Did you know ?

[mrsmackpaul]

I suspect many know a version of this story 

Dunno how many of the younger generation know about JFK and the changes he made to the world we live in today 

He really was a special person and much more than the President that got shot 

But how many of you know of Australia's involvement in changing the worlds direction and in particular one Australia's involvement 

Read this article bellow from Australian War Memorial 

 

'How could I know he would become President of the United States?"

 

Lieutenant John F. Kennedy was commanding patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, in the Blackett Strait on a dark, moonless night in August 1943, when a shape loomed out of the darkness.

At first, the young lieutenant and his crew thought it was another patrol torpedo boat. When they realised it was a Japanese destroyer, they attempted to turn the boat and bring its torpedoes to bear, but it was too late.

The destroyer (later identified as the Amagiri) ploughed into their boat, ripping into its starboard side, and cutting it in two.

As the fuel on board exploded, a fireball lit up the night sky. Two of Kennedy’s crew were killed instantly, while ten others were left clinging to the wreckage within sight of Japanese encampments.

After hours in the water, Kennedy led the survivors to Kasolo Island, saving one of the wounded men by biting on the strap of his life jacket and towing him to safety. Exhausted, Kennedy had to be helped up the beach by the man he had towed.

Fortunately for the stranded Americans, an Australian Coastwatcher had witnessed the aftermath of the collision from his hideaway on Kolombangara Island.

That Australian was Lieutenant Arthur “Reg” Evans, a former artillery warrant officer turned naval man, serving on the islands with the secretive Coast Watch Organisation intelligence unit.

Over the following days, Evans helped co-ordinate a rescue operation involving Solomon Islander scouts and the US military, which eventually took Kennedy and his crew to safety.

 

For years, Evans’s identity remained a secret. Eventually, he shared his story in the men's adventure magazine, Cavalier, in January 1961.

“I shook hands with the 35th president of the United States on a Pacific island in 1943,” he wrote.

“‘Man,’ he said, ‘am I glad to see you!’

“It was no glory-and-haloes stunt. It was just a routine job.

“For 17 years, I’ve kept my trap shut.”

An accountant from New South Wales, Evans was born in Sydney in May 1905. He had worked as assistant manager of a coconut plantation in Vanuatu, and with a shipping company in Solomon Islands.

When the Second World War broke out, Evans returned to Australia, intending to join the Royal Australian Navy.

“They were all braid and ho-hum then,” he wrote.

“They knocked me back cold.

“What use did they have for an old beachcomber like me, they wanted to know.

"So I said, ‘to hell with you’, and joined the army.”

Evans went on to serve with the 2/9th Field Regiment in the Middle East before returning to Australia in March 1942.

“After two years in the Middle East, our mob was recalled to meet the Jap menace to Australia,” he wrote.

“As soon as interservice transfers were possible … I had another crack at the navy. They weren’t so fussy this time.

“They sent me with a group to Flinders Naval Base, Melbourne, for a short course there – teaching rough army types how to be naval gents. You know the drill.

“Then Walter Brookshank, Naval Intelligence Division, sent for me.

“He knew more about my background than I knew myself. He told me they had made a thorough checkup on me and said I was the sort of man they were looking for. There was a job for me in the Coastwatchers. I had never heard the name before.”

The Coastwatchers were Allied military intelligence operatives stationed on remote Pacific islands to observe enemy movements and rescue stranded Allied personnel. Hidden behind enemy lines, the Coastwatchers played a vital intelligence-gathering role: warning of Japanese air strikes, reporting on shipping and troop movements, and saving countless lives.

“A Coastwatcher’s work was not to fight or destroy,” Evans wrote.

“His job was to look and listen and gather information: to sit hiding like a spider, right in the web of the enemy, but unseen and unheard. His duty was to communicate intelligence to headquarters and leave the rest to them. We became the eyes and ears of the Pacific.”

