PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy

by William Doyle

As Kennedy approached, a voice called out, “Hey, Jack!” In a bitter outburst born of the frustrations of past six days, Kennedy’s supposed reply was, “Where the hell you been?” Lieutenant Art Berndtson, who was in the nearby PT 171, recalled that Kennedy’s question was hardly welcome: “It was an unfortunate thing to say, I thought. I know it irked a lot of people on the two PTs. There was a war on. The guys were going out every night, getting killed and wounded. We were busy as hell. I had a patrol to lead that night and I was taking time from it. And then he hit us with that comment, like he was the only guy around!” Liebenow, however, recalled that the PT 171 was nowhere to be seen, and that a different exchange occurred, one more typical of two junior naval officers exchanging wisecracks in the midst of extreme pressure. “Hey, Jack: we’ve got some food for you!” said Liebenow. “Just what I need,” said Kennedy, “No thanks. I just had a coconut.” “You’re probably eating better that we are,” joked Liebenow, in a swipe at the monotonous cuisine available at the Rendova base.