Season 1, Episode 4: The Two Men Who Saved JFK

November 8, 2018

About the Episode

In a remarkable story of heroism, two men who lived on the other side of the world in almost completely different circumstances from John F. Kennedy, changed the course of history by saving the future president and his crew during his time as a Navy commander during World War II.

Eroni Kumana and Biuku Gasa found a stranded Lt. John F. Kennedy on a small island in the Solomon Sea. They brought a crucial message through enemy territory to allied forces, leading to the rescue of JFK and his crew. The events from 75 years ago in 1943 would forever be etched in the two men's minds as they later wrote to President Kennedy and paid tribute to him at the end of their lives.

Special thanks to this week's guest John Kulewicz, who led a six-man team to the Solomon Islands to retrace the President’s swim. Kulewicz and his team also met with the families of Eroni Kumana and Biuku Gasa.

What We Talked About

Biuku Gasa, as seen in this undated photo taken in the Solomon Islands, was one of two native islanders to help pass a message from President Kennedy to the Allies in 1943 after the PT 109 crash. Gasa died in 2005.

See more information.

Eroni Kumana, as seen in this photo taken in 2009, was one of two native islanders to help pass a message from President Kennedy to the Allies in 1943 after the PT 109 crash. Kumana died in 2008.

Photograph by Danny Kennedy.

In 1961, Biuku Gasa wrote a letter, in his original language, to President Kennedy congratulating him on becoming president.

Read Gasa's full letter.

New Zealand Methodist minister E.C. Leadley translated Biuku Gasa’s letter into English and ensured both the translation and original letter arrived at the White House.

Read Reverand Leadley's translation of Gasa's letter.

Eroni Kumana presented the Kennedy Family with a family heirloom made out of a large clam shell known as “shell money” or “kustom money.” The heirloom is always held by the chief in the Kumana family. The heirloom was placed on JFK’s grave in Arlington Cemetery in 2008.

Photography by Jose Rodrigues/John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

Columbus lawyer John Kulewicz and his five member team retraced President Kennedy’s 4.2 mile swim through the Solomon Islands. The other team members were Peter Canfield, Rich Lovering, Jack Lundberg, Jay Madigan, and Adrian Mula.

Photograph courtesy of John Kulewicz.

John Kulewicz and team meet with Gasa's widow and family

John Kulewicz and his team meet with Biuku Gasa's widow, Nelma, and his extended family.

The route Kulewicz and his team swam in the Solomon Islands, which was the best guess of the route President Kennedy took in 1943 looking for help.

Courtesy of John Kulewicz

Learn More

Tribute from JFK's Rescuer in WWII Placed on Gravesite and Installed in Museum at JFK Presidential Library and Museum, August 3, 2009.

If you have a story idea or want to let us know how we're doing, email us at JFK35Pod@jfklfoundation.org.