Surname 2
1935, he was taken ill as he intended to start studying at the London School of Economics; this
culminated in his forced return to the US to study at Princeton as he sought treatment. A year
later, he enrolled at Harvard College where he later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in
government, focusing on international affairs in 1940.
In late 1941, John F. Kennedy joined the US Naval Reserve and was later commissioned
to command a patrol boat in the South Pacific. During the normal rounds, they spotted a
Japanese Destroyer and right when they were about to attack, they were rammed from an angle
that split their ship into half taking the life of two of the crew members. JFK, despite sustaining a
back injury, gathered his remaining crew members and saved them by directing them to a nearby
island and pulling one of them by the strands of his life jacket. After recuperating for a few
months, he was awarded for his heroism and his injuries. After several tours, he retired from the
Navy Reserve on March 1, 1945, citing physical disability and was honourably discharged with
the rank of lieutenant
His political career began in 1946 when he for Congress in the 11th congressional district
of Massachusetts. He then went on to challenge Henry Cabot Lodge for his seat in the U.S.
Senate, and with the help of his father's financial backing; he won by a very slim margin. His
unique personality, among other things, was cited as a factor in his victory. In a Republican-
dominated House of Congress
In September 1953, Kennedy said I do to Jacqueline Bouvier at Newport. This beautiful
young lady was the daughter of a wealthy financier, a New York stockbroker of French descent
and a mother of Irish descent. Her marriage to JFK brought some semblance balance and
inspiration to the extraordinary Kennedy, even encouraging him to write a book ‘Profiles in
Courage' in 1957 which she also helped edit.
