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on november 29th, president issued executive order 11130 see bottom
paragraph
WARREN REPORT (Complete)
REPORT OF
THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE ASSASSINATION OF
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
REPORT OF
THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE
ASSASSINATION OF
President John F. Kennedy
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1964
_________________________________________________________________________________
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C., 20402
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION
ON THE
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY
______________
CHIEF JUSTICE EARL WARREN, Chairman
FRANCIS W. H. ADAMS ALBERT E. JENNER, Jr.
JOSEPH A. BALL WESLEY J. LIEBELER
DAVID W. BELIN NORMAN REDLICH
WILLIAM T. COLEMAN, Jr . W. DAVID SLAWSON
MELVIN ARON EISENBERG ARLEN SPECTER
BURT W. GRIFFIN SAMUEL A. STERN
LEON D. HUBERT, Jr. HOWARD P. WILLENS**
Staff Members
PHILLIP BARSON
EDWARD A. CONROY
JOHN HART ELY
ALFRED GOLDBERG
MURRAY J. LAULICHT
ARTHUR MARMOR
RICHARD M. MOSK
JOHN J. O'BRIEN
STUART POLLAK
ALFREDDA SCOBEY
CHARLES N. SHAFFER, Jr.
LLOYD L. WEINREB
Letter of Transmittal
Page vii
PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION
ON THE
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY
200 Maryland Ave. N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002 J. LEE RANKIN
Telephone 543-1400 General Counsel
EARL WARREN
Chairman
RICHARD B. RUSSELL
JOHN SHERMAN COOPER
HALE BOGGS
GERALD R. FORD
JOHN J. McCLOY
ALLEN W. DULLES
September 24, 1964
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
Your Commission to investigate the assassination
of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963, having completed
its assignment in accordance with Executive Order No. 11130
of November 29, 1963, herewith submits its final report.
Respectfully,
Earl Warren
Earl Warren, Chairman
Richard B. Russell
John Sherman Cooper
Hale Boggs
Gerald R. Ford
Allen W. Dulles
Forword
Page ix
Foreword
PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON, by Executive Order No. 11130 dated November 29,
1963,1 created this Commission to investigate the assassination on November 22,
1963, of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. The
President directed the Commission to evaluate all the facts and circumstances
surrounding the assassination and the subsequent killing of the alleged assassin
and to report its findings and conclusions to him.2
The subject of the Commission's inquiry was a chain of events which saddened and
shocked the people of the United States and of the world. The assassination of
President Kennedy and the simultaneous wounding of John B. Connally, Jr.,
Governor of Texas, had been followed within an hour by the slaying of Patrolman
J. D. Tippit of the Dallas Police Department. In the United States and abroad,
these events evoked universal demands for an explanation.
Immediately after the assassination, State and local officials in Dallas devoted
their resources to the apprehension of the assassin. The U.S. Secret Service,
which is responsible for the protection of the President, and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation began an investigation at the direction of President Johnson.
Within 35 minutes of the killing of Patrolman Tippit, Lee Harvey Oswald was
arrested by the Dallas police as a suspect in that crime. Based on evidence
provided by Federal, State, and local agencies, the State of Texas arraigned
Oswald within 12 hours of his arrest, charging him with the assassination of
President Kennedy and the murder of Patrolman Tippit. On November 24, 1963, less
than 18 hours after his arrest, Oswald was fatally shot in the basement of the
Dallas Police Department by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner. This shooting
took place in full view of a national television audience.
The events of these 2 days were witnessed with shock and disbelief by a Nation
grieving the loss of its young leader. Throughout. the world, reports on these
events were disseminated in massive detail. Theories and speculations mounted
regarding the assassination. In many instances, the intense public demand for
facts was met by partial and frequently conflicting reports from Dallas and
elsewhere. After Oswald's arrest and his denial of all guilt, public attention
focused both on the extent of the evidence against him and the possibility of a
conspiracy, domestic or foreign. His subsequent death heightened public interest
and stimulated additional suspicions and rumors.
Page x
THE COMMISSION AND ITS POWERS
After Lee Harvey Oswald was shot by Jack Ruby, it was no longer possible to
arrive at the complete story of the assassination through normal judicial
procedures during a trial of the alleged assassin. Alternative means for
instituting a complete investigation were widely discussed. Federal and State
officials conferred on the possibility of initiating a extort of inquiry before
a State magistrate in Texas. An investigation by the grand jury of Dallas County
also was considered. As speculation about the existence of a foreign or domestic
conspiracy became widespread, committees in both Houses of Congress weighed the
desirability of congressional hearings to discover all the facts relating to the
assassination.
By his order of November 29 establishing the Commission, President Johnson
sought to avoid parallel investigations and to concentrate factfinding in a body
having the broadest national mandate. As Chairman of the Commission, President
Johnson selected Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States, former
Governor and attorney general of the State of California. From the U.S. Senate,
he chose Richard B. Russell, Democratic Senator from Georgia and chairman of the
Senate Armed Services Committee, former Governor of, and county attorney in, the
State of Georgia, and John Sherman Cooper, Republican Senator from Kentucky,
former county and circuit judge, State of Kentucky, and U.S. Ambassador to
India. Two members of the Commission were drawn from the U.S. House of
Representatives: Hale Boggs, Democratic U.S. Representative from Louisiana and
majority whip, and Gerald R. Ford, Republican, U.S. Representative from Michigan
and chairman of the House Republican Conference. From private life, President
Johnson selected two lawyers by profession, both of whom have served in the
administrations of Democratic and Republican Presidents: Allen W. Dulles, former
Director of Central Intelligence, and John J. McCloy, former President of the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, former U.S. High
Commissioner for Germany, and during World War II, the Assistant. Secretary of
War.
From its first meeting on December 5, 1963, the Commission viewed the Executive
order as an unequivocal Presidential mandate to conduct a thorough and
independent investigation. Because of the numerous rumors and theories, the
Commission concluded that the public interest in insuring that the truth was
ascertained could not be met by merely accepting the reports or the analyses of
Federal or State agencies. Not only were the premises and conclusions of those
reports critically re-assessed, but all assertions or rumors relating to a
possible conspiracy, or the complicity of others than Oswald, which have come to
the attention of the Commission, were investigated.
On December 13, 1963, Congress enacted Senate Joint Resolution 137 (Public Law
88 202) 3 empowering the Commission to issue subpoenas requiring the testimony
of witnesses and the production of evidence relating to any matter under its
investigation. In addition, the
Page xi
resolution authorized the Commission to compel testimony from witnesses claiming
the privilege against self- incrimination under the fifth amendment to the U.S.
Constitution by providing for the grant of immunity to persons testifying under
such compulsion. Immunity under these provisions was not granted to any witness
during the Commission's investigation.
The Commission took steps immediately to obtain the necessary staff to fulfill
its assignment. J. Lee Rankin, former Solicitor General of the United States,
was sworn in as general counsel for the Commission on December 16, 1963.
Additional members of the legal staff were selected during the next few weeks.
The Commission has been aided by 14 assistant counsel with high professional
qualifications, selected by it from widely separated parts of the United States.
This staff undertook the work of the Commission with a wealth of legal and
investigative experience and a total dedication to the determination of the
truth. The Commission has been assisted also by highly qualified personnel from
several Federal agencies, assigned to the Commission at its request. This group
included lawyers from the Department of Justice, agents of the Internal Revenue
Service, a senior historian from the Department of Defense, an editor from the
Department of State, and secretarial and administrative staff supplied by the
General Services Administration and other agencies.
In addition to the assistance afforded by Federal agencies, the Commission
throughout its inquiry had the cooperation of representatives of the city of
Dallas and the State of Texas. The attorney general of Texas, Waggoner Carr,
aided by two distinguished lawyers of that State, Robert G. Storey of Dallas,
retired dean of the Southern Methodist University Law School and former
president of the Amer-jean Bar Association, and Leon Jaworski of Houston, former
president of the Texas State Bar Association, has been fully informed at all
times as to the in-ogress of the investigation, and has advanced such
suggestions as he and his special assistants considered helpful to the
accomplishment of the Commission's assignment. Attorney General Carr has
promptly supplied the Commission with pertinent information possessed by Texas
officials. Dallas officials, particularly those from the police department, have
fully complied with all requests made by the Commission.
THE INVESTIGATION
During December and early January the Commission received an increasing volume
of reports from Federal and State investigative agencies. Of principal
importance was the five volume report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
submitted on December 9, 1963, which summarized the results of the investigation
conducted by the Bureau immediately after the assassination. After reviewing
this report, the Commission requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation to
furnish the underlying investigative materials relied upon in the
Page xii
summary report. The first investigative reports submitted in response to this
request were delivered to the Commission on December 20, 1963. On December 18,
the Secret Service submitted a detailed report on security precautions taken
before President Kennedy's trip to Texas and a summary of the events of November
22, as witnessed by Secret Service agents. A few days later the Department, of
State submitted a report relating to Oswald's defection to the Soviet Union in
1959, and his return to the United States in 1962. On January 7 and 11~ 1964,
the attorney general of Texas submitted an extensive set of investigative
materials, largely Dallas police reports, on the assassination of President
Kennedy and the killing of Oswald.
As these investigative reports were received, the staff began analyzing and
summarizing them. The members of the legal staff, divided into teams, proceeded
to organize the facts revealed by these investigations, determine the issues,
sort out the unresolved problems, and recommend additional investigation by the
Commission. Simultaneously, to insure that no relevant information would be
overlooked, the Commission directed requests to the 10 major departments of the
Federal Government, 14 of its independent agencies or commissions, and 4
congressional committees for all information relating to the assassination or
the background and activities of Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby.
After reviewing the accumulating materials, the Commission directed numerous
additional requests to Federal and State investigative agencies. The Federal
Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service executed the detailed requests
for statements of witnesses and examinations of physical evidence with dispatch
and thoroughness. All these reports were reviewed and analyzed by the
Commission. Additional investigative requests, where appropriate, were handled
by Internal Revenue Service, Department of State, and the military intelligence
agencies with comparable skill. Investigative analyses of particular
significance and sensitivity in the foreign areas were contributed by the
Central Intelligence Agency. On occasion the Commission used independent experts
from State and city govern-meats to supplement or verify information. During the
investigation the Commission on several occasions visited the scene of the
assassination and other places in the Dallas area pertinent to the inquiry.
The scope and detail of the investigative effort by the Federal and State
agencies are suggested in part by statistics from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the Secret Service. Immediately after the assassination more
than 80 additional FBI personnel were transferred to the Dallas office on a
temporary basis to assist in the investigation. Beginning November 22, 1963, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted approximately 25,000 interviews and
relater-views of persons having information of possible relevance to the
investigation and by September 11, 1964, submitted over 2,300 reports totaling
approximately 25,400 pages to the Commission. During the same period the Secret
Service conducted approximately 1,550 interviews and submitted 800 reports
totaling some 4,600 pages.
xii
Page xiii
Because of the diligence, cooperation, and facilities of Federal investigative
agencies, it was unnecessary for the Commission to employ investigators other
than the members of the Commission's legal staff. The Commission recognized,
however, that special measures were required whenever the facts or rumors called
for an appraisal of the acts of the agencies themselves. The staff reviewed in
detail the actions of several Federal agencies, particularly the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, the Secret Service, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the
Department of State. Initially the Commission requested the agencies to furnish
all their reports relating to the assassination and their relationships with
Oswald or Ruby. On the basis of these reports, the Commission submitted specific
questions to the agency involved. Members of the staff followed up the answers
by reviewing the relevant files of each agency for additional information. In
some instances, members of the Commission also reviewed the files in person.
Finally, the responsible officials of these agencies were called to testify
under oath. Dean Rusk, Secretary of State; C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of the
Treasury; John A. McCone, Director of the Central intelligence Agency; J. Edgar
Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and James J. Rowley,
Chief of the Secret Service, appeared as witnesses and testified fully regarding
their agencies' participation in the matters under scrutiny by the Commission.
COMMISSION HEARINGS
In addition to the information resulting from these investigations, the
Commission has relied primarily on the facts disclosed by the sworn testimony of
the principal witnesses to the assassination and related events. Beginning on
February 3, 1964, the Commission and its staff has taken the testimony of 552
witnesses. Of this number, 94 appeared before members of the Commission; 395
were questioned by members of the Commission's legal staff; 61 supplied sworn
affidavits; and 2 gave statements. 4 Under Commission procedures, all witnesses
were advised that they had the right to the presence and the advice of their
lawyer during the interrogation, with the corollary rights to raise objections
to any questions asked, to make any clarifying statement on the record after the
interrogation, and to purchase a copy of their testimony.5
Commission hearings were closed to the public unless the witness appearing
before the Commission requested an open hearing. Under these procedures,
testimony of one witness was taken in a public hearing on two occasions. No
other witness requested a public hearing. The Commission concluded that the
premature publication by it of testimony regarding the assassination or the
subsequent killing of Oswald might interfere with Ruby's rights to a fair and
impartial trial on the charges filed against him by the State of Texas. The
Commission also recognized that testimony would be presented before it which
would be inadmissible in judicial proceedings and might
xiii
Page xiv
prejudice innocent parties if made public out of context. In addition to the
witnesses who appeared before the Commission, numerous others provided sworn
depositions, affidavits, and statements upon which the Commission has relied.
Since this testimony, as well as that taken before the Commission, could not
always be taken in logical sequence, the Commission concluded that partial
publication of testimony as the investigation progressed was impractical and
could be misleading.
THE COMMISSION'S FUNCTION
The Commission's most difficult assignments have been to uncover all the facts
concerning the assassination of President Kennedy and to determine if it was in
any way directed or encouraged by unknown persons at home or abroad. In this
process, its objective has been to identify the person or persons responsible
for both the assassination of President Kennedy and the killing of Oswald
through an examination of the evidence. The task has demanded unceasing
appraisal of the evidence by the individual members of the Commission in their
effort to discover the whole truth.
The procedures followed by the Commission in developing and assessing evidence
necessarily differed from those of a court conducting a criminal trial of a
defendant present before it, since under our system there is no provision for a
posthumous trial. If Oswald had lived he could have had a trial by American
standards of justice where he would have been able to exercise his full rights
under the law. A judge and jury would have presumed him innocent until proven
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He might have furnished information which
could have affected the course of his trial. He could have participated in and
guided his defense. There could have been an examination to determine whether he
was sane under prevailing legal standards. All witnesses, including possibly the
defendant, could have been subjected to searching examination under the
adversary system of American trials.
The Commission has functioned neither as a court presiding over an adversary
proceeding nor as a prosecutor determined to prove a case, but as a factfinding
agency committed to the ascertainment of the truth. In the course of the
investigation of the facts and rumors surrounding these matters, it was
necessary to explore hearsay and other sources of information not admissible in
a court proceeding obtained from persons who saw or heard and others in a
position to observe what occurred. In fairness to the alleged assassin and his
family, the Commission on February 25, 1964, requested Walter E. Craig,
president of the American Bar Association, to participate in the investigation
and to advise the Commission whether in his opinion the proceedings conformed to
the basic principles of American justice. Mr. Craig accepted this assignment and
participated fully and with out limitation. He attended Commission hearings in
person or through his appointed assistants. All working papers, reports, and
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Page xv
other data in Commission files were made available, and Mr. Craig and his
associates were given the opportunity to cross- examine witnesses, to recall any
witness heard prior to his appointment, and to suggest witnesses whose testimony
they would like to have the Commission hear. This procedure was agreeable to
counsel for Oswald's widow.
THE COMMISSION'S REPORT
In this report the Commission submits the results of its investigation. Each
member of the Commission has given careful consideration to the entire report
and concurs in its findings and conclusions. The report consists of an initial
chapter summarizing the Commission's basic findings and conclusions, followed by
a detailed analysis of the facts and the issues raised by the events of November
22, 1963, and the 2 following days. Individual chapters consider the trip to
Dallas, the shots from the Texas School Book Depository, the identity of the
assassin, the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald, the possibility of a conspiracy,
Oswald's background and possible motive, and arrangements for the protection of
the President. In these chapters, rather than rely on cross references, the
Commission on occasion has repeated certain testimony in order that the reader
might have the necessary information before him while examining the conclusions
of the Commission on each important issue.
With this report the Commission is submitting the complete testimony of all the
witnesses who appeared before the Commission or gave sworn depositions or
affidavits, the accompanying documentary exhibits, and other investigative
materials which are relied upon in this report. The Commission is committing all
of its reports and working papers to the National Archives, where they can be
permanently preserved under the rules and regulations of the National Archives
and applicable Federal law.
XV
Contents
Page xvii
Contents
Page
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL vii
FOREWORD ix
CHAPTER I. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 1
Narrative of Events 1
Conclusions 18
Recommendations 25
CHAPTER II. THE ASSASSINATION 28
Planning the Texas Trip 28
Advance Preparations for the Dallas Trip 29
Preventive Intelligence Activities 29
The Luncheon Site 30
The Motorcade Route 31
Dallas Before the Visit 40
Visits to Other Texas Cities 42
Arrival at Love Field 42
Organization of the Motorcade 43
The Drive Through Dallas 46
The Assassination 48
The Time 48
Speed of the Limousine 49
In the Presidential Limousine 49
Reaction by Secret Service Agents 50
Parkland Memorial Hospital 52
The Race to the Hospital 52
Treatment of President Kennedy 53
Treatment of Governor Connally 56
Vice President Johnson at Parkland 56
Secret Service Emergency Security Arrangements 57
Removal of the Presidents Body 58
The End of the Trip 59
Swearing in of the New President 59
Return to Washington, D.C 59
The Autopsy 59
CHAPTER III. THE SHOTS FROM THE TEXAS SCHOOL BOOK
DEPOSITORY 61
The Witness 61
Near the Depository 63
On the Fifth Floor 68
At the Triple Underpass 71
The Presidential Automobile 76
xvii
Page xviii
CHAPTER III. THE SHOTS FROM THE TEXAS SCHOOL
BOOK DEPOSITORY--Continued Page
Expert Examination of Rifle, Cartridge Cases, and Bullet
Fragments 79
Discovery of Cartridge Cases and Rifle 79
Discovery of Bullet at Parkland Hospital 79
Description of Rifle 81
Expert Testimony 84
The Bullet Wounds 85
The President's Head Wounds 86
The President's Neck Wounds 87
The Governor's Wounds 92
The Trajectory 96
Films and Test 96
The First Bullet That Hit 97
The Subsequent Bullet That Hit 109
Number of Shots 110
The Shot That Missed 111
The First Shot 111
The Second Shot 115
The Third Shot 115
Time Span of Shots 117
Conclusion 117
CHAPTER IV. THE ASSASSIN 118
Ownership and Possession of Assassination Weapon 118
Purchase of Rifle by Oswald 118
Oswald's Palmprint on Rifle Barrel 122
Fibers on Rifle 124
Photograph of Oswald With Rifle 125
Rifle Among Oswald's Possessions 128
Conclusions 129
The Rifle in the Building 129
The Curtain Rod Story 129
The Missing Rifle 130
The Long and Bulky Package 131
Location of the Bag 134
Scientific Evidence Linking Rifle and Oswald to
Paper Bag 135
Conclusion 137
Oswald at the Window 137
Palmprints and Fingerprints on Cartons and Paper Bag 140
Oswald's Presence on Sixth Floor Approximately
35 Minutes Before the Assassination 143
Eyewitness Identification of Assassin 143
Oswald's Actions in Building After Assassination 149
Conclusion 156
xviii
Page xix
CHAPTER IV. THE ASSASSIN--Continued Page
The Killing of Patrolman J. D. Tippit 156
Oswald's Movements After Leaving Depository
Building 157
Description of Shooting 165
Eyewitnesses 166
Murder Weapon 171
Ownership of Revolver 172
Oswald's Jacket 175
Conclusion 176
Oswald's Arrest 176
Statements of Oswald During Detention 180
Denial of Rifle Ownership'. 180
The Revolver 181
The Aliases "Hidell" and "O. H. Lee" 181
The Curtain Rod Story 182
Actions During and After Shooting 182
Prior Attempt To Kill 183
The Attempt on the Life of Maj. Gen. Edwin A.
