JFKCountercoup2: Part 7 Black Cadillac

Part 7

BLACK CADILLAC

TB3 – Patch 10

TB3 - 10

LBJ Tape Clifton/Raab Tape

1 - Roger.

2- Stand by One.

3- Can you give me White House switchboard, please?

4 - Thank you.
5 - Signal.
6 - Right….ah……
7 - Crown, are you still on? I have Air Force One for a patch.
8 - Roger, Roger…Air Force One, Andrews, Crown is on, go ahead sir.

9 - Air Force One Crown come in?

10- Air Force One, Crown is on go ahead sir.

11- Call into Duplex please

12- Roger, Roger, Locating

13- Air Force One Andrews Copy Andrews Sir

14- (Dots and dashes in background)

15- Air Force One Andrews you are transmitting one three Sir

16- Roger, Roger, how about the patch into Crown?

17- Crown is on.

18- Will you get a hold of Duplex for us please?

19- Roger, Roger. Duplex is on the line, go ahead.

20- Digest, Duplex -

20- Jerry? (Static) …Jerry we are arriving Andrews…eight oh five…rather….

21- Can receive, go ahead.

22- Helicopter….Johnson party…south lawn.

23- Say again, say again.

24- Air Force one is patch line is not as good

25- You are very week on one five. Can you take me one five lower?

26- One five lower?

27- This frequency is lower sideband. Lower sideband.

28- Can you take me down frequencies?

29- This is Duplex, this is Duplex.

30- Arrival Andrews, Six-Zero-Five, standby.

31- Ambulance to take Body to Walter Reed.

32- Repeat please, Repeat please.

33- Ambulance to transport body to Walter Reed. Over.

34- Say again.

35- Ambulance to Walter Reed, to transport body.

36- Arrangements have been made for a helicopter for the Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

37- Stand by Jerry we’ll have to get Berkley again.

38- Say again, I cannot read, I cannot read.

39- Stand By

40- He’s on Lower

41- Can you read me at all.

42- That’s good.

43- Air Force one – Andrews, one five lower

44- One five lower, do you read sir?

45- We have them at one thee and one five, go ahead.

46- We’re trying to run two patches at the same time.

47- Okay we’ll try to get them back on one five

48- Air Force One Andrews. We have your party on but having trouble reaching them on this frequency. Do you read me sir?

49- We read you but your party on patch is way down.

[5100]

TB3 – Patch 11

TB3 – 11

1 - Arriving Andrews, Fifteen, Zero, Five, rather…
2 - Have received.

3 - Air Force One.

4 - Duplex is on

5 - Duplex is on. This is Dr. Burkley. What arrangements have been made with regard to the reception of the President?

6 - Everybody aboard Air Force One, everyone aboard Air Force One, with the exception of the body, will be choppered into the South Ground. The body will be choppered to the Naval Medical Center at Bethesda. Over.

7- The body will be choppered or will go by ambulance to the Navy Medical Center?

8- Will be choppered, will be choppered.

9 - I’ll call General Heaton and ask him to….Washington in regards to this. Would you call him and cancel the….have him go to Walter Reed….I didn’t know the arrangements were already made.

10 - Say again, say again Doctor.
11- The body is in a casket you know, and it will have to be taken by ambulance and not by chopper.

12- Alright. I’ll tell Captain Shepard that.

13- Be sure to contact…..General Heaton.

14- Say again doctor say again.

15-Hello?

16-Hello. Say again please?

17-Ambulance.

18-Say again doctor……

TB3 – Patch 12

TB3 – 12

1- Hello sir

2- Put Mr. Behn on again.

3- He is standing by. We are having trouble reading you.

4- Can you check me through Liberty on nine zero?

5- Stand by for a call from Andrews, stand by for a call from Andrews on nine zero.
6- Stand by Crown, Come in.

7- Air Force One, this is Crown Come in.

8- Air Force One, this is Crown come in,

9- Air Force One,

10- Roger Crown.

11- I have Gen. Heaton standing by.

12- Crown, I am putting Gen. Heaton on the line. Over

13- General Heaton?

14- Air Force One Crown, go ahead. General Heaton on the line. Go ahead.

15- Hello, General Heaton?

16- Yes, General Heaton

17- General Heaton, this is Admiral Burkley.

18- Yes, Burkley?

19- On Air Force One.

20- Yes.

21- Air Force One Andrews give General Heaton a call. Go ahead.

22- General Heaton this is Admiral Burkley, do you read? Go ahead.

23- Hello?

24- General Heaton this is Dr. Burkley.

25- Yes Burkley?

26-….(use the ) …Military District of Washington in regards to the taking care of the remains of President Kennedy and we are planning on having the president taken directly to Walter Reed. Ah Probably Mrs. Kennedy will probably also be going out there. But we will clarify that later.

