(Testimony of Rufus Wayne , Special Agent, Youngblood)
Mr. Specter.
And is that a rank comparable or exactly the same as that now held by Special Agent Kellerman?
Mr. Youngblood.
Yes, sir; he is senior to me, but it is a comparable rank.
Mr. Specter.
Now, would you outline briefly and in general terms the activities of Vice President Johnson during the few days immediately before Friday, November 22, 1963?
Mr. Youngblood.
On Tuesday of that week we made a trip from the ranch to Dallas, and we went by commercial plane actually, from the ranch to Austin in the Vice President's plane, and from Austin to Dallas on a commercial plane. And while in Dallas, he addressed the Bottlers Convention. And we returned to the plane, flew back to Austin, then flew back to the ranch later that night, and remained at the ranch the next day and through Thursday.
And on Thursday we went to San Antonio, to join the group coming down from Washington.
Mr. Specter.
Now, when did Vice President Johnson then address the Bottlers Association in Dallas?
Mr. Youngblood.
That was on Tuesday.
Mr. Specter.
November 19?
Mr. Youngblood.
I would have to look at a calendar.
Mr. Specter.
The preceding Tuesday.
Mr. Youngblood.
The preceding Tuesday before the 22d; yes, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Now, outline in a general way Vice President Johnson's activities on the morning of November 22d, before he arrived in Dallas, if you would, please.
Mr. Youngblood.
Well, our day began at the hotel in Fort Worth, where we had stayed overnight. And that morning we went down to a mezzanine floor where we met with President Kennedy and a group of White House people. We went across from this hotel to a parking lot across the street, and they had a speaker stand there, and they addressed an assembled gathering.
Then they returned to the hotel, and there was a breakfast meeting in the hotel. They attended that. And, after that, we formed a motorcade and went to the field nearby in Fort Worth and boarded Air Force 2, and flew into Dallas.
Mr. Specter.
Approximately what time did the Vice Presidential plane arrive in Dallas?
Mr. Youngblood.
About 11:35.
Mr. Specter.
Now, will you tell the Commission in general terms what Vice President Johnson did upon arrival at the Love Field?
Mr. Youngblood.
All right, sir.
This plane, Air Force 2, had on board the Vice President and Mrs. Johnson and other officials. And we disembarked from the plane and were met by a welcoming committee composed of local dignitaries. And then we moved from that area where we disembarked over to the area of the ramp, which would be pushed out when Air Force 1, the President's plane, arrived. And when his plane did arrive, which was just a few minutes after ours, roughly 10 minutes, we went out to the foot of the ramp and Vice President Johnson and Mrs. Johnson headed the reception committee to greet the people who came off of Air Force 1.
Mr. Specter.
Approximately how long did. the activities in greeting the crowd and. the general reception last at Love Field on that morning?
Mr. Youngblood.
Do you mean from the time we arrived on Air Force 2 until we left?
Mr. Specter.
Yes.
Mr. Youngblood.
I think it was about 15 minutes.
Mr. Specter.
Now, in what position in the motorcade was Vice President Johnson's automobile?
Mr. Youngblood.
We were following the Presidential followup car, and the motorcade up to our point--there was a lead car, the President's car, the Presidential followup car, and then our car.
Mr. Specter.
Was there, to your knowledge, in advance of the lead car a car known as the pilot car?
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