LETTER TO JOHN B. JOVICH FROM WILLIAM J. CASEY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R001904430037-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 23, 2011
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: April 22, 1986
• Content Type: LETTER

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22 April 1986
Thank you for your recent letter regarding my recollection of the day
President Kennedy was killed.
I had just landed at Kennedy Airport in New York, flying in -from
Indianapolis, and as I walked through the terminal I learned that President
Kennedy had been shot in Dallas.
My reaction was one of great shock. Some minutes later, I learned that
the President had died. I don't recall considering immediately the impact
on the nation. I do recall that that eveniny my wife and I got together
with half a dozen friends for dinner and had a very somber discussion
wonderiny how this tragedy could have occurred, appreciatiny the fact that
our Constitution yave us a sure r~echanism for the swift transfer of authority
in so tragic a circumstance, and assuring each other that our nation would
carry on and meet its responsibilities.
I hope these recollections will assist in your interesting project.
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J03~ 351-'orb
i
George V. Lovder
director, Public Affairs
21 April 1986
Don't know much about Jovich and whether you
want to answer his questions. I'li be glad to
decline for you if you wish.
eorg V. Lauder
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JOHN' B. JO'~'ICH
April 3, 1986
The Honorable William J. Casey
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Mr. Casey:
1 ~xecuiive Rerist-y ~
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As you know, 1988 will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
assassination of President John F. Keruiedy. Without doubt, November
22, 1963, will forever remain one of the most sad and unforgettable
dates in American history.
In the interest of contributing to both the t*emory of President
Kennedy and the event itself, I have chosen the naves of a select group
of outstanding Americans in order to caripi~e my upco[ning book, November
22, 1963: Haw i^hey Reacted. All of these pzorninent individuals, including
yourself , are receiving letters from tre seeking responses on hcyw they
reacted upon hearing the news of JFK's death. Some of these names
were already famous twenty years ago, many were not. Nevertheless,
this book should prove to be invaluable reading for all who appreciate
history, both young and old.
Accordingly, it is my hope that you will pe.~-sonally respond to
the following questions:
1. Where were you when you first heard the news of President
Kennedy's shooting?
2. How did you react to the news?
3. On that date, what impact did you feel President Kennedy's
death ~~ould have on the nation?
Thank you for your assistance in responding to this letter at
your earliest convenience, as well as contributing to both my research
and to history.
Sincerely,
B. Jovich ~,
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June 10, 1983
Historian
Thank you for your recent letter and
request for my recollection of the day that
President Kennedy was killed. The answers to your
specific questions are:
(1) I was in East Texas speaking at a
Kiwanls Club luncheon when I heard of the Kennedy
assassination. I was making a political speech as
part of my campaign for the U.S. Senate.
(2) My reaction to the news was one of
shock and disbelief.
C3) I don't recall that I considered
immediately the Impact on the nation. President
Johnson moved so fast--properly so--to take over
that there was never any question of continuity.
Best of ]uck on your protect. It
certainly sounds like It would be an interesting
book.
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GERALD I3. FORD
May 31, 1983
Dear Mr. Jovich:
I am in receipt of your letter dated May 20, 1983, and
the following are my responses.
We (Betty and I) were terribly shocked because we had
become reasonably good friends of President Kennedy
during our first term in the House of Representatives.
JFK came to the House of Representatives in January
1947 and I was sworn in two years later in January 1949.
In 1949 and 1950 our staff offices were across the
corridor from each other. As a result, JFK and I got
well acquainted.
I was especially saddened because a person I admired
had met a tragic death and I was angry because this
crime could occur in the United States.
On the date of the assassination there was no way I could
accurately assess the impact of his assassination. I
knew, of course, Vice President Johnson was an able
dedicated and effective leader, but had no specific
knowledge as to what his policies might be. Subjectively,
I did thank our forefathers for providing a Constitution
that gave our nation the capability to handle the trans-
fer of authority in such a tragic circumstance.
Sincerely,
P.S. My wife, Betty, and I were driving in Washington,
D.C., for an interview with an educational counselor
for one of our children when we heard about the
shooting of President Kennedy.
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March 6, 1986
M r. John B. 1ov ich
Dear Mr. Jovich:
I was in my office at NBC in Washington preparing for that night's
news program, the Huntley-Brinkley Report, when a young staff
member ran in and said, "Kennedy's been shot. "
My first reaction was to see exactly what had happened -- was he
seriously hurt? Was he alive? And my second was to rush into
the NBC studio and put the news on the air. Huntley and I then
stayed on almost continuously for three days, around the clock.
I thought the impact on the American people, since it happened in
a time of social disturbance and disorder, would be profound. And
I believe it was.
Sincerely,
~_ ~ ~