Friday, October 26, 2012

Official Air Force One radio traffic transcript


BK Notes: This appears to be a combination of the original LBJ Library transcript of the edited Air Force One radio transmission tapes of 11/22/63 that were released by the LBJ Library in the late 1970s and an independently transcribed version by Kathleen Cunningham. Neither correctly describe “Liberty” station and some conversations appear to be in the wrong order. In any case, we have learned a lot since the release of these transcripts, and the more recent and complete versions should be cited and these used for reference and research purposes only. Many thanks to Kathleen Cunningham for recognizing the significance of these tapes and making the effort to transcribe them correctly and sharing her work.

Air Force One radio traffic transcript 11/22/63.
All files Transcribed by Kathy Cunningham from tapes Dr. Randy Robertson
had gotten from the LBJ Library. Deanie Richards

Transcript
Radio Traffic
November 22, 1963
Air Force-1 and Plane Carrying US Cabinet
                                   ---
This is the official AF-1 transcript  as obtained from the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library under the Freedom of Information Act.
                                                                         
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
                                     
CODE NAME USED
      
WAYSIDE                  Pierre Salinger
VOLUNTEER             Lyndon B. Johnson
CROWN                     White House
WATCHMAN             General Clifton
WITNESS                   Captain Shephard
LACE                          Mrs. Kennedy
DAGGER                    Rufus Youngblood
VALLEY                     The Elms - 4040 52nd St., N.W.
VENUS                       Luci - however, believe it
VICTORIA                  Mrs. Lyndon Johnson
WING                         General McHugh
SLUGGER                   Captain Stoughton
WARRIOR                  Mr. Kilduff
WINNER                    Mr. Hatch
TANKER                    Colonel Cook
TIGER                         Colonel Swindall
     
                                ---------
      gopher://freenet.akron.oh.us:70/11/SIGS/JFK/Alphabet/Gov-files/AF1/
                                    
                                    
                    RADIO TRAFFIC - November 22, 1963
                                    
     
WAYSIDE: Give me all available information on President.
      
SIT. ROOM:    All information on President follows:
                                    "President John F. Kennedy and Governor
                                    Connally of Texas have been hit in the car in
                                    which they were riding.  We do not know how
                                    serious the situation is.  We have no
                                    information.  Mr. Bromley Smith is back here
                                    in the Situation Room now.  We are getting our
                                    information over the tickers."
      
WAYSIDE:      That is affirmative.  Please listen hard--this
                                    plane on which Secretary of State Rusk and
                                    other Cabinet members headed for Japan is
                                    turning around and returning to Honolulu--Will
                                    arrive there in approximately 2 hours.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Understand.  Those departing Honolulu are
                                    turning around will be back there in 2 hours.
                                    Is that correct?
      
WAYSIDE:      That is affirmative.  Will read all
                                    information and decide whether some of party
                                    should go to Dallas.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Do you wish information as to whether some of
                                    members of that party should go to Dallas?
      
WAYSIDE:      That is affirmative.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Do you have anything else?
      
WAYSIDE:      No.  Any other information, please get ahold
                                    as quickly as possible.
      
SIT. ROOM:    The AP is coming out now to the effect that
                                    they believe the President was hit in the
                                    head.  That just came in.
      
WAYSIDE:      Hit in the head?
      
SIT. ROOM:    Roger, will pass on any additional information
                                    we get as soon as we hear it.
      
WAYSIDE:      Will standby for your call.
                                           
                                                ----
      
SIT. ROOM:    Wayside, I read from the AP bulletin--"Kennedy
                                    apparently shot in head.  He fell face down in
                                    the back seat of his car.  Blood was on his
                                    head.  Mrs. Kennedy cried, "oh no," and tried
                                    to hold up his head.  Connally remained
                                    half-seated, slumped to the left.  There was
                                    blood on his face and forehead.  The President
                                    and the Governor were rushed to Parkland
                                    Hospital near the Dallas Trade Mart where
                                    Kennedy was to have made a speech."
      
WAYSIDE:      Have that.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Have nothing else for you.  Will contact when
                                    we have further information.
      
                                   ---
      
MURRAY JACKSON: (Speaking to aircraft returning from Japan)
                                    Colonel, this is Murray Jackson.  The
                                    President of the United States has been shot
                                    and seriously wounded in Dallas, Texas.
                                    (Repeating)  The President of the United
                                    States, John F. Kennedy, has been shot and
                                    seriously wounded in Dallas, Texas.  Governor
                                    Connally was also shot at the same time.
                                    Would you please get this message to Secretary
                                    of State Rusk and I will standby.
      
SAM 86972:    We have already received that news.  We have
                                    UPI on.  We have turned around.  We are
                                    returning to Hawaii.  We are estimating Hawaii
                                    in 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Will be on the
                                    ground in Hawaii in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
                                    Will be returning to Washington or Dallas,
                                    Texas.  We have one other aircraft alerted to
                                    take some of the party to Dallas and we will
                                    be returning to Washington.
      
MURRAY JACKSON:           Thank you very much, Colonel.  I will
                                    relay this to Mr. Ball right away.
      
SAM 86972:    The Secretary (Rusk) has talked to his office
                                    in Washington, I believe, and also Pierre
                                    Salinger has been in contact with the White
                                    House from the aircraft.
      
MURRAY JACKSON:           Ok.  Thank you very much.
      
                                   ---

STRANGER:   Kilduff asked that all Cabinet members return
                                    to Washington immediately.
      
WAYSIDE:      We are heading for Honolulu.
      
STRANGER:   Will they notify us at time of arrival and
                                    location?

WAYSIDE:      Correct.  Some are going to Dallas.
      
STRANGER:   We do not have anything firm down there as to
                                    the exact status.  I'll get that information
                                    to Hawaii.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Wayside, I'll read you latest bulletin.
                                    "President Kennedy has been given blood
                                    transfusions today at Parkland Hospital in a
                                    effort to save his life after he and Governor
                                    John Connally of Texas were shot in an
                                    assassination attempt."  Over the TV we have
                                    the information that the Governor has been
                                    moved to the operating room.  The President is
                                    still in the emergency room at Parkland
                                    Hospital.  Are you getting coverage or do you
                                    want us to continue to relay it to you.

WAYSIDE:      Continue to relay.

SIT. ROOM:    New subject: We will have information for you
                                    on whether to proceed to Dallas by the time
                                    you land at Honolulu.
      
WAYSIDE:      Also tell us whether Secretary of State Rusk
                                    should also go to Dallas.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Will do.  Get determination whether Secretary
                                    of State should also go to Dallas.
      
                                   ---
                                    
SIT. ROOM:    Wayside, we have some conflicting reports now
                                    so were getting no confirmation.  We will call
                                    you again.  I have relayed your intentions and
                                    your present position to the front office.
                                    Your office has the word.  We will call you       
                                    again when we get confirmation.
      
                                   ---
                                    
MURRAY JACKSON: I'd like a patch with SAM 86972.
      
OPERATOR:   They are talking with the Situation Room now.
      
MR. JACKSON:         What we want to tell the pane is that Under
                                    Secretary Ball requests that the Secretary and
                                    all the passengers return to Washington
                                    instead of going to Dallas.
      
OPERATOR:   They received that message.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: One other thing--the Secretary is supposed
                                    to call Mr. Ball when he gets on the ground in
                                    Honolulu.

OPERATOR:   Will relay.
      
                                   ---
                                     
      
SIT. ROOM:    (To SAM 86972)  Relay following to Wayside:
                                    "We have report quoting Mr. Kilduff in Dallas
                                    that the President is dead, that he died about
                                    35 minutes ago."  Do you have that?
      
SAM 86972:    Is dead?
       
SIT. ROOM:    Correct.  New subject: Front office desires
                                    plane return to Washington, no stop Dallas.
      
                                   ---
                                    
SAM 86972:    (Wayside)  Would like to know the whereabouts
                                    of the Vice President.
      
SIT. ROOM:    The Vice President is in the hospital building
                                    --Parkland Hospital in Dallas.  He is not
                                    injured.  Repeat, not injured.
      
                                   ---
                                     
      
KELLERMAN:            We're at the airport now.
      
BEHN:                         Ok, go ahead.
      
KELLERMAN:            We're waiting for the swearing-in before
                                    takeoff.
      
BEHN:             That of Volunteer?
      
KELLERMAN:            We're waiting for Judge for swearing-in.
      
BEHN:             That is for Volunteer, is that right?
      
KELLERMAN:            Yes, we're having it done before we take-off.

BEHN:             Do you have any idea what Lace wants to do and
                                    Volunteer wants to do upon arrival here?
      
KELLERMAN:            No, I will call you back.  We have a 2 hour 15
                                    minute flight into Andrews.  We have a full
                                    plane, about 40.
      
BEHN:             Yes, go ahead.
      
 KELLERMAN:           I'll have to call you back.  Get a couple of
                                    men, rather the Volunteer boys to go over his
                                    car and so forth.  We'll also need hers and
                                    several others.
      
BEHN:             Let me know what Volunteer wants to do--if
                                    they want to come in to Crown by helicopter?
      
                                   ---
                                    
      
AF COMMAND POST: What is your estimated time of departure?
      
AF-1:               In a few minutes.
      
AF COMMAND POST: Do you have any passengers aboard?
      
AF-1:               Full load, 40 plus.
      
AF COMMAND POST: Is Mrs. Kennedy aboard?
      
AF-1:               Affirmative.
      
                                   ---
      
SAM COMMAND POST: We have request from the Chief of Staff's
                                    office, is Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kennedy's body
                                    aboard?
       
AF-1:               Affirmative on all of those questions.
      
SAM COMMAND POST: Are you airborne?
      
AF-1:               Airborne at 2047Z.  Estimated block time
                                    Andrews 2305Z.         
      
                                   ---
                                     
AF-1:               We want a patch with General Heaton, Surgeon
                                    General of the Army.
      
                                   ---
                                    
KELLERMAN:            Arriving Andrews 6:05.  The body will go to
                                    Walter Reed.  Have an ambulance from Walter
                                    Reed to take the body there.
      
BEHN:             Arrangements have been made for a helicopter
                                    to take the body to Bethesda Medical Center.
      
KELLERMAN:            Standby, Jerry.  I'll get Burkley here.
      
DR. BURKLEY: This is Dr. Burkley.  What arrangements have
                                    been made?
      
BEHN:             Everybody aboard AF-1 with the exception of
                                    the body will be choppered into the South
                                    Grounds.  The body will be choppered to the
                                    Naval Medical Center at Bethesda.
      
BURKLEY:     It will be choppered to go by ambulance to the
                                    Naval Medical Center?
      
BEHN:             Will be choppered.
BURKLEY:     I have called General Heaton and asked him to
                                    call the Military District of Washington
                                    regarding military arrangements.  The body is
                                    in a casket and will have to be taken by
                                    ambulance and not by chopper.

BEHN:             I'll tell Captain Shephard that.
      
                                   ---
      
BURKLEY:     General Heaton, this is Admiral Burkley.  Did
                                    you contact MDW in regards to taking care of
                                    the remains of President Kennedy taking him
                                    directly to Walter Reed?  Probably Mrs.
                                    Kennedy will also be going out there.  We will
                                    clarify that later.
      
HEATON:                   All right.
      
BURKLEY:     Just a minute.  General Clifton is here.
      
CLIFTON:       This is General Clifton.  We do not want a
                                    helicopter to go to Bethesda Medical Center.
                                    We do want an ambulance and a ground return
                                    from Andrews to Walter Reed, and we want the
                                    regular post-mortem that has to be done by law
                                    under guard performed at Walter Reed.  Is that
                                    clear?
      
HEATON:                   That is clear, General Clifton.  An ambulance
                                    and another limousine at Andrews and we want
                                    the regular post-mortem by law done at Walter
                                    Reed.
      
CLIFTON:       Correct.
      
BURKLEY:     What arrangements have you made?  (I believe
                                    here Dr. Burkley at first thought he was
                                    speaking to Behn.)
      
HEATON:                   We have made no arrangements so far, but I
                                    will follow through on what you just told
                                    me--have an ambulance and a limousine at
                                    Andrews and arrangements in regards to
                                    post-mortem studies.
      
BURKLEY:     Some arrangements have already been made.
                                    (Here realizing that General Heaton was on the
                                    line.)  We will have to clear that before we
                                    can go further.
       
                                   ---
                                    
CLIFTON:       (To Behn)  This is Watchman.  I understand
                                    that you have arranged for an ambulance to
                                    take President Kennedy to Bethesda.  Is this
                                    correct?
      
BEHN:             It has been arranged to helicopter the body to
                                    Bethesda.
      
CLIFTON:       Ok, if it isn't too dark.  What about the
                                    First Lady?
      
BEHN:             Everyone else will be helicoptered into the
                                    South Grounds.
       
CLIFTON:       Are you sure that the helicopter operation
                                    will work?  We have a very heavy casket.
      
BEHN:             According to Witness, yes.
      
CLIFTON:       Don't take a chance on that.  Also have a
                                    mortuary-type ambulance standby in case the
                                    helicopter doesn't work.
      
BEHN:             Affirmative.
      
CLIFTON:       Now, some other instruction: Listen
                                    carefully.  We need a ramp put at the front of
                                    the aircraft on the right hand side just
                                    behind the pilot's cabin in the galley.  We
                                    are going to take the First Lady off by that
                                    route.
      
BEHN:             Understand.

CLIFTON:       Also, at the left rear--at the rear of the
                                    aircraft where we usually dismount, we may
                                    need a fork-lift rather than a ramp.  A
                                    platform to walk out on and a fork-lift to put
                                    it on.  The casket is in the rear compartments
                                    and because it is so heavy we should have a
                                    fork-lift there to remove the casket.  If this
                                    is too awkward we can go along with a normal
                                    ramp and several men.
      
BEHN:             Affirmative.  We will try for the fork-lift.
      
CLIFTON:       Next item.  There is to be normal Press
                                    arrangements at Andrews.  They should be in
                                    front of the aircraft because that is where
                                    he'll come off.  He is going to the White
                                    House by Chopper.
      
BEHN:             Should the Secretary of Defense and others be
                                    at Andrews on your arrival?
      
CLIFTON:       No.  I am about to call the White House.
                                    President Johnson wants to have the White
                                    House Staff, the leadership of Congress and as
                                    many of the Cabinet members available at the
                                    White House at 1830.
      
BEHN:             Affirmative.
      
CLIFTON:       Repeat that to me.
      
BEHN:             All the leaders of Congress, as many Cabinet
                                    members as possible at the White House at
                                    1830.
      
CLIFTON:       And key members of the White House staff,
                                    Sorenson, Bundy, etc.  Hold for Kellerman.
      
KELLERMAN:            Have helicopter to transport President Johnson
                                    and party to the White House Lawn [sic].
      
BEHN:             Affirmative.
      
KELLERMAN:            Have White House cars 102 and 405 for
                                    transportation to Hospital.  I will join Hill
                                    and party at the Navy Hospital.
      
BEHN:             You will accompany body aboard helicopter.
      
KELLERMAN:            Would you call Dr. John Walsh in Washington
                                    and advise him of our arrival?
      
BEHN:             Affirmative.  Where does Lace want Dr. Walsh
                                    to meet her?
      
KELLERMAN:            At the White House.
                                    
                                   ---

 (Note:) The next part of the tape is traffic between SAM COMMAND POST and AF-1 advising them of weather conditions--tornados in AF-1's immediate flight path.  I'm
 not putting in this traffic but I do have it in my draft if you want it.
      
                                   ---
DAGGER:                    Messages from Volunteer relative activities
                                    tonight.  You are aware we will go to White
                                    House for meeting.
      
BEHN:             Affirmative.
      
DAGGER:                    Volunteer will reside at Valley for an
                                    indefinite time.  Venus will go to Valley with
                                    agent.  Boring will go to Valley after first
                                    going to Crown.
      
                                   ---
                                    
MESSAGE FROM WING TO SLUGGER: "Slugger is to meet aircraft
                                    as soon as possible.  If he cannot do this he
                                    is to see Wing as soon as possible."
      
                                   ---
                                    
MESSAGE FROM AF-1 to BEHN: "Cancel commercial line at
                                    Valley and install security phone there."
      
                                   ---
                                    
WARRIOR:     Will you please advise Press that normal press
                                    coverage, including live TV, will be allowed
                                    at the Base.  Volunteer will make statement on
                                    arrival.
      
WINNER:        Will do.  Is Mrs. Kennedy aboard AF-1?
      
WARRIOR:     Yes.
      
