Mr. HILL. In the neck. It was my understanding at that time that this
was done by a tracheotomy.
Mr. SPECTER. What else, if anything, of importance did you do between
the time you viewed the body in the morgue until the termination of
your duties on that date, Mr. Hill?
Mr. HILL. We handled all communications on the 17th floor, up to the
17th floor, for Mrs. Kennedy, members of her family, Cabinet members
who were there at that time, and secured the 17th floor for all
personnel. No one was permitted there that we did not know.
Mr. SPECTER. What time did you leave the 17th floor?
Mr. HILL. I believe, sir, it was 3:56, but I am not sure of the exact
time.
Mr. SPECTER. Where did you go from there?
Mr. HILL. We went downstairs to the rear of the hospital, where
the body was placed in a naval ambulance. I entered an automobile
immediately behind the ambulance. Mrs. Kennedy and the Attorney General
got into the rear of the ambulance with the body.
Mr. SPECTER. And from there, where did you go?
Mr. HILL. I accompanied them to the White House.
Mr. SPECTER. And did that mark the termination of your duties for that
day?
Mr. HILL. No, sir. I remained on duty until approximately 6:30 in the
morning; went home, changed clothes, and came back.
Mr. SPECTER. I believe you testified as to the impression you had as to
the source of the first shot. To be sure that the record is complete,
what was your reaction as to where the first shot came from, Mr. Hill?
Mr. HILL. Right rear.
Mr. SPECTER. And did you have a reaction or impression as to the source
of point of origin of the second shot that you described?
Mr. HILL. It was right, but I cannot say for sure that it was rear,
because when I mounted the car it was--it had a different sound, first
of all, than the first sound that I heard. The second one had almost a
double sound--as though you were standing against something metal and
firing into it, and you hear both the sound of a gun going off and the
sound of the cartridge hitting the metal place, which could have been
caused probably by the hard surface of the head. But I am not sure that
that is what caused it.
Mr. SPECTER. Are you describing this double sound with respect to what
you heard on the occasion of the second shot?
Mr. HILL. The second shot that I heard; yes, sir.
Mr. SPECTER. Now, do you now or have you ever had the impression or
reaction that there was a shot which originated from the front of the
Presidential car?
Mr. HILL. No.
Mr. SPECTER. That is all I have.
The CHAIRMAN. Congressman Ford, any questions you would like to ask?
Representative FORD. No.
Representative BOGGS. I have no questions, Mr. Chief Justice.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Craig.
Mr. CRAIG. No, thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
The CHAIRMAN. If not, thank you very much. We appreciate your coming.
Mr. HILL. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Youngblood, will you raise your right hand? Do you
solemnly swear the testimony you will give before this Commission will
be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you
God?
Mr. YOUNGBLOOD. I do, sir.
The CHAIRMAN. Be seated, please.
Mr. Specter will conduct the examination.