ALS signed “Bob,” one page, 6 x 8, United States Senate letterhead, February 18, 1966. Letter to Richard Murphy, in full: "My thanks to you. It was very helpful. It was good to see you again—and also see that there are still some PT 'Kennedy 60' pins left." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
In the early morning of August 2, 1943, Lieutenant Kennedy’s PT-109 was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in the Blackett Strait of the Solomon Islands. Following a miraculous 3.5-mile swim to shore, Kennedy and his ten surviving crew members were rescued from Olasana Island a full six days later. The young lieutenant's grace under pressure made him a national hero when the story was picked up by John Hersey and covered in The New Yorker and Reader's Digest.
Later on during JFK's run for president, in an effort to quell public concerns about what some called candidate Kennedy’s 'inexperience,' the campaign sought to publicize his heroic naval service. Utilizing the PT Boat as a recognizable symbol, these popular tie clasps were produced as campaign tokens and became highly sought-after mementoes. Surplus pins were also distributed to well-wishers following JFK's assassination.
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