(Testimony of Clinton J. , Special Agent, Secret Service Hill)
Mr. Specter.
Did you have any opportunity to observe the front part of his body, to see whether there was any tear or rip in the clothing on the front?
Mr. Hill.
I saw him lying there in the back of the car, when I was immediately above him. I cannot recall noticing anything that was ripped in the forward portion of his body.
Mr. Specter.
What action, if any, did you take to shield the President's body?
Mr. Hill.
I kept myself above the President and Mrs. Kennedy on the trip to Parkland.
Mr. Specter.
Did you do anything with your coat upon arrival at Parkland Hospital to shield the President?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir. I removed it and covered the President's head and upper chest.
Mr. Specter.
What, if anything, did you observe as to Governor Connally's condition on arrival at Parkland?
Mr. Hill.
He was conscious. There was a large amount of blood in the lower abdominal area. He was helped from the automobile to the stretcher, and I do not recall him saying anything, but I know that he was conscious. He was wheeled immediately into, I think, emergency room No. 2.
Mr. Specter.
And who was removed first from the automobile?
Mr. Hill.
Governor Connally.
Mr. Specter.
How long after the President's car arrived at Parkland Hospital did medical personnel come to the scene to remove the victim?
Mr. Hill.
Seconds. They were there when we were there almost--almost simultaneously with the arrival.
Mr. Specter.
Do you know where President Kennedy was taken in the hospital?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir. I accompanied he, and Mrs. Kennedy to the emergency room.
Mr. Specter.
Now, tell us what you did at the hospital from the time of arrival on, please.
Mr. Hill.
I went into the emergency room with the President, but it was so small, and there were so many people in there that I decided I had better leave and let the doctors take care of the situation. So I walked outside; asked for the nearest telephone; walked to the nearest telephone. About that time Special Agent in Charge Kellerman came outside and said, "Get the White House."
I asked Special Agent Lawson for the local number in Dallas of the White House switchboard, which he gave to me. I called the switchboard in Dallas; asked for the line to be open to Washington, and remain open continuously. And then I asked for Special Agent in Charge Behn's office. Mr. Kellerman came out of the emergency room about that time, took the telephone and called Special Agent in Charge Behn that we had had a double tragedy; that both Governor Connally and President Kennedy had been shot. And that was about as much as he said. I then took the telephone and shortly thereafter Mr. Kellerman came out of the emergency room and said, "Clint, tell Jerry this is unofficial and not for release, but the man is dead." Which I did. During the two calls, I talked to the Attorney General, who attempted to reach me, and told him that his brother had been seriously wounded; that we would keep him advised as to his condition.
Mr. Specter.
Where was Mrs. Kennedy all this time, if you know?
Mr. Hill.
Immediately upon arrival, she went into the emergency room. And a few minutes afterward, she was convinced to wait outside, which she did, remained there the rest of the period of time that we were there.
Mr. Specter.
And was there any pronouncement that the President had died?
Mr. Hill.
Not that I know of. Apparently there was. I was requested by Mr. O'Donnell, one of the Presidential assistants, to obtain a casket, because they wanted to return to Washington immediately. I contacted the administrator of the hospital and asked him to take me where I could telephone the nearest mortuary, which I did, requested that their best available casket be brought to the emergency entrance in my name immediately.
Mr. Specter.
And what action was taken as a result of that request by you?
Mr. Hill.
The casket did arrive from the O'Neal Mortuary, Inc., in their own
hearse, which we then wheeled into the emergency room. I left the emergency
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