Evans landed at Guadalcanal in December 1942 and remained in the headquarters camp on the edge of Henderson Field until February 1943, when he made his way to Kolombangara Island, armed with radio equipment, a pair of binoculars, and a tommy gun.

“Think of an olive-green pyramid thrusting high out of the sea, 25 miles round, and covered with jungle,” he wrote. “That was Kolombangara Island.”

Working with locals, Evans set up and manned an observation post that afforded him a view of the island’s airstrip and sea approaches to the town of Gizo. He also collected information from local guides who acted as scouts, sharing what they had seen and heard.

In June 1943, Evans came up with a plan to relocate to the small island of Gomu, which would provide a better view of activity in the Blackett Strait.

He was planning to leave when he saw something in the water in the early hours of 2 August 1943.

“I spotted four Jap destroyers,” he wrote.

“One of them had put its searchlight on something floating in the water. I thought I saw the wreckage of a boat and figures moving on it.

“But in the darkness it was too far away to see properly, and I thought I was only imagining the figures. I sent my report to base immediately.”

Later that morning, headquarters contacted Evans.

“PT boat 109 lost in action in Blackett Strait. Crew of 12. Request any information.”

Evans waited for word from the scouts, reporting that there were “no survivors so far”, but that three torpedoes had washed ashore near the coastal village of Vanga Vanga.

“Headquarters’ next message came at 1.12pm,” Evans wrote. “But there was nothing definite to report for days. I had passed the news around and … there was nothing more we could do.”

After travelling to his new observation post at Gomu, Evans found one of his scouts awaiting him.

“I walked up to the old weatherboard house some trader had built and deserted,” he wrote.

“I heard the snap of a twig and whirled about with the tommy gun at the ready.

“But it was one of my scouts. Knowing that I was on my way to Gomu at a set time, he had gone there to await me.

“He had news. [The] men were on an island between Gizo and Ferguson Passage.”

Two men – Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana – had stumbled across the stranded Americans; Gasa showing Kennedy how to scratch a few words into the husk of a green coconut.

“Nauro Isl. Commander … Native knows pos’it … He can pilot … 11 alive … need small boat … Kennedy.”

Back on Gomu, Evans checked his charts, and wrote a message for the scout to deliver to the group, advising Kennedy to come to his position.

After waiting for most of the day, Evans spotted the canoe returning late in the afternoon on 7 August 1943.

“I thought they had come without the CO, that something had happened,” he wrote.

“But, as the craft pulled in, the beaming faces of the boys told me our man was there.

“The next minute Lieutenant Kennedy thrust aside the blanket of coconut leaves and emerged from the bottom of the canoe …

He didn’t have to say he was relieved. He looked it.

“It was only natural … he took a risk when he went with them. They could have been leading him to the enemy. My note, the whole lot, could have been a ruse.

“He didn’t say much – not even about the Jap destroyer that, in the darkness, had sliced his PT boat in halves, leaving one half to sink and the other afloat, with men scrabbling on the deck and floundering in the water and the sea a yellow fire … “Kennedy’s whole concern was for his crew.

“I showed him the messages I had sent and received. I told him it wouldn’t be hard for me to get him back by canoe to his PT base at Rendova. [But] he wouldn’t hear of it.

“For one thing, he said, his place was with his men, and for another it would make the rescue much easier if he were to lead and direct the rescue party.”

Later that night, rescue boats met Kennedy at the rendezvous point, exchanging a prearranged signal of four shots. Kennedy’s revolver was down to three rounds, so he borrowed a rifle from Evans for the fourth. Standing up in the canoe to give the signal, Kennedy did not anticipate the rifle’s recoil, which threw him off balance and dumped him in the water.

“I sent him off in the canoe, and he kept his rendezvous with the PT boat, led the rescuers, and got the survivors back to Rendova,” Evans wrote.

“And that, for me, was it. I never heard any more … How could I know he would become President of the United States? But I’m glad he made it. He was a nice bloke.”

