FOUR DAYS IN NOVEMBER: THE WWJ NBC DETROIT RADIO COVERAGE. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1963

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WWJ NBC Detroit Radio logo, 1963

In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:

Ron Nessen (Washington); Don Doke (White House); Ed Gulf (Mobile Unit); Dave Rush (St. Matthews Cathedral)

The complete coverage of the Low Pontifical Requiem Mass for President Kennedy at St. Matthews Cathedral, as broadcasted on WWJ, Detroit, on the NBC Radio Network. Highlights:

“Hail to the Chief” (JFK casket brought into Cathedral); Commencement of Mass; Entrance Hymn; Reading of the Gospel; Offertory; Consecration; The Lord’s Prayer; Celebrant’s Communion; Communion Missile; Communion Prayer; End of Mass; Words by Reverend Phillip M. Hannon (Auxiliary Catholic Bishop) Washington; Cardinal Richard Cushing; Cardinal and dignitaries exit Cathedral.

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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.

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Sunday, November 24 and through Monday morning, November 25. Lying in state, the President’s bier is viewed by over 250,000 mourners for nearly twenty-four hours inside the United States Capitol Rotunda. (Photo: Associated Press)

Monday morning. Outside the U.S. Capitol, the President’s casket rests momentarily on the military horse drawn cortege before proceeding to St. Matthews Cathedral.

 John F. Kennedy, Jr., salutes his father’s flag-draped coffin outside St. Matthews Cathedral. (Photo: Associated Press)

The Detroit Free Press Tuesday, November 26, 1963

The Military Cortege on Connecticut Avenue, approaching the Lincoln Memorial and the Memorial Bridge, crossing the Potomac into Arlington. (Photo: Associated Press)

A U.S. Navy serviceman weeps as President Kennedy’s casket passes by inside Arlington.

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WWJ NBC Detroit Radio logo, 1963

In this segment you will hear the NBC reports of President John F. Kennedy’s State Funeral:

The complete and final coverage of President Kennedy’s Funeral. As broadcasted on WWJ, Detroit, on the NBC Radio Network. Highlights:

JFK’s casket, caisson leaves Cathedral; Ed Gulf, (Mobile Unit) reporting; JFK Funeral procession crossing Potomac; Procession continues; Procession enters Arlington; JFK casket carried to gravesite; Kennedy family approaches grave; National Anthem, Air Force Bag Pipes; The Fly-By; Blessing of the Grave (Richard Cardinal Cushing presides); Military Honor 21 Gun Salute; Oratory Prayers, Church Consecration; Military Honor Guard 3 Gun Salute, Playing Military Taps; Military Honor Guard folds Flag; Cushing officiates Prayers, recites Church Blessings of the Grave; Flag handed to Mrs. Kennedy, commence lighting of the Eternal Flame.

” . . . John F. Kennedy, has been laid to rest.”

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Classical music resumes play over the NBC Radio Network

The Honor Guard rests the President’s casket upon the placer. It is 2:52 p.m., EST. (Photo: Associated Press)

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Bob Pratt

A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings to the Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.

In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.

In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago. The recordings began at 11:16 a.m. through 3:43 p.m., Monday afternoon, November 25, 1963.

Bob Pratt also shared his own recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.

These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time, when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.

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Archbishop Richard Cardinal Cushing officiates Prayers, recites the Church Blessing of the Grave over President Kennedy’s casket and final resting place in Arlington. (Photo: Charles Del Vecchio, The Washington Post)

The U.S. flag draping the President’s coffin is folded and is presented to Mrs. Kennedy, photographed facing Auxiliary Catholic Bishop Phillip Hannon (Washington D.C.), 3:15 p.m., EST. (Photo: Associated Press)

Above newspaper images courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.

The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

All photographs used for this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are displayed here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.

For largest views – if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.

All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The selected ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.

Photos featured: Associated Press

At 3:34 p.m., EST., the NBC Radio Network concludes its four-day coverage, closing with these remarks, ”. . . John F. Kennedy, has been laid to rest.

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