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JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Edgar asks if a bullet traveling at an angle would not leave an elliptical wound - Sturdivan answers that in the case of Connally's back wound the ellipse is so severe it can only be the product of a yawed or turned bullet, meaning the bullet would have had to have hit something first before entering the governor.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Edgar makes the statement that it is too bad Sturdivan did not have access to some of the evidence while he was preparing for his testimony, namely bullet 399 - Sturdivan responds that he did have photos of evidence and information about the degree of bullet 399's deformity.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Sawyer confirms that earlier in his testimony Sturdivan had meant the bullet had yawed before entering Connally and not deformed - Sturdivan apologizes for this mistake.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Chairman Stokes asks if previous to this hearing Sturdivan had interviewed with the committee staff about the deformation of bullet 399.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Chair recognizes WALTER MATHEWS who asks that several exhibits be entered into the hearing record.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Chair recognizes Sturdivan's opportunity to supplement his testimony - Sturdivan tells the committee though he is an Army employee he is not their representative and that opinions expressed are his own, he then thanks the committee.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Stokes recesses the hearings.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Ungar closes out coverage.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
PBS funding logo appears.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Several takes of PBS correspondent, DENISE BAKER COLEMAN, summing up the day's testimony for a news cast.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Larry Sturdivan (Conclusion)
Correspondent, Coleman, voice over takes begins with a black screen, there are several, and they sum up key parts of witness testimony thus far in the hearings. End tape.
JFK Assassination Hearings - The Weapons Experts Panel (Part I)
(13:29:53) PBS funding logo appears (13:30:17) Shot opens of hearing room from the back of the essentially empty gallery, hearings host SANDFORD UNGAR voices over an introduction to the afternoon's hearings and shot soon shifts to him, he introduces his panel Professor JACOB COHEN of Brandeis and DAVID LIFTON, Warren Commision critic, they discuss earlier day's testimony of LARRY STURDIVAN, ballistics expert, and debate the implications of the testimony thus far (13:37:33) Hearing called to order by Committee Chairman LOUIS STOKES and he recognizes Professor G. ROBERT BLAKEY, Chief Counsel, who introduces the afternoon's testimony about ballistics (13:38:07) Blakey gives a detailed history of the events on assassination day that had to do with fire arms and ammunition connected to LEE HARVEY OSWALD and how these connections were made by FBI analysis of the evidence, he also mentions the later critique of the findings of the Warren Commission and the contradictions they raise (13:43:35) Blakey explains the objectives of the new scientific panel formed upon by the House Committee: to identify the character and characteristics of the evidence, to resolve whether or not a Mannlicher-Carcano rifle could be mistaken for a different gun, to determine if all the rifle bullet evidence can be matched to the same gun, and to resolve any nagging Warren Commission criticisms - Blakey goes on to list the panel members names and give their credentials: JOHN S. BATES JR, DONALD E. CHAMPAGNE, DR. VINCENT P. GUINN, MONTY C. LUTZ, ANDREW M. NEWQUIST (13:47:00) The panel as a whole is called forward and sworn in (13:48:04) Chair recognizes Committee Counsel JAMES E. MACDONALD, who asks if the panel has formed a report and gets it entered into the record, he then has the panel introduce itself (13:50:00) The infamous Mannlicher-Carcano rifle is introduced (13:51:25) MacDonald questions Lutz about his experience with the actual rifle (13:53:14) Lutz gives the characteristics of the rifle standing up with the rifle in hand (13:54:11) Lutz is asked if the Mannlicher-Carcano could easily be mistaken for a German Mauser, he answers this utilizing an exhibit chart of illustrations of several different rifles, in giving a detailed description of the similarities of different guns he reveals another chart under the first with each of the guns identified (as if to illustrate the question could you have picked the right one?) (13:58:30) MacDonald asks if you can determine the calliber of a rifle merely by looking at it - Lutz says no and explains why and agrees when asked by MacDonald if the confusion of the guns would be an easy mistake (14:00:10) MacDonald asks Lutz to identify and describe the scope on the infamous Mannlicher - Lutz does so and in doing says that the scope is a cheap and unreliable one, and the gun itself is not intended to have a scope, its mounting is a customized addition, Lutz also tells the committee that the scope is neither left or right handed (14:02:20) MacDonald asks Lutz about the iron sites on the gun - Lutz does so and confirms that an average marksman firing at an average distance could get the same degree of accuracy from this site as from the telescopic one (14:04:00) MacDonald asks if the rifle has a hair trigger - Lutz gives the panel's definition of a hair trigger and says that this rifle does not have a hair trigger (14:05:18) MacDonald begins to question Champagne and introduces new exhibits which Champagne identifies as the three cartridges found in the Texas book depository (14:08:30) Champagne matches one of the cartridges with blown up images of it from different angles (14:10:40) Lutz demonstrates with the rifle how a cartridge is ejected and why it could come out slightly deformed as a result, he gives several dramatic demonstrations of pulling back the bolt, once very rapidly back and forth (14:12:27) Champagne identifies various exhibits and illustrations of cartridges (14:14:30) Champagne gives a detailed explanation of how the cartridges the panel test fired match those found on the floor of the Texas book depository - he uses microscopic photographs to explain which show the similarities in scarring of the cartridges by the rifle's firing pin and ejector mechanism (14:19:40) MacDonald introduces exhibit of unfired cartridge found in the rifle and panel test cartridge, as well as photographic images of the cartridges, Champagne uses these exhibits to verify that the bullet found in the gun matched up with gun, again Champagne does this by showing similar scarring to the cartridge, this time done by the magazine follower (14:24:40) MacDonald introduces new exhibits, among them the infamous "pristene bullet" 399 and begins to question Bates - Bates defines the term "pristine bullet" and says that bullet 399 does not qualify as such (14:27:00) Bates explains what is not pristene about bullet 399 using an image of different photographed angles of the bullet (14:28:22) Tape cuts off at the end of Bate's explanation of bullet 399's deformities
JFK Visits Fleet, 6/5/63
TLS/LSs destroyer escort sailing. LS USS James E. Keyes (DD-787) destroyer sailing. TLS USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830) destroyer sailing; a recon helicopter takes off.
JFK Visits Fleet, 6/5/63
Master 1494 - Tape 1 Raw footage of President John F. Kennedy inspecting the U.S. Navy Fleet, 6/5/1963. Includes excerpts of a Kennedy speech & naval wargame simulations.
JFK Visits Fleet, 6/5/63
Panning LSs U.S. Navy aircraft carrier & destroyer (USS James E. Keyes DD-787) sailing in ocean. Panning LS two U.S. Navy jet fighters in flight over sailing ships. MS Petty Officer Second Class standing on deck of carrier. LS/TLSs Marine One helicopter landing on deck of aircraft carrier, reporters & U.S. Navy officers standing & watching in FG. Rear view MS President John F. Kennedy walking w/ two Navy officers on deck, through crowd. TLS President Kennedy (wearing sunglasses) flanked by officers & reporters on deck. MS President Kennedy sitting in cushy leather swivel chair, removing sunglasses, smiling upon officers seated beside him. LS destroyer escort sailing. Panning LSs two jet fighters flying overhead, dropping bomb, flying over convoy (dig that deafening afterburner roar). TLSs missile being raised aboard destroyer escort Preble. LS President Kennedy walking from Marine One, shaking hands with naval officers. TLS U.S. Navy jet fighter being armed with sidewinder missiles aboard aircraft carrier. Excellent panning LS jet fighter fly-by low over ocean, searing surface. LSs jet fighters in flight, in some instances attacking drone aircraft. MS President Kennedy (wearing sunglasses) sitting & talking with naval officers, one of whom sips tea.
JFK Visits Fleet, 6/5/63
LS USS Permit (SSN-594) submarine breaking surface. Panning LS old propeller bomber flying over submerged submarine. Panning LS two helicopters & two propeller transport planes flying low over ocean. LS Navy frogman being lowered to ocean from hovering helicopter. LS cargo plane airdropping over ocean (parachutes).
Speeches of JFK - 1960 Democratic National Convention.
A compilation of speeches made by John Fitzgerald Kennedy. 1960 Democratic National Convention.
Speeches of JFK - 1960 Democratic National Convention.
Senator JOHN F. KENNEDY makes acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, July 15, 1960: "Let me say first that I accept the nomination of the Democratic Party. I accept it without reservation and with only one obligation. The obligation to devote every effort of my mind and spirit to lead our Party back to victory and our Nation to greatness. I am grateful too, that you have provided us with a strong platform to stand on and to run on. Pledges, which are made so eloquently, are made to be kept. "The Rights of Man," the civil and economic rights essential to the human dignity of all men, are indeed our goal and are indeed our first principal. And I am grateful finally that I can rely on the coming months on many others. On a distinguished running mate who brings unity and strength to our platform and our ticket, Lyndon Johnson. On one of the most articulate spokesman of modern times, Adlai Stevenson. On a great fighter for our needs as a Nation and a people, Stuart Symington. On my traveling companion in Wisconsin and West Virginia Senator Hubert Humphrey. On Paul Butler our devoted and courageous Chairman. And on that fighting campaigner who support I now welcome President Harry Truman. I am fully aware of the fact, that the Democratic Party by nominating someone of my faith has taken on what many regard as a new and hazardous risk. New at least since 1928. The Democratic Party has once again placed its confidence in the American people and in their ability to render a free and fair judgment and in my ability to render a free and fair judgment. I hope that no American, considering the really critical issues facing this country, will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me because of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant. I am telling you what you are entitled to know. As I come before you seeking your support for the most powerful office in the Free World, I am saying to you that my decisions on every public policy will be my own, as an American, as a Democrat and as a free man."
Speeches of JFK - 1960 Democratic National Convention.
Continuation of Senator JOHN F. KENNEDY making acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, July 15, 1960: "Under any circumstances the victory we seek in November will not be easy. We know that in our hearts. We know that our opponent will invoke the name of Abraham Lincoln on behalf of their candidate. Despite the fact that his political career has often seemed to show charity towards none and malice for all. We know it will not be easy to campaign against a man who has spoken and voted on every side of every issue. Mr. Nixon may feel that it s his turn now, after the New Deal and the Fair Deal, but before he deals someone s going to cut the cards. That "someone" may be the millions of Americans who voted for President Eisenhower, but would balk at electing his successor. For just as historians tell us that Richard I was not fit to fill the shoes of the bold Henry II and that Richard Cromwell was not fit to wear the mantle of his uncle. They might add in future years that Richard Nixon did not measure up to the footsteps of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Perhaps he could carry on the party policies, the policies of Nixon and Benson and Dirksen and Goldwater, but this Nation cannot afford such a luxury. Perhaps we could afford a Coolidge following Harding and perhaps we could afford a Pierce following Fillmore, but after Buchanan this nation needed Lincoln, after Taft we needed Wilson and after Hoover we needed Franklin Roosevelt. But were not merely running against Mr. Nixon. Our task is not merely one of itemizing Republican failures. Nor is that wholly necessary for the families forced from the farm do not need us to tell them of their plight. The unemployed miners and textile workers know that the decision is before them in November. The old people without medical care, the families without a decent home, the parents of children without a decent school, they all know that its time for a change. We are not here to curse the darkness, we are here to light a candle. As Winston Churchill said on taking office some 20 years ago, If we open a quarrel between the present and the past we shall be in danger of losing the future. Today our concern must be with that future, for the world is changing, the old era is ending, the old ways will not do."
Speeches of JFK - 1960 Democratic National Convention.
Continuation of Senator JOHN F. KENNEDY making acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, July 15, 1960: "Abroad the balance of power is shifting. New and more terrible weapons are coming into use. One third of the world maybe free but one third is the victim of a cruel repression and the other third is rocked by poverty and hunger and disease. Communist influence has penetrated into Asia. It stands in the Middle East and now festers some 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Friends have slipped into neutrality and neutrals have slipped into hostility. As our keynoter reminded us, the President who began his career by going to Korea ends it by staying away from Japan. The world has been close to war before, but now man, who survived all previous threats to his existence, has taken into his mortal hands the power to exterminate his species seven times over. Here at home the future is equally revolutionary. The New Deal and the Fair Deal were bold measures for their generations, but now this is a new generation. A technological output and explosion on the farm has led to an output explosion. An urban population revolution has overcrowded our schools and cluttered our cities and crowded our slums. A peaceful revolution for human rights demanding an end to racial discrimination in all parts of our community life has strained at the leashes imposed by a timid executive leadership. It is time, in short, for a new generation of leadership. All over the world particularly in the newer nations young men are coming to power. Men who are not bound by the traditions of the past. Men who are not blinded by the old fears and hate and rivalries. Young men who can cast off the old slogans and the old delusions. The Republican nominee-to-be, of course is a young man but his approach is as old as McKinley. His party is the party of the past, the party of memory. His speeches are generalities from Poor Richard s Almanac. Their platform made up of old leftover Democratic planks has the courage of our old convictions. Their pledge is to the status quo and today there is no status states quo. "
Speeches of JFK - 1960 Democratic National Convention.
Continuation of Senator JOHN F. KENNEDY making acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, July 15, 1960: "For I stand here tonight facing west on what was once the last frontier. From the lands that stretch 3000 miles behind us, the pioneers gave up their safety, their comfort and sometimes their lives to build our New West. They were not the captives of their own doubts, nor the prisoners of their own price tags. They were determined to make the New World strong and free, an example to the world. To overcome its hazards and its hardships. To conquer the enemy that threatens from within and without. Some would say that those struggles are all over. That all the horizons have been explored. That all the battles have been won. That there is no longer an American frontier. But I trust that no one in this vast assemblage would agree with that sentiment. For the problems are not all solved and the battles are not all won and we stand today on the edge of a New Frontier, the frontier of the 1960 s. The frontier of unknown opportunities and perils. The frontier of unfilled hopes and unfilled threats. Woodrow Wilson s New Freedom promised our nation a new political and economic framework. Franklin Roosevelt s New Deal promised security and succor to those in need. But the New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer to the American people, but what I intend to ask of them. But I believe that the times require imagination and courage and perseverance. I m asking each of you to be pioneers towards that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age, to the stout in spirit, regardless of party, to all who respond to the scriptural call be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed. For courage not complacency is our need today. Leadership not salesmanship and the only valid cast of leadership is the ability to lead and lead vigorously. For the harsh facts of the matter are that we stand at this frontier, at a turning point of history. We must prove all over again to a watching world as we sit on a most conspicuous stage whether this nation conceived as it is with its freedom of choice, its breadth of opportunity, its range of alternatives can compete with a single-minded advance of the Communist system. Can a nation organize and govern such as ours in doing? That is the real question. Have we the nerve and the will? Can we carry through in an age where we will witness not only new breakthroughs in weapons of destruction but also a race of mastery of the sky and the rain, the ocean and the tides, the far side of space and the inside of men s minds. That is the question of the New Frontier. That is the choice that our nation must make. A choice that lies not merely between two men or two parties, but between the public interest and private comfort. Between national greatness and national decline. Between the fresh air of progress and the stale dank atmosphere of normalcy, between dedication or mediocrity. All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world looks to see what we shall do and we cannot fail that trust and we cannot fail to try. Recall with me the words of Isaiah, "The that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary." As we face the coming great challenge, we too shall wait upon the Lord and ask that he renew our strength. Then shall we be equal to the test. Then we shall not be weary. And then we shall prevail."
A Nation Remembers - JFK Memorial
The people of the United States pause in memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy on the first anniversary of his assassination. Forty-thousand people pass by his graveside in Arlington National Cemetery as Robert Kennedy leads the Kennedy Family in prayers for the martyred leader. Mrs. Kennedy remained in seclusion with her children during the day as her mother placed a simple bouquet on the grave in her name. It was a time for self-assessment and reappraisal for the American people as they pondered the reasons and probed again for the reasons that made such a sad anniversary necessary. Nations around the world joined with the United States in honoring the Man who was growing even more in stature when his brilliant career as statesman, writer and Man of peace game to such tragic end.
A Nation Remembers - JFK Memorial
Cape Cod beaches, ocean. Exterior shot - Summer home. Exterior shot - University Methodist Church. All the pews are filled with people. President Johnson and the First Lady. Shot from the balcony - Preacher at the pulpit. Exterior shot - Majestic Catholic St. Patrick's Church in New York. Exterior shot - People entering a churches of different faiths. Exterior shot - Jewish Temple, all these churches are holding services in remembrances of President John Kennedy on the tragic anniversary. Exterior shot - A church in Paris, France and an a policeman speaking with a woman. Exterior shot - Lutheran church in West Germany, people standing around outside. Arlington Cemetery - People are placing flowers on President Kennedy's grave, the line is very long.
A Nation Remembers - JFK Memorial
Exterior shot - The White house with throngs standing on the stairs and porch. President Kennedy and his family sitting on a balcony. Jacqueline Kennedy and her children standing in anticipation of President Kennedy cort ge passing. Arlington Cemetery, President Kennedy's tomb.