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PT 109: JFK's Night of Destiny
A thrilling, moment-by-moment account of one of the most famous events of World War II—the sinking of PT-109 and John F. Kennedy’s heroic actions that saved his crew—and a fascinating examination of how that extraordinary episode shaped the future president’s life.
At 2:00 a.m. on the moonless night of August 2, 1943, U.S. Patrol Torpedo boat PT-109, captained by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri near the Solomon Islands. The American ship was cleaved in two and rocked by an explosion; two crew members died instantly; the remaining eleven survivors clung to the sinking wreckage, adrift in enemy waters. Despite injuring his back, Lt. Kennedy—towing a severely burned sailor by the strap of a life jacket—led his battered and exhausted men on a harrowing three-and-a-half mile swim to a tiny uninhabited island. Desperate for food and water, Kennedy set off on a solo reconnaissance mission, scouting two larger islands two-and-a-half miles away. Discovering water and coconuts, he returned for his men. For six days they lived off coconuts and kept out of sight of passing Japanese patrols until they were rescued.
Drawing on new information from the American rescuers and recently released archives in both Japan and the U.S., PT-109 recounts this event in breathtaking detail and explores the incident’s remarkable aftermath on JFK’s life and legend. William Doyle reveals that, while the incident transformed JFK into a “war hero” and helped propel him to the U.S. Senate and the White House, the wounds he suffered during that harrowing week continued to haunt him, physically and psychologically.
At 2:00 a.m. on the moonless night of August 2, 1943, U.S. Patrol Torpedo boat PT-109, captained by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri near the Solomon Islands. The American ship was cleaved in two and rocked by an explosion; two crew members died instantly; the remaining eleven survivors clung to the sinking wreckage, adrift in enemy waters. Despite injuring his back, Lt. Kennedy—towing a severely burned sailor by the strap of a life jacket—led his battered and exhausted men on a harrowing three-and-a-half mile swim to a tiny uninhabited island. Desperate for food and water, Kennedy set off on a solo reconnaissance mission, scouting two larger islands two-and-a-half miles away. Discovering water and coconuts, he returned for his men. For six days they lived off coconuts and kept out of sight of passing Japanese patrols until they were rescued.
Drawing on new information from the American rescuers and recently released archives in both Japan and the U.S., PT-109 recounts this event in breathtaking detail and explores the incident’s remarkable aftermath on JFK’s life and legend. William Doyle reveals that, while the incident transformed JFK into a “war hero” and helped propel him to the U.S. Senate and the White House, the wounds he suffered during that harrowing week continued to haunt him, physically and psychologically.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2015
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William Doyle
18 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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June 1, 2022
“The boat was caressed by a gentle ocean breeze and the sound of water lapping at its sides. Only one of the PT 109’s three 1,500-horsepower engines were engaged; the rest were idling to cut down on the boat’s telltale wake, which also allowed the crew to better hear the approach of the PT’s nemesis, Japanese floatplanes. According to [Lieutenant John F.] Kennedy, visibility ‘was poor – the sky was cloudy – and there was a heavy mist over the water.’ Suddenly, Ensign Ross, the night-blind night lookout on the bow of PT 109, sensed an immense shape less than 1,000 yards away, and closing rapidly…”
- William Doyle, PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy
The Second World War was probably the most cataclysmic event in human history. Despite the untold number of books covering this globe-spanning tale of death and destruction, there are countless millions of stories that have gone untold or been forgotten.
The sinking of the PT 109 on August 2, 1943 could easily have been one of those events that slipped through the crack of memory. Only two men died, along with the loss of a single Patrol Torpedo Boat. Unlike many similar events playing out across the world, however, this one just happened to include a future President of the United States: Lieutenant John F. Kennedy.
The implicit question in William Doyle’s PT 109 is whether we remember the loss of the PT 109 because Kennedy later became president, or if Kennedy became president because of the loss of the PT 109.
According to Doyle, it is definitely the latter.
Indeed, Doyle begins his book by laying out an argument that Kennedy would never have reached high office without his naval exploits. It’s a bit of a stretch, considering how many factors – including extreme wealth, a hyper-ambitious father, stunning good looks, a sweaty Richard Nixon, and a few stolen votes in Illinois – helped play a role in JFK’s extremely close victory in 1960. Nevertheless, in such a squeaker of an election, Kennedy’s wartime heroics cannot be discounted.
Besides, whether or not it gained Kennedy the presidency, the travails of the PT 109’s crew is dramatic enough to stand on its own, regardless of its political ramifications.
In PT 109, Doyle provides a thorough examination of this relatively miniscule event, and its outsize impact on subsequent American history. It is a good book, kept well clear of greatness by workmanlike prose and some rather loose editing that allows for too much repetition, too many banalities, and a book that manages to overstay its welcome, despite being less than 300 pages of text (the post-sinking sections, including Robert Kennedy’s visit to Japan, are especially anticlimactic).
