(Testimony of Roy H. , Special Agent, Kellerman)
Mr. Kellerman.
that it would be deterred for, let's say, the velocity of a missile coming in at great speed, I think it would deter it; I don't think it would eliminate--it still would enter the top.
Representative Ford.
The vehicle.
Mr. Kellerman.
I am sure; yes, sir.
Representative Ford.
But as far as you know the top that was available would not impede the projectile? Do you know whether or not it would deflect its accuracy?
Mr. Kellerman.
Well, I have tried to study that, sir. The angle of the back as an example which is, what degree I don't recall, hoping that--of course, it was now known to be an upshot into the vehicle hoping that it would deter its force and so forth, but I really don't know. I kind of doubt it.
Mr. Specter.
Mr. Kellerman, in describing the top as being not bulletproof and not bullet resistant, state whether you are describing the top which they are currently working on or the top which was present at the time of November 22, 1963?
Mr. Kellerman.
That is the top that they are currently working on.
Mr. Specter.
Well, as to the bubble top which accompanied this car on November 22, 1963, was that bulletproof or bullet resistant?
Mr. Kellerman.
It was not; neither.
Mr. Specter.
Do you know whether or not an effort is being made at the present time to develop a bullet-resistant or bulletproof top.
Mr. Kellerman.
Yes, sir; it is.
Mr. Specter.
Are you personally familiar with the progress of that effort?
Mr. Kellerman.
I am not, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Do you know how the President's automobile was transported from Washington, D.C., to Texas?
Mr. Kellerman.
Yes, sir. The President's vehicle was transported to San Antonio by cargo aircraft. It was flown to San Antonio a day before the President arrived. It was then flown from San Antonio to Dallas, where it was used on November 22. This vehicle was not used in the other two stops at Houston and Fort Worth.
Representative Ford.
When you say cargo aircraft--
Mr. Kellerman.
Like a C-130, sir.
Representative Ford.
A Government?
Mr. Kellerman.
You are right, sir; that is right,
Mr. Specter.
Mr. Kellerman, what were the President's activities, if you know immediately prior to the time he departed from Fort Worth?
Senator COOPER. Might I ask just one question?
Mr. Specter.
Yes, sir.
Senator COOPER. Do you know whether or not prior to November 22 the President's car had ever been equipped with a top which had the capacity to stop or deflect a bullet?
Mr. Kellerman.
Never had been, Senator.
Senator COOPER. There was none in existence?
Mr. Kellerman.
No, sir.
Mr. Specter.
Mr. Kellerman, what were the President's activities immediately before departing from Fort Worth on the morning of November 22?
Mr. Kellerman.
First he walked from the hotel across the street, spoke to a group that were in a parking lot, with other congressional people there in Texas. From there he walked right into the hotel and entered the ballroom where a breakfast was held, given to him by the chamber of commerce and, I believe, the citizens group in Fort Worth.
From there he returned to his suite because there was time left before his departure for Dallas. It was up there in the neighborhood of 10 o'clock in the morning that Special Agent Lawson called me from Dallas asking me to verify whether the top should be put on--should remain on the President's car or should be taken off due to the change of weather. It had been raining slightly in Dallas at that time. I said, "One moment and I will check with you one way or the other."
As I said earlier, the weather was clearing in Fort Worth; it was going to be a nice day. I asked Mr. Kenneth O'Donnell, who is President Kennedy's
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