Airway Management
Inserted a cuffed endotracheal tube past the neck injury and connected it to assisted ventilation.
JFK assassination · permanent subject timeline
Emergency treatment of Kennedy and Connally after the shooting. This page combines historical context with 132 matching records drawn directly from the Kennedy Assassination History archive.
Historical context
After the shooting in Dealey Plaza, the presidential limousine rushed President Kennedy and Governor John Connally to Parkland Memorial Hospital. Trauma teams attempted emergency treatment, and Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m.
Parkland became a crucial location in the medical and evidential history of the assassination. Physicians' observations, treatment notes and later testimony became part of debates over wound interpretation and the sequence of shots.
Archive records
The records below are selected from the 1,932-record JFK assassination archive and are rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
Airway Management
Inserted a cuffed endotracheal tube past the neck injury and connected it to assisted ventilation.
Anesthesia Equipment Response
Carried resuscitative and anesthesia equipment to the major surgical emergency area after the stat alarm.
Anesthesia Team Dispatch
Dispatched Adolph Giesecke and Jackie Hunt with an anesthesia machine and resuscitative equipment to the emergency area.
Anesthesiology Emergency Response
Gene Coleman Akin was one of the anesthesiologists summoned to the Parkland emergency area before Kennedy arrived.
Anesthesiology Team Response
Served as one of the anesthesiologists called to the Parkland emergency area for Kennedy's treatment.
Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Pushes Mrs. Kennedy back into her seat, and clings to the car as it exits Dealey Plaza and sped to Parkland Memorial Hospital..
Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Secret Service agent Clint Hill was riding on the left front running board of the car immediately behind the Presidential limousine. Jumps onto the back of the limousine, pushes Mrs.
Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
A few minutes after 2:00 p.m. CST (20:00 UTC), and after a confrontation between Dallas police and Secret Service agents, Kennedys body is placed in a casket and taken from Parkland Hospital and driven to Air Force One....
Autopsy
The body is removed before a forensic examination can be conducted by the Dallas County coroner, which violated Texas state law (the murder was a state crime, and occurred under Texas legal jurisdiction)..
Back Examination Priority
Explained that life-threatening airway and circulation problems prevented a full examination of Kennedy's back during resuscitation.
Bethesda Tracheotomy Obscures Exit
The front neck wound could not be directly examined because the Parkland tracheotomy incision had removed visible evidence of that wound.
Cardiac Monitoring
Helped connect the cardioscope used during President Kennedy's resuscitation.
Cardioscope Connection
Helped connect the cardioscope used to monitor President Kennedy's cardiac activity.
Cardiotachyscope Activity
William Kemp Clark observed some electrical activity on the cardiotachyscope while resuscitation was underway.
Chest Drainage Treatment
Participated in the procedure intended to drain blood and air from Kennedy's chest cavity.
Chest Tube Procedure
Helped initiate chest-tube treatment after free air and blood were detected in Kennedy's chest cavity.
Chest Tube Request
After noting free air and blood in Kennedy's chest cavity, requested insertion of chest tubes.
Circulatory Access
Helped establish vascular access used during the attempt to restore and maintain Kennedy's circulation.
Clint Hill Assistance
Clint Hill reached the presidential limousine, helped protect Mrs. Kennedy, and remained on the car as it accelerated toward Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Closed Chest Cardiac Massage
Performed manual closed-chest cardiac compression during the effort to maintain President Kennedy's circulation.
Connally Back Wound Repair
Treated the Governor's back wound by removing damaged tissue and suturing muscle and skin.
Connally Chest Operation
Began surgery on Governor Connally's chest at approximately 1:35 p.m.
Connally Emergency Treatment
Provided early emergency care for Connally before the thoracic surgical team assumed control.
Connally Thigh Cleansing
Cleaned the puncture wound in Governor Connally's left thigh as part of the operative treatment.
Connally Thigh Closure
Closed Governor Connally's thigh wound with sutures.
Connally Thigh Operation
Later assisted George Shires in treating Governor Connally's left-thigh gunshot wound.
Connally Thigh Operation
Led the treatment of Governor Connally's left-thigh gunshot wound while the wrist operation was in progress.
Connally Thigh Surgery
Assisted George Shires in the operation on Governor Connally's left-thigh wound.
Connally Thigh Surgery Assistance
Assisted George Shires during treatment of Governor Connally's left-thigh wound.
Connally Trauma Room Arrival
Arrived in trauma room 2 at approximately 12:45 p.m. to take charge of Governor Connally's thoracic injuries.
Connally Wound Closure
Participated in cleansing and suturing Governor Connally's thigh wound while a small metallic fragment remained in the leg.
Connally Wrist Debridement
Enlarged, cleansed, and closed the palm-side wrist wound while leaving the back wound partly open for drainage.
Connally Wrist Fracture
Set the fracture in Governor Connally's right wrist and applied a cast with traction.
Connally Wrist Operation
Operated on Governor Connally's right-wrist wounds during the afternoon of November 22.
Connally Wrist Surgery Assistance
Assisted Charles Gregory during the operation on Governor Connally's right wrist.
Connally Wrist Surgery Assistance
Assisted Charles Gregory during the operation on Governor Connally's right wrist.
Cranial Injury Observation
Recorded extensive cranial and intracranial damage observed during the resuscitation.
Damaged Lung Repair
Sutured damaged lung tissue and lacerated muscles during Connally's chest operation.
Death Announcement Delay
Agreed with Vice President Johnson at Parkland that public release of Kennedy's death would wait until Johnson had left the hospital.
Death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
At 1:00 p.m., CST (19:00 UTC), after all heart activity had ceased and after a priest administered the last rites, the President is pronounced dead... A few minutes after 2:00 p.m. CST (20:00 UTC), and after a confrontation between Dallas police and Secret Service agents, Kennedys body is placed in a casket and taken from Parkland Hospital and driven to Air Force One....
Dual Parkland Treatment Role
Robert Nelson McClelland participated in the emergency treatment of President Kennedy and later in operative treatment of Governor Connally at Parkland.
Emergency Neurological Response
Responded to the Parkland emergency as the hospital's chief neurologist.
Emergency Notification
Charles James Carrico was working in the emergency area when notified that President Kennedy was being brought to Parkland Hospital.
Emergency Surgical Response
Ronald Coy Jones was among the Parkland surgeons summoned to the emergency area before the presidential limousine arrived.
Emergency Tracheotomy
Malcolm Oliver Perry performed an emergency tracheotomy to establish an effective airway for President Kennedy.
Emergency Urology Response
Paul Conrad Peters responded to trauma room 1 as the urological surgeon among the Parkland emergency team.
Fatal Injury Determination
Made the official death determination because the severe head injury, the ultimate cause of death, was within his neurological specialty.
Femoral Pulse Check
Checked for a femoral pulse and did not find one during the initial resuscitation.
First Parkland Physician
Charles James Carrico was the first physician to see President Kennedy at Parkland Hospital after the motorcade arrived.
Head Wound Observation
Observed a large gaping wound in the right rear of Kennedy's head with extensive brain injury and blood loss.
House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)
Gonzalez's car proceeded to Parkland Memorial Hospital where upon seeing a blood-caked bouquet of roses in the rear of presidential limousine he initially believed Jackie Kennedy had been shot. There, he saw Lyndon Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, Mrs.
Hydrocortisone Administration
Administered hydrocortisone because of President Kennedy's known adrenal insufficiency.
Initial Connally Examination
Richard Brooks Dulany was one of the first physicians to examine Governor Connally after his arrival at Parkland Hospital.
Initial Life Assessment
Charles James Carrico concluded from the initial examination that President Kennedy was still alive when he arrived at Parkland Hospital.
Initial Vital Assessment
Observed Kennedy's ashen color, agonal respiration, dilated unreactive pupils, no palpable pulse, and faint chest sounds on arrival.
Jacqueline Kennedy Departure Request
Tried to persuade Jacqueline Kennedy to leave the Parkland treatment area after President Kennedy had been pronounced dead.
Jenkins Resuscitation Report
Received Marion Jenkins's same-day written statement describing the resuscitative efforts for President Kennedy.
Johnson Departure Advice
Advised Vice President Johnson at Parkland Hospital to go to Love Field and return to Washington.
Kennedy Death Notification at Parkland
Lyndon Baines Johnson was informed at approximately 1:20 p.m. while at Parkland Hospital that President Kennedy was dead.
Kennedy Stretcher Transfer
William R. Greer helped lift President Kennedy from the presidential limousine onto the Parkland stretcher.
Kennedy Stretcher Transfer
Roy H. Kellerman helped lift President Kennedy from the limousine onto a stretcher for movement into Parkland trauma room 1.
Left Arm Cutdown
Performed a cutdown on President Kennedy's left arm to permit infusion of blood and fluids.
Neck and Head Wounds
Observed a small wound in the lower front of Kennedy's neck and an extensive wound to the head.
Neck Wound Assessment
Described the small neck wound but stated that its appearance alone did not establish whether it was an entrance or exit wound.
No Second Visible Head Hole
Reported that he did not see another distinct hole in Kennedy's head during Parkland treatment.
Oral Surgery Emergency Response
Don Teel Curtis responded to the Parkland emergency area as an oral surgeon after notice that President Kennedy was en route.
Orthopedic Operation Timing
Charles Francis Gregory performed the wrist operation from approximately 4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Parkland Administration
Charles Jack Price served as administrator of Parkland Memorial Hospital during the emergency treatment of President Kennedy and Governor Connally.