After making his pitch about the PT 109’s importance, Doyle provides a brief biography of Kennedy up until World War II, which focuses heavily – perhaps relentlessly – on his romantic escapades, an extremely tired angle of JFK’s life that his been covered to the point of obnoxiousness. Once that throat clearing – blessedly short – is out of the way, Doyle segues to the patriarch, Joseph Kennedy, and his machinations to get his son into the war via the Motor Torpedo Squadron.
As described by Doyle, Joe Kennedy’s string-pulling was a classic bit of overkill. After all, it’s not like JFK, a Harvard grad and an experienced sailor, couldn’t have made it into the Navy on his own. Alas, I suppose you don’t become filthy rich and immensely powerful by leaving such things to chance. In any event, Joe’s actions are striking, especially today, when wealthy elites are not exactly known for joining the military. Of course, Kennedy pere assumed that his son would be out of harm’s way. That did not turn out to be the case. Once in the service, JFK made sure that he was sent into combat. Thus, to the extent that influence was exerted, it was to put Kennedy into danger, rather than keep him clear of it.
Doyle is admirably clear-eyed about the efficacy of America’s Motor Torpedo Squadrons. This is important, because if you’ve ever watched an old WWII movie, especially those made during the war itself, you can be forgiven for thinking that PT boats singlehandedly defeated Japan. Sleek, small, and fast, there was a romance about them that helped sell a lot of war bonds. The reality, however, was that they were utterly misused in attacking Japanese capital ships, where they failed to do any damage (partially due to faulty torpedoes). In fact, as Doyle notes, of the three confirmed capital ships sunk by PT boats, one was American.
In short, the deployment of the PT boats during the Solomon Islands campaign was an exercise in courage over logic, and in showiness over substance. Such was the case at the Battle of Blackett Strait.
With Japanese destroyers said to be sailing through the strait, four PT divisions – about fifteen boats – was sent on an interdiction mission. The attack was bungled, with some vessels making uncoordinated strikes, while others, such as the PT 109, caught on the outskirts of the engagement, not even aware of what was happening. Early in the morning, with Kennedy cruising on just one engine, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri rammed the PT 109, nearly splitting her in half. Two of Kennedy’s men were killed, the rest left clinging to wreckage.
For me, the most fascinating aspect of the sinking is JFK’s culpability. He was criticized at the time – and ever since – for his actions in allowing his fast, maneuverable craft to be sliced in two. Doyle, who clearly adores Kennedy, does not neglect the controversy, and though he provides mitigating evidence for JFK’s actions, it’s hard not to draw the conclusion that he was negligent in allowing the PT 109 to be sunk.
Despite his mistakes, Kennedy certainly rose to the occasion after the sinking. He directly saved one man’s life, and over the next several days, performed numerous feats of distance swimming that boggle the mind. Say what you will about JFK – and he seems to draw strong opinions from all sides – but he did everything he could to get his men rescued, and they remembered him for it the rest of their lives.
Overall, two things about PT 109 really stand out for me. The first is Doyle’s enormous research into this subject. The second is his inability to weave that research into a top notch narrative.
Starting with the positives, Doyle has done his digging. He has scoured both American and Japanese archives, discovered a “lost” firsthand account written by JFK himself, and interviewed just about everyone who was still alive in 2015, when this was published. This includes perspectives from Japanese sailors aboard the Amagiri, and Lieutenant Commander William “Bud” Liebenow, the PT skipper who picked up Kennedy behind enemy lines.
Unfortunately, Doyle does not seem to know quite what to do with all the material he compiled. This is demonstrated by a tendency to repeat himself, and to directly quote his interview subjects, even when they are not saying anything particularly pertinent. Take, for instance, Doyle’s interview with Secret Service Agent Clint Hill. Despite having no firsthand knowledge about Kennedy’s time on the PT 109, Doyle presents a paragraph-long quote from Hill about how JFK’s “wartime experience” effected his foreign policy decisions. To be blunt, the quote is filled with generalities, prosaic observations, and anodyne phrasing that tell you absolutely nothing of substance – except telegraphing to the reader that Doyle did his homework. These superfluities give PT 109 an odd bagginess, hurting its pacing and flow. More than that, it takes up space that could have been used for more serious discussions (for example, much of the debate about JFK’s fault in the sinking takes place in the endnotes, when it should have been in the body of the text).
PT 109 falls into that confounding category of history books that fail to make much of an impression, either positively or negatively. It is not glaringly bad, but it is also not memorably good. If I were grading it like an elementary school teacher, I would say it “meets expectations.” I learned what I wanted to know when I started, but I had to wade through a lot of needless tangents to get there. This will end up on the back of one of my bookshelves, an oddly forgettable title about an unforgettable American saga.
- William Doyle, PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy
The Second World War was probably the most cataclysmic event in human history. Despite the untold number of books covering this globe-spanning tale of death and destruction, there are countless millions of stories that have gone untold or been forgotten.