Walker. 183
Richard M. Nixon Incident 187
Oswald's Rifle Capability 189
The Nature of the Shots 189
Oswald's Marine Training 191
Oswald's Rifle Practice Outside the Marines 192
Accuracy of Weapon 193
Conclusion 195
Conclusion. 195
CHAPTER V. DETENTION AND DEATH OF OSWALD 196
Treatment of Oswald in Custody 196
Chronology 198
Interrogation Sessions 199
Oswald's Legal Rights 200
Activity of Newsmen 201
On the Third Floor 201
Oswald and the Press 206
The Abortive Transfer 208
Possible Assistance to Jack Ruby in Entering the Basement 216
Adequacy of Security Precautions 225
News Coverage and Police Policy 231
Responsibility of News Media 240
CHAPTER VI. INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE CON-
SPIRACY 243
Circumstances Surrounding the Assassination 245
Selection of Motorcade Route 245
Oswald's Presence in the Depository Building 246
Bringing Rifle Into Building 247
xix
Page xx
CHAPTER VI. INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE CON-
SPIRACY--Continued
Circumstances Surrounding the Assassination--Con. Page
Accomplices at the Scene of the Assassination 248
Oswald's Escape 252
Background of Lee Harvey Oswald 254
Residence in the Soviet Union 254
Associations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Community.. 280
Political Activities Upon Return to the United States. 287
Contacts With the Cuban and Soviet Embassies in
Mexico City and the Soviet Embassy in Washington,
D.C. 299
Investigation of Other Activities 312
Oswald Was Not an Agent for the U.S. Government. 325
Oswald's Finances 328
Possible Conspiracy Involving Jack Ruby 333
Ruby's Activities From November 21 to November
24, 1963 333
Ruby and Oswald Were Not Acquainted 359
Ruby's Background and Associations 365
Conclusion 374
CHAPTER VII. LEE HARVEY OSWALD: BACKGROUND
AND POSSIBLE MOTIVES 375
The Early Years 377
New York City 378
Return to New Orleans and Joining the Marine Corps... 383
Interest in Marxism 388
Defection to the Soviet Union 390
Return to the United States 394
Personal Relations 400
Employment 402
Attack on General Walker 404
Political Activities 406
Interest in Cuba 412
Possible Influence of Anti-Kennedy Sentiment in Dallas.. 415
Relationship With Wife 416
The Unanswered Questions 421
Conclusion 423
CHAPTER VIII. THE PROTECTION OF THE PRESIDENT 425
The Nature of the Protective Assignment 426
Evaluation of Presidential Protection at the Time of the
Assassination of President Kennedy 428
Intelligence Functions Relating to Presidential Pro-
tection at the Time of the Dallas Trip 429
Liaison With Other Government Agencies 444
Other Protective Measures and Aspects of Secret
Service Performance 444
xx
Page xxi
CHAPTER VIII. THE PROTECTION OF THE PRESI-
DENT---Continued Page
Recommendations 454
Assassination a Federal Crime 454
Committee of Cabinet Officers 456
Responsibilities for Presidential Protection 457
General Supervision of the Secret Service 460
Preventive Intelligence 461
Liaison With Local Law Enforcement Agencies 465
Inspection of Buildings 466
Secret Service Personnel and Facilities 466
Manpower and Technical Assistance From Other
Agencies 467
Conclusions 468
APPENDIX I. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11130 471
APPENDIX II. WHITE HOUSE RELEASE 472
APPENDIX III. SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 137 473
APPENDIX IV. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION AND
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 475
Members of Commission 475
General Counsel 476
Assistant Counsel 476
Staff Members 477
Acknowledgments 481
APPENDIX V. LIST OF WITNESSES 483
APPENDIX VI. COMMISSION PROCEDURES FOR THE
TAKING OF TESTIMONY 501
Resolution Governing Questioning of Witnesses by Mem-
bers of the Commission Staff 501
APPENDIX VII. A BRIEF HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL
PROTECTION 504
Before the Civil War 504
Lincoln 505
The Need for Protection Further Demonstrated 507
Development of Presidential Protection 510
APPENDIX VIII. MEDICAL REPORTS FROM DOCTORS
AT PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DALLAS,
TEX. 516
APPENDIX IX. AUTOPSY REPORT AND SUPPLE-
MENTAL REPORT 538
xxi
Page xxii Page
APPENDIX X. EXPERT TESTIMONY 547
Firearms and Firearms Identification 547
General Principles 547
The Rifle 553
Rifle Cartridge and Cartridge Cases 555
The Rifle Bullets 557
The Revolver 558
Revolver Cartridges and Cartridge Cases 559
Revolver Bullets 559
The Struggle for the Revolver 560
The Paraffin Test 560
The Walker Bullet 562
Fingerprints and Palmprints 563
General Principles 563
Objects in the Texas School Book Depository Building 556
Questioned Documents 566
The Mail Order for the C2766 Rifle, the Related En-
velope, and the Money Order 569
Mail Order for the V510210 Revolver 570
Post Office Box Applications and Change-of-Address
Card 570
The Spurious Selective Service System Notice of
Classification and U.S. Marine Corps Certificate
of Service 571
The Hidell Notice of Classification 571
The Hidell Certificate of Service 576
The Vaccination Certificate 577
The Fair Play for Cuba Committee Card 578
The Unsigned Russian-Language Note 578
The Homemade Wrapping Paper Bag 579
Wound Ballistics Experiments 580
Purpose of the Tests 580
The Testers and Their Qualifications 580
General Testing Conditions 581
Tests on Penetration Power and Bullet Stability 581
Tests Simulating President Kennedy's Neck Wound. 582
Tests Simulating Governor Connally's Chest Wounds. 582
Tests Simulating Governor Connally's Wrist Wounds. 583
Conclusions From Simulating the Neck, Chest, and
Wrist Wounds 584
Tests Simulating President Kennedy's Head Wounds. 585
Hairs and Fibers 586
General Principles 588
Photographs 592
APPENDIX XI. REPORTS RELATING TO THE INTER-
ROGATION OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD AT THE
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT 598
xxii
Page xxiii Page
APPENDIX XII. SPECULATIONS AND RUMORS 637
The Source of the Shots 639
The Assassin 642
Oswald's Movements Between 12:33 and 1:15 p.m. 648
Murder of Tippit . 650
Oswald After His Arrest 654
Oswald in the Soviet Union 655
Oswald's Trip to Mexico City 658
Oswald and U.S.. Government Agencies 659
Conspiratorial Relationships 661
Other Rumors and Speculations 664
APPENDIX XIII. BIOGRAPHY OF LEE HARVEY
OSWALD 669
Early Years 669
Marines 681
Soviet Union 689
Fort Worth, Dallas, New Orleans 713
Mexico City 730
Dallas 737
APPENDIX XIV. ANALYSIS OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD'S
FINANCES FROM JUNE 13, 1962, THROUGH
NOVEMBER 22, 1963 741
APPENDIX CV. TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN LEE
HARVEY OSWALD AND MARINA OSWALD, AND
THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE
OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 746
Issuance of Passport in 1959 746
Oswald's Attempts To Renounce His U.S. Citizenship 747
Return and Renewal of Oswald's 1959 Passport 752
Negotiations Between Oswald and the Embassy 752
Legal Justification for the Return and Reissue of
Oswald's Passport 759
Authorization for Marina Oswald To Enter the United
States 761
Negotiations Between Oswald and the Embassy 761
Legal Justification for the Decisions Affecting Marina
Oswald 766
Oswald's Letter to Senator Tower 769
The Loan From the State Department 770
Oswald's Return to the United States and Repayment of
His Loan 773
Issuance of a Passport in June 1963 773
Visit to the Russian Embassy in Mexico City 777
Conclusion 777
xxiii
APPENDIX XVI. A BIOGRAPHY OF JACK RUBY 779
Family Background 779
Childhood and Youth (1911-33) 780
Psychiatric Report 781
Placement in Foster Homes 782
Subsequent Home Life 783
Education 784
Activities 784
Temperament 785
Young Manhood (1933-43) 786
San Francisco (1933-37) 786
Occupations and Activities 786
Chicago (193743) 787
Military Activities (1943 46) 790
Postwar Chicago (1946 47) 791
Dallas (1947-63) 792
The Move to Dallas 792
The Change of Name 793
Nightclub Operations 794
Employee Relationships 796
Financial Data and Tax Problems 797
Other Business Ventures 799
Arrests and Violations 800
Police Associations 800
Underworld Ties 801
Travels 801
Character and Interests 802
Family Relationships 802
Social Relationships 803
Affection for Dogs 804
Religious Interests 804
Physical Activities and Violence 804
Generosity to Friends and the Need for Recognition. 806
APPENDIX XVII. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION OF JACK............................807
Preliminary Arrangements 807
Administration of the Test 809
Interpretation of the Test 813
APPENDIX XVIII. FOOTNOTES 817
xxiv
Chapter I Summary and Conclusions
Page 1
CHAPTER I
Summary and Conclusions
THE ASSASSINATION of John Fitzgerald Kennedy on November 22, 1963, was a cruel
and shocking act of violence directed against a man, a family, a nation, and
against all mankind. A young and vigorous leader whose years of public and
private life stretched before him was the Victim of the fourth Presidential
assassination in the history of a country dedicated to the concepts of reasoned
argument and peaceful political change. This Commission was created on November
29, 1963, in recognition of the right of people everywhere to full and truthful
knowledge concerning these events. This report endeavors to fulfill that right
and to appraise this tragedy by the light of reason and the standard of
fairness. It has been prepared with a deep awareness of the Commission's
responsibility to present to the American people an objective report of the
facts relating to the assassination.
Narrative of Events
Page 1
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS
At 11:40 a.m.., c.s.t., on Friday, November '22, 1963, President John F.
Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy, and their party arrived at Love Field, Dallas, Tex.
Behind them was the first day of a Texas trip planned 5 months before by the
President, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, and John B. Connally, Jr., Governor
of Texas. After leaving the White House on Thursday morning, the President had
flown initially to San Antonio where Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson joined the
party and the President dedicated new research facilities at the U.S. Air Force
School of Aerospace Medicine. Following a testimonial dinner in Houston for U.S.
Representative Albert Thomas, the President flew to Fort Worth where he spent
the night and spoke at a large breakfast gathering on Friday.
Planned for later that day were a motorcade through downtown Dallas, a luncheon
speech at the Trade Mart, and a flight to Austin where the President would
attend a reception and speak at a Democratic fundraising dinner. From Austin he
would proceed to the Texas ranch of the Vice President. Evident on this trip
were the
Page 2
varied roles which an American President performs--Head of State, Chief
Executive, party leader, and, in this instance, prospective candidate for
reelection.
The Dallas motorcade, it was hoped, would evoke a demonstration of the
President's personal popularity in a city which he had lost in the 1960
election. Once it had been decided that the trip to Texas would span 2 days,
those responsible for planning, primarily Governor Connally and Kenneth
O'Donnell, a special assistant to the President, agreed that a motorcade through
Dallas would be desirable. The Secret Service was told on November 8 that 45
minutes had been allotted to a motorcade procession from Love Field to the site
of a luncheon planned by Dallas business and civic leaders in honor of the
President. After considering the facilities and security problems of several
buildings, the Trade Mart was chosen as the luncheon site. Given this selection,
and in accordance with the customary practice of affording the greatest number
of people an opportunity to see the President, the motorcade route selected was
a natural one. The route was approved by the local host committee and White
House representatives on November 18 and publicized in the local papers starting
on November 19. This advance publicity made it clear that the motor-cede would
leave Main Street and pass the intersection of Elm and Houston Streets as it
proceeded to the Trade Mart by way of the Stemmons Freeway.
By midmorning of November 22, clearing skies in Dallas dispelled the threat of
rain and the President greeted the crowds from his open limousine without the
"bubbletop," which was at that time a plastic shield furnishing protection only
against inclement weather. To the left. of the President in the rear seat was
Mrs. Kennedy. In the jump seats were Governor Connally, who was in front of the
President, and Mrs. Connally at the Governor's left. Agent William R. Greer of
the Secret Service was driving, and Agent Roy H. Kellerman was sitting to his
right.
Directly behind the Presidential limousine was an open "followup" car with eight
Secret Service agents, two in the front seat, two in the rear, and two on each
running board. These agents, in accordance with normal Secret Service
procedures, were instructed to scan the crowds, the roofs, and windows of
buildings, overpasses, and crossings for signs of trouble. Behind the "followup"
car was the Vice-Presidential car carrying the Vice President and Mrs. Johnson
and Senator Ralph W. Yarborough. Next were a Vice-Presidential "followup" car
and several cars and buses for additional dignitaries, press representatives,
and others.
The motorcade left Love Field shortly after 11:50 a.m., and proceeded through
residential neighborhoods, stopping twice at the President's request to greet,
well-wishers among the friendly crowds. Each time the President's car halted,
Secret Service agents from the "followup" car moved forward to assume a
protective stance near the President and Mrs. Kennedy. As the motorcade reached
Main Street, a principal east-west artery in downtown Dallas, the welcome became
Page 3
tumultuous. At the extreme west end of Main Street the motorcade turned right on
Houston Street and proceeded north for one block in order to make a left turn on
Elm Street, the most direct and convenient approach to the Stemmons Freeway and
the Trade Mart. As the President's car approached the intersection of Houston
and Elm Streets, there loomed directly ahead on the intersection's northwest
corner a seven-story, orange brick warehouse and office building, the Texas
School Book Depository. Riding in the Vice President's car, Agent Rufus W.
Youngblood of the Secret Service noticed that the clock atop the building
indicated 12:30 p.m., the scheduled arrival time at the Trade Mart.
The President's car which had been going north made a sharp turn toward the
southwest onto Elm Street. At a. speed of about 11 miles per hour, it started
down the gradual descent toward a railroad overpass under which the motorcade
would proceed before reaching the Stemmons Freeway. The front of the Texas
School Book Depository was now on the President's right, and he waved to the
crowd assembled there as he passed the building. Dealey Plaza--an open,
landscaped area marking the western end of downtown Dallas stretched out to the
President's left. A Secret Service agent riding in the motorcade radioed the
Trade Mart that the President would arrive in 5 minutes.
Seconds later shots resounded in rapid succession. The President's hands moved
to his fleck. He appeared to stiffen momentarily and lurch slightly forward in
his seat. A bullet had entered the base of the back of his neck slightly to the
right of the spine. It traveled downward and exited from the front of the neck,
causing a nick in the left lower portion Of the knot in the President's necktie.
Before the shooting started, Governor Connally had been facing toward the crowd
on the right. He started to turn toward the left and suddenly felt a blow on his
back. The Governor had been hit by a bullet which entered at the extreme right
side of his back at a point below his right armpit. The bullet traveled through
his chest in a downward and forward direction, exited below his right nipple,
passed through his right wrist which had been in his lap, and then caused a
wound to his left thigh. The force of the bullet's impact appeared to spin the
Governor to his right, and Mrs. Connally pulled him down into her lap. Another
bullet then struck President Kennedy in the rear portion of his head, causing a
massive and fatal wound. The President fell to the left into Mrs. Kennedy's lap.
Secret Service Agent Clinton J. Hill, riding on the left running board of the
"followup" car, heard a noise which sounded like a firecracker and saw the
President suddenly lean forward and to the left. Hill jumped off the car and
raced toward the President's limousine. In the front seat of the
Vice-Presidential car, Agent Youngblood heard an explosion and noticed unusual
movements in the crowd. He vaulted into the rear seat and sat on the Vice
President in order to protect him. At the same time Agent Kellerman in the front
seat of the Presidential limousine turned to observe the President. Seeing
Page 4
that the President was struck, Kellerman instructed the driver, "Let's get out
of here; we are hit." He radioed ahead to the lead car, "Get us to the hospital
immediately." Agent Greer immediately accelerated the Presidential car. As it
gained speed, Agent Hill ma-aged to pull himself onto the back of the car where
Mrs. Kennedy had climbed. Hill pushed her back into the rear seat and shielded
the stricken President and Mrs. Kennedy as the President's car proceeded at high
speed to Parkland Memorial Hospital, 4 miles away.
At Parkland, the President was immediately treated by a team of physicians who
had been alerted for the President's arrival by the Dallas Police Department as
the result of a radio message from the motorcade after the shooting. The doctors
noted irregular breathing movements and a possible heartbeat, although they
could not detect a pulsebeat. They observed the extensive wound in the
President's head and a small wound approximately one-fourth inch in diameter in
the lower third of his neck. In act effort to facilitate breathing, the
physicians performed a tracheotomy by enlarging the throat wound and inserting a
tube. Totally absorbed in the immediate task of trying to preserve the
President's life, the attending doctors never turned the president over for an
examination of his back. At l p.m., after all heart activity ceased and the Last
Rites were administered by a priest, President Kennedy was pronounced dead.
Governor Connally underwent surgery and ultimately recovered from his serious
wounds.
Upon learning of the President's death, Vice President Johnson left Parkland
Hospital under close guard and proceeded to the Presidential plane at Love
Field. Mrs. Kennedy, accompanying her husband's body, boarded the plane shortly
thereafter. At 2:38 p.m., in the central compartment of the plane, Lyndon B.
Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States by Federal
District Court Judge Sarah T. Hughes. The plane left immediately for Washington,
D.C., arriving at Andrews AFB, Md., at 5:58 p.m., e.s.t.. The President's body
was taken to the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., where it was
given a complete pathological examination. The autopsy disclosed the large bead
wound observed at Parkland and the wound in the front of the neck which had been
enlarged by the Parkland doctors when they performed the tracheotomy. Both of
these wounds were described in the autopsy report as being "presumably of exit."
In addition the autopsy revealed a small wound of entry in the rear of the
President's skull and another wound of entry near the base of the back of the
neck. The autopsy report stated the cause of death as "Gunshot wound, head" and
the bullets which struck the President were described as having been fired "from
a point behind and somewhat above the level of the deceased."
At the scene of the shooting, there was evident confusion at the outset
concerning the point of origin of the shots. Witnesses differed in their
accounts of the direction from which the sound of the shots emanated. Within a
few minutes, however, attention centered on the Texas School Book Depository
Building as the source of the shots. 'the building was occupied by a private
corporation, the Texas School
Page 5
Book Depository Co., which distributed school textbooks of several publishers
and leased space to representatives of the publishers. Most of the employees in
the building worked for these publishers. The balance, including a 15-man
warehousing crew, were employees of the Texas School Book Depository Co. itself.
Several eyewitnesses in front of the building reported that they saw a rifle
being fired from the southeast corner window on the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository. One eyewitness, Howard L. Brennan, had been watching the
parade from a point on Elm Street directly opposite and facing the building. He
promptly told a policeman that he had seen a slender man, about 5 feet 10
inches, in his early thirties, take deliberate aim from the sixth-floor corner
window and fire a rifle in the direction of the President's car. Brennan thought
he might be able to identify the man since he had noticed him in the window a
few minutes before the motorcade made the turn onto Elm Street.. At 12 :34 p.m.,
the Dallas police radio mentioned the Depository Building as a possible source
of the shots, and at 12 :45 p.m., the police radio broadcast a description of
the suspected assassin based primarily on Brennan's observations.
When the shots were fired, a Dallas motorcycle patrolman, Marrion L. Baker, was
riding in the motorcade at a point several cars behind the President. He had
turned right from Main Street onto Houston Street and was about 200 feet south
of Elm Street when he heard a shot. Baker, having recently returned from a week
of deer hunting, was certain the shot came from a high-powered rifle. He looked
up and saw pigeons scattering in the air from their perches on the Texas School
Book Depository Building. He raced his motorcycle to the building, dismounted,
scanned the area to the west and pushed his way through the spectators toward
the entrance. There he encountered Roy Truly, the building superintendent, who
offered Baker his help. They entered the building, and ran toward the two
elevators in the rear. Finding that both elevators were on an upper floor, they
dashed up the stairs. Not more than 2 minutes had elapsed since the
shooting.
When they reached the second-floor landing on their way up to the top of the
building, Patrolman Baker thought he caught a glimpse of someone through the
small glass window in the door separating the hall area near the stairs from the
small vestibule leading into the lunchroom. Gun in hand, he rushed to the door
and saw a man about 20 feet away walking toward the other end of the lunchroom.
The man was empty handed. At Baker's command, the man turned and approached him.
Truly, who had started up the stairs to the third floor ahead of Baker, returned
to see what had delayed the patrolman. Baker asked Truly whether he knew the man
in the lunchroom. Truly replied that the man worked in the building, whereupon
Baker turned from the man and proceeded, with Truly, up the stairs. The man they
encountered had started working in the Texas School Book Depository Building on
October 16, 1963. His fellow workers described
Page 6
him as very quiet--a "loner."His name was Lee Harvey Oswald.
Within about 1 minute after his encounter with Baker and Truly, Oswald was seen
passing through the second-floor offices. In his hand was a full "Coke" bottle
which he had purchased from a rending machine in the lunchroom. He was walking
toward the front of the building where a passenger elevator and a short flight
of stairs provided access to the main entrance of the building on the first
floor. Approximately 7 minutes later, at about 12:40 p.m., Oswald boarded a bus
at a point on Elm Street seven short blocks east of the Depository Building. The
bus was traveling west toward the very building from which Oswald had come. Its
route lay through the Oak Cliff section in southwest Dallas, where it would pass
seven blocks east of the roominghouse in which Oswald was living, at 1026 North
Beckley Avenue. On the bus was Mrs. Mary Bledsoe one of Oswald's former
landladies who immediately recognized him. Oswald stayed on the bus
approximately 3 or 4 minutes, during which time it proceeded only two blocks
because of the traffic jam created by the motorcade and the assassination.
Oswald then left the bus. A few minutes later he entered a vacant taxi four
blocks away and asked the driver to take him to a point on North Beckley Avenue
several blocks beyond his roominghouse. The trip required 5 or 6 minutes. At
about 1 p.m. Oswald arrived at the roominghouse. The housekeeper, Mrs. Earlene
Roberts, was surprised to see Oswald at midday and remarked to him that he
seemed to be in quite a hurry. He made no reply. A few minutes later Oswald
emerged from his room zipping up his jacket and rushed out of the house.
Approximately 14 Minutes later, and just 45 minutes after the assassination,
another violent shooting occurred in Dallas. The victim was Patrolman J. D.
Tippit of the Dallas police, an officer with a good record during his more than
11 years with the police force. He was shot near the intersection of 10th Street
and Patton Avenue, about nine-tenths of a mile from Oswald's roominghouse. At
the time of the assassination, Tippit was alone in his patrol car, the routine
practice for most police patrol officers at this time of day. He had been
ordered by radio at 12:45 p.m. to proceed to the central Oak Cliff area as part
of a concentration of patrol car activity around the center of the city
following the assassination. At 12:54 Tippit radioed that he had moved as
directed and would be available for any emergency. By this time the police radio
had broadcast several messages alerting the police to the suspect described by
Brennan at the scene of the assassination -- slender white male, about 30 years
old, 5 feet 10 inches and weighing about 165 pounds.
At approximately 1:15 p.m., Tippit was driving slowly in an easterly direction
on East. 10th Street in Oak Cliff. About 100 feet past the intersection of 10th
Street and Patton Avenue, Tippit pulled up alongside a man walking in the same
direction. The man met the general description of the suspect wanted in
connection with the assassination. He walked over to Tippit's car, rested his
arms on the door on the right-
Page 7
hand side of the car, and apparently exchanged words with Tippit through the
window. Tippit opened the door on the left. side and started to walk around the
front of his car. As he reached the trout wheel on the driver's side, the man on
the sidewalk drew a revolver and fired several shots in rapid succession,
hitting Tippit four times and killing him instantly. An automobile repairman,
Domingo Benavides, heard the shots and stopped his pickup truck on the opposite
side of the street about 25 feet in front of Tippit's car. He observed the
gunman start back toward Patton Avenue, removing the empty cartridge cases from
the gun as he went. Benavides rushed to Tippit's side. The patrolman, apparently
dead, was lying on his revolver, which was out of its holster. Benavides
promptly reported the shooting to police headquarters over the radio in Tippit's
car. The message was received shortly after 1:16 p.m.
As the gunman left the scene, he walked hurriedly back toward Patton Avenue and
turned left, heading south. Standing on the northwest corner of 10th Street and
Patton Avenue was Helen Markham, who had been walking south on Patton Avenue and
had seen both the killer and Tippit cross the intersection in front of her as
she waited on the curb for traffic to pass. She witnessed the shooting and then
saw the man with a gun in his hand walk back toward the corner and cut across
the lawn of the corner house as he started south on Patton Avenue.
In the corner house itself, Mrs. Barbara Jeanette Davis and her sis-ter-in-law,
Mrs. Virginia Davis, heard the shots and rushed to the door in time to see the
man walk rapidly across the lawn shaking a revolver as if be were emptying it of
cartridge cases. Later that day each woman found a cartridge case near the home.
As the gunman turned the corner he passed alongside a taxicab which was parked
on Patton Avenue a few feet from 10th Street. The driver, William W. Scoggins,
had seen the slaying and was now crouched behind his cab on the street side. As
the gunman cut through the shrubbery on the lawn, Scoggins looked up and saw the
man approximately 12 feet away. In his hand was a pistol and he muttered words
which sounded to Scoggins like "poor dumb cop" or "poor damn cop."
After passing Scoggins, the gunman crossed to the West side or Patton Avenue and
ran south toward Jefferson Boulevard, a main Oak Cliff thoroughfare. On the east
side of Patton, between l0th Street and Jefferson Boulevard, Ted Callaway, a
used car salesman, heard the shots and ran to the sidewalk. As the man with the
gun rushed past, Callaway shouted "What's going on?" The man merely shrugged,
ran on to Jefferson Boulevard and turned right . On the next corner was a gas
station with a parking lot in the rear. The assailant ran into the lot,
discarded his jacket and then continued his flight west on Jefferson.
In a shoe store a few blocks farther west on Jefferson, the manager, Johnny
Calvin Brewer, heard the siren of a police car moments after the radio in his
store announced the shooting of the police officer in Oak Cliff. Brewer saw a
man step quickly into the entranceway of the
Page 8
store and stand there with his back toward the street. When the police car made
a U-turn and headed back in the direction of the Tippit shooting, the man left
and Brewer followed him. fie saw the man enter the Texas Theatre, a motion
picture house about 60 feet away, without buying' a ticket. Brewer pointed this
out to the cashier, Mrs. Julia Postal, who called the police. The time was
shortly after 1 :40 p.m. At 1:29 p.m., the police radio had noted the similarity
in the descriptions of the suspects in the Tippit shooting and the
assassination. At 1:45 p.m., in response to Mrs. Postal's call, the police radio
sounded the alarm: "Have information a suspect just went in the Texas Theatre on
West. Jefferson." Within minutes the theater was surrounded. The house lights
were then turned up. Patrolman M. N. McDonald and several other policemen
approached the man, who had been pointed out to them by Brewer.
McDonald ordered the man to his feet and heard him say, "Well, it's all over
now." The man drew a gun from his waist with one hand and struck the officer
with the other. McDonald struck out with his right hand and grabbed the gun with
his left hand. After a brief struggle McDonald and several other police officers
disarmed and handcuffed the suspect and drove him to police headquarters,
arriving at approximately 2 p.m.
Following the assassination, police cars had rushed to the Texas School Book
Depository in response to the many radio messages reporting that the shots had
been fired from the Depository Building. Inspector J. Herbert Sawyer of the
Dallas Police Department arrived at the scene shortly after hearing the first of
these police radio messages at 12:34 p.m. Some of the officers who had been
assigned to the area of Elm and Houston Streets for the motorcade were talking
to witnesses and watching the building when Sawyer arrived. Sawyer entered the
building and rode a passenger elevator to the fourth floor,
which was the top floor for this elevator. He conducted a quick search, returned
to the main floor and, between approximately 12:37 and 12:40 p.m., ordered that
no one be permitted to leave the building.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Capt. J. Will Fritz, chief of the homicide and robbery
bureau of the Dallas Police Department, arrived to take charge of the
investigation. Searching the sixth floor, Deputy Sheriff Luke Mooney noticed a
pile of cartons in the southeast corner. He squeezed through the boxes and
realized immediately that he had discovered the point from which the shots had
been fired. On the floor were three empty cartridge cases. A carton had
apparently been placed on the floor at; the side of the window so that a person
sitting on the carton could look down Elm Street toward the overpass and
scarcely be noticed from the outside. Between this carton and the half-open
window were three additional cartons arranged at such an angle that a rifle
resting on the top carton would be aimed directly at the motorcade as it moved
away from the building. The high stack of boxes, which first attracted Mooney's
attention effectively screened a person at the window from the view of anyone
else on the floor.
Page 9
Mooney's discovery intensified the search for additional evidence on the sixth
floor, and at 1:22 p.m. approximately 10 minutes after the cartridge cases were
found, Deputy Sheriff Eugene Boone turned his flashlight in the direction of two
rows of boxes in the northwest corner near the staircase. Stuffed between the
two rows was a bolt-action rifle with a telescopic sight. The rifle was not
touched until it could be photographed. When Lt. J. O. Day of the police
identification bureau decided that the wooden stock and the metal knob at the
end of the bolt contained no prints, he held the rifle by the stock while
Captain Fritz ejected a live shell by operating the bolt. Lieutenant Day
promptly noted that stamped on the rifle itself was the serial number "C2766" as
well as the markings "1940" "MADE ITALY" and "CAL. 6.5." The rifle was about 40
inches long and when disassembled it could fit into a handmade paper sack which
after the assassination, was found in the southeast corner of the building
within a few feet of the cartridge cases.
As Fritz and Day were completing their examination of this rifle on the sixth
floor, Roy Truly, the building superintendent, approached with information which
he felt should be brought to the attention of the police. Earlier, while the
police were questioning the employees, Truly had observed that Lee Harvey
Oswald, 1 of the 15 men who worked in the warehouse, was missing. After Truly
provided Oswald's name, address, and general description, Fritz left for police
headquarters. He arrived at headquarters shortly after 2 p.m. and asked two
detectives to pick up the employee who was missing from the Texas School Book
Depository. Standing nearby were the police officers who had just arrived with
the man arrested in the Texas Theatre. When Fritz mentioned the name of the
missing employee, he learned that the man was already in the interrogation room.
The missing School Book Depository employee and the suspect who had been
apprehended in the Texas Theatre were one and the same--Lee Harvey Oswald.
The suspect Fritz was about to question in connection with the assassination of
the President and the murder of a policeman was born in New Orleans on October
18, 1939, 2 months after the death of his father. His mother, Marguerite
Claverie Oswald, had two older children. One, John Pie, was a half-brother to
Lee from an earlier marriage which had ended in divorce. The other was Robert
Oswald, a full brother to Lee and 5 years older. When Lee Oswald was Mrs. Oswald
placed him in an orphanage where his brother and half-brother were already
living, primarily because she had to work.
In January 1944, when Lee was 4, he was taken out of the orphanage, and shortly
thereafter his mother moved with him to Dallas, Tex., where the older boys
joined them at the end of the school year. In May of 1945 Marguerite Oswald
married her third husband, Edwin A. Ekdahl. While the two older boys attended a
military boarding school, Lee lived at home and developed a warm attachment to
Ekdahl, occasionally accompanying his mother and stepfather on business trips
around the country. Lee started school in Benbrook, Tex., but in the fall of
1946, after a separation from Ekdahl, Marguerite Oswald
Page 10
reentered Lee in the first grade in Covington, La. In January 1917, while Lee
was still in the first grade, the family moved to Fort Worth, Tex., as the
result of an attempted reconciliation between Ekdahl and Lee's mother. A year
and a half later, before Lee was 9, his mother was divorced from her third
husband as the result of a divorce action instituted by Ekdahl. Lee's school
record during the next 5 and a half years in Fort Worth was average, although
generally it grew poorer each year. The comments of teachers and others who knew
him at that time do not reveal any unusual personality traits or
characteristics.
Another change for Lee Oswald occurred in August 1952, a few months after he
completed the sixth grade. Marguerite Oswald and her 12-year-old son moved to
New York City where Marguerite's oldest son, John Pie, was stationed with the
Coast Guard. The ensuing year and one-half in New York was marked by Lee's
refusals to attend school and by emotional and psychological problems of a
seemingly serious nature. Because he had become a chronic school truant, Lee
underwent psychiatric study at Youth House, an institution in New York for
juveniles who have had truancy problems or difficulties with the law, and who
appear to require psychiatric observation, or other types of guidance. The
social worker assigned to his case described him as "seriously detached" and
"withdrawn" and noted "a rather pleasant, appealing quality about this
emotionally starved, affectionless youngster." Ice expressed the feeling to the
social worker that his mother did not care for him and regarded him as a burden.
He experienced fantasies about being all powerful and hurting people, but during
his stay at Youth House he was apparently not a behavior problem. He appeared
withdrawn and evasive, a boy who preferred to spend his time alone, reading and
watching television. His tests indicated that he was above average in
intelligence for his age group. The chief psychiatrist of Youth House diag nosed
Lee's problem as a "personality pattern disturbance with schizoid features and
passive-aggressive tendencies." He concluded that the boy was "an emotionally,
quite disturbed youngster" and recommended psychiatric treatment.
In May 1953, after having been at Youth House for 3 weeks, Lee Oswald returned
to school where his attendance and grades temporarily improved. By the following
fall, however, the probation officer reported that virtually every teacher
complained about. the boy's behavior. His mother insisted that he did not need
psychiatric assistance. Although there was apparently some improvement in Lee's
behavior during the next few months, the court recommended further treatment. In
January 1954, while Lee's case was still pending, Marguerite and Lee left for
New Orleans, the city of Lee's birth.
Upon his return to New Orleans, Lee maintained mediocre grades but had no
obvious behavior problems. Neighbors and others who knew him outside of school
remembered him as a quiet, solitary and introverted boy who read a great deal
and whose vocabulary made him
Page 11
quite articulate. About l month after he started the l0th grade and 11 days
before his 16th birthday in October 1955, he brought to school a note
purportedly written by his mother, stating that the family was moving to
California. The note was written by Lee. A few days latex' he dropped out of
school and almost immediately tried to join the Marine Corps. Because he was
only 16, he was rejected. After leaving school Lee worked for the next 10 months
at several jobs in New Orleans as an office messenger or clerk. It was during
this period that he started to read communist literature. Occasionally, in
conversations with others, he praised communism and expressed to his fellow
employees a desire to join the Communist Party. At about this time, when he was
not yet 17, he wrote to the Socialist Party of America, professing his belief in
Marxism.
Another move followed in July 1956 when Lee and his mother returned to Fort
Worth. He reentered high school but again dropped out after a few weeks and
enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 1956, 6 days after his 17th birthday. On
December 21, 1956, during boot camp in San Diego, Oswald fired a score of 212
for record with the M-1 rifle--2 points over the minimum for a rating of
"sharpshooter" on a marksman/sharpshooter/expert scale. After his basic
training, Oswald received training in aviation fundamentals and then in radar
scanning.
Most people who knew Oswald in the Marines described him as "loner" who resented
the exercise of authority by others. He spent much of his free time reading. He
was court-martialed once for possessing an unregistered privately owned weapon
and, on another occasion, for using provocative language to a noncommissioned
officer. He was, however, generally able to comply with Marine discipline, even
though his experiences in the Marine Corps did not live up to his expectations,
Oswald served 15 months overseas until November 1958, most of it in Japan.
During his final year in the Marine Corps he was stationed for the most part in
Santa Ana, Calif., where he showed marked interest in the Soviet Union and
sometimes expressed politically radical views with dogmatic conviction. Oswald
again fired the M-1 rifle for record on May 6, 1959, and this time he shot a
score of 191 on a shorter course than before, only 1 point over the minimum
required to be a "marksman." According to one of his fellow marines, Oswald was
not particularly interested in his rifle performance, and his unit was not
expected to exhibit the usual rifle proficiency. During this period he expressed
strong admiration for Fidel Castro and an interest in joining the Cuban army. He
tried to impress those around him as an intellectual, but his thinking appeared
to some as shallow and rigid.
