Question

Why did Kennedy want the United States to be the first one to the moon

Answer 1

the soviets had already gotten ahead in the space race by launching Sputnik (the dogs) and Yeri (first man in space), so getting to the moon first would end the space race in the long run 

Answer 2

He wanted to be the first in the space race, and to get ahead and do something no one else would think of.