The sinking of the PT 109 on August 2, 1943 could easily have been one of those events that slipped through the crack of memory. Only two men died, along with the loss of a single Patrol Torpedo Boat. Unlike many similar events playing out across the world, however, this one just happened to include a future President of the United States: Lieutenant John F. Kennedy.
The implicit question in William Doyle’s PT 109 is whether we remember the loss of the PT 109 because Kennedy later became president, or if Kennedy became president because of the loss of the PT 109.
According to Doyle, it is definitely the latter.
Indeed, Doyle begins his book by laying out an argument that Kennedy would never have reached high office without his naval exploits. It’s a bit of a stretch, considering how many factors – including extreme wealth, a hyper-ambitious father, stunning good looks, a sweaty Richard Nixon, and a few stolen votes in Illinois – helped play a role in JFK’s extremely close victory in 1960. Nevertheless, in such a squeaker of an election, Kennedy’s wartime heroics cannot be discounted.
Besides, whether or not it gained Kennedy the presidency, the travails of the PT 109’s crew is dramatic enough to stand on its own, regardless of its political ramifications.
In PT 109, Doyle provides a thorough examination of this relatively miniscule event, and its outsize impact on subsequent American history. It is a good book, kept well clear of greatness by workmanlike prose and some rather loose editing that allows for too much repetition, too many banalities, and a book that manages to overstay its welcome, despite being less than 300 pages of text (the post-sinking sections, including Robert Kennedy’s visit to Japan, are especially anticlimactic).
After making his pitch about the PT 109’s importance, Doyle provides a brief biography of Kennedy up until World War II, which focuses heavily – perhaps relentlessly – on his romantic escapades, an extremely tired angle of JFK’s life that his been covered to the point of obnoxiousness. Once that throat clearing – blessedly short – is out of the way, Doyle segues to the patriarch, Joseph Kennedy, and his machinations to get his son into the war via the Motor Torpedo Squadron.
As described by Doyle, Joe Kennedy’s string-pulling was a classic bit of overkill. After all, it’s not like JFK, a Harvard grad and an experienced sailor, couldn’t have made it into the Navy on his own. Alas, I suppose you don’t become filthy rich and immensely powerful by leaving such things to chance. In any event, Joe’s actions are striking, especially today, when wealthy elites are not exactly known for joining the military. Of course, Kennedy pere assumed that his son would be out of harm’s way. That did not turn out to be the case. Once in the service, JFK made sure that he was sent into combat. Thus, to the extent that influence was exerted, it was to put Kennedy into danger, rather than keep him clear of it.
Doyle is admirably clear-eyed about the efficacy of America’s Motor Torpedo Squadrons. This is important, because if you’ve ever watched an old WWII movie, especially those made during the war itself, you can be forgiven for thinking that PT boats singlehandedly defeated Japan. Sleek, small, and fast, there was a romance about them that helped sell a lot of war bonds. The reality, however, was that they were utterly misused in attacking Japanese capital ships, where they failed to do any damage (partially due to faulty torpedoes). In fact, as Doyle notes, of the three confirmed capital ships sunk by PT boats, one was American.
In short, the deployment of the PT boats during the Solomon Islands campaign was an exercise in courage over logic, and in showiness over substance. Such was the case at the Battle of Blackett Strait.
With Japanese destroyers said to be sailing through the strait, four PT divisions – about fifteen boats – was sent on an interdiction mission. The attack was bungled, with some vessels making uncoordinated strikes, while others, such as the PT 109, caught on the outskirts of the engagement, not even aware of what was happening. Early in the morning, with Kennedy cruising on just one engine, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri rammed the PT 109, nearly splitting her in half. Two of Kennedy’s men were killed, the rest left clinging to wreckage.
For me, the most fascinating aspect of the sinking is JFK’s culpability. He was criticized at the time – and ever since – for his actions in allowing his fast, maneuverable craft to be sliced in two. Doyle, who clearly adores Kennedy, does not neglect the controversy, and though he provides mitigating evidence for JFK’s actions, it’s hard not to draw the conclusion that he was negligent in allowing the PT 109 to be sunk.
Despite his mistakes, Kennedy certainly rose to the occasion after the sinking. He directly saved one man’s life, and over the next several days, performed numerous feats of distance swimming that boggle the mind. Say what you will about JFK – and he seems to draw strong opinions from all sides – but he did everything he could to get his men rescued, and they remembered him for it the rest of their lives.
Overall, two things about PT 109 really stand out for me. The first is Doyle’s enormous research into this subject. The second is his inability to weave that research into a top notch narrative.
Starting with the positives, Doyle has done his digging. He has scoured both American and Japanese archives, discovered a “lost” firsthand account written by JFK himself, and interviewed just about everyone who was still alive in 2015, when this was published. This includes perspectives from Japanese sailors aboard the Amagiri, and Lieutenant Commander William “Bud” Liebenow, the PT skipper who picked up Kennedy behind enemy lines.
