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 Author  Topic: Ted Robinson's Claim to Have Helped Rescue JFK
William Doyle

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of William Doyle  Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 1:22pm
I just sent this email to Cathy Locke, author of the Ted Robinson story in today's Sacramento Bee.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/obituaries/article41491314.html
I'm eager for any thoughts you might have on this curious story:

RE: Corrections to Ted Robinson Story

Dear Cathy:

Like my own father, Ted Robinson served in combat zones in the South Pacific during World War II, and for that he had my great admiration. I write this with deep respect for Mr. Robinson’s actual service.
But the historical record is important, as is honoring our veterans with accurate history.
I have thoroughly researched PT 109 for my recent book of the same name - - including interviewing Ted Robinson somewhat briefly, before he hung up on me when I asked him for documentation of his claims to be on the PT boat that rescued John Kennedy.
The actual commander of the boat that rescued Kennedy, (then Lieutenant junior grade) William "Bud" Liebenow, who is alive today and is an extremely reliable eyewitness, has no memory of a Ted Robinson being on that mission and no memory of him at all, and I have found no evidence that Robinson was ever on the PT 157. It is theoretically possible that Robinson might have rode along on another boat, the PT 171, on the night of the rescue (August 6 and 7, 1943), as that boat provided initial radar coverage for the operation, but the two boats became separated during the mission and PT 157 is the boat that took Kennedy and the other survivors off the island and back to safety. Robinson provided no documentation for his claim to be on either boat in his self-published book.
Robinson was definitely not “skipper” of the boat that rescued Kennedy - - William Liebenow was, as skipper of the PT 157.
U.S. Navy records identified by independent PT boat researchers at the National Archives indicate that a Ted Robinson did come aboard the PT 118 as executive officer on August 12, 1943. Robinson may have met Kennedy in the weeks after the rescue, and he may have taken the photo of Kennedy leaning on a cane during his recuperation.
But many of the claims Robinson made over the years are incorrect or have no supporting evidence.
His claim to have recuperated with Kennedy for three months is false, as Kennedy was hospitalized for recuperation for only a few weeks before re-entering active duty.
At 7:10 in this video, Robinson says “I was the guy that rescued Kennedy.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK7lJF2BxBU
I have found no evidence for that claim. I have examined, for example, most, if not all of the extensive PT 109 files at the JFK Library and Robinson’s name appears only once, in a 1960 news clipping in which he says he helped rescue Kennedy.
The historical record identifies the men who rescued John F. Kennedy and the PT 109 survivors as: Solomon Islands natives Biuku Gasa, Eroni Kumana, John Kari, Benjamin Kevu, Moses Sesa, Jonathan Bia, Joseph Eta, Stephen Hitu, Koete Igolo, and Edward Kidoe; Australian Coastwatcher Reginald Evans and his assistant, American Coastwatcher Benjamin Franklin Nash; the men aboard the PT 157 on the night of the rescue (including the boat’s full regular crew): skipper Lt. (jg) William Liebenow, executive officer John Ruff, torpedoman Welford West, quartermaster Waldo DeWilde, motor machinists Dan Jamieson, Harry Armstrong and Harry Aust, gunnerymen Jimmy Smith, Ray Macht and Harold Goodemote, radioman Sam Koury, pharmacist’s mates Fred T. Ratchford and William J. Lawrence (who provided medical support), PT officers Lt. Hank Brantingham and Lt. Alvin Cluster, plus two war correspondents, Frank Hewlett and Leif Erickson.
Beginning at 1:04:15 on this video, Robinson makes a series of false statements:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esuW4lU75u8
Referring to gasoline burns: “he (JFK) was burned like a crisp (immediately after the Amagiri crash, from flaming gasoline)”. Later in the tape, he again describes gasoline burns on Kennedy.
False. Kennedy was sunburned in the days after the crash, but was not burned by gasoline.
“One man was burned so badly (a clear reference to Patrick McMahon, the most badly burned of the crew) that he was already bleeding at the mouth and bleeding, and nobody wanted him on their wreckage… nobody wanted to help this man.”
False, and a dishonor to the PT 109 crew, all of whom pitched in to help McMahon.
“When he got him (McMahon) ashore, the man died.”
False. McMahon survived the ordeal.
“…it was too late, some of them (PT 109 survivors) had already starved to death.”
False. No survivors starved to death.
“I went in (on the rescue mission) as Brantingham’s representative. I went on the 157 boat, we went in on Liebenauer’s (sic) boat…”
Very likely false. There is no evidence that Robinson was on the PT 157. Hank Brantingham had no need to deputize a representative to go on the mission because he was on the mission himself.
“We brought ‘em back (JFK and his crew), one man died on the way home.” Later, Robinson repeats the claim that “one man died on the way home.”
False. Two men did die in the impact of the collision. No survivors died on the way home, or in weeks and months after the crash.
“We had a funeral for Jack…”
Most likely false. There is no conclusive evidence that any funeral or service was held.
I have no idea why Robinson made such claims, some of them dating back to the 1960s. I have no idea why he was not publicly corrected on such claims by fellow PT boat veterans over the years, although they may not have been widely circulated, or cared about, in the pre-internet age. In recent years, both William Liebenow and his PT 157 crewman Welford West specifically denied ever knowing a Ted Robinson to me and other researchers.
These are not mere minor discrepancies but major falsehoods and misstatements in which Robinson elevates himself to a central role in a major historical event that he was in all likelihood never a part of.
I did not write any of this in my book, which came out a few weeks ago, because frankly I did not want to cause public distress to an elderly veteran. During my phone conversation with Robinson last year when I politely asked him for evidence of his claims, he brought the conversation to an end and hung up the phone.
If I am wrong in my interpretation of the evidence, or if Mr. Robinson’s friends and family can produce conclusive evidence for his claim to have rescued, or have helped rescue, Kennedy and his crew, I will apologize publicly and stand corrected. I keep an open mind and hold out the possibility that I may be wrong on Mr. Robinson. I was not there. I was not alive at the time. He was evidently, fairly close to the events geographically and chronologically.
But I believe that without corroborating evidence, Ted Robinson should not go down in history as the man who saved, or helped save, John F. Kennedy. That honor belongs to the men listed above.
Ted Robinson should instead be honored for his actual service, in the combat zone, in defending our nation.