Oswald's Marine service terminated on September 11, 1959, when at his own
request he was released from active service a few months ahead of his scheduled
release. He offered as the reason for his release the ill health and economic
plight of his mother. He returned to Fort Worth, remained with his mother only 3
days and left for New
Page 12
Orleans, telling his mother he planned to get work there in the shipping or
import-export business. In New Orleans he booked passage on the freighter SS
Marion Lykes, which sailed from New Orleans to Le Havre, France, on September
20, 1959.
Lee Harvey Oswald had presumably planned this step in his life for quite some
time. In March of 1959 he had applied to the Albert Schweitzer College in
Switzerland for admission to the Spring 1960 term. His letter of application
contained many blatant falsehoods concerning his qualifications and background.
A few weeks before his discharge he had applied for and obtained a passport,
listing the Soviet Union as one of the countries which he planned to visit.
During his service in the Marines he had saved a comparatively large sum of
money, possibly as much as $1,500, which would appear to have been accomplished
by considerable frugality and apparently for a specific purpose.
The purpose of the accumulated fund soon became known. On October 16, 1959,
Oswald arrived in Moscow by train after crossing the border from Finland, where
he had secured a visa for a 6-day stay in the Soviet Union. He immediately
applied for Soviet citizenship. On the afternoon of October 21, 1959, Oswald was
ordered to leave the Soviet Union by 8 p.m. that evening. That same afternoon in
his hotel room Oswald, in an apparent suicide attempt, slashed his left wrist.
He was hospitalized immediately. On October 31, 3 days after his release from
the hospital, Oswald appeared at the American Embassy, announced that he wished
to renounce his U.S. citizenship and become a Russian citizen, and handed the
Embassy officer a written statement he had prepared for the occasion. When asked
his reasons, Oswald replied, "I am a Marxist." Oswald never formally complied
with the legal steps necessary to renounce his American citizenship. The Soviet
Government did not grant. his request for citizenship, but. in January 1960 he
was given permission to remain in the Soviet Union on a year to year basis. At
the same time Oswald was sent to Minsk where he worked in radio factory as an
unskilled laborer. In January 1961 his permission to remain in the Soviet Union
was extended for another year. A few weeks later, in February 1961, he wrote to
the American Embassy in Moscow expressing a desire to return to the United
States.
The following month Oswald met a 19-year-old Russian girl, Marina Nikolaevna
Prusakova, a pharmacist, who Had been brought up in Leningrad but was then
living with an aunt and uncle in Minsk. They were married on April 30, 1961.
Throughout the following year he carried on a correspondence with American and
Soviet. authorities seeking approval for the departure of himself and his wife
to the United States. In the course of this effort, Oswald and his wife visited
the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in July of 1961. Primarily on the basis of an
interview and questionnaire completed there, the Embassy concluded that Oswald
had not. lost his citizenship, a decision subsequently ratified by the
Department of State in Washington, D.C. Upon their return to Minsk, 'Oswald and
his wife filed
Page 13
with the Soviet authorities for permission to leave together. Their formal
application was made in July 1961, and on December 25, 1961, Marina Oswald was
advised it would be granted.
A daughter was born to the Oswalds in February 1962. In the months that followed
they prepared for their return to the United States. On May 9, 1962 the U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service, at the request of the Department of
State, agreed to waive a restriction under the law which would have prevented
the issuance of a United States visa. to Oswald's Russian wife until she had
left the Soviet Union. They finally left Moscow on June 1, 1962, and were
assisted in meeting their travel expenses by a loan of $435.71 from the U.S.
Department of State. Two weeks later they arrived in Fort Worth, Tex.
For a few weeks Oswald, his wife and child lived with Oswald's brother Robert.
After a similar stay with Oswald's mother, they moved into their own apartment
in early August. Oswald obtained a job on July 16 as a sheet metal worker.
During this period in Fort Worth, Oswald was interviewed twice by agents of the
FBI. The report of the first interview, which occurred on June 26, described him
as arrogant and unwilling to discuss the reasons why he had gone to the Soviet
Union. Oswald denied that he was involved in Soviet intelligence activities and
promised to advise the FBI if Soviet representatives ever communicated with him.
He was interviewed again on August 16, when he displayed a less belligerent
attitude and once again agreed to inform the FBI of any attempt to enlist him in
intelligence activities.
In early October 1962 Oswald quit his job at the sheet metal plant and moved to
Dallas. While living in Forth Worth the Oswalds had been introduced to a group
of Russian-speaking people in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Many of them assisted
the Oswalds by providing small amounts of food, clothing, and household items.
Oswald himself was disliked by almost all of this group whose help to the family
was prompted primarily by sympathy for Marina Oswald and the child. Despite the
fact that he had left the Soviet Union, disillusioned with its Government,
Oswald seemed more firmly committed than ever to his concepts of Marxism. He
showed disdain for democracy, capitalism, and American society in general. He
was highly critical of the Russian-speaking group because they seemed devoted to
American concepts of democracy and capitalism and were ambitious to improve
themselves economically.
In February 1963 the Oswalds met Ruth Paine at a social gathering. Ruth Paine
was temporarily separated from her husband and living with her two children in
their home in Irving, Tex., a suburb of Dallas. because of an interest in the
Russian language and sympathy for Marina Oswald, who spoke no English and had
little funds, Ruth Paine befriended Marina and, during the next 2 months,
visited her on several occasions.
On April 6, 1963, Oswald lost his job with a photography firm. A few days later,
on April 10, he attempted to kill Maj. Gen. Edwin
Page 14
A. Walker (Resigned, U.S. Army), using a rifle which he had ordered by mail 1
month previously under an assumed name. Marina Oswald learned of her husband's
act when she confronted him with a note which he had left, giving her
instructions in the event he did not return. That incident, and their general
economic difficulties impelled Marina Oswald to suggest that her husband leave
Dallas and go to New Orleans to look for work.
Oswald left for New Orleans on April 24, 1963. Ruth Paine, who knew nothing of
the Walker shooting, invited Marina Oswald and the baby to stay with her in the
Paines' modest. home while Oswald sought work in New Orleans. Early in May, upon
receiving word from Oswald that he had found a job, Ruth Paine drove Marina
Oswald and the baby to New Orleans to rejoin Oswald.
During the stay in New Orleans, Oswald formed a fictitious New Orleans Chapter
of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. lie posed as secretary of this organization
and represented that the president was A. J. Hidell. In reality, Hidell was a
completely fictitious person created by Oswald, the organization's only member.
Oswald was arrested on August 9 in connection with a scuffle which occurred
while he was distributing pro-Castro leaflets. The next day, while at the police
station, he was interviewed by an FBI agent after Oswald requested the police to
arrange such an interview. Oswald gave the agent false information about his own
background and was evasive in his replies concerning Fair Play for Cuba
activities. During the next 2 weeks Oswald appeared on radio programs twice,
claiming to be the spokesman for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New
Orleans.
On July 19, 1963, Oswald lost his job as a greaser of coffee processing
machinery. In September, after an exchange of correspondence with Marina Oswald,
Ruth Paine drove to New Orleans and on September 23, transported Marina, the
child, and the family belongings to Irving, Tex. Ruth Paine suggested that
Marina Oswald, who was expecting her second child in October, live at the Paine
house until after the baby was born. Oswald remained behind, ostensibly to find
work either in Houston or some other city. Instead, he departed by bus for
Mexico, arriving in Mexico City on September 27, where he promptly visited the
Cuban and Russian Embassies. His stated objective was to obtain official
permission to visit Cuba, on his way to the Soviet Union. The Cuban Government
would not grant his visa unless the Soviet Government would also issue a visa
permitting his entry into Russia. Oswald's efforts to secure these visas failed,
and he left for Dallas, where he arrived on October 3, 1968.
When he saw his wife the next day, it was decided that Oswald would rent a room
in Dallas and visit his family on weekends. For 1 week he rented a room from
Mrs. Bledsoe, the woman who later saw him on the bus shortly after the
assassination. On October 14, 1968, he rented the Beckley Avenue room and listed
his name as O. H. Lee. On the same day, at the suggestion of a neighbor, Mrs.
Paine phoned the Texas School Book Depository and was told that there was a job
Page 15
opening. She informed Oswald who was interviewed the following day at the
Depository and started to work there on October 16, 1963.
On October 20 the Oswalds' second daughter was born. During October and November
Oswald established a general pattern of weekend visits to Irving, arriving on
Friday afternoon and returning to Dallas Monday morning with a fellow employee,
Buell Wesley Frazier, who lived near the Paines. On Friday, November 15, Oswald
remained in Dallas at the suggestion of his wife who told him that the house
would be crowded because of a birthday party for Ruth Paine's daughter. On
Monday, November 18, Oswald and his wife quarreled bitterly during a telephone
conversation, because she learned for the first time that he was living at the
roominghouse under an assumed name. On Thursday, November 21, Oswald told
Frazier that he would like to drive to Irving to pick up some curtain rods for
an apartment in Dallas. His wife and Mrs. Paine were quite surprised to see him
since it was a Thursday night. They thought he had returned to make up after
Monday's quarrel. He was conciliatory, but Marina Oswald was still angry.
Later that evening, when Mrs. Paine had finished cleaning the kitchen, she went
into the garage and noticed that the light was burning. She was certain that she
had not left it on, although the incident appeared unimportant at the time. In
the garage were most of the Oswalds' personal possessions. The following morning
Oswald left while his wife was still in bed feeding the baby. She did not see
him leave the house, nor did Ruth Paine. On the dresser in their room he left
his wedding ring which he had never done before. His wallet containing $170 was
left intact in a dresser-drawer.
Oswald walked to Frazier's house about half a block away and placed a long bulky
package, made out of wrapping paper and tape, into the rear seat of the car. He
told Frazier that. the package contained curtain rods. When they reached the
Depository parking lot, Oswald walked quickly ahead. Frazier followed and saw
Oswald enter the Depository Building carrying the long bulky package with him.
During the morning of November 22, Marina Oswald followed President Kennedy's
activities on television. She and Ruth Paine cried when they heard that the
President had been shot. Ruth Paine translated the news of the shooting to
Marina Oswald as it came over television, including the report that the shots
were probably fired from the building where Oswald worked. When Marina Oswald
heard this, she recalled the Walker episode and the fact that her husband still
owned the rifle. She went quietly to the Paine's garage where the rifle had been
concealed in a blanket among their other belongings. It appeared to her that the
rifle was still there, although she did not actually open the blanket.
At about 3 p.m. the police arrived at the Paine house and asked Marina Oswald
whether her husband owned a rifle. She said that he did and then led them into
the garage and pointed to the rolled up blanket. As a police officer lifted it,
the blanket hung limply over either side of his arm. The rifle was not there.
Page 16
Meanwhile, at police headquarters Captain Fritz had begun questioning Oswald.
Soon after the start of the first interrogation, agents of the FBI and the U.S.
Secret Service arrived and participated in the questioning. Oswald denied having
anything to do with the assassination of President Kennedy or the murder of
Patrolman Tippit. He claimed that he was eating lunch at the time of the
assassination, and that he then spoke with his foreman for 5 to 10 minutes
before going home. He denied that he owned a rifle and when confronted, in a
subsequent interview, with a picture showing him holding a rifle and pistol, he
claimed that his face had been superimposed on someone else's body. He refused
to answer any questions about the presence in his wallet of a selective service
card with his picture and the name "Alek J. Hidell."
During the questioning of Oswald on the third floor of the police department,
more than 100 representatives of the press, radio, and television were crowded
into the hallway through which Oswald had to pass when being taken from his cell
to Captain Fritz' office for interrogation. Reporters tried to interview Oswald
during these trips. Between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning he appeared in
the hallway at least 16 times. The generally confused conditions outside and
inside Captain Fritz' office increased the difficulty of police questioning.
Advised by the police that he could communicate with an attorney, Oswald made
several telephone calls on Saturday in an effort to procure representation of
his own choice and discussed the matter with the president of the local bar
association, who offered to obtain counsel Oswald declined the offer saying that
he would first try to obtain counsel by himself. By Sunday morning he had not
yet
engaged an attorney.
At 7:10 p.m. on November 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald was formally advised that
he had been charged with the murder of Patrolman J. D. Tippit Several witnesses
to the Tippit slaying and to the subsequent flight of the gunman had positively
identified Oswald in police lineups. While positive firearm identification
evidence was not available at the time, the revolver in Oswald's possession at
the time of his arrest was of a type which could have fired the shots that
killed Tippit.
The formal charge against Oswald for the assassination of President Kennedy was
lodged shortly after 1:30 a..m., on Saturday, November 28. By 10 p.m. of the day
of the assassination, the FBI had traced the rifle found on the sixth floor of
the Texas School Book Depository to a mail order house in Chicago which had
purchased it from a distributor in New York Approximately 6 hours later the
Chicago firm advised that this rifle had been ordered in March 1968 by an A.
Hidel for shipment to post office box 2915, in Dallas, Tex., box rented by
Oswald. Payment for the rifle was remitted by a money order signed by A. Hidell.
By 6:45 p.m. on November 23, the FBI was able to advise the Dallas police that,,
as a result of handwriting analysis of the documents used to purchase the rifle,
it had concluded that the rifle had been ordered by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Page 17
Throughout Friday and Saturday, the Dallas police released to the public many of
the details concerning the alleged evidence against Oswald. Police officials
discussed important aspects of the case, usually in the course. of impromptu and
confused press conferences in the third-floor corridor. Some of the information
divulged was erroneous. Efforts by the news media representatives to reconstruct
the crime and promptly report details frequently led to erroneous and often
conflicting reports. At the urgings of the newsmen, Chief of Police Jesse E.
Curry, brought Oswald to a press conference in the police assembly room shortly
after midnight of the day Oswald was arrested. The assembly room was crowded
with newsmen who had come to Dallas from all over the country. They shouted
questions at Oswald and flashed cameras at him. Among this group was a
52-year-old Dallas nightclub operator--Jack Ruby.
On Sunday morning, November 24, arrangements were made for Oswald's transfer
from the city jail to the Dallas County jail, about 1 mile away. The news media
had been informed on Saturday night that the transfer of Oswald would not take
place until after 10 a.m. on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, between 2:80 and 3 a.m.,
anonymous telephone calls threatening Oswald's life had been received by the
Dallas office of the FBI and by the office of the county sheriff. Never- the
less, on Sunday morning, television, radio, and newspaper representatives
crowded into the basement to record the transfer. As viewed through television
cameras, Oswald would emerge from a door in front of the cameras and proceed to
the transfer vehicle. To the right of the cameras was a "down" ramp from Main
Street on the north. To the left was an %p" ramp leading to Commerce Street. on
the south.
The armored truck in which Oswald was to be transferred arrived shortly after 11
a.m. Police officials then decided, however, that an unmarked police car would
be preferable for the trip because of its greater speed and maneuverability. At
approximately 11:20 a.m. Oswald emerged from the basement jail office flanked by
detectives on either side and at his rear. He took a few steps toward the car
and was in the glaring light of the television cameras when a man suddenly
darted out from an area on the right of the cameras where newsmen had been
assembled. The man was carrying a Colt..38 revolver in his right hand and, while
millions watched on television, he moved quickly to within a few feet of Oswald
and fired one shot into Oswald's abdomen. Oswald groaned with pain as he fell to
the ground and quickly lost consciousness. Within 7 minutes Oswald was at
Parkland Hospital where, without having regained consciousness, he was
pronounced dead at 1:07 p.m.
The man who killed Oswald was Jack Ruby. He was instantly arrested and, minutes
later, confined in a cell on the fifth floor of the Dallas police jail. Under
interrogation, he denied that the killing of Oswald was in any way connected
with a conspiracy involving the assassination of President Kennedy. He
maintained that he had killed Oswald in a temporary fit of depression and rage
over the
Page 18
President's death. Ruby was transferred the following day to the county jail
without notice to the press or to police officers not directly involved in the
transfer. Indicted for the murder of Oswald by the State of Texas on November
26, 1963, Ruby was found guilty on March 14, 1964, and sentenced to death. As of
September 1964, his case was pending on appeal.
Conclusions
Page 18
CONCLUSIONS
This Commission was created to ascertain the facts relating to the preceding
summary of events and to consider the important questions which they raised. The
Commission has addressed itself to this task and has reached certain conclusions
based on all the available evidence. No limitations have been placed on the
Commission's inquiry; it has conducted its own investigation, and all Government
agencies have fully discharged their responsibility to cooperate with the
Commission in its investigation. These conclusions represent the reasoned
judgment of all members of the Commission and are presented after an
investigation which has satisfied the Commission that it: has ascertained the
truth concerning the assassination of President Kennedy to the extent that a
prolonged and thorough search makes this possible.
1. The shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally were
fired from the sixth floor window at the south-
east corner of the Texas School Book Depository. This determination is based
upon the following:
(a) Witnesses at the scene of the assassination saw a rifle being fired from the
sixth floor window of the
Depository Building, and some witnesses saw a rifle in the window immediately
after the shots were fired.
(b) The nearly whole bullet found on Governor Connally's stretcher at Parkland
Memorial Hospital and
the two bullet fragments found in the front seat of the Presidential limousine
were fired from the 6.5-
millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository
Building to the exclusion of
all other weapons.
(c) The three used cartridge cases found near the window on the sixth floor at
the southeast corner of
the building were fired from the same rifle which fired the above-described
bullet and fragments, to the
exclusion of all other weapons.
(d) The windshield in the Presidential limousine was struck by a bullet fragment
on the inside surface of
the glass, but was not penetrated.
(e) The nature of the bullet wounds suffered by President Kennedy and Governor
Connally and the
location of the car at the time of the shots establish that the bullets were
fired from above and behind the
Presidential limousine, striking the President and the Governor as follows:
Page 19
(1) President Kennedy was first struck by a bullet which entered at the back of
his neck and exited through the lower front portion of his neck, causing a wound
which would not necessarily have been lethal. The President was struck a second
time by a bullet which entered the right-rear portion of his head, causing a
massive and fatal wound.
(2) Governor Connally was struck by a bullet which entered on the right side of
his back and traveled downward through the right side of his chest, exiting
below his right nipple. This bullet then passed through his right wrist and
entered his left thigh where it caused a superficial wound.
(f) There is no credible evidence that the shots were fired from the Triple
Underpass, ahead of the motorcade, or from any other location.