Evans was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his “bravery and enterprise in reconnaissance operations” in February 1945 and was discharged from the Royal Australian Navy in May 1946.

Although the note Evans had written to Kennedy was kept after the rescue, his identity remained a mystery for the next 17 years as his name from the signature was often misread, and other details had been obscured during the war to protect his identity.

When Kennedy was elected President of the United States, he kept the coconut on his desk in the Oval Office. In an interview in February 1961, he confirmed that Evans was his rescuer, saying that he had gone unthanked “because I couldn't read his handwriting”.

Evans’s identity was confirmed after a congratulatory card he sent for the 1961 presidential inauguration was matched by a handwriting expert to the letter.

Evans was invited to the United States, where he met with PT-boat veterans in New York, and then with Kennedy at the White House.

The following year, Evans returned to the islands and was reunited with the scouts who had helped him during the war.

He died on 31 January 1989, aged 84.

His private records collection was donated to the Australian War Memorial the following year. The collection includes a logbook with coded entries, newspaper cuttings and letters, as well as a script and plan for the filming of a television episode.

John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, recently visited the Memorial to view the collection and thank surviving Coastwatchers James Burrowes OAM and Ronald “Dixie” Lee.

The new US Ambassador to Australia, Kennedy attended a Last Post Ceremony and laid a wreath in memory of those who served.

“It was a great honour to meet two Australian Coastwatchers, who played an essential role in keeping the region secure during World War Two,” she said.

“I owe personal gratitude to an Australian Coastwatcher and two Solomon Islander scouts who saved my father’s life.

“These men represent the best of their generation.”

 

Anyway I think it is kinda interesting to think that how our two countries from opposite sides of the world have a history thats intertwined, some good some not so good

But as a whole it is mainly for the good

Just think about some of things JFK pushed for, the space race and NASA got going properly because of JFK, we never went into nuclear war because JFK was a clear headed individual 

And neither of these world changing things would of happened with out some native Pacific islanders and a Australian Coast Watcher

 

Seeyah 

 

 

Paul

[davehummell]

When I was in high school I read the book about JFK on the PT 109 it was an interesting read. If I remember he ended up with a back injury if my memory is working right.

[mrsmackpaul]

Im pretty sure JFK had scoliosis of the spin as a child and should never of been allowed to join the military 

The Kennedy's had a lot of pull and Jack really wanted to do his part so got let in

As I remember it, the military tried to give Jack a desk job but he would have none of that

So they gave him a commission on a broken PT boat 

As the story goes he  and his crew of misfits  got it going and serviceable 

So back to your question Dave, his back was squashed during the accident and this with his previous scoscoliosis left Jack quite disabled by todays standards

Thats my understanding from a young bloke growing up and what was taught to me

 

Paul

 

 

 

[Mark T]

Paul, I read a few lines of the story you posted. Realize I need to read it on a laptop instead of my phone.  Interesting history, thanks for posting. 

[Brocky]

Paul, Thank You.. I had never heard that part of his PT-109 career and will have to do some more research..

[mowerman]

Man what a cool story thanks for the post Paul I think Jimmy Dean did a song about JFK and the 109… bob

[tjc transport]

John Kennedy was never groomed to be a politician, or to run the family enterprises. 

that was his older brother Joe's position, but Joe was killed on a top secret naval air mission in 1944 when his plane went down. John's father considered John not smart enough. 

but after Joe was killed, John took over as second oldest 

[Mark T]

This is some really interesting stuff. Sad thing is it's way easier to find info about his affairs or what ever other retarded stuff the media puts out there. I never knew 90 percent of what I've read in this thread. 

[tjc transport]

Mark, i am old enough to remember when the media told the truth and did not try to deceive the public. 

[Mark T]

2 hours ago, tjc transport said:

Mark, i am old enough to remember when the media told the truth and did not try to deceive the public. 