Respectfully,
William Doyle
Author
PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy
http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062346582/pt-109

“I have to say, William Doyle’s PT 109 is the finest book I’ve ever read on the subject: the best written; the most well-researched and accurate. It covers every aspect and brings many new things to light. Doyle has done a wonderful job.”

William Liebenow, Lt. Commander, USNR (ret.), skipper of PT 157, John F. Kennedy's tentmate, battle colleague and boat commander of the mission that rescued Kennedy behind enemy lines in August 1943


William Doyle

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 3:20pm
Mr. Doyle: I am now in the process of reading your new book. (Almost through) I have been reading the accounts of the 109 episode for years and yours is the most through that I have ever read. You did a marvelous job. I certainly never heard of Ted Robinson or read of any of these claims that he is making. I was not in the Solomons when the 109 was sunk but was at at Vella La Vella and our 242 berthed next to the 59 in the mongrove bushes for a couple of weeks in November 1943. I was just a lowly 1st class Seaman so I certainly had no contact with Mr. Kennedy..

C. J. Willis

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TheBridge

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TheBridge  Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 3:35pm

I had also run into Mr Robinson i few years ago when I saw he was speaking at a function here in Southern California. I then did a search and found that was continually traveling throughout the state to talk about his 'rescue' of the PT 109 crew and talking up his book. I found his phone number and contacted him. I found him to be pushy and loud when you questioned anything about his involvement during the night the PT 157 rescued the 109 crew. For example, I asked where he was on the 157 that night to which he said he was crouched behind a torpedo tube. It seemed odd for an XO to take that position. I also asked Skipper Liebenow and torpedoman West about Mr. Robinson to which they said they had not ever heard of him. About two years ago I took it on myself to draw the log pages from the National Archives on the PT-118 and quickly found that his statement in his book and the real USN records showed Robinson's assertions as to being on the 157 that night were just not possible. Below is my previously unpublished account of my review.

I am putting this on the Forum just as I wrote it (to myself) without reviewing for typos/grammar check. It also lost its formatting when I copied/pasted from my WOrd doc file. I apologise forl my hyphenating the letters 'PT' with the boat number. Old habits die hard.

