In this video I created, interviewer Frank J. Andruss, Sr., interviews Maurice Kowal, the last survivor of JFK’s original PT 109 crew (as of 2006). Discussions include his experiences as a PT boater from training to war activities. In addition, he discusses John F. Kennedy as well as others. Mr. Maurice Kowal was not on board the PT 109 at the time of the sinking of the boat. He and two other crew members had been hospitalized from injuries suffered when a Japanese float plane dropped bombs near the aft end of the boat. This incident occurred weeks before the 109 ramming and sinking.

After Kennedy had recouped from the loss of PT 109, he was assigned to an older Elco 77’ boat, PT 59, that was being reconfigured as a gunboat. This boat was very heavily armed with a multitude of weapons in place of torpedoes. He requested his previous crew member be re-assigned to his new command and Mr. Maurice Kowal was one of them. After a short time as a skipper, Kennedy was returned to the States, working in Navy intelligence. Mr. Kowal continued his PT boat service until the end of the war.

This is a Richard J. Washichek production created from an excellent audio interview that my good friend Frank Andruss Sr., conducted with Maurice Kowal, and includes photos provided by Frank as well as many from around the vast internet.

Thank you for watching,
Richard J. Washichek