In Harm's Way: JFK, World War II, and the Heroic Rescue of PT 19: JFK, World War II, and the Heroic Rescue of PT 109

About this book

In October 1941, young Jack Kennedy was appointed an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. After completing training and eager to serve, he volunteered for combat duty in the Pacific and was appointed commander of PT-109.

On August 2, 1943, Kennedy's PT-109 and two others were on a night mission to ambush an enemy supply convoy when they were surprised by a massive Japanese destroyer. The unsuspecting Americans had only seconds to react as the Japanese captain turned his ship to ram directly into Kennedy's. PT-109 was cut in half by the collision, killing two of Kennedy's thirteen crewmen and wounding several others in the explosion.

In Harm's Way tells the gripping story of what happened next as JFK fought to save his surviving crew members who found themselves adrift in enemy waters. Photographs round out the exciting narrative in the first book to cover this adventurous tale for young readers.

Reviews

"...a fast-paced, gripping narrative. An admiring, inspiring portrait of a courageous and selfless natural-born leader."--Kirkus

"...extremely well written, thrilling in its evocation of the sinking of the PT boat and its aftermath, while creating a vivid, multidimensional portrait of the future president, who emerges as an authentic American hero who repeatedly faced danger in his efforts to save the lives of his crew. It's an epic story that deserves being discovered by a new generation of readers for whom it will be a revelation and may well inspire further reading."--Booklist

"In this well-researched, dramatic account of JFK's life, with a particular emphasis on his naval career, Martin (Gettysburg: The True Account of Two Young Heroes in the Greatest Battle of the Civil War) reprises famous events in short, riveting chapters enhanced by abundant photographs, World War II facts and trivia, Kennedy family scrapbook items, and quotations from contemporary writings."--Publishers Weekly

"An engaging war story about a popular president, this title will entice those with interest in presidential and military history."--School Library Journal