Gerard Zinser

Gerard Emil Zinser (31 May 1918 – 21 August 2001) was an American World War II veteran who served in the United States Navy and was the last surviving crew member of the patrol torpedo boat PT-109, commanded by then-Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy.

Military service During World War II, Zinser served as a Motor Machinist's Mate First Class aboard patrol torpedo boat PT-109, a fast patrol vessel that operated in the Pacific Theater. PT-109 was part of a squadron of PT boats engaged in patrol and torpedo attacks against Japanese shipping and naval forces. On the night of 1–2 August 1943, PT-109 was rammed and cut in two by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri near Blackett Strait in the Solomon Islands. The collision killed two crew members and sank the boat. The remaining crew, including Zinser, Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy, and other sailors, were thrown into the water.