27- Oh, all right.

TB3 – Patch 13

TB3 – 13

1- Hello?

2- Can you hold for just a minute please?
3- Sure

4- Gen. Heaton, this is the operator at Andrews, when you are on the radio talking back, only one party can talk at a time. When Admiral Burkley is talking to you, you cannot. You have to wait for him to reply.

5- Okay, Thank you.

6- Hello?

7- Air Force One Give General Heaton a call please.
8- General Heaton is on, this is Admiral Burkley.
9- Yes, Burkley?
10- Air Force One.
11- Yes?

12- Can you read me?

13- I read you Admiral Burkley.

14- Hold for a minute, please. General Clifton here…

15- Ah….this is General Clifton.
16- Yes General Clifton?
17- 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.

18- That is clear General Clifton. You want an ambulance and a ah….another limousine at Andrews and you want the regular post mortem by law done at Walter Reed.

19 - That is correct. Hold on for a minute. Buy…
20- I’ll hold on.

21- What did he say?

22- Air Force One standby.

23- Roger.

24- Air Force One. Will you repeat your last transmission you faded out sir

25- Okay Stand by One.

26- General Heaton? This Clifton over.

27- Yes General Clifton.

28- Hold on for a minute, over.

29- I’ll hold on.

30- Air Force One?
31 - Air Force One, Andrews. Go ahead sir.

32 - Okay, I think our patch was cut there on 13.

33 - Air Force One, its still in progress, will you give the ground party a call sir.

34 - How do you read Andrew

TB 3 – Patch 14

TB3 – 14

1- One Liberty, Copy Andrews?

2- Arrangements have been made…..

3- Air Force One. Liberty.

4- General Heaton.

5- Stand by General. They are getting someone on the aircraft.

6- Liberty, nine seventy, give me a call fifteen.

7- Dr. Burkley?

8- Nine seventy?

TB3-14 2b

1- Hello? Jerry?
2- Go ahead Heaton.

3- Jerry, what arrangements have you made?
4- We have made no arrangements, but will follow through on what you just told me. An ambulance and a limousine at Andrews and in regards to the post mortem studies.
5- General Heaton, will you kindly hold, we have arrangements already made. We will have to clear that before we make any further.

6- A limousine and ambulance at Andrews (background conversation).
7- Air Force One, repeat your last transmission….
8- Hello Andrews? This is Crown.

TB3-14 3c

1- Crown, go ahead.

2- Ah, we have Captain Shepard

3- …here who also has evidently made some arrangements on the funeral and so forth here in Washington, and bringing the body back and so forth. He would like to get on and talk with Air Force One when General Heaton is finished. It might be possible to put him up on a conference so they can all make the arrangements together. I understand that Captain Shepard the Naval aide has made some arrangements also. So you might explain that to Air Force One and we can try to put them on a conference, if they like.

4- - Andrews, okay standby, we’ll advise Doctor Burkley

TB 3 – Patch 15

TB3 – 15

1- Air Force One, Andrews.

2- Air Force One, Andrews.

3- Air Force One, Andrews.

5- Crown?

6 - Air Force One, Liberty

7- Andrews to Liberty, stand by One please.

8 - Liberty

9 - Liberty to Andrews, go ahead.
10 - Did you copy the full 9-7-2 off of Hickman? 2-1-1-1 Zulu, estimated Andrews Zero Five Three Zero Zulu, ultimate…
11 - Liberty, Andrews, Roger.
12 - Forward that to Air Force One.
13 - Liberty, Andrews, Roger.

TB 3 – Patch 16

TB3 – 16

1. - We have a patch to Jerry Behan on this frequency.

2- I have General Heaton

3- Will you take Gen Heaton off for a moment.

4- You want me to hold on?

5- Please hold the line.

6- Please notify Air Force one Capt. Shepard for a phone patch, which ever they want to put through first.

7 - Please call on this frequency, go ahead sir. Air Force One, give Duplex a call please.

8- Duplex, Duplex?

9- This is Crown, Duplex dropped off.

10 - This is Watchman…..

11- Roger

TB 3 – Patch 17

TB3 – 17

1- Go ahead, Duplex is on one, sir.
2- Air Force One, Andrews. Give your party a call.
3- Okay, Duplex, Duplex, this is Watchman.

4- ….Over.
5- Go ahead Watchman. Over.
6- Duplex, this is Watchman.

7- I understand that ambulance to take Mrs. Kennedy to Bethesda is this correct? Over.
8- Watchman. It has been arranged to helicopter, helicopter the body to Bethesda Over
9- This is Watchman. Okay if it isn’t dark. What about the First Lady? Over.
10- Everybody else aboard, everybody else aboard, it has been arranged to helicopter into the South Grounds.
11- Watchman….helicopter operation will work because we have a very heavy casket. Over.
12- Ah, according to Witness,

13-….. yes.
14- This is Watchman. …. don’t take a chance on that. Also have a mortuary type ambulance stand by in case the helicopter doesn’t work.

