Photojournalist and JFK assassination figure. He is best known for capturing two historical images depicting the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He was orphaned and raised by an aunt in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from North Dallas High School in 1938, he joined the Associated Press, beginning his career by writing sports articles and working in the wire photo office. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, serving as a radio broadcaster. He then went back to working with the Associated Press in 1945 as part of its news bureau, attending night classes at Southern Methodist University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and a minor in journalism. On November 22, 1963, he was assigned to work in the AP offices in Dallas but was told to go to the triple overpass to photograph President Kennedy's motorcade to the Dallas Trade Mart. He then tried to find a good angle to take the photos but was stopped by police and then instead went to Dealey Plaza to take his pictures. While capturing his fifth photo, he heard gunshots and then captured his sixth photo once the noise was gone. After the assassination, he hurried back to his office to have the film developed and telephoned the news office, resulting in one of the first bulletins of the assassination. Later, he testified in the Warren Commission in 1964, retired from the Associate Press in 1979, and took an advertising job with the Ford Motor Company. In his later years, he answered questions from Kennedy assassination researchers and published his recollections of the events in various books and discussions.
Photojournalist and JFK assassination figure. He is best known for capturing two historical images depicting the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He was orphaned and raised by an aunt in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from North Dallas High School in 1938, he joined the Associated Press, beginning his career by writing sports articles and working in the wire photo office. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, serving as a radio broadcaster. He then went back to working with the Associated Press in 1945 as part of its news bureau, attending night classes at Southern Methodist University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and a minor in journalism. On November 22, 1963, he was assigned to work in the AP offices in Dallas but was told to go to the triple overpass to photograph President Kennedy's motorcade to the Dallas Trade Mart. He then tried to find a good angle to take the photos but was stopped by police and then instead went to Dealey Plaza to take his pictures. While capturing his fifth photo, he heard gunshots and then captured his sixth photo once the noise was gone. After the assassination, he hurried back to his office to have the film developed and telephoned the news office, resulting in one of the first bulletins of the assassination. Later, he testified in the Warren Commission in 1964, retired from the Associate Press in 1979, and took an advertising job with the Ford Motor Company. In his later years, he answered questions from Kennedy assassination researchers and published his recollections of the events in various books and discussions.
Bio by: J.C
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