A Warm Day in Dallas: Part Two

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Jul 5, 2005

As President Kennedy's motorcade turned from Houston Street onto Elm Street, it approached the School Book Depository Building. Crowds were larger than expected. Hundreds of people had turned out to get a glimpse of the popular young president and his attractive wife, Jackie. At 12:30 pm, a shot rang out. President Kennedy's hands raised and the smile vanished from his face. He had been hit.

Roy Kellerman, a Secret Service agent, knew they had to leave the area immediately. The limousine was moving at approximately 11 miles per hour, leaving the president exposed to the gunman.

Secret Service agent Rufus Youngblood was riding in the car that carried Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. He pushed the vice president down and covered him with his body, which was something his job required him to do. He had to protect the vice president at all costs.

Most of the Secret Service agents were slow to react. Their actions would later be questioned. Spectators were hit with flying cement from the sidewalk. Unbelieveably, Secret Service agent Greer stops the follow-up car. A shot rings out and President Kennedy is hit again.

The limousine picks up speed and races to Parkland Hospital, which is four miles away. Chaos reigns upon arrival, but at 12:37 the president is still clinging to life. Governor Conolly is going to survive.

President Kennedy is given the Last Sacrament of the Catholic Church. He is pronounced dead at 1 pm Dallas time. Lyndon B. Johnson is now President of the United States.

Previous articles on the Kennedy Assassination

"November 22, 1963: The Day the President Died"

"A Warm Day in Dallas: November 22, 1963"

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The copyright of the article A Warm Day in Dallas: Part Two in History For Children is owned by Mary M. Alward. Permission to republish A Warm Day in Dallas: Part Two in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.