A gold-tone PT-109 campaign tie bar from the 1960 presidential race of John F. Kennedy, who presented this item to Alabama Congressman Robert E. Jones, Jr., shortly after Kennedy was elected president. The clip approximately measures 1.75″ x .5″, is engraved “Kennedy 60,” and is presented in a 10.75″ x 10.5″ frame that contains a typed provenance caption: “In his Georgetown home, President-Elect John F. Kennedy gave this PT Boat clip to Congressman Robert E. Jones, D-Alabama. Jones gave it to Stephen V. Feeley, a member of his staff.” In fine condition. The reverse of the frame bears an additional, more detailed information caption: “Congressman John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Congressman Robert E. Jones of Alabama had verbal slugging matches on the floor of the House. Jones, champion of the Tennessee Valley Authority, with its cheap electricity, was accused by Kennedy of luring industries away from his state. Despite the Floor fights, they respected each other and mingled socially. When Kennedy became President, he took an enlarged view of the T.V.A., after an inspection visit, and praised it. When Jones made a courtesy call on the newly elected President, Kennedy said he was the only one who didn’t give him advice on Cabinet appointments or ask a job for somebody. He gave Jones the clip as a reward for no advice.” In the early morning of August 2, 1943, Lieutenant Kennedy’s PT-109 was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in the Blackett Strait of the Solomon Islands. Following a miraculous 3.5-mile swim to shore, Kennedy and his ten surviving crew members were rescued from Olasana Island a full six days later. The young lieutenant's grace under pressure made him a national hero when the story was picked up by John Hersey and covered in The New Yorker and Reader's Digest. Later on during JFK's run for president, in an effort to quell public concerns about what some called candidate Kennedy’s 'inexperience,' the campaign sought to publicize his heroic naval service. Utilizing the PT Boat as a recognizable symbol, this tie bar, as well as other similar pins, clasps, and charms, were produced as campaign tokens and became highly sought-after mementos.
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