WINNER:        I'm setting up the press section on the South
                                    Lawn about 50 yards from position of
                                    Helicopter 1.  Will that meet with Mrs.
                                    Kennedy's and the President's approval?
WARRIOR:     She is not returning to the House.  They are
                                    going someplace else.  There will be an
                                    arrival there but it will be Volunteer.
      
WINNER:        Thank you.  I will hold that information and
                                    we can say something after you arrive.  Is it
                                    true that the body of the President Kennedy
                                    will go to Naval Hospital?
      
WARRIOR:     Right.  But we are not saying that yet.
      
WINNER:        Well, we have already said it.  I should have
                                    checked with you before doing it.  I don't
                                    think it makes too much difference.
      
WARRIOR:     There is no objection to that.
      
WINNER:        Anything else I should know.
      
WARRIOR:     The pool aboard this aircraft is Chuck Roberts
                                    and Smith.  We lost Bell somewhere.  I don't
                                    have AP aboard, but we have given them the
                                    statement of Volunteer on the death which he
                                    will make at the airport.  You can announce
                                    that on arrival at the White House the
                                    President will meet with McNamara and Bundy
                                    and Rusk if he's in town.  If not, without
                                    him.  I understand he's on a plane to the Far
                                    East.  It will probably be Ball.  About half
                                    an hour after that meeting is over we will
                                    meet with the Congressional Leadership at
                                    8:00.
      
WINNER:        Bipartisan or Democratic leadership?

WARRIOR:     Bipartisan.
      
                                   ---
                                    
CLIFTON:       (To Bundy) A meeting tonight with Bundy and
                                    McNamara at 6:00 [partially blurred, 6:30?] at
                                    the White House.  Rusk if he's in town.  If
                                    not in town we do not wanting an acting
                                    secretary.
      
BUNDY:          Will you tell him that the ___ing [illegible]
                                    Cabinet will be at the airport to meet him.
                                    He can bring McNamara and me in his chopper to
                                    the White House.
      
CLIFTON:       Another message.  I called Jerry Behn about a
                                    White House Staff meeting.  There will be no
                                    White House Staff meeting tonight.  It will be
                                    tomorrow.
      
BUNDY:          Ok.  Let me repeat your message.  President
                                    wishes to meet with SecDef and me at the White
                                    House on return from Andrews.  Secondly that
                                    there will be no other meetings--there will be
                                    a White House Staff meeting tomorrow on call.
      
CLIFTON:       No.  He wants to meet with the leadership
                                    about 7:30.
      
BUNDY:          Right, does he wish us to arrange that?
      
CLIFTON:       He wants you to arrange that.  Two meetings
                                    tonight--McNamara and Bundy and the leadership
                                    about 7:30.
      
BUNDY:          Does he mean the Democratic leadership only?
      
CLIFTON:       Bipartisan leadership and I'll give you some
                                    names.  Speaker of the House, Carl Albert,
                                    Hale Boggs, Leslie Arends, Mansfield,
                                    Humphrey, Smathers, Dirksen, Kuchel and
                                    Hickenlooper.
      
BUNDY:          About 7:30 at the White House.
      
CLIFTON:       7:30 in the Cabinet Room.
      
BUNDY:          Tell the Vice President that the Cabinet Room
                                    in under rearrangement, but the Oval Room will
                                    be ready.
      
CLIFTON:       The Oval Room it will be.  No, you mean the
                                    Fish Room.
      
BUNDY:          I mean both the Fish Room and the President's
                                    study, and we will try to have the Cabinet
                                    Room, but that's a detail, we can work that
                                    out.
      
CLIFTON:       He does not want to go into the mansion or in
                                    the Oval Room or the President's Office or the
                                    President's Study.  So if the Cabinet Room
                                    isn't ready, then put it in the Fish Room.
      
BUNDY:          All right [sic], I will.
      
CLIFTON:       See you in a little while.
      
                                   ---
                                    
MRS. ROSE KENNEDY: Yes, Mr. President.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON:  Mrs. Kennedy, I wish to God that there
                                    was something that I could say to you, and I
                                    want to tell you that we're grieving with you.
      
MRS. KENNEDY: Thank you very much.  That's very nice.  I
                                    know you loved Jack and he loved you.
      
MRS. JOHNSON: If there is anything we can do -- (Here Mrs
                                    Kennedy and Mrs. Johnson are both trying to
                                    talk at the same time and the tape becomes
                                    almost inaudible.)
      
MRS. KENNEDY: Thank you Lady Bird.  Thank you Mr.
                                    President.
      
                                   ---
                                    
WARRIOR:     That first meeting will be Bundy and McNamara
                                    only.  The President will meet with Rusk when
                                    he returns.  It will probably be a different
                                    meeting.
      
WINNER:        Ok.
      
                                   ---
                                     
MRS. JOHNSON: (To Mrs. Connally) Can you hear me?  The
                                    surgeon speaking about John was so
                                    reassuring.  How about it?
      
 MRS. CONNALLY: The surgeon that just got finished operating
                                    said that John is going to be all right unless
                                    something unforeseen happens.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: I know that everything's going to be all
                                    right.
      
MRS. JOHNSON: Yes, everything's going to be all right.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Yes, everything's going to be all right.
      
MRS. CONNALLY: Good luck.
      
                                   ---
                                    
TANKER: I have been informed from Dallas that is was
                                    desired that the aircraft be parked in an
                                    isolated spot when you arrive here.  However,
                                    Watchman had a long discussion with Behn and
                                    nothing about that was mentioned.  The present
                                    plan on the ground here is to spot you in the
                                    regular place unless Watchman says now that
                                    this is not desired.
      
TIGER:            I believe that they are parking in the regular
                                    place.  Where did you get that information
                                    from down in Dallas?
      
TANKER:        It was from the USAF Command Post agent there
                                    and I heard from him that you had told him to
                                    do this.
      
TIGER:            We told him to look into that to see if the
                                    family had ordered it done.  We were going to
                                    discuss it on the plane.  Go ahead and park in
                                    the regular place.  We need steps in the right
                                    front of the aircraft, the press box will be
                                    on the left of the aircraft, and President
                                    Johnson will deplane in the front of the
                                    aircraft.  We need a fork-lift at the rear of
                                    the aircraft.
      
 TANKER:       Understood.  Have all been carried out.  We
                                    will continue with the plan to spot you in the
                                    regular place.  There will be a ramp left
                                    front, a ramp right front, a fork-lift left
                                    rear, the Press area left front.
      
                                   ---
The remainder of the tape is traffic between AF-1 and Andrews checking on weather

                           Air Force One radio traffic transcript 11/22/63
                                                  Tape-1 Side 1
                                     ------------------------------------------

                                    
                                          Transcript--Radio Traffic
                                              November 22, 1963
                                                    Air Force-1
                                                           and
                                         Plane Carrying US Cabinet
                                     
                                                               ---
                                    
The transcript of the AF-1 audio tapes obtained from the LBJ Librxry
                                    
                                                      ---
      
                                  CODE NAMES USED
      
       Code names that appear in upper case only come from the
       official "transcript."  Code names that appear in both
       upper and lower case have been added to the official list
       of code names supplied under the Freedom of Information
       Act, based on information gleaned from the audio tapes.
      
      
      
WAYSIDE                  Pierre Salinger, Press Secretary - - aboard SAM 86972, returning     from Honolulu
VOLUNTEER             Lyndon B. Johnson, President--aboard AF-1
CROWN                     White House
WATCHMAN             General Clifton--aboard AF-1
WITNESS                   Captain Shephard
LACE                          Mrs. Kennedy--aboard AF-1
DAGGER                    Rufus Youngblood, V-P Secret Service vAgent--aboard AF-1
VALLEY                     The Elms - 4040 52nd St., N.W. [residencevof the Johnsons]
VENUS                       Luci Johnson
VICTORIA                  Mrs. Lyndon Johnson--aboard AF-1
WING                         General McHugh--aboard AF-1
SLUGGER                   Captain Stoughton
WARRIOR                  Mr. Kilduff--aboard AF-1
WINNER                    Mr. Hatch--at The White House
TANKER                    Colonel Cook
TIGER                         Colonel Swindall, pilot AF-1
Duplex                         Jerry Behn, White House SAIC, Secret Service--at the White           House
Lancer                          Murray Jackson, State Department
Stranger                       Unidentified
Liberty                         SAM 86972--carrying many Cabinet members, returning from             Honolulu
Andy                            Andrews Air Force Base, usually called "Andrews"
 Digest                          Roy Kellerman, Secret Service Agent--aboard AF-1
      
                                    
                                       ----------
     
      
                    RADIO TRAFFIC - November 22, 1963
                                    
Begin Transcript
Tape One--Side One
                                       
The following recording has been reproduced from ground recorded non-high fidelity tapes used to record record-type communications between aircraft and air ground facilities.  This tape, although mainly to record radio traffic from the Presidential aircraft, also includes related traffic from jet aircraft 86972 carrying Secretary of State Rusk, then Press Secretary Salinger and other dignitaries enroute between Honolulu and Japan.

            The following information relative to Presidential aircraft radio call signs is given for clarification due to interchangeable use.  "Air Force One" and "Angel" are used when the President is aboard the aircraft.  "Air Force 2600" is used at all other times. 

            This tape has been edited and condensed to only to contain pertinent communications relative to events during the 22nd of November, 1963.  Only material available from radio circuits used is available.
      
                                    
ANDREWS     COMMAND POST: 972 Andrews, Roger.  You are
                                    readable at this time sir.  Also, be advised
                                    2600 coming up on this frequency shortly.
                                    Request you contact Andrews on 15, sir.
      
SAM 86972:    OK, 15, and I'll just keep the time off for no
                                    relay.  We off Honolulu at 1703.  Estimated
                                    approximate wait at 2140 [3 unintelligible
                                    syllables].
      
ANDREWS     COMMAND POST: 972 Roger, copy, thank you much for
                                    the copy.
      
                                   ---
                                    
AF-1:               Command Post, AF-1.  Off time 1725 [garble]
      
ANDREWS     COMMAND POST: AF-1, understand.  Aborne 1725z.  Do
                                    you have an ETA?  Over.
      
AF-1:               I estimate twenty minutes enroute.  I'll give
                                    you a firm time in a couple of minutes.
      
ANDREWS     COMMAND POST: Roger, AF-1.  Command Post listening
                                    out.
      
AF-1:               I'll pick up the 1700z weather if that's
                                    operating.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: I have it now for you.  Stand by One.
                                    Air Force One.  I have Weather Officer on line
                                    if you're ready to copy.
      
AF-1:               Go ahead.
      
WEATHER:     1700z weather: 6,000 broken.  Fifteen miles
                                    plus visibility.  Temperature 57.  Ramp
                                    temperature 62.  Wind south west at 10.
                                    Altimeter steady 29.07.  Just talked to Ramp
                                    and they indicate it is clearing rather
                                    rapidly there.
      
AF-1:               Roger, copy, roger.  Thank you.
      
WEATHER:     Weather out.
      
                                   ---

AF-1:               Andrews, AF-1 -- the Command Post,                        
                                    please.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, Roger, stand by.
      
COMMAND POST: Command Post, Sgt. Shillberger [phonetic].
      
ANDREWS:    This is Airman Gilmore at Andrews [two garbled
                                    syllables].  I have AF-1 for a patch.
      
COMMAND POST: Stand by, please.
                                   
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Air Force Command Post on
                                    line.  Go ahead, sir. 
                                   
AF-1:   Roger, Command Post, AF-1 our estimated time
                                    on the blocks, Dallas, 1740 -- 1740.
      
COMMAND POST: Roger, understand.  1740 on the blocks.
                                    Command Post listening out.
      
AF-1:               Roger.
      
                                   ---
                                    
AF-1:               This is AF-1, Andrews.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.
      
AF-1:               Command Post, please.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, stand by, one, sir.
      
COMMAND POST: Command Post.
      
ANDREWS:    I have AF-1 for a patch.
      
COMMAND POST: Bring him up.
      
ANDREWS:    Stand by, please.
                                    [to AF-1]  AF-1, Andrews, Command Post on
                                    line, give him a call, sir.
      
AF-1:               Roger, Command Post, AF-1, landed 1738.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
COMMAND POST: AF-1, understand.  On the ground, 1738z.
                                    Command Post listening out.
      
AF-1:               AF-1.
                                     
                                   ---
      
       ?:               Liberty?  [pause]  Liberty?!
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is White House, Situation Room, [two
                                    garbled syllables] SAM 86972.  How read?
                                    Over.  
      
SAM 86972:    [garbled transmission, contains the words         
                                    "my signal, Andy"]
      
       ?:               SAM 86972, do you read?  Over.
      
SAM 86972:    [pause]  White House?
      
CROWN:        White House, on.  [then, possibly in
                                    background, "OK."]  Stand by.
       
SAM 86972:    White House, this is SAM 86972, how read?   
                                    Over.
      
CROWN:        86972 I read you loud and clear, loud and
                                    clear.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger, stand by one, please.  We have another
                                    phone patch going on with [two garbled                       
                                    syllables] but we do have traffic for you, so
                                    hold on one moment, please.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger, 86972.
      
SALINGER:    [pause]  White House Situation Room, this is
                                    Wayside.  Do you read me?  Over.

CROWN:        This is White House, this is White House.  I
                                    read you loud and clear, Wayside.
      
SALINGER:    Can you give me latest information on
                                    President?  Over.
      
CROWN:        Do you want Situation Room, is that it, Roger?
      
SALINGER:    Repeat that transmission, please.
      
CROWN:        This is Crown -- This is Crown.  Do you want
                                    Situation Room?
      
SALINGER:    I want the Situation Room, that's affirmative.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Getting them now.  Standby
                                    please.  [long pause]  Wayside, Wayside, this
                                    is Crown.  Situation Room is on.  Go ahead.
      
SALINGER:    Situation Room, this is Wayside.  Do you read
                                    me?  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room, I read you, go ahead.
      
SALINGER:    Give me all available information on
                                    President.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    All available information on President
                                    follows: "President John F. Kennedy and
                                    Governor Connally of Texas have been hit in
                                    the car in which they were riding.  We do not
                                    know how serious the situation is."  We have
                                    no information.  Mr. Bromley Smith is back
                                    here in the Situation Room now.  We are
                                    getting our information over the tickers.
                                    Over.

SALINGER:    That is affirmative -- affirmative.  Please
                                    listen hard -- this plane on which Secretary
                                    of State Rusk, other Cabinet Ministers
                                    headed for Japan is turning around and
                                    returning to Honolulu -- Will arrive there in
                                    approximately 2 hours.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Wayside, understand.  [I think the
                                    person speaking in the Situation Room is
                                    flustered, and was meaning to say "This is
                                    Situation Room."  This is not Wayside's voice,
                                    and sounds like the operator from the
                                    Situation Room.]  Those departing Honolulu are
                                    turning around will be back there in 2 hours.
                                    Is that correct?  Over.
      
SALINGER:    That is affirmative -- affirmative.  Will read
                                    all information and decide whether some of       
                                    party should go directly to Dallas.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room.  Say again, your last
                                    please.
      
SALINGER:    We'll need to be kept advised so we can
                                    determine whether some members of this party
                                    should go directly to Dallas.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Roger.  You wish information as to whether
                                    some members of that party should go to
                                    Dallas.
       
SALINGER:    That's affirmative.  Affirmative.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Do you have anything else, Wayside?
      
SALINGER:    No, any other information, please get ahold of
                                    us as fastly as possible.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Alright.  The AP is coming out now with a
                                    bulletin to the effect that they believe the
                                    President was hit in the head.  That just came
                                    in.  Over.
      
SALINGER:    Hit in the head?  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Roger, we will pass on any additional
                                    information we get from here to you.

SALINGER:    That's Roger.  We will be standing by for your
                                    call.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Alright.  Where are you, Wayside?
      

OPERATOR:   Wayside is off the line, this is the radio
                                    operator, sir, and we are returning to
                                    Honolulu and should be back to           
                                    Honolulu in about two hours.  We'll be in the
                                    air for about two hours into Honolulu.  And
                                    you contact us on the ground [remainder of the
                                    operator's remarks are unintelligible].
      
