Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Image of Lyndon B. Johnson leaving Parkland Hospital
Image of Lyndon B. Johnson leaving Parkland Hospital

Image of Lyndon B. Johnson leaving Parkland Hospital

Object number1989.100.0018.0011
Date11/22/1963
ClassificationsPhotographs
Photographer John Mazziotta
ObjectNegative (b&w)
Credit LineJohn Mazziotta, photographer, Dallas Times Herald Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumFilm
Dimensions15/16 x 1 7/16 in. (2.4 x 3.6 cm)
Collections
DescriptionOriginal 35mm black and white negative taken by Dallas Times Herald staff photographer John Mazziotta. This image shows Lyndon B. Johnson, now the President of the United States, and Secret Service agent Rufus Youngblood leaving Parkland Hospital to return to Love Field on November 22, 1963. A white vehicle with rooftop lights, from the Oneal Funeral Home, is visible in the background. The images on this negative strip were taken by John Mazziotta. There were two Dallas Times Herald photographers at Parkland Eamon Kennedy and John Mazziotta. Bob Jackson, another photographer who was at Parkland earlier, was not at the hospital when the Johnsons left.
Curatorial Commentary
Why did the Johnsons ride in separate cars from Parkland to Love Field?  The Secret Service used Lady Bird Johnson as a decoy.  Their thinking, according to William Manchester, author of Death of A President, was that if another attack was about to take place, the gunman might recognize her and fire at the wrong car.  Johnson, riding on the floor a different car, could not be seen.  - Gary Mack, Curator