Jim Wright: I listened to the initial shot. I assumed it appeared like a rifle shot, but I couldn’t envision that it may be a rifle shot. Then, I read the next shot, and I thought: “It’s crazy. Anyone is attempting to fireplace a 21-gun salute using a rifle.
Bob Shieffer: I was sound asleep when it happened, and Tom…came in and waked me up, and he explained: “You improved stand up. The president’s been shot. You much better go to work.”…by the time I obtained to the 1st Nationwide Lender making the place we parked…and equally as I parked my motor vehicle…it arrived above my vehicle that the president was lifeless. I was just beside myself…And that i began to cry. Town editor experienced despatched the many reporters to Dallas and there wasn’t any person to answer the phones, Which’s when this unbelievable matter transpired to me.
After these Original observations we opened his shirt, coat, listened extremely briefly to his upper body, read a couple of sounds, which we felt to be heartbeats, and after that proceeded with the remainder with the examination. From the medical standpoint, I suppose he was however alive in that he did however Use a heartbeat.
(His interest in how Guys and ladies respond to lifestyle-threatening pressures would afterwards consider him to Hiroshima, where by he did a landmark New Yorker series about survivors on the nuclear blast.) Hersey also stepped evenly around the query of irrespective of whether Kennedy was accountable.
But even with these new specifics, Kennedy continues to be one of several country’s ideal-remembered leaders. He was a charismatic guy whose occupation affected a number of other Americans to enter public services.
And he experienced turn into a partner and father. He married a wealthy, very well-educated woman who had been Operating for a newspaper photographer. Her title was Jacqueline Bouvier, but she was at times referred to as Jackie.
Their struggle at that evening’s board meeting was above Kennedy’s drive to rent a staff members scientist who experienced just been introduced from federal jail. His criminal offense: operating a global wildlife smuggling ring that prosecutors claimed experienced weakened uncommon fowl populations.
Dr. McClelland: About the time that Dr. Baxter And that i were gonna walk within the head of the gurney and leave the room behind everybody else, the doorway came open, and Father Hubert came in…so we just form of melted again up against the wall…though he gave the president his previous rites.
He’s D.O.A.” Nicely, that was sufficient for me, and I then mentioned words into the result, “I’ve just been explained to by a very reputable source the president’s lifeless.” And, unbeknownst to me, the published was currently being carried by CBS simply because this was the sole choose-up in town, plus they picked it up and set it to the air.
I stated, “May be the White Household medical doctor there?” And that i received him around the phone…I reported, “The one thing is, we’ve bought to have some medical professional testify that a gunshot wound triggered his Loss of life.” And he reported: “Properly, we’re likely to just take him to Bethesda. And that i’ll furnish your doctor when he does the autopsy to the trial.” And I obtained Ward back again on there and I claimed, “Convey to him to click here just take him on again.”
Agent Hill: Concerning Appreciate Area and downtown Dallas, on the proper-hand side of the street there was a gaggle of people with a protracted banner which explained, “Remember to, Mr. President, halt and shake our arms.” As well as president requested the motorcade to halt, and he beckoned to the people and requested them to return and shake his hand, which they did. I jumped from the stick to-up car or truck and ran up into the still left rear portion of the vehicle with my back towards Mrs.
Lyndon Johnson: This is a sad time for all folks. We have now experienced a loss that can't be weighed. For me, It's a deep personalized tragedy. I understand that the globe shares the sorrow that Mrs. Kennedy and her spouse and children bear. I will do my best. That is definitely all I can do. I request in your assistance — and God’s.
But I out of the blue realized I didn’t determine what to contact him. Your situation, de facto, he was the president. I just claimed, “Mr. President,” and Lady Fowl just kind of screamed. And apparently…After i said that to him was the 1st solid information and facts that he had that he was the de facto president. I explained, “I’m gonna need to announce President Kennedy’s Demise.”
Agent Hill: The proper rear portion of his head was lacking. It was lying while in the rear seat of the car. His Mind was exposed.