Liberty Aviation Museum to rename PT Boat

PORT CLINTON — The Liberty Aviation Museum will name their PT Boat in honor of a hero who served with John F. Kennedy during World War II. Lenny Thom Kelly — son of Leonard "Lenny" Thom Sr. who died in a 1946 car accident — recently explored the museum's rich archive of historic artifacts, including a display about his father."They spent about two hours touring the facility and checking out our PT boat," Liberty Aviation Museum CEO Edward Patrick said. "They were pretty excited about it."Thom served with Kennedy on the PT 109 boat that crashed into a Japanese destroyer in 1943. The crash killed several American sailors and left the surviving crew stranded on an island in enemy territory. Thom and Kennedy worked together to get a message to the closest U.S. base seeking help. They were eventually rescued and given command of other vessels. Kennedy remained close to Thom after the war and even served as pallbearer during his funeral in 1946, Patrick said."It's interesting to have such a cool local connection to one of our favorite presidents," Patrick said. The museum acquired their PT boat a number of years ago and have been working on its restoration. Patrick said they hope to eventually give rides on Lake Erie out of Port Clinton. The boat will tentatively undergo U.S. Coast Guard certification tests in late July."We want to keep it local," Patrick said. "We're finishing up with the ventilation system in the engine room; some electrical work and repairs to the bow. I'd love to have it operate out of downtown Port Clinton when it's ready."Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and at Facebook.com/PatPfanner.Lenny Thom Kelley poses for a picture with his daughter Michaela Canterbury and granddaughter Grace Canterbury in front of the PT-728 boat at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton on Thursday. Kelley brought his family to the museum from Alaska to learn about the history they have in the area. His father, a former Tiffin, Ohio resident, served in World War II alongside John F. Kennedy on a PT boat similar to the one housed in the museum. Lenny Thom Kelley listens to the history of the PT-728 boat being renovated at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton on Thursday afternoon. Down in the hull of the PT-728 boat, Liberty Aviation Museum director Edward Patrick gives a tour to Lenny Thom Kelley and his family members on Thursday afternoon in Port Clinton. Liberty Aviation Museum volunteer Larry LaFleur uncovers the re-engineered engines in the PT-728 boat that the museum is renovating. Using more fuel efficient and stable engines than the original PT boat, the museum plans to start taking guests out for cruises in the boat in July. A display case at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton showcases the life of Leonard "Lenny" Thom. Thom served in the US Navy during World War II on PT-109 alongside John F. Kennedy, even being credited with helping save Kennedy's life during the war. After returning from the war, Thom died in a car accident in 1946. Housed in the boat hangar of the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, the PT-728 is in the process of being renovated to be used to take guests for cruises on Lake Erie.