Aug. 2, 1961 - Gerald A. Behn (pictured with President Kennedy), a Secret Service agent since 1939, was given responsibility today for the personal safety of the President and his family. President Kennedy chose him to head the service's White House detail. Mr. Behn, 45, was in charge of the detail assigned to guard Mr. Kennedy before he was inaugurated. He handled the Richard Pavlick case. Pavlick, who planned to assassinate the President, was captured as the result of an anonymous letter. In his career, Mr. Behn has also helped to protect Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. He will be in charge of a sizable group of agents. Exactly how many are in the White House detail is kept secret.
