Buried at Sea: The Casket That Carried John F Kennedy From Dallas To Washington
Updated: Apr 15
The story of JFK's original coffin is a story worth telling. Secret Service agent Clint Hill, who famously leapt onto the back of President Kennedy's limousine in the aftermath of the fatal shots, commissioned the casket from Dallas undertaker Vernon O'Neal when efforts to save the President at Parkland Hospital proved futile. The chosen casket was crafted from solid bronze and lined with white satin, with a price tag of $3,995, which would equate to more than $36,000 in today's currency.
The casket was a Handley Britannia model by the Elgin Casket Company that weighed in at over 400 pounds.With the assistance of his employees, O'Neal managed to load the casket into the hearse. However, upon reaching the hospital and witnessing the condition of the body meant to be placed in the coffin, he was appalled by the sight. President Kennedy's wounds were still bleeding profusely, and the blood continued to ooze from his remains. In order to safeguard the integrity of the casket, O'Neal and the nurses wrapped the President's body in linen sheets and lined the coffin with plastic to prevent blood from seeping into the lining. Despite their efforts, the interior of the casket suffered irreparable damage. The decision was made to conduct Kennedy's autopsy at Bethesda Naval Hospital near Washington, at the request of the former First Lady.
At Parkland Hospital, the body of President John F. Kennedy was carefully placed into the coffin, and the Secret Service entourage commenced moving it from the hospital premises for transportation to Washington.
However, conflicting reports emerge regarding the subsequent events. According to one narrative, the agents encountered resistance from Dr. Earl Rose, the Dallas County Medical Examiner, who physically obstructed their path, asserting that, according to law, an autopsy had to be conducted in Dallas before the body could be removed.
Despite pleas and arguments from the agents and Kennedy aides, Dr. Rose remained adamant. As tensions escalated, Justice of the Peace Theron Ward was summoned to intervene, but he sided with Dr. Rose, declaring, "It's just another homicide as far as I'm concerned." This declaration proved to be the tipping point for Kennedy's associates, with Kenny O'Donnell, a close aide, reportedly losing his composure and vehemently expressing their intent to proceed, regardless of obstacles.
With the atmosphere fraught with shock and disbelief over the tragic events that transpired only hours earlier, a confrontation ensued, with Secret Service men poised for confrontation. Eventually, the President's coffin, almost used as a battering ram, was hurriedly maneuvered out of the hospital, with Dr. Rose, Justice Ward, and Dallas policemen being pushed aside in the process.
However, Secret Service agent Clint Hill recalls the incident differently in later testimony. He omits mention of a dramatic encounter and suggests that the Dallas official reluctantly agreed to allow the body to be transported, provided it was accompanied by a qualified medical professional until the autopsy in Washington.
Upon the arrival of Kennedy's remains at Bethesda Naval Hospital, doctors discovered that the protective measures implemented by Vernon O'Neal in Dallas were insufficient. Consequently, the casket's interior suffered significant damage, rendering it unsuitable for the President's viewing in the Capitol. The funeral home responsible for embalming Kennedy took possession of the casket, uncertain of what to do with it, and retained it for over a year.
Meanwhile, back in Dallas, Vernon O'Neal engaged in a dispute with the U.S. government over the exorbitant price of the coffin. Despite O'Neal's subsequent reduction of the price, negotiations stalled. O'Neal knew having the casket would make him a lot of money.
There were reports that Vernon O’Neal had received an offer of $100,000 for the coffin so that it could be put on display as a relic of the assassination. But it no longer belonged to him and on 18th February, 1966, at the Kennedy family’s request, it was disposed of by the Air Force. They filled the casket with sandbags, encased it in a solid pine box, then drilled over 40 holes into the structure. It was also bound with metal banding tape and finally fitted with parachutes.
This rare load was taken aboard a C130 transport plane, then flew to a selected point 9,000 feet deep and away from shipping lanes. At 10am the casket was pushed out of the C130’s tail hatch and after the parachutes softened its landing on the water it immediately sank. The C130 circled the area for 20 minutes to make sure nothing resurfaced.
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