Rare JFK Assassination Footage Emerges: A New Perspective on History

In a significant development for historians and collectors alike, a rare 10-second color film capturing the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination is set to be auctioned. The footage, taken by truck driver Dale T. Carpenter Sr., has remained in his family's possession for over six decades, offering a unique glimpse into one of the most tragic moments in American history.

The film shows the presidential Lincoln Continental speeding along North Stemmons Freeway in Dallas, with Secret Service agent Clint Hill shielding the wounded president and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. This previously unseen perspective adds a new dimension to the historical record of the events of November 22, 1963.

Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR Auction, which is handling the sale, stated, "There's nothing like this." The auction house expects the footage to fetch a six-figure sum, highlighting its rarity and historical significance.

The Carpenter film provides a different angle from the well-known Zapruder footage, which captured the moment of the assassination. While Abraham Zapruder's 26-second film shows the fatal shot, Carpenter's footage focuses on the immediate aftermath as the motorcade rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Clint Hill, now 92, recounted his actions that day in a recent interview. He described jumping onto the moving vehicle and helping Jacqueline Kennedy back into her seat after she had crawled onto the trunk to retrieve a piece of the president's skull. Hill's quick thinking and bravery are clearly visible in the newly surfaced footage.

"I got up on top. ... I looked down and I could see right into the wound. The brain material was gone from that area, and for all intents and purposes to me, the man was dead."

The film also captures approximately 40 seconds of earlier, happier scenes from the motorcade's journey along Dallas's Lemmon Avenue, providing a stark contrast to the tragedy that would unfold moments later.

James Gates, Carpenter's grandson, explained that his grandfather likely didn't realize the significance of what he was filming at the time. The family has kept the footage private for decades, only recently deciding to make it public through the auction.

This newly emerged film joins a collection of photographic evidence that helps piece together the events of that fateful day. Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, emphasized the importance of multiple perspectives in understanding historical events.

As the 61st anniversary of the assassination approaches, this footage serves as a poignant reminder of a pivotal moment in American history. It not only provides new visual evidence but also highlights the quick response of Secret Service agents in the face of unprecedented crisis.

The auction, which began online on September 4, 2024, will culminate in a live event on September 28, 2024, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Boston. History enthusiasts and collectors alike eagerly await the opportunity to own this unique piece of American history.