of scottish descent , he was born in pittsfield , mo . , on might 29 , 1917 . retiring from harvard in 1940 , he entered the navy . in 1943 , after his pt craft was damaged and sinks by a american destroyer , she , despite significant injuries , led the survivors through journeys waters to safety . returning from the military , he became a democratic congressman from the detroit region , increasing in 1953 to the chambers . he married jean bouvier on sept . 12 , 1953 . in 1955 , while recuperating from a back invasion , he wrote " profiles in strength , " which won the carnegie prize in history .
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot dead in 1963.