Unfortunately, Doyle does not seem to know quite what to do with all the material he compiled. This is demonstrated by a tendency to repeat himself, and to directly quote his interview subjects, even when they are not saying anything particularly pertinent. Take, for instance, Doyle’s interview with Secret Service Agent Clint Hill. Despite having no firsthand knowledge about Kennedy’s time on the PT 109, Doyle presents a paragraph-long quote from Hill about how JFK’s “wartime experience” effected his foreign policy decisions. To be blunt, the quote is filled with generalities, prosaic observations, and anodyne phrasing that tell you absolutely nothing of substance – except telegraphing to the reader that Doyle did his homework. These superfluities give PT 109 an odd bagginess, hurting its pacing and flow. More than that, it takes up space that could have been used for more serious discussions (for example, much of the debate about JFK’s fault in the sinking takes place in the endnotes, when it should have been in the body of the text).
PT 109 falls into that confounding category of history books that fail to make much of an impression, either positively or negatively. It is not glaringly bad, but it is also not memorably good. If I were grading it like an elementary school teacher, I would say it “meets expectations.” I learned what I wanted to know when I started, but I had to wade through a lot of needless tangents to get there. This will end up on the back of one of my bookshelves, an oddly forgettable title about an unforgettable American saga.
August 5, 2025
Interesting look into the PT-109 incident that, without any exaggeration, made JFK into the man who became one of the United States’ most-admired presidents. Although the writing was a bit light at times, the last 30-odd pages were incredibly moving.
January 31, 2021
4-4.5 This author covers more than just the actual event of the sinking of the PT109, skippered by John F. Kennedy. Doyle covers the years leading up to it and how much influence his father had over his life and career. While I found some parts of his navy career a bit dry, once I got to the actual event, I was completely engrossed from that point on. So many things are astonishing: how/why it happened, how anyone lived, how they survived for several days, what all Kennedy did to try and get help (amazing in itself), who initially helped, the rescue (including the lack of, at one point), and the aftermath, which spans over decades. For anyone interested in history, read this book!
February 11, 2025
I understand now
I never understood the JFK mystique until I read this book. An amazing story of a man defined by serendipity. Highly recommend.
I never understood the JFK mystique until I read this book. An amazing story of a man defined by serendipity. Highly recommend.
August 12, 2016
This book is a well-researched historical document that reads like a novel, at least it did for me, but then I have always had a special interest in JFK and World War 2. Before reading this book, I had watched the PT-109 movie countless times, read the book directly connected to it, watched the National Geographic special on PT-109 and had visited the JFK Library. Yes, I have seen the coconut! Where this book differs, is it tell us the whole story. The book starts with how and why JFK joined the Navy, proceeds to tell the PT-109 story and then discusses how it impacted Kennedy's political career up until his untimely assassination.
The book discusses the sinking and survival of the PT-109 in great detail, based on interviews with actual participants, including the Captain of the Japanese destroyer which rammed PT-109. As you may remember, Kennedy would swim out into the ocean at night, leaving the island hiding place and his crew, in an attempt to attract the attention of patrolling PT boats with a battle lantern. During an interview with one of the PT boat commanders that served with Kennedy, the author asks what PT boats would have done if they saw an unidentified swimmer in the water at night. He responded that they would have open fired with everything they had and then investigated. The commander asks if Kennedy would have been aware of their response and he indicates that Kennedy would have. This action suggests that Kennedy knew that even if he attracted help, he would be sacrificing his life for his crew. That makes his actions even more courageous than what he has been recognized for doing.
The book follows up with the rescue of Kennedy and his crew and their life after the rescue. It discusses the role of the PT-109 story in Kennedy's political life.
If you have an interest in John F. Kennedy or World War 2, you will enjoy this books.
The book discusses the sinking and survival of the PT-109 in great detail, based on interviews with actual participants, including the Captain of the Japanese destroyer which rammed PT-109. As you may remember, Kennedy would swim out into the ocean at night, leaving the island hiding place and his crew, in an attempt to attract the attention of patrolling PT boats with a battle lantern. During an interview with one of the PT boat commanders that served with Kennedy, the author asks what PT boats would have done if they saw an unidentified swimmer in the water at night. He responded that they would have open fired with everything they had and then investigated. The commander asks if Kennedy would have been aware of their response and he indicates that Kennedy would have. This action suggests that Kennedy knew that even if he attracted help, he would be sacrificing his life for his crew. That makes his actions even more courageous than what he has been recognized for doing.
The book follows up with the rescue of Kennedy and his crew and their life after the rescue. It discusses the role of the PT-109 story in Kennedy's political life.
If you have an interest in John F. Kennedy or World War 2, you will enjoy this books.
