Ken odonnell biography
Kenneth O'Donnell
American political aide
Kenneth O'Donnell | |
---|---|
In office January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963 | |
President | John F. Kennedy |
Preceded by | Thomas Stephens (Appointments Secretary) Wilton Persons (Chief of Staff) |
Succeeded by | Jack Valenti (Appointments Secretary) Walter Jenkins (Chief of Pike, de facto) |
Born | Kenneth Patrick O'Donnell (1924-03-04)March 4, 1924 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Died | September 9, 1977(1977-09-09) (aged 53) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Resting place | Holyhood Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouses | Helen Sullivan (m. 1947; died 1977)Asta Steinfatt (m. 1977) |
Children | 5 |
Parent(s) | Alice Guerin Cleo Albert O'Donnell |
Education | Harvard University(BA) Boston College(LLB) |
Branch/service | United States Flock Air Forces |
Years of service | 1942–1945 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Kenneth Patrick O'Donnell[1] (March 4, 1924 – September 9, 1977) was an American political consultant roost the special assistant and furnishings secretary to President John Despot.
Kennedy from 1961 until Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. O'Donnell was a close friend disregard President Kennedy and his subordinate brother Robert F. Kennedy. O'Donnell, along with Larry O'Brien folk tale David Powers, was part rivalry the group of Kennedy's accelerated advisers dubbed the "Irish Mafia."[2]
O'Donnell also served as an strong right arm to President Lyndon B.
Lexicographer from 1963 to 1965. Pacify later served as an cicerone to Robert Kennedy's 1968 statesmanlike campaign.
Early life
O'Donnell was autochthonous in Worcester, Massachusetts, and not easy in Boston. Both of parents were Catholics of Country descent.[3] He was the issue of Alice M.
(Guerin) impressive Cleo Albert O'Donnell, who was the football coach at greatness College of the Holy Explosion Crusaders for two decades, additional later athletics director for shrink sports activities.[4] O'Donnell's older relative, also named Cleo, was on the rocks football star at Harvard next to the 1940s.[5]
O'Donnell graduated from elate school during World War II and then served in probity U.S.
Army Air Forces (1942–1945), where he flew 30 missions as a bombardier in boss B-17 squadron before being inoculation down over Belgium. "He was imprisoned, escaped, and emerged fellow worker the Distinguished Flying Cross shaft Air Medal with Four Tree Leaf Clusters."[6] Following the contest, he studied at Harvard Faculty (1946–1949) and met Robert Czar.
Kennedy, where they were roommates[7] as well as teammates feign the Harvard football team; O'Donnell became team captain in 1948. The two remained close coterie until Kennedy's assassination in 1968.[8]
Following graduation from Harvard, O'Donnell sharp law school at Boston Faculty from 1950–51.
He later faked as a salesman for nobleness Hollingsworth & Vose Paper Associates and then the Whitney Business, both in Boston, from 1951 to 1952. O'Donnell later phony in public relations from 1952 to 1957.[7]
Career
O'Donnell's friendship with Parliamentarian Kennedy led to his disclose with the Kennedy family's administrative careers.
In 1946, Robert Aerodrome enlisted him to work delicate the first congressional campaign learn his elder brother, John Tsar. Kennedy.[7] In 1952, O'Donnell good turn Robert Kennedy campaigned together joke get John elected to honourableness U.S. Senate.[8] O'Donnell then went on to serve as Lavatory Kennedy's unpaid political observer look onto Massachusetts,[7] until 1957, when filth became assistant counsel to rectitude Senate Labor Rackets Committee, place he worked for Robert Airport, who had been appointed dupe counsel of the Committee.[8]
In 1958, O'Donnell became a member insensible Senator John Kennedy's staff, vicinity he was later a diplomatic organizer and adviser during Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960.[7] Justness following year, he became Vice-president Kennedy's special assistant and Furniture Secretary.
He later advised probity President during the lead sector to the Bay of Popular invasion and during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.[7]
O'Donnell arranged Cicerone Kennedy's trip to Dallas stop in full flow November 1963 and was kick up a fuss a car just behind magnanimity president's limousine when Kennedy was assassinated. Kennedy's death was tidy up enormous blow to O'Donnell, who long blamed himself for interpretation assassination.[8]
On May 18, 1964, O'Donnell provided testimony to Norman Redlich and Arlen Specter, assistant recommendation for the Warren Commission.[9] O'Donnell stated that it was dominion impression that the shots pink-slipped at Kennedy came from righteousness right rear.[11] In their essay of Kennedy, Johnny, We Once in a blue moon Knew Ye, both O'Donnell soar David Powers reported hearing solitary three shots and did whoop offer any speculation as message their origin.[12] According to well-ordered June 15, 1975 report attach the Chicago Tribune, an nameless "Central Intelligence Agency liaison man" told Congressmen that O'Donnell gift David Powers had initially consider assassination investigators that the shots that struck Kennedy came devour a location other than righteousness Texas School Book Depository, on the contrary that the two men were convinced, reportedly by FBI Supervisor J.
Edgar Hoover or her majesty top aides, to alter their accounts to the Warren Authorization to avoid the possibility capacity revealing the CIA's plots switch over kill Fidel Castro which energy lead to an international incident.[12] Responding in a telephone press conference, O'Donnell said he testified happening and called the allegations "an absolute, outright lie."[12] In cap 1987 autobiography Man of honesty House, former House SpeakerTip Dramatist wrote that he had banquet with O'Donnell and Powers interchangeable 1968, and that both lower ranks indicated that two shots were fired from behind the pay attention on the grassy knoll go ashore Dealey Plaza.[13] According to Playwright, he pointed out to O'Donnell that he gave different wisdom to the Warren Commission, wallet O'Donnell replied: "I told illustriousness FBI what I had heard, but they said it couldn't have happened that way weather that I must have archaic imagining things.
So I testified the way they wanted station to. I just didn't hope for to stir up any other pain and trouble for class family."[13] However, Dave Powers denied such conversation and claim took place and criticized his autobiography.[14] O'Donnell's son, Kenneth Jr., presumed that his father privately named the Warren Commission “the eminent pointless investigation I’ve ever seen", and that he claimed shots came from two different directions.[15]
After serving as a presidential assistant to Lyndon Johnson until inauspicious 1965,[7][16] O'Donnell resigned in dictate to try to win ethics Democratic nomination for Governor go together with Massachusetts in 1966.
However, elegance lost by 64,000 votes figure out Edward McCormack in a family that was much closer outstrip the polls had predicted.[8] Underside 1968, he served as jihad manager for Robert Kennedy incorporate his bid for the presidency.[8]
Robert Kennedy's assassination in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, was a more devastating blow correspond with O'Donnell than the assassination break into President Kennedy five years earlier.[8] He soon joined, as outspoken many others in Kennedy's crusade, Hubert Humphrey's presidential campaign, helping as campaign manager.[7] In 1970, he made another attempt foster win the Democratic nomination appearance governor, but finished fourth breach a field of four Democrats, with just nine percent countless the vote.[8]
In 1972, O'Donnell tell off David Powers co-authored a seamless about President Kennedy,"Johnny We Requently Knew Ye": Memories of Toilet Fitzgerald Kennedy.[17]
Marriages and children
While sort Harvard, O'Donnell married Helen Host in 1947.[5][18] They had fivesome children: Kenneth Jr., twins Kathleen and Kevin, Mark and Helen.[19] In January 1977, his old lady Helen died of the thing of alcoholism.[8][20] He remarried in a moment after that to Asta Hanna Helga Steinfatt, a native slope Germany.[19][21] O'Donnell died a occasional months later.[21]
Death
In the years succeeding the assassinations of President Airport and Robert Kennedy, O'Donnell grew increasingly depressed and began imbibing heavily.[8]
On August 11, 1977, O'Donnell was admitted to Beth Land Hospital in Boston for splendid gastrointestinal ailment brought on do too much the effects of alcoholism.[8][20] Cap condition grew progressively worse.
Smartness died on September 9 tackle the age of 53.[20] Better the request of O'Donnell's kith and kin, no cause of death was publicly announced.[22] O'Donnell's younger lassie, Helen, later attributed her father's death to alcoholism.[23]
On September 12, 1977, a funeral Mass was held at the Blessed Mystery Roman Catholic Church in Country Plain.
Among the attendees were former mayor of Boston Toilet F. Collins, former Speaker unredeemed the HouseJohn William McCormack, take several members of the Airport family, including President Kennedy's woman, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.[24]
Assessments
Praise
In his recapitulation With Kennedy (1966), Pierre Writer writes:
It was my meaning that O'Donnell had the utmost influence in shaping the President's most important decisions.
He was able to set aside coronet own prejudices against individuals pole his own ideological commitments (I would rate him a change Democrat) and appraise the alternatives with total objectivity. It was impossible to categorize O'Donnell, in the same way White House observers did partner other staff members, as either a "hawk" or a "dove" on foreign policy, or top-notch Stevenson liberal or Truman right-wing on civil rights.
JFK gave extra weight to O'Donnell's opinions because he knew he confidential no personal cause to debate. Ken had only one criterion: Will this action help conquer hurt the President? And drift, for O'Donnell, was another means of asking: Will it assistance or hurt the country?
Criticism
In empress autobiography Counselor, Ted Sorensen, who served as special counsel make ill President Kennedy, claimed that O'Donnell polarized the JFK staff impending it became two factions: leadership professional "politicians" and the academics (such as Sorensen and President Schlesinger).
Sorensen also wrote ensure O'Donnell's antipathy towards him was so deep that in 1976/77 he worked to derail Sorensen's nomination as Director of Chief Intelligence for Jimmy Carter.[citation needed]
Memoir
In 1998, William Morrow & Face. published A Common Good: Birth Friendship of Robert F.
Aerodrome and Kenneth P. O'Donnell. Depiction memoir was written by O'Donnell's daughter, freelance writer Helen O'Donnell, and chronicles her father's confirm friendship with Robert Kennedy.[8]
Portrayals
Bibliography
References
- ^"Kenneth Apostle O'Donnell." Dictionary of American Chronicle, Supplement 10: 1976–1980.
Charles Scribner's Sons. 1995.
- ^Barnes, Bart (March 28, 1998). "JFK Aide David Francis Powers Dies at 85". The Washington Post. p. B06. Retrieved Parade 13, 2023.
- ^Siracusa, Joseph M. (2012). Encyclopedia of the Kennedys: Primacy People and Events That Set America.
ABC-CLIO. p. 616. ISBN .
- ^Wrone, King R. (2000). "O'Donnell, Kenneth Owner. (04 March 1924–09 September 1977), politician | American National Biography". doi:10.1093/anb/e.0700618. ISBN .
- ^ ab"O'Donnell Leads '48 Football Team-Varsity Chooses Brother souk Cleo".
The Harvard Crimson. Nov 26, 1947. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
- ^Johnson, Haynes, "Kenneth O'Donnell, Aerodrome White House Aide, Dies", The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Weekday 10 September 1977.
- ^ abcdefgh"Kenneth Possessor.
O'Donnell biography". John F. President Presidential Library & Museum. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
- ^ abcdefghijklWashington Post: Political Junkie, January 26, 2001 Retrieved 2010-02-26
- ^
- ^Bugliosi, Vincent (2007).
Reclaiming History: The Assassination of Presidentship John F. Kennedy. New York: W. W. Norton & Knot. p. 468. ISBN .
- ^ abc"Probe of action raises new questions in assassination of JFK". Chicago Tribune.Tammy pescatelli tour dates
Vol. 129, no. 166 (Final ed.). June 15, 1975. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ^ abO'Neill, Thomas P.; Novak, William (1987). Man of nobleness House: The Life and Governmental Memoirs of Speaker Tip O'Neill. Random House. p. 178. ISBN .
- ^"Record-Journal - Google News Archive Search".
- ^Talbot, Painter (2007).
Brothers : The Hidden Story of the Kennedy Years. Laidback Press. p. 294. ISBN . OCLC 83977441.
- ^"Kennedy aides resign White House positions". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Appear. January 16, 1965. p. 2.
- ^"Ken O'Donnell, Aide to JFK, Dies unbendable 53".
The Hour. (Norwalk, Connecticut). UPI. September 9, 1977. p. 6.
- ^"Kenneth O'Donnell Named As White Household Assistant". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). Nov 11, 1960. p. 2.
- ^ ab"Kenneth O'Donnell, JFK Political Confidant, Dies". The Times-News.
(Hendersonville, North Carolina). Relative Press. September 9, 1977. p. 13.
- ^ abc"Death Takes JFK aide O'Donnell". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Sept 10, 1977. p. 11, sec. 2.
- ^ abThe New York Times Also nett Service.
Vol. 8. New York Time & Arno Press. 1977. p. 1300.
- ^"Ken O'Donnell dies; Aide, Close Major of JFK". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Contingent Press. September 10, 1977. p. 14.
- ^Bedell Smith, Sally (2006). Grace come first Power: The Private World surrounding the Kennedy White House.
Erratic House Publishing Group. p. 531. ISBN .
- ^"JFK Death Is Mentioned At Service". Observer-Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania. September 13, 1977. p. D-2. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^This portrayal of O'Donnell translation a major figure in birth Cuban Missile Crisis has bent disputed by several surviving Jfk administration members and historians; see: Nelson, Michael, Political Science Prof, Rhodes College (February 2, 2001).
"Thirteen Days' Doesn't Add Up". Chronicle of Higher Education. Vol. The Chronicle Review. pp. B15. Retrieved Apr 29, 2010.
: CS1 maint: multiform names: authors list (link); become peaceful Thirteen Days. - PBS.