2. The weight of the evidence indicates that there were three shots fired.
3. Although it is not necessary to any essential findings of the Commission to
determine just which shot hit Governor Connally, there is very persuasive
evidence from the experts to indicate that the same bullet which pierced the
President's throat also caused Governor Connally's wounds. However, Governor
Connally's testimony and certain other factors have given rise to some
difference of opinion as to this probability but there is no question in the
mind of any member of the Commission that all the shots which caused the
President's and Governor Connally's wounds were fired from the sixth floor
window of the Texas School Book Depository.
4. The shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally were
fired by Lee Harvey Oswald. This conclusion is based upon the following:
(a) The Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5-millimeter Italian rifle from which the shots
were fired was owned by and in the possession of Oswald.
(b) Oswald carried this rifle into the Depository Building on the morning of
November 22, 1963.
(c) Oswald, at the time of the assassination, was present at the Window from
which the shots were fired.
(d) Shortly after the assassination, the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle belonging to
Oswald was found partially hidden between some cartons on the sixth floor and
the improvised paper bag in which Oswald brought the rifle to the Depository was
found dose by the window from which the shots were fired.
(e) Based on testimony of the experts and their analysis of films of the
assassination, the Commission has concluded that a rifleman of Lee Harvey
Oswald's capabilities could have fired the shots from the rifle used in the
assassination within the elapsed time of the shooting. The Commission has
concluded further that Oswald possessed the capability with a rifle which
enabled him to commit the assassination.
Page 20
(f) Oswald lied to the police after his arrest concerning important substantive
matters.
(g) Oswald had attempted to kill Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker (Resigned, U.S. Army)
on April 10, 1963, thereby demonstrating his disposition to take human life.
5. Oswald killed Dallas Police Patrolman J. D. Tippit approximately 45 minutes
after the assassination. This conclusion upholds the finding that Oswald fired
the shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally and is
supported by the following:
(a) Two eyewitnesses saw the Tippit shooting and seven eyewitnesses heard the
shots and saw the gunman leave the scene with revolver in hand. These nine
eyewitnesses positively identified Lee Harvey Oswald as the man they saw.
(b) The cartridge cases found at the scene of the shooting were fired from the
revolver in the possession of Oswald at the time of his arrest to the exclusion
of all other weapons.
(c) The revolver in Oswald's possession at the time of his arrest was purchased
by and belonged to Oswald.
(d) Oswald's jacket was found along the path of flight taken by the gunman as he
fled from the scene of the killing.
6. Within 80 minutes of the assassination and 35 minutes of the Tippit killing
Oswald resisted arrest at the theatre by attempting to shoot another Dallas
police officer.
7. The Commission has reached the following conclusions concerning Oswald's
interrogation and detention by the Dallas police:
(a) Except for the force required to effect his arrest, Oswald was not subjected
to any physical coercion by any law enforcement officials. He was advised that
he could not be compelled to give any information and that any statements made
by him might be used against him in court. He was advised of his right to
counsel. He was given the opportunity to obtain counsel of his own choice and
was offered legal assistance by the Dallas Bar Association, which he rejected at
that time.
(b) Newspaper, radio, and television reporters were allowed uninhibited access
to the area through which Oswald had to pass when he was moved from his cell to
the interrogation room and other sections of the building, thereby subjecting
Oswald to harassment and creating chaotic conditions which were not conducive to
orderly interrogation or the protection of the rights of the prisoner.
(c) The numerous statements, sometimes erroneous, made to the press by various
local law enforcement officials, during this period of confusion and disorder in
the police station, would have presented serious obstacles to the obtaining of a
fair trial for Oswald. To the extent that the information was erroneous or
misleading, it helped to create doubts, speculations, and fears in the mind of
the public which might otherwise not have arisen.
Page 21
8. The Commission has reached the following conclusions concerning the killing
of Oswald by Jack Ruby on November 24, 1963:
(a) Ruby entered the basement of the Dallas Police Department shortly after
11:17 a.m. and killed Lee Harvey Oswald at 11:21 a.m.
(b) Although the evidence on Ruby's means of entry is not conclusive, the weight
of the evidence indicates that he walked down the ramp leading from Main Street
to the basement of the police department.
(c) There is no evidence to support the rumor that Ruby may have been assisted
by any members of the Dallas Police Department in the killing of Oswald.
(d) The Dallas Police Department's decision to transfer Oswald to the county
jail in full public view was unsound. The arrangements made by the police
department on Sunday morning, only a few hours before the attempted transfer,
were inadequate. Of critical importance was the fact that news media
representatives and others were not excluded from the basement even after the
police were notified of threats to Oswald's life. These deficiencies contributed
to the death of Lee Harvey Oswald.
9. The Commission has found no evidence that either Lee Harvey Oswald or Jack
Ruby was part of any conspiracy, domestic or foreign, to assassinate President
Kennedy. The reasons for this conclusion are:
(a) The Commission has found no evidence that anyone assisted Oswald in planning
or carrying out the assassination. In this connection it has thoroughly
investigated, among other factors, the circumstances surrounding the planning of
the motorcade route through Dallas, the hiring of Oswald by the Texas School
Book Depository Co. on October 15, 1963, the method by which the rifle was
brought into the building, the placing of cartons of books at the window,
Oswald's escape from the building, and the testimony of eyewitnesses to the
shooting.
(b) The Commission has found no evidence that Oswald was involved with any
person or group in a conspiracy to assassinate the President, although it has
thoroughly investigated, in addition to other possible leads, all facets of
Oswald's associations, finances, and personal habits, particularly during the
period following his return from the Soviet. Union in June 1962.
(c) The Commission has found no evidence to show that Oswald was employed,
persuaded, or encouraged by any foreign government to assassinate President
Kennedy or that he was an agent of any foreign government, although the
Commission has reviewed the circumstances surrounding Oswald's defection to the
Soviet Union, his life there from October of 1959 to June of 1962 so far as it
can be reconstructed, his known contacts with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee~
and his visits to the Cuban and Soviet Embassies in Mexico City during his trip
to Mexico from
Page 22
September 26 to October 3, 1963, and his known contacts with the Soviet Embassy
in the United States.
(d) The Commission has explored all attempts of Oswald to identify himself with
various political groups, including the Communist Party, U.S.A., the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee, and the Socialist Workers Party, and has been unable to find
any evidence that the contacts which he initiated were related to Oswald's
subsequent. assassination of the President.
(e) All of the evidence before the Commission established that there was nothing
to support the speculation that Oswald was an agent, employee, or informant of
the FBI, the CIA, or any other governmental agency. It has thoroughly
investigated Oswald's relationships prior to the assassination with all agencies
of the U.S. Government. All contacts with Oswald by any of these agencies were
made in the regular exercise of their different responsibilities.
(f) No direct or indirect relationship between Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby
has been discovered by the Commission, nor has it been able to find any credible
evidence that either knew the other, although a thorough investigation was made
of the many rumors and speculations of such a relationship.
(g) The Commission has found no evidence that Jack Ruby acted with any other
person in the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald.
(h) After careful investigation the Commission has found no credible evidence
either that Ruby and Officer Tippit, who was killed by Oswald, knew each other
or that Oswald and Tippit knew each other.
Because of the difficulty of proving negatives to a certainty the possibility of
others being involved with either Oswald or Ruby cannot be established
categorically, but if there is any such evidence it has been beyond the reach of
all the investigative agencies and resources of the United States and has not
come to the attention of this Commission.
10. In its entire investigation the Commission has found no evidence of
conspiracy, subversion, or disloyalty to the U.S. Government by any Federal,
State, or local official.
11. On the basis of the evidence before the Commission it concludes that, Oswald
acted alone. Therefore, to determine the motives for the assassination of
President Kennedy, one must look to the assassin himself. Clues to Oswald's
motives can be found in his family history, his education or lack of it, his
acts, his writings, and the recollections of those who had close contacts with
him throughout his life. The Commission has presented with this report all of
the background information bearing on motivation which it could discover. Thus,
others may study Lee Oswald's life and arrive at their own conclusions as to his
possible motives.
The Commission could not make any definitive determination of Oswald's motives.
It has endeavored to isolate factors which contributed
Page 23
to his character and which might have influenced his decision to assassinate
President Kennedy. These factors were:
(a) His deep-rooted resentment. of all authority which, was expressed in a
hostility toward every society in which he lived;
(b) His inability to enter into meaningful relationships with people, and a
continuous pattern of rejecting his environment favor of new surrounding;
(c) His urge to try to find a place in history and despair at times over
failures in his various undertakings;
(d) His capacity for violence as evidenced by his attempt to kill General
Walker;
(e) His avowed commitment to Marxism and communism, as he understood the terms
and developed his own interpretation of them; this was expressed by his
antagonism toward the United States, by his defection to the Soviet Union, by
his failure to be reconciled with life in the United States even after his
disenchantment with the Soviet Union, and by his efforts, though frustrated,
to go to Cuba.
Each of these contributed to his capacity to risk all in cruel and irresponsible
actions.
12. The Commission recognizes that the varied responsibilities of the President
require that he make frequent trips to all parts of the United States and
abroad. Consistent with their high responsibilities Presidents can never be
protected from every potential threat. The Secret Service's difficulty in
meeting its protective responsibility varies with the activities and the nature
of the occupant of the Office of President and his willingness to conform to
plans for his safety. In ap praising the performance of the Secret Service it
should be understood that it has to do its work within such limitations.
Nevertheless, the
Commission believes that recommendations for improvements in Presidential
protection are compelled by the facts disclosed in this investigation.
(a) The complexities of the Presidency have increased so rapidly in recent years
that the Secret Service has not been able to develop or to secure adequate
resources of personnel and facilities to fulfill its important assignment. This
situation should be promptly remedied.
(b) The Commission has concluded that the criteria and procedures of the Secret
Service designed to identify and protect against persons considered threats to
the president, were not adequate prior to the assassination.
(1) The Protective Research Section of the Secret Service, which is responsible
for its preventive work, lacked sufficient trained personnel and the mechanical
and technical assistance needed to fulfill its responsibility.
(2) Prior to the assassination the Secret Service's criteria dealt with direct
threats against the President. Although the Secret Service treated the direct
threats against the President adequately, it failed to recognize the necessity
of identifying
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other potential sources of danger to his security. The Secret Service did not
develop adequate and specific criteria defining those persons or groups who
might present a danger to the President. In effect, the Secret Service largely
relied upon other Federal or State agencies to supply the information necessary
for it to fulfill its preventive responsibilities, al though it did ask for
information about direct threats to the President.
(c) The Commission has concluded that there was insufficient liaison and
coordination of information between the Secret Service and other Federal
agencies necessarily concerned with Presidential protection. Although the FBI,
in the normal exercise of its responsibility, had secured considerable
information about Lee Harvey Oswald, it had no official responsibility, under
the Secret Service criteria existing at the time of the President's trip to
Dallas, to refer to the Secret Service the information it had about Oswald. The
Commission has concluded, however, that the FBI took an unduly restrictive view
of its role in preventive intelligence work prior to the assassination. A more
carefully coordinated treatment of the Oswald case by the FBI might well have
resulted in bringing Oswald's activities to the attention of the Secret Service.
(d) The Commission has concluded that some of the advance preparations in Dallas
made by the Secret Service, such as the detailed security measures taken at Love
Field and the Trade Mart, were thorough and well executed. In other respects,
however, the Commission has concluded that the advance preparations for the
President's trip were deficient.
(1) Although the Secret Service is compelled to rely to a great extent on local
law enforcement officials, its procedures at the time of the Dallas trip did not
call for well-defined instructions as to the respective responsibilities of the
police officials and others assisting in the protection of the President.
(2) The procedures relied upon by the Secret Service for detecting the presence
of an assassin located in a building along a motorcade route were inadequate. At
the time of the trip to Dallas, the Secret Service as a matter of practice did
not investigate, or cause to be checked, any building located along the
motorcade route to be taken by the President. The responsibility for observing
windows in these buildings during the motorcade was divided between local police
personnel stationed on the streets to regulate crowds and Secret Service agents
riding in the motorcade. Based on its investigation the Commission has concluded
that these arrangements during the trip to Dallas were clearly not sufficient.
(e) The configuration of the Presidential car and the seating arrangements of
the Secret Service agents in the car did not afford
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the Secret Service agents the opportunity they should have had to be of
immediate assistance to the President at the first. sign of danger.
(f) Within these limitations, however, the Commission finds that. the agents
most immediately responsible for the President's safety reacted promptly at the
time the shots were fired from the Texas School Book Depository Building.
Recommendations
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Prompted by the assassination of President Kennedy, the Secret Service has
initiated a. comprehensive and critical review of its total operations. As a
result of studies conducted during the past, several months, and in cooperation
with this Commission, the Secret Service has prepared a planning document dated
August 27, 1964, which recommends various programs considered necessary by the
Service to improve its techniques and enlarge its resources. The Commission is
encouraged by the efforts taken by the Secret Service since the assassination
and suggests the following recommendations.
1. A committee of Cabinet members including the Secretary of the Treasury and
the Attorney General, or the National Security Council, should be assigned the
responsibility of reviewing and overseeing the protective activities of the
Secret Service and the other Federal agencies that assist in safeguarding the
President. Once given this responsibility, such a committee would insure that
the maximum resources of the Federal Government are fully engaged in the task of
protecting the President, and would provide guidance in defining the general
nature of domestic and foreign dangers to Presidential security.
2. Suggestions have been advanced to the Commission for the transfer of all or
parts of the Presidential protective responsibilities of the Secret Service to
some other department or agency. The Commission believes that if there is to be
any determination of whether or not to relocate these responsibilities and
functions, it ought to be made by the Executive and the Congress, perhaps upon
recommendations based on studies by the previously suggested committee.
3. Meanwhile, in order to improve daily supervision of the Secret Service within
the Department of the Treasury, the Commission recommends that the Secretary of
the Treasury appoint a special assistant with the responsibility of supervising
the Secret Service. This special assistant should have sufficient stature and
experience in law enforcement, intelligence, and allied fields to provide
effective continuing supervision, and to keep the Secretary fully informed
regarding the performance of the Secret Service. One of the initial assignments
of this special assistant should be the supervision of the current effort by the
Secret Service to revise and modernize its basic operating procedures.
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4. The Commission recommends that the Secret Service completely overhaul its
facilities devoted to the advance detection of potential threats against the
President. The Commission suggests the following measures.
(a) The Secret Service should develop as quickly as possible more useful and
precise criteria defining those potential threats to the President which should
be brought to its attention by other agencies. The criteria should, among other
additions, provide for prompt notice to the Secret Service of all returned
defectors.
(b) The Secret Service should expedite its current plans to utilize the most
efficient data-processing techniques.
(c) Once the Secret Service has formulated new criteria delineating the
information it desires, it should enter into agreements with each Federal agency
to insure its receipt of such information.
5. The Commission recommends that the Secret Service improve the protective
measures followed in the planning, and conducting of Presidential motorcades. In
particular~ the Secret Service should continue its current efforts to increase
the precautionary attention given to buildings along the motorcade route.
6. The Commission recommends that the Secret Service continue its recent efforts
to improve and formalize its relationships with local police departments in
areas to be visited by the President.
7. The Commission believes that when the new criteria and procedures are
established, the Secret Service will not have sufficient personnel or adequate
facilities. The Commission recommends that the Secret Service be provided with
the personnel and resources which the Service and the Department of the Treasury
may be able to demonstrate are needed to fulfill its important mission.
8. Even with an increase in Secret Service personnel, the protection of the
President will continue to require the resources and cooperation of many Federal
agencies. The Commission recommends that these agencies, specifically the FBI,
continue the practice as it has developed, particularly since the assassination,
of assisting the Secret Service upon request by providing personnel or other
aid, and that there be a closer association and liaison between the Secret
Service and all Federal agencies.
9. The Commission recommends that the President's physician always accompany him
during his travels and occupy a position near the President where he can be
immediately available in case of any emergency.
10. The Commission recommends to Congress that it adopt legislation which would
make the assassination of the President and Vice President a Federal crime. A
state of affairs where U.S. authorities have no clearly defined jurisdiction to
investigate the assassination of a President is anomalous.
11. The Commission has examined the Department of State's handling of the Oswald
matters and finds that it followed the law
Page 27
throughout. However, the Commission believes that the Department in accordance
with its own regulations should in all cases exercise great care in the return
to this country of defectors who have evidenced disloyalty or hostility to this
country or who have expressed a desire to renounce their American citizenship
and that when such persons are so returned, procedures should be adopted for the
better dissemination of information concerning them to the intelligence agencies
of the Government.
12. The Commission recommends that the representatives of the bar, law
enforcement associations, and the news media work together to establish ethical
standards concerning the collection and presentation of information to the
public so that there will be no interference with pending criminal
investigations, court proceedings, or the right of individuals to a fair trial.
Chapter II The Assassination
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CHAPTER II
The Assassination
THIS CHAPTER describes President Kennedy's trip to Dallas, from its origin
through its tragic conclusion. The narrative of these events is based largely on
the recollections of the participants, although in many instances documentary or
other evidence has also been used by the Commission. Beginning with the advance
plans and Secret Service preparations for the trip, this chapter reviews the
motorcade through Dallas, the fleeting moments of the assassination, the
activities at Parkland Memorial Hospital, and the return of the Presidential
party to Washington. An evaluation of the procedures employed to safeguard the
President, with recommendations for improving these procedures, appears in
Chapter VIII of the report..
Planning the Texas Trip
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PLANNING THE TEXAS TRIP
President Kennedy's visit to Texas in November 1963 had been under consideration
for almost a year before it occurred. He had made only a few brief visits to the
State since the 1960 Presidential campaign and in 1962 he began to consider a
formal visit.1 During 1963, the reasons for making the trip became more
persuasive. As a political leader, the President wished to resolve the factional
controversy within the Democratic Party in Texas before the election of 1964. 2
The party itself saw an opportunity to raise funds by having the President speak
at a political dinner eventually planned for Austin. 3 As Chief of State, the
President always welcomed the opportunity to learn, firsthand, about the
problems which concerned the American people.4 Moreover, he looked forward to
the public appearances which he personally enjoyed.