SIT. ROOM:    I understand.  This is--  Hold on the line
                                    there Wayside, we have more information coming
                                    up.  [This is definitely the Situation Room.
                                    The speaker is obviously flustered due to the
                                    circumstances.]
                                    [pause]
                                    Wayside, Wayside.  This is the Situation Room.
                                    I read from the AP bulletin--"Kennedy             
                                    apparently shot in head.  He fell face down in
                                    back seat of his car.  Blood was on his head.
                                    Mrs. Kennedy cried, "oh no," and tried to hold
                                    up his head.  Connally remained  half-seated,
                                    slumped to the left.  There was blood on his
                                    face and forehead.  The President and the
                                    Governor were rushed to Parkland Hospital near
                                    the Dallas Trade Mart where Kennedy was to
                                    have made a speech."  Over.
      
SALINGER:    I read that.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room.  I have nothing
                                    further for you now.  I will contact if we
                                    get more.
      
SALINGER:    Wayside, Roger and out.
      
                                   ---
      
AF-1:               2600, Andrews, I'll be right up.
      
ANDREWS:    OK, thank you.
      
AF-1:               You're welcome.

ANDREWS:    I want to keep this frequency open.
      
AF-1:               Roger, sir.  The frequency has been cleared.
      
ANDREWS:    2600, [six garbled syllables].
      
AF-1:               Roger.
      
                                   ---

ANDREWS:    86972, Andrews.  [Four garbled syllables].  I
                                    have a party who would like to speak to you.
                                    Stand by, one.
      
SAM 86972:    Stand by.
      
ANDREWS:    Yes, sir.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Hello?
      
ANDREWS:    I have 972.  What is your name again, sir?
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Jackson, Mr. Jackson -- yes.
      
ANDREWS:    OK, hold on one -- [to SAM 86972]  86972,
                                    86972, Andrews.  I have a Mr. Jackson -- a Mr.
                                    Jackson on, would you give him a call, sir,
                                    please?
      
SAM 86972:    Mr. Jackson, this is SAM 86972.  How read?
                                    Over.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: I read very well, '72.  I'd like to talk to
                                    Colonel [name garbled].  Colonel [name
                                    garbled], please.
      
SAM 86972:    [garbled] coming out right now.  Hold on
                                    please.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: OK.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger, this is Colonel [garbled name].
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Colonel [garbled name], this is Murray
                                    Jackson.  The President of the United States
                                    has been shot and seriously wounded in Dallas,
                                    Texas.  (Repeating)  The President of the
                                    United States, John F. Kennedy, has been shot
                                    and seriously wounded in Dallas, Texas.
                                    Governor Connally was also shot at the same
                                    time.  Would you please get this message to
                                    Secretary of State Rusk and I will standby.
                                    Over.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger.  We have already received that news.
                                    We have UPI on.  We have turned around.  We
                                    are returning to Hawaii.  We are estimating
                                    Hawaii in 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Will be on
                                    the ground in Hawaii in 1 hour and 20
                                    minutes.  Will be returning to Washington or
                                    Dallas, Texas.  This is a decision we have to
                                    make yet.  We have one other aircraft alerted
                                    to take some of the party to Dallas and we
                                    will be returning to Washington.  Over.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Thank you very much, Colonel [garbled
                                    name].  I will relay this to Mr. Ball right
                                    away.  Over and out.
      
SAM 86972:    The Secretary has talked to his office               
                                    in Washington, I believe, and also Pierre           
                                    Salinger has been in contact with the White       
                                    House from the aircraft.  Over.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: OK.  Thank you very much.  Over and out.
      
SAM 86972:    Fine.
      
                                   ---
                                    
 [Note that this transmission has some overlap with the one above between SAM 86972 and Murray Jackson.]
      
ANDREWS:    [transmission garbled]
      
AF-1:               2600, Andrews.  Go ahead, sir.
      
ANDREWS:    Loud and clear.  A signal check, please.
      
AF-1:               2600, Andrews.  You're loud and clear here
                                    also, sir.  Standing by this frequency.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, thank you.
      
COMMAND POST: Andrews [two garbled syllables], Airman
                                    Gilmore.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Are you in contact with the party
                                    coming back from Tokyo?  Go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Yes, sir.  We talk to Liberty [SAM 86972].  We
                                    [two garbled syllables] that aircraft.
      
CROWN:        Could you connect me with Wayside?
      
ANDREWS:    Stand by one, sir.
                                    [pause]
                                    Hello, sir? 
      
CROWN:        Yes, sir?
      
ANDREWS:    There is a Mr. Jackson running a patch on the
                                    aircraft at this time.  Would you like to
                                    listen in or would you like me to break the
                                    patch, sir?
      
CROWN:        Can I wait, sir, please.
      
ANDREWS:    Yes, sir.  Standby.  You are number two.
      
CROWN:        Thank you.
      
ANDREWS:    [after pause] 972, 86972, Andrews. 
      
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  Stand by, I have another one.  [to
                                    Crown]  Who is this, sir?
      
CROWN:        This is the White House.
      
ANDREWS:    Stand by, Crown.
                                    [pause]
                                    86972, 86972, Andrews.  I have Crown on.
                                    Would you give him a call, sir?
      
SAM 86972:    This is 972, go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  This is Crown.  We wish a contact with
                                    Wayside.  Go ahead.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger.  Stand by for Wayside.
                                    [pause]
                                    Crown [three garbled syllables]
      
CROWN:        Roger, go ahead.
      
SALINGER:    Crown, this is Wayside.  Go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  Stand by.
                                    [pause]
                                    Go ahead, please.
      
CROWN:                    Wayside, Wayside, this is Stranger.  Do you
                                    read me?  Over.
      
SALINGER:    Stranger, this is Wayside.  Go ahead.
      
STRANGER:   Kilduff asked that all Cabinet members return
                                    to Washington immediately.  Over.
       
SALINGER:    Stranger, we have turned around and are headed
                                    for Honolulu.  Where we have [garbled]
                                    Washington.  Over.
      
STRANGER:   Roger, Roger.  Will they notify us at time of
                                    arrival and location?  Over.
      
SALINGER:    That's correct, sir.  Have one question,
                                    Stranger.  [garbled--official transcript
                                    implies the garbled words might be: "Should we
                                    make plans to go"]  ...go to Dallas?  Over.
      
STRANGER:   Roger, Roger.  We do not have any firm word
                                    from down there as to the exact status.  But,
                                    I -- Pardon me, Wayside, but the Situation
                                    Room has to have you.  Go ahead.
      
SALINGER:    I read.  Go ahead.
      
STRANGER:   Wayside, this is Stranger.  I'll get you that
                                    information as to Secretary when you arrive.
                                    Over.
      
SALINGER:    Affirmative.
      
STRANGER:   Wayside, stand by Situation Room.
      
SALINGER:    Yeah.
      
STRANGER:   [short pause] Go ahead, Wayside.
      
SALINGER:    Situation Room, go ahead, this is Wayside.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Alright, Wayside, I'll read you latest
                                    bulletin.  "President Kennedy has been given
                                    blood transfusions today at Parkland Hospital
                                    in a effort to save his life after he and
                                    Governor John Connally of Texas were shot in
                                    an assassination attempt."  Over the TV we
                                    have the information that the Governor has
                                    been moved to the operating room.  The
                                    President is still in the emergency room at
                                    Parkland Hospital.  Do you read me so far?
                                    Over.
      
SALINGER:    I read you loud and clear, Situation.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Wayside, this is Situation Room.  Are you
                                    getting the press coverage or do you want us
                                    to continue to relay it to you?  Over.
      
SALINGER:    [long garbled response, the official                    
                                    transcript reads "Continue to relay."]  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room, Roger.  New subject:
                                    We will have information for you on whether to
                                    proceed to Dallas by the time you land at
                                    Honolulu.  Over.
      
SALINGER:    Affirmative, affirmative.  Also tell us
                                    whether Secretary of State -- Secretary of       
                                    State -- should also go to Dallas.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room.  Will do.  Get
                                    determination whether Secretary should also go
                                    to Dallas.

SALINGER:    This is Wayside -- out.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room -- out.
      
                                   ---
                                    
ANDREWS:    [several garbled words]  I'd like to talk to
                                    Wayside.
      
SAM 96972:    Party is on line now, 972.  Stand by.
                                    [pause]
                                    86972, 86972, Andrews.
      
ANDREWS:    86972, Andrews.  I have a party that would
                                    like to talk to Wayside.  Would you give him a
                                    call, please?
      
SAM 86972:    Roger.  I'll get Wayside up front here.
                                    [pause]
                                    Wayside is coming out right now, sir.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Alright, fine.  There's no rush.  I just
                                    talked to you here, this is the Situation
                                    Room.  We'll -- eh -- stand by 'til Wayside
                                    gets out there.  We're looking for
                                    confirmation of something here.
      
SALINGER:    This is Wayside, Wayside.  Here, now I'm on.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Alright, Wayside.  Just stand by for a moment
                                    please.  We're getting some confirmation of
                                    something here.  Please stay on the line.
                                    Over.
      
SALINGER:    I'm on the line.  I'm on the line.  Standing
                                    by.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room.  Please stay on the
                                    line, standing by.
      
SALINGER:    Standing by.  How do you read me?  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    I read you loud and clear.  Nothings here now
                                    for you yet.
                                    [pause]
                                    Wayside, this is Situation Room.  We have some
                                    conflicting reports now so were getting no
                                    confirmation.  We will call you again.  I have
                                    relayed your intentions and your present
                                    position to the front office.  Your office has
                                    the word.  We will call you again when we get
                                    confirmation.  Over.
      
SALINGER:    This is Wayside.  Out.
      
                                   ---
                                    
ANDREWS:    [garbled] check.
      
AF-1:               2600s reading loud and clear, sir.  Loud and
                                    clear.
      
SAM 86972:    2600, Liberty, loud and clear.  Will you try
                                    and notify if you close down.  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Roger, will do.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger, Liberty.
      
                                   ---
      
      
 [Note: There is some overlap on this traffic with the lastBtraffic from Murray Jackson.]
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: [garbled] Sgt. Gilmore.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Gilmore, this is Murray Jackson again at
                                    State.  Can you get me '72 again?
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Can you say again, sir, you're very,
                                    very weak.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: This is Murray Jackson at the State
                                    Department.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Yes sir!
      
MURRAY JACKSON: I talked to '72 a little while ago.  Could
                                    you get me '72 on single [two garbled
                                    syllables] again?
      
 ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Mr. Jackson, be advised that '72 is
                                    in a patch with the Situation Room at the
                                    present time, sir.  If you wish to stand by --
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Oh, that's alright -- they're talking to
                                    them now.
       
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Yes sir.  They're in a patch at the
                                    present time.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Alright.  Very good.  Can you listen in on
                                    this?
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Not from this console, sir, no sir.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: I see.  Well, what we want to tell the
                                    plane is that Under Secretary Ball requests
                                    that the Secretary and all the passengers
                                    return to directly Washington instead of going
                                    to Dallas.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Yes, sir.  I believe they received
                                    that message, sir.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Very good.  Thank you.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Thank you very much, sir.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Bye.  [short pause]  Oh!  Hello!
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Yes, sir?
      
MURRAY JACKSON: One other thing -- the Secretary was
                                    supposed to call Mr. Ball when he gets on the
                                    ground in Honolulu.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: OK, sir.  We'll relay that as soon as
                                    possible.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Thank you very much.
      
                                   ---
                                    
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Andrews [two garbled syllables]
                                    Airman Gilmore.

MURRAY JACKSON: Airman Gilmore, this is Murray Jackson down
                                    at the State Department.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Yes, sir!
      
MURRAY JACKSON: The message I just gave you about Mr. Ball
                                    wanting the Secretary and all the passengers
                                    of the plane to return directly to Washington
                                    has now been confirmed by McGeorge Bundy, who
                                    has called and asked -- and also said that he
                                    thinks the plane and all its passengers should
                                    return immediately to Washington rather than
                                    Dallas.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Stand by, Lancer.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: Roger.
      
                                   ---
      
                                    [garbled exchange]
      
                                   ---
                                    
ANDREWS:     86972, 86972, Andrews.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger [garbled].
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, [2 garbled syllables].  I have a Mr.
                                    Jackson -- a Mr. Jackson on the line.  Would
                                    you give him a call, sir?
      
SAM 86972:    Mr. Jackson, '972, go ahead.
       
MURRAY JACKSON: '72, I read you well.  I have a message
                                    from Under-Secretary Ball and from McGeorge
                                    Bundy at the White House.  They requested that
                                    the Secretary of State and all passengers
                                    aboard the aircraft return to Washington,
                                    immediately.  Over.
      
SAM 86972:    Roger.  The message is from Under Secretary
                                    Ball and Mr. Bundy who've apprised that the
                                    Secretary of State and all passengers return
                                    to Washington, immediately.  Over.
      
MURRAY JACKSON: That is correct.  Over and out.

SAM 86972:    OK.  Thank you, sir.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    Go ahead, please.  The party is on.
      
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER: I think they have another patch --
                                    do you wish to break it?  [garbled] Command
                                    Post.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Em -- yeah, break it.
      
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER: Yes, sir!
                                    [short pause]
                                    86972, 86972, Andrews.
      
SAM 86972:    972, go ahead.
       
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER: Eh -- Roger, sir.  I have Crown on,
                                    would you give them a call, sir?
      
SAM 86972:    Crown, 972, go ahead.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Eh -- this is Situation Room.  Relay following
                                    to Wayside: "We have report quoting Mr.
                                    Kilduff in Dallas that the President is dead,
                                    that he died about 35 minutes ago."  Do you
                                    have that?  Over.

SAM 86972:    The President is dead?  Is that correct?
      
SIT. ROOM:    That is correct.  That is correct.  New
                                    subject: Front office desires plane return
                                    Washington, with no stop Dallas.  Over.
      
SAM 86972:   Copied.  Wayside copied all OK and we return
                                    direct to Washington with no stopping in
                                    Dallas.  Roger.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:   This is Situation Room, out.
      
                                   ---
                                    
SAM 86972:    Ah, Andrews, give me the Situation Room,
                                    please.
      
ANDREWS:    972, Andrews, stand by one sec'.
       
CROWN:                    Crown on.
      
ANDREWS:    Situation Room, please.
      
CROWN:        Thank you.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Yeah.
      
ANDREWS:    Is this the Situation Room?

SIT. ROOM:    Yes.
      
ANDREWS:    This is Airman [garbled] I have 972 for
                                    another patch, sir.

SIT. ROOM:    [to the side] 972, again.
                                    [pause]
                                    This is Situation Room.
ANDREWS:    Stand by, sir.
      
SAM 86972:    [garbled] 972, I read.
      
SIT. ROOM:    This is Situation Room -- over.
      
SAM 86972:    Situation Room, this is 972.  Wayside would
                                    like to know the whereabouts of the Vice
                                    President.  Over.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Yes.
                                    [to the side] I think he wants to know where
                                    the Vice-President is in Dallas.
                                    [pause]
                                    Alright.  [listening to instructions from
                                    within the room]
                                    [pause] 
                                    Eh, for Wayside, from Situation Room; The Vice
                                    President is in the hospital building --
                                    Parkland Hospital in Dallas.  He is not
                                    injured.  Repeat, not injured.  Over.
      
SAM 86972:    Copy.  Copy.  I'll call you back, man.
      
SIT. ROOM:    Right.
                       
                                   ---
                                    
AF-1:               Andrews, this is 2600, ready to take off.
      
ANDREWS:    2600, Roger, we're standing by.
      
SAM 86972:    Liberty, standing by.  [pause]  Andrews, 972,
                                    SAM Command Room.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  Stand by for SAM Command.
                                   
SAM COMMAND: [pause] SAM Command Post, [garbled name].
      
ANDREWS:    I have 972 for a patch.
      
SAM COMMAND: Roger, go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    86972, Andrews, SAM Commands on, go ahead,
                                    sir.
      
SAM 86972:    SAM Command, 972, I'm, out here and we are
                                    returning direct to Washington.  Our latest
                                    instruction were direct Washington from
                                    "Hiccup" [that's what it sounds like!].
                                    "Hiccup" is working up our flight plan and
                                    ground time, we'll give you ETA for
                                    Washington.
      
SAM COMMAND: Roger, Roger, '72.  Can you give me your
                                    present ETA for "Hiccup?"
      
SAM 86972:    In about -- eh -- 45 minutes was the last one
                                    that I heard.  Should be 2030z.  I'll give you
                                    a more accurate one if you give me five
                                    minutes.
                                    [pause]
                                    Better -- Time 2030z -- over.
      
SAM COMMAND: Roger, Roger and as far as you know right now,
                                    you're coming direct to Washington.  Is that
                                    "affirm?"
      
SAM 86972:    That is very true.
      