- Bridge Carney


Purpose:
The purpose of this review was to confirm the dates, action and location of Mr. Robinson and the PT-118 for the period of time of June 30, 1943 to August 11, 1943 outlined in specific detail in his book „Water in my Veins‰.
Mr, Ted Robison served on the PT-118 in the Solomons in the summer of 1943. He did serve and is to be thanked and congratulated for his efforts. His account of the times in the Solomons is another contribution to future generations of those who served in the country‚s hours of need.

Conclusion:
For the sake of accurate history, however, there were many noted discrepancies and statements in Mr. Robinson‚s book, ŒWater in my Veins‚,  that did not agree with known situations by persons familiar with PTs in the Solomons.

On review of available US Naval Documents for the period of time of June 30, 1943 to August 11, 1943 there is no support of various locations and some of the personal associations of Mr. Robinson as stated in his book „Water in my Veins‰. To date the documents and eyewitnesses do not support the accounts regarding the stated locations and actions by Mr. Robinson in his book and that of the PT-118.

Sources used in this review
The documents obtained from NARA (United States National Archives and Records Administration) used in this review include the following:

- - Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Nine ˆ covering July and August 1943
- - August 1943 MTB Logs - Cover Report AND MTB logs Aug 1-Aug 31, 1943.
- - The PT-157 Log book pages for August 7, 1943
- - The PT-118 Log book, dated July 1, 1943 to September 7, 1943, for the dates of June29, 1943 to August 11, 1943 including the first two pages of the Log book that lists the crew member so the PT-118 during this period.

In addition there is the eyewitness recall, interviewed by Bridgeman Carney, of three persons present in Rendova during July/August 1943 that being:

- - William ŒBud‚ Liebenow, LT(jg), Skipper of the PT-157
- - Welford West, Torpedo man 1/C, PT-157 (now deceased)
- - Sam Reynolds, LT(jg), Executive Officer, PT-162 (now deceased)

The book „FIRST-UP: Chronicles of the PT-157‰, includes Deck log pages of the PT-157 and RON-9 MTB log pages.

Analysis from which the conclusion is drawn

These are the more significant conflicts of story of the PT-118 in the book ŒWater in my veins‚ versus entries from USN documents of the time:
- - Mr. Robinson‚s book states that he was assigned to the PT-118 throughout the period of July and August 1943; except for early August when he says he detached himself from the PT-118, which was in for repairs, to move up to Rendova aboard the PT-164 on his own without any other PT-118 crew.

- - o The Deck Log of the PT-118 of crewmen shows that it was not until August 11, 1943 that Mr. Robinson, and whole new crew including Lt (jg) Percy, were assigned to the PT-118.

All pages of the PT-118 Log book reviewed, from June 29 to August 11, 1943, are signed at the bottom by Executive Officer Foncannon, who was under Skipper Lt (jg) D.S. Kennedy. The exception are the first two pages, which lists the crew and crew changes, which are signed by Lt (jg) Percy at the time he added his crew to the log when replacing D.S. Kennedy‚s crew on August 11, 1943. The entries of the new crew and Mr. Percy‚s signature appear to be the same handwriting style.

- - Mr. Robinson states that PT-118 first arrived in Rendova sometime in early August 1943 and that he, Mr. Robinson, arrived in Rendova on August 1, 1943.

- - - - he Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Nine AND the Log book from the PT-157 AND Log book from the PT-118 show that the PT-118 went to ŒAdvanced Base‚ Rendova with RON-9 on June 29, traveling all night and delayed due to engine trouble, arriving Rendova on June 30, 1943. (noted is that the PT-118 was not officially RON-9 but was temporarily put under the command of the RON-9 Commander Kelly as the initial PT fleet to Rendova under ŒOperation Toenails‚)
  
- - - - The recounting by Mr. Robinson about the sinking of the McCawley is told in a detached manner in which he, and the PT-118, were not involved. However, the PT-118 did attack a ship on June 30, outside of Rendova harbor and fired two torpedoes [PT-118 log book states „2015 [hrs] Two torpedoes fired into ship‰. Per the Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Nine, the PT-118 did fire two torpedoes and was among the PTs that hit and, unfortunately, did sink the USS McCawley.

