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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VII - Page 445« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Kenneth P. O'donnell)

Mr. Specter.
Arrival time of 1:30 p.m.--would that be an accurate time of arrival, within a few minutes, say, of when you actually set down in San Antonio?
Mr. O'DONNELL. I would think that is right. As I say, we were on schedule, and the schedule would indicate we were due to arrive at 1 :30.
Mr. Specter.
What were the activities at San Antonio, Tex.?
Mr. O'DONNELL. We motorcaded through San Antonio and went to the Aerospace Medical Center, where the President made a speech, and from there to a second airport. We had moved Air Force I from one airfield to another, on the other side of the city.
Mr. Specter.
At the Aerospace Center, was there a dedication there of some new facilities?
Mr. O'DONNELL. Yes.
Mr. Specter.
Was there any other public appearance, then, besides the one you mentioned, in San Antonio?
Mr. O'DONNELL. No.
Mr. Specter.
To where did you go from San Antonio?
Mr. O'DONNELL. We flew to Houston.
Mr. Specter.
And about what time did you arrive in Houston?
Mr. O'DONNELL. I would have to look at the record.
Mr. Specter.
Was it late in the afternoon on November 21?
Mr. O'DONNELL. Late in the afternoon, I would think around 4 or 5 o'clock.
Mr. Specter.
And what were the activities in Houston?
Mr. O'DONNELL. We drove from the airfield into the hotel. As I recollect, there were very large crowds.
Mr. Specter.
Was that a motorcade procession, also?
Mr. O'DONNELL. Motorcade; and particularly as we got in downtown Houston, the crowds were very large, and very enthusiastic. Getting in the hotel was somewhat of a chore.
Mr. Specter.
What public appearances did the President then make in Houston?
Mr. O'DONNELL. The President spoke at the appreciation dinner for Congressman Thomas. The records will show the location. I did not accompany him. And I went directly from the hotel to the airport, and met him as he got aboard the plane.
Mr. Specter.
Approximately when did the Presidential party depart from Houston?
Mr. O'DONNELL. Well, I would have to guess again. I would think around 10:30 or 11 o'clock. The alternative was staying overnight in Houston, getting in early in the morning---or getting into Fort Worth late at night, and allowing the President a little more rest, and we selected going to Fort Worth that night.
Mr. Specter.
What were the public appearances made by the President, then, in Fort Worth, Tex.?
Mr. O'DONNELL. He spoke at 8 o'clock that morning at a breakfast which was given by the business community, as I remember, came back up to his room, chatted for a few minutes, went back down. It had been raining. The sun had just come out. He went out and spoke to a group assembled in the parking lot and went back and departed for---came back upstairs, we chatted for a few minutes again, and then came back down and departed for Carswell.
Mr. Specter.
And how did the President travel out of Fort Worth?
Mr. O'DONNELL. He left Fort Worth in an open car, traveled by car to Carswell.
Mr. Specter.
And from Carswell, what was his mode of travel?
Mr. O'DONNELL. Air Force I to Love Field, Dallas?
Mr. Specter.
What were the weather conditions on the arrival at Love Field in Dallas?
Mr. O'DONNELL. The weather was clear, sunny, excellent weather.
Mr. Specter.
What decision had been made as to whether to have an open car in Dallas?
Mr. O'DONNELL. The. decision had been made to have an open--if the weather was good, he would ride in an open car.
Mr. Specter.
And do you recall who made that decision?
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