Parkland Arrival Consciousness
Regained consciousness when the presidential limousine stopped abruptly at Parkland's emergency entrance.
Parkland Arrival With Governor
Nellie Connally arrived at Parkland Hospital supporting the wounded Governor Connally, who had been lying in her arms during the race from Dealey Plaza.
Parkland Assignment
Hosty was sent from the Dallas FBI office toward Parkland Hospital after the shooting, but he was soon directed back to the office.
Parkland Casket Departure
Jacqueline Kennedy accompanied President Kennedy's casket when it was taken from Parkland Memorial Hospital for the return to Love Field.
Parkland Departure Protection
Accompanied Johnson's protected departure from Parkland and instructed him to remain below window level during the drive to Love Field.
Parkland Emergency Entrance
Jumped from the lead car at Parkland Hospital and rushed into the emergency entrance as stretchers were brought out.
Parkland Family Visits
Left the protected Parkland room with Secret Service agents to see Jacqueline Kennedy and Nellie Connally.
Parkland Hospital Arrival
Jacqueline Kennedy arrived at Parkland Memorial Hospital with the mortally wounded President shortly after the Dealey Plaza shooting.
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Dr. Burkley observes both the head wound and a wound to the back of the President, and determines the head wound was the cause of death..
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Jumps onto the back of the limousine, pushes Mrs. Kennedy back into her seat, and clings to the car as it exits Dealey Plaza and speeds to Parkland Memorial Hospital..
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Oscar L Huber was the Very Rev. Oscar L. Huber, the priest who administered the last rites to Kennedy told The New York Times that the President was already dead by the time he had arrived at the hospital.
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Johnson remained under Secret Service protection at Parkland Memorial Hospital while President Kennedy was treated after the shooting.
Parkland Memorial Hospital
At 1:00 p.m., CST (19:00 UTC), after all heart activity had ceased and after a priest administered the last rites, the President is pronounced dead... A few minutes after 2:00 p.m.
Parkland Memorial Hospital
CST (20:00 UTC), and after a confrontation between Dallas police and Secret Service agents, Kennedys body is placed in a casket and taken from Parkland Hospital and driven to Air Force One..
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Oscar L Huber was the Very Rev. Oscar L. Huber, the priest who administered the last rites to Kennedy told The New York Times that the President was already dead by the time he had arrived at the hospital..
Parkland Perimeter Security
Made certain Dallas police kept the public and press away from the immediate Parkland Hospital area.
Parkland Standby Alert
Radioed that Parkland Hospital should stand by because the President appeared to have been hit.
Parkland Treatment Area
While doctors attempted to save the President, Mrs. Kennedy alternated between observing the medical efforts and waiting outside the treatment area.
Press Conference Qualification
Later explained that his Parkland press-conference comments about possible wound paths were speculative rather than a definitive professional conclusion.
Pronouncement of Death
William Kemp Clark pronounced President Kennedy dead at approximately 1:00 p.m. at Parkland Hospital.
Protective Cover at Parkland
Removed his suit jacket and covered Kennedy's head and upper chest at the Parkland emergency entrance to prevent photographs.
Refusal to Leave Parkland
After President Kennedy was pronounced dead, Mrs. Kennedy initially refused efforts to persuade her to leave the hospital area.
Respiratory Assistance
Adolph Hartung Giesecke Jr assisted with respiratory management while Kennedy was changed from an endotracheal tube to a tracheostomy tube.
Respiratory Transition Assistance
Gene Coleman Akin assisted with respiratory problems during the transition from the endotracheal tube to a tracheostomy tube.
Resuscitation Assessment
Marion Thomas Jenkins concluded that resuscitative methods had been instituted rapidly and efficiently but that the cranial damage was irreversible.
Resuscitation Statement
Marion Thomas Jenkins prepared a same-day written statement for Parkland administrator Charles Jack Price describing the resuscitative effort.
Resuscitative Equipment Response
Adolph Hartung Giesecke Jr was dispatched with Jackie Hunt and an anesthesia machine when the emergency alert was received.
Retained Metallic Fragment
Treated the thigh wound while a small metallic fragment remained in Governor Connally's leg.
Return to Love Field
Mrs. Kennedy traveled with the President's casket from Parkland Memorial Hospital back to Dallas Love Field.
Right Chest Tube Assistance
Assisted with insertion of a right chest tube during President Kennedy's resuscitation.
Right Leg Cutdown
Performed a cutdown on Kennedy's right leg so blood and fluids could be infused.
Secret Service Protection
Secret Service agents placed Johnson under close protection after the shooting and moved him from Parkland Memorial Hospital toward Love Field.
Stat Alarm Response
Marion Thomas Jenkins responded immediately after receiving the stat alarm that President Kennedy was being brought to Parkland Hospital.
