John F. Kennedy Writes Famed Military Collector Joe Martin, Who Had Sent Him a World War II Navy Cover to Sign

13/05/1957. PT 109 is an extraordinary World War II story of shipwreck and survival that paved John F. Kennedy's path to power. PT-109 was placed in service in July 1942 and departed onboard a Liberty Ship for duty in the Pacific. Joining Motor Torpedo Boat Two in October, she participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign to stop Japanese reinforcements. In February 1943, the month after the Japanese retreated from Guadalcanal, Lt. John F. Kennedy took command of the boat and was based out of Rendova Island after the island's capture that summer. In the early hours on August 2, 1943, PT-109 was patrolling Blackett Strait, on the southern side of Kolombangara Island, when her starboard side was rammed, cut, and severely disabled by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. Eventually sinking, her eleven survivors abandoned the boat, with Kennedy personally towing one of the crew and ensuring the men returned to the PT Base at Rendova. Kennedy became a hero and his story was published in Reader’s Digest. He would receive the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroism and become the 35th President of the United States.Back in the 1990s, we were approached by Joe Martin. A veteran who had served in the Marine Corps, he got the idea of writing military heroes and medal winners with first day covers relevant to their experiences, and other media such as photographs, and getting them to sign them. Like Douglas MacArthur signed a surrender of Japan cover. Martin hoped one day to open a museum. He wrote many hundreds of letters, including his enclosures. His idea was very popular with the recipients of his requests, with many running interference for him with their colleagues. For example, one Medal of Honor winner would write to another and request cooperation. The Martin Collection was mammoth and unique and when he told us he wished to sell the collection, we were floored. We took advantage of the opportunity and bought it. It became the basis for our book, Military Autographs of the World, and ere long the wonderful pieces were sold.Recently we acquired a collection and lo and behold, one of the Martin pieces was included. Typed letter signed, on his United States Senate letterhead, May 13, 1957, to legendary collector Joseph Martin, who had sent him a World War II Navy cover to sign. This was the letter Martin sent Kennedy along with the cover. We hadn’t seen it in thirty years.”Thank you very much for your kind letter of recent date. I want you to know that I very much appreciate the interest and thoughtfulness which prompted you to write me and at your request, it is a pleasure to return herewith the U. S. Navy cover, autographed.” Anything that associates the hero of PT 109 with his naval service is a treasure.