JFK's Visit to Miami
18
December 1963
(SS Report dated Dec. 11, 1963)
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
UNITED STATES SECRET
SERVICE
White House Detail Washington, D.C.
December 11, 1963
FINAL SURVEY REPORT
RE: President's visit to Miami, Florida, on
November 18, 1963, to address the Inter-American Press
Association
Mr. James J. Rowley
Chief, U.S. Secret Service
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
INTRODUCTION
This survey was conducted by Sas L. F. de Freese and J.
Walter
Coughlin, White House Detail, and SA Talmadge Bailey, Miami,
at Miami
and Miami Beach, Florida, from November 11 through November
18, 1963.
Approximately 3000 persons attended a rally on the
President's arrival
at Miami International Airport, and approximately 1200
delegates to the
Inter-American Press Association convention attended the
dinner at the
Americana Hotel where the President spoke.
ITINERARY
5:10 p.m. USAF #26000 arrived concourse #$1, delta apron,
Miami International Airport.
5:15 p.m. The President deplaned and "Ruffles and
Flourishes" and "Hail
to the Chief" were rendered. The President was greeted
by Mr. Lee
Hills, Editor in Chief, Miami Herald, and Mr. Romulo
O'Farrell,
President of IAPA.
The President was then escorted to the speakers' stand by
State
Senators Cliff Herrell and George Hollahan.
Appropriate dress was
business suit.
5:20 p.m. Congressman Fascell introduced other U.S.
Congressmen and
Senators on the speakers' stand, including Congressman
Pepper.
5:22 p.m. Congressman Pepper introduced Governor Bryant, who
introduced
the President. The President spoke for approximately 10
minutes.
5:30 p.m. President left speakers' stand and, after shaking
hands with
many in the general public area and guests in the VIP
section, boarded
helicopter.
5:35 p.m. Helicopter departed airport.
5:45 p.m. Helicopter arrived heliport, Haulover Beach Park.
5:48 p.m. President departed helicopter by automobile. [
photo of route ]
5:50 p.m. President arrived Americana Hotel, was greeted by
Mr. Charles
Bogdahn, General Manager, and Mr. Alvin LeFaivre,
Vice-President of the
hotel, and was escorted to his suite.
6:40 p.m. President departed suite and proceeded via
elevator to Suite
1169-1170-1171-and 1172 to greet selected local Democrats.
6:50 p.m. President proceeded via elevator to lobby floor,
was greeted
by officers of IAPA, including Mr. Hills and Mr. O'Farrell,
and
escorted to reception for head table guests near main
ballroom.
7:10 p.m. President proceeded via elevator to lobby floor,
was greeted
by officers of IAPA, including Mr. Hills and Mr. O'Farrell,
and
escorted to reception for head table guests near main
ballroom.
7:10 p.m. President proceeded to head table and, following
invocation
by Rev. Robert W. Shaw, dinner was served.
Approximately dress
for head table guests was black tie.
8:30 p.m. The President, after being introduced by Mr.
O'Farrell, spoke for 28 minutes.
9:00 p.m. The President departed the hotel via automobile.
9:02 p.m. President arrived helicopter.
9:04 p.m. Airborne in helicopter.
9:13 p.m. Arrived Miami International Airport.
9:20 p.m. USAF #26000 airborne.
ROUTES
Miami International Airport to Haulover Beach Heliport and
Return:
Via Helicopter Flight Time – 10 minutes
Helicopter to Americana Hotel: South on Collins Avenue to
employees entrance to hotel
Distance –1 mile Travel Time –2 minutes
SECURITY
Miami International Airport
This is a recently completed and improved airport serving
both overseas
and domestic flights of major airlines, the runways of which
are
capable of receiving any type of aircraft flying
today.
Arrangements were made to restrict air traffic on the
East-West runway
used by USAF #1 during its arrival and departure. Maj.
Charles
Nedbal, representing the U.S. Air Force, assisted in
Arranging aircraft
security at the airport.
The terminal building, 7/8 mile along and semi-circular in
shape,
utilizes protruding concourses to service arriving and
departing
aircraft. The area east of Delta Airlines concourse
#1, southern
most of the concourses, was used for arrival
ceremonies. A
diagram of this airport is attached.