15- That’s affirmative. Over.
16- That’s affirmative. I receive.
17- Now some other instructions. Listen carefully. We need a ramp, a normal ramp 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?
18- I receive. Affirmative.

19- Also, by the right rear, on no, the left rear, the left rear of the aircraft, where we usually dismount, de-bark, we will need a fork lift rather than a ramp because it will be too awkward. We will need a platform to walk out on, and a fork lift to put it on. Is that possible? Over.

20- Say again, say again Watchman.
21- I say again. The casket is in the rear compartment, and we suggest, because it is so heavy, that we have a fork lift, a fork lift there to remove the casket. But if this is too awkward, we can go along with a normal ramp and several men. Over.

22- Affirmative. We will try for the fork lift.
23- All right. Next item. Duplex, Duplex. Ah ….The press, according to Mr. Johnson, the press is to have a normal…at Andrews field, and he is going from there by helicopter to the White House. Over.

24- Say again, Watchman, say again please.
25- Watchman, this is Duplex, say again.
26- The press, the normal corral, it will have to be in front of the aircraft, because that is where President Johnson will come off. Okay?
27- Watchman this is Duplex. Will you say that all over again please?
28- Duplex this is Watchman. I say again. On the right front, a ramp for Mrs. Kennedy, on the left rear, if possible, a fork lift for the casket, and in the right front, near the pilot, a normal ramp…..Over.
29- Say again, Watchman, you’re breaking.
30- (non-broadcast communications – someone else behind radio operator) I got that, on the left front, I got that, normal ramp for President Johnson…on the left front…press arrangements…all right.
31- Did everybody get that clear? Over.
32- That is affirmative.
33- Hold One, …Tillerman would like to talk to you.
34- Watchman, Watchman, Standby One. Are you there?
35- Watchman, Watchman, this is Duplex.
36- Duplex, this is Watchman, Over. Go ahead.
37- Watchman, should the Secretary of Defense and others be at Andrews on your arrival?
38- No, I am about, no negative….Have them call the White House. President Johnson wants to meet with the White House staff….the leadership of Congress, and as many of the Cabinet members as possible at the White House as soon as we get there, approximately eighteen thirty - one, eight, three, zero. Over.
39- Will you say again please…

40- I got it.

41- you got it?
42- (unbroadcast communications) President Johnson is supposed to meet as many of the cabinet members at the White House at 1830.
43- This is Watchman. Did you get it all? Members of the White House staff. Also the leadership of Congress. Also as many Cabinet members as available at the White House at 1830. Over.
44- That is affirmative Watchman. That is affirmative.

45- Repeat that to me.
46- All the leaders of Congress, as many Cabinet members as possible at the White House at 1830

47- The key members of the White House staff. That is Bundy, Sorrensen, etcetera.
48- That is correct.
49- Okay.

50- Hold on for Kellerman.

51- Roger

52- Go ahead.

53- Go ahead Roy, this is Duplex.

54- Up there.

55- Air Force One say again please.

56- ….helicopter…

57- Did you get that?….

58- Negative…..

TB 4 – Patch 1

TB4 – 1

1- Digest to Duplex, come in.
2- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
3- ...sir.

4- ...helicopter transportation for President Johnson.
5- Air Force One, Andrews.
6- Air Force One, this is Andrews. Can you change position, you have a bad microphone.
7- Okay, how’s this?
8- Air Force One, Roger. Go ahead with your traffic now sir.

9- Go ahead, Digest, this is Duplex.
10- Again, I repeat, three helicopters to transport people to the White House lawn. Okay?
11- That is affirmative.

12- Digest Digest, this is Duplex, say again.

13- Did you read that?

14- Digest, Digest, this is Crown. Repeat.

15- I understand you are ordering two cars. Is that right?

16-Request you change position. You are coming in completely busted.

17- How’s This.
18- Roger, okay. White House 102 and 405x, for transportation to Navy hospital, okay?

19- That is affirmative.
20- That’s a Roger. I am keeping ah….will join Hill and his party at the Navy Hospital. Okay?

21-That is affirmative.

[04:26]

22- Digest, this is Duplex. You accompany the body aboard the helicopter?
23- Roger, request, I was unable to get a hold of…….and Bob Burke…. (break in tape – midsentence)

24- Go ahead, I receive.

25- Air Force One Go Ahead Sir.

TB 4 – Patch 2

TB4 - 2

1- Andrews. Duplex.
2- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.
3- Static…… (unintelligible) …. okay?
4- Say again Digest.
5- …..static……were not notified……(unintelligible)
6- Okay.
7- ...unintelligible)...
8- Say Again, Sir. (third voice – radio operator).

