This oil on canvas portrait of President John F. Kennedy was painted by Aaron Shikler and is his official White House portrait. Prior to his election, Kennedy served in the U.S. Navy Reserves during World War II and was assigned to the Pacific theater. After the war, he was elected to three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and two terms in the U.S. Senate. Kennedy served as president from January 20, 1961 until he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. The portrait was placed on public display in the East Room on February 5, 1971.