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Topic: Newly discovered photo showing JFK riding PT658 in 1957 |
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Jerry Gilmartin
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Sep 29, 2022 - 7:10pm
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Wow! I know right?
Our buddy Ted Walther found this photo recently and told me to sit down before I looked at it. There is a photo taken of then-Senator John F Kennedy just after the filming of a TV Series called "Navy Log". He is standing next to Director Sam Gallu, and they are riding the same PT boat used during the filming of the show. The signed photo given as a gift to Sam, was located by the rare signatures auction House called "The Raab Collection" from the Family of the TV Show Director. Mr Gallu directed "Navy Log" as well as many other TV series. It is likely that JFK helped to arrange for the production company to "borrow" the PT Boat since he was asked to be the technical advisor on the filming of that episode titled "PT109", and he happened to be a Senator and a former PT Boater so he could pull some strings with the Navy Command in Port Hueneme.
The write-up from the Auction House excerpts are here:
The only John F. Kennedy signed photograph showing him actually aboard a "PT109" (type boat) that we have ever seen!
It was presented by JFK to Sam Gallu, the director of the TV show Navy Log, which told the dramatic story of the destruction of PT 109
We acquired this directly from the Gallu family, and it has never before been offered for sale
When World War II broke out, John F. Kennedy ...(I edited JFK story).....that became Camelot when JFK was in the White House.
Samuel Gallu was a writer, director, and producer of motion pictures, television, and theater. These included fifty-six plays and screenplays, most notably Give ‘Em Hell Harry, Churchill, The Murder of Jack Ruby, Navy Log, and To Set the Record Straight, involving Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, Jack Ruby, John F. Kennedy, John J. Sirica, and Watergate. Navy Log was a television program that aired from 1955-1958,and featured dramatic reenactments of true Naval events taken from the files of the Defense Department. In 1957, Director Gallu and show producers determined to tell the dramatic story of the destruction of PT 109. This would be the first dramatization of the PT 109 story. In it the crew, led by commander Kennedy, struggled to come up with a survival plan that will help them avoid the numerous Japanese forces in the area. JFK was then a U.S. Senator, and Gallu was consulted with him on the program, Gallu even taking JFK aboard the reconstructed PT 109 that was being used in the show.
An 8 by 10 inch signed photograph, showing Kennedy and Gallu on board the Navy Log’s PT 109, inscribed and signed, “To Sam Gallu, with the high esteem and best wishes, your friend, John Kennedy.” This was presented to Gallu by Kennedy, and we obtained it directly from the Gallu family. It has never before been offered for sale. Affixed to a backing board.
This is the only Kennedy signed photograph showing JFK himself actually aboard a "PT 109" that we have ever seen. We are pleased indeed to have acquired it. Some of the writing is faded, but fortunately the signature is not
The Raab Collection
P.O. Box 471
Ardmore, PA 19003
OK so this narrows the boat in the photo down to one of only 3 boats, PT658, PT659 or PT660 These had been renamed as RCT13, RCT14 and RCT15 and were used at first in PT Mugu on the Missile Test Range, and then later they were based out of Port Hueneme used as Ferry Boats to the USAF DEW Station on Santa Rosa Island, and also as Missile Range Patrol Boats. The boats used as Ferry Boats had their bulwarks lengthened to enable seating for up to 20 passengers aft of the bridge. The SRI Ferry Boats were only used up to 1959 when they closed SRI. They are easy to recognize due to the extended bulwark when viewed from the side.
We have spoken to a former Port Hueneme PT Boat sailor who told us he was a Motor Mack and their best boat was the PT658 RCT13 I also noticed the JFK photo has a visible Cone shaped Siren mounted centerline atop the chart house. The 1949 Pt Mugu photo shows the RCT14 and 15 have that siren, but RCT13 has a different siren mounted there. But 8 years later, by 1957 maybe they re-installed the proper siren. Also, I heard that PT660 was never used as a SRI Ferry Run, since it was dedicated to Missile Range Patrol and had a crane mounted on her stern. So that leaves only RCT13 and RCT14 as possible JFK photo boat. Another question is the color photos of the ferry boat used has a strange number "CTBR 15" I dont know what CTBR stands for and if there was any correlation between RCT and CTBR designation or numbering? Ted pointed out since that crewman said PT658 was their best boat, they likely used it as the show-boat. So, I am >50% certain this photo was taken aboard RCT13 or PT658! Small World?
Link to Navy Log PT109 episode on You Tube. Note the side view shows the long, extended bulwarks for passengers, and the same windscreen and radar installation as the PT Mugu Boats.PT Boat shown at time stamps 1:08 to 2:32 with Engine room seen at 2:24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlJvjCrmmT4&t=164s
JFK and Sam Gallu aboard what is likely PT658 in mid 1957. Note the back end of the Siren mounted atop the charthouse at lower edge of photo
PT658 or PT659 in use as a Ferry Boat at Santa Rose Island, note extended Bulwarks used as seating for passengers
Navy Sold PT658 to Earl Brown in mid 1958
Nov 7 1949 photo (cropped) showing PT Mugu mooring with RCT13 14 and 15 with different air horns mounted top of chart house
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined:
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Frank J Andruss Sr
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Posted on: Sep 30, 2022 - 6:08am
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I did not get a chance to call you back last night when you called Jerry, but the documentation and the photos sent to me by Ted, took me for a loop. I had never seen that photo of JFK before. It would seem that the conclusions are that this very well could be the 658 boat. I am at least feeling 75% at this point. Great find by Ted and some great followup
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Oct 2, 2022 - 11:28am
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Excellent find Ted, and thank you Jerry for the images and history.
Do you know what's going on with what looks like a dunking??? Initiation ceremony maybe?
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 2, 2022 - 4:26pm
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Hi Jeff
Yeah it looks like the way they welcomed the new guys onto the island!
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR |
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined:
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