How accurate is the movie PT-109?
Overall, PT-109 does a good job with keeping things accurate. However, they altered one significant part of the story with the sole purpose of writing ethnic minorities out of history. In real life, two native islanders played a pivotal role in rescuing the crew of PT-109.
Was there a real PT 73?
The real PT-73 was a 78-foot Higgins boat assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 13, which saw service in the Aleutians and in the Southwest Pacific theater. On 15 January, 1945 it ran aground, and was destroyed to prevent it falling into enemy hands.
Did JFK ever see the movie PT-109?
After seeing the film, President Kennedy called PT 109 a “good product,” but he worried about the length of the film at 2 hours and 20 minutes. He said, “It’s just a question of whether there’s too much of it”.
Do any PT boats still exist?
Today, just four combat-veteran PT boats still exist in the United States; of those, only PT-305 is fully restored and operational, complete with original-model engines.
Who died on the PT-109?
PT-109 explodes Seamen Andrew Jackson Kirksey and Harold William Marney were killed instantly, and two other members of the crew were badly injured and burned when they were thrown into the flaming sea surrounding the boat.
Is Taratupa Island real?
Taratupa: an island in the Pacific Ocean housing a US Navy PT boat base and one of two primary settings in the 1960s sitcom McHale’s Navy. The map of the island in the book is probably based on Unst in Shetland, which Stevenson visited.
What did President Kennedy think of PT-109?
After seeing the film, Kennedy called PT 109 a “good product,” but worried about the two hour, 20-minute length. “It’s just a question of whether there’s too much of it.”
What killed Cliff Robertson?
Natural causes
Cliff Robertson/Cause of death
Death. On September 10, 2011, one day after his 88th birthday, Robertson died of natural causes in Stony Brook, New York. His body was cremated, and a private funeral was held at St.
What happened to JFK’s coconut?
After the crash of his PT 109 boat, Lt. Kennedy gave the coconut to two natives to deliver to PT base at Rendova so he and his crew would be rescued. His father later had the coconut shell encased in plastic on a wood base and President Kennedy used it as a paperweight on his desk in the Oval Office.
Does the US Navy still use PT boats?
Nicknamed “the mosquito fleet” and “devil boats” by the Japanese, the PT boat squadrons were hailed for their daring and earned a durable place in the public imagination that remains strong into the 21st century. Their role was replaced in the U.S. Navy by fast attack craft.
Who was the commander of the PT 109?
PT 109 is a 1963 American Technicolor biographical war film, filmed in Panavision, which depicts the actions of John F. Kennedy (JFK) as an officer of the United States Navy in command of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 during the Pacific War of World War II. The film was adapted by Vincent Flaherty and Howard Sheehan from…
Is the movie PT 109 a good movie?
Thus, “PT-109” in all of its drama and action can surely be appreciated as a solid World War II film that emphasizes the importance of teamwork and steady leadership during times of crisis. In closing, “PT-109” is a solid recreation of a president’s wartime experiences that is both enjoyable and exciting in its presentation.
Why was the PT 109 sent to Choiseul?
The PT 109 is sent to evacuate paramarines pinned down after the Raid on Choiseul. Kennedy takes aboard the survivors, but barely gets out of range of Japanese mortars before running out of fuel. The tide starts to carry the boat back toward the island. Another PT boat arrives just in time to tow the 109 to safety.
Why was the PT 109 painted in Green?
Although many Higgins and Elco PT boats were likely delivered from the manufacturer with such a paint scheme, all historical records indicate that the real PT 109 and the other boats in its squadron were painted in dark green in order to better blend into their daytime anchorages or moorings adjacent to island jungles at forward operating bases.