Mr. Hill.

room and asked that two of our agents, Special Agent Sulliman and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Stout clear all the corridors, and I checked the closest and most immediate route to the ambulance. We took the body from the hospital and departed the Parkland Hospital about 2:04 p.m. The ambulance was driven by Special Agent Berger. Special Agent in Charge Kellerman and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Stout were riding in the front seat; Mrs. Kennedy, Dr. Burkley, the President's body, and myself rode in the rear portion of the ambulance.

Mr. Specter.

Approximately how long did it take you to reach the airplane at Love Field?

Mr. Hill.

We arrived at Love Field at 2:14.

Mr. Specter.

And were you present during the swearing-in ceremonies of President Johnson?

Mr. Hill.

I was aboard the aircraft; yes, sir.

Mr. Specter.

Did you witness those ceremonies?

Mr. Hill.

Well, the Presidential compartment was so small that not all persons on the aircraft could get in. I was in the forward portion of the aircraft, right adjacent to the area that the President was sworn in

Mr. Specter.

Do you know the time of the swearing in?

Mr. Hill.

2:38.

Mr. Specter.

And what time did the Presidential aircraft depart?

Mr. Hill.

2:47.

Mr. Specter.

Do you know what time it arrived in the Washington area?

Mr. Hill.

5:59, I believe, sir.

Mr. Specter.

And where did it land?

Mr. Hill.

We landed at Andrews Air Force Base.

Mr. Specter.

And what action, if any, in connection with this matter did you take following landing?

Mr. Hill.

I assisted Mrs. Kennedy and the Attorney General, who had Joined her at that time, into the ambulance bearing the President's body, and I entered the automobile immediately behind the ambulance with Dr. John Walsh, Mrs. Kennedy's physician, and members of President Kennedy's staff.

Mr. Specter.

And where did you go then?

Mr. Hill.

Immediately to Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Mr. Specter.

And did you stay with the President's family at that time?

Mr. Hill.

When we arrived there, I went to the 17th floor with Mrs. Kennedy, and I remained with Mrs. Kennedy except for one time when I was requested to come to the morgue to view the President's body.

Mr. Specter.

And did you view the President's body?

Mr. Hill.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Specter.

What action did you take following the time you viewed the President's body in the morgue?

Mr. Hill.

After the viewing of the President's body?

Mr. Specter.

Yes.

Mr. Hill.

I returned to the 17th floor and remained with Mrs. Kennedy until we departed the hospital.

Representative Boggs.

May I ask a question? At the hospital in Texas, you had seen--had you seen the whole body, or just the back of the President's head?

Mr. Hill.

I had seen the whole body, but he was still cold when I saw him.

Representative Boggs.

At the morgue in Bethesda he was not cold?

Mr. Hill.

Yes, sir; the. autopsy had been completed, and the Lawler Mortuary Co. was preparing the body for placement in a casket.

Representative Boggs.

At this time did you see the whole body?

Mr. Hill.

Yes, sir.

Representative Boggs.

Did you see any other wound other than the head wound?

Mr. Hill.

Yes, sir; I saw an opening in the back, about 6 inches below the neckline to the right-hand side of the spinal column.

Representative Boggs.

Was there a frontal neck injury?

Mr. Hill.

There was an area here that had been opened but--

Mr. Specter.

You are indicating--