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A Life of Service To His Country

Spanish Translation

Nellie Gonzalez Cutler

Crowds lined the streets of Dallas, Texas, hoping to catch a glimpse of the youthful President and his popular young wife. The couple smiled and waved from the backseat of an open convertible. Suddenly, shots rang out. The President slumped over. His car raced to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where, at 1:00 p.m. on November 22, 1963, he was pronounced dead. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was 46 years old. He served as President only 1,037 days. In that short time, he changed the way Americans viewed themselves and the world.

The War Hero

J.F.K. was born on May 29, 1917 (see "A Profile in Courage"), into a wealthy Irish-American family. As the second of nine children, Jack grew up in a rambunctious, competitive household. His father, Joseph P. Kennedy, expected his children to excel at school and sports. "I know you have the goods and you can go a long way," he once wrote young Jack.

After graduating from college, J.F.K. joined the Navy. During World War II, he commanded a small patrol boat in the South Pacific. His job was to search for enemy ships. One night, a Japanese warship rammed his boat. Despite serious injuries, J.F.K. swam through dangerous waters to lead his men to safety. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery.

After the war ended, J.F.K. plunged into politics in Massachusetts. First, he won a seat in the House of Representatives. Then, he made a successful run for the Senate. Within eight years of his election to the Senate, he became President.

Warrior For Peace

President Kennedy often said he wanted HE KEPT THE PEACE inscribed on his tombstone. In his inaugural address, he asked America's enemies to "begin anew the quest for peace." That wish was put to the test early in his administration.

Since the end of World War II, Americans had feared the growing military strength of the Soviet Union. The country had a communist government, which limited people's freedoms. The Soviets had dangerous nuclear weapons, as did the U.S.

Just 90 miles from Florida, on the island of Cuba, the Soviets and communism were making inroads. Many Cubans fled their homeland because they feared the policies of their country's leader, Fidel Castro. J.F.K. gave anti-Castro Cubans the go-ahead to try to overthrow their country's government. The assault on their homeland went terribly wrong. After U.S. aid for the exiles failed to arrive, Castro's forces crushed the invaders at the Bay of Pigs, in Cuba.

Soon after, the U.S. and the Soviets went head-to-head in Europe. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev ordered a wall to be built to keep people in communist East Berlin from moving to democratic West Berlin.

Americans and Soviets sparred again after the Soviets installed nuclear missiles in Cuba. For 13 days, J.F.K. met with advisers, determined to avoid a war. He ordered U.S. ships to form a ring around Cuba. The Soviets backed down and removed the missiles. Eventually, the U.S. and Soviets signed a treaty banning nuclear-weapons testing.

His Greatest Legacies

Not all of J.F.K.'s time was consumed with foreign affairs. At home, he inspired change and dedication.

President Kennedy encouraged space exploration, vowing that an American would stand on the moon before the end of the decade. He pushed for equality for all Americans, asking Congress to pass a civil rights bill. "This nation, for all its boasts, will not be fully free until all its citizens are free," he said in a televised speech. He promoted understanding around the world, establishing the Peace Corps. Since its founding, more than 190,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries.

J.F.K. challenged Americans: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." His words and deeds inspired Americans to become involved in public service. That, his daughter, Caroline Kennedy, wrote in TIME, is one of her father's greatest legacies.

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