"IS THAT A FIRECRACKER?"

A TRAGIC DAY IN DALLAS

Dallas, Texas (JFK+50) On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was hit by rifle fire during a motorcade through Dallas.  There were 17 cars and one press bus in line, with the President and Mrs. Kennedy and Texas Governor John B. Connally and Mrs. Connally riding in the presidential car.

Just after the turn onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza, witnesses heard a noise.   Dallas Police Chief Jesse Curry, driving the lead car in front of the President, recalled someone saying, "Is that a firecracker?"   

The first noise was followed by what most witnesses believed to be two more.  The President sustained wounds in the throat, back and head.  Governor Connally was also severely wounded.  Secret Service agent Clint Hill, riding on the follow-up vehicle, made a valiant but failed attempt to reach the President after he saw him slump to the left.  

JFK was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital where the medical staff did everything humanly possible to save him.   The President was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. local time.  John F. Kennedy was the 4th POTUS to be assassinated.  Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President.

With President Kennedy's remains on board, Air Force One returned to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington where the body was taken to Bethesda for autopsy.

SOURCE

"LBJ and the Kennedy Killing," by James T. Tague, Trine Day LLC, Walterville, OR, 2013. 

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

November 22, 1963

Final Edition

KENNEDY KILLED, CONNALLY WOUNDED

PRESIDENT SHOT IN DALLAS PARADE, LBJ IS NEW CHIEF


Dallas, Texas (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago, November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arrived here in Dallas aboard Air Force One where they joined Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie on a parade through the city.

Despite rumblings of disagreement with JFK's policies, people lined the sidewalks and waved and cheered as the President and First Lady rode by.

Mrs. Connally was so pleased with the reception, she turned to JFK, just after they made the turn from Main to Houston Street, and said...

"Mr. President, you can't say that Dallas doesn't love you."

Shots rang out as the presidential car moved slowly along Elm Street in Dealey Plaza.  Secret Service agent Clint Hill, riding on the follow-up vehicle, made a valiant attempt reach the First Couple but a bullet hit President Kennedy in the head.

JFK was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital where the medical staff did everything humanly possible to save him.

Assistant Press Secretary Malcolm Kilduff*, with tears in his eyes, announced that the President died at 1:00 p.m. (CST).  Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was riding in the motorcade, was spirited from the hospital to Air Force One at Love Field where he took the presidential oath of office.

With President Kennedy's remains on board, Air Force One returned to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington where the body was transferred to a Navy ambulance and taken to Bethesda for autopsy.

The headline of the final edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel dated November 22, 1963 read...

KENNEDY KILLED, CONNALLY WOUNDED

*Malcolm MacGregor Kilduff, Jr. (1927-2003) served as assistant press secretary in the Kennedy & Johnson administrations, 1961-1965.  Afterwards, he was editor of the Beattyville, Kentucky Enterprise.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

November 22, 1963
Final Edition