SAM COMMAND: Roger, '72, give us any changes that you have,
                                    sir.
      
SAM 86972:    OK.  Will do.
      
SAM COMMAND: [garble]
      
                                   ---
      
       ANDREWS:         2600 [skip in track of recording], sir.
      
       AF-1:                    2600, you are loud and clear.  Standing by.
      
ANDREWS:    Andrews, 2600.
      
AF-1:               Loud and clear, sir.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, and you are loud and clear.
                                    [pause]
                                    2600, you copy my teletype?
      
AF-1:               2600 did not [garble].
      
ANDREWS:     OK, I guess he's too busy down there.
      
AF-1:               Alright, sir.
      
ANDREWS:    You might check and make sure you're getting
                                    it though.
      
AF-1:   Roger.  Stand by.
                                    [pause]
                                    2600, Andrews, coming up.
      
ANDREWS:    2600, check please?
      
AF-1:               2600, Andrews, loud and clear.
                                    [pause]
                                    2600, Andrews, loud and clear.
      
ANDREWS:    Alright, sir.  We'll be moving out pretty
                                    shortly.
      
AF-1:               Roger, sir.  We are standing by.
      
                                   ---
      
SAM 86972:    [garble] 972.
      
ANDREWS:    972, Andy.  Go ahead, sir.
      
SAM 86972:    OK.  We're coming up here pretty close to --
                                    eh -- Honolulu.  We're landing.  I don't know
                                    whether we'll be able to or not, but I'm going
                                    to try to keep this equipment up here on the
                                    ground or not.  But I'm not certain I'll be
                                    able to do it.  I understand 13 is pretty good
                                    out to Honolulu.  Is that correct?
      
ANDREWS:    This is Andrews.  That's "affirm."  [garbled]
                                    is getting read to take off.  He's on 13.  If
                                    you stand by one, I'll confer with Liberty and
                                    see what frequencies, in case you do drop
                                    out.  What frequencies we have standing up on
                                    waiting for your call.
      
SAM 86972:    OK.  Do that, then and get them all set up
                                    'cause I may not be able to keep it up down
                                    there on the ground.
      
ANDREWS:    I understand [garble].  OK, Liberty.
      
SAM 86972:    [garble]
      
ANDREWS:    Yeah, we got 13 and 15 up right now, besides
                                    this one to you.  I don't know if 13 is going
                                    to be all tied up or not.  And what
                                    frequencies you can set up in case he has to
                                    drop out on ya.  You'll have to know what       
                                    frequencies we're listening on.
      
                                   End Transcript
                               Tape One -- Side One
                                     
                               ____________
                                    
                Air Force One radio traffic transcript 11/22/63
                                        Tape 1 Side 2
                        ------------------------------------------                                   
                                     Begin Transcript
                                Tape One -- Side Two
     
     
     
                                  ---
                                    
SAM 86972:    What frequencies do you think you could have
                                    set up in case we have to ground out on you --
                                    you'll know what frequencies we're listening
                                    on.
     
ANDREWS:    I'll be on 1815 and 13.  And we can hold them
                                    on 18 for a while because we got [3 garbled     
                                    syllables] up there.
     
SAM 86972:    Right.  You got another one?  A little bit             
                                    lower one, maybe?

ANDREWS:    Oh, we'll drop down from 18 to 15 to 13.
     
SAM 86972:    How 'bout triple one?
     
ANDREWS:    We can do that also.
     
SAM 86972:    Triple one lower?
     
ANDREWS:    Ah -- all upper.
     
SAM 86972:    OK.  I'll be on 18, 13, 15 and triple one           
                                    also.  All uppers, right?
     
ANDREWS:    Right.
     
SAM 86972:    Except for this one, we're on lower.
     
ANDREWS:    Go ahead.
     
SAM 86972:   OK.  86972, Andrews. 
     
ANDREWS:    [three garbled syllables].
     
SAM 86972:   Roger, Andrews is gonna be standing by -- and
                                    Liberty -- on triple one, upper; triple 176,
                                    upper; 15011, upper; 15011, upper; and this   
                                    frequency -- 18027, lower, sir.
     
      ?:                OK, very good.  Now keep in touch.
     
SAM 86972:    Roger.
     
                                  ---
                                    
SAM 86972:    972, Andy, go ahead, sir.            
     
ANDREWS:    OK [five garbled syllables] and Air Force        
                                    Command Post.  [three garbles syllables] 137.
                                    Position 1399, arriving Honolulu [four garbled
                                    syllables] 2026z.  ETD 2115z.  Go ahead, sir.
                                    Over.
     
SAM 86972:    86972, Andy.  Roger.  Copied down and standing
                                    by, sir.
     
ANDREWS:    OK.  I won't be on this frequency, but I'll         
                                    advise you when I'm leaving.
     
SAM 86972:    Roger, sir.
                                    
                                  ---
     
AF-1:               2600.
     
ANDREWS:    2600, Andrews, loud and clear.
     
AF-1:               Roger, give me Crown, please.
     
ANDREWS:    Right, stand by.
     
CROWN:        This is Crown.
     
ANDREWS:    I've got 2600 for a patch.
     
CROWN:                    Roger.
     
ANDREWS:    2600, Andrews, Crown on, go ahead.
     
AF-1:               Roger, Crown.  2600 would you get a patch with
                                    Jerry Behn, please?
     
CROWN:        Roger, stand by.
                                    [pause]
                                    2600, Duplex is on, go ahead.
     
AF-1:   'Kay.  Stand by one.
                                    [pause -- from some unknown point, a voice    
                                    says "OK" as no one responds, this could be    
                                    background or cross talk.]
     
BEHN:             Hello?
     
KELLERMAN:            Jerry?
     
BEHN:             Hello?
     
KELLERMAN:            [garble]  We're at the airport.  [garble]
                                    26,000.
     
BEHN:             OK, go ahead.
     
KELLERMAN:            We're waiting for the swearing-in at the plane
                                    before takeoff.
     
BEHN: Of the--  That's of Volunteer?
      
     
KELLERMAN:            Roger.
     
BEHN:             Say again, Roy, say again.
     
KELLERMAN:            We're waiting for Judge to appear for               
                                    swearing-in.
     
BEHN:             That is for Volunteer, is that right?
     
KELLERMAN:            Yes, we're having it done before we take-off,
                                    Jerry.
     
BEHN:             Do you have any idea what Lace wants to do and
                                    Volunteer wants to do on their arrival here?
     
KELLERMAN:            No, I will call you back.  Suggest we have a 2
                                    hour 15 minute flight into Andrews.  We have a
                                    full plane, at least 40.
     
BEHN:             OK, go ahead.

KELLERMAN:            I'll have to call you again as to the [two
                                    garbled syllables].  Get a couple of men,           
                                    rather the Volunteer boys to go over his car
                                    and so forth.  We'll also need hers and
                                    several others.
     
BEHN:             Let me know what Volunteer wants to do when           
                                    they land--if they want to come in to Crown by
                                    helicopter?
     
KELLERMAN:            Roger, I'll call you again.
     
BEHN:             OK.
     
                                  ---
                                   
 [Note: This next section begins with a lot of cross talk, I have begun where there recording clears]
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Would you repeat your estimated
                                    time of departure from Dallas?  Over.
     
AF-1:   Roger.  It could be within the next ten   
                                    minutes.  Go ahead.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger.  Would you give us a call
                                    when you're airborne and can you give us any
                                    additional information?
     
AF-1:   Not at this time.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger, thank you.
     
AF-1:   Roger.  Will call on take off.     
     
                                  ---
 [Note: This next call again starts with heavy static and cross talk.  It can be determined that AF-1 is being patched through to the Air Force Command Post.  I am starting from where the interference clears up.]
     
AF-1:   Command Post, AF-1.  How do you read?
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Loud and clear, go ahead sir.
     
AF-1:   Left Dallas 2047z and [a long garbled              
                                    section], Andrews.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: You have your block time down, sir?
     
AF-1:   [the response is totally unintelligible,
                                    however, the official transcript says the
                                    reply was "Estimated time on the block Andrews
                                    2305z."]
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: [garble]  Do you have any
                                    passengers aboard?
     
AF-1:   Roger.  Full load, 40 plus.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: And...is...Mrs. Kennedy aboard?
     
AF-1:   Affirmative.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Pardon?
     
AF-1:   I'll call you back, Command Post.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Alright, sir.
     
                                  ---
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  I have SAM Command Post
                                    standing by, sir.
     
AF-1:   Command Post, Air Force-1, go ahead.
     
ANDREWS:    Stand by, one, sir.
     
      ?:                [unintelligible sentence]
    
SAM COMMAND POST: Air Force, SAM Command Post.
     
AF-1:   Go ahead.
     
SAM COMMAND POST: Roger, Roger [garble]
     
OPERATIONS:           This is [garbled name] in Operations.  We have
                                    request from the Chief of Staff's office to          
                                    know if you have Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kennedy's
                                    body aboard?
     
AF-1:   Stand by, one.  [pause]
                                    OK.  AF-1, affirmative on all of those              
                                    questions.  Over.
     
OPERATIONS:  Roger, thank you very much.  Out.
     
AF-1:   AF-1, a signal check.
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, I read you loud and clear, sir.
     
      ?:                [something edited from this point?]
     
ANDREWS:    Loud and clear, Liberty.
     
      ?:                [again, something seems to have been edited    
                                    out.]
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, I have SAM Command Post standing by,          
                                    sir.
     
AF-1:   Alright, go ahead.
     
SAM COMMAND POST: 2600, 2600.  SAM Command Post.
     
AF-1:   SAM Command, AF-1.  Go ahead, please.
     
SAM COMMAND POST: Roger, Roger, AF-1.  Are you airborne at
                                    present? [repeating] Are you airborne at           
                                    present?
     
AF-1:   Affirmative.  Airborne at 2047.  2047.             
                                    Estimated time on the block Andrews 2305.  Go
                                    ahead.

SAM COMMAND POST: Roger, Roger, understand.  Departed at    
                                    2047.  Estimated time of arrival at Andrews     
                                    2305, is that Charlie?
     
AF-1:   That's Charlie.
     
SAM COMMAND POST: Roger, Roger. AF-1.  SAM Command Post,        
                                    clear.
     
                                  ---
                                   
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Air Force Command Post, go ahead.
     
ANDREWS:    I have AF-1 standing by.  Stand by, please.
                                    [pause]
                                    AF-1, Andrews.  Go ahead, make your call,    
                                    please.
     
AF-1:   Command Post, AF-1.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Go ahead, AF-1.  This is Command
                                    Post.
     
AF-1:   OK.  Departed 2047 and estimate block time  
                                    Andrews 2305 and we're climbing out at slight
                                    over 290.  Go ahead.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger, understand.  You stand by
                                    one, please.
     
AF-1:   [two garbled syllables], go ahead.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: AF-1, this is the Air Force Command
                                    Post.  If possible, request the names of the
                                    passengers on board, please.
     
AF-1:   We have forty plus.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Forty people!  Is that affirmative?
     
AF-1:   Affirmative.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Can you tell me in regard to 1 and
                                    2...the top people?
     
AF-1:   Roger.  The President is on board.  The body
                                    is on board, and Mrs. Kennedy is on board.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Alright.  Can you tell--affirm once
                                    again your take off time and your estimated
                                    time of arrival, Andrews?
     
AF-1:   2047 take off time.  Andrews 2305.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger.  Thank you.  This is the Air
                                    Force Command Post, out.
                                   
                                  ---
                                   
BURKLEY:     AF-1, get me Crown, please.
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Roger.  Stand by, sir.
                                    [pause]
     
BURKLEY:     Crown?

ANDREWS:    This is Airman [two syllable name garbled],      
                                    stand by, please.
                                    [pause]
                                    AF-1, Andrews.  Give them a call, please.
                                    [pause]
                                    AF-1, Andrews.  Give them a call, please.
     
BURKLEY:     Alright.  [pause]
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Give Crown a call, please.
     
BURKLEY:     Crown, AF-1.
     
CROWN:                    This is Crown.  Go ahead.
     
BURKLEY:     Need a patch with Surgeon General-Army,
                                    Heaton.  Go ahead.
     
CROWN:        Please repeat the message.  Over.

BURKLEY:     Andrews, we want a patch, want a patch with  
                                    General Heaton, that's [spelling] H-E-A-T-O-N,
                                    he's the Surgeon General.  Go ahead.
     
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  That's General Heaton, the       
                                    Surgeon General of the Army, over.
     
BURKLEY:     That is correct.
     
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Stand by.  AF-1, Crown, stand
                                    by please, we a reaching the General now,       
                                    over.
     
BURKLEY:     Standing by.
     
COMMAND POST: Command Post, weather for 2600, please.
     
ANDREWS;    OK, sir, first one.  Stand by.
     
COMMAND POST: Roger.
     
ANDREWS:    We are running a patch right now.
     
      ?:                AF-1, AF-1, Andrews on 15.  I'll copy, sir.
     
      ?:                Yes, sir.
     
ANDREWS:    You'll have to hold on one, sir.  They're
                                    running a long patch with the White House        
                                    right now, sir.
     
COMMAND POST: Rog, I'll hold.
     
ANDREWS:    OK, sir.
     
                                  ---
                                    
Note: Next follows a long garbled discussion of which radio frequencies are being used.  This was not transcribed.
     
                                  ---
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Can you patch me with AF-1, please?
     
ANDREWS:    Who is this, please?
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: [two garbled syllables] Airman [one
                                    syllable garbled]
     
ANDREWS:    Stand by, you'll be number three.
     
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: OK.  Alright.
     
                                  ---
                                   
ANDREWS:    Right, sir, we'll call you back to Command
                                    Post.
     
COMMAND POST: Alright, fine.

ANDREWS:    'Cause this is taking quite a while.  No sense
                                    you holding on the line, here.
      
COMMAND POST: OK.
     
ANDREWS:    OK, sir.  We'll be right back to you as soon
                                    as they get off.
     
COMMAND POST: Alright.
     
ANDREWS:    Alright, sir.
     
COMMAND POST: Got a forecast for them.
     
ANDREWS:    Say again?
     
COMMAND POST: I've got a landing forecast.
     
ANDREWS:    OK, sir.
     
                                  ---


CROWN:                    AF-1, Crown.  [pause]  Hello?
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, give Crown a call, please.
     
CROWN:                    AF-1, this is Crown.  Do you read?  Over.
     
AF-1:               Roger, Roger, Crown, AF-1.  [pause]  Hello?
                                   
CROWN:                    [pause]  AF-1, this is Crown.  You were cut    
                                    out.  General Heaton's at Walter Reed Hospital
                                    -- you'll have to stand by just a moment or       
                                    else let me call you back when I get them on
                                    the line.  It'll take about a minute to reach
                                    them.  [pause]  AF-1, Crown, do you Roger? 
                                    Over.
     
AF-1:               Crown, Roger.  Try General Heaton and in the
                                    meantime try and get the Deputy Surgeon
                                    General.  We will talk to either one.  Go           
                                    ahead.
     
CROWN:                    This is Crown, Roger.  Will you stand by or do
                                    we call you back?  Over.
     
AF-1:               Roger, this is very important.
     
CROWN:                    Roger, I'll put an emergency on it.  We'll get
                                    him as soon as possible.
     
AF-1:               Stand by.
     
CROWN:                    Roger.  Roger.
     
                                  ---
     
AF-1:               AF-1, Andrews [two garbled syllables] standing
                                    by.
     
ANDREWS:    Roger.
     
AF-1:               [garble] you a call.  I have another patch.

ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Roger.
     
AF-1:               AF-1, go ahead.
     
CROWN:                    AF-1, Crown.
     
AF-1:               Roger, stand by for a message. 
     
BURKLEY:     [after a short pause Dr. Burkley come on and
                                    is totally unintelligible.  He may not have
                                    had key totally depressed]
     
CROWN:                    Dr. Burkley, this is Crown.  You're cutting
                                    out.  You're cutting out.  You'll have to
                                    repeat, over.
     
BURKLEY:     This is Dr. Burkley.  I need to get in touch
                                    with General Heaton or General Heaton's
                                    Deputy.
     
CROWN:                    Dr. Burkley, this is Crown.  We're working as
                                    fast as possible trying to get the call      
                                    through for you.  He's at Walter Reed.  We're
                                    unable to locate.  We're still searching,
                                    over.
     
BURKLEY:     The General's Deputy might be over at the        
                                    General's office over in the main Navy              
                                    Building.
     
