U.S. recognition for war hero who saved JFK comes after 64 years

[MaineDem]

Source: Boston Globe

HONIARA, Solomon Islands --Six decades after Aaron Kumana helped rescue young U.S. naval officer John F. Kennedy from Japanese capture in 1943, the U.S. Navy officially recognized its debt to the Solomon Islander, who for years was believed dead.

Kumana, from the western Solomons island of Rannonga, and fellow "scout" Biuku Gasa found the crew of torpedo boat PT-109 -- including its skipper, Lt. Kennedy, the future president -- after their vessel was cut in two by a Japanese destroyer.

Two members of the crew were killed in the collision in the Blackett Strait in August 1943 off Gizo, the main town of western Solomon Islands.

An injured Kennedy and the ship's other survivors clung to the wreckage and swam to a nearby island, where Kumana and Gasa found them.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/08/30/us_recognition_for_war_hero_who_saved_jfk_comes_after_64_years/

[maddezmom]

1. kick

[Blue_Tires]

2. Man honoured for saving JFK 64 years later

Source: Telegraph

A Pacific islander who saved the life of John F Kennedy during the Second World War has been recognised for his bravery - 64 years later.

Kennedy was a US navy lieutenant when the motor torpedo boat he commanded was inadvertently rammed and cut in two by a Japanese destroyer one night in the Solomon Islands in 1943.

Two sailors were killed, but the future US president and 10 others managed to swim to a nearby island, clinging to bits of wreckage.

For his heroism - which included towing a wounded sailor through the water by gripping his lifejacket strap between his teeth - Kennedy was awarded the Purple Heart.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/31/wjfk131.xml

[benh57]

3. Torpedo Boat Veterans...

If kennedy ran today presumably we'd have 'Torpedo Boat Veterans for Truth' and stories about how JFK made it all up...

[Blue_Tires]

4. welcome to the site

very true in your assessment, lol

[Maccagirl]

5. Yep

and that he should have/could have been court martialed for "dereliction of duty". Sheesh.

[dailykoff]

6. Now if only he could figure out how to do it again. . .

:patriot: