Phil Willis Slide #5 (Willis 3)

Object number2002.040.0005

Date11/22/1963

ClassificationsPhotographs

Photographer Phil Willis

ObjectSlide

Credit LinePhil Willis Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

MediumFilm

Dimensions2 × 2 in. (5.1 × 5.1 cm)

Terms

Collections

DescriptionOriginal 35mm color slide taken by assassination witness Phil Willis showing the Presidential limousine in the motorcade from the rear, on Houston Street approaching Elm Street between the Dallas County Criminal Courts building and the Dallas County Records building. The Kennedys and Connallys are visible in the limousine while the Secret Service agents in the follow-up car can be seen behind the limousine. Crowds greet the Kennedys as the motorcade passes. This image is commonly known as "Willis 3" by assassination researchers.

Curatorial Commentary

Phil Willis' entire family joined him in Dealey Plaza to see the president's motorcade: his wife, Marilyn, their daughters Linda and Rosemary, and Marilyn's parents, Mr. & Mrs. William H. Stubblefield. Neither Rosemary nor the Stubblefields were questioned by the Warren Commission, although the other members of the family were interviewed. - Gary Mack, Curator

Curatorial Commentary

In addition to witnessing the assassination of President Kennedy, Phil Willis was also present at another historic event: the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, Willis was assigned to the 86th Observation Squadron at Bellows Field in Oahu, Hawaii, during the Japanese attack. During World War II, he flew a total of 52 combat missions.

Mr. Willis passed away in January 1995, before he could record an oral history with the Museum. However, his wife, Marilyn Willis, participated in a videotaped group interview with other assassination eyewitnesses on November 22, 1996. - Stephen Fagin, Curator