by Greta Privitera
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy Met The Two Children Of The Men Who Saved The President-elect And His Crew: ‘I’m So Grateful To Be Here’
Between 1961 and 1963, during those two years and ten months of Kennedy’s presidency, anyone who entered the Oval Office and looked closely at the President’s desk could see, to the left behind the lamp, a wooden panel with some kind of coin quarters in it, a brown moon, a somewhat whimsical paperweight. This unexpected item, found on a presidential table, contained part of a coconut shell engraved with the words that saved JFK’s life in 1943.
In addition to China’s renewing US influence in the South Pacific, the famous coconut is also why Caroline Kennedy, the new US Ambassador to Australia, went to Honiara, Solomon Islands. On the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal – a battle between Allied and Japanese forces that marked a turning point in World War II – Caroline Kennedy excitedly met John Koloni, son of Eroni Kumana, and Nelma Ane, daughter of Biuku Gasa. the two men who delivered the pod of rescue to the Australian Coast Guard they were working with. “I’m so thankful to be here. Thank you and I hope that one day I can bring my children and continue this relationship,” the ambassador said.
The coconut shell story is worthy of a Hollywood screenplay. During the war, JFK commands a small naval unit that patrols the South Pacific. On August 2, 1943, his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer. From this point on, the future president becomes a kind of rambo ante litteram. Once in the sea, he swims more than three miles (nearly five kilometers) to the nearest island, clamps the belt of an injured companion’s life jacket between his teeth, and carries him to safety. With the remains of his crew, they arrive on a deserted island, where they only eat coconuts for two days. JFK realizes that staying there isn’t a good idea, and back at sea they arrive at a larger island. It is August 5th, while JFK and a companion are looking for water and food, they see Eroni Kumana and Biuku Gasa, their rescuers in a canoe from afar. They are two Solomon Islanders who were fortunate to have worked alongside the Allies in the Coast Guard. Kumana himself recalled meeting the American crew in an interview with National Geographic: «Some of them cried, others shook our hands. When Kennedy saw us, he ran to us and hugged us.” JFK remembers writing an SOS message on the coconut shell to deliver to the soldiers: “Nauro Island. Commander. The natives know. 11 survivors. Need a small boat. Kenny”. All in capital letters. The two men bring the message to the Allied troops at great risk, because in order to do so they cross the waters occupied by the Japanese enemies in their canoe and rescue the future President of the United States and his men For years Kennedy kept in touch with Kumana and Gaza, and today daughter Caroline continues the tradition.This heroic story also served his rise into politics.After all, who could not believe that a leader saves a crew with a coconut?
Aug 8, 2022 (Modified Aug 8, 2022 | 10:28 p.m.)
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