Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C407-3-63
President John F. Kennedy (center left) shakes hands with Deputy Commander of the Submarine Force of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Rear Admiral Vernon L. Lowrance, prior to his departure from the United States Naval ship USS Observation Island (EAG-154), at sea off the coast of Florida; sailors (flanking both sides) salute President Kennedy. Also pictured: White House Secret Service agent, Floyd Boring; Senator George A. Smathers (Florida); Director of Special Projects (USN), Rear Admiral I. J. Galantin; Naval Aide to the President, Captain Tazewell T. Shepard, Jr.; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton; and White House photographer, Chief Robert L. Knudsen. The President sailed aboard the ship to view a Polaris A-2 missile launch demonstration from the submarine USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN-619).