Image of Malcolm Kilduff announcing the president's death

The WBAP recording is the only known recording of this press conference, but there was a second microphone in the room, barely noticeable in this picture near Kilduff's stomach, apparently held by a radio reporter.  Who is he, what station did he work for and, more importantly, what happened to his tape? - Gary Mack, Curator

Ordinarily, Press Secretary Pierre Salinger would have accompanied President Kennedy on his Texas trip.  However, Salinger and several Cabinet members were traveling to Japan to attend an economic conference, so Assistant Press Secretary Malcolm Kilduff accompanied the president. 

During his announcement, Kilduff pointed to his right temple saying, "It was a simple matter, Tom (Wicker, of The New York Times), of a bullet right through the head."  He attributed his information to George Burkley, Kennedy's personal physician.  That gesture, captured on film, was used years later to suggest the bullet came from the front, not behind.  But in one of his visits to The Sixth Floor Museum, Kilduff told me he was merely pointing to indicate the president's head wound.  He was angry that some had taken his gesture out of context. - Gary Mack, Curator