First Up: Chronicles of the PT-157: Rendova and Lever Harbor, July-August 1943

[Note: For the Deluxe edition of 'First-Up' which is printed on slightly heavier paper and contain some color images please search on ISBN 978-0615592008] You’ll see how rescuing Lt. J.F. Kennedy and his 109 crew was only one night among many for the PT-157 in the summer of 1943. In July 1943 the PT boats of RON-9 were the first PTs, that is ‘First-Up’, to advance to Rendova Harbor in the Solomon Islands. From here they established a base from which to attack Japanese destroyers. Following Rendova, the PT-157 moved next to Lever Harbor on 'The Slot' side of New Georgia Island to begin the even more difficult task of attacking the well protected Japanese barges. read about the challenges when the 'push' of the Japanese meets the 'shove' of the U.S. PT fleet. Stand of the 157's deck and ride with Skipper Liebenow, torpdeoman West and the crew during the push-and-shove patrols and missions of this critical period. Included in this chronology are the eyewitness recounting of key actions from these last of the PT-157's crewman, pages from the boat's log book, historical photos, MTB Commander’s Daily Action Reports and location maps of the patrols and missions of the PT-157.