Biography of John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the second child in a family of nine children. He lived in the suburbs of Boston, but as his family grew, his father's income increased and they moved back to Brookline. John had a seemingly happy childhood. He attended private primary schools where he played sports and games. Although he never attended college, his father encouraged him to participate in athletics. He was taught by Catholic lawyers at the Canturbery School and then spent four years at the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut. Although he suffered from numerous illnesses, his classmates voted him "Most Likely to Succeed." He graduated in 1935, ranking 64th in a class of 112. In the summer of 1935, he studied at the London School of Economics. He then went to study at Princeton University. During Christmas break during his first year, he suffered an attack of jaundice and was forced to leave. Through much determination, he enrolled at Harvard in 1936, where his father entered the university. He played football and graduated in 1940. Shortly after graduating, he wrote his first book, "Why England Slept." It received good reviews. In March 1941, Kennedy volunteered for the army. He was rejected soon after due to a back injury he suffered playing football at Harvard. He took classes to strengthen his back and was accepted into the navy. In 1943, Kennedy was on a Navy ship when it was destroyed by the Japanese. He was thrown from the boat and forced to swim through the seas to reach a rescue ship. He received a Purple Heart for his courageous actions. He also received a Navy and a Marine Corps. medal. But after having more back problems and surgery, he was discharged in 1945. Kennedy held many jobs after being discharged from the Army. He wasn't sure what career he wanted to pursue. He worked as a reporter for Hearst newspapers, where he covered a conference establishing the United Nations. He then returned to Boston to pursue his new career as a politician. In early 1946, Kennedy announced his candidacy..