Warren Commission (02 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15)United States. Warren Commission
History
Warren Commission (02 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15)
United States. Warren Commission
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 -- Assassination; Oswald, Lee Harvey
Mr. SPECTER. And what is the basis for--or what was the basis for your
conclusion on that?
Mr. KELLERMAN. After I had heard President Kennedy's voice say, "My
God, I am hit," I viewed him, which was enough for me that he was. My
decision was to get this man to a hospital, because he needed medical
treatment. And during the few seconds that I instructed the driver to
get out of here, we are hit, my second instruction was to the man in
the lead car ahead of us for the same, to lead us to a hospital, that
we are hit. I then turn around, and I had two people injured. Not only
was the President down in his seat; the Governor was down in his seat.
My presence back there was gone. On top of that, I had Mr. Hill lying
across that trunk.
Mr. SPECTER. What do you mean when you say, sir, that your presence
back there was gone?
Mr. KELLERMAN. They were comfortable, if there is a comfort in this.
Mr. Hill was taking care of Mrs. Kennedy. Mrs. Connally was over the
Governor; there was no motion. The next thing was a doctor, sir.
Mr. SPECTER. Did you consider presenting a further shield for the
President at that time?
Mr. KELLERMAN. No, sir.
Mr. SPECTER. Did the metallic handhold which you described early in
your testimony as being about 15 inches off the top of the seat and
going all the way across the width of the car, did that metal structure
present any substantial impediment to your moving from the front seat
to the rear seat of the automobile?
Mr. KELLERMAN. Mr. Specter, I think it would have been a small
obstacle. However, let me say this: If I thought in my own mind that
I was needed back there, there wouldn't have been an obstacle strong
enough to hold me.
Mr. SPECTER. How about the presence of Governor Connally in the jump
seat? Would the presence of Governor Connally or any passenger in the
jump seat provide a substantial obstacle to your moving from your seat
to shield the President's body?
Mr. KELLERMAN. Not at all. It wouldn't have made any difference, sir.
Why? Because my job is to protect the President, sir, regardless of the
obstacles.
Mr. SPECTER. Did Mr. Greer at any time use the radio in your car?
Mr. KELLERMAN. No, sir.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. Kellerman, did the President's automobile at any time
slow down after the first shot?
Mr. KELLERMAN. No; not that I recall.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. Chairman, that completes our questions, sir.
Representative FORD. As you turned from Houston onto Elm, you were then
facing the triple overpass?
Mr. KELLERMAN. Yes, sir.
Representative FORD. You were looking forward at the time?
Mr. KELLERMAN. Yes.
Representative FORD. You were not looking to the side particularly, or
back at all?
Mr. KELLERMAN. Don't let me change your thought, Mr. Congressman. But
as we turned left on Elm, there is also another curve before you get to
this overpass.
Representative FORD. A rather slight curve to the right?
Mr. KELLERMAN. Very much. I still knew there was an overpass.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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