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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