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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Life Preserver from U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA

Life Preserver from U.S.S. Kitty Hawk

Artifact IDMO 63.1465
Object Type Preserver, Life
Date 1960-1963
Medium synthetic foam
DimensionsOverall Diam 16 in (40.6 cm)

Physical DescriptionLife preserver from the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk; White preserver with black lettering, "USS Kitty Hawk / CVA 63"
Historical NotePresident Kennedy visited and spoke aboard the USS Kitty Hawk on June 6, 1963. The ship was laid down on December 27, 1956 (New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey) and launched on May 21, 1960. The ship was commissioned on April 29, 1961 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. It was the second Navy ship to be named for Kitty Hawk. The Kitty Hawk was decommissioned in 2008.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThis item is material associated with the White House the Kennedy Administration and the Executive Offices of the President. It was either government property or was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
Not on view