Of Irish descent, he was born in Brookline, Mass., on May 29, 1917. Graduating from Harvard in 1940, he entered the Navy. In 1943, when his PT boat was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer, Kennedy, despite grave injuries, led the survivors through perilous waters to safety. Back from the war, he became a Democratic congressman from the Boston area, advancing in 1953 to the Senate. He married Jacqueline Bouvier on Sept. 12, 1953. In 1955, while recuperating from a back operation, he wrote "Profiles in Courage," which won the Pulitzer Prize in history.
of irish descent he was born in brookline mass on may 29 1917 graduating from harvard in 1940 he entered the navy in 1943 when his pt boat was rammed and sunk by a japanese destroyer kennedy despite grave injuries led the survivors through perilous waters to safety back from the war he became a democratic congressman from the boston area advancing in 1953 to the senate he married jacqueline bouvier on sept 12 1953 in 1955 while recuperating from a back operation he wrote profiles in courage which won the pulitzer prize in history