9- That is affirmative Digest.

10- Okay, Gerry. One more… Standby.
11- Okay one more. ....is on six, nine, seven oh.
12- Right....

13- Go ahead Digest.
14- Say again sir. (radio operator)
15- Go ahead Digest

16- Repeat. Number….Six nine seven oh (6-9-7-0). Okay?
17- That’s affirmative. I receive.
18- Ah, do you have any questions? Is that enough?
19- Not at the moment. But if we do we’ll call back.

20- That’s a Roger, but hold on.
21- I got…. (muffled background conversation)...the aircraft...good.
22- Digest for Duplex. Go ahead.

23- Go ahead Digest, this is Duplex.

24- Could you call Dr. John Walsh in Washington and advise him of our arrival?
25- That is affirmative.
26- Okay.
27- Where does Lace want Dr. Walsh to meet her? Where?
28- Say again sir.
29- Digest, this is Duplex. Where does Lace want Doctor Walsh to meet her?

30- Ah,…at the White House when we get there with her.
31- At the White House…..That’s affirmative.
32- Standby. I don’t have anything but I think they want the line open here.

33- This is Crown. I have Witness standing by.

2 B4 2b

1- Get up, hang up, ah. There’s another call here.
2- Digest? Digest, Digest, this is Crown, come in?
3- Digest, Digest, this is Crown, come in?

4- Stand by Crown. (radio operator)
5- Air Force, Air Force One, Andrews. (radio operator)
6- Negative Crown, negative Crown.

7- Air Force One, Andrews, say again sir.
8- Air Force One, Air Force One, this is Crown, come in.
9- This is Dagger

10- …. Crown...I have traffic for Behn.

11- Air Force One, Air Force One, repeat.

[Break in tape]

TB 4 Patch 3

TB4 - 3

1- Andrews Sideband, radio.
2- Command Post Weather. We’re still waiting to bring up Air Force One. We’ve been waiting now for fifteen minutes, what’s up?
3- Yes sir. We are running two patches at once into the White House and they are real busy. We can’t get through to them. They’re making arrangements to take the body off and everything else.

4- Let me patch in for Air Force Weather so they know.
5- I already told them that earlier.
6- Go ahead sir.
7- Go ahead sir.
8- Weather’s on.
9- Hello sir?
10- We’re running two patches at one time to Air Force One from the White House, and they are making arrangements to take the casket and stuff off and we can’t get through to you, and as soon as we can we’ll give you a call.

11- Okay, he needs that temperature before he gets there.
12- Right sir. They should be done soon. They’ve been on it for quite a while now.
13- Air Force One. Loud and clear. Okay
14- ……Standby and we’ll have General Heaton come on this other line.
15- Sir, Command Post weather has been trying to get a patch. Can we run it at this time, sir?
16- Command Post? I have weather.
17- Weather’s on. Go ahead.
18- Weather on Air Force One, give them a call please?

19- Weather, Air Force One, go ahead.

20- This is Command Post Weather, be advised of a severe weather area from forty miles west of Fleetwood, Mississippi, to twenty miles west of Glanville, Arkansas extending one twenty miles, one hundred miles to the east for tornadoes, tops five zero thousand, fifty thousand. I want you to be advised of that. I have a revised landing forecast for Andrews. If you are ready to copy, over.

21- I will have to call you back on it.
22- Roger.

23- Okay I’ll call you right back on it.

24- Okay.

25- Whose this?

26- Hello?

27- Hello?

28- Hello Crown?

29- Hello Crown

TB 4 – Patch 4

TB4 – 4

1- Andrews Sideband.Sir?

2- This is Dorman, General LeMay’s aide. General LeMay is in a C-140; last three numbers are “497.” SAM C-140.

3- “487” – last three numbers.

4- Right. He is in bound. His code name is Grandson, and I want to talk to him.

5- Grandson. Okay sir, we’ll see what we can do. We’re really busy with Air Force One right now.

6- (Okay). You don’t have the (c)apiblity to work more than one, huh?

7- Well, we’re running Air Force One on two different frequencies, we’re giving them two different patches at one time right now, and that’s all we can do.

8- I see. And what is your drop, sir? Are you off [a] drop off the Washington switch?

9- Well, I am, yes --- either drop 303 or 79225.

10- 79225

11- Either

12- But if you can’t work him now it will be too late because he will be on the ground in a half hour.

13- Okay, and what is your name again sir?

14- Colonel Dorman. D-O-R-M-A-N

15- (D-O-R-M-A-N. OK, I’ll try to get back to you if we can get him right away, sir.

16- Thank you.

17- (Right.)