USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. DD850 Destroyer Museum
at Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts.
JPK and the Kennedy family
Click picture for a larger image:
Crew
paints, chips, and readies the JPK on 17 January 1961 in Newport for
JPK's participation in John F. Kennedy's Inauguration festivities in
Washington D.C. Behind her is the USS Warrington , which also attended.
Jackie Kennedy
sits atop the USS Joseph P. Kennedy's MK37 fire control director during
the 1970 America's Cup races off Newport, R.I., when the Kennedy and
the USS Newman K. Perry, DD-883, carried passengers out to the course
to watch the American 12 meter yacht "Intrepid" hold off Australia's
"Gretel II". (contributed by shipmate Bruce Hemboldt)
Below are Photos from President John F. Kennedy's visit to DD850 during
the Americas Cup races off Newport in September of 1962. JPK was his
favorite "viewing platform". Along with the President, his Jackie and
their children were aboard. The crew made and presented the President a
model of DD850.
From the following pictures, one can see the presentation ceremony and
JFK's love of DD850 and her crew. The model was carved by a petty
officer and the ship's captain was CDR Michalevsky. Of interest, JFK
made a speech with the comment that if "anything happened in the world,
the Kennedy would be there first..". A few months later, JPK stopped
and boarded the freighter Marucla during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
CDR Michalevsky and the President
The Petty Officer who carved out the ship is to the President's right
Shaking hands with the model's creator.
Jackie closely examines the model.
Watching
the America's Cup Race. Mrs. Kennedy, President Kennedy, others. Off
Newport, RI, aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr on 09/15/1962. Note
the Mk 32 torpedo launcher has been removed and a plug is in its place.
Watching the 4th
America's Cup Race. President Kennedy, Press Secretary Pierre Salinger.
Off Newport, RI, aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr on 09/22/1962.
