Aug. 7, 1963 - A second son, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, was born to President and Mrs. Kennedy at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod today. (Pictured below, President Kennedy arrives at the Base today.) The boy was born five-and-a-half weeks premature, according to Dr. John Walsh, Mrs. Kennedy’s personal physician and obstetrician. Mrs. Kennedy’s condition was reported as “fine.” The day started as any other on Cape Cod for Mrs. Kennedy. She had taken Caroline and John Jr. to Osterville, about seven miles from Hyannis Port, for an outing and horseback riding. About 11 a.m., she felt some pains, according to White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger, and she started back to Squaw Island by automobile with the two children. As she departed, she asked someone to call Dr. Walsh, who had been spending his vacation on Cape Cod in order to be available in case something happened. By the time she had reached her summer home, Dr. Walsh was there. He advised her to fly by helicopter to the hospital. She left the island at 11:28 a.m. and arrived at the base hospital at 11:48. She was moved almost immediately into surgery, Mr. Salinger said. Mrs. Kennedy was returned from surgery to her suite at 2:10 p.m. President Kennedy, who had flown from Washington, saw the baby after he had visited with his wife. The baby is the first born to a President in 68 years. Members of the U.S. Senate stood and applauded the news. Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield of Montana announced the birth. The baby’s uncle Ted — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy — was presiding over the Senate at the time.
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