I wasn't even born when JFK was around. I can remember seeing the Nixon saga on TV, but at that time I was aggravated it was cut'n into cartoons.

[mechohaulic]

being old enough to remember " where were you when news came" President John Kennedy has been assassinated .  all the politicians have faults = so do we. JFK was a good pres, i still see lbj's face on the plane after the murder. all he wanted was to get it over with so he and his co conspirators can start the money making scheme( keeping nam going)JFK was standing in the way of. the warren commission "investigated " the plot; why is it they wait 75 yrs after the fact to tell the truth!!! 13 more yrs to go. simple we will all be gone that were around then. no one today cares about the lincoln assassination . joe jr an accident ??? nope . John. Bobby then john jr flying upside down = really . SORRY  Grand kids

[mrsmackpaul]

12 hours ago, tjc transport said:

Mark, i am old enough to remember when the media told the truth and did not try to deceive the public. 

Sounds like we have the same media clowns you blokes have 

 

 

On a different note, when people shrug there shoulders and say, "I'm only one person, what can I do ?"

Well truth is we never can tell, one coast watcher from the other side of the world organized a rescue for some jokers that had a bit more than a love tap in their plywood boat  with a Jap destroyer, that on it's own is pretty  amazing

To then think that Captain of the ply wood boat went onto become the President of a country, that President with a calm thinking head stopped a nuclear war in Cubba that was on a knife edge of happening that would of destroyed the world

That same President also put the space race into over drive, he vowed that with in 10 years there would be a man on the moon and safely returned to earth 

All because one coast watcher hiding in jungle  thousands of miles from home saw something, recieved information and acted on it 

I guess we all have this chance to make a difference, kinda strange when I think of it 

 

Paul 

 

 

 

 

[mrsmackpaul]

14 hours ago, Mark T said:

This is some really interesting stuff. Sad thing is it's way easier to find info about his affairs or what ever other retarded stuff the media puts out there. I never knew 90 percent of what I've read in this thread. 

Funny that I know very little about his affairs, but more this type of stuff and Im not a American 

Do they even teach this type of stuff in the States ?

 

Paul 

[Mark T]

15 minutes ago, mrsmackpaul said:

Funny that I know very little about his affairs, but more this type of stuff and Im not a American 

Do they even teach this type of stuff in the States ?

 

Paul 

I was talking about this with an older friend of mine (@67)  he said he was told about it in grade school. I don't remember ever hearing any of it  (I'm 56) now ?  I have no idea what's taught in schools. But as far as I can see you're much more likely to see something media sensationalizes as scandalous than any of this history. 

[Licensed to kill]

On 8/13/2022 at 6:19 PM, davehummell said:

When I was in high school I read the book about JFK on the PT 109 it was an interesting read. If I remember he ended up with a back injury if my memory is working right.

I read somewhere that JFK was wearing a back brace due to this injury and that is why he could not bend over and take cover after the first shot leaving him upright and exposed to the next two shots. 

[other dog]

On 8/13/2022 at 8:19 PM, davehummell said:

When I was in high school I read the book about JFK on the PT 109 it was an interesting read. If I remember he ended up with a back injury if my memory is working right.

I read the book too, great read. They made a movie about it based on the book too, it's been years since I've seen it though.

[Hayseed]

On 8/15/2022 at 5:45 PM, mrsmackpaul said:

Sounds like we have the same media clowns you blokes have 

You can Thank Rupert for that, Paul..

[mechohaulic]

On 8/15/2022 at 5:17 AM, Licensed to kill said:

I read somewhere that JFK was wearing a back brace due to this injury and that is why he could not bend over and take cover after the first shot leaving him upright and exposed to the next two shots. 

they wanted JFK taken down; even if he could have moved one of the shooters  would have finish the mission.

