"EVERY TIME I THOUGHT ABOUT BABY PATRICK..."

SON BORN FIVE WEEKS PREMATURE TO FIRST LADY

Falmouth, Massachusetts (JFK+50) At 1:15 p.m. August 7, 1963, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, son of President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, was born at Otis Air Force Base Hospital.

The baby, born five weeks premature, suffered from respiratory complications often seen in early births.

Patrick was transferred to Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston for specialized treatment.

Agent Clint Hill, Mrs. Kennedy's secret service guard, later wrote...

"Every time I thought about baby Patrick...it nearly tore me apart."

SOURCES

"Mrs. Kennedy and Me," by Clint Hill with Lisa McCubbin, Gallery Books, New York, 2012.

"Patrick Bouvier Kennedy Born at Otis AFB Hospital," JFK+50, August 7, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

 

 

 Patrick Bouvier Kennedy Gravestone

Arlington National Cemetery

US Army Photo

"MRS. KENNEDY ATTENDS CEREMONY AT TREASURY"

CLINT HILL RECEIVES 'EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD' FOR EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 3, 1963, Mrs. John F. Kennedy "went to the Treasury Department for a special ceremony honoring Secret Service Agent Clinton J. Hill* for exceptional bravery in the moments after the President was assassinated in Dallas."

The Exceptional Service Award was presented to Mr. Hill by Secretary of Treasury Douglas Dillon** who stood beside Mrs. Kennedy, dressed in black.  The former First Lady was accompanied by her sister and two of her late husband's sisters.

*Clinton J. Hill was born in Larimore, North Dakota (1932) & graduated from Concordia College of Minnesota.  Hill served in the US Army, trained in Counter-intelligence.  CJH served in the US Secret Service 1958-1975, protecting Presidents Eisenhower & JFK.

**C. Douglas Dillon (1909-2003) was born in Geneva, Switzerland & educated at Harvard College.  CDD served as US Ambassador to France, 1953-1957, & Secretary of Treasury, 1961-1965.

SOURCE

"Mrs. Kennedy Joins In Honor To Secret Service Agent," by Cecil Holland, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 3, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Clint Hill on JFK's Limo

Dallas, Texas

Nov 22 1963

Photo by Justin Newman

www.wikimedia.com/

"THE ONLY SOUNDS WERE THE CLIP-CLOP OF HORSES' HOOVES & THE MUFFLED DRUMS"

CAISSON CARRIES JFK'S FLAG-DRAPED CASKET TO CAPITOL
 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 24, 1963, the body of the 35th President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was transported from the White House to the Capitol.  The flag-draped casket, carried by a military honor guard, emerged from the door of the North Portico followed by Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline and John Jr.

The casket was placed on the same caisson that had carried the remains of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945.  The caisson was pulled by four gray horses, one without a rider to symbolize the fallen commander-in-chief.  The casket was followed by a sailor carrying the Presidential flag and a restless riderless horse accompanied by his military handler.

The procession from the Executive mansion to the Capitol building was flanked by 20 servicemen representing the five military services.  As the procession moved slowly down Pennsylvania Avenue, Secret Service Agent Clint Hill, who had been with the President in Dallas, said...

"The only sounds you could hear...were the clip-clop of the horses' hooves and the...muffled drums."

SOURCES

"A nation says goodbye to President Kennedy," by Stephen Smith, November 22, 2013, CBS News.

"Jackie Kennedy's Secret Service Agent Remembers President Kennedy's Funeral," by Clint Hill, Town and Country Magazine, November 22, 2016, www.townandcountrymag.com

President Kennedy's Funeral Procession

November24 1963

Photo by Abbie Rowe

JFK Library Image

"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

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION? TELL ME EVERYTHING!

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2185

REFLECTIONS ON "JACKIE": PART X

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) JFK+50 begins the year 2017 with a review of "Jackie" starring Natalie Portman.  "Jackie" is a Fox Searchlight Pictures film directed by Pablo Larrain.

