SAN DIEGO — John F. Kennedy was no stranger to San Diego. He visited our county both as a candidate and after he was elected as our 35th President. His last visit here was in June 1963, just five months before his assassination.
“This is the state that we must carry on November 8th,” said then-candidate Kennedy to a cheering crowd of San Diegans at Lindbergh Field. He made the remarks during a quick trip to San Diego just six days before the election. Kennedy was interviewed there by CBS 8 anchor Harold Keen.
“Your brother, Ted Kennedy, is going to spend about three and a half days down here. Does that indicate San Diego County is a very critical area?” Keen asked. “It’s key,” Kennedy replied. “It's a large county in the United States. California has 32 electoral votes. It's going to be most important.”
His motorcade then headed to Horton Plaza where a crowd, estimated at 20 thousand, cheered him on. He told his supporters, “I think San Diego has been one of the boiler points for the building of American strength and American forces and American vitality. I think here in San Diego we can lead to the democratic tide. Thank you very much.”
Richard Nixon ending up winning San Diego by more than 50,000 votes, which pushed him past Kennedy to win the state, but Kennedy ended up winning the election nationwide to become, at age 43, our youngest president ever.
President Kennedy returned to San Diego in June 1963 for several special events - starting with a parade down El Cajon boulevard which was televised live on CBS 8. “The president looks fit,” the announcer said as the President rode by. “He's got a great smile. he's waving to all the people. Also waving to our cameras. Right now - getting a tremendous ovation from the crowd.”
Next, President Kennedy traveled to San Diego State where he delivered the commencement address at the Aztec Bowl. “No country can possibly move ahead, no free society can possibly be sustained unless it has an educated citizenry,” he told the graduates. Around 30,000 people attended the graduation and applauded his appearance.
From there, it was off to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Kennedy was the first sitting president to ever visit the facility. He watched training, gave a cursory inspection of the Honor Guard, and thanked everyone there for their service. “I want to express my very strong appreciation to all of you this morning - on behalf of the people of this country,” he said.
He was then flown off the Silver Strand to the USS Kitty Hawk, where he spent the night before leaving town. It would be his last visit ever to San Diego. Just five months later, on November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas. The news hit San Diegans hard. The county administration building closed early. Flags in Hillcrest flown at half-staff and special services were held across the county, including one attended by hundreds of people at the naval training center.
John F. Kennedy was just 46 years old when he died.