CROWN:                    Roger, Roger.  If you'll stand by we'll try          
                                    and reach him.  [pause]  [two garbled               
                                    syllables--Burkley's code name, maybe] this is
                                    Crown, do you Roger?  We'll try to reach each
                                    one of them if you stand by, please.
     
BURKLEY:     Alright, Roger.
     
                                  ---
     
AF-1:               This is AF-1 on 15.
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Loud and clear sounding.
     
AF-1:               OK, you gonna have another line into Crown?
     
ANDREWS:    This is Andrews, Roger.
     
AF-1:               OK, go ahead.
     
ANDREWS:    Roger, stand by one.
     
      ?:                            [garble]
     
ANDREWS:    Hi.  Can you get me White House switchboard,
                                    please.
     
      ?:                            10-4.

SIGNAL CORPS: Signal.
     
ANDREWS:    Right, [three garbled syllables] still on?
     
      ?:                Ground, I have AF-1 for a patch.
     
SIGNAL CORPS: Roger, Roger.
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, Crown is on, go ahead, sir.
     
CROWN:                    AF-1, AF-1, this is Crown, come in.
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, Crown is on, go ahead, sir.
      
AF-1:               I want a call into Duples, please.
     
CROWN:                    Roger, Roger.  Locate him.
     
                                                 ---
                                   
                                      End Transcript
                                    Tape One -- Side Two
                                   
                                                 ---
                                   

                          Air Force One radio traffic transcript 11/22/63
                                              Tape 2 Side 1
                      ----------------------------------------------------------
                                         Begin Transcript
                                    Tape Two -- Side One
                                    
                                   ---

      
AF-1:   Duplex, please.

CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Duplex is on the line.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
KELLERMAN:            [two garbled syllables, Kellerman's code name,
                                    maybe?] to Duplex.  Jerry?
      
BEHN: Go ahead.  Go ahead.  This is Duplex.
     
KELLERMAN: Jerry, arriving Andrews 1605 -- 6:05, rather.
      
BEHN: That's affirmative.  Have received.  [there is
                                    a break in the recording at this point,
                                    indicating a probable edit in the recording]
                                    This is Duplex, this is Duplex.
      
KELLERMAN:   Arrival Andrews, 6:05, stand by.  [pause]  An
                                    ambulance from Walter Reed furnished to
                                    transport body.  Over.
      
BEHN: Arrangements have been made for a helicopter
                                    for the Bethesda Naval Medical Center.  Over.
      
KELLERMAN:            Stand by, Jerry.  I'll have to get Burkley
                                    here.
      
BEHN:             OK.
      
       ?:                           AF-1 [three garbled syllables], go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Duplex is on.  Duplex is on,
                                    sir.
      
BURKLEY:     Duplex is on.  This is Doctor Burkley.  What
                                    arrangements have been made in regard to the
                                    reception of the President?  Over.
      
BEHN: Everybody aboard AF-1, everyone aboard AF-1
                                    with the exception of the body, will be
                                    choppered to the south grounds.  The body will
                                    be choppered to the Naval Medical Center at
                                    Bethesda.  Over.
      
BURKLEY:     The body will be choppered or will go by
                                    ambulance to the Naval Medical Center?
      
BEHN:             Will be choppered -- will be choppered.
      
BURKLEY:     I have called General Heaton and asked him to
                                    call me -- the District of Washington -- with
                                    regard to this.  Would you call him and cancel
                                    the inference to go to Walter Reed?  Haven't
                                    spoken to him.  I didn't know these
                                    arrangements were already made.

BEHN: Say again.  Say again, Doctor.
      
BURKLEY:     His body is in a casket, you know, and will
                                    have to taken by ambulance and not by chopper.
      
BEHN: Alright, I'll tell Captain Shephard that.  Did
                                    you say that--
      
BURKLEY:     Jerry, will you be sure and get in contact
                                    with General Heaton?
      
                                   ---
      
BURKLEY:     General Heaton, this is Admiral Burkley. 
      
HEATON:       Yes, Burkley.
      
BURKLEY:     AF-1.
      
HEATON:       Yes.  [pause]  I read you Admiral Burkley.
                                    [pause]
      
BURKLEY:     Hold for a minute, please.  General Clifton's
                                    here.  [long pause]
      
CLIFTON:       Eh--This is General Clifton. 

BURKLEY:     Yes, General Clifton.
      
                                    [The tape has been edited at this point.]
      
CLIFTON:       Two.  We do not want a helicopter for Bethesda
                                    Medical Center we do want an ambulance and a
                                    ground return from Andrews to Walter Reed, and
                                    we want the regular post-mortem that has to be
                                    done by law under guard performed at Walter
                                    Reed.  Is that clear?  Over.
      
HEATON:       That is clear, General Clifton.  You want an
                                    ambulance and another limousine at Andrews and
                                    you want the regular post-mortem by law
                                    done at Walter Reed.
      
CLIFTON:       That is correct.  Hold on for a minute.  Over.
      
BURKLEY:     General, I'll hold on.  [pause]
      
AF-1:   AF-1.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, go ahead, sir.
      
AF-1:   OK, I think a patch was cut on 13.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Still in progress.  You give
                                    the ground party a call sir.
      
BURKLEY:     Jerry?  [NOTE: Neither General Clifton or
                                    General Heaton are named Jerry.  The official
                                    transcript of this call has a note inserted at
                                    this point by the typist that says that
                                    Burkley may have thought he was speaking to
                                    Behn.  Behn's first name is Jerry.]
      
CLIFTON or HEATON: Jerry who?
      
BURKLEY:     What arrangements have you made? 
      
HEATON:       We have made no arrangements so far, but I
                                    will follow through on what you just told
                                    me--have an ambulance and a limousine at
                                    Andrews and arrangements in regards to
                                    post-mortem studies.
      
CLIFTON:       Would you--General Heaton, would you kindly
                                    hole?  Been some arrangements already been
                                    made--have to clear that before we make any
                                    further.  [NOTE: The official transcript
                                    credits this remark to Admiral Burkley, that
                                    is not correct.  This is clearly General
                                    Clifton's voice.]
      
SPEAKER UNKNOWN: A limousine and an ambulance at Andrews...
                                    [NOTE: This is spoken by none of the prior
                                    parties.  It almost sounds as though it might
                                    be being spoken into a microphone that has
                                    been accidently opened, possibly by an Aide to
                                    General Heaton.]
      
AF-1:               AF-1.  Say again your last transmission.
      
SPEAKER UNKNOWN: [Again, the same unidentified voice.  The
                                    words are now almost inaudible, as though they
                                    are being spoken under the breath of a person
                                    who is writing something down while in close
                                    proximity to an open microphone.]
      
CROWN:                    Hello, Andrews, this is Crown.
      
ANDREWS:    Crown, go ahead.
      
CROWN:                    We have Captain Shephard here.  Is also to --
                                    I -- evidently who has made some arrangements
                                    on the -- funeral and so forth.  He would like
                                    to get on and talk to AF-1 when General Heaton
                                    is finished.  It might be possible for us to
                                    put him up on a conference, so that they could
                                    all make the arrangements together.  I
                                    understand that Captain Shephard, the Naval
                                    Aide, has made some arrangements also.  So you
                                    might explain that to AF-1 and that we can put
                                    him on a conference if they would like.
                                    [NOTE: This call from Crown seems to indicate
                                    that there might be two Captain Shephards, one
                                    of them being a Naval Aide, and it implies
                                    that these two Captains with the same name
                                    have been working together on the
                                    arrangements.  The MDW also shows a Captain
                                    Shephard in their logs for November 22, 1963.]
      
                                   ___
                                    
                                    
CLIFTON:       Go ahead, Duplex, this is Watchman.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Give your party a call.
      
CLIFTON:       Duplex, Duplex, this is Watchman, over.
      
BEHN:             Go ahead Watchman, this is Duplex.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       Duplex, this is Watchman.  I understand that
                                    you have arranged for a mortuary type ambulance
                                    to take President and Mrs. Kennedy to
                                    Bethesda.  Is this correct?  Over.
      
BEHN:             Watchman, it has been arranged to helicopter
                                    -- helicopter the body to Bethesda.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  That's OK, if it isn't too
                                    dark.  What about the First Lady?  Over.
      
BEHN:             Everybody else aboard -- everybody else aboard
                                    arrangements have been made to helicopter into
                                    the south grounds.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  Are you sure that the
                                    helicopter operation will work?  We have a
                                    very heavy casket.  Over.
      
BEHN:             According to Witness, yes.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  Don't take a chance on
                                    that.  Also have a mortuary-type ambulance
                                    standby in case the helicopter doesn't work.

BEHN: That's affirmative.
      
CLIFTON:       Have more instructions in just a moment.
      
BEHN:             That's affirmative.  I received.
      
CLIFTON:       Now, some other instruction: Listen
                                    carefully.  We need a ramp -- a normal ramp --
                                    put at the front of the aircraft on the right
                                    hand side just behind the pilot's cabin in the
                                    galley.  We are going to take the First Lady
                                    off by that route.  Over.  Do you understand?
      
BEHN: I receive.  Affirmative.
       
CLIFTON:       Alright.  Also, at the right rear -- no the
                                    left rear -- left rear of the aircraft where
                                    we usually dismount -- debark, we may need a
                                    fork-lift rather than a ramp if there is such
                                    a thing, 'cause its too awkward.  Maybe a
                                    platform to walk out on and a fork-lift to put
                                    it on.  Is that possible?  Over.

BEHN: Say again.  Say again, Watchman.

CLIFTON:       Alright.  I say again.  The casket is in the
                                    rear compartments and we suggest because it is
                                    so heavy that we have a fork-lift --
                                    fork-lift -- back there to remove the casket.
                                    If this is too awkward we can go along with a
                                    normal ramp and several men.  Over.

BEHN: Affirmative.  We will try for the fork-lift.
      
CLIFTON:       Alright, next item, Duplex, next item.  The
                                    press, according to Mr. Johnson, the press is
                                    to have its normal little theatre at Andrews
                                    Field.  And he is going from there by
                                    helicopter to the White House.  Over.
      
BEHN: Say again, Watchman.  Say again, please.
                                    [pause]  Watchman, this is Duplex.  Say again.
      
CLIFTON:       The normal fence for the press -- the normal
                                    little corral.  And it'll have to be in the
                                    front of the aircraft, 'cause that's where the
                                    -- President Johnson will come off.  OK?
      
BEHN: Watchman, this is Duplex.  Will you say that
                                    all over again, please?  You were breaking up.
      
CLIFTON:       Duplex, this is Watchman.  I say again.  The
                                    right front ramp for Mrs. Kennedy.  The left
                                    rear, if possible, a fork-lift for the
                                    casket.  On the left front near the pilot, a
                                    normal ramp.  The normal press arrangements.
                                    Got that?  Over.
      
BEHN: Say again, Watchman, you're breaking--
      
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: I got that -- on the left front -- see
                                    I got that -- the normal press arrangements --
                                    a ramp for President Johnson.  On the left
                                    front, left front, right behind the pilot.
                                    [This is being said to Behn, as though the
                                    speaker is sitting next to him at his
                                    microphone.]
      
BEHN: [to the unidentified speaker]  Alright.
      
CLIFTON:       Did everybody get that clear?  Over.
      
 UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: [to General Clifton]  That is
                                    affirmative.
      
CLIFTON:       'Kay.  Hold one, Kellerman would like to talk
                                    to you.
      
BEHN: Watchman, Watchman this is Duplex, stand by
                                    one.  Are you there?  [pause]  Watchman,
                                    Watchman, this is Duplex.
      
CLIFTON:       Duplex, this is Watchman, over.  Go ahead.
      
BEHN: Watchman, should the Secretary of Defense and
                                    others be at Andrews on your arrival?
      
CLIFTON:       No.  I am about to -- no, negative.  I am
                                    about to call the White House.  President
                                    Johnson wants to have the White House Staff,
                                    the leadership of Congress and as many of the
                                    Cabinet members as possible at the White House
                                    at 1830 -- 1830.  Over.
      
BEHN: Will you say that again, please.  I got the --
                                    [to the side, to the previous unidentified
                                    speaker who seems to be in the room with
                                    him.]  Oh.  You got it?
      
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: [to Behn]  Right.  President Johnson is
                                    suppose to meet as many of Cabinet members as
                                    possible at the White House at approximately
                                    1830.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  You didn't get it all.  The
                                    White House staff, the key members of the
                                    White House staff.  Also the leadership of
                                    Congress.  Also all Cabinet members available
                                    at the White House at 1830, over.
      
BEHN: That is affirmative, Watchman.  That is
                                    affirmative.
      
CLIFTON:       Read that to me.  Over.

BEHN: All the leaders of Congress, as many Cabinet
                                    members as possible at the White House at
                                    1830.
      
CLIFTON:       And key members of the White House staff, that
                                    is Sorenson, Bundy, etc. 
      
BEHN: That is correct.
      
CLIFTON:       OK.
      
                                   ---
      
KELLERMAN:            Can I speak to Duplex again?
      
BEHN:             Go ahead, go ahead, Digest, this is Duplex.
      
KELLERMAN:            [response broken up]
      
ANDREWS:    [relaying Kellerman's message to Behn] Duplex,
                                    requesting helicopter transportation for
                                    President Johnson and party, sir.
      
BEHN: [to Andrews to relay to Kellerman] That is all
                                    laid on.  Tell him everybody aboard will be
                                    choppered into the south grounds.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  [pause]  AF-1, Andrews,
                                    request you change positions you have a bad
                                    mike here.
      
KELLERMAN:            OK, how's this?
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, Roger.  Go ahead with your
                                    traffic now sir.
      
KELLERMAN:            Digest to Duplex, Roger.  How's this?
      
BEHN:Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
      
KELLERMAN:            Again I repeat.  Have helicopter to transport
                                    President Johnson and party to the White House
                                    lawn, OK?
      
BEHN: That is affirmative.
      
KELLERMAN:            Roger.  OK, White House 102 and 405X for
                                    transportation to Navy hospital, OK? 
      
BEHN: That is affirmative.
      
KELLERMAN:            That's a Roger.  Eh -- I am keeping -- I will
                                    join Hill and his party to the Navy Hospital.
                                    OK?
      
BEHN:             Digest, this is Duplex.  You accompany body
                                    aboard helicopter.
      
KELLERMAN:            Roger.  [pause]  Request -- I was not able to
                                    get ahold of Payne [spelling is phonetic] and
                                    Bob Burke [spelling is phonetic].
      
BEHN:             Go ahead.  I received.
                                    [pause]
      
ANDREWS:    [to Kellerman]  AF-1, Andrews, go ahead, sir.
      
KELLERMAN:            This is Digest, again, Duplex.
      
BEHN:             Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
      
KELLERMAN:            Payne and Burke [three garbled syllables].
      
BEHN:             Say again, Digest.
      
KELLERMAN:            Payne and Burke were not notified.
      
BEHN:             OK.  [pause]
      
ANDREWS:    [to Behn]  Say again, sir.
      
BEHN:             That is affirmative, Digest.
      
KELLERMAN:            OK, Jerry, one more -- eh -- stand by.
                                    [pause]  OK, one more.  [three syllable
                                    garble] is on 6970.
      
BEHN:             Right.  [pause]  Go ahead, Digest.  [pause]
      
ANDREWS:    [to Behn]  Say again, sir.
      
BEHN:             Go ahead, Digest.
      
KELLERMAN:            Repeat: [transmission breaking up] 6970, OK?
      
BEHN:             That's affirmative, I receive.
      
KELLERMAN:            Do you have any questions?  That's enough.
      
BEHN:             Not at this moment, if we do, we'll call back.
      
KELLERMAN:            That's a Roger.  But, hold on.  [pause]
      
ANDREWS:    I've got Captain Shephard on the line.
      
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Oh, is he?
      
ANDREWS:    Yeah, he wants to talk to the aircraft.
      
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Good.
      
KELLERMAN:            Digest to Duplex, go ahead.
      
BEHN:             Go ahead, Digest.  This is Duplex.
      
KELLERMAN:            Would you call Dr. John Walsh?  In
                                    Washington?  And advise him of our arrival?
      
BEHN:             That is affirmative.
      
KELLERMAN:            OK.
      
BEHN:             Where does Lace want Dr. Walsh to meet her?
      
KELLERMAN:            Dr. Walsh to meet her.
      
 BEHN:                        Where?
                                    [pause]
      
ANDREWS:    [to Behn]  Say again, sir.
      
BEHN:             Digest, this is Duplex.  Where does Lace wish
                                    Dr. Walsh to meet her?
                                    [pause]
      
KELLERMAN:            At the White House when we get there with her.
      
