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There are ceremonial inaugurations of US presidents every four years.

But few are remembered as much as the one on January 20, 1961, mainly because of just 20 words.

Because in his first speech as head of state of the USA, John F. Kennedy said a truly unforgettable sentence: "My fellow Americans, do not ask what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country" (in the English original: "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country").

There stood a comparatively young, extremely attractive and at first (and the second, third, fourth) glance incredibly charismatic President who was only 43 years old and made no promises, just: demanded.

Every word of the speech had just the right emphasis, but everything was outshone by this one sentence that promised a new patriotism.

Kennedy swears the oath of office

Source: picture alliance / akg-images

Especially since Kennedy was believable in it.

Although a son from the rich East Coast upper class himself, the 24-year-old volunteered in early 1942.

He didn't have to, because because of his severe back pain, the second oldest brother, called "Jack", was retired as unfit.

It was only after considerable pressure from his father, a wealthy Boston businessman and ambassador of the USA in London, that he was accepted into the military.

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Jack began his three-month training as a reserve officer in the Navy and was immediately given command of a speedboat.

After several risky but unsuccessful months in the western Pacific, he attacked Japanese destroyers in the middle of the Solomon Islands on August 2, 1943 with other boats from his flotilla.

But one of the opponents rammed Kennedy's speedboat, the "PT-109", and cut it in half.

Lieutenant Kennedy in 1943 on board his speedboat "PT-109"

Source: Denver Post via Getty Images

Two men from Kennedy's crew died instantly; he collected the ten survivors in the water.

The nearby islands were all under Japanese occupation;

but the young captain did not want to lead his men in captivity.

So he ordered a swim more than three miles to a tiny island so insignificant that there wasn't even an enemy sentry stationed there.

Two of his sailors could not swim, and one man was too badly wounded to make his own way.

Kennedy, who had swum on the selection team while studying at Harvard University, pulled the man with him on a life jacket strap.

The two non-swimmers got on an improvised raft made of rubble and were pushed to the island by other members of the crew.

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From there they were rescued on August 8, 1943.

For his courage and "heroic leadership as commanding officer", Lieutenant Kennedy received the Navy Medal and the Purple Heart Wound Badge.

He no longer had to prove to anyone what he had done for his country.

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