Lot 107

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Kennedy John

John F. Kennedy 1962 U.S. Atlantic Fleet Presidential Visit


A spectacular curated archive of souvenirs and contemporary newspaper and magazine clippings about Kennedy's April 1962 visit to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The archive is comprised of a U.S. Atlantic Fleet introductory booklet, a U.S.S. Northampton visit program, a U.S.S. Enterprise breakfast menu, and six period clippings from Time, the New York Times, and other periodicals reporting on the visit. The souvenirs are in near fine condition, while the clippings show expected toning, edge wear and folds, and an occasional staple or piece of tape.


On April 13-14, 1962, 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) reviewed the U.S. Atlantic Fleet stationed off of Virginia and North Carolina. He was joined by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, various ambassadors, U.S. Congressmen, cabinet members, military personnel, and journalists. This occasion allowed JFK and other dignitaries to review naval, amphibious, and air exercises by Marines, pilots, and sailors. This was not mere child's play; as Admiral Robert L. Denison stated in his "Welcome" message found in the gold-toned booklet: "The two-day exercise which you will observe is designed to demonstrate the readiness, versatility and power of the Navy-Marine team of the Atlantic."


The introductory booklet issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet provided passengers with orientation materials including a Guests List, Schedule of Events, and a Participating Units photo index. Minor loss to the extreme left of plastic loop binding at top, the whole measuring 4.5" x 8.5". The U.S.S. Northampton visit program detailed JFK's itinerary aboard the vessel, which included a demonstration of a "Polaris water slug fired on USS THOMAS A. EDISON" at 1835 and a "Photo Flash illumination incident to Night Air Operation (at extreme range)" at 2120. War games cultivated an appetite; our breakfast menu showed that the U.S.S. Enterprise offered its guests French toast, blueberry pancakes, and eggs prepared to order. Last two items in near fine condition.


The contemporary clippings feature articles headlined "Kennedy Sails in Task Force on Maneuvers", "President Sees Atlantic Fleet Hunt and Destroy 'Enemy' Submarine", and "President and Shah Watch Navy Stage 'Terrific' Display of Power". The blurb "Armed Forces Overnight Cruise" in the April 20, 1962 issue of Time reported in part: "Through the afternoon, the VIPS observed a well-rehearsed attack on the beach by five battalions of helicopters and seaborne marines, equipped with napalm bombs, heavy artillery, and Ontos (the latest armored antitank vehicles). After the beach had been captured in a deafening final act, the President exclaimed: 'Isn't that terrific!'" In mixed but mostly good to near fine condition.


The timetable of JFK's visit was as follows: on April 13th, he toured the naval base at Norfolk, Virginia and explored the recently commissioned nuclear submarine U.S.S. Thomas Edison. He then reviewed other cruisers, destroyers, frigates, aircraft carriers, and submarines that comprised the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The president boarded the command light cruiser and fleet flagship U.S.S. Northampton onFriday night for an overnight cruise, complete with night "air operations" and "surface firing and ship illuminations."


Once aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier built between 1958-1961 and at that time the largest vessel in the world, JFK and his party traveled to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to witness various air and amphibious exercises. At Onslow Beach, JFK was joined by the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.


A remarkable archive documenting JFK's review of the Atlantic Fleet!


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