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Leadership and Heroism. Dan Curtis PA 762 4/20/2010. PT 109. Background Key Elements Research Findings Leadership or Heroism References. Background. PT Boat is a small plywood vessel with 4 torpedoes
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Leadership and Heroism Dan Curtis PA 762 4/20/2010
PT 109 • Background • Key Elements • Research Findings • Leadership or Heroism • References
Background • PT Boat is a small plywood vessel with 4 torpedoes • PT 109 was captained by LTJG Kennedy and served in the Japanese held Blackett Straight • On 2 Aug 1943, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri rammed PT 109 splitting the ship in two
Key Events • Next move was discussed with the men • 9 Survivors used some timber from the wreckage to stay together to swim for shore • Kennedy dragged a heavily burned man in a life vest by his teeth 3.5 miles • All 11 men made it to Plum Pudding Island (football field sized island with no food) • Kennedy swam out to signal for rescue • Kennedy swam 4 Km to nearby island for food • Led the men to Naru and Olasana Islands • Kept faith with the men for 6 days until contact with scouts and subsequent rescue
Map Plum Pudding (Kennedy) Island Olasana Island Naru Island
Leadership and Heroism: the experts weigh in • “Our contenporary views of leadership are entwined with our notions of heroism, so much so that the distinction between ‘leader’ and ‘hero’ (or ‘celebrity’, for that matter) often become blurred.” • Warren Bennis
Leadership and Heroism: the experts weigh in • “Those who lionize leadership miss important behind-the-scenes aspects of day-to-day leadership. They depict the grand designs without the niggling problems. They assume that leadership is the exclusive preserve of the heroic boss.” • Jerome T. Murphy
Leadership and Heroism: the experts weigh in • “A sharp crisis in social and political affairs-when something must be done and done quickly-naturally intensifies interest in the hero. No matter what one’s political complexion, hope for the resolution of a crisis is always bound up with hope for the appearance of strong or intelligent leadership to cope with difficulties and perils.” • Sidney Hook
Leadership or Heroism • Can they be separated? • Was there an expectation of heroism because Kennedy was the leader? (vice versa) • Are all heroes leaders? (vice versa) ? ?
References Bennis, W. (2006). The end of leadership: Exemplary leadership is impossible without full inclusion, initiatives, and cooperation of followers. In W. E. Rosenbach & R. L. Taylor (Eds.), Contemporary issues in leadership (pp. 129-142). Boulder, CO: Westview. Donovan, R. J. (1961). PT 109: John F. Kennedy in World War II. New York: McGraw-Hill. Hook, S. (1943). The hero in history. London: Martin Secker & Warburg. Murphy, J. T. (2007). The unheroic side of leadership: Notes from the swamp. In M. Fullan (ed.)The Jossey-Bass reader on educational leadership (pp. 51-62). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.