John F. Kennedy's custom-made pill box that he kept in a modified belt around his waist during his tenure in the White House. Made of stainless steel, this small circular container, measuring .75˝ in diameter, housed the president’s daily pain medication that he used to mitigate the near-constant discomfort in his back. In fine condition.
Issued by Dr. George Burkley, the personal doctor to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson, Lt. Henry Hirschy was given instructions to find a discreet yet convenient manner to store the ever-necessary pills. After all other sources of supply were exhausted by Dr. Burkley, Lt. Hirschy went to a captain in the Washington Navy Yard, the location of an old gun factory, to convince him to retool and restart the old manufacturing machines for this particular project. After disclosing that these pillboxes were for President Kennedy, something Lt. Hirschy was hesitant to do due to the sensitivity of the situation, the old gun factory was recommissioned and the small stainless steel pillboxes were made.
This pill box derives from Lt. Hirschy’s personal collection and is accompanied by two handwritten notes by Hirschy: the first on an index card, “Dr. Burkley, Steel Pill Boxes from closed WNY (Gun Factory),” and the second, penned on an envelope where the pill box was stored, reads: “Special handmade stainless steel pill box for use in a special belt worn by President Kennedy see write-ups for explanation of.”
Personal effects related to Kennedy’s chronic back issues are exceedingly rare. JFK first injured his back while playing on the JV football squad at Harvard and later suffered even greater damage to his back when, during his military service in World War II, his PT-109 patrol boat was rammed in the South Pacific by a Japanese destroyer. Once stateside, Kennedy underwent multiple surgeries, none of which proved overly successful. To manage his chronic pain, he wore a back brace and was treated with medications that included painkillers, muscle relaxants, and sometimes steroids. Despite these challenges, Kennedy maintained a public image of vigor and health, often concealing the true extent of his medical issues from the public and many of his associates.
Provenance: Guernsey's: The Kennedy Era Auction - Oct. 7, 2017.
Lieutenant Henry Hirschy (1932-2015) joined the US Navy while he studied at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired as a Captain after 28 years of service. Because of his educational background and excellent military record, Hirschy was sent to the White House early in the Kennedy administration and was responsible for managing the food, lodging, and other personal needs for the president at Camp David and on the presidential yachts. In addition, he ran the dining facilities at the White House and oversaw the staffing and operation of the president’s quarters on overseas trips, which included the planning, preparing, and serving of state dinners, receptions, and festivities. After Kennedy’s assassination, he continued his job working for President Johnson.
