John F Kennedy at Embry-Riddle | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Evidence Shows President John F. Kennedy Learned to Fly at Embry-Riddle's Seaplane Base in 1944

President John F. Kennedy trained at an Embry-Riddle seaplane base in 1944, before having back surgery days later and then being retired from the service.

Just in Time for the 101st Anniversary of Kennedy's Birthday on May 29, Flight Logs and Other Data Reveals He Flew Solo in Just Ten Days

New documents have come to light indicating one of the most famous men in history, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, learned to fly at an Embry-Riddle seaplane base in Miami during World War II. The training took place over 10 days in 1944.

The findings, verified by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Archivist Kevin Montgomery, have been corroborated by presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, author of the forthcoming book, American Moonshot: JFK and the Great Space Race.

After seeing the evidence, I'm convinced the flight logbook is authentic and proves that John F. Kennedy trained with Embry-Riddle. He had a love of aviation and coastal areas, so it all makes sense.

History Discovered Through Flight Logs

Young John F. Kennedy in the Navy next to John F. Kennedy as President of the United States of America.

The story of how JFK started flight lessons at Embry-Riddle began when he was a Navy Lieutenant commanding PT-109, a motor torpedo boat that was waiting to attack a Japanese naval convoy.

Map of Solomon Islands where John F. Kennedy is involved in collision with Japanese destroyer.

August 1943 – JFK is involved in collision with Japanese destroyer in Solomon Islands, where his PT boat is destroyed and crew marooned on an island in Blackett Straight.

Sub Chaser Training Center in Miami, Florida

March 1944 – JFK returns stateside and undergoes rehab at Castle Hot Springs in Benson, AZ, for injuries from the PT-109 incident, and then is transferred to Sub Chaser Training Center, where he is an instructor in Miami, FL.

Embry-Riddle Seaplane Base in Miami, Florida

May 19, 1944 – JFK starts flight training at Embry-Riddle Seaplane Base in Miami, FL.

Piper J3 Cub Seaplane with tail number NC35947

May 29, 1944 – JFK completes first solo flight on his birthday in Piper J3 Cub NC35947. Smith completes an instructor training flight on same day in NC35947.

John F. Kennedy Inauguration for President

November 1961 – JFK is elected 35th President of the United States

2004 – A Seaplane Base alumna, Helen Hassey, tells Bob Rockett, Dean Emeritus of Heritage Project, that JFK had taken flight training at the base in Miami, FL.

May 2016 – JFK pilot log book surfaces online in Shapell Manuscript collection.

Young Corinne Louise Smith with a Seaplane in Miami, Florida next to Smith at Piper Pilots Shop in Vero Beach, Florida.

April 2018 – Alan Cesar receives message from Bambi Miller at Piper Pilots Shop in Vero Beach, FL, about Corinne Louise Smith's (formerly Phillips) story of training at Embry-Riddle in Miami, FL.

}

A comparison between Corinn Louise Smith's flight log and John F. Kennedy's flight log showing matching plane tail numbers.

February 2018 – Cesar receives copy of Smith's flight log with corresponding tail numbers and flight dates. Kevin Montgomery matches tail numbers to JFK flight log.

John F. Kennedy Takes Flight at Embry-Riddle

Evidence Shows President John F. Kennedy Learned to Fly at Embry-Riddle's Seaplane Base in 1944

History Discovered Through Flight Logs