- - - - The PT-118 has engine problems on July 1, while station in Rendova, but completes repairs according to the Administrative Log for Motor Torpedo Boat [MTB] Squadron Nine. The PT-118 remains in Rendova attempting to attempt repairs. In the month of July the PT-118 log books show that it spends nearly 23 days out of the patrol rotation due to breakdowns/repairs with much of the time traveling to/from PT Bases Tulagi & Russells and time spent waiting for and during repairs. The PT-118 does not reappear in the MTB Rendova Actions Reports until August 2, 1943.

- - - - The MTB RON-9 Action Reports (PT base Rendova) for August 2- August 5 shows the PT-118 is back in Rendova when it is listed as on patrol, still under the command of Skipper Lt (jg) D.S. Kennedy; not Percy as indicated in ŒVeins‚. This synchronizes with the PT-118‚s own log book which says Œunderway to advanced base‚; which is PT base Rendova.

- - - - The PT-118 log book entries show that it is on patrol the nights of August 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7. The MTB Reports for Rendova also show the 118 on patrol for these dates. The significance of the PT-118 being on patrol on August 7 is that this is the night the PT-157 rescue the crew of the PT-109 with assistance from PT-171 [not the PT-162 as stated in ŒVeins‚] who will do a radar scan, give the all clear to the PT-157 and then leave for its own assigned patrol. If Mr. Robinson had been a part of the PT-118 he certainly would have been on patrol with the 118; not the PT-157 on the night of August 7.

- - - - On August 1, 1943, Mr. Robinson said he rode on the PT-164 up to Rendova and then joined the PT-159 on patrol.

The PT-159 Deck Log for this date does not indicate the presence of any special Œguests‚ on-board. This in and of itself does it confirm the Mr. Robinson was not on-board; but neither does it confirm that he was. The noting of special riders on board a PT was often, but not always, noted in a PT Deck Log.

The National Archives could not locate the Deck Log of the PT-164 (which was destroyed on August 1 at Rendova harbor).

- - - - pecifically, there is a critical disconnect between Mr. Robinson‚s account of himself and that of the PT-118 especially his supposed movement from PT Base Russells to PT base Rendova.

In the book ŒVeins‚, bottom of page 229, Mr. Robinson he was going forward to Rendova as the PT-118 was in for repairs to fix a lot of damage, back at PT base Tulagi, due to hitting a reef and yet the PT-118 leaves PT base Russells at 0900-hours arrives latter in the day, August 2, at PT base Rendova..and even goes on assigned patrol that night.

Questions arise as to how it was possible for Mr. Robinson to detach himself from daily duties as the Executive Office of the PT-118 crew and to go forward on his own, on August 1, to advanced PT base Rendova while the Skipper and crew of the PT-118 have to travel further to the rear to PT base Tulagi for repairs. This would be a 3-4 hour boat ride across open water, still within range of enemy attach, requiring a full crew, Skipper and Executive Officer.

- - Why would an XO leave a crew behind? Did Mr. Robinson have written permission (orders) to go forward (leaving his crew and Skipper at Russells or Tulagi)?

- - As stated previous the PT-118 went out on patrol on the nights of August 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7. With the PT-118 in Rendova as of August 2, Mr. Robinson would have rejoined the PT-118 and crew.

- - It is here that there is a disconnect with Mr. Robinson‚s account of himself and the documented locations and actions of the PT-118.

Eyewitness accounts:

- - In interviews in 2012/2013 when asking of Skipper William F. Liebenow and torpedo man Welford West, both of the PT-157 during July/August 1943, as well as Sam Reynolds, Executive Officer of the PT-162 also during July/August 1943 their recall of PT Executive Officer Robinson, none recalled Mr. Robinson.

- - - - Neither Liebenow or West recall Mr. Robinson ever being on the PT-157. In separate discussions, both have listed all personnel on board that they recall the PT-157 the night they rescued the crew of the PT-109. The lists from both matched each other and neither included Mr. Robinson.

- - - - In the book ŒWater in my Veins‚, Mr. Robinson says he made himself a personal aide to RON-9 Executive Office Brantingham. As such Mr. Robinson would have been in and around Brantingham constantly. William Liebenow, however, and Brantingham were quite close in that they passed much of their off-time (day time) together playing cribbage. This puts further question to Mr. Robinson association with Brantingham in light of the above bullet.

