324K views · 489 reactions | The night of August 1, 1943 was hot and starless — and one that would distinguish a young Skipper John F. Kennedy. | American Experience | PBS | Facebook

#OTD in 1943, LTJG John F. Kennedy's PT 109 was rammed by Japanese destroyer Amagiri. JFK was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his courage in leading the 10 crewmen who survived the collision to safety. The incident was depicted in the 1963 film "PT 109" starrring Cliff Robertson as JFK. #MovieMonday | U.S. Naval Institute

24K views · 748 reactions | To surprise John F. Kennedy on #InaugurationDay in 1961, PT-796 was repainted to appear as PT-109 and then hauled down Pennsylvania Ave. JFK's face lit up when he saw nine of the crewmen who were with him when the real PT-109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer in 1943. | U.S. Naval Institute | Facebook

In the spring of 1943, John F. Kennedy took command of a 56-ton attack boat, PT-109. While on a routine mission that August, a Japanese destroyer emerged out of the darkness, racing at 40 knots, and split Kennedy's boat in half. Explore more at pbs.org/presidents. | American Experience | PBS

1.5M views · 21K reactions | "JFK and the Sur_vival of PT 109" "Cou_rage at Sea – The Story of PT Boat 109" WW2 HD Black and white #war #usnavy #royalnavy #airforce #pilot #history #military | Best Naval War Films | Facebook