The basic decision on the November trip to Texas was made at a meeting of
President Kennedy, Vice President Johnson, and Governor Connally on June 5,
1963, at the Cortez Hotel in El Paso, Tex.6 The President had spoken earlier
that day at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and had stopped in
El Paso to discuss the proposed visit and other matters with the Vice President
and the Governor.7 The three agreed that the President would come to Texas
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in late November 1963.8 The original plan called for the President to spend only
1 day in the State, making whirlwind visits to Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio,
and Houston.9 In September, the White House decided to permit further visits by
the President and extended the trip to run from the afternoon of November 21
through the evening of Friday, November 22. When Governor Connally called at the
White House on October 4 to discuss the details of the visit, it was agreed that
the planning of events in Texas would be left largely to the Governor. At the
White House, Kenneth O'Donnell, special assistant to the President, acted as
coordinator for the trip.12
Everyone agreed that, if there was sufficient time, a motorcade through downtown
Dallas would be the best way for the people to see their President. When the
trip was planned for only 1 day, Governor Connally had opposed the motorcade
because there was not enough time. The Governor stated, however, that "once we
got San Antonio moved from Friday to Thursday afternoon, where that was his
initial stop in Texas, then we had the time, and I withdrew my objections to a
motorcade." According to O'Donnell, had a motorcade wherever we went,"
particularly in large cities where the purpose was to let the President be seen
by as many people as possible.16 In his experience, "it would be automatic" for
the Secret Service to arrange a route which would, within the time allotted,
bring the President "through an area which exposes him to the greatest number of
people."
Advance Preparations for the Dallas Trip
Page 29
ADVANCE PREPARATIONS FOR THE DALLAS TRIP
Advance preparations for President Kennedy's visit to Dallas were primarily the
responsibility of two Secret Service agents: Special Agent Winston G. Lawson, a
member of the White House detail who acted as the advance agent, and Forrest V.
Sorrels, special agent in charge of the Dallas office. Both agents were advised
of the trip on November 4.18 Lawson received a tentative schedule of the Texas
trip on November 8 from Roy H. Kellerman, assistant special agent in charge of
the White House detail, who was the Secret. Service official responsible for the
entire Texas journey.19 As advance agent working closely with Sorrels, Lawson
had responsibility for arranging the timetable for the President's visit to
Dallas and coordinating local activities with the White House staff, the
organizations directly concerned with the visit, and local law enforcement
officials.20 Lawson's most important responsibilities were to take preventive
action against anyone in Dallas considered a threat to the President, to select
the luncheon site and motorcade route, and to plan security measures for the
luncheon and the motorcade.
Preventive Intelligence Activities
The Protective Research Section (PRS) of the Secret Service maintains records of
people who have threatened the President or so conducted
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themselves as to be deemed a potential danger to him. On November 8, 1963, after
undertaking the responsibility for advance preparations for the visit to Dallas,
Agent Lawson went to the PRS offices in Washington. A check of the geographic
indexes there revealed no listing for any individual deemed to be a potential
danger to the President in the territory of the Secret Service regional office
which includes Dallas and Fort Worth.21
To supplement the PRS files, the Secret Service depends largely on local police
departments and local offices of other Federal agencies which advise it of
potential threats immediately before the visit of the President to their
community. Upon his arrival in Dallas on November 12 Lawson conferred with the
local police and the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation about
potential dangers to the President. Although there was no mention in PRS files
of the demonstration in Dallas against Ambassador Adlai Stevenson on October 24,
1963, Lawson inquired about the incident and obtained through the local police
photographs of some of the persons involved.22 On November 22 a Secret Service
agent stood at the entrance to the Trade Mart, where the President was scheduled
to speak, with copies of these photographs. Dallas detectives in the lobby of
the Trade Mart and in the luncheon area also had copies of these photographs. A
number of people who resembled some of those in the photographs were placed
under surveillance at the Trade Mart.25
The FBI office in Dallas gave the local Secret Service representatives the name
of a possibly dangerous individual in the Dallas area who was investigated. It
also advised the Secret Service of the circulation on November 21 of a handbill
sharply critical of President Kennedy,24 discussed in chapter VI of this report.
Shortly before, the Dallas police had reported to the Secret Service that the
handbill had appeared on the streets of Dallas. Neither the Dallas police nor
the FBI had yet learned the source of the handbill.25 No one else was identified
to the Secret Service through local inquiry as potentially dangerous, nor did
PRS develop any additional information between November 12, when Lawson left
Washington, and November 22. The adequacy of the intelligence system maintained
by the Secret Service at the time of the assassination, including a detailed
description of the available data on Lee Harvey Oswald and the reasons why his
name had not been furnished to the Secret Service, is discussed in chapter VIII.
The Luncheon Site
An important purpose of the President's visit to Dallas was to speak at a
luncheon given by business and civic leaders. The White House staff informed the
Secret Service that the President would arrive and depart from Dallas' Love
Field; that a motorcade through the downtown area of Dallas to the luncheon site
should be arranged; and that following the luncheon the President would return
to the airport by the most direct route. Accordingly, it was important to
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determine the luncheon site as quickly as possible, so that security could be
established at the site and the motorcade route selected.
On November 4, Gerald A. Behn, agent in charge of the White House detail, asked
Sorrels to examine three potential sites for the luncheon. One building, Market
Hall, was unavailable for November 22. The second, the Women's Building at the
State Fair Grounds, was a one-story building with few entrances and easy to make
secure, but it lacked necessary food-handling facilities and had certain
unattractive features, including a low ceiling with exposed conduits and beams.
The third possibility, the Trade Mart, a handsome new building with all the
necessary facilities, presented security problems. It had numerous entrances,
several tiers of balconies surrounding the central court where the luncheon
would be held, and several catwalks crossing the court at each level. On
November 4, Sorrels told Behn he believed security difficulties at the Trade
Mart could be overcome by special precautions. Lawson also evaluated the
security hazards at the Trade Mart on November 13.28 Kenneth O'Donnell made the
final decision to hold the luncheon at the Trade Mart; Behn so notified Lawson
on November 14.
Once the Trade Mart had been selected, Sorrels and Lawson worked out detailed
arrangements for security at the building. In addition to the preventive
measures already mentioned, they provided for controlling access to the
building, closing off and policing areas around it, securing the roof and
insuring the presence of numerous police officers inside and around the
building. Ultimately more than 200 law enforcement officers, mainly Dallas
police but including 8 Secret Service agents, were deployed in and around the
Trade Mart.30
The Motorcade Route
On November 8, when Lawson was briefed on the itinerary for the trip to Dallas,
he was told that 45 minutes had been allotted for a motorcade procession from
Love Field to the luncheon site.31 Lawson was not specifically instructed to
select the parade route, but he understood that this was one of his functions.32
Even before the Trade Mart had been definitely selected, Lawson and Sorrels
began to consider the best motorcade route from Love Field to the Trade Mart. On
November 14, Lawson and Sorrels attended a meeting at Love Field and on their
return to Dallas drove over the route which Sorrels believed best suited for the
proposed motorcade.33 This route, eventually selected for the motorcade from the
airport to the Trade Mart, measured 10 miles and could be driven easily within
the allotted 45 minutes.34 From Love Field the route passed through a portion of
suburban Dallas, through the downtown area along Main Street and then to the
Trade Mart via Stemmons Freeway. For the President's return to Love Field
following the luncheon, the agents selected the most direct route, which was
approximately 4 miles.
After the selection of the Trade Mart as the luncheon site, Lawson and Sorrels
met with Dallas Chief of Police Jesse E. Curry, Assistant
Page 32
Chief Charles Batchelor, Deputy Chief N. T. Fisher, and several other command
officers to discuss details of the motorcade and possible routes. The route was
further reviewed by Lawson and Sorrels with Assistant Chief Batchelor and
members of the local host committee on November 15. The police officials agreed
that the route recommended by Sorrels was the proper one and did not express a
belief that any other route might be better.37 On November 18, Sorrels and
Lawson drove over the selected route with Batchelor and other police officers,
verifying that it could be traversed within 45 minutes. Representatives of the
local host committee and the White House staff were advised by the Secret
Service of the actual route on the afternoon of November 18.38
The route impressed the agents as a natural and desirable one. Sorrels, who had
participated in Presidential protection assignments in Dallas since a visit by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936,as testified that the traditional parade
route in Dallas was along Main Street, since the tall buildings along the street
gave more people an opportunity to participate. The route chosen from the
airport to Main Street was the normal one, except where Harwood Street was
selected as the means of access to Main Street in preference to a short stretch
of the Central Expressway, which presented a minor safety hazard and could not
accommodate spectators as conveniently as Harwood Street.41 According to Lawson,
the chosen route seemed to be
the best.
It afforded us wide streets most of the way, because of the buses that were in
the motorcade. It
afforded us a chance to have alternative routes if something happened on the
motorcade route. It was
the type of suburban area a good part of the way where the crowds would be able
to be controlled for a
great distance, and we figured that the largest crowds would be downtown, which
they were, and that
the wide streets that we would use downtown would be of sufficient width to keep
the public out of our
way.
Elm Street, parallel to Main Street and one block north, was not used for the
main portion of the downtown part of the motorcade because Main Street offered
better vantage points for spectators.
To reach the Trade Mart from Main Street the agents decided to use the Stemmons
Freeway (Route No. 77), the most direct route. The only practical way for
westbound traffic on Main Street to reach the northbound lanes of the Stemmons
Freeway is via Elm Street, which Route No. 77 traffic is instructed to follow in
this part of the city. ( See Commission Exhibit No. 2113, p. 34.) Elm Street was
to be reached from Main by turning right at Houston, going one block north and
then turning left onto Elm. On this last portion of the journey, only 5 minutes
from the Trade Mart, the President's motorcade would pass the Texas School Book
Depository Building on the northwest corner of Houston and Elm Streets. The
building overlooks Dealey Plaza,
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an attractively landscaped triangle of 3 acres. (See Commission Exhibit No. 876,
p. 33.) From Houston Street, which forms the base of the triangle, three
streets--Commerce, Main, and Elm--trisect the plaza, converging at the apex of
the triangle to form a triple underpass beneath a multiple railroad bridge
almost 500 feet from Houston Street.48 Elm Street, the northernmost of the
three, after intersecting Houston curves in a southwesterly arc through the
underpass and leads into an access road, which branches off to the right and is
used by traffic going to the Stemmons Freeway and the Dallas-Fort Worth
Turnpike. (See Commission Exhibits Nos. 2113-2116, pp. 34-37.)
The Elm Street approach to the Stemmons Freeway is necessary in order to avoid
the traffic hazards which would otherwise exist if right turns were permitted
from both Main and Elm into the freeway. To create this traffic pattern, a
concrete barrier between Main and Elm Streets presents an obstacle to a right
turn from Main across Elm to the access road to Stemmons Freeway and the
Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike. This concrete barrier extends far enough beyond the
access road to make it impracticable for vehicles to turn right from Main
directly to the access road. A sign located on this barrier instructs Main
Street traffic not to make any turns.45 (See Commission Exhibits Nos. 2114-2116,
pp. 35-37.) In conformity with these arrangements, traffic proceeding west on
Main is directed to turn right at Houston in order to reach the Dallas-Fort
Worth Turnpike, which has the same access road from Elm Street as does the
Stemmons Freeway.46 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2967, p. 38.)
The planning for the motorcade also included advance preparations for security
arrangements along the route. Sorrels and Lawson reviewed the route in
cooperation with Assistant Chief Bachelor and other Dallas police officials who
took notes on the requirements for controlling the crowds and traffic, watching
the overpasses, and providing motorcycle escort.47 To control traffic,
arrangements were made for the deployment of foot patrolmen and motorcycle
police at various positions along the route.48 Police were assigned to each
overpass on the route and instructed to keep them clear of unauthorized persons.
No arrangements were made for police or building custodians to inspect buildings
along the motorcade route since the Secret Service did not normally request or
make such a check? Under standard procedures, the responsibility for watching
the windows of buildings was shared by local police stationed along the route
and Secret Service agents riding in the motorcade.51
As the date for the President's visit approached, the two Dallas newspapers
carried several reports of his motorcade route. The selection of the Trade Mart
as the possible site for the luncheon first appeared in the Dallas Times-Herald
on November 15, 1963. The following day, the newspaper reported that the
Presidential party "apparently will loop through the downtown area, probably on
Main Street, en route from Dallas Love Field" on its way to the Trade
Page 40
Mart. On November 19, the Times-Herald afternoon paper detailed the precise
route:
From the airport, the President's party will proceed to Mockingbird Lane to
Lemmon and then to Turtle Creek, turning south to Cedar Springs.
The motorcade will then pass through downtown on Harwood and then west on Main,
turning back to Elm at Houston and then out Stemmons Freeway to the Trade Mart.
Also on November 19, the Morning News reported that the President's motorcade
would travel from Love Field along specified streets, then "Harwood to Main,
Main to Houston, Houston to Elm, Elm under the Triple Underpass to Stemmons
Freeway, and on to the Trade Mart." On November 20 a front page story reported
that the streets on which the Presidential motorcade would travel included "Main
and Stemmons Freeway." On the morning of the President's arrival, the Morning
News noted that the motorcade would travel through downtown Dallas onto the
Stemmons Freeway, and reported that "the motorcade will move slowly so that
crowds can 'get a good view' of President Kennedy and his wife." 57
Dallas Before the Visit
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DALLAS BEFORE THE VISIT
The President's intention to pay a visit to Texas in the fall of 1963 aroused
interest throughout the State. The two Dallas newspapers provided their readers
with a steady stream of information and speculation about the trip, beginning on
September 13, when the Times-Herald announced in a front page article that
President Kennedy was planning a brief l-day tour of four Texas cities--Dallas,
Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston.58 Both Dallas papers cited White House
sources on September 26 as confirming the President's intention to visit Texas
on November 21 and 22, with Dallas scheduled as one of the stops.
Articles, editorials, and letters to the editor in the Dallas Morning News and
the Dallas Times-Herald after September 13 reflected the feeling in the
community toward the forthcoming Presidential visit. Although there were
critical editorials and letters to the editors, the news stories reflected the
desire of Dallas officials to welcome the President with dignity and courtesy.
An editorial in the Times-Herald of September 17 called on the people of Dallas
to be "congenial hosts" even though "Dallas didn't vote for Mr. Kennedy in 1960,
may not endorse him in '64." On October 3 the Dallas Morning News quoted U.S.
Representative Joe Pool's hope that President Kennedy would receive a "good
welcome" and would not face demonstrations like those encountered by Vice
President Johnson during the 1960 campaign.61
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Increased concern about the President's visit was aroused by the incident
involving the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Adlai E. Stevenson. On the
evening of October 24, 1963, after addressing a meeting in Dallas, Stevenson was
jeered, jostled, and spat upon by hostile demonstrators outside the Dallas
Memorial Auditorium Theater.62 The local, national, and international reaction
to this incident evoked from Dallas officials and newspapers strong
condemnations of the demonstrators. Mayor Earle Cabell called on the city to
redeem itself during President Kennedy's visit.63 He asserted that Dallas had
shed its reputation of the twenties as the "Southwest hate capital of Dixie." 64
On October 26 the press reported Chief of Police Curry's plans to call in 100
extra off-duty officers to help protect President Kennedy.65 Any thought that
the President might cancel his visit to Dallas was ended when Governor Connally
confirmed on November 8 that the President would come to Texas on November
21-22, and that he would visit San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, and
Austin.66
During November the Dallas papers reported frequently on the plans for
protecting the President, stressing the thoroughness of the preparations. They
conveyed the pleas of Dallas leaders that citizens not demonstrate or create
disturbances during the President's visit. On November 18 the Dallas City
Council adopted a new city ordinance prohibiting interference with attendance at
lawful assemblies.67 Two days before the President's arrival Chief Curry warned
that the Dallas police would not permit improper conduct during the President's
visit.68
Meanwhile, on November 17 the president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce
referred to the city's reputation for being the friendliest town in America and
asserted that citizens would "greet the President of the United States with the
warmth and pride that keep the Dallas spirit famous the world over." 69 Two days
later, a local Republican leader called for a "civilized nonpartisan" welcome
for President Kennedy, stating that "in many respects Dallas County has isolated
itself from the main stream of life in the world in this decade." 70
Another reaction to the impending visit -- hostile to the President --came to a
head shortly before his arrival. On November 21 there appeared on the streets of
Dallas the anonymous handbill mentioned above. It was fashioned after the
"wanted" circulars issued by law enforcement agencies. Beneath two photographs
of President Kennedy, one full- face and one profile, appeared the caption,
"Wanted for Treason," followed by a scurrilous bill of particulars that
constituted a vilification of the President.71 And on the morning of the
President's arrival, there appeared in the Morning News a full , black-bordered
advertisement headed "Welcome Mr. Kennedy to Dallas," sponsored by the American
Factfinding Committee, which the sponsor later testified was an ad hoc committee
"formed strictly for the purpose of having a name to put in the paper." The
"welcome" consisted of a series of statements and questions critical of the
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President and his administration. (See Commission Exhibit No. 1031, p. 294.)
Visits To Other Texas Cities
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VISITS TO OTHER TEXAS CITIES
The trip to Texas began with the departure of President and Mrs. Kennedy from
the White House by helicopter at 10:45 a.m., e.s.t., on November 21, 1963, for
Andrews AFB. They took off in the Presidential plane, Air Force One, at 11 a.m.,
arriving at San Antonio at 1:30 p.m., e.s.t. They were greeted by Vice President
Johnson and Governor Connally, who joined the Presidential party in a motorcade
through San Antonio.74 During the afternoon, President Kennedy dedicated the
U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB.75 Late in the
afternoon he flew to Houston where he rode through the city in a motorcade,
spoke at the Rice University Stadium, and attended a dinner in honor of U.S.
Representative Albert Thomas.76
At Rice Stadium a very large, enthusiastic crowd greeted the President. In
Houston, as elsewhere during the trip, the crowds showed much interest in Mrs.
Kennedy. David F. Powers of the President's staff later stated that when the
President asked for his assessment of the day's activities, Powers replied "that
the crowd was about the same as the one which came to see him before but there
were 100,000 extra people on hand who came to see Mrs. Kennedy." 78 Late in the
evening, the Presidential party flew to Fort Worth where they spent the night at
the Texas Hotel.
On the morning of November 22, President Kennedy attended a breakfast at the
hotel and afterward addressed a crowd at an open parking lot.80 The President
liked outdoor appearances because more people could see and hear him.81 Before
leaving the hotel, the President, Mrs. Kennedy, and Kenneth O'Donnell talked
about the risks inherent in Presidential public appearances. According to
O'Donnell, the President commented that "if anybody really wanted to shoot the
President of the United States, it was not a very difficult job--all one had to
do was get a high building someday with a telescopic rifle, and there was
nothing anybody could do to defend against such an attempt." Upon concluding the
conversation, the President prepared to depart for Dallas.
Arrival At Love Field
Page 42
ARRIVAL AT LOVE FIELD
In Dallas the rain had stopped, and by midmorning a gloomy overcast sky had
given way to the bright. sunshine that greeted the Presidential party when Air
Force One touched down at Love Field at 11:40 a.m., e.s.t. Governor and Mrs.
