When I read that we will fight the Japs for years if necessary and will sacrifice hundreds of thousands if we must, I always like to check from where he’s talking: it’s seldom from out here.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) US President (1961-63)

Letter to his parents (Fall 1943)
    (Source)

While Kennedy was a US Navy Lieutenant (j.g), shortly before the invasion of Tarawa.