- - - - When Liebenow and Reynolds were asked to comment about Mr. Robinson being a personal aid to Brantingham, their response was that none of the officers had any person aides; including Kelly and Warfield (RON-9 and RON-2 Commanders respectively).

- - - - The following point is speculative however is relevant: RON-9 (at Rendova) lost two PTs (PTs 153/158) in early July when they ran aground. All crewmen/Officers were recovered and remaining assigned on Œbase duty‚. These crewmen and Officers, which include Skippers and Executive Officers obviously, were available for whatever purpose Kelly/Brantingham wished to have them do. It would be reasonable to assume that if Kelly/Brantingham felt they wanted an aide, which give the previous point was not so, they would have selected an Officer with who they were already familiar with as they had been together as part of RON-9 for the past 7-8 months AND would have been assigned as a aide well before Mr. Robinson‚s arrival on August 1. Secondly, why would Brantingham have chosen someone, in this case Mr. Robinson, not of RON-9, with who he had absolutely no previous acquaintance with, who had arrived only hours before the patrols of August 1, 1943 and invite him to come aboard to act has his radar officer?

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Drew Cook

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Drew Cook  Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 4:20pm
Wow! What a load of "horse frocky" from someone (Robinson) who's book I've considered buying -- but not now.

I don't believe a single word the old boy has been/is saying in any connection to the 109 crew rescue by the 157, or the conditions of the 109 survivors, including JFK.

Robinson's photo on the cover of his book was obviously taken at the same spot, with the same cane, and probably at the same time as a similar photo of JFK, but...that seems to be the only thing that's correct and true about Mr. Robinson's connection to JFK, as everything I've read about what he's said rings false.

Robinson is obviously one of the many people Bud Liebenow has joked about for years who claimed they were on the 157 the night JFK & crew were rescued -- and weren't.

What a shame.


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  TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Oct 27, 2015 - 9:53pm
All;
While Bridge states a lot of info, all of which is true, the item that is most important and pertinent is ENS. Theodore M. Robinson was not assigned to PT 118 RON 6 until he relieved ENS. Gene Foncannon as Exec of PT 118 on 12 August 1943. After this, having been promoted to LTjg, Gene Foncannon was then given command of PT 108 RON 5(Earl Richmond's Boat).
All 109 stuff aside, I don't even buy the story Robinson rode to Lumbari Island (Rendova) on PT 164 (ENS. W. S. WHITNEY CO) (Sunk at Lumbari Island 8/1/43 and logbook destroyed), while it was common for officers and crewmembers to ask/bum rides for experience, I think he was waiting for assignment back at Tulagi as a RON 6 replacement officer. RON 6 was split up with DIV 17 going to New Guinea and DIV 16 and DIV 18 remaining at Tulagi and moving up under Craig Smith and Clark Faulkner. He says LCDR Clifton Maddox was left at Noumea as Supply Officer, however he was actually promoted to a staff position on MTBFLOT ONE, He also mentions in his book being assigned in RON 6 to PT 115 as Exec under George Brooks, but PT 115 was shipped from Panama on USS MONONGAHELA (AO-42) on 31 Dec 1942, however, TMR says he arrived in March-April 1943. Also, he mentions serving as Exec under LTjg Parker Watson Staples, who was killed when Washing Machine Charlie, bombed Tulagi and PT 118 which was moored in the slip next to the engineering shack on 5 March 1943. I don't know what the logbook says who the Exec was for this date, but I would be interested to know. He states he remained as CO for a few months then Billups Percy arrived as CO, this is not true, LT. Douglas S. Kennedy was made CO of PT 118 after Staples was killed(he was probably the Exec on 5 March 1943) and ENS Gene Foncannon was Exec until 12 August 1943, when Billups Percy and Ted Robinson relieved them both. There is more that we found, but...... I just don't get it, he was a legit PT Boat Officer, a bonafide "been there done that" type. Later he was awarded a Bronze Star for his LST service(CO of LST 1062). Why, did he have to hose it all up with extra stuff?
TED


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  Jerry Gilmartin

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jerry Gilmartin   Send Email To Jerry Gilmartin Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 12:32am
Very interesting info. All I can think of is that if you tell yourself a certain version of the "facts" long enough, then that made up story becomes the truth in your own mind since you have been telling it so long you cant tell the difference between your "made up" version and the real truth. Maybe this is something like that. He probably really believes his version is what really happened. But still interesting just the same. I have to agree with Bridge = it just does not seem to jive with the known facts.