Connally and Senator Ralph W. Yarborough had come with the President from Fort
Worth.85 Vice President Johnson's airplane, Air Force Two, had arrived at Love
Page 43
Field at approximately 11:35 a.m., and the Vice President and Mrs. Johnson were
in the receiving line to greet President and Mrs. Kennedy.86
After a welcome from the Dallas reception committee, President and Mrs. Kennedy
walked along a chain-link fence at the reception area greeting a large crowd of
spectators that had gathered behind it.87 Secret Service agents formed a cordon
to keep the press and photographers from impeding their passage and scanned the
crowd for threatening movements.88 Dallas police stood at intervals along the
fence and Dallas plain clothes men mixed in the crowd.89 Vice President and Mrs.
Johnson followed along the fence, guarded by four members of the
Vice-Presidential detail.90 Approximately 10 minutes after the arrival at Love
Field, the President and Mrs. Kennedy went to the Presidential automobile to
begin the motorcade.91
Organization of the Motorcade
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ORGANIZATION OF THE MOTORCADE
Secret Service arrangements for Presidential trips, which were followed in the
Dallas motorcade, are designed to provide protection while permitting large
numbers of people to see the President. Every effort is made to prevent
unscheduled stops, although the President may, and in Dallas did, order stops in
order to greet the public.93 Men the motorcade slows or stops, agents take
positions between the President and the crowd.94 The order of vehicles in the
Dallas motorcade was as follows:
Motorcycles.--Dallas police motorcycles preceded the pilot car.95'
The pilot car.--Manned by officers of the Dallas Police Department, this
automobile preceded the main party by approximately quarter of a mile. Its
function was to alert police along the route that the motorcade was approaching
and to check for signs of trouble.96
Motorcycles.--Next came four to six motorcycle policemen whose main purpose was
to keep the crowd back.
The lead car.--Described as a "rolling command car," this was an unmarked Dallas
police car, driven by Chief of Police Curry and occupied by Secret Service
Agents Sorrels and Lawson and by Dallas County Sheriff J. E. Decker. The
occupants scanned the crowd and the buildings along the route. Their main
function was to spot trouble in advance and to direct any necessary steps to
meet the trouble. Following normal practice, the lead automobile stayed
proximately four to five car lengths ahead of the President's limousine.98
The Presidential limousine.--The President's automobile was specially designed
1961 Lincoln convertible with two collapsible jump seats between the front and
rear seats. (See Commission Exhibit No. 346, p. 44.) It was outfitted with a
clear plastic bubbletop which was neither bulletproof nor bullet resistant.100
Because the skies had cleared in Dallas, Lawson directed that the top not be
used for the day's activities. He acted on instructions he had received
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Page 44
Page 45
earlier from Assistant Special Agent in Charge Roy H. Kellerman, who was in Fort
Worth with the President.101 Kellerman had discussed the matter with O'Donnell,
whose instructions were, "If the weather is clear and it is not raining, have
that bubbletop off." Elevated approximately 15 inches above the back of the
front seat was a metallic frame with four handholds that riders in the car could
grip while standing in the rear seat during parades.103 At the rear on each side
of the automobile were small running boards, each designed to hold a Secret
Service agent, with a metallic handle for the rider to grasp.104 The President
had frequently stated that he did not want agents to ride on these steps during
a motorcade except when necessary. He had repeated this wish only a few days
before, during his visit to Tampa, Fla.105
President Kennedy rode on the right-hand side of the rear seat with Mrs. Kennedy
on his left.106 Governor Connally occupied the right jump seat, Mrs. Connally
the left.107 Driving the Presidential limousine was Special Agent William R.
Greer of the Secret Service; on his right sat Kellerman.108 Kellerman's
responsibilities included maintaining radio communications with the lead and
followup cars, scanning the route, and getting out and standing near the
President when the cars stopped.
Motorcycles.--Four motorcycles, two on each side, flanked the rear of the
Presidential car. They provided some cover for the President, but their main
purpose was to keep back the crowd.109 On previous occasions, the President had
requested that, to the extent possible, these flanking motorcycles keep back
from the sides of his car.110
Presidential followup car.--This vehicle, a 1955 Cadillac eight-passenger
convertible especially outfitted for the Secret Service, followed closely behind
the President's automobile.111 It carried eight Secret Service agents--two in
the front seat, two in the rear, and two on each of the right and left running
boards.112 Each agent carried a .38-caliber pistol, and a shotgun and automatic
rifle were also available.113 Presidential Assistants David F. Powers and
Kenneth O'Donnell sat in the right and left jump seats, respectively.114
The agents in this car, under established procedure, had instructions to watch
the route for signs of trouble, scanning not only the crowds but the windows and
roofs of buildings, overpasses, and crossings. They were instructed to watch
particularly for thrown objects, sudden actions in the crowd, and any movements
toward the Presidential car. The agents on the front of the running boards had
directions to move immediately to positions just to the rear of the President
and Mrs. Kennedy when the President's car slowed to a walking pace or stopped,
or when the press of the crowd made it impossible for the escort motorcycles to
stay in position on the car's rear flanks.' The two agents on the rear of the
running boards were to advance toward the front of the President's car whenever
it stopped or slowed down sufficiently for them to do so.118
Vice-Presidential car.--The Vice-Presidential automobile, a four-door Lincoln
convertible obtained locally for use in the motor-
Page 46
cade, proceeded approximately two to three car lengths behind the President's
followup car.119 This distance was maintained so that spectators would normally
turn their gaze from the President's automobile by the time the Vice President
came into view.120 Vice President Johnson sat on the right-hand side of the rear
seat, Mrs. Johnson in the center, and Senator Yarborough on the left. 121 Rufus
W. Youngblood, special agent in charge of the Vice President's detail, occupied
the right-hand side of the front seat, and Hurchel Jacks of the Texas State
Highway patrol was the driver.122
Vice-Presidential followup car.--Driven by an officer of the Dallas Police
Department, this vehicle was occupied by three Secret Service agents and Clifton
C. Garter, assistant to the Vice President.123 These agents performed for the
Vice President the same functions that the agents in the Presidential followup
car performed for the President.
Remainder of motorcade.--The remainder of the motorcade consisted of five cars
for other dignitaries, including the mayor of Dallas and Texas Congressmen,
telephone and Western Union vehicles, a White House communications car, three
cars for press photographers, an official party bus for White House staff
members and others, and two press buses. Admiral George G. Burkley, physician to
the President, was in a car following those "containing the local and national
representatives." 124
Police car and motorcycles. 125 --A Dallas police car and several motorcycles at
the rear kept the motorcade together and prevented unauthorized vehicles from
joining the motorcade.
Communications in the motorcade. 126 --A base station at a fixed location in
Dallas operated a radio network which linked together the lead car, Presidential
car, Presidential followup car, White House communications car, Trade Mart, Love
Field, and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential airplanes. The
Vice-Presidential car and Vice-Presidential followup car used portable sets with
a separate frequency for their own car-to-car communication.
The Drive Through Dallas
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THE DRIVE THROUGH DALLAS
The motorcade left Love Field shortly after 11:50 a.m. and drove at speeds up to
25 to 30 miles an hour through thinly populated areas on the outskirts of
Dallas.127 At the President's direction, his automobile stopped twice, the first
time to permit him to respond to a sign asking him to shake hands.128 During
this brief stop, agents in the front positions on the running boards of the
Presidential followup car came forward and stood beside the President's car,
looking out toward the crowd, and Special Agent Kellerman assumed his position
next to the car.129 On the other occasion, the President halted the motorcade to
speak to a Catholic nun and a group of small children.130
In the downtown area, large crowds of spectators gave the President a tremendous
reception.131 The crowds were so dense
Page 47
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 698
Presidential limousine in Dallas motorcade.
Page 48
that Special Agent Clinton J. Hill had to leave the left front running board of
the President's followup car four times to ride on the rear of the President's
limousine.132 (See Commission Exhibit No. 698, p. 47.) Several times Special
Agent John D. Ready came forward from the right front running board of the
Presidential followup car to the right side of the President's car.133 Special
Agent. Glen A. Bennett once left his place inside the followup car to help keep
the crowd away from the President's car. When a teenage boy ran toward the rear
of the President's ear,184 Ready left the running board to chase the boy back
into the crowd. On several occasions when the Vice President's car was slowed
down by the throng, Special Agent Youngblood stepped out to hold the crowd
back.135
According to plan, the President's motorcade proceeded west through downtown
Dallas on Main Street to the intersection of Houston Street, which marks the
beginning of Dealey Plaza.136 From Main Street the motorcade turned right and
went north on Houston Street, passing tall buildings on the right, and headed
toward the Texas School Book Depository Building.137 The spectators were still
thickly congregated in front of the buildings which lined the east side of
Houston Street, but the crowd thinned abruptly along Elm Street, which curves in
a southwesterly direction as it proceeds downgrade toward the Triple Underpass
and the Stemmons Freeway.138
As the motorcade approached the intersection of Houston and Elm Streets, there
was general gratification in the Presidential party about the enthusiastic
reception. Evaluating the political overtones, Kenneth O'Donnell was especially
pleased because it convinced him that the average Dallas resident was like other
American citizens in respecting and admiring the President. 139 Mrs. Connally,
elated by the reception, turned to President Kennedy and said, "Mr. President,
you can't say Dallas doesn't love you." The President replied, "That is very
obvious."
The Assassination
Page 48
THE ASSASSINATION
At 12:30 p.m., e.s.t., as the President's open limousine proceeded at
approximately 11 miles per hour along Elm Street toward the Triple Underpass,
shots fired from a rifle mortally wounded President Kennedy and seriously
injured Governor Connally. One bullet passed through the President's neck; a
subsequent bullet., which was lethal, shattered the right side of his skull.
Governor Connally sustained bullet wounds in his back, the fight side of his
chest, right wrist, and left thigh.
The Time
The exact time of the assassination was fixed by the testimony of four
witnesses. Special Agent Rufus W. Youngblood observed that the large electric
sign clock atop the Texas School Book Depository Building showed the numerals
"12:30" as the Vice-Presidential automobile proceeded north on Houston Street, a
few seconds before the
Page 49
shots were fired.141 Just prior to the shooting, David F. Powers, riding in the
Secret Service followup car, remarked to Kenneth O'Donnell that it was 12:30
p.m., the time they were due at the Trade Mart.142 Seconds after the shooting,
Roy Kellerman, riding in the front seat of the Presidential limousine, looked at
his watch and said "12:30" to the driver, Special Agent Greer.143 The Dallas
police radio log re-fleets that Chief of Police Curry reported the shooting of
the President and issued his initial orders at 12:30 p.m.144
Speed of the Limousine
William Greet, operator of the Presidential limousine, estimated the car's speed
at the time of the first shot as 12 to 15 miles per hour. 144 Other witnesses in
the motorcade estimated the speed of the President's limousine from 7 to 22
miles per hour.146 A more precise determination has been made from motion
pictures taken on the scene by an amateur photographer, Abraham Zapruder. Based
on these films, the speed of the President's automobile is computed at an
average speed of 11.2 miles per hour. The car maintained this average speed over
a distance of approximately 186 feet immediately preceding the shot which struck
the President in the head. While the car traveled this distance, the Zapruder
camera ran 152 frames. Since the camera operates at a speed of 18.3 frames per
second, it was calculated that the car required 8.3 seconds to cover the 136
feet. This represents a speed of 11.2 miles per hour.147
In the Presidential Limousine
Mrs. John F. Kennedy, on the left of the rear seat of the limousine, looked
toward her left and waved to the crowds along the route. Soon after the
motorcade turned onto Elm Street., she heard a sound similar to a motorcycle
noise and a cry from Governor Connally, which caused her to look to her right.
On turning she saw a quizzical look on her husband's face as he raised his left
hand to his throat. Mrs. Kennedy then heard a second shot and saw the
President's skull torn open under the impact of the bullet. As she cradled her
mortally wounded husband, Mrs. Kennedy cried, "Oh, my God, they have shot my
husband. I love you, Jack." 148
Governor Connally testified that he recognized the first noise as a rifle shot
and the thought immediately crossed his mind that it was an assassination
attempt. From his position in the right jump seat immediately in front of the
President, he instinctively turned to his right because the shot appeared to
come from over his right shoulder. Unable to see the President as he turned to
the right, the Governor started to look back over his left shoulder, but he
never completed the turn because he felt something strike him in the back.149 n
his testimony before the Commission, Governor Connally was certain that he was
hit by the second shot, which he stated he did not hear.150
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Mrs. Connally, too, heard a frightening noise from her right. Looking over her
right shoulder, she saw that the President had both hands at his neck but she
observed no blood and heard nothing. She watched as he slumped down with an
empty expression on his face.151 Roy Kellerman, in the right front seat of the
limousine, heard a report like a firecracker pop. Turning to his right in the
direction of the noise, Kellerman heard the President say "My God, I am hit,"
and saw both of the President's hands move up toward his neck. As he told the
driver, "Let's get out of here; we are hit," Kellerman grabbed
his microphone and radioed ahead to the lead car, "We are hit. Get us to the
hospital immediately." 152
The driver, William Greer, heard a noise which he took to be a backfire from one
of the motorcycles flanking the Presidential car. When he heard the same noise
again, Greer glanced over his shoulder and saw Governor Connally fall. At
the-sound of the second shot he realized that something was wrong, and he
pressed down on the accelerator as Kellerman said, "Get out of here fast." 153
As he issued his instructions to Greet and to the lead car, Kellerman heard a
"flurry of shots" Within 5 seconds of the first noise. According to Kellerman,
Mrs. Kennedy then cried out: "What are they doing to you!" Looking back from the
front seat, Kellerman saw Governor Connally in his wife's lap and Special Agent
Clinton J. Hill lying across the trunk of the car.154
Mrs. Connally heard a second shot fired and pulled her husband down into her
lap. 155 Observing his blood- covered chest as he was pulled into his wife's
lap, Governor Connally believed himself mortally wounded. He cried out, "Oh, no,
no, no. My God, they are going to kill us all." 156 At first Mrs. Connally
thought that her husband had been killed, but then she noticed an almost
imperceptible movement and knew that he was still alive. She said, "It's all
right. Be still." 157 The Governor was lying with his head on his wife's lap
when he heard a shot hit the President.158 At that point, both Governor and Mrs.
Connally observed brain tissue splattered over the interior of the car.159
According to Governor and Mrs. Connally, it was after this shot that Kellerman
issued his emergency instructions and the car accelerated. 160
Reaction by Secret Service Agents
From the left front running board of the President's followup car, Special Agent
Hill was scanning the few people standing on the south side of Elm Street after
the motorcade had turned off Houston Street. He estimated that the motorcade had
slowed down to approximately 9 or 10 miles per hour on the turn at the
intersection of Houston and Elm Streets and then proceeded at a rate of 12 to 15
miles per hour with the followup car trailing the President's automobile by
approximately 5 feet. 161 Hill heard a noise, which seemed to be a firecracker,
coming from his right rear. He immediately looked to his right, "and, in so
doing, my eyes had to cross the Presidential limousine and I saw President
Kennedy grab at himself and lurch forward and to the
Page 51
left." 162 Hill jumped from the followup car and ran to the President's
automobile. At about the time he reached the President's automobile, Hill heard
a second shot, approximately 5 seconds after the first, which removed a portion
of the President's head.163
At the instant that Hill stepped onto the left rear step of the President's
automobile and grasped the handhold, the car lurched forward, causing him to
lose his footing. He ran three or four steps, regained his position and mounted
the car. Between the time he originally seized the handhold and the time he
mounted the car, Hill recalled:
Mrs. Kennedy had jumped up from the seat and was, it appeared to me, reaching
for something coming off the fight rear bumper of the car, the right rear tail,
when she noticed that I was trying to climb on the car. She turned toward me and
I grabbed her and put her back in the back seat, crawled up on top of the back
seat and lay there.
David Powers, who witnessed the scene from the President's followup car, stated
that Mrs. Kennedy would probably have fallen off the rear end of the car and
been killed if Hill had not pushed her back into the Presidential automobile.165
Mrs. Kennedy had no recollection of climbing onto the back of the car.166
Special Agent Ready, on the right front running board of the Presidential
followup car, heard noises that sounded like firecrackers and ran toward the
President's limousine. But he was immediately called back by Special Agent Emory
P. Roberts, in charge of the followup car, who did not believe that he could
reach, the President's car at the speed it was then traveling.167 Special Agent
George W. Hickey, Jr., in the rear seat of the Presidential followup car, picked
up and cocked an automatic rifle as he heard the last shot. At this point. the
cars were speeding through the underpass and had left the scene of the shooting,
but Hickey kept the automatic weapon ready as the car raced to the hospital.168
Most of the other Secret Service agents in the motorcade had drawn their
sidearms.169 Roberts noticed that the Vice President's car was approximately
one-half block behind the Presidential followup car at the time of the shooting
and signaled for it to move in closer.170
Directing the security detail for the Vice President from the right front seat
of the Vice-Presidential car, Special Agent Youngblood recalled:
As we were beginning to go down this incline, all of a sudden there was an
explosive noise. I quickly observed unnatural movement of crowds, like ducking
or scattering, and quick movements in the Presidential followup car. So I turned
around and hit the Vice President on the shoulder and hollered, get. down, and
then looked around again and saw more of this movement, and so I proceeded to go
to the back seat and get on top of him. 171
Page 52
Youngblood was not positive that he was in the rear seat before the second shot,
but thought it probable because of President Johnson's statement to that effect
immediately after the assassination.172 President Johnson emphasized
Youngblood's instantaneous reaction after the first shot:
I was startled by the sharp report or explosion, but I had no time to speculate
as to its origin
because Agent Youngblood turned in a flash, immediately after the first
explosion, hitting me on the
shoulder, and shouted to all of us in the back seat to get down. I was pushed
down by Agent
Youngblood. Almost in the same moment in which he hit or pushed me, he vaulted
over the back seat
and sat on me. I was bent over under the weight of Agent Youngblood's body,
toward Mrs. Johnson
and Senator Yarborough.178
Clifton C. Carter, riding in the Vice President's followup car a short distance
behind, reported that Youngblood was in the rear seat using his body to shield
the Vice President before the second and third shots were fired.174
Other Secret Service agents assigned to the motorcade remained at their posts
during the race to the hospital. None stayed at the scene of the shooting, and
none entered the Texas School Book Depository Building at or immediately after
the shooting. Secret Service procedure requires that each agent stay with the
person being protected and not be diverted unless it is necessary to accomplish
the protective assignment.175 Forrest V. Sorrels, special agent in charge of the
Dallas office, was the first Secret Service agent to return to the scene of the
assassination, approximately 20 or 25 minutes after the shots were fired.176
Parkland Memorial Hospital
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PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
The Race to the Hospital
In the final instant of the assassination, the Presidential motorcade began a
race to Parkland Memorial Hospital, approximately 4 miles from the Texas School
Book Depository Building.177 On receipt of the radio message from Kellerman to
the lead car that the President had been hit, Chief of Police Curry and police
motorcyclists at the head of the motorcade led the way to the hospital.178
Meanwhile, Chief Curry ordered the police base station to notify Parkland
Hospital that the wounded President was en route.170 The radio log of the Dallas
Police Department shows that at 12:30 p.m. on November 22 Chief Curry radioed,
"Go to the hospital--Parkland Hospital. Have them stand by." A moment later
Curry added, "Looks like the President has been hit. Have Parkland stand by."
