Why J.F.K’s Widow Chose Bethesda as his Autopsy Hospital

President John F. Kennedy was shot dead by former United States marine Lee Harvey. The assassination was done in Dallas Texas during a presidential motorcade two years after he took office.  After his death, his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy who was made a widow chose the Bethesda Hospital to conduct his autopsy raising public alarm, confusion, and suspicion. This article will reveal to you the reason why she chose Bethesda Hospital for her late husband’s autopsy rather than following the norm. 

President John F. Kennedy

President Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University where he studied Government. World War II saw Kennedy as a naval officer who commanded PT boats and laid a good record for himself after he survived and even rescued his teammates from drowning following the sinking of PT-109. This act granted him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and tagged him a war hero however he suffered serious injuries. 

His political career started when he was elected junior senator for Massachusetts after which he ran for president in 1960 and won. 

The Assassination

The assassination was done by former United States Marine Lee Harvey Oswald. He got access to the president while he was riding in a motorcade down Dallas, Texas. The president was riding in a convertible which was what granted the killer access to make the shot.

Governor of Texas John Connolly who was in the car also got injured in the act but recovered later while the women, Kennedy, and John’s wives were only spooked. Only President Kennedy lost his life in the attack. 

After the attack, the suspect Lee Harvey Oswald was also killed before he could stand before the court. His murder was done by a nightclub owner Jack Ruby two days after he killed the president. 

Why J.F Kennedy’s Widow Chose Bethesda as his Autopsy Hospital

Following the norm, any case of homicide done in Dallas, Texas usually has the autopsy performed by the local authorities. This was why there was public unrest following the decision of Jacqueline Kennedy to perform the autopsy at Bethesda hospital as the public thought she was planning to hide or alter the results of the autopsy. Till now, there are still slight debates about the validity of the autopsy results. 

However, the reason why she picked the Bethesda Hospital to conduct the autopsy is because the hospital is located on a naval base and President Kennedy had served in the Navy once so she believed she would receive utmost care and attention while also being assured of her safety during the period of conflict. 

Another reason why she chose this hospital is that the Bethesda hospital was familiar with their family having treated the former president in the past. These are the reasons why Jacqueline Kennedy chose Bethesda Hospital to conduct the autopsy. Understandably, she would not be open to having her husband’s autopsy conducted in the same place where he was assassinated.