October 6, 2015
Like a lot of people, I knew something about John F. Kennedy's command of the PT 109 in WW II. I heard the story of him towing a wounded crewman with his teeth to shore, and of his repeated attempts to find food.
William Doyle's new book about the incident, based on recently declassified files and interviews with survivors, is a rich tribute to the man's courage and honour under fire.
We learn that Kennedy also personally led a rescue mission for 10 Marines following his recuperation from the disaster, and of his undying loyalty to his crews.
But my favourite parts of the book recount his letters to the former commander of the Japanese warship that sunk his boat. Although they never met in person, Kennedy and this man had formed a life-long bond.
This book is very strongly recommended.
William Doyle's new book about the incident, based on recently declassified files and interviews with survivors, is a rich tribute to the man's courage and honour under fire.
We learn that Kennedy also personally led a rescue mission for 10 Marines following his recuperation from the disaster, and of his undying loyalty to his crews.
But my favourite parts of the book recount his letters to the former commander of the Japanese warship that sunk his boat. Although they never met in person, Kennedy and this man had formed a life-long bond.
This book is very strongly recommended.
August 2, 2016
Easy to read with plenty of anecdotes into the young JFK's past that gives the reader a much better look at the man. I found some issue with the writing from an academia standpoint but, as I said, it was easy to get through which is arguably more important for getting the story out! It was published in 2015 and the unadulterated support that Doyle expresses for JFK, his triumphs and likability could easily be seen as a reaching back into the "better" times for America (and her politics). Enjoyable and enlightening as I know very little about the Pacific conflicts which took place during WWII. Am currently inspired to track down more JFK material.
January 16, 2016
An exciting account of JFK's WWII experiences in the South Pacific. Lots of little known details including Kennedy's personal transcripts and rare photos make this an intriguing book.
May 22, 2018
I thought this was a very good book covering both the actual sinking of PT109 and how the incident impacted JFK political career from Congressman to President.
February 26, 2018
The theme of (PT 109) is even if things are going bad they'll always be good as when JFK's boat sunk and they were castaways on an island and had to dodge the Japanese patrols they still were rescued and he went on to be the 25th president.
July 24, 2017
A thrilling--even mythic--account of JFK's extraordinary story of survival in the South Pacific. Much of this is good, solid reporting and storytelling, but some of it is simply transcendent. When Kennedy swims out at night into the "thousand-foot-deep" Ferguson Passage in hopes of hailing a passing PT boat, you get the sense he is swimming into a current of history. The odds that he will survive are slim, and yet the current carries him back to the island--to life.
Later, Kennedy's desire to meet and befriend the captain of the Japanese destroyer that almost killed him and his crew is remarkable.
Like Kennedy, my father was a product of Cape Cod, Harvard, and the U.S. Navy. During World War II, his ship, the destroyer USS Russell, cruised many of the same dangerous Solomon Island waters as JFK's PT boat. Their inspiring lives played a significant role in my decision to join the Peace Corps and serve in Western Samoa, from 1976 to 78, a high point in my life.
This book hit many powerful notes for me. A great read.
Later, Kennedy's desire to meet and befriend the captain of the Japanese destroyer that almost killed him and his crew is remarkable.
Like Kennedy, my father was a product of Cape Cod, Harvard, and the U.S. Navy. During World War II, his ship, the destroyer USS Russell, cruised many of the same dangerous Solomon Island waters as JFK's PT boat. Their inspiring lives played a significant role in my decision to join the Peace Corps and serve in Western Samoa, from 1976 to 78, a high point in my life.
This book hit many powerful notes for me. A great read.
January 31, 2016
3.5 Stars
When I was in the fourth grade I first discovered the Landmark series of history books, one of my favorites was PT-109 by Richard Tregaskis. Therefore I had high hopes for this book. The account is well written and researched, however the author makes a critical mistake that would've been easy to check, he states that Admiral "Bull" Halsey's middle initial is E, when it is actually F for Fredrick. In these days when fact checking is almost instantaneous, mistakes like these are unforgivable to me.
When I was in the fourth grade I first discovered the Landmark series of history books, one of my favorites was PT-109 by Richard Tregaskis. Therefore I had high hopes for this book. The account is well written and researched, however the author makes a critical mistake that would've been easy to check, he states that Admiral "Bull" Halsey's middle initial is E, when it is actually F for Fredrick. In these days when fact checking is almost instantaneous, mistakes like these are unforgivable to me.
November 27, 2020
Never before heard the story of PT109 although I knew President Kennedy was involved. Also had no clue how famous this event was, how it was exploited in the media, and how it propelled him eventually to the White House. The book is an exceptional read and had my attention throughout. Having no previous knowledge of small unit WWII Navy operations in the South Pacific, I learned a lot and have a greater appreciation for those that served in this manner.
With only this book as my knowledge base, I assume the overall failure of the PT boats to achieve much tactical success led to the current lack of such boats in today's Navy.. although I could be wrong. I do believe Iran utilizes similar vessels in the Gulf but as they are stationed close to "home" they are probably easier to maintain and better armed than a WWII torpedo.
