Volunteering for a Secret Mission
In the summer of 1944, Navy Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. had completed 50 missions in World War II. Instead of returning home, he volunteered for a top-secret operation called Operation Aphrodite, aimed at turning old bombers into uncrewed missiles to destroy Nazi targets. On August 12, 1944, Joe Jr. and his co-pilot took off from an English airbase.
A Catastrophic Explosion
Minutes into the mission, while waiting for the bomber to be handed off to remote control, the aircraft exploded mid-air, killing both Joe Jr. and his co-pilot. Their bodies were never recovered. The cause of the explosion was never fully determined, but mechanical failure was suspected.
A Fatal Blow to Family Plans
Joe Jr.’s death devastated his family, especially his father, Joseph Kennedy Sr., who had groomed him for the U.S. presidency. Upon learning of his brother’s death, John F. Kennedy remarked, “Now the burden falls on me.” John later became a U.S. president, carrying the ambitions once meant for Joe Jr.
A Hero’s Recognition
Though Operation Aphrodite was largely unsuccessful, Joe Jr. was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery. His death shifted the Kennedy family’s political trajectory, leading John into the spotlight.
Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.’s Final Mission 🛩️
Volunteering for a Secret Mission
In the summer of 1944, Navy Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. had completed 50 missions in World War II. Instead of returning home, he volunteered for a top-secret operation called Operation Aphrodite,… pic.twitter.com/r8nVUwuR4g— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 2, 2024