the early life of jfk
...or the family despite many hardships. (Library and Museum) Jack graduated from Choate College in 1936 but start first at Harvard where brother Joe was already a student. Jack was very popular at Choate, a boarding school for adolescent boys in Connecticut. There Jack played tennis, basketball, football, and golf. Jack did not always work as should which the Head Master would even notice. One day while playing football Jack ruptured a disk in the spine. Jack never really recovered from the accident and had back problems throughout life. Then late in 1937, Mr. Kennedy was appointed United States Ambassador to England and moved the entire family except Joe and Jack. Because of Jack’s father’s new job Jack became very interested in European politics and world affairs. After spending a summer in England and other countries in Europe, Jack returned to Harvard more eager to learn about history and government and kept up with current events. (History Place) Joe and Jack received letters from Mr. Kennedy who was still in England, who informed them of the latest news regarding the conflicts and tension that everyone feared would soon prevail into a war. At this time Adolph Hitler ruled Germany and Benito Mussolini ruled Italy. Both men having strong armies and trying to take land from other countries. Then on September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland and set World War II into play. By this time Jack was a senior at Harvard and decided to write his thesis on the reasons why Great Britain was unprepared for war with Germany. This letter was so good that it was published as a book called Why England Slept. Jack graduated from Harvard in June of 1940. Joe and Jack decided to join the navy soon after graduating. Jack was a Lieutenant and assigned to the South Pacific as a commander of a patrol torpedo boat. 109 Lt. Kennedy had a crew of twelve men whose mission was to stop Japanese ships from delivering supplies to soldiers. One night, the night of August 2, 1943 Kennedy and crew patrolled the waters looking for enemy ships to sink. A Japanese destroyer appeared and headed straight for the Kennedy and the crew at full speed. Jack tried to get out of its way but the ship would not prevail. The Japanese sub smashed right into the side of Jack’s ship and broke it in half. Two men died in the collision. The other men managed to jump of the PT-109 and watched as the boat went up in flames. But before abandoning ship, Kennedy was slammed hard against the cockpit and once again injuring Jack’s back. (Library and Museum) As a hero in action Kennedy grabbed a crew member, who had suffered serious burns, and brought the man back to a piece of floating material. Then at sunrise, Lt. Kennedy lead the crew to a small island several miles away. Despite Jack’s own injuries, Lt. Kennedy towed the burned crew member ashore with only holding a strap between Jack’s teeth. After six days of being stranded on the island help came. Two native islanders found the men and went for help delivering a message Kennedy had written on a coconut shell. Jack’s brother Joe was not so lucky dying a year later in a plane crash from a dangerous mission in Europe. Upon the return Jack was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for leadership and courage. (The History ...