Lt. John F. Kennedy's Dog Tag
Artifact IDMO 2008.13
Object Type
Tag, Dog
Date
1942
Medium
metal
DimensionsOverall H 23 in x W 14 1/2 in (58.4 cm x 36.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionUnited States Navy identification tag for Lt. John F. Kennedy for his service in World War II. Oval silver tag engraved: John/Fitzgerald/Kennedy/Ensign/USNR-O/T-9/42. Tag has two holes at either end and hangs from a silver chain. Attached to the chain are two additional medals; one is a St. Christopher medal and the other is a 1854 gold US 1 dollar coin.
Historical NoteAlong with his dog tag, JFK wore a St. Christopher medal and an 1854 gold dollar coin, given to him for good luck by Clare Booth Luce, a family friend and member of the House of Representatives; she was also the wife of publisher Henry Luce, who had written the foreward to Jack's book, Why England Slept.
Additional DetailsCustodial History NoteItem was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by Senator Edward Kennedy in 2008. The item previously belonged to John F. Kennedy.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum; Gift of Senator and Mrs. Edward M. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Personal Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Exhibitions
On view