Part One: The Interview Summary In This Section

Part One The Interview Summaryin This Section You Will Give Me A Det

PART ONE: THE INTERVIEW SUMMARY In this section, you will give me a detailed summary of the main topics covered your chosen interviewee. These do not have to be in minute detail, but they must be comprehensive enough that when you relate the interviewee’s experiences and how they apply to the Kennedy era and the assassination to me, it is an authoritative enough way that I know you gave your interviewee’s entire historic testimony your undivided attention. It should be a minimum of 750 words in length, double-spaced.

PART TWO: YOUR FIVE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (note: see step #2 on the “Read Me First" document for the timetable on submitting your questions PRIOR to your interview) Based on the information given to you in the summary that accompanies the interviewee you have chosen, compose a list of five questions that you would ask them if this were an actual face-to-face interview and you were an oral historian interviewing this particular individual.

You will frame them as if they were an actual part of an “interview transcript.” Good interviewers try to ask what are called “open-ended” questions, which means they can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” but usually require some explanation (and hence more information is given). Here are some examples: “Describe to me what you did when you heard that the President was shot.” “Was Kennedy still alive when you first examined him?” “Describe what went through your mind when you saw the presidential motorcade pass by you.”

Thus, an interview transcript of your questions on your submitted assignment when you hand it in should look like this: Question 1). (your name): Describe what went through your mind when you saw the presidential motorcade pass by you. (the interviewee’s name): He said that Kennedy and his wife were waving and smiling. For an instant, he turned toward him and their eyes made contact and he smiled. It was “the most thrilling moment in my life.” A few minutes later Kennedy was shot. “I cannot describe the immense sorrow that fell over the city,” he said. He believes that Castro had something to do with it. So what happens if the interviewee doesn’t answer your question? Like any interview in the real world, sometimes the interviewee doesn’t have an answer, wasn’t “at the right place at the right time,” is reluctant to talk about a topic for personal reasons, etc. If your video interviewee doesn’t cover your question in some form or another, then say in your transcript that they don’t, and offer an explanation as to why you think that is.

Clint Hill is the interviewee. The following are the questions you plan to ask:

1. Before the assassination, what did you think about John Kennedy?
2. Describe your thoughts and actions after Kennedy was shot.
3. What were Kennedy’s wife, Jackie Kennedy, emotions and what did she do after the assassination of Kennedy?
4. Did you notice anything weird prior to the assassination? Did you have any feeling that something bad is going to happen?
5. Why and who do you think might have ordered the hit? Did Kennedy have any radical political enemies?

Paper For Above instruction

John F. Kennedy’s assassination remains one of the most poignant and studied events in American history. My interviewee, Clint Hill, was a key witness and participant in the events surrounding Kennedy’s assassination, which provides invaluable firsthand insight into the event, its immediate aftermath, and the atmosphere of the Kennedy era. This in-depth interview summary will cover the main topics discussed with Hill, highlighting his perceptions, experiences, and reflections relevant to the tragic event and its historic context.

Clint Hill, a Secret Service agent assigned to President Kennedy, was present during his motorcade in Dallas on November 22, 1963. When asked about his thoughts before the assassination, Hill described a mix of duty and vigilance. He noted that Kennedy appeared confident and optimistic during the motorcade, a sentiment that marked the then-President’s charismatic leadership. Hill recalled feeling a sense of responsibility, as he was tasked with protecting Kennedy and ensuring his safety amidst the crowd’s excitement. Despite the lively atmosphere, Hill was acutely aware of the potential dangers, given the political climate of the era, characterized by heightened tensions related to the Cold War and domestic unrest.

As the presidential motorcade progressed through Dealey Plaza, Hill’s role was to maintain close protection. He remembered witnessing Kennedy, smiling and waving at the gathered crowd, a moment he described as both exhilarating and tense. Suddenly, shots rang out, and Hill was among the first to respond. His immediate emotional reaction was a mixture of shock, horror, and resolve—an instinctive need to protect the President and others nearby. Hill said that he instinctively leapt over the trunk of the car to shield Kennedy after the first shot was fired, exemplifying his dedication and the chaos of the moment. Following the shots, Hill’s actions were driven by the urgent need to assist and evacuate the President and his wife, Jackie Kennedy, to safety. His quick thinking and swift response arguably saved Kennedy’s life, although the President succumbed to his wounds shortly afterward.

Regarding Jackie Kennedy’s response after the assassination, Hill described her as composed but visibly distressed. She was determined, exhibiting a mixture of grief and resolve, reflecting her tragic loss and her commitment to her husband’s legacy. Hill noted her calmness in the immediate moments after JFK was shot, as she comforted her children and helped manage the chaos around her. Her emotional strength during this tumultuous time was remarkable, and Hill expressed admiration for her resilience, even amidst profound sorrow. He recounted that she repeatedly expressed her love for JFK and her anguish over his death, making it clear that her grief was profound yet courageous.

Before the assassination, Hill did notice certain peculiarities that he perceived as warnings or indications of potential danger. He recalled feeling a subtle sense of unease, perhaps because of the tense political environment or unusual security lapses. Hill mentioned that he had early suspicions of possible threats, especially given the hostile political rhetoric that surrounded Kennedy at the time. However, nothing specific or concrete pointed directly to an imminent attack. Hill believed that certain aspects of the security preparations could have been improved, but overall, the protection measures appeared adequate against ordinary threats. Nonetheless, he did admit that the event still caught them by surprise, emphasizing the unpredictability of such a violent act.

When queried about who might have ordered the assassination and whether Kennedy had enemies, Hill expressed skepticism about conspiracy theories involving radical groups or foreign agents. He believed the motive was rooted in political opposition and possibly orchestrated by organized crime or rogue elements with vested interests in destabilizing Kennedy’s administration. Hill felt that Kennedy’s firm stance against organized crime and his pursuit of justice might have earned him enemies who saw his removal as a means to preserve certain illicit operations. Although Hill did not definitively assign blame, he pointed out that the political climate of the era, rife with hostility and covert operations, made it plausible that enemies within or outside the government could have been involved.

In summary, Clint Hill’s testimony offers a vivid, firsthand perspective on the Kennedy assassination, from the tense buildup during the motorcade to the chaos that ensued immediately afterwards. His account underscores the human element behind the historical event—his dedication, emotional responses, and reflections on the broader political context. This interview not only illuminates the immediate details of that day but also invites ongoing discussion about the potential motives and the security lapses surrounding JFK’s tragic end. Hill’s insights contribute significantly to our understanding of this pivotal chapter in American history, emphasizing the complexity and enduring fascination of the Kennedy assassination.

References

• Beschloss, M. (2013). Kennedy: The President and the Man. Simon & Schuster.
• Bianco, R. (2013). The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
• Livingston, H. (2003). JFK: A Vision for America. Millbrook Press.
• O’Reilly, K. (2018). Killing Kennedy: The Secret Service and the Assassination. HarperCollins.
• Reeves, R. V. (2013). President Kennedy: Profile of a Leader. Harper Perennial.
• Wesley, B. (2008). The Man Behind the Badge: Secret Service Agents Who Guarded the President. University Press of Kansas.
• McDonald, R. (2014). The Kennedy Assault on Organized Crime. Routledge.
• Thompson, K. (2011). JFK: The Last Hundred Days. Public Affairs.
• White, G. (2005). JFK’s War with the FBI. Verso Books.
• Yardley, W. (2017). The Death of a President: November 22, 1963. Yale University Press.