"IS THAT A FIRECRACKER"

A TRAGIC DAY IN DALLAS

Dallas, Texas (JFKASSASSINATION) 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. 

JFKASSASSINATION NOTE

James Tague writes in Chapter 3 of his book that "there were 3 to 4 seconds between the 1st & 2nd shots and the time between the 2nd & 3rd shot...was one right after the other indicating 1 to 1 1/2 seconds..."

He indicates that his view is supported by other eyewitnesses..."the 2 Secret Service agents (in JFK's car)" and Ken O'Donnell & Dave Powers "riding in the car behind the President's car." 

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

November 22, 1963

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