[mrsmackpaul]

This is pretty impressive, just think at one stage a 100 Flying Fortress bombers were getting shot down each day at some stage

1/3 of all U.S. bombers crews never returned after each mission dew mainly to yhe daylight bombing strategy 

25% of allie bombing crews never returned from each night mission

With all our sooking amd carrying on these days, are we really living our best lives ?

Remember every man lost had a mother that would never see her son come home, a lot probably had a wife and kids 

We need to add a tea spoon of cement and toughen up !!!!!

Enough from me, read bellow

 

FACT: Willow Run... by November 1943 they were rolling out a new B-24 every hour. At its peak monthly production (August 1944), Willow Run produced 428 B-24s with highest production listed as 100 completed Bombers flying away from Willow Run between April 24 and April 26, 1944. By 1945, Ford produced 70% of the B-24s in two 9-hour shifts. Ford built 6,972 of the 18,482 total B-24s and produced kits for 1,893 more to be assembled by the other manufacturers. The B-24 holds the distinction of being the most produced heavy bomber in history

 

 

Paul

[mrsmackpaul]

So some more did you know ?

 

“The torch of liberty once burned with real fire—and it nearly didn’t survive the 1980s.”

In 1985, a lone construction worker stood high above New York Harbor, preparing to remove one of America’s most enduring icons: the original torch of the Statue of Liberty. Ravaged by time, weather, and a series of misguided repairs, the torch that had crowned the statue since 1886 was being replaced. This wasn’t just a structural upgrade—it marked the quiet end of a chapter in American history.

Originally crafted by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the torch once glowed with real fire, a beacon of hope to millions arriving at Ellis Island. But after nearly a century, leaks and corrosion had left it beyond repair. Its removal stirred a mix of reverence and regret. Was this a step forward, or the loss of a living artifact?

Before its retirement to the newly built Statue of Liberty Museum, the original torch embarked on a farewell tour across the country. Americans from coast to coast stood face to face with the weathered flame that had once lit the gateway to their dreams.

Today, a gleaming, gilded torch shines from Liberty’s hand. Yet it’s the old one—battered, dimmed, and preserved—that continues to speak of resilience, transformation, and the ever-evolving meaning of freedom.

 

 

Paul 

[mrsmackpaul]

Okay, time for another one

They built a secret glider in an attic using bed slats and a bathtub.

This was the incredible escape plan hatched by Allied prisoners of war inside Germany's supposedly escape-proof Colditz Castle during WWII. ✈️

Confined to the castle reserved for the most defiant and persistent escape artists, British pilots Bill Goldfinch and Jack Best led a team to build a two-man glider right under the noses of their captors.

They worked in a hidden workshop in a remote attic, using stolen and improvised materials. The glider's wings and fuselage were built from bed boards and floorboards.

Control wires were fashioned from electrical wiring taken from unused parts of the castle. The glider's skin was made from cotton bedsheets, sealed with a paste of boiled millet porridge stolen from the kitchens.

The finished glider, nicknamed the "Colditz Cock," had a 32-foot wingspan and weighed 240 pounds. The plan was to launch it from the castle roof. 😲

Their launch system was just as creative. They would use a 60-foot runway of tables and a catapult powered by a bathtub filled with concrete, dropped through a hole in the floor to generate speed.

By the spring of 1945, the glider was complete and ready for the escape attempt. However, the plan was never put into action.

In April 1945, American forces liberated Colditz Castle, and the hidden glider was revealed to the world. A testament to human ingenuity and the unbreakable will to be free.

Years later, a replica was built following the original plans and materials. It flew successfully, proving the daring design was completely airworthy.

 

I reckon it's a fascinating story, the human spirit is strong

Paul 

[BOBWhite]

Sounds like a Hogans Hero's episode. Thanks for sharing 

[mrsmackpaul]

Yes it does doesn't it 

I hadn't thought of that

 

Paul 

[mechohaulic]

If only there was a way to get the younger generation to read all You posted. THANK YOU  for the interesting history.

[Vladislav]

Great reading Paul!

Keep on going!