BEHN:             That's affirmative.
      
KELLERMAN:            Stand by.  I don't have anything, but I think
                                    they want the line open here.
      
CROWN:                    Roger, Digest.  This is Crown.  I have Witness
                                    standing by.
      
KELLERMAN:            [to the side]  There's another call here.
      
CROWN:                    Digest? 
                                    [pause] 
                                    Digest, Digest, this is Crown.  Come in.
                                    [pause] 
                                    Digest, Digest, this is Crown.  Come in.
      
ANDREWS:    Stand by, Crown.  AF-1, Andrews.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: Dagger to Crown.  Dagger to Crown.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Say again, go ahead, sir.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1, this is Crown.  Come in.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: This is Dagger to Crown.  I have traffic
                                    for Behn.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Andrews [two garbled syllables] help
                                    you, sir?
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Sgt. Dorsey [phonetic spelling],
                                    Air Force Command Post.  Air Force Weather is
                                    still waiting to bring up AF-1.  We've been
                                    waiting now for 15 minutes, what's up?
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Right, sir.  We're running two
                                    patches at one time right now for the White
                                    House, and they're real busy, we can't get
                                    through to them.  They're making arrangements
                                    to take the body off and everything else.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Let me patch in with Air Force
                                    Weather, so he'll know -- he'll know.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Right.  I already told them that
                                    earlier.  [pause]  Go 'head, sir.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Weather, here.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Hello, sir.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Yes, sir.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Right, we're running two patches at
                                    one time right now, to AF-1 from the White
                                    House, and they're making arrangements for
                                    taking the casket and stuff off.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Rog'.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: And we can't get through to you.  As
                                    soon as we can, we'll give you a call.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: OK.  He needs that temperature before he
                                    gets there.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Right, sir.  We'll get--  They should
                                    be done pretty soon.  They been at it quite a
                                    while now.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: OK, buddy.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Right.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Thank you, sir.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Right.
      
                                   ---
                                    
ANDREWS:    Andrews, AF-1.  Loud and clear.  OK.  Stand by
                                    and we'll have General Heaton come on this
                                    line as soon as the other patch clears.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Roger, sir.  I have Command Post
                                    Weather and they've been standing by about
                                    fifteen minutes.  They'd like to get a patch
                                    to you.  Can we run it at this time, sir?
      
ANDREWS:    Go 'head with them.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Roger, stand by one.  [pause]
                                    Command Post?
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Rog.
      
ANDREWS COMMAND POST: Can you bring weather up?  Can you
                                    bring weather up?  I got AF-1.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Weathers on.  Go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Weathers on, would you give
                                    them a call, sir?
      
AF-1:               Weather, AF-1.  Go ahead.
      
WEATHER:     This is Command Post weather.  Be advised of a
                                    severe weather area from forty miles west of
                                    Breedwood [phonetic], Mississippi to twenty
                                    miles west of Blysville [phonetic], Arkansas,
                                    extending one hundred and twenty miles -- 120
                                    miles -- to the east.  For tornados, tops
                                    50,000 -- 50,000.  Want you to be advised of
                                    that and I have a revised landing forecast,
                                    Andrews, if you're ready copy.  Over.
       
AF-1:               Stand by, one.  I'll have to call you back on
                                    it.

WEATHER:     Roger.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  How copy, sir?
      
AF-1:               You be loud and clear, Andy.
      
            [NOTE: the next six exchanges may be cross talk.]
       
       ?:                           This is [two garbled syllables], one second,
                                    please.
      
       ?:                           Liberty, how you read?
      
       ?:                           Roger, Liberty -- loud and clear [garbled
                                    sounds].
      
       ?:                           Roger, Roger.  OK.  Put me up to the --
                                    correction, take this and relay it for me,
                                    then I'll want a patch.
      
ANDREWS:    Liberty, Andrews.  Meet me, land line.
      
AF-1:               Liberty, AF-1.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, this is Andrews, go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Andrews, AF-1.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, go ahead, sir.
      
AF-1:               OK.  Will you tell Command Post and all people
                                    concerned that our log time has moved up to
                                    2300z, go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    This is Andrews, Roger.  Copied, will relay,
                                    sir.
      
AF-1:               Roger, and pick up that weather warning from
                                    the Air Force Command Post and see if there's
                                    anything to it, please.  We just got
                                    [unintelligible] that is important.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, stand by one.  [pause--lots of cross
                                    talk at this point]
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Air Force Command Post, Major [a
                                    two syllable garbled name -- Bentruss?]
      
ANDREWS:    Right.  Can I have Weather, please?
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Just a minute, please.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Weather.
      
ANDREWS:    Right, sir, I have AF-1.  He's real busy and
                                    he wants to know how severe this weather
                                    warning is.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Its for tornados -- that's pretty
                                    severe.
      
ANDREWS:    OK, hold on one.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Alright.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, AF-1, Andrews.
      
AF-1:               [response covered with cross talk]
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, loud and clear.  I have Weather
                                    on.  Weather's pretty important, would you
                                    give him a call, sir?
      
AF-1:               Right -- Weather, AF-1.  Go 'head now, please.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Alright.  Be advised that these -- eh --
                                    severe weather area is for tornados --
                                    tornados is the severity.  Radar reports top
                                    in the area at the present time 47 to 51,000.
                                    Over.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  And what area is this?  I'm sorry, I
                                    didn't get it before.
      
 AIR FORCE WEATHER: This is for an area forty miles west of
                                    Breedwood [phonetic], Mississippi to twenty
                                    miles west of Blysville [phonetic], Arkansas,
                                    and one hundred and twenty miles east of both
                                    of those portions.  Its on your flight path.
                                    Over.
      
AF-1:   And one hundred and twenty miles east of both
                                    of these location, is that correct?
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Right.  You draw a line from -- eh --
                                    Breedwood [phonetic] to Blysville [phonetic]
                                    and one hundred and twenty miles east of that
                                    line.
      
AF-1:   Got that, OK.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Roger.  Your new landing temperature,
                                    Andrews, 62 degrees -- 62 degrees.  Over.
      
AF-1:   62.
      
AIR FORCE WEATHER: Weather, out.
       
AF-1:   Thank you.
      
                                   ---
                                    
CROWN:        AF-1, this is Crown, come in.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: This is Dagger on AF-1 to Crown.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  I have Freedom, I have Free --
                                    pardon.  I have Witness standing by for a
                                    patch.  [pause]
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: We'll have Witness in one minute.  Could
                                    we go ahead with traffic for Behn, Crown?
      
CROWN:        Roger.  You have someone else calling Behn.
                                    Is that a Roger?
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: That's a Roger.  This is Dagger calling
                                    Behn, over.
      
CROWN:        Stand by.  [pause]  Dagger, Duplex is on.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: Dagger to Duplex.  Message is from
                                    Volunteer and Victoria, relative to activities
                                    tonight.
      
BEHN: Go ahead, Dagger.  This is Duplex.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: You are aware that we will go to
                                    [transmission momentarily broken] for meeting.
      
BEHN: That is affirmative.  [short pause]  Go ahead.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: Volunteer will reside at Valley for an         
                                    indefinite time.  I repeat.  Volunteer will
                                    reside at Valley for an indefinite time.
                                    Victoria requests that Venus will go to Valley
                                    with agent. 
      
BEHN: Will you say again?  Will you say again?
      
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: [This is the same man as earlier who
                                    seems to be sitting at Crown with Behn.]
                                    Venus should go out to Valley with agent.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: That is a Roger.  That is a Roger.  Venus
                                    will go to Valley with agent.  Victoria will
                                    go to Valley after first to Crown.  Do you
                                    understand?  Over.
      
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: [Again, the man with Behn.]  Victoria
                                    will go to Valley after first going to Crown.
      
 BEHN:            OK.  That's affirmative.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: Do you also understand that for
                                    residential purposes Volunteer will reside at
                                    Valley?
      
BEHN: That is affirmative.  [short pause]  That is
                                    affirmative.
      
RUFUS YOUNGBLOOD: Alright.  That is all the traffic I have
                                    at present.
      
BEHN: OK.  OK.
                                    
                                   ---
                                    
AF-1:               Will you give me a patch into Crown?
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  Stand by, one.  [pause]
      
CROWN:        White House.
      
ANDREWS:    Right.  Stand by for AF-1.
      
CROWN:                    Roger.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Crown on.
      
AF-1:               Crown, AF-1.  This is a message from Wing to
                                    Slugger.  Slugger is to meet aircraft as soon
                                    as possible.  If he cannot do this he is to
                                    see Wing as soon as possible. As soon as
                                    possible.  Go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Wing to Slugger.  Meet aircraft
                                    as soon as possible, if this is impossible,
                                    see Wing as soon as possible.  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               That is correct.  Or contact him in anyway
                                    feasible.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Roger.  Crown understand.  Any
                                    further?  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Negative.  And I suspect that Slugger is back
                                    in Dallas.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Roger.
      
                                   ---
                                    
 CROWN:       AF-1.  AF-1.  This is Crown.  Come in.
      
AF-1:               Request Victoria to cancel or -- the
                                    commercial telephone.  That is Volunteer and
                                    Victoria's commercial telephone at Valley
                                    should be temporarily discontinued and
                                    security line should be put in [signal begins
                                    to break up, about five syllables are lost].
                                    Do you understand, over?
      
CROWN:        That's a Roger.  Roger.  Cancel commercial
                                    lines at Valley and install [eight garbled
                                    syllables might be "wonka circuits" repeated
                                    twice].  Is that a Roger?
      
AF-1:               That is a Roger.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Will do.
      
                                   ---
                                     
ANDREWS:    Andrews, AF-1.  Go ahead.
      
 AF-1:              OK.  Get me Crown please.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  [pause]
      
CROWN:        White House.
      
ANDREWS:    Stand by, sir, AF-1.
      
CROWN:        Roger.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Give Crown a call.
      
AF-1:               Roger, AF-1.  We'd like a patch with Winner
                                    and the patch is coming from Warrior.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Stand by.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, Crown, this is Warrior.  How do you
                                    read, over.
      
CROWN:        Warrior from Crown.  You are loud and clear.
                                    I'm putting Winner on now, do you Roger?
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, this is Warrior.  I want Winner, I want
                                    Winner.  Over.
      
CROWN:        Warrior, Warrior, from Crown.  Go ahead and
                                    transmit.  Winner, Winner is on the line.
      
KILDUFF:       Winner, Winner.  This is Warrior.  Do you read
                                    me?  Over.
      
HATCH:          I hear you -- over.
      
KILDUFF:       Winner, Winner, this is Warrior.  Will you
                                    please advise Press that normal press
                                    coverage, including live TV, will be allowed
                                    at the Base.  Volunteer -- repeat -- Volunteer
                                    will make statement on arrival.  Will make
                                    statement on arrival.  Did you read that?
                                    Over.
      
HATCH:          I read you clearly.  Will you listen to my
                                    question?  Is Mrs. Kennedy aboard AF-1?
      
KILDUFF:       Winner, Winner, this is Warrior.  That is a
                                    Roger.  That is a Roger.  Over.
      
HATCH:          Alright.  The other thing is I'm setting up a
                                    press section on the south lawn about 50 yards
                                    from position of helicop -- of Helicopter #1.
                                    Will that meet with Mrs. Kennedy's and the
                                    President's approval?
      
KILDUFF:       Winner, they are not returning to the House.
                                    They are not returning to the House.  For your
                                    information, they're going someplace else.  I
                                    don't want to go in on the radio on this one
                                    -- so there will be an arrival there, but it
                                    will be Volunteer.  It will be Volunteer.
                                    Over.
      
HATCH:          Thank you.  I will hold that information and
                                    we can say something after you arrive.  Eh --
                                    let's see -- hold it just a second.  Let me
                                    look through my list of questions.  Is it true
                                    that the body of President Kennedy will go to
                                    Bethesda Naval Hospital?
      
KILDUFF:       That is a Roger.  That is a Roger, but we are
                                    not saying that yet.  Over.
      
HATCH:          Well, we've -- we've already said it.  So, I
                                    -- eh -- but we should've checked with you
                                    before doing it, but -- I don't think it makes
                                    too much difference.  It takes a lot of -- you
                                    know -- we should know it.  It takes a lot --
                                    eh -- off of us by doing it.  I was in error,
                                    over.
      
KILDUFF:       So far as that press area on the south lawn --
                                    there is no objection to that -- there is no
                                    objection to that.

HATCH:          Should that be live -- will we permit live cov
                                    -- yes.  You told me that.  OK.  Anything
                                    else?
      
KILDUFF:       Would you repeat that?
      
      
HATCH:          Anything else that I should know?
      
KILDUFF:       Wait a minute -- you're breaking.  But let me
                                    think about that for just a second, would you,
                                    please?
      
HATCH:          'Kay.
      
KILDUFF:       Eh -- yes.  The pool on this aircraft is Chuck
                                    Roberts and Smith.  We lost Bell somewhere
                                    along the line.  We don't have AP aboard, but
                                    I have given them the statement of Volunteer
                                    on the death, which he will make at the
                                    airport.  Over.
      
HATCH:          Oh.  I understand you.  OK.  Over and out.
      
KILDUFF:       Wait!  Don't go out on me yet, because -- are
                                    you still there, Winner?
      
HATCH:          Yes I am.  I'm here.
      
KILDUFF:       I think we're going to tell the press that on
                                    arrival -- eh -- hold on.  Oh.  Just a
                                    minute.  I've got Clifton here and he's trying
                                    to give me something.  Hold on.  [pause]
                                    Winner, Winner, this is Warrior.  Eh -- the --
                                    eh -- the -- eh -- you can announce that on
                                    arrival -- on arrival -- he will meet with --
                                    eh -- at the White House [pause]  Eh -- later
                                    -- he will meet with the leadership -- with
                                    the leadership.  Did you read that?  Over.
      
HATCH:          Yes, I did read that.
      
KILDUFF:       Wait a minute.  You're breaking badly -- I can
                                    not read.
       
HATCH:          Yes, yes.  I understand and I will announce.
      
KILDUFF:       'Kay, very good, Winner.  Now wait a minute.
                                    Now there's one other part I'm getting from
                                    Clifton now that I want to relay to you.  Hold
                                    on -- they said that on arrival at the House
                                    that the President will meet with McNamara and
                                    Bundy.  Also, if Rusk is in town, he'll meet
                                    with Rusk [Hatch tries to interrupt here and
                                    continues to try for a few seconds], but I
                                    think he's in the Far East, so it will
                                    probably be Ball.  Eh -- and after -- about a
                                    half hour after that meeting is over, we will
                                    meet with -- eh -- eh -- the Congressional
                                    leadership at -- eh -- wait a minute.  I'm
                                    getting a time on that now.  He'll meet with
                                    the leadership at 8:00 -- 8:00.  Did you read
                                    that?  Over.
      
HATCH:          I -- eh -- I read.  Now is that bipartisan
                                    leadership or Democratic leadership?
      
KILDUFF:       That is wholly bipartisan.  Wholly
                                    bipartisan.  Over.
      
HATCH:          I understand you.
      
KILDUFF:       Hold one and let me check any further
                                    information here.  Is that -- Do you mind
                                    holding, Andy?
      
HATCH:          No.  Go right ahead.  [pause]
      
KILDUFF:       I have nothing more at this time.  I assume
                                    you will be available if I can reach you.  If
                                    I need to feed you more information -- eh --
                                    as it develops, or whatever you call it.
                                    Over.
      
HATCH:          Yes.  Over and out.
      
                                   ---
                                    
CROWN:        AF-1, this is Crown.
      
KILDUFF:       This is Warrior to Crown -- Warrior to Crown.
                                    Are you reading?  Over.
       
CROWN:        Warrior, Warrior, this is Crown.  Loud and
                                    clear, loud and clear.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, hold one for a transmission from
                                    Witness -- for a transmission from Witness.
                                    Over.  [could Kilduff have meant Watchman?]
       
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Would also like to confirm at
                                    this time -- the request from AF-1 --
      
CLIFTON:       Crown, this is Watchman.  Over.
      
CROWN:        This is Crown.  Go ahead, Watchman.
      
CLIFTON:       [response is unintelligible]
       
CROWN:        AF-1 from Crown.  You were broken -- you were
                                    broken.  Say again.
      
CLIFTON:       Crown, this is Watchman.  Please get Mr. Bundy
                                    on the line, over.
      
