1917 - 1963

Both of his grandfathers, Patrick J. Kennedy and John F. (Honey Fitz) Fitzgerald were elected to public office. Fitzgerald served as mayor of Boston and also served in Congress.

John’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy was also involved in politics and served the post of ambassador to Great Britain. Joseph, at age 25 became the youngest bank president in the country and over the years built up one of the greatest private fortunes in America.

In 1940, Kennedy graduated from Harvard University cum laude. A year later he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1943, he became a war hero when he helped save the lives of the men on the boat he commanded, PT 109, when they were torpedoed by a Japanese destroyer. With his back reinjured, he managed to swim with his surviving men to an island three miles away and eventually they were rescued five days later.

Kennedy ran for Congress for the Boston district and was reelected twice. He then ran for United States Senator and won against a tough fight against Republican Henry Cabot Lodge. In 1956, he was just barely defeated for the Democratic vice-presidential nomination. Two years later he was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

In 1960 he ran for President of the United States against then Vice-President, Richard M. Nixon. At age 43, Kennedy became the youngest elected President of the United States, winning by less than one percent of the popular vote.

Kennedy symbolized the hope that America could build a better future for all of its citizens. His economic programs supported the disadvantaged, raised the minimum wage, proposed increased social security benefits and championed Congress to approve a medical program for the nation’s elderly. The Peace Corps was established during Kennedy’s administration as well.

The handsome, elegant and articulate President was chiefly responsible for supporting America’s space program. Kennedy boldly announced that by the end of the decade the United States would land a man on the moon and return him safely. In 1969 his early vision came true.

In 1963, while riding in a Dallas motorcade, his life was cut short by an assassin’s bullet. The bright flame of the Camelot era was slowly snuffed out. America went into mourning. Who could ever forget the picture of three-year-old John-John, saluting his dad at the funeral.

America will remember as if it were just yesterday the eloquent words of President John F. Kennedy at his inaugural address on January 20, 1961:

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.