The screenplay was written by Noah Oppenheim.  Released on December 2, 2016, the movie has an "R" rating and lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Moving forward in the film to a scene in Caroline's bedroom at the White House.  Jackie is in conversation with Secret Service agent Clint Hill*.

Jackie asks...

"What do you remember (about the assassination)?  Will you tell me everything.  I need to hear.**

Clint answers...

"I was ten yards back when I heard the first shot.  As my eyes crossed the President's car...(he saw JFK clutch his throat and slump to the left).  I had to get to you to put myself between you and the President and the shooter."***

Jackie asks...

"Who was it?  Was it that Oswald?

Clint says...

"They think so."

Jackie then talks with Nancy Tuckerman about wanting Caroline and John Jr. with her as she leaves the White House with her husband's casket.  Nancy warns her about all the cameras outside and how the photographs "are being broadcast to every corner of the world."

Jackie responds...

"These pictures should record the truth, two heartbroken,  fatherless children as part of it."

*Clinton J. Hill was born in Larimore, North Dakota.  He graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN & afterward served as a US Army Counterintelligence agent.  As a member of the US Secret Service he protected Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson before retiring in 1975.

**Jackie did remember everything up to JFK's being shot in the head...and holding his head in her lap on the ride to Parkland Hospital, but she did not recall climbing out on the trunk of the limo.

***This description is how Clint Hill actually described his reaction.  He was assigned to protect Mrs. Kennedy and was on the running board of the Secret Service follow-up car on her side of the limo.  Mr. Hill reacted quickly but was unable to get up onto the limo before the fatal shot was fired.

SOURCES

"Jackie-Screenplay," by Script Pipeline, www.scriptpipeline.com/

Clint Hill on Presidential Limo
Dallas, Texas
November 22, 1963
Photo by Justin Newman

IT'S OUR LAST CHANCE, WE HAVE TO MARCH WITH JACK

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2183

REFLECTIONS ON "JACKIE": PART VIII

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) JFK+50 begins the year 2017 with a review of "Jackie" starring Natalie Portman.  "Jackie" is a Fox Searchlight Pictures film directed by Pablo Larrain.

The screenplay was written by Noah Oppenheim.  Released on December 2, 2016, the movie has an "R" rating and lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Moving forward in the film to a scene on the deck of the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis.  As the Journalist is taking notes, Jackie says...

"Bob McNamara (JFK's Secretary of Defense) said he'd buy back our old house for us in Georgetown.  I don't even have a house."*

Forward to a scene on the White House Balcony**.  It is a cold day in Washington.  Bobby says....

"Jackie, they're worried about an outdoor procession.  They think its a security risk.  Everyone's spooked.  Its eight city blocks to St. Matthews (Cathedral). That's a long way to be strolling through crowds.  All those rooftops.  All those windows...."

Jackie replies....

"Bobby, it's our last chance.  We have to march with him."

Clint Hill, Jackie's secret service agent in 1963, said...

"One of the things (Mrs. Kennedy) was insisting was to walk behind the caisson from the White House to St. Matthews and then on to Arlington...(but) to have every major world leader walking slowly through the streets...was going to be a security nightmare.  I tried to talk (her) out of it and ultimately she agreed to compromise by walking just from the White House to St. Matthews.  I knew it would be the longest mile I'd ever walk."


*The Kennedys had sold their home at 3307 N Street in Georgetown where they had lived from 1957 to 1961.  After she moved out of the White House, Jackie lived at 3038 N Street & 3017 N Street before moving to New York.

**Re-created interior White House scenes for the film were shot near Paris, France and the scene of the walk from the White House to St. Matthews was shot in Washington, D.C. in February 2016.  JFK+50 cannot find information as to where the "balcony scene"  was filmed.  We thought it looked more like a view from the White House Promenade, located on the roof of the South Portico, rather than the Truman Balcony.