Uniformed officers of the Dade County Metropolitan Sheriff's
Office
were stationed in waiting rooms overlooking the restricted
and public
areas, and on the roof of this concourse commanding an
excellent view
of the entire area. Entrance to the restricted area
through the
concourse and through a gate at the east side of the apron
was
controlled by uniformed officers. Officers were also
placed
around three tanks containing aviation fuel approximately
200 yards
east of the public area. A permanent fence also
separated the
public from the tank area.
A temporary chain link fence, supported by tubular
scaffolding and
aircraft tow trucks, was constructed across the apron to
separate the
public and restricted areas. Uniformed officers were
stationed
every 10 feet along the fence. In addition,
plainclothes
Spanish-speaking officers were placed in the public are near
the
speakers' stand.
Individuals invited to sit on the speakers' stand, with
others invited
to stand in a VIP area near the speakers' stand, were
assembled in the
concourse, issued identification tags, and were escorted to
their
proper places in a body.
Uniformed police, plainclothes officers, and agents of this
Service
were posted near the ramp to USAF #1, around the speakers'
stand, press
and VIP areas, and at helicopter #1.
Americana Hotel
The Towers section of the Americana Hotel was completed in
1959 of
concrete block and reinforced concrete. The first five
floors
contain enclosed auto parking areas. Atop this are
seven floors
of 22 sleeping rooms each. The presidential suite (see
diagram)
was on the top floor overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The suite
immediately beneath President's was secured and used for the
Democratic
party reception. The presidential suite was inspected
by agents
of this Service and Metropolitan bomb squad detectives and
was secured
prior to his arrival.
One bank of two Otis elevators serves the Towers
section. These
elevators were inspected by qualified servicemen prior to
the
President's arrival. Normally self-service, for this
occasion
they were controlled manually by operators cleared by this
Service.
Entrance to the Banquet Room, head table reception room.
Democratic
reception suite, employees entrance area, and routes of
travel in the
hotel were controlled by agents of this Service, with
plainclothes and
uniformed officers of cooperating police agencies. A
Coast Guard
patrol boat cruised the beach area adjacent to the hotel.
Lists of dinner guests and head table reception guests were
screened,
and hotel employees necessary to function in the vicinity of
the
President were cleared by SA Aragon, Miami.
These lists, as well as identification tags (see
attachment), were used by agents in admitting guests to
their specific area.
Officers of the Bal Harbour Fire Department inspected areas
of the
hotel that the President visited and were positioned
strategically
throughout the hotel.
The attic area above the Banquet Room, as well as the
basement areas below, were inspected and secured by local
police officers.
Haulover Beach Heliport [ see photo ]
This heliport, located adjacent to Collins Avenue, one mile
north of
the Americana Hotel, was approved safe for landing by Capt.
Bruce
Colbert, USMC. Uniformed officers of the Metropolitan Dade
County
Police, with agents of this Service, provided
security. A roped
area immediately north of the landing area was provided for
the
public. A fire truck with foam equipment and an
ambulance was
stationed at the helicopter for use if necessary.
Motor Route [ see photo ]
Uniformed officers of cooperating police departments
controlled all
intersections along this route, and a police boat cruised
the waters
under and near the only bridge along the route. Six
motorcycle
police were utilized as an escort, a Florida Highway Patrol
car was
used as lead car, and two motorcycles followed to prevent
traffic from
overtaking the motorcade.
In the event weather conditions had prevented use of
helicopters,
arrangements had been made to motor from the airport to the
hotel and
return. This route was not publicized.
POST ASSIGNMENTS
Miami International Airport
1. Ramp. USAF #1
SA de Freese
1 Metro. Detective
2 Uniformed Off
2. Front of speakers' stand.
SA Aragon
2 Metro. Detectives
2 Uniformed Offs.
3. Front of speakers' stand.
SA Blaine
4. Rear steps - speakers' stand.
SA Bailey, 1 Det.
