U.S. Flag from PT 109, replaced July 1943, the month before the boat was sunk

In the early morning hours of August 2, 1943, PT 109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. JFK instantly lost two of his crew and led the survivors through a harrowing ordeal that ended six days later with their rescue. He emerged from the experience with a battle-tested view of war that would come to shape his perspective as Commander-in-Chief.

This wind-tattered flag was replaced by a new one shortly before PT 109 was sunk; it is one of the few physical remnants from the boat that still exists.