SOURCES

"How a Designer Re-Created Camelot For the New Movie Jackie," by Elizabeth Stamp, December 1, 2016, Architectural Digest, www.architecturaldigest.com/

"Jackie Kennedy's Secret Service Agent Remembers President Kennedy's Funeral," by Clint Hill, November 22, 2016, Town and Country, www.townandcountrymagazine.com/

"Jackie-Screenplay," by Script Pipeline, www.scriptpipeline.com/

"Self-Guided Georgetown Kennedy Walking Tour," Georgetown, www.georgetowndc.com/

Jennifer Leigh White

at 3307 N Street

Georgetown, D.C.

Photo by John White (2011)

PATRICK BOUVIER KENNEDY

PATRICK BOUVIER KENNEDY BORN 52 YEARS AGO 

Falmouth, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago at 12:52 this afternoon, First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy gave birth to Patrick Bouvier Kennedy. 

The premature baby was delivered at Otis Air Force Base Hospital where Mrs. Kennedy had been rushed by helicopter from Hyannisport.  Patrick, born five and a half weeks premature and weighing 4 pounds 10.5 ounces, suffered from respiratory complications often seen in early births.

According to Secret Service agent Clint Hill, because the President had no travel plans for the day, Air Force One and other jets in the VIP fleet were unavailable.  JFK was still en route at the time the baby was delivered.  The President arrived 40 minutes later.

The baby, named after JFK's grandfather and Mrs. Kennedy's father, was transferred at 5:55 p.m.to Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston for specialized treatment.  The President traveled to Boston to be with Patrick while Clint Hill stayed at Otis with the First Lady.

Clint Hill writes...

"Every time I thought about baby Patrick, so small and alone inside the incubator, it nearly tore me apart.  Throughout this time, Mrs. Kennedy seldom woke up, but continued to remain in a stable condition."

Patrick Bouvier Kennedy passed away the next morning and funeral services were held on Saturday, August 10 in Boston.

SOURCE

"Mrs. Kennedy and Me," by Clint Hill with Lisa McCubbin, Gallery Books, New York, 2012.

PT 109 SURVIVORS RESCUED 

Solomon Islands (JFK+50) The survivors of PT109,  including 11 of the 13 man crew and their commander, Lt. John F. Kennedy, were rescued 72 years ago today, Saturday, August 7, 1943, by PT boats of the United States Navy.

The survivors were met first by Reginald Evans*, an Australian coast watcher who had been alerted by JFK's message carved on a coconut and brought to him by local natives.

Evans radioed this message to Lumberi at 9:20 a.m.

"Eleven survivors PT boat on Gross Is X Have sent food and letter advising senior come here without delay X Warn aviation of canoes crossing Ferguson"

Robert J. Donavan writes that Evans dispatched 7 scouts by canoe to retrieve the "senior" member of the 109 crew from Olasana.

Lt. Kennedy was hidden in the canoe and covered with dead palm fronds as the natives paddled out into Blackett Strait.  When they reached shore, JFK stuck his head out of the palm fronds and said to Evans "Hello, I'm Kennedy."

JFK suggested to Evans that he be permitted to pilot PT boats back to Olasana to pick up his crew.   When PT 157 arrived to pick Lt. Kennedy up, he was upset with the delay in the rescue operation and vented his unhappiness to Lt. W. F. Liebenow who had greeted him with these words...

"Calm down, Jack, we have some warm food for you." 

JFK replied sarcastically...

"No thanks, I've just had a coconut."

It was after midnight when JFK rejoined his crew on Olasana and shuttled them aboard PT 157.

*JFK could not remember Evans' name but had a letter from him which appeared to be signed by A. Rinhaus and that is the name JFK would know him by for the next 17 years.

 In the first article about the 109 incident, John Hersey identified him as Lt. Wincote.  Robert Donovan says that it was not until after JFK became president that Evans was finally correctly identified.

SOURCE

"PT 109: John F. Kennedy in WWII," by Robert J. Donovan, McGraw-Hill Publishers, New York, 1961 and 2001.

PT 157 and Crew