Phillip Willis facts for kids

Phillip LaFrance Willis (born August 2, 1918 – died January 27, 1995) was a brave World War II soldier. He was also a very important witness to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Phillip Willis later shared what he saw with the Warren Commission, a group that investigated the event.

Phillip Willis's Early Life and Military Adventures

Phillip Willis was born in Kaufman County, Texas. His father, Alvin Samuel Willis, was a school teacher. Phillip also had a brother named Doyle.

On December 7, 1941, Phillip Willis was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was stationed at Bellows Field in Hawaii. He was there during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Willis is known for leading the group that captured the first Japanese prisoner of war for the United States during World War II. This prisoner was Kazuo Sakamaki.

Willis flew many types of planes, including observation planes and fighter aircraft. He also flew combat missions in the B-17 bomber. He retired from the military in 1946. This was because of a back injury he got when his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. He received many awards for his service. These included two Silver Stars and a Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Willis went to college. He earned a degree in government from North Texas State Teachers College in 1948. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1946 and again in 1948. Phillip and his brother Doyle were the only brothers to serve in the Texas House at the same time. Later, he worked in real estate. He also built civil defense shelters and became a car dealer. In 1960, Willis moved to Dallas.

Phillip Willis was married to Marilyn Willis. They had two daughters, Linda and Rosemary.

Witnessing a Historic Moment: The JFK Assassination

On November 22, 1963, Phillip Willis was in Dealey Plaza when President Kennedy was assassinated. He was standing near the street corner of Houston and Elm Streets. He took many color slides (photos) right before, during, and after the shooting. You can even see Willis in the famous Zapruder film up to frame #206. This is just before President Kennedy's car went behind the Stemmons Freeway sign.

During the assassination, Willis took a special 35mm color slide. This was the fifth of 27 photos he took that day. It showed the President's car and the people inside. It also showed the United States Secret Service agents' car and the people watching the parade. In the background, you can see the grassy knoll.

Testimony and His Famous Photo

On July 22, 1964, Phillip Willis spoke to Wesley J. Liebeler. Liebeler was a lawyer for the Warren Commission. Willis gave his testimony at the Post Office Building in Dallas.

Twelve of Willis's color slides, with descriptions, were used as "Willis Exhibit 1" for the Warren Commission. Willis told the Commission that his fifth photo was taken by accident. He had his camera ready to take a picture. Then, he heard a loud noise like a gunshot. His finger, which was already on the camera button, reacted to the noise. He quickly pushed the button, and the fifth photo was taken. This photo was taken at the same time as frame 202 of the Zapruder film.

In this fifth photo, some people believe they can see an unknown person. This person is said to be on the grassy knoll. They are seen near a 3-foot-tall concrete wall and a 5-foot-tall wooden fence. Because of the shape of this person's outline, some authors and researchers call them the "black dog man."

In 1978, Willis's daughter Rosemary was interviewed. She told investigators that her father was upset. He saw Dallas police, sheriffs, and detectives run onto the grassy knoll. Phillip thought the shots came from there. But then, they ran away from the grassy knoll. In his Warren Commission testimony, Willis said the shots came from the Texas School Book Depository.

In a 1979 interview, Willis said: "There's no doubt in our mind the final shot that blew his head off did not come from the depository. His head blew up like a halo. The brains and matter went to the left and the rear."

Later Years and Legacy

Phillip Willis passed away on January 27, 1995. He died from leukemia at his home in Dallas. The Texas House of Representatives passed a special resolution to honor him.

See also

In Spanish: Phillip Willis para niños