[Richard Kimball]

Whenever I read of an episode like this, I think about the PT109. If any young Freepers (born after Reagan eliminated the fairness doctrine) ever wonder just how controlled the media was by a few people, consider this.

The commander of the San Francisco was relieved of command for striking an uncharted underwater mountain. John F. Kennedy was hailed as a hero for getting his boat run over by an enemy vessel. I'm not trying to hammer Kennedy, but I can't imagine any other situation in which a commander of a naval vessel could allow his boat to be run over, be lauded as a hero for it, and actually have parade floats built of the destroyed craft.

[Ole Okie]

John F. Kennedy was hailed as a hero for getting his boat run over by an enemy vessel.

The CO of the San Francisco doesn't have Ted Sorenson and a host of publicity flacks running interference for him.

[llevrok]

Why the medal? Kennedy's dad was a corrupt power in the US, the skipper's dad is not.

[hosepipe]

[ I'm not trying to hammer Kennedy, but I can't imagine any other situation in which a commander of a naval vessel could allow his boat to be run over, be lauded as a hero for it, and actually have parade floats built of the destroyed craft. ]

Because Roman Catholics went Gaw-Gaw over JFK and some women ... and democrat Roman Catholics worshipped him.. over the years however its been learned that JFK was a POOPE.. ask any Cubans that partipated in the Bay of Pigs.. JFK was also a coward.. Kruschev had his 20.. and pegged him correctly.. an empty suit..

[LibertarianInExile]

I think they did the same thing for John F'in Kerry, except he had to film his own "Swift Boat 109" movie. /sarcasm

We are in agreement that JFK should have been courtmartialed for dereliction of duty. Those PT boats could run rings around 99% of the ships on the ocean. He and his crew were sleeping or drunk when they ought not have been. I always enjoyed the fact that his ghostwritten "Profiles" made him a genius scholar, too.

Old Joe's bootlegging and insider trading dough spread around right really could buy anything in those days.

[quietolong]

I was reading the updated 40th anniversary edition of PT 109 (why do you think jfk II was on Swifts) and got a great link from it.

PT Boats, Inc.- A Nonprofit Histroical/Educational Corporation
http://www.ptboats.org/

And from that sight got this link

RiverVet - Don Blankenship's site about River Boats in Vietnam
http://www.rivervet.com/

But unlike some other person who will remain un-named person. Did not run home after a few scratches. JFK I stayed when he was told he could go home. And fought on with PT-59

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/PT/PT-59.html