I, John D. Ready, Special Agent, United States Secret Service, Washington, D.C. arrived
at Love Field, Dallas, Texas, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Friday November 22, 1963
on board the Presidential Aircraft (USAF#I). Upon arrival, I left the aircraft and
went to the Press Area (photographers and newsmen) located near the Presidential ramp
at the rear of the plane. Here President John F. Kennedy greeted a group of persons
and then walked to the fenced off spectator area. I followed the President and Mrs.
Kennedy. After 10-15 minutes, the President, Mrs. Kennedy, Governor Connally (State
of Texas) and Mrs. Connally entered the Presidential limousine, the motorcade departed
Love Field and proceeded on its scheduled route. During this motorcade I held a post
on the right front door running board of the U.S. Secret Service follow-up car.
Several times enroute the President's car stopped and the President shook hands
with the crowds. In the downtown, heavily congested, area of Dallas, a teen-age male
came forth from the crowds on my right side. I left the follow-up car, chased the
youth several yards before running him into the crowds on the right side. We departed the
downtown area and the crowds diminished noticeably.
At about 12:30 p.m. we began the approach to the Thornton Freeway traveling about
20-25 MPH in a slight incline. I was about 25-30 feet from President Kennedy who
was located in the right rear seat. I heard what appeared to be fire crackers going
off from my position. I immediately turned to my right rear trying to locate the source but
was not able to determine the exact location.
At this time the U.S. Secret Service follow-up car seemed to slow and I heard someone
from inside this car say: ''he's shot". I left the follow-up car in the direction
of the President's car but was recalled by ATSAIC Emory Roberts (Secret Service)
as the cars increased their speeds. I got back on the car and seated myself beside Mr.
Roberts in the right front seat. The cars proceeded to the hospital several miles
distance.
On my arrival at the Parkland Hospital, Dallas, hospital personnel were awaiting
the arrival of President Kennedy. After the President was taken to the emergency
room, I was posted by ASAIC Kellerman (Secret Service), at the door entrance. I remained
on this post until notified by ATSAIC Roberts that we were leaving for Love Field with
President Johnson. I departed the hospital in a Dallas Police Cruiser to the rear
of President Johnson.
Upon my arrival at Love Field I boarded the Presidential Aircraft (USAF#I), expecting
to depart immediately. It was at this time that I was notified that Mrs. Kennedy
and the late President were returning to Washington, D.C. on this plane.
ATSAIC Roberts asked me to set-up the airport security which I did. Mrs. Kennedy
arrived and we were relieved by the 4-12 shift who then boarded the Presidential
aircraft.
At 3:15 p.m. I departed Love Field, Dallas, Texas for Washington, D.C. on the Vice-Presidential
aircraft (USAF#2).
[signature]
John D. Ready
Special Agent
White House Detail.
Friday, November 22, 1963
7:25 p.m.
On Friday, November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas, I was working the US Secret Service
follow-up car about 25-30 feet to the rear of President and Mrs. Kennedy, Gov. and
Mrs. Connally of Texas. At about 12:30 p.m. I heard what sounded like fire crackers
going off from my post on the right front running board. The President's car slowed, someone
in the follow-up car stated he was shot, and I left to run to the President's car.
At that time I was recalled to the follow-up car and took the right front seat aside of ATSAIC Roberts, and proceeded to a hospital several miles distant.
The shooting occurred as we were approaching the Thornton Freeway, traveling about
20-25 miles per hour in a slight incline. There appeared to be no spectators on the
right side of the road-way.
After the initial shot I attempted to locate the area from where they had come from
but was not able to. It appeared that the shots came from my right-rear side.
[signature]
John D. Ready
Special Agent
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