Monday, May 10, 1943

May 10, 1943

JFK (who was a prolific letter-writer while in the Solomons) pens a missive to his parents. It was excerpted by one biographer as follows:

…what they say about Japs is true – or at least in one case. The other day we went to pick up a Jap pilot that had parachuted into the water. We pulled alongside of him to a distance of about 20 yards. He was young looking, powerfully built – short black hair. He suddenly threw aside the life belt he was wearing, pulled a pistol and started firing. We let go with everything but he didn’t seem to get hit until finally an old soldier aimed with his rifle and took the top of his head off. He leaped forward and sank out of sight. That I understand is the usual story with the officers. With the men, however, there would seem to be no such desire for the glorious death.

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