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Life Preserver from U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; National Archives Records Administration
Life Preserver from U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; National Archives Records Administration

Life Preserver from U.S.S. Kitty Hawk

Artifact IDMO 63.1463
Date 1960-1963
Date Presented6/6/63
Medium synthetic foam, paint
DimensionsOverall Diam 23 1/4 in (59.1 cm )

Physical DescriptionOrange foam life preserver from the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, with black lettering 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. Currently the Kitty Hawk is scheduled to be 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 NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.
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