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PT-109 (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'PT-109'" is a 1962 song by Jimmy Dean about the combat service of John F. Kennedy and the crew of the 'PT-109' in World War II. The boat was famous even before Kennedy ran for office, because Kennedy and most of the crew had survived after it was rammed and cut in two by a Japanese destroyer. After several days on a tiny uninhabited island, Kennedy and the crew were rescued by two native Solomon IslandersBiuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, part of an allied Coastwatchers team led by Australian Reg Evansalthough the islanders are not mentioned in the song.
In 1961 Dean had recorded "Big Bad John," a song that would become his biggest hit ever, peaking at number one on the country and pop charts. Dean had five more top forty songs in 1962. "PT-109" was his biggest hit in 1962, reaching the top ten with Kennedy still in the White House it preceded the 1963 film of the same title. The song was Dean's sixth release on the country chart; it peaked at number three and stayed on the country chart for thirteen weeks. "PT-109" also went to number eight on the pop chart and number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart. It was one of several military-themed singles of the 1960s some pro-military, some anti-military. Others include "Ballad of the Green Berets," "Sink the Bismark," "Billy and Sue," "Gonna Raise a Ruckus Tonight," "Sky Pilot," "Navy Blue," and "Soldier Boy."
Chart performance
See also
*Cultural depictions of John F. Kennedy
References
Category:Jimmy Dean songs
Category:American patriotic songs
Category:Songs about John F. Kennedy
Category:Songs about the military
Category:Songs about World War II
Category:1962 singles
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Songs written by Marijohn Wilkin
Category:1962 songs
Category:Songs written by Fred Burch
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