When the war broke out and bombs began to descend on London, Joseph Kennedy resigned his post and returned to America. The Kennedy children, however, were made of sterner stuff. Both Joe and John signed up to serve in the war as commissioned officers. John would go on to win laurels in the Navy as a decorated young officer in the Pacific: he was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in the face of extreme danger. After two tours of duty, he chose to continue serving his country, much against the wishes of his father. Eventually, after the death of his brother Joseph, his father is rumoured to have orchestrated his discharge, and John returned home to continue with the onerous and unenviable task of securing the Kennedy legacy.