[liberallarry]

You forgot to point out how his screw-up on the naval craft his father bought for him, which cost three men their lives, was spun into a "based on a true story" novel chronicaling his "heroism."

Here is the official account of how PT109 was lost and what happened subsequently.

Report on Loss of PT-109

Do you have any evidence that it is inaccurate or doctored? If so, cite it.

Joe Kenneddy picked a PT boat because they were statistically one of the safeest combat deployments a member of the armed forces could have in WW II

Does the description of combat described above seem to you to be a "safe" combat deployment? If it is accurate would you say that the actions of Kennedy and his men were "heroic"? Have you ever tried to swim for miles in unfamiliar ocean waters? In the dark? In combat?

[presidio9]

Does the description of combat described above seem to you to be a "safe" combat deployment? If it is accurate would you say that the actions of Kennedy and his men were "heroic"? Have you ever tried to swim for miles in unfamiliar ocean waters? In the dark? In combat?

You are missing the point. Had Kennedy performed his job adaquately, there would never have been the need for "heroism." As has been pointed out here, in the entire course of WW II, exactly one naval vessel was lost due to ramming: Kennedy's PT boat. PT's were light, fast, highly-maneuverable torpedo boats. In order for a much larger, slower, noisier destroyer to ram a PT, either the PT must be disabled, of someone had to screw up. Badly. The report indicates that the engines were fine. Kennedy screwed up. Three men died because of his screw up. And he was rewarded for this incident with a medal? Please.