John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy in his Senate office. (http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/MOUuOgbMgky (John Vachon))

John F. Kennedy was a president and a senator, but he is also my hero. John was the 35th President of the United States of America. He also served in the Navy during World War II. John was assassinated on November 21, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. The assassination of John F. Kennedy was one of the saddest days in America's history. During his childhood, John was frequently ill. He suffered from whooping cough, measles, chicken pox, and scarlet fever. He also suffered from back problems. John showed that he was loyal, intelligent, and a good role model throughout his life and during his presidency.

John F. Kennedy was a very loyal person. He didn't think that it was right to leave a man behind, and I agree with him on that. When John was in the Navy, he was the Lieutenant of a patrol ship in the South Pacific. He and his crew were on the water looking for enemy ships. They saw a Japanese destroyer headed straight toward them, and it was approaching very fast towards their little patrol ship. John tried to swerve the ship away from the destroyer, but it was too late. The ship was cut right down the middle, and two of John's crew members were killed during the incident. One of the crew members, Patrick McMahon, was injured very badly. So, John put Patrick's life vest strap in between his teeth, and pulled Patrick on to the shore of an island that John and the crew had spotted. Several days later, natives found them on the island. John carved a message into a coconut shell, and gave it to the natives to bring back to where the Navy was based. A couple days later they were rescued. John received a medal for his courage and leadership. He was loyal to his crew in this example because he could have just left Patrick to die. John was also loyal to his country. During the Cuban Missile Crisis when he was president, John woke up at seven a.m. and went to bed at eleven p.m, doing work and talking to foreign leaders about wars and politics to keep America safe. My final example is how he was loyal to his children. He was loyal to his children because he found time to play and laugh with them, while still doing all of his work as resident. As you can see, John F. Kennedy was a very loyal person.

John F. Kennedy was very intelligent throughout his life. John created the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps helps people around the world who are in need. This demonstrates his intelligence by not only thinking of the needs of the United States citizens, but also shows the world that the U.S. is willing and able to share their good fortune. John was accepted into Harvard. This shows that he was "book smart" because Harvard is an ivy league school. His favorite subjects were history and English. He was also socially smart because he was a good speaker and he was popular with people. John was intelligent because he believed that all people were created equally. This was smart because it is so senseless to believe that people of different skin color are not equal to people of a paler complexion. "One hundred years of delay have passed since President Lincoln freed the slaves, yet their heirs, their grandsons, are not fully free," he said. "This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds.[and] on the principle that all men are created equal." He made this proposal to Congress to stop racism. This speech told people that they should enjoy their life in America, and not to stand by racism. Clearly, John F. Kennedy was a very intelligent person in many ways.

I believe that John F. Kennedy was a great role model for kids and adults alike. John served in the Navy during World War II. This showed that he really cared about our country and inspired kids and young adults to also serve America in the military. He showed people that everyone has potential to be anything they want to be. He was not that great of a student at first, but then he slowly became a better student. He became a senator of Massachusetts and the President of the United States. Even though having many illnesses as a child, John pushed past that, and played sports just like any other kid. He may have not been the best athlete, but he was giving hope to people who were sick and disabled like his sister, Rosemary. Despite being a young, president John showed he could be just as good as any older president. Therefore, John F. Kennedy is a great role model for everyone in America and all around the world.

In conclusion, John F. Kennedy is loyal, intelligent, and a great role model. He exhibits loyalty like how was loyal to our country. John shows how he was intelligent and how his intelligence could help change the world. He was a good role model to everyone including people around the world. John was not just a hero for me, but for people everywhere. He is a hero for people from the past, present, and hopefully the future too. As John F. Kennedy said in September of 1960 "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."