The Story of JFK and PT 109 You Haven't Heard
Very few men can say they have run a race with a U.S. President—and won. Father Vincent Healy Arimond, a resident at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, has that fond memory.
The President was John F. Kennedy Jr. The race was a PT boat scramble in the South Pacific during World War II.
JKF was then a young Navy lieutenant, commanding the now famous PT 109, which as PT boats go, was something of a heap. Fr. Vincent, before he became a priest, was the quartermaster on the much more seaworthy PT 60. The two boats were paired for night patrol near the Russell Islands.
In his memoirs, Father Vincent, recalled that night this way:
“After the night’s patrol duties, Jack (Kennedy) challenged our skipper to a race back to our Russell Islands base. We readily agreed, knowing he couldn’t possibly win. The flatter hull of our 70-foot PT 60 boat was lighter and faster than the PT 109, an 80-foot boat. An incentive was that our required refueling was first-come-first-served, in order of arrival, after which the crew would be free to take a swim in the bay to cool off.
“As we expected, we won the race easily. Jack did not like being beaten in a race. When we got into the harbor, he gunned the engine and plunged past us, a forbidden harbor practice in the Navy. As he headed for the docks he asked his motor-mac to put the motors in reverse. The intensity of the speed killed the motors, and he headed straight towards the dock with no way to check his speed. We watched as the boat plowed into the dock with a crash. The dock broke into pieces, the PT boat stopping when it hit the pilings that supported the dock. We heard Jack was in real trouble. The authorities assigned Jack to duty on the beach for a spell. This couldn’t last long, however, as we were all needed for the patrols.”
And, of course, the rest of the story has been widely publicized and made into a movie. Sometime later, operating from a different base, Lt. Kennedy went on patrol in PT 109 and the boat was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer. In a narrow escape from the crash, JFK led his 10 surviving men in an exhausting and heroic swim to a nearby island.
Father Vincent, who recalls frequently riding to Mass with Lt. Kennedy, is now 92 and living at Ecumen Lakeshore, where he has written his memoirs that recall the Kennedy story. After the war, Father Vincent returned to the States to become a priest. He did pastoral service in Duluth, Brainerd, Sandstone, Proctor and Morgan Park.
After 25 years in the priesthood, Father Vincent changed course. “Ultimately, I realized that I had promised God that I would serve in the Missions,” he wrote. He spent the rest of his career in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador before returning to Duluth, where he retired.
Lt. Kennedy returned from his ordeal to become a Congressman and the 35th President of the United States. He was assassinated 50 years ago today.
Star Tribune Highlights Ecumen as "Nonprofit To Know"
Ecumen is highlighted as one of the “Nonprofits To Know” in the November 6, 2013, Star Tribune “Giving Back” special section.
The Star Tribune calls attention to “Nonprofits To Know,” a video series produced by Minnesota Philanthropy Partners featuring nonprofits doing important work.
The Ecumen video focuses on the Little Treasures Childcare and Family Center in Duluth, which serves at-risk children. Ecumen teamed up with Little Treasures in 2011 to create an inter-generational program to foster the healthy development of children and increase the quality of life of older adults. At the time, Little Treasures needed a permanent home, and Ecumen had some unfinished extra space at Ecumen Lakeshore. The space was converted into the daycare center with donations from local civic organizations, individuals and foundations. Ecumen Lakeshore residents regularly volunteer there as “grandfriends” to babies and toddlers.
Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts is interviewed in the video, which can see here.
Joe Gomer, Minnesota's Last Tuskegee Airman and Ecumen Lakeshore Resident, Dies at 93
Our country has lost a hero, Congressional Gold Medal recipient and one of a small group of remaining Tuskegee Airmen. Joe Gomer passed away at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Minn., on Thursday, October 10. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and all those he inspired. We are honored to have known and cared for Joe Gomer.
Learn more about Joe's life and accomplishments in today's Pioneer Press/AP story, "Minnesota's last Tuskegee Airman dies at 93."
Photo by AP Photo/Duluth News Tribune, Steve Kuchera