John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy joined the Navy in 1941 despite a back injury that might have disqualified him from service. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he requested sea duty, trained in motor torpedo boats, and became an instructor for a brief time because of his skill in handling boats. He later sought combat duty and was ordered to the Pacific war zone. During the battle for the Solomon Islands in August 1943, while in command of PT-109, a Japanese destroyer sliced the boat in half and threw him and his crew into the sea. His bravery in leading his entire crew to safety earned Lieutenant Kennedy a Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. He later became the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 to 1963.

Fredericksburg, Texas · United States