(Testimony of Clinton J. , Special Agent, Secret Service Hill)
Mr. Hill.
Yes. There is an AR-15, which is an automatic rifle, and a shotgun.
Mr. Specter.
And where is the AR-15 kept?
Mr. Hill.
Between the two agents in the rear seat.
Mr. Specter.
How about the shotgun; where is that kept?
Mr. Hill.
In a compartment immediately in front of the jump seats.
Mr. Specter.
Is the President's followup car a specially constructed automobile.
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir; it is.
Mr. Specter.
And what is the make and model and general description of that vehicle?
Mr. Hill.
It is a 1955 Cadillac, nine-passenger touring sedan. It is a convertible type.
Mr. Specter.
Was that automobile flown in specially from Washington for the occasion?
Mr. Hill.
Yes; it was, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Do you know how that automobile was transported to Dallas, Tex?
Mr. Hill.
Generally, it is flown in a C-130 by the Air Force. I am not sure how on this particular occasion.
Mr. Specter.
Will you describe, in a general way, the composition of the crowds en route from Love Field down to the center of Dallas, please?
Mr. Hill.
Well, when we left Love Field, we went away from the crowd to get to the exit point at Love Field, and there were no crowds at all, and then we, departing Love Field, found the crowds were sporadic. There were people here and there. Some places they had built up and other places they were thinned out. The speed of the motorcade was adjusted accordingly. Whenever there were large groups of people, the motorcade slowed down to give the people an opportunity to view the President. When there were not many people along the side of the street, we speeded up. We didn't really hit the crowds until we hit Main Street.
Mr. Specter.
What is your best estimate of the maximum speed of the automobile from the time you left Love Field until the time you arrived at downtown Dallas?
Mr. Hill.
I would say we never ran any faster than 25 to 30 miles per hour.
Mr. Specter.
What is your best estimate of the minimum speed during this same interval?
Mr. Hill.
Twelve to fifteen miles per hour. We did stop.
Mr. Specter.
On what occasion did you stop?
Mr. Hill.
Between Love Field and Main Street, downtown Dallas, on the right-hand side of the street there were a group of people with a long banner which said, "Please, Mr. President, stop and shake our hands." And the President requested the motorcade to stop, and he beckoned to the people and asked them to come and shake his hand, which they did.
Mr. Specter.
Did the President disembark from his automobile at that time?
Mr. Hill.
No; he remained in his seat.
Mr. Specter.
At that time what action, if any, did you take?
Mr. Hill.
I jumped from the followup car and ran up to the left rear portion of the automobile with my back toward Mrs. Kennedy viewing those persons on the left-hand side of the street.
Mr. Specter.
What action was taken by any other Secret Service agent which you observed at that time?
Mr. Hill.
Special Agent Ready, who was working the forward portion of the right running board, did the same thing, only on the President's side, placed his back toward the car, and viewed the people facing the President. Assistant in Charge Kellerman opened the door of the President's car and stepped out on the street.
Mr. Specter.
What action was taken by Special Agent McIntyre, if you know?
Mr. Hill.
I do not know.
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