2 Uniformed Offs.
5. West steps - speakers' stand.
SA McIntyre
1 Metro. Detective
1 Uniformed Off.
6. Press area
SA Bennett
1 Metro. Detective
6 Uniformed Offs.
7. Press area.
SA Kollar
8. VIP area.
ATSAIC Roberts
2 Metro. Detectives
4 Uniformed Offs.
Americana Hotel
1. Point where presidential limousine stops.
SA Coughlin
1 Metro. Detective
2 Uniformed Offs.
2. Elevator landing - basement.
Curry (3-11)
2 Uniformed Offs.
3. 12th floor elevator landing - suite entrance S
A Lawton
1 Metro. Detective
4. Lobby floor elevator landing.
SA Lawton
2 Metro. Detectives
5. Entrance to Medallion Room (check-point)
SA Jamison
1 Metro. Detective
1 Uniformed Off.
6. Entrance to head table reception room
(check-point) SA Zboril
7. Seated - ballroom.
ATSAIC Roberts
8. Seated - ballroom
SA Blaine
9. East end head table
SA Zboril
1 Metro. Detective
10. West end head table
SA Bennett
1 Metro. Detective
11. Departure ramp.
SA McIntyre
1 Metro. Detective
2 Uniformed Offs.
12. Hotel lobby.
SA Aragon
2 Metro. Detectives
5 Uniformed Offs.
13. Hotel lobby.
SA Kollar
Helicopter
1. Heliport.
SA Howell
2 Metro. Detectives
15 Uniformed Offs.
In addition to the above assignments for Special Agents of
this
Service, officers and plainclothes detectives of the
Metropolitan
Department of Public Safety, Miami, Bal Harbour, Surfside,
Miami Beach,
Hialeah, and Coral Gables Police Departments, Florida
Highway Patrol,
were positioned as needed throughout areas the President
visited.
Representatives of the Metro-Dade County and Bal Harbour
Fire
Departments were utilized as necessary at Miami
International Airport,
the heliport, and Americana Hotel.
INSTRUCTIONS TO AGENTS
Sas Zboril and Lawton arrived aboard the press charter, were
furnished
transportation directly to the hotel, and were posted by SA
Coughlin. ATSAIC Roberts, McIntyre (Sas), Bennett,
Kollar, and
Blaine were posted at the airport. Following the
President's
departure from the airport, these agents proceeded to the
hotel with
Sas Bailey and Aragon and were posted.
SAS Greer and Rybka, arriving on USAF #1, rode helicopter
#1, Sas
Sulliman, Berger, and Morey rode helicopter #2 and worked
the follow-up
car from the helicopter to the hotel and return. SA
Jones,
following the President's departure from the airport, was
transported
by SA Bailey to the hotel and was posted. SA O'Leary,
with the
President's luggage, came directly from Palm Beach to the
Americana
Hotel by automobile.
Sas Jones, O'Leary, and Lawton departed the hotel at 8:00
p.m. with SA
Bailey and proceeded to the airport to effect departure
security.
ATSAIC Roberts, with Sas Blaine, Zboril, McIntyre, Bennett,
and Kollar
departed the hotel at 10:00 p.m. with Sas Aragon and Jamison
and
proceeded to the airport for departure aboard the press
charter.
ASAIC Boring, arriving on USAF #1, rode helicopter #1 and
remained with the President on all movements.
All Special Agents wore their permanent lapel bars.
Security arrangements were supervised by ASAIC Boring and
Sas de Freese, Coughlin, and Bailey.
Hotel employees necessary to function in secured areas wore
orange ball
lapel clips. All plainclothes police officers wore
silver ball
lapel clips.
In the event a motorcade had become necessary from the
airport to the
hotel, all agents arriving aboard the press charter would
have been
furnished transportation and gone directly to the hotel to
be posted by
SA Coughlin. Follow-up would remain the same with SA
Jones being
furnished transportation in the motorcade.
AUTOMOBILES
All cars used for the motorcade were furnished by the Ford
Motor
Company through the cooperation of Mr. James Golden, area
representative. Cars used were those already assigned
to Palm
Beach. The presidential car, a Mercury convertible on
arrival,
and a Continental hardtop on departure, was driven by SA
Greer. The Secret Service follow-up car, a Ford
convertible, was driven by SA Rybka.
Wire service car was furnished by Bell Telephone
Company.
Vehicles used by the press were arranged for by Mr. Ed.
Jones, press
coordinator.
PROTECTIVE RESEARCH
SAIC Bouck, Protective Research Section, was notified of the
President's intentions to visit Florida on November 8, 1963,
who said
that he would keep the Miami office advised of any PRS
activity in the
area. SA Aragon was in touch with PRS, Washington
D.C., and will
submit a separate report regarding the Miami Cuban
Situation. SA
Bailey, Miami, will submit reports of PRS significance under
file
#3-11-601.0 (ROHINSKI), and #3-11-5573-5 (DERBER).
COMMUNICATIONS
The following communications arrangements were made for the
visit of
the President to Miami on the 18th day of November,
1963. White
House switchboard was installed in the Americana Hotel with
direct
facilities to Washington and other points to be visited by
the
President. Local White House lines were installed to
the Miami
Airport, the helicopter pad, and the Americana Hotel.
Alternate
routing and equipment were provided. Radio
communications
facilities for continuous motorcade contact were
installed.
Secure teletype communications from Miami Beach and courier
service
were located in the Americana Hotel.
PRESS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
All press activities were under the direction of Assistant
Press
Secretary Kilduff, coordinating with Mr. Ed. Jones, local
press
representative. Press areas were established at the
airport,
hotel arrival area, and in the Banquet Room.
The President's speech was taped for television release at a
later
hour, with live closed-circuit telecast to the hotel press
room, locate
in the Caribbean Room.
CONCLUSION
Cooperating in this survey were:
Mr. Lee Hills, Executive Editor, Miami Herald
Mr. Edward Eicher, Sales Manager, Americana Hotel
Mr. E. V. W. Jones, Press Coordinator, IAPA
Mr. J. Skip Shepard (representing Congressman Fascell)
Mr. William Jibb (representing Senator Smathers)
Mr. Milton Herlong, Delta Airlines, Station Manager
Chief W. T. Norton, Dade County Port Authority
Maj. Floyd Alsbury, Dade County Sheriff's Office
Sgt. Charles Black, Dade County Sheriff's Office
Capt. F. S. Napier, Miami Police Department
Chief Rocky Pomerance, Miami Beach Police Department
Chief D. C. Kenneth, Miami Beach Fire Department
Chief D. C. Wayne Thurman, North Miami Police Department
Chief G. W. Owens, Bal Harbour Police Department
Chief Richard E. Creelman, Bal Harbour Fire Department
Chief Wiley Barefoot, Surfside Police Department
Sheriff Jesse Barkett, Metropolitan Dade County Sheriff's
Office
Capt. J. K. Sox, (Airport), Metropolitan Dade County
Sheriff's Office
Acting Chief Walter E. Foden, Bay Harbour Islands Police
Department
Chief William E. Kimbrough, Coral Gables Police Department
Cooperating in the over-all security measures were:
White House Detail Agents. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 18
Miami Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 4
* Uniformed Patrolmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 155
* Detectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 30
* Firemen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 12
219
* Uniformed and plainclothes officers listed above were
enlisted from
the city of Miami, city of Miami Beach, city of North
Miami, Bal
Harbour Village, town of Surfside, Metropolitan Dade County
Sheriff's
Office, Bar Harbour Islands, and city of Coral Gables.
Attached to this report are the following:
1. Local Press Credentials
2. Head Table Identification
Dinner Admission Ticket
3. Airport and Democratic Reception Identification
4. 12th Floor Plan, Americana Towers
5. Miami International Airport, Arrival Area
6. Ground Floor, Americana Hotel
7. Automobile Assignments
8. Helicopter Assignments
Very truly yours,
L. F. Freese
Special Agent
APPROVED:
Gerald A. Behn
Special Agent in Charge
Attachments (8)
2 ccs Miami
AUTOMOBILE ASSIGNMENTS
Heliport to Hotel
Lead Car
SA de Freese
Dr. Burkley
Presidential Limousine
The President
Senator Smathers
Mr. Boring
Mr. Greer - driving
SS Follow-Up Car
Sas Rybka - driving
Stout
Sulliman
Morey
Berger
Wire Service
Mr. Salinger
Car #1
Mr. O'Donnell
Congressman Pepper
Congressman Fascell
Car #2
Mr. Powers
Congressman Gibbons
Mayor High
Car #3
Governor Bryant
Mr. Kynes
General Mcbugh
Car #4
Mrs. Lincoln
Miss Camp
Mr. Baltimore
Mr. Jibb
Car #5
Congressman McDonald
Congressman Green
Mr. Vessels
End of Page
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