Mr. Adams. Mr. O'Donnell?
Mr. O'Brien. Yes.
Mr. Adams. Did there come a time when Mr. O'Donnell left?
Mr. O'Brien. Mr. O'Donnell, at one point we discussed the situation—and Mr. O'Donnell at one point determined that he should cross the corridor and advise the Vice President of what the situation appeared to be at that moment. And as I recall, it was the conclusion that this was an extremely serious matter, we hadn't any formal advice or official advice on the situation, but the seriousness of it should be imparted to the Vice President.
He left briefly for that purpose, I assume, and returned to the position where we had been standing.
Mr. Adams. How did it come officially to your notice that the President was dead?
Mr. O'Brien. Again, I just don't know. It was a matter of standing for what seemed to be an interminable period of time—I have no idea the specific time—and, again, I cannot recall a specific instance when an announcement was made. It was more just finally having what gradually became obvious penetrate with you, it was, that it was an actuality.
Mr. Adams. How was the fact conveyed to Mrs. Kennedy? Do you remember that?
Mr. O'Brien. I don't remember a specific conversation by anyone with her. People came to her, hospital staff people, doctors from time to time that would lean down and whisper to her. I don't know whether at one of those occasions this was specifically stated. I think, again, perhaps it was just gradually we all came to a conclusion.
Mr. Adams. Well, at any rate, after the fact was—had, as you well put it, had penetrated, what happened next, as far as you know?