Did JFK get to see the movie PT-109?
After seeing the film, President Kennedy called PT 109 a “good product,” but he worried about the length of the film at 2 hours and 20 minutes. He said, “It’s just a question of whether there’s too much of it”.
How accurate was the movie PT-109?
Overall, PT-109 does a good job with keeping things accurate. However, they altered one significant part of the story with the sole purpose of writing ethnic minorities out of history. In real life, two native islanders played a pivotal role in rescuing the crew of PT-109.
Who was JFK’s XO on PT-109?
Leonard Thom was born on September 8, 1917, in Sandusky, Ohio, the oldest of eight children. In high school, the husky Lenny played football, lettering in a sport that showcased his natural talents and ever-growing size.
Where was PT-109 filmed?
The exteriors were filmed at Little Palm Island (formerly Little Munson Island), now a resort in the Florida Keys. Power and fresh water were run out to the island for the film, allowing the resort to be built years later.
What happened to the coconut from PT-109?
After the crash of his PT 109 boat, Lt. Kennedy gave the coconut to two natives to deliver to PT base at Rendova so he and his crew would be rescued. His father later had the coconut shell encased in plastic on a wood base and President Kennedy used it as a paperweight on his desk in the Oval Office. KENNEDY”.
Why did JFK keep a coconut on his desk?
After the crash of his PT 109 boat, Lt. Kennedy gave the coconut to two natives to deliver to PT base at Rendova so he and his crew would be rescued. His father later had the coconut shell encased in plastic on a wood base and President Kennedy used it as a paperweight on his desk in the Oval Office.
Why did JFK get a Purple Heart?
Lieutenant John F. Kennedy receives one of the Navy’s highest honor for gallantry for his heroic actions as the commanding officer of a motor torpedo boat during World War II on June 12, 1944. The future president also received a Purple Heart for wounds received during battle.
What is the PT 109 movie?
PT 109 is a 1963 American Technicolor Panavision biographical war film depicting the actions of John F. Kennedy as an officer of the United States Navy in command of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 in the Pacific theater of World War II.
Was PT 109 filmed in Key West?
PT 109. June 15, 1962’.” Because PT 109 was filmed during Kennedy’s administration, cooperation from the Navy in furnishing ships for the movie was easy – a destroyer from Key West participated along with three air-sea rescue boats converted to PTs.
How did the PT 109 sink Kennedy?
The destroyer, later identified as the Amagiri, struck PT 109 just forward of the forward starboard torpedo tube, ripping away the starboard aft side of the boat. The impact tossed Kennedy around the cockpit. Most of the crew were knocked into the water.
Why was the PT-109 painted green?
Although many Higgins and Elco PT boats were likely delivered from the manufacturer with such a paint scheme, all historical records indicate that the real PT 109 and the other boats in its squadron were painted in dark green in order to better blend into their daytime anchorages or moorings adjacent to island jungles at forward operating bases.