A few great excerpts are below.
- The PT brass were the greatest con artists of all times. They got everything they wanted, the cream of everything, especially personnel. But the only thing PT's were really effective at was raising War Bonds.
- Japanese assessment: The biggest problem of all was the destruction of our supply lines as a result of air attack upon shipping.
- We had not yet learned that hopeless searches should still be made, so that those of us who still go out night after night would know that, if we did not return, our comrades would look for us and would fight to save us beyond any reasonable expectation. We should have gone back.
With only this book as my knowledge base, I assume the overall failure of the PT boats to achieve much tactical success led to the current lack of such boats in today's Navy.. although I could be wrong. I do believe Iran utilizes similar vessels in the Gulf but as they are stationed close to "home" they are probably easier to maintain and better armed than a WWII torpedo.
A few great excerpts are below.
- The PT brass were the greatest con artists of all times. They got everything they wanted, the cream of everything, especially personnel. But the only thing PT's were really effective at was raising War Bonds.
- Japanese assessment: The biggest problem of all was the destruction of our supply lines as a result of air attack upon shipping.
- We had not yet learned that hopeless searches should still be made, so that those of us who still go out night after night would know that, if we did not return, our comrades would look for us and would fight to save us beyond any reasonable expectation. We should have gone back.
May 17, 2018
In PT 109: JFK's Night of Destiny, William Doyle makes the case that John F Kennedy would not have reached the presidency without the the PT 109 incident. He makes a strong argument that Kennedy's heroism in the aftermath of getting his boat run over by a Japanese destroyer was his key, if not only, qualification in getting elected to the House of Representatives. That and his daddy's bankroll, which was instrumental in getting the PT 109 tale published in Reader's Digest and then printing thousands of copies of the article to distribute to the voters in the district were decisive.
Then when JFK ran for the senate, an "endorsement" by the captain of the Japanese ship that ran over PT 109 proves instrumental in defeating incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. In the Democratic presidential primary, PT 109 is the credited as the reason Kennedy, a catholic, was able to defeat Hubert Humphrey, who didn't serve in the military in WW II due to medical issues, in key states like West Virginia where it was thought a catholic could not win.
The book is an interesting narrative of the actual event as well as an analysis of the incident's role in the future political career of the John F Kennedy.
Then when JFK ran for the senate, an "endorsement" by the captain of the Japanese ship that ran over PT 109 proves instrumental in defeating incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. In the Democratic presidential primary, PT 109 is the credited as the reason Kennedy, a catholic, was able to defeat Hubert Humphrey, who didn't serve in the military in WW II due to medical issues, in key states like West Virginia where it was thought a catholic could not win.
The book is an interesting narrative of the actual event as well as an analysis of the incident's role in the future political career of the John F Kennedy.
December 20, 2024
I had always wondered about this story from World War II with the last president (John F. Kennedy) who was an actual war hero. William Doyle tells the story in detail. Before this, I hadn’t given much thought about the Navy. I had no idea, his father pulled strings to get JFK a post on a PT boat, or how often navy PT boats missed their targets, or how scary some of the places with sharks could be. I could have read less about how many women Kennedy attracted. That felt like old news, but the story of their PT boat getting rammed by a Japanese destroyer, the explosion and the survivors swimming to “bird”island in shark infested waters, with Kennedy towing another survivor with his teeth and then swimming out every night in an enemy Japanese war zone to search for help, read like a hair-raising novel. They were survivors when there was no water or food on the island. All were rail thin before Kennedy finally found help. Of course they use the story later to boost Kennedy’s political profile, but everyone uses those stories if they’ve got them, so it just seems like that’s what people do in this country. Overall I got a good glimpse into the character of this last war hero President and why so many people loved him.
March 31, 2024
3.75 stars. Going into this book, I was sure that I wasn't going to enjoy it really in any capacity. Historical nonfiction is not my preferred genre, and I rarely read or watch anything related to it. However, this was a fairly enjoyable read for me. I think that the author did a good job of presenting information without the book sounding like the recitation of facts. It felt like a true novel and had strong narrative flow. I also enjoyed that this book doesn't just talk about the main event, the sinking of the PT 109, but instead includes a preface and showcases not only the aftermath, but the perspectives of the opposition in the form of the Japanese soldiers, officials, and citizens. For what it is, this was a solid war story about perseverance and strength in a time of complete desperation. With that being said, I am very anti-war in pretty much any capacity, so I did find it hard to connect with the material in that sense, because I was sat thinking the entire time that the entirety of the conflict was ultimately a waste of human life at the hands of officials and people in power.
May 24, 2018
Like most baby boomers, I only knew the story of PT-109 from the movie and the Kennedy myth-making machine. Doyle dives deep into the actual history, and his scholarly approach revealed many things I didn’t know, including the fact that PT boats were dangerously unsafe, they were ordered to patrol at night without lights, and how poor the weather was the night the destroyer sliced through PT-109.
But most startling (spoiler alert!) is that after the accident, when JFK would do nightly swims into the channel with a light to try to get the attention of other PT boats on patrol, he did so knowing his fellow PT boat skippers would shoot first, and then discover his body and learn that the rest of his crew was alive. He literally was sacrificing himself for his men to be rescued.
JFK, John McCain, John Kerry, Robert Mueller— I don’t always agree with every political stance they’ve taken, nor do I ignore their personal flaws, but these men are all war heroes, and deserve our respect and gratitude.
But most startling (spoiler alert!) is that after the accident, when JFK would do nightly swims into the channel with a light to try to get the attention of other PT boats on patrol, he did so knowing his fellow PT boat skippers would shoot first, and then discover his body and learn that the rest of his crew was alive. He literally was sacrificing himself for his men to be rescued.
JFK, John McCain, John Kerry, Robert Mueller— I don’t always agree with every political stance they’ve taken, nor do I ignore their personal flaws, but these men are all war heroes, and deserve our respect and gratitude.
March 30, 2021
Read most of this. It gave a good biography of Kennedy's teen and young adult life, including his unknown-to-me precarious health. I'd known the basics of the PT story but not really any of the details and I was pleasantly surprised by how much his fellow sailors liked and respected him as a hard worker and leader. The story was very interesting but after the war was over and he was back in the States, his father continued his push to get his son into the White House and the political maneuvering was less enjoyable to read so I didn't end up finishing it.
I'd always sort of disliked what I knew about JFK b/c of the womanizing but it looks like his father really pushed both boys to "get laid as often as you can" from their mid-teens onward and he took it to heart. So at least I got to see another side of him and even if his father intentionally played up the whole situation in order to get JFK into the Senate and then the presidency, he truly was a war hero.
I'd always sort of disliked what I knew about JFK b/c of the womanizing but it looks like his father really pushed both boys to "get laid as often as you can" from their mid-teens onward and he took it to heart. So at least I got to see another side of him and even if his father intentionally played up the whole situation in order to get JFK into the Senate and then the presidency, he truly was a war hero.
September 20, 2023
Having read Robet Donovan's 1961 PT 109, John F Kennedy in World War II, William Doyle's offering piqued my interest. This well researched update is a successful attempt to apply modern historical techniques to uncover the rest of the story. In this non-fiction version we meet the men on both sides involved in the fateful collision between a Japanese destroyer and a motor torpedo boat. The days until their rescue took the measure of the man: Jack Kennedy. Without this event, Kennedy would never have become the man who became President. This is an excellent account of a character- building moment in young Kennedy's life. He never forgot his sailors and the others involved in their rescue. Military history is really about how people react to the fear, chaos and destruction all around them. Kennedy became our 35th President in large part because of his experience in the Soloman Islands. Excellent read.
November 8, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, but there are two points of detraction that keep it from being stellar:
1) The book really does read as a puff piece for JFK. The use of adjectives regarding his actions became overburdensome as Doyle breaks out the thesaurus to avoid using the term "heroic" every other sentence. While the reading is brisk due to the novel-esque writing style, Doyle glosses over anything purportedly negative about JFK.
2) Doyle seems to be overly impressed with the groundbreaking nature of his own book. He was consistently eager to point out that he had access to documents others did not. While this is a good thing, the consistent harping on that particular fact comes across as grandstanding.
I wish this book had been more thoroughly researched from an even-handed perspective.
Bottom Line: Feel free to skip this one.
1) The book really does read as a puff piece for JFK. The use of adjectives regarding his actions became overburdensome as Doyle breaks out the thesaurus to avoid using the term "heroic" every other sentence. While the reading is brisk due to the novel-esque writing style, Doyle glosses over anything purportedly negative about JFK.
2) Doyle seems to be overly impressed with the groundbreaking nature of his own book. He was consistently eager to point out that he had access to documents others did not. While this is a good thing, the consistent harping on that particular fact comes across as grandstanding.
I wish this book had been more thoroughly researched from an even-handed perspective.
Bottom Line: Feel free to skip this one.
March 18, 2024
This book was my first time reading anything about JFK, so I was a little starstruck. I am a Gen Xer so he was before my time, I've heard a few bits of his speeches and know the basics but I had no idea he served in WW2, or was ever stranded on an island for over a week. I didn't know about his health issues or anything about his family, so this book was a great first step into the history of JFK. It starts at the very beginning of his career and gives you insights into why, how, and who got him there. It showcases the type of man that he was. Many were willing to sacrifice so much because they believed in his character. This book is full of in-depth research and insightful opinions of those who were close to him during this time. I enjoyed this book a great deal, and it sparked a future interest into the Kennedys on my reading list.
