Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Treatment of Governor Connally

Treatment of Governor Connally While one team attended the President, a second team performed surgery on Governor Connally, who had sustained multiple bullet wounds. After initial examination by Dr. Carrico and Dr. Richard Dulany, Dr. Robert Shaw, chief of thoracic surgery, assumed charge of treatment at approximately 12:45 p.m. Rubber tubes were inserted between the second and third ribs to reexpand the collapsed right lung. At 1:35 p.m., Dr. Shaw began operating, suturing the damaged lung and lacerated muscles and treating an elliptical wound in the back. This first operation concluded at 3:20 p.m. A second operation from 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., performed by Dr. Charles F. Gregory with assistance, addressed wounds of the right wrist; the back wound was left partially open for drainage while the palm-side wound was closed, the fracture set, and a cast applied with traction. Concurrently, Dr. George T. Shires and assistants treated a gunshot wound in the left thigh, leaving a small metallic fragment in the Governor’s leg.

Vice President Johnson at Parkland

Vice President Johnson at Parkland A protective circle of Secret Service agents escorted Vice President and Mrs. Johnson into Parkland Hospital, where they took emergency security measures. Several U.S. Representatives, including Henry B. Gonzalez, Jack Brooks, Homer Thornberry, and Albert Thomas, along with Clifton C. Carter, joined the security group. Concerned that the Vice President might also be targeted, Secret Service agents urged him to leave the hospital, but he waited for definitive word on the President’s condition. At approximately 1:20 p.m., O’Donnell notified Vice President Johnson that President Kennedy was dead. Agent Youngblood arranged Secret Service protection for Mrs. Johnson’s two daughters. After consulting O’Donnell, the Vice President decided to return to Washington on the Presidential plane due to its superior communication equipment. The Vice President and Press Secretary Malcolm Kilduff agreed to delay announcement of the death until the Vice President had left the hospital. When told Mrs. Kennedy would not leave without the President’s body, the Vice President stated he would not leave Dallas without her. On Secret Service recommendation, the Vice President boarded Air Force One to wait.

Secret Service Emergency Security Arrangements

Secret Service Emergency Security Arrangements Secret Service agents immediately took positions at the door of trauma room 1, identified hospital personnel, and cleared the area of nonessential staff. Special Agent Lawson ensured that Dallas police kept the public and press away. Agents Kellerman and Hill telephoned Gerald A. Behn, head of the White House detail, and the line to Washington was kept open. Agents at later stops along the President’s itinerary, including the Trade Mart and Austin, were redeployed, with the Austin contingent instructed to return to Washington. At Love Field, security measures were instituted for the Presidential aircraft, the terminal, and surrounding areas, including clearing adjacent warehouses, terminal buildings, and parking lots. The agents chose to leave the aircraft in its original secure location. When hospital security arrangements were complete, the Vice President and Mrs. Johnson were driven to Love Field in unmarked police cars, with Chief Curry driving the Vice President’s car. Motorcycle escorts were asked not to use sirens, and the Vice President was instructed to remain below window level during the drive.

Removal of the President’s Body

Removal of the President’s Body Mrs. Kennedy alternated between watching the medical team and waiting outside during the resuscitation efforts. After the President was pronounced dead, O’Donnell tried to persuade her to leave, but she refused, stating she intended to stay with her husband. A casket was obtained and the body prepared. Two Dallas officials told the President’s staff that the body could not be removed until an autopsy was performed; despite their protests, the casket was wheeled out and placed in an ambulance. It arrived at the airport shortly after 2 p.m. and was loaded onto Air Force One at approximately 2:15 p.m., with some difficulty because of the narrow airplane door. Concerned that local officials might attempt to prevent takeoff, O’Donnell asked the pilot to depart immediately, but was informed that takeoff would be delayed until Vice President Johnson was sworn in.