Group of five gold-tone PT-109 items from John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign, including: a pin engraved "Kennedy"; a tie clip engraved "Kennedy"; a tie clip engraved "Kennedy 60"; and two "Kennedy" PT-109 charm bracelets. In overall fine condition. Provenance: from the estate of General Chester V. Clifton, military aide to JFK.
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 and charms were produced as campaign tokens and became highly sought-after mementoes.