June 9, 2017
William Doyle’s thorough treatment of John F. Kennedy’s experiences as a PT-boat captain explores the naval and military history that led up to the sinking of Kennedy’s boat by a Japanese destroyer, the heroic actions of Kennedy and his crewmen in the aftermath of the attack, and the long-term effects of the episode on Kennedy and his presidency. Doyle’s book differs from previous accounts because it reveals information contained in a narrative from Kennedy himself recently discovered in the archives of the Kennedy presidential library. I especially liked the epilogue detailing what happened to many of those involved in the episode, including the commander of the Japanese destroyer, the Solomon Island natives who rescued Kennedy and his crew, and the others who served with Kennedy.
September 9, 2017
I very much enjoyed this account of JFK's truly heroic care for his crew after their PT boat was broadsided. The book also includes information about the things that resulted from his efforts.
His father, Joseph Kennedy, strategically used these events to propel him to the White House. Even his closest friend, David Powers, said that if not for PT 109 JFK would have never made it to the White House.
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
His father, Joseph Kennedy, strategically used these events to propel him to the White House. Even his closest friend, David Powers, said that if not for PT 109 JFK would have never made it to the White House.
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
January 22, 2018
This book not only gives details of his heroic effort to keep himself and his men alive after the incident with the 109, but how his upbringing and the aftermath of the mishap, effected his election and leadership as president. I would have given it a higher ranking, but I did not appreciate some of the language in the book. The actual title is right in other editions: PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy. Not sure why this edition has a condensed title.
January 5, 2019
For my December book review I read the book PT 109. The book PT 109 is about JFK before his presidency. This book tells how the ship that he was lieutenant on was sunk in enemy waters and how he led his men through a three mile swim to an enemy island that they took shelter in. It helps to tell how he was shaped to become the President. Overall I would rate this book as a 4/5 star because it held my attention from the beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone that is wishing to learn more about JFK and likes non-fictional books.
August 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this read about how the PT 109 crash shaped John F. Kennedy into the political power-house that he became. The book focuses on JFK's service in the Navy particularly on PT 109 but it also briefly summarizes his Naval career before and after time on the 109. It also wraps up his career in politics with the marketing of his service time, mainly his heroism, after the PT 109 crash. Kennedy did some things that I was not aware of and it speaks volumes to his character. It really is a great look at the man before the presidency and I highly recommend it.
July 22, 2021
How many books have been written about John F. Kennedy and his World War II service in the navy on PT-109. While there are likely scores, few if any compare with the extensive before/during/after content provided in William Doyle's 2015 edition. In particular, Doyle provides a terrific perspective as to how his war experiences played into forming JFK's political maturity, as well as how much it was used as a campaign weapon throughout his political career. Doyle's "PT-109" is a very good look into the military life of JFK, presenting a side of this extraordinary man that few others provide.
June 29, 2025
Doyle shows us JFK's naval career, and specifically the PT109 incident, through the prism of its impact on the man. It's effective and engrossing.
I admit I'm not that into the play-by-play of battles. I don't care if the wheel was turned starboard or port, or what was going on with the radio and the radar. It's what went on once the ship was hit, how the men got to the island and how they survived, that touched me. It's where the rich man's son became his own man. I also appreciated the word pictures Doyle painted about the humidity, the bugs, the unrelenting sun. I know I don't have the resilience of those brave men from the 109.
I admit I'm not that into the play-by-play of battles. I don't care if the wheel was turned starboard or port, or what was going on with the radio and the radar. It's what went on once the ship was hit, how the men got to the island and how they survived, that touched me. It's where the rich man's son became his own man. I also appreciated the word pictures Doyle painted about the humidity, the bugs, the unrelenting sun. I know I don't have the resilience of those brave men from the 109.
July 5, 2017
I enjoyed this fascinating book. It was well written and well researched. I am interested in the lives of all our former presidents, and I had just visited the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. I was intrigued, and rather puzzled by the statistics quoted in the afterward of the book. The author states the presidencies of Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmie Carter as largely broken and failed.
September 22, 2019
Guys from my generation know all about the story of PT 109. President Kennedy’s PT boat cut in half by a Japanese destroyer. Followed by the harrowing survival tale of how he saved his 11 men. We read the original book , saw the movie and thought we knew it all.
Doyle takes the story and retells it with contemporaneous interview with US and Japanese survivors, as well as Kennedy insiders.
This is a great reintroduction of the tale to a new generation, as well as the story of how the story got JFK elected.
Some facts were reaffirmed, some debunked and all in all the myth and facts meet.
Well written for an interesting point of view....three and a half jimmys out of five.
Doyle takes the story and retells it with contemporaneous interview with US and Japanese survivors, as well as Kennedy insiders.
This is a great reintroduction of the tale to a new generation, as well as the story of how the story got JFK elected.
Some facts were reaffirmed, some debunked and all in all the myth and facts meet.
Well written for an interesting point of view....three and a half jimmys out of five.
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