Saving Lieutenant Kennedy

Saving Lieutenant Kennedy

From Dads on the Air by Dads on the Air | CRN | dadsontheair.com.au

April 29, 2026

About this episode

Brett Mason discusses his book 'Saving Lieutenant Kennedy' and the pivotal events involving JFK and Australian Lieutenant Reg Evans during World War II.

With special guest: Brett Mason … in conversation with Bill Kable Most Australians have some knowledge of the turning point in the Pacific war when the fear of invasion lessened. Most of us know something of the heroic story of Lieutenant John F Kennedy or JFK as he became known. Brett Mason in his book Saving Lieutenant Kennedy fills in the gaps in this amazing and hugely consequential story. These events literally changed the history of the world because if JFK had not survived it is conceivable that nuclear conflict could have erupted in the years that followed. The story happens to involve an Australian who was also heroic, namely Lieutenant Reg Evans of the RAN. Reg Evans operated behind enemy lines knowing that if they were to be betrayed he would certainly be tortured and killed. Evans relied on his Solomons Islands friends who faced the same threats in what they were doing. Evans and JFK were two very different personalities brought together in August 1943 in a way that echoes the discovery of Dr Livingstone in the African jungle. JFK’s words on being discovered on an uninhabited island of the south Pacific? “Man, am I glad to see you!” Podcast (mp3)

People in this episode

Host: Bill Kable

Guest: Brett Mason

Topics covered

  • Pacific War
  • Lieutenant John F Kennedy
  • Australian history
  • heroism
  • World War II
  • military operations

Keywords

  • JFK
  • Reg Evans
  • Pacific War
  • military history
  • heroic stories
  • nuclear conflict
  • August 1943

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Solomons Islands

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