CROWN:                    Roger, Roger, stand by, stand by.  Crown --
                                    your party on this end is on, go 'head and
                                    transmit to him.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman, Crown, please monitor.
                                    Max...Mr. Johnson...Secretary McNamara at 6:30
                                    at the White House.  If Mr. Rusk is in
                                    town...to Mr. Rusk.  If he is not in town,
                                    then we do not want -- negative -- do not want
                                    -- an acting secretary.  Over. [the recording
                                    is very poor at this point, I've transcribed
                                    what I could pick out.  The official
                                    transcript gives no clue what the missing
                                    words are.]
      
BUNDY:          Correct.  We are -- will you tell him that --
                                    a -- the acting Cabinet will be at the airport
                                    to greet him.  He can bring McNamara and me in
                                    his chopper to the White House.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       That is correct.  That is alright.  He will do
                                    that.  Now, take another message.  Over.
      
BUNDY:          Yep.
      
CLIFTON:       Secondly, I told Jerry Behn about a White
                                    House Staff meeting. 
       
BUNDY:          Yep.
      
CLIFTON:       There will be no -- negative -- there will be
                                    no White House Staff meeting tonight.  It will
                                    be tomorrow.
      
BUNDY:          Correct.  I have you.  I have it.  Wait.  Let
                                    me repeat your message, right -- over.
      
CLIFTON:       Go ahead.
      
BUNDY:          First that the President wishes to meet with
                                    SecDef and me at the White House on return
                                    from Andrews.  Second, that there will be no
                                    other meeting this evening.  There will be a
                                    White House Staff meeting on call tomorrow.
                                    Over.
      
CLIFTON:       No, that is not correct.  He wants to meet
                                    with the leadership about 7:30 -- leadership
                                    about 7:30, over.
      
BUNDY:          Right.  Does he wish us to arrange that?
                                    Over.
      
CLIFTON:       He wants you to arrange that.  Two meetings
                                    tonight--McNamara and Bundy --
      
BUNDY:          Yep.
      
CLIFTON:       -- and the leadership about 7:30.
      
BUNDY:          Does he mean the Democratic leadership only?
                                    Over.
      
CLIFTON:       Bipartisan Leadership and I'll give you some
                                    names.  Over.
      
BUNDY:          Right, over.
      
CLIFTON:       The Speaker of the House --
      
BUNDY:          Yea.
      
CLIFTON:       Carl Albert --
      
BUNDY:          Carl Albert.
      
CLIFTON:       Hale Boggs --
      
BUNDY:          Yea.
      
CLIFTON:       Leslie Arens --
      
BUNDY:          Hold on.  Say that one again.
      
CLIFTON:       Leslie Arens.
      
BUNDY:          Arens -- yea.
      
CLIFTON:       Are you listening?  Over.
      
BUNDY:          I have -- will you take what I have from me,
                                    over, and then we can go on.
      
CLIFTON:       Let's see.  Over.
      
BUNDY:          I have the Speaker, Carl Albert, Hale Boggs,
                                    Leslie Arens.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman and that is correct.  I will
                                    now continue with the Senate.  Over.
      
BUNDY:          Right.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       Mansfield.
      
 BUNDY:         Right.
      
CLIFTON:       Humphrey.
      
BUNDY:          Yea.
      
CLIFTON:       Smathers.
      
BUNDY:          Yea.
      
 CLIFTON:      [two syllables garbled]
      
BUNDY:          Wait.  Wait a moment.  I have the first
                                    three.  Over.  [pause]  Repeat.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  [the transmission breaks at
                                    this point]
      
ANDREWS:    Sir, stand by, please.
      
BUNDY:          Yea.
      
CLIFTON:       Andy? [Clifton is calling to Hatch, but
                                    Andrews thinks he wants them]
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.
      
CLIFTON:       Crown, this is Angel.  Crown, this is Angel.
      
CROWN:        Crown, Angel.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Angel.  Would you -- I broke down with
                                    Mr. Bundy would you take the Senate list for
                                    me?  Over.
      
CROWN:        I have Mansfield, Humphrey, Smathers.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  In addition to Mansfield,
                                    Humphrey and Smathers; Dirksen, Kuchel,
                                    Hickenlooper.
      
CROWN:        Dirksen, Kuchel and Hickenlooper.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       That is correct.  For about 7:30.  Over.
      
CROWN:        7:30 at the White House?  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       7:30 in the Cabinet Room.  Over.
      
CROWN:        Tell the President that the Cabinet Room is
                                    under rearrangement, but the Oval Room will be
                                    ready.  Over.
      
 CLIFTON:      The Oval Room it will be.  No, you mean the
                                    Fish Room?
      
CROWN:        I mean both the Fish Room and the President's
                                    Study, and we will try to have the Cabinet
                                    Room, but that's a detail -- we can work that
                                    out.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  He does not want to go into
                                    the Mansion or in the Oval Room or the
                                    President's Study or the President's Office. 
      
CROWN:        Correct.
      
CLIFTON:       If the Cabinet Room isn't ready, then have it
                                    in the Fish Room.  Over.
      
CROWN:        Right.  I have you -- I understand.  Always in
                                    the west wing.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       That is correct.  Over.
      
CROWN:        I have nothing further.  Over.
      
CLIFTON:       This is Watchman.  Now please tell Duplex
                                    about the changes, so we don't confuse it.
                                    Duplex is Jerry Behn.  Over.
      
CROWN:        Right.  I will.
      
CLIFTON:       See you in a little while.  Over.
      
CROWN:        OK.
      
                                   ---
      
CROWN:        AF-1, this is Crown.
      
KILDUFF:       This is Warrior to Crown.  Warrior to Crown.
                                    Crown, are you reading?  Over.
      
CROWN:        Warrior, Warrior, this is Crown.  Loud and
                                    clear -- loud and clear.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, hold one for a transmission from
                                    Witness.  [Again, it is possible that Kilduff
                                    meant to say "Watchman."]
      
WATCHMAN: This is Watchman.  Over.
      
               [There is lots of cross talk at this point]
      
AF-1:               AF-1, Andrews.  Give me another line to Crown,
                                    please.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, sir.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Air Force Command Post, this is
                                    Sgt. Phillips [phonetic], sir.
      
ANDREWS:    This is Andrews [two garbled syllables].
                                    Would you get me Crown, please?
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Give you who, sir?  [pause]
                                    Hello, Andrews?
      
ANDREWS:    Yes?
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Who'd you wanna give a call?
      
ANDREWS:    Crown -- eh -- White House.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Just a moment.
      
CROWN:        White House.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger, stand by for AF-1.
      
CROWN:        Roger.
     
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Crown on, go ahead.
      
KILDUFF:       Warrior.  How you read, over?
      
CROWN:        AF-1, this is Crown.  You are loud and clear,
                                    go ahead.
      
KILDUFF:       White House -- eh -- Crown, this is Warrior.
                                    Will you get me another patch to Winner?
                                    Another patch to Winner?  Over.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Stand by.  [pause]
      
ANDREWS:    Are you still standing by for Crown?
      
 KILDUFF:      Andrews, Andrews, this is AF-1 -- eh -- do I
                                    have that -- do I have that patch with Crown?
                                    Over.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  We're still standing by for
                                    Winner through Crown.
      
KILDUFF:       Would you repeat?
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, we are still standing by for Winner.
                                    We are still standing by for Winner.
      
KILDUFF:       That's a Roger.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.
      
KILDUFF:       Eh -- Crown, Crown, this is Warrior.  Over.
      
ANDREWS:    Warrior, Andrews.  Stand by.  Winner is still
                                    in another patch.  Winner is still in another
                                    patch.  I have a message for radio operator on
                                    AF-1.
      
KILDUFF:       Eh -- Crown, Crown.  Eh -- eh -- who is he
                                    running a patch with?  Over.
      
CROWN:        201.  [strange sound on line, transmission may
                                    have broken]
      
       ?:               Hello, Andrews?
      
ANDREWS:    Eh -- yes. 
      
       ?:               You're still connected with White House.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  Could you ring them again for me?
      
       ?:               Ring them again?
      
ANDREWS:    Yes.
      
KILDUFF:       Warrior, Warrior.
      
CROWN:        Crown.
      
ANDREWS:    Crown, give them another call.
      
CROWN:        Warrior, Warrior, this is Crown.
      
KILDUFF:       Go ahead, Crown.
      
CROWN:        Warrior, we are having some difficulty in
                                    locating -- eh -- Winner.  Would you stand by,
                                    please?
      
KILDUFF:       That's a Roger, Crown.  This is Warrior.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.
      
                                   ---
                                    
                                 End Transcript
                           Tape Two -- Side One
                                    
                                   ---

                                   
              Air Force One radio traffic transcript 11/22/63
                                 Tape 2 Side 2
                 ------------------------------------------------
                                    
                             Begin Transcript
                           Tape Two -- Side Two
                                    
                                   ---
                                    
      
CROWN:        Warrior, this is Crown.  We are having some
                                    difficulty in locating Winner.  Would you
                                    stand by, please?
      
KILDUFF:       That's a Roger, Crown.  This is Warrior.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  [pause]  Andrews.
      
AF-1:               Andrews, AF-1.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, sir.  Could you give me a quick check
                                    on 9?
      
AF-1:               I'll just have to [covered?].
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, sir.  Standing by this end.
      
AF-1:               How 'bout bringing that 13 through Liberty
                                    [two garbled syllables] on the [one garbled
                                    syllable] and come back with it.
      
ANDREWS:    Eh--
      
SAM 86972:    This is Liberty.  Roger.  Stand by.
      
 AF-1:              OK.  And also, Andrews, how 'bout relaying our
                                    new block time of 2305z -- 2305 -- to Air
                                    Force Command Post and all concerned.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, sir.  Copied -- will do.
      
CROWN:        This is Crown, come in.
                                    [The tape has been edited at this point.
                                    There is nothing further on this side of the
                                    tape.]
       
                                   ---
                                    
                              End Transcript
                           Tape Two -- Side Two
                                    
                                   ---
                                     
                             Begin Transcript
                          Tape Three -- Side One
                                    
      
AF-1:               AF-1, a check.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Loud and clear.
      
AF-1:               Gimme Crown, please.  In a hurry.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  Stand by.
      
CROWN:        Hello, Andrews?
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, is this Crown?
      
CROWN:        Roger.
      
ANDREWS:    OK, stand by, AF-1.  [to AF-1]  AF-1, Andrews,
                                    give Crown a call.
      
AF-1:               Break Crown, AF-1.  Volunteer requesting a
                                    patch with Mrs. Rose Kennedy as soon as
                                    possible.  Go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger, understand.  Volunteer wants a patch
                                    with Mrs. Rose as soon as possible.
      
AF-1:               Mrs. Rose Kennedy, Roger.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  I'll work on that right away
                                    and also while I'm working on that could we
                                    have a confirmation, a confirmation, on
                                    earlier transmission from AF-1, stating that
                                    the commercial telephone service, I say again,
                                    commercial telephone service for the Johnson
                                    residence should be discontinued with a direct
                                    line to -- eh -- White House.  Do you Roger
                                    that?
      
AF-1:               Stand by, one.   We'll have to check it out.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  While you're checking that out,
                                    I'll work on the telephone call to Mrs. Rose
                                    Kennedy for Volunteer.  Stand by.
      
AF-1:               How 'bout this 13 with Liberty?
      
ANDREWS:    They're standing by.  Do you want to call now,
                                    sir?
      
AF-1:               OK.  We'll switch now to 13.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.
      
                                   ---
                                    
AF-1:               That is affirmative.  That is affirmative,
                                    confirmation on your request, go ahead.
      
CROWN:        White House, Roger.  That is affirmative,
                                    affirmative?
      
AF-1:               Affirmative.  You have it correct.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Stand by, stand by for the
                                    other party.
      
ANDREWS:    [relaying to AF-1]  The party Rogered for your
                                    message.  And they are standing -- and they
                                    advise you to stand by for your party.
      
AF-1:               Eh -- I do -- I have a patch into Crown, and I
                                    do not want it broken.
      
ANDREWS:    Sir, you are still in patch with Crown.
      
AF-1:               OK.  [pause -- to Crown]  AF-1, are you still
                                    on?
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger, please stand by.
      
AF-1:               Roger, standing by.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1, please stand by, we have Mrs. Rose
                                    Kennedy.
      
AF-1:               Stand by.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, have you got your party?  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Stand by one, please.  [pause]  Do you have
                                    her standing by?
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  I'm going to put Mrs. Rose
                                    Kennedy on the line now.
      
AF-1:               OK, Crown.  We're coming on now.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Hello?  Hello?  Hello?  Hello?
      
CROWN:        Just a-- Just a moment, Mrs. Kennedy.
       
AF-1:               Just one moment now, please.  Mrs. Kennedy,
                                    are you on?
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Hello?
      
AF-1:               Stand by one, now, please.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1, AF-1 from Crown, come in.
      
AF-1:               Crown, this is AF-1, do you read us, over?
      
CROWN:        I'm reading you loud and clear.  I have Mrs.
                                    Kennedy standing by.  Are you ready with
                                    Volunteer?  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Yes, we are ready.  Can you put her on and
                                    I'll turn her over to him.  Over.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  She's coming on now.  [pause]
                                    AF-1 from Crown, Mrs. Kennedy on -- go ahead,
                                    please.
      
AF-1:               Hello Mrs. Kennedy, hello Mrs. Kenn--
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes?
      
AF-1:               --edy.  We are talking from--
       
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes?
      
AF-1:               --the airplane.  Can you hear us alright?
                                    Over.
      
ROSE KENNEDY: [to the side]  Thank-you.  [to AF-1]  Hello?
      
AF-1:               Yes, Mrs. Kennedy. I have Mr. Johnson for you
                                    here.
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes, thank you.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Mrs. Kennedy?
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes?
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Mrs.--
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes, Mr. President.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: I wish to God there was something that I
                                    could do, and I wanted to tell you that we
                                    were grieving with you.
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes.  Well, thank you, Mist-- thank you very
                                    much -- Thank you very much.  I know.  I know
                                    you loved Jack, and he loved you.
      
MRS. JOHNSON: Mrs. Kennedy, we feel like we've just had a--
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes.  Alright. 
      
MRS. JOHNSON: We -- eh -- we got (five unintelligible
                                    syllables) had your son as long as you did.
      
ROSE KENNEDY: Yes.  Eh -- thank you, Lady Bird.  Thank you
                                    very much.  Good bye.
      
MRS. JOHNSON: [three garbled syllables -- maybe "Love and
                                    _____"?]

ROSE KENNEDY: Thank you very much.  Good bye.  Good bye.
                                    Good bye.  [through the three "good bye"s it
                                    sounds as though Mrs. Johnson might be trying
                                    to talk at the same time, but is being cut out
                                    by Mrs. Kennedy.]
      
                                   ---
                                    
KILDUFF:       Crown, Crown, this is Warrior.  I think that
                                    patch is over.  Is that a Roger?  Over.
      
CROWN:        That is a Roger, Warrior, that is a Roger.
                                    Mrs. Kennedy has hung up.  Go 'head.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, now would you give me that patch to --
                                    eh -- Walter Jenkins in President Johnson's
                                    Office?  Over.
CROWN ;       Roger, stand by one. 
      
KILDUFF:       And -- eh -- Crown, get somebody to come up on
                                    the Charlie set?, please.
      
SAM 86972:    Liberty, Andrews, AF-1.  Are you on 9?
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, sir, you are loud and clear.  I still
                                    have [three garbles syllables] standing by for
                                    Warrior.
      
SAM 86972:    OK, eh, bring him up on 9, please.
      
ANDREWS:    Eh, Roger, sir.  Stand by one.
                                    Eh, Crown, go ahead and give AF-1 a call now.
      
  CROWN:      AF-1, AF-1, this is Crown, come in.
      
 AF-1:              Eh, Crown--  [transmission broken]

ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Crown is on, go ahead. [pause]
                                    AF-1, AF-1, Andrews.  Crown is on, would you
                                    give him a call, please.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, this is Warrior, this is Warrior.  Do
                                    you read me?  Over.

CROWN:        Roger, Warrior, this is Crown.  Stand by,
                                    stand by for Winner.  Go 'head.

KILDUFF:       That's a Roger, Crown.  You are loud and
                                    clear.  [long pause]
      
CROWN:        Warrior, Warrior, Winner is on, go ahead.
      
KILDUFF:       Winner, this is Warrior, do you read me?
                                    Over.
      
HATCH:          I read you.
      
