...as I tried to explain what had happened to the Air Force 3 cockpit captain, I realized that he could not locate the code book to confirm the terrifying message I was trying to forward to President Kennedy's Cabinet members. At this point we needed to break protocol in order for me to reach Pierre Salinger...
Norman Katz, Military Attache to the U.S. Secret Service
In November of 1963, President John F. Kennedy travelled to the State of Texas against the advice of many in his administration. Kennedy had the last word as to where he would travel a small contingent of the Secret Service were assigned for this detail, approximately 20 Special Agents. Initially I was part of this group but at the last minute my assignment was changed for me to remain at the White House due to my close involvement in the Continuity of Government Program working with the Director of the Secret Service James Rowley.
Right after I was notified of the Shooting of President Kennedy in Dallas I immediately contacted the WHCA (White House Communications Agency) and spoke directly with Major General Jack Alvin Albright the Commander. Obviously the events that were occurring were very chaotic ...but I had to maintain control from my end as to the Continuity of Government in the Washington D.C. area. I worked alongside Major Harold Patterson and CWO Bill Elder as I made radio contact with the Boeing 707 Aircraft, Air Force 3 carrying most of President Kennedy's Cabinet, Including Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Press Secretary Pierre Salinger...They were on their way to a regional conference in Tokyo, Japan. This Aircraft had to return to the United States immediately. I had the personal experience of speaking with the Cockpit Captain who could not locate the Code Book to confirm my "terrifying message" that President Kennedy was mortally wounded in a shooting...after several emergency attempts I finally spoke on an open line to Pierre Salinger who recognized my voice and then had Secretary of State Dean Rusk speak with Major Harold Patterson whose voice he recognized....that plane was then turned around to return to Andrews Air Force Base. I was part of the Team that met Air Force One carrying the Body of President Kennedy along with the newly sworn in President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Chief Master Sergeant Joe Chappell, who was the flight engineer on Air Force One when Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, stands in the area where Kennedy's body was placed for the trip back to Washington during a tour of the plane upon its retirement in 1998.