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

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Jeff D

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Jeff D   Send Email To Jeff D Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 4:44am
Sad, particularly the part about no one wanting to help a badly injured fellow crewman. I'm sure the exact opposite is true. He reminds me of a relative, who caused me to lose the basic trust I would give strangers. Especially the parts about loud mouthed and getting angry when called out on obvious lies.

I'm glad the veterans who post here are all salt of the earth types I'd be proud to know personally.



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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 6:15am
BINGO!!!!
Here is a post that Jerry Beasley posted back in 2008, and guess what the veteran's name was that lived by him and he was going to interview?.........LT. George Brooks, Exec and CO of PT 115 RON 6!!!!!

http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=962&pg=151&sc=20&x=0

I wonder if Ted Robinson came up in conversation.
I am emailing him right now.
Take care,
TED


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TheBridge

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TheBridge  Posted on: Oct 28, 2015 - 6:44am
For reference... a couple of pages from the PT 118 log book (I have many more of course) showing Robinson's arrival on the 118 occurred on August 12, 1943 (see second page below) as a part of an entire crew change.

Not sure some folks know that PT Log books from WWII are stored in the National Archives so claims such as Robinson made could be cross-checked. He seemed to have waited a long time in his life to write his book.











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William Doyle

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of William Doyle  Posted on: Dec 31, 2015 - 4:27pm
I just got this copy of a note by a Mr. Ron Freeman, a friend of Ted Robinson. I appreciate Mr. Freeman sharing it with me, and he asked me to post it on the forum, which I'm happy to do. For now, I'll stand by my original posting in its entirety, as well as the thrust of the comments of others above on this matter, as I don't see any evidence here to the contrary, but I will always keep an open mind, and change it publicly if convincing evidence appears that Robinson deserves credit as helping rescue Kennedy and the PT 109 survivors.

December 31, 2015

Ms. Cathy Locke
The Sacramento Bee
P.O. Box 15779
Sacramento, CA 95852

Subject: Wm. Doyle Letter re Ted M. Robinson’s 10/11/15 Obituary

Dear Ms. Locke,

This relates to the Theodore “Ted” Robinson obituaries you wrote in the Sacramento Bee. I was a close friend of Ted’s for more than 50 years, and his daughter, Bryer Keane, forwarded me the letter William Doyle wrote to you.

Your original obituary appeared to contain information obtained from Bryer, and a
YouTube video entitled “The Ted Robinson Project” produced by a middle school class in Auburn, CA, was referred to in Mr. Doyle’s letter. Mr. Doyle, author of the recently published book ”PT 109,” pointed out an error in the obituary, and several factual errors in the Robinson project video. You immediately corrected the PT 157 skipper error, and rightfully pointed out that Ted’s name did not appear in the official report of the rescue of JFK and his surviving PT 109 crew members.

Mrs. Suzanne Scotten, whose 8th grade class produced the video, has been requested to remove it from the YouTube web site, until the errors have been deleted.

Most disturbing is Mr. Doyle’s accusation that Ted’s story was fabricated. He points out that the official report of the PT 109 loss does not include Ted’s name. He goes on to say that in his extensive interview of Lt. (jg) William “Bud” Liebenow, skipper of the PT 157 rescue boat, that Liebenow has no recollection of Ted. While this “evidence” appears to support Doyle’s accusation, one needs to ask oneself if Liebenow remembers every officer and enlisted man he had contact with in August 1943? Perhaps Liebenow’s memory is not as accurate as Mr. Doyle believes it to be! I also point out that there have been other stories written on the loss of PT 109 and that one of those stories was based upon Ted’s eye-witness recollections.

The December 1999 issue of Naval History magazine, published by the United States Naval Institute, printed an article about Ted’s story written by Rich Pedroncelli, a Sacramento freelance writer. During his research he contacted three other PT men who were at Rendova at the time; John O’Neil, Dick Kersey and Paul “Red” Fay.

In 2002, the History Channel aired the program “JFK & PT 109: A Hero In Question.”
After extensive research, they found Ted’s story in Naval History and interviewed Ted at his home. Obviously, to have included Ted’s story in their program, the producers of the show felt it to be factually accurate.


Ms. Cathy Locke

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