ome to Chelsea Naval Hospitalnear Hyannis Port. The lieutenant recieved the Purple Heart, the Navy andMarine Corps Medal, and a citation from Admiral W.F. Halsey. John’s backfailed to recover, an operation was performed on his spine in the summer of1944.During recovery, Kennedy received word that his brother Joe, Jr. hadbeen killed in action. Joe had been eligible for home leave, but hadvolunteered for a special bombing mission. The bombs had detonated earlyand Joe and his copilot were caught in the explosion. Kennedy put hisfeelings onto paper and a second book was published for the family and closefriends. He called it “As We Remember Joe”.The family,particularly JFK’s father, had assumed that Joe, Jr. wouldcarry on the family tradition and go into politics. Both oh his grandfathershad been active in politics. Now, suddenly, JFK was the oldest Kennedy ofhis generation. Kennedy’s first chance in politics came when CongressmenJames Curley from the 11th District of Massachusetts decided to retire in1946. JFK won hir first Congressional seat by a margin of ore than two toone. At the age of 29, JFK was placed on the front cover of the New YorkTimes and in Time Magazine. He was often mistaken in Congress as aSenate page or an elevator operator.It was during this time period in which Kennedy met and fell in lovewith Jacqueline Bouvier. “Jackie”, as she was kwown, came from a wealthyCatholic background as prestigious as the Kennedys. She attended VassarCollege and the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She spoke French, Italian, andSpanish fluently. They were wed on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’sCatholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island. All seemed well, yet aftertwo-year terms as a Congressmen, Kennedy became frustrated with Houserules and customs and decided to run for Senate.In 1952, Kennedy ran for Senate against Republican Senator HenryCabot Lodge. 15 years older than Kennedy, L...