KILDUFF:       Winner -- that, eh, meeting -- that first
                                    meeting will be Bundy and McNamara only.  The
                                    President will meet with Rusk when he returns,
                                    even though its probably going to be a
                                    different -- will be a different -- eh, will
                                    be a different meeting.
      
HATCH:          I read you.
      
KILDUFF:       Did you read that, Winner?
      
HATCH:          Yes, yes.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, Crown, this is Warrior, do you read
                                    me?  Over.
      
HATCH:          Yes I do, Warrior.  I read you.
      
KILDUFF:       Andy would you flash back the board.  I
                                    need Crown back again.  I need Crown back
                                    again.  Over.
      
HATCH:          Yes, over and out.  And I'll flash the board.
      
ANDREWS:    Crown.  [long pause]  Crown?
      
CROWN:        Roger.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, eh, give AF-1 a call please.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1, this is Crown, come in.  [pause]
                                    AF-1, AF-1, this is Crown, come in.
      
KILDUFF:       Crown, Crown, this is Warrior.  Do you read
                                    me?  Over.
      
CROWN:        Eh, Warrior, this is Crown, Roger.  You are
                                    [two unclear syllables].  Go ahead.
      
KILDUFF:       Will you get me a patch with Walter Jenkins in
                                    President Johnson's Office.  Over.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Warrior, stand by.
      
KILDUFF:       Kill this call -- kill this call.  I think
                                    that we are overlapping on another call.
                                    Over.
      
CROWN:        Roger.
      
                                   ---
                                    
KILDUFF:       Warrior, I mean, Crown -- this is Warrior is
                                    AF-1.  Go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  On your request for Jenkins, he
                                    is on route to Andrews.  On route to your
                                    destination.  Go ahead.

KILDUFF:       That's a Roger, Crown.  I'll pass that word
                                    on. 
      
                                   ---
      
AF-1:               Alright, AF-1.  Volunteer would like a patch
                                    to the Governor Connally.  The current
                                    Governor Connally of Texas -- eh -- Mrs.
                                    Connally.  That's the Governor's wife, go
                                    ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Volunteer would like a patch with Mrs.
                                    Connally, Governor Connally's wife.  Do you --
                                    Is that a Roger?
      
AF-1:               That's a Roger.
      
 ANDREWS:   Roger, Roger, stand by one. 
      
AF-1:               Still standing by for the Connally call.
      
ANDREWS:    Eh, Roger, Roger.  We have Dallas on the line
                                    and they are trying to contact her now.  Stand
                                    by, please.
      
AF-1:               Roger, Roger, standing by.
      
                                   ---
      
CROWN:        [beginning of call cut off by editing] ...from
                                    Crown, come in.
      
SAM 86972:    Air Force Liberty, loud and clear.  47.  Do
                                    you have a receiver [one garbled syllable],
                                    sir?
     
CROWN:        Roger, Roger, that's right.  Stand by one.
                                    Crown to AF-1.
      
CROWN:        [a different Crown operator] AF-1 from Crown.
                                    The Connally residence in Dallas is on the
                                    line -- is on the line and Mrs. Connally is
                                    available to speak with Mr. Johnson if he can
                                    get to the phone patch, go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  He wants specifically to speak with
                                    her.  Go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Stand by, just a moment.  [pause]
                                    AF-1, AF-1, from Crown.  Would you put
                                    Volunteer on please?  Mrs. Connally is on the
                                    line, standing by for his call. 
      
AF-1:               AF-1.
      
MRS. JOHNSON: (To Mrs. Connally) Nellie?  [pause]  Can you
                                    hear me?  [pause]  Heard some reassuring news
                                    over the TV.  We are up in the plane, yet, but
                                    the surgeon, speaking about John sounded so
                                    reassuring.  How about it?
      
MRS. CONNALLY: That report is true.  That was the surgeon
                                    that just got done operating on him.  John is
                                    going to be alright, we are almost certain,
                                    unless something unforeseen –

MRS. JOHNSON: Wait a minute, Nellie.  I can't hear you too
                                    well.  [two to four broken syllables lost]
      
ANDREWS:    Eh, Mrs. Johnson--
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Nellie, can you hear me?
      
MRS. CONNALLY: Yes.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Listen, Darling, I know that -- that
                                    everything's going to be all right.  Is it?
      
MRS. CONNALLY: Its going to be alright.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: God bless you, Darling.
      
MRS. CONNALLY: The same to you.
      
 PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Give him a hug and kiss for me.

MRS. CONNALLY: Good luck.
      
PRESIDENT JOHNSON: Good bye.
      
MRS. CONNALLY: Good bye.
      
Throughout this call is the sound of a television set in the background.  There are the voices of commentators, sometimes raising their voices to be heard over the sounds of a crowd.  It is impossible to discern anything identifying what is being watched.
                                    
                                   ---
                                    
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews -- go ahead, Crown.
      
AF-1:   Roger, we have another nickel on the return
                                    from you -- or is that down the line?
      
ANDREWS:    I believe that's down the line, sir.  But
                                    Crown is on, give them a call.
      
AF-1:               [garbled response]
      
CROWN:        AF-1, Crown, go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Roger, that completes us for now.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  If you could stand by, AF-1, if
                                    you could stand by, we have several people
                                    that would like to talk to you.  Can you stand
                                    by?
      
AF-1:   Roger -- go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Eh, Roger.  [pause--unintelligible voices in
                                    background]  AF-1?
      
 AF-1:  Roger, AF-1, go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Stand by one.
      
AF-1:   Roger.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Air Force Command Post.
      
AF-1:   Go ahead, Command Post, AF-1.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: 373 departed at 2141z.
      
AF-1:   [very heavy static on line -- AF-1's response
                                    not intelligible.]
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger, what is complete [garbled].
                                    AF-1, did you copy?
      
AF-1:   Roger.  And who is this information to go to?
                                    Go ahead.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Say again?
      
AF-1:   Roger.  Who is this information to be passed
                                    to.  Go ahead.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: AF-1, AF-1, this is Air Force
                                    Command Post, over.
      
AF-1:   Command Post, AF-1.  I read you loud and
                                    clear.  I understand 373 departed at 2141, who
                                    did you wish to notify about this.  Go ahead.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Didn't you request the time of
                                    departure on this aircraft -- the one with the
                                    Presidential cars on board?
      
AF-1:   Roger.  We'll pass that.  I don't know where
                                    it goes now.  Thank you.

AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               OK.  Would you call SAM Command Post and have
                                    them -- to -- eh -- request two -- eh four Air
                                    Police meet the airplane.  We want two in the
                                    front of the airplane and two in the rear.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Understand you are requesting
                                    two staff cars -- two -- eh -- staff cars with
                                    Air Police.  Two in the front and two in the
                                    rear.  Is that correct?
      
AF-1:               Negative on the cars -- just the Air Police.
                                    We want security guards.  We want four of
                                    them.  Two at each door of the airplane.  Go
                                    ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, Roger.  Will advise SAM.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  Thank you.
      
                                   ---
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  AF-1, AF-1 from Crown.  [pause]
                                    AF-1, AF-1, AF-1 from Crown.  Come in.
      
AF-1:               Crown, AF-1.  Go ahead.

CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Stand by for a patch from
                                    Tanker, Tanker.
      
AF-1:               Roger.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1, AF-1 from Crown.  Come in.
      
AF-1:               AF-1, Crown, go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Stand by for a patch from
                                    Tanker, Tanker.
      
AF-1:               Roger.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1.  Tanker on the line.  Go ahead,
                                    Tanker.
      
COOK:            Hello Angel, hello Angel.  May I speak with
                                    Watchman or Tiger.  Watchman or Tiger.  Over.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  Watchman is busy at the present time
                                    on another circuit.  Stand by for Tiger.
      
COOK:                        Standing by for Tiger.
      
SWINDAL:     Tiger -- how do you read.  Over.
      
COOK:            Five by five, Tiger.  Five by five.  I have
                                    been informed from Dallas that is was desired
                                    that the aircraft be parked in an isolated
                                    spot when you arrive here.  However, Watchman
                                    had a long discussion with Behn and nothing
                                    about that was mentioned.  And the present
                                    plan on the ground here is to spot you in the
                                    regular place unless Watchman says now that
                                    this is not desired.  Over.
      
SWINDAL:     I believe that they are parking in the
                                    regular place, Tanker.  Where did you get that
                                    information from down in Dallas?  Over.
      
COOK:            It was from the USAF Command Post agent there
                                    and I understood from him that you had told
                                    him to do this.  Over.
      
SWINDAL:     We told you to look into that, and in the
                                    excitement to see if the family had ordered it
                                    done.  We were going to discuss it in flight.
       
COOK:            I see.
      
SWINDAL:     Go ahead with the present plan and park in the
                                    regular place.  And I asked [garbled name] to
                                    get in touch with you and pass some
                                    instructions to him.  And we need steps in the
                                    right front of the aircraft, the press box
                                    will be on the left of the aircraft, and
                                    President Johnson will deplane at the front of
                                    the aircraft.  And we need a fork-lift at the
                                    rear of the aircraft.  Lace will deplane on
                                    the right front.  Over.
      
COOK:            Understand, Tiger.  Understand those
                                    instructions.  They have all been carried
                                    out.  We will continue with the plan to spot
                                    you in the regular place.  There will be a
                                    ramp left front, a ramp right front, a
                                    fork-lift left rear, the Press area left
                                    front.  Over.
      
SWINDAL:     [garble] We'll keep in touch.
      
COOK:            Roger.  Thank you and out.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    Crown?
      
CROWN:        [garble] that patch give AF-1 a call any time
                                    you want.
      
ANDREWS:    Eh, Roger.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, AF-1, AF-1 from Crown.
      
AF-1:               Crown, AF-1, go ahead.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Could you pass this to Wing.
                                    Pass this to Wing.  That on his message to
                                    Slugger.  Message to Slugger.  Slugger was
                                    still in Dallas, still in Dallas and has been
                                    advised to contact Wing as soon as he possibly
                                    can.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  AF-1 copy.  Will pass.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Crown out for now.  Do you have
                                    anything further AF-1?
      
AF-1:               Roger, stand by one.  We'll have another patch
                                    from Warrior.
      
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    Crown?
      
CROWN:        Crown on.
      
ANDREWS:    Yes, give AF-1 a call.
      
CROWN:        AF-1, Crown.  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:               OK, I need Capital 4-3121 extension 493.  I'll
                                    talk to anyone there.
      
CROWN:        Say again?  It was Capital 4-3291 extension
                                    493?
      
AF-1:               That's 4-3121 extension 493.
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger.  Understand.  Anyone in
                                    particular there?
      
AF-1:               Roger.  Anyone at that number.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Stand by.  [pause]  AF-1, AF-1 from
                                    Crown.  Was that extension 493?
      
AF-1:               That is affirmative.  Congressman Thomas'
                                    office.
      
CROWN:        Say again the Congressman's name, as they say
                                    they have no such extension.
      
AF-1:               Congressman Thomas.  Tango -- Hotel -- Oscar
                                    -- Mike -- Alva -- [garbled -- probably the
                                    equivalent for "S"]
      
CROWN:        Roger, Roger, stand by.  [pause]  Congressman
                                    Thomas' office on the line.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  This is the airplane.  The Congressman
                                    is requesting that you place his door keys
                                    under the doormat of his residence.  Go ahead.
      
CONGRESSMAN THOMAS' OFFICE: Oh.  OK.  Hello?
      
AF-1:               Hello, did you hear me?
      
CONGRESSMAN THOMAS' OFFICE: There will be someone at his
                                    residence.
      
AF-1:               I understand the house will be open.  And
                                    someone will be in the residence.  Is that
                                    correct?  [pause]  Hello?  I understand that
                                    the house will be occupied.  That someone will
                                    be home.  Is that right?
      
CROWN:        AF-1, this is Crown, that is a Roger.  She
                                    said that there will be someone at the
                                    residence.

AF-1:               OK.  Fine, Crown.   Thank you very much.
      
CROWN:        Roger.  Crown out.
      
                                   ---
      
AF-1:               Andrews.  Would you check on the current
                                    temperature there when you get a moment?
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.
      
AF-1:               The last message I got was query as to whether
                                    Volunteer was aboard.  Go ahead.

ANDREWS:    Roger.  Just a moment.  [pause -- to the
                                    side]  What is the temperature here at
                                    Andrews?
      
ANDREWS WEATHER: The present temperature is 64 degrees.
      
ANDREWS:    OK.  What will the forecast be about 2300?
      
ANDREWS WEATHER: 2300? 
      
 ANDREWS:   Yea.
      
ANDREWS WEATHER: Local?
      
ANDREWS:    Zulu time.
      
ANDREWS WEATHER: Oh.  Zulu?
      
ANDREWS:    Yea.
      
ANDREWS WEATHER: Let's see that'd be -- oh -- make that 62.
      
ANDREWS:    60 degrees?  Thank you very much.

ANDREWS WEATHER: 62! 
      
ANDREWS:    62.
      

ANDREWS WEATHER: Yea.

ANDREWS:    Yea, got it.
      
                                   ---
                                     
    Note - a short, garbled, static and cross talk covered exchange has not been transcribed.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.
      
AF-1:               AF-1, go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Eh, Roger.  Present temperature is 64
                                    degrees.  2300 forecast is 62 degrees.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  Thank you.
      
ANDREWS:    Yes, sir.
      
                                   ---
      
AF-1:               This is AF-1.  Would you get me the Command
                                    Post, please?
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, sir.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Air Force Command Post, Sgt.
                                    Phillips [phonetic], sir.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, Andrews [two garbled syllables], I have
                                    AF-1 for a patch.
      
 AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger, stand by.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, stand by for AF-1.  AF-1, Andrews.
                                    Command Post on.  Go ahead.
      
AF-1:   Roger, Command Post, AF-1.  We checked earlier
                                    with 2242, presently descending.  Estimated
                                    block time remains 2305.  Go ahead.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger.  AF-1, Command Post, out.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  I have Crown on.  Give them a
                                    call, please.
      
AF-1:   Break Crown, AF-1.  Go ahead.

CROWN:        Roger, AF-1, stand by.  [to the side]  Go
                                    ahead.  [to AF-1]  Stand by, he's on the other
                                    -- he's on the [cherry pin?] right now.
      
       ?:               Its very important.
      
CROWN:        Who's calling, please?
      
       ?:                           [three garbled syllables -- a name?] ...in
                        Dallas.
      
CROWN:        OK.  Stand by one.  [long pause]
      
AF-1:               This is AF-1.  Warrior advises unable to speak
                                    with you at the present time and asks you to
                                    please call White House in about thirty
                                    minutes.  Go ahead.
      
       ?:               That's a Roger.  Out.
      
AF-1:               Roger.
      
                                   ---
                                    
AF-1:   Andrews, AF-1.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews, go ahead.
      
AF-1:   Roger.  Would you give me SAM Command Post.
                                    please?
      
ANDREWS:    Yes sir.
      
SAM COMMAND POST: SAM Command Post, Sgt. [Brent?].
      
ANDREWS:    Roger,  Andrews [two garbled syllables] I have
                                    AF-1 for a patch.
      
SAM COMMAND POST: OK, go ahead.
      
ANDREWS:    Roger.  [to AF-1]  AF-1, Andrews.  SAM Command
                                    Post on, go ahead.
      
AF-1:               Roger.  Do you have an ETA on the C-130 with
                                    the vehicles?
      
SAM COMMAND POST: Negative, sir.  Haven't heard a thing
                                    from 'em, sir.  Over.
      
AF-1:               OK.  Alright, thank you. 
      
SAM COMMAND POST: We'll check it out.
      
                                   ---
      
ANDREWS:    Air Force Command Post, please.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Air Force Command Post, Sgt.
                                    Phillips [phonetic], sir.  
      
ANDREWS:    Roger, this is [two garbled syllables], I have
                                    AF-1 for a patch.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger.  Stand by for AF-1.
      
ANDREWS:    Go 'head, Andrews.  AF-1.
      
AF-1:   Roger, Command Post.  AF-1 landed Andrews at
                                    2300.
      
AIR FORCE COMMAND POST: Roger.  Air Force Command Post,
                                    out.
      
AF-1:   Andrews, make it 04, please.
      
ANDREWS:    AF-1, Andrews.  Roger.  On the blocks at 04.
                                    Have a good day, sir.
      
AF-1:   OK, thank you.
      
                                   ---
      
                              End Transcript
                             Tape 3 -- Side 1
                                    
                                   ---
                                   ---
                                    
                              End Transcript
                                    of
                              Radio Traffic
                              22 November 63
                                    
                                   ---
      








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