Friend and political aide to President Kennedy (1946-1963); Special Assistant to the President (1961-1963); co-author (with Kenneth O'Donnell and Joe McCarthy), "Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye" (1972). One of President Kennedy’s closest friends and confidants, Dave Powers was a Special Assistant to the President, although he had no input in policy decisions. Like many of Kennedy staffers, Powers stayed on for a year as White House assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1965, Powers left Washington to join the staff of the proposed Kennedy Library in Boston, where he was acting curator for many years. David F. Powers died in 1998.
Personal Papers (1945-1994) consist of election statistics, correspondence, speeches by John Kennedy, political polls, audiotapes, news clippings, pamphlets and memorabilia relating to John and Robert Kennedy.
Audiovisual Archives contains "PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANTS" sound recordings (1965-1967). Tape recorded interviews made by Special Assistants to the President David F. Powers, Lawrence F. O'Brien, and Kenneth P. O'Donnell of their activities with John F. Kennedy (1946-1963) and other reminiscences. The Powers and O'Donnell tapes were the source for the book "Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye" (1972). 153 items. Permission required to access.
Oral History Interview conducted for the Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Program. 1969. 22 pp.