Thoracic Operation Completion
Robert Roeder Shaw completed the principal chest and back operation on Governor Connally at approximately 3:20 p.m.
Thoracic Surgery Leadership
Took charge of Connally's care because the Governor's major chest wound fell within Shaw's thoracic-surgery specialty.
Tracheotomy Assistance
Entered trauma room 1 during resuscitation and assisted Malcolm Perry with President Kennedy's tracheotomy.
Tracheotomy Duration
Estimated that the emergency tracheotomy took approximately three to five minutes.
Trauma Room Leadership
Assumed direction of President Kennedy's treatment shortly after arriving in trauma room 1.
Trauma Room One Response
Charles Rufus Baxter arrived with Malcolm Perry and Robert McClelland during the emergency treatment of President Kennedy.
Trauma Room Resuscitation
Gene Coleman Akin participated in the respiratory component of the resuscitation effort in trauma room 1.
Trauma Room Two Care
Remained with Governor Connally in trauma room 2 when Charles Carrico left to help treat President Kennedy.
Trauma Room Two Transfer
John Bowden Connally Jr was lifted onto a stretcher and taken into Parkland trauma room 2 for treatment of his gunshot wounds.
Ventilation Control
Changed Kennedy from intermittent positive-pressure breathing equipment to an anesthesia machine for better control of artificial ventilation.
Vice President Parkland Security Room
Joined the group of officials and Secret Service agents protecting Vice President Johnson inside Parkland Hospital.
White House Notification From Parkland
Roy H. Kellerman telephoned the head of the White House detail from Parkland Hospital to report the assassination.
Bethesda Parkland Tracheotomy Inquiry
Humes sought confirmation from Parkland Hospital that a tracheotomy had been performed through the wound on the front of Kennedy's neck.
Death of Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was declared dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital at 1:07 p.m. on November 24, 1963, after being shot by Jack Ruby.
Magic Bullet
The bullet that is supposed to have done all the damage was found on a stretcher in the corridor at the Parkland Memorial Hospital, in Dallas, after the assassination.
Magic Bullet
The bullet that is supposed to have done all this damage was found on a stretcher in the corridor at the Parkland Memorial Hospital, in Dallas, after the assassination.
Autopsy Evidence Review
Warren's commission reviewed the autopsy findings, Parkland Hospital evidence, medical testimony, and related material concerning President Kennedy's wounds.
Commission Parkland Witness
Richard Brooks Dulany was listed by the Warren Commission as a Parkland Hospital doctor whose testimony appeared in Volume VI, page 113.
Commission Parkland Witness
Charles Jack Price was listed by the Warren Commission as Parkland Hospital administrator; his testimony appeared in Volume VI, page 148.
Connally Stretcher Testimony
Testified to the Warren Commission concerning Governor Connally's stretcher and was identified as a Parkland Hospital orderly.
Connally Stretcher Testimony
Testified to the Warren Commission concerning Governor Connally's stretcher and was identified as a Parkland Hospital technician.
Connally Stretcher Testimony
Testified to the Warren Commission concerning Governor Connally's stretcher and was identified as head nurse of Parkland Hospital operating rooms.
Connally Stretcher Testimony
Testified to the Warren Commission concerning Governor Connally's stretcher and was identified as Parkland Hospital's senior engineer.
Connally Stretcher Testimony
Testified to the Warren Commission concerning Governor Connally's stretcher and was identified as a Parkland Hospital nurse.
Ruby Evidence
Seth Kantor testifies about his claimed encounter with Jack Ruby at Parkland Hospital after Kennedy was shot.
Warren Commission Testimony
Gene Coleman Akin was listed in Warren Commission Appendix 5 as doctor, parkland hospital; testimony was presented to the Commission in Vol. VI, p. 63.
Warren Commission Testimony
Charles Rufus Baxter was listed in Warren Commission Appendix 5 as doctor, parkland hospital; testimony was presented to the Commission in Vol. VI, p. 39.
Warren Commission Testimony
Charles James Carrico was listed in Warren Commission Appendix 5 as doctor, parkland hospital; testimony was presented to the Commission in Vol. III, p. 357; Vol. VI, p. 641.
Warren Commission Testimony
William Kemp Clark was listed in Warren Commission Appendix 5 as doctor, parkland hospital; testimony was presented to the Commission in Vol. VI, p. 18.
Warren Commission Testimony
Don Teel Curtis was listed in Warren Commission Appendix 5 as doctor, parkland hospital; testimony was presented to the Commission in Vol. VI, p. 57.
Trial
Arrangements were underway for a new trial to be held in February 1967, in Wichita Falls, Ruby was admitted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, suffering from pneumonia..
Editorial provenance
Compiled and edited by Kennedy Assassination History.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from the site's structured JFK assassination records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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