The base station replied, "They have been notified." 180 Traveling at speeds
estimated at times to be up to 70 or 80 miles per hour down the Stemmons Freeway
and Harry Hines
Page 53
Boulevard, the Presidential limousine arrived at the emergency entrance of the
Parkland Hospital at about 12:35 p.m.181 Arriving almost simultaneously were the
President's followup car, the Vice President's automobile, and the Vice
President's followup car. Admiral Burkley, the President's physician, arrived at
the hospital "between 3 and 5 minutes following the arrival of the President,"
since the riders in his car "were not exactly aware what had happened" and the
car went on to the Trade Mart first.182
When Parkland Hospital received the notification, the staff in the emergency
area was alerted and trauma rooms 1 and 2 were prepared.183 These rooms were for
the emergency treatment of acutely ill or injured patients.184 Although the
first message mentioned an injury only to President Kennedy, two rooms were
prepared.185 As the President's limousine sped toward the hospital, 12 doctors
to the emergency area: surgeons, Drs. Malcolm O. Perry, Charles R. Baxter,
Robert N. McClelland, Ronald C. Jones; the chief neurologist, Dr. William Kemp
Clark; 4 anesthesiologists, Drs. Marion T. Jenkins, Adolph H. Giesecke, Jr.,
Jackie H. Hunt, Gene C. Akin; urological surgeon, Dr Paul C. Peters; an oral
surgeon, Dr. Don T. Curtis; and a heart. specialist, Dr. Fouad A. Bashour.186
Upon arriving at Parkland Hospital, Lawson jumped from the lead car and rushed
into the emergency entrance, where he was met by hospital staff members wheeling
stretchers out to the automobile. 187 Special Agent Hill removed his suit jacket
and covered the President's head and upper chest to prevent the taking of
photographs.188 Governor Connally, who had lost consciousness on the ride to the
hospital, regained consciousness when the limousine stopped abruptly at the
emergency entrance. Despite his serious wounds, Governor Con-natty tried to get
out of the way so that medical help could reach the President. Although he was
reclining in his wife's arms, he lurched forward in an effort to stand upright
and get out of the car, but he collapsed again. Then he experienced his first
sensation of pain, which became excruciating.189 The Governor was lifted onto a
stretcher and taken into trauma room 2. 190 For a moment, Mrs. Kennedy refused
to release the President, whom she held in her lap, but then Kellerman, Greer,
and Lawson lifted the President onto a stretcher and pushed it into trauma room
1. 191
Treatment of President Kennedy
The first physician to see the President at Parkland Hospital was Dr. Charles J.
Carrico, a resident in general surgery.192 Dr. Carrico was in the emergency
area, examining another patient, when he was notified that President Kennedy was
en route to the hospital. 193 Approximately 2 minutes later, Dr. Carrico saw the
President on his back, being wheeled into the emergency area.194 He noted that
the President was blue-white or ashen in color; had slow, spasmodic, agonal
respiration without any coordination; made no voluntary movements; had his eyes
open with the pupils dilated without any reaction
Page 54
to light; evidenced no palpable pulse; and had a few chest sounds which were
thought to be heart beats.195 On the basis of these findings, Dr. Carrico
concluded that President Kennedy was still alive.196
Dr. Carrico noted two wounds: a small bullet wound in the front lower neck, and
an extensive wound in the President's head where a sizable portion of the skull
was missing.197 He observed shredded brain tissue and "considerable slow oozing"
from the latter wound, followed by "more profuse bleeding" after some
circulation was established.198 Dr. Carrico felt the President's back and
determined that there was no large wound there which would be an immediate
threat to life.199 Observing the serious problems presented by the head wound
and inadequate respiration, Dr. Carrico directed his attention to improving the
President's breathing.200 He noted contusions, hematoma to the right of the
larynx, which was deviated slightly to the left, and also ragged tissue which
indicated a tracheal injury.201 Dr. Carrico inserted a cuffed endotracheal tube
past the injury, inflated the cuff, and connected it to a Bennett machine to
assist in respiration.202
At that point, direction of the President's treatment was undertaken by Dr.
Malcolm O. Perry, who arrived at trauma room 1 a few moments after the
President.203 Dr. Perry noted the President's back brace as he felt for a
femoral pulse, which he did not find.0204 Observing that an effective airway had
to be established if treatment was to be effective, Dr. Perry performed a
tracheotomy, which required 3 to 5 minutes.205 While Dr. Perry was performing
the tracheotomy, Drs. Carrico and Ronald Jones made cutdowns on the President's
right leg and left arm, respectively, to infuse blood and fluids into the
circulatory system.206 Dr. Carrico treated the President's known ad-renal
insufficiency by administering hydrocortisone.207 Dr. Robert N. McClelland
entered at that point and assisted Dr. Perry with the tracheotomy.208
Dr. Fouad Bashour, chief of cardiology, Dr. M. T. Jenkins, chief of
anesthesiology, and Dr. A. H. Giesecke, Jr., then joined in the effort to revive
the President.0209 When Dr. Perry noted free air and blood in the President's
chest cavity, he asked that chest tubes be inserted to allow for drainage of
blood and air. Drs. Paul C. Peters and Charles R. Baxter initiated these
procedures.210 As a result of the infusion of liquids through the cutdowns, the
cardiac massage, and the airway, the doctors were able to maintain peripheral
circulation as monitored at the neck (carotid) artery and at the wrist (radial)
pulse. A femoral pulse was also detected in the President's leg.211 While these
medical efforts were in progress, Dr. Clark noted some electrical activity on
the cardiotachyscope attached to monitor the President's heart responses.212 Dr.
Clark, who most closely observed the head wound, described a large, gaping wound
in the right rear part of the head, with substantial damage and exposure of
brain tissue, and a considerable loss of blood.213 Dr. Clark did not see any
other hole or wound on the President's head. According to Dr. Clark,
Page 55
the small bullet hole on the right rear. of the President's head discovered
during the subsequent autopsy "could have easily been hidden in the blood and
hair"
In the absence of any neurological, muscular, or heart response, the doctors
concluded that efforts to revive the President were hopeless.215 This was
verified by Admiral Burkley, the President's physician, who arrived at the
hospital after emergency treatment was under-way and concluded that "my direct
services to him at that moment would have interfered with the action of the team
which was in progress." 216 At approximately 1 p.m., after last rites were
administered to the President by Father Oscar L. Huber, Dr. Clark pronounced the
President dead. He made the official determination because the ultimate cause of
death, the severe head injury, was within his sphere of specialization.217 The
time was fixed at 1 p.m., as an approximation, since it was impossible to
determine the precise moment when life left the President.218 President Kennedy
could have survived the neck injury, but the head wound was fatal.219 From a
medical viewpoint, President Kennedy was alive when he arrived at Parkland
Hospital; the doctors observed that he had a heart beat and was making some
respiratory efforts.220 But his condition was hopeless, and the extraordinary
efforts of the doctors to save him could not help but to have been unavailing.
Since the Dallas doctors directed all their efforts to controlling the massive
bleeding caused by the head wound, and to reconstructing an airway to his lungs,
the President remained on his back throughout his medical treatment at
Parkland.221 When asked why he did not turn the President over, Dr. Carrico
testified as follows:
A. This man was in obvious extreme distress and any more thorough inspection
would have involved several minutes--well, several--considerable time which at
this juncture was not available. A thorough inspection would have involved
washing and cleansing the back, and this is not practical in treating an acutely
injured patient. You have to determine which things, which are immediately life
threatening and cope with them, before attempting to evaluate the full extent of
the injuries.
Q. Did you ever have occasion to look at the President's back A. No, sir.
Before--well, in trying to treat an acutely injured patient, you have to
establish an airway, adequate ventilation and you have to establish adequate
circulation. Before this was accomplished the President's cardiac activity had
ceased and closed cardiac massage was instituted, which made it impossible to
inspect his back.
Q. Was any effort made to inspect the President's back after
he had expired
A. No, sir.
Q. And why was no effort made at that time to inspect his back
A. I suppose nobody really had the heart to do it. 222
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Moreover, the Parkland doctors took no further action after the President had
expired because they concluded that. it was beyond the scope of their
permissible duties.223
Treatment of Governor Connally
While one medical team tried to revive President Kennedy, a second performed a
series of operations on the bullet wounds sustained by Governor Connally. 224
Governor Connally was originally seen by Dr. Carrico and Dr. Richard Dulany.225
While Dr. Carrico went on to attend the President, Dr. Dulany stayed with the
Governor and was soon joined by several other doctors.226 At approximately 12:
45 p.m., Dr. Robert Shaw, chief of thoracic surgery, arrived at trauma room 2,
to take charge of the care of Governor Connally, whose major wound fell within
Dr. Shaw's area 'of specialization.227
Governor Connally had a large sucking wound in the front of the right chest
which caused extreme pain and difficulty in breathing. Rubber tubes were
inserted between the second and third ribs to reexpand the right lung, which had
collapsed because of the opening in the chest wall. 228 At 1: 35 p.m., after
Governor Connally had been moved to the operating room, Dr. Shaw started the
first operation by cutting away the edges of the wound on the front of the
Governor's chest and suturing the damaged lung and lacerated muscles.229 The
elliptical wound in the Governor's back, located slightly to the left of the
Governor's right armpit approximately five-eighths inch (a centimeter and a
half) in its greatest diameter, was treated by cutting away the damaged skin and
suturing the back muscle and skin.230 This operation was concluded at 3: 20
p.m.231
Two additional operations were performed on Governor Connally for wounds which
he had not realized he had sustained until he regained consciousness the
following day.232 From approximately 4 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. on November 22, Dr.
Charles F. Gregory, chief of orthopedic surgery, operated on the wounds of
Governor Connally's right
wrist, assisted by Drs. William Osborne and John Parker.233 The wound on the
back of the wrist was left partially open for draining, and the wound on the
palm side was enlarged, cleansed, and closed. The fracture was set., and a east
was applied with some traction utilized.234 While the second operation was in
progress, Dr. George T. Shires, assisted by Drs. Robert McClelland, Charles
Baxter, and Ralph Don Patman, treated the gunshot wound in the left thigh.235
This punctuate missile wound, about two-fifths inch in diameter (1 centimeter)
and located approximately 5 inches above the left knee, was cleansed and closed
with sutures; but a small metallic fragment remained in the Governor's leg.236
Vice President Johnson at Parkland
As President Kennedy and Governor Connally were being removed from the limousine
onto stretchers, a protective circle of Secret Service agents surrounded Vice
President and Mrs. Johnson and escorted
Page 57
them into Parkland Hospital through the emergency entrance.237 The agents moved
a nurse and patient out of a nearby room, lowered the shades, and took emergency
security measures to protect the Vice President.238 Two men from the President's
followup car were detailed to help protect the Vice President. An agent was
stationed at the entrance to stop anyone who was not a member of the
Presidential party. U.S. Representatives Henry B. Gonzalez, Jack Brooks, Homer
Thornberry, and Albert Thomas joined Clifton C. Carter and the group of special
agents protecting the Vice President.239 On one occasion Mrs. Johnson,
accompanied by two Secret Service agents, left the room to see Mrs. Kennedy and
Mrs. Connally.240
Concern that the Vice President might also be a target for assassination
prompted the Secret Service agents to urge him to leave the hospital and return
to Washington immediately.241 The Vice President decided to wait until he
received definitive word of the President's condition.242 At approximately 1:20
p.m., Vice President Johnson was notified by O'Donnell that President Kennedy
was dead.243 Special Agent Youngblood learned from Mrs. Johnson the location of
her two daughters and made arrangements through Secret Service headquarters in
Washington to provide them with protection immediately.244
When consulted by the Vice President, O'Donnell advised him to go to the
airfield immediately and return to Washington.245 It was decided that the Vice
President should return on the Presidential plane rather than on the Vice-
Presidential plane because it had better communication equipment.246 The Vice
President conferred with White House Assistant Press Secretary Malcolm Kilduff
and decided that there would be no release of the news of the President's death
until the Vice President had left the hospital.247 When told that Mrs. Kennedy
refused to leave without the President's body, the Vice President said that he
would not leave Dallas without her.248 On the recommendation of the Secret
Service agents, Vice President Johnson decided to board the Presidential
airplane, Air Force One, and wait for Mrs. Kennedy and the President's body.249
Secret Service Emergency Security Arrangements
Immediately after President Kennedy's stretcher was wheeled into trauma room 1,
Secret Service agents took positions at the door of the small emergency room. A
nurse was asked to identify hospital personnel and to tell everyone, except
necessary medical staff members, to leave the emergency room. Other Secret
Service agents posted themselves in the corridors and other areas near the
emergency room. Special Agent Lawson made certain that the Dallas police kept
the public and press away from the immediate area of the hospital.250 Agents
Kellerman and Hill telephoned the head of the White House detail, Gerald A.
Behn, to advise him of the assassination. The telephone line to Washington was
kept open throughout the remainder of the stay at the hospital.251
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Secret Service agents stationed at later stops on the President's itinerary of
November 22 were redeployed. Men at the Trade Mart were driven to Parkland
Hospital in Dallas police cars.252 The Secret Service group awaiting the
President in Austin were instructed to return to Washington.253 Meanwhile, the
Secret Service agents in charge of security at Love Field started to make
arrangements for departure. As soon as one of the agents learned of the
shooting, he asked the officer in charge of the police detail at the airport to
institute strict security measures for the Presidential aircraft, the airport
terminal, and the surrounding area. The police were cautioned to prevent picture
taking. Secret Service agents working with police cleared the areas adjacent to
the aircraft, including warehouses, other terminal buildings and the neighboring
parking lots, of all people.254 The agents decided not to shift the Presidential
aircraft to the far side of the airport because the original landing area was
secure and a move would require new measures.255
When security arrangements at the airport were complete, the Secret Service made
the necessary arrangements for the Vice President to leave the hospital.
Unmarked police cars took the Vice President and Mrs. Johnson from Parkland
Hospital to Love Field. Chief Curry drove one automobile occupied by Vice
President Johnson, U.S. Representatives Thomas and Thornberry, and Special Agent
Youngblood. In another car Mrs. Johnson was driven to the airport ac companied
by Secret Service agents and Representative Brooks. Motorcade policemen who
escorted the automobiles were requested by the Vice President and Agent
Youngblood not to use sirens. During the drive Vice President Johnson, at
Youngblood's instruction, kept below window level.256
Removal of the President's Body
While the team of doctors at Parkland Hospital tried desperately to save the
life of President Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy alternated between watching them and
waiting outside.257 After the President was pronounced dead, O'Donnell tried to
persuade Mrs. Kennedy to leave the area, but she refused. She said that she
intended to stay with her husband.258 A casket was obtained and the President's
body was prepared for removal.259 Before the body could be taken from the
hospital, two Dallas officials informed members of the President's start that
the body could not be removed from the city until an autopsy was performed.
Despite the protests of these officials, the casket was wheeled out of the
hospital, placed in an ambulance, and transported to the airport shortly after 2
p.m.260 At approximately 2:15 p.m. the casket was loaded, with some difficulty
because of the narrow airplane door, onto the rear of the Presidential plane
where seats had been removed to make room.261 Concerned that the local officials
might try to prevent the plane's departure, O'Donnell asked that the pilot take
off immediately. He was informed that takeoff would be delayed until Vice
President Johnson was sworn in.262
The End of the Trip
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THE END OF THE TRIP
Swearing in of the New President
From the Presidential airplane, the Vice President telephoned Attorney General
Robert F. Kennedy, who advised that Mr. Johnson take the Presidential oath of
office before the plane left Dallas.263 Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes hastened
to the plane to administer the oath.264 Members of the Presidential and
Vice-Presidential parties filled the central compartment of the plane to witness
the swearing in. At 2:38 p.m., e.s.t.., Lyndon Baines Johnson took the oath of
office as the 36th President of the United States.265 Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs.
Johnson stood at the side of the new President as he took the oath of office.266
Nine minutes later, the Presidential airplane departed for Washington, D.C.267
Return to Washington, D.C.
On the return flight, Mrs. Kennedy sat with David Powers, Kenneth O'Donnell, and
Lawrence O'Brien.268 At 5:58 p.m., e.s.t., Air Force One landed at Andrews AFB,
where President Kennedy had begun his last trip only 31 hours before.269
Detailed security arrangements had been made by radio from the President's plane
on tile return flight.270 The public had been excluded from the base, and only
Government officials and the press were permitted near the landing area. Upon
arrival, President Johnson made a brief statement over television and radio.
President and Mrs. Johnson were flown by helicopter to the White House, from
where Mrs. Johnson was driven to her residence under Secret Service escort. The
President then walked to the Executive Office Building, where he worked until 9
p.m.271
The Autopsy
Given a choice between the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., and
the Army's Walter Reed Hospital, Mrs. Kennedy chose the hospital in Bethesda for
the autopsy because the President had served in the Navy.272 Mrs. Kennedy and
the Attorney General, with three Secret Service agents, accompanied President
Kennedy's body on the 45-minute automobile trip from Andrews AFB to the
Hospital.273 On the 17th floor of the Hospital, Mrs. Kennedy and the Attorney
General joined other members of the Kennedy family to await the conclusion of
the autopsy.274 Mrs. Kennedy was guarded by Secret Service agents in quarters
assigned to her in the naval hospital.275 The Secret Service established a
communication system with the White House and screened all telephone calls and
visitors.276
The hospital received the President's body for autopsy at approximately 7:85
p.m.277 X-rays and photographs were taken preliminarily and the pathological
examination began at about 8 p.m.278 The autopsy report noted that President
Kennedy was 46 years of
Page 60
age, 72½ inches tall, weighed 170 pounds, had blue eyes and reddish-brown hair.
The body was muscular and well developed with no gross skeletal abnormalities
except for those caused by the gunshot wounds. Under "Pathological Diagnosis"
the cause of death was set forth as "Gunshot wound, head." 279 ( See app. IX. )
The autopsy examination revealed two wounds in the President's head. One wound,
approximately one-fourth of an inch by five-eighths of an inch (6 by 15
millimeters), was located about an inch (2.5 centimeters) to the right and
slightly above the large bony protrusion