closed. Since that time, several different theories have been brought forth regarding John Kennedy's assassination. The only prosecuting investigation in the death of the 35th President, was conducted by Jim Garrison, the District Attorney of New Orleans, Louisiana. He concluded that there was a conspiracy in the death of John Kennedy that involved people throughout the United States Government as high up as the 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson. Garrison's investigation was widely condemned and no one was found guilty of conspiracy as a result of his investigation. His book, "On the Trail of the Assassins" is an insightful, probing look into the events preceeding, surrounding and following Kennedy's assassination. As to what really happened, no one will ever know the complete truth. We Remember Recently, someone said to me, "President Kennedy would not have been so popular, had he not been assassinated." Though there may be some merit or truth to this statement, I believe that when we look back on his Presidency and more importantly his life, we can see a man who was not born great, but aspired to greatness. John Kennedy, like Abraham Lincoln, took no firm issue on civil rights upon entering politics, but as President, he worked and fought for equality among all Americans. When the world stood on the brink of nuclear war, he looked to his heart, and through his diligence and determination, peace was maintained across the globe. He inspired young and old across this nation to set higher goals and to achieve them. He brought a new dignity and culture to the Presidency. Though he is gone, we can still remember. Just as the eternal flame in Arlington National Cemetery will never burn out, the spirit and determination that John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave to the American Spirit will always shine bright. It will never be dimmed. |
| Written by Jonathan C. Paxton |
| JFK: A Personal Look at a Profile of Courage |
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