In the Wake of the First Loss of a Nuclear Submarine, President John F. Kennedy Writes a Grieving Widow That the Price of Freedom Is Sacrifice, An Archive

Kennedy, whose own family knew all too well the meaning of sacrifice for one’s country, consoles a woman whose husband went down on the USS Thresher

 

“It is a sad fact of history that this price of freedom must be paid again and again, by our best men in each generation. Your husband has joined the other defenders of this Nation who have given their lives for their country.”

At the time of the Manhattan Project (before the Cold War really began), there was some talk about the possibility of using nuclear power to propel submarines. The idea of arming submarines with nuclear missiles didn’t come up until the 1960 launching of the George Washington. When nuclear energy was conceived of as a power source for submarines, that was a jaw-dropper in itself. But when navies gained the ability to launch a nuclear warhead from a nuclear-powered submarine, the world had touched on what was quite arguably the most powerful — in terms of strength and mobility — weapons system ever.

Creating a modern nuclear Navy to counter the USSR during the Cold War involved not merely outfitting submarines, but aircraft carriers and other ships as well, and increasing the firepower of the fleet with Polaris missiles. Using submarines and missiles, American might now be delivered to any point in the world; and American submarines could cruise, silently and never surfacing, beneath the waves shadowing Soviet naval movements, collecting Soviet missile telemetry and eavesdropping on Soviet communications. This would, it was believed, give the US an advantage in the Cold War.

On January 20, 1961, John Kennedy ushered in a new era in the United States (and indeed the world) with his historic, visionary, and inspirational Inaugural Address, which is widely considered one of the greatest ever, with the new President saying that the inaugural was “not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom”, and called for idealistic sacrifice, saying Americans should “ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country”. Spellbinding to hear, it seemed to leave behind existing attitudes and limitations, while acting as a clarion call to young and old alike to realize their personal potential while helping build a better nation and world. The speech immediately infused energy and excitement, Washington was almost bristling with it, which led to such programs as the Peace Corps, and such major Kennedy policies and achievements as the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The Sixties, which followed from that moment, would hardly have been possible without it.

The USS Thresher, a nuclear submarine, was commissioned on August 3, 1961. At the time it was built, Thresher was the fastest and quietest submarine in the world. It was considered the most advanced weapons system of its day, created specifically to seek out and destroy Soviet submarines.In company with USS Skylark, Thresher put to sea on April 10, 1963, for deep-diving exercises. In addition to her 16 officers and 96 enlisted men, the submarine carried 17 civilian technicians to observe her performance during the deep-diving tests. Fifteen minutes after reaching her assigned test depth, the submarine communicated with Skylark by underwater telephone, apprising the submarine rescue ship of difficulties. Garbled transmissions indicated that far below the surface things were going wrong. Suddenly, listeners in Skylark heard a noise “like air rushing into an air tank”–then, silence. Efforts to reestablish contact with Thresher failed, and a search group was formed in an attempt to locate the submarine. Rescue ship Recovery recovered bits of debris, including gloves and internal insulation. Photographs taken by bathyscaph Trieste proved that the submarine had broken up, taking all hands on board to their deaths. This was the first major setback for the US nuclear reactors program and devastated President Kennedy, himself a Navy man. This was a crucial element of his deterrence campaign.

After graduating high school in June 1955, Joseph Shimko enlisted in the Navy, and received his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. His first sea-duty assignment was in the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bonne Homme Richard (CVA 31). He later served in the nuclear-powered cruiser, U.S.S. Long Beach. Joseph was a graduate of the Navy’s Machinist’s Mate School, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration School and the Nuclear Power School at Mare Island, Calif. During his naval service, Joseph was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Volunteering for submarine duty, he entered the submarine school at New London, Conn., and upon graduating, underwent further training in nuclear power at the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho. On November 6, 1962, Joseph reported to his first submarine, the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593), for duty. He went down with the ship on April 10, 1963.

John F. Kennedy was a young commander of a Navy vessel in World War II, the legendary PT-109. His boat was sliced in two by a Japanese destroyer, and some men were killed in the collision. Kennedy then, according to his citation, “unmindful of personal danger…unhesitatingly braved the difficulties and hazards of darkness to direct rescue operations, swimming many hours to secure aid and food after he had succeeded in getting his crew ashore.” For his heroism he was awarded the Navy and Marine Medal. His elder brother, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., was killed in action in 1944 and received the Navy Cross. The Kennedy family knew firsthand what sacrifice meant.

The sacrifices of Shimko and others touched Kennedy, and caused him to think deeply on its meaning.

Typed letter signed, on White House letterhead, Washington, April 19, 1963, to Mrs. Helen Shimko, wife of Joseph. “Dear Mrs. Shimko, Mrs. Kennedy and I want to express our very deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your husband aboard the USS Thresher. The loss of Thresher was a great shock to freedom-loving people around the world. The American people feel deeply this tragic loss.

“It is a sad fact of history that this price of freedom must be paid again and again, by our best men in each generation. Your husband has joined the other defenders of this Nation who have given their lives for their country. I want you to know of my person feeling of loss and to wish for you God’s blessing in this time of sorrow.” Professional restored and conserved at edges, not affecting text or signature.

Admiral Hyman Rickover was the father of the nuclear navy and was upset by the loss of the Thresher. He also wrote a condolence letter to Mrs. Shimko, and it comes with this group. Autograph letter signed, on Atomic Energy Commission letterhead, April 23, 1963. He wrote, “I wish to express my sympathy for the loss of your husband. Although there is nothing one can do at a time like this, I do hope that you will find some comfort in, knowing he served his country well.”

Other letters, such as from congressmen, are included in this group.

Also included in the group are letters to Mrs. Shimko from George Anderson, Chief of Naval Operations; Admiral Grenfell, commander of the submarine force; Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin; Senator Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut; Navy Secretary Fred Korth; and two commemorative plaques.

A fascinating letter showing Kennedy’s feelings about service and kindness in writing the widow.