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JFK and PT-109: A Hero in Question

The story has long been repeated as gospel: on August 2nd, 1943, when the PT Boat he commanded was struck and sunk by a Japanese destroyer, a young John Kennedy demonstrated extraordinary courage and dedication in saving the lives of 10 crewmembers. JFK's rise to the presidency was sped along by his status as a wartime hero, but History Undercover® dares to ask whether that reputation was deserved. "JFK and PT-109: A Hero in Question" reviews official documents and examines the testimony of surviving crew members and the naval officers who investigated the incident. What emerges is a markedly different version of what happened. Based on these sources and insight from experts like Nigel Hamilton, the author of JFK: Reckless Youth, and Paul B. Fay, Jr., the commander of PT 167, "JFK and PT 109" suggests that the Kennedy family made a deliberate and successful attempt to bury the facts in order to protect the carefully-shaped image of their favorite son. After nearly 60 years, another side of one of WWII's best-known tales finally comes to light.

English
  • Originally Aired November 10, 2002
  • Runtime 45 minutes
  • Network History
  • Created June 19, 2019 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified June 19, 2019 by
    Administrator admin