Walking a Mile in John F. Kennedy\'s

WALKING a MILE IN JOHN F. KENNEDY'S SHOES

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) was a tremendously important figure in modern American history despite the fact that his presidency was cut short after less than three years by his tragic assassination in 1963. Born into a wealthy and politically influential family, Kennedy served in the U.S. Navy during World War II after which he served as a U.S. Congressman from 1946 until his election as the nation's 35th president, overcoming the significant obstacle of prejudice against Catholics in American politics. Kennedy also suffered from colitis, chronic back problems, and Addison's Disease throughout his career, a fact that was largely hidden from the public in an era where the press maintained a form of "gentlemen's agreement" to avoid publicizing unflattering personal information about political representatives. Likewise, no public mention was ever made of Kennedy's extramarital affairs. His presidency faced several extremely important domestic, international, and geopolitical challenges, including civil rights and worldwide Soviet aggression and expansion into the Western Hemisphere.

Family Background and Early Influences

John F. Kennedy was the second oldest of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., a prominent businessman and U.S. Ambassador to Britain from 1938 to 1940. Joseph Kennedy taught his family (especially his sons) that it was heir duty to excel at everything they did and that they were expected to achieve greatness in their lives (Sorensen, 1965). He had groomed his oldest son, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. To enter U.S. politics but he was killed during the last year of the Second World War while piloting a plane loaded with explosives in a special mission over occupied France in a special mission to take out Nazi missile launch sites.

Wartime Service and Entrance into Public Life

John F. Kennedy also served in World War II in the Navy, commanding U.S. Patrol Boat 109 in the Pacific Theater. During his tour of duty in 1943, he was seriously injured when PT-109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. In that episode, Kennedy rescued another seriously injured crewman by keeping him afloat and dragging him to land gripping the straps of his life vest in his teeth. He received awards for bravery and was honorably discharged in 1945. The next year, Kennedy successfully ran for Congressional office and served in that capacity despite several very serious medical episodes requiring major surgery in connection with which he was actually administered last rites (Sorensen, 1965).

Overcoming the Challenges of the U.S. Presidency

Kennedy ran for the U.S. presidency in 1960, in connection with which he had to overcome a long history of anti-Catholic prejudice in the U.S. As well as residual prejudices against Irish-Americans in public office (Sorensen, 1965). As president, Kennedy immediately faced tremendous pressure in connection with civil rights unrest and the defiance of Southern governors to permit black students to enroll at their state universities (Sorensen, 1965). By far, the most significant challenges faced by Kennedy as president were those arising from the efforts of the Soviet Union to impose Communism on European nations, most notably, in Germany in connection with the erection of the Berlin Wall (Roberts, 2000).