23. The 1963 film PT 109 told a Hollywood version of the story
In June, 1963, the film PT 109 was released, starring Cliff Robertson as John F. Kennedy. Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. had a leading role in the production. The film was based on the book PT 109: John F. Kennedy in World War II, by Robert J. Donovan. Like most Hollywood films, it took some liberties with facts, such as Kennedy’s boat being reported as missing and a search initiated immediately. In reality, Kennedy and his crew were presumed lost, and a memorial service was held. It also depicted the boats in Navy gray paint. PT boats were typically painted dark green during the Solomon Islands Campaign. The film also called into question how Kennedy could have allowed his boat to be rammed.
Kennedy invited several men with whom he served in the South Pacific to a screening of the film at the White House. One guest was former Navy Commander Arthur Murray Preston. Preston was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while commanding a PT boat in the Pacific. He was asked following the film if the result would have been the same had he, rather than Kennedy, encountered the Japanese destroyer under the same circumstances. Would his boat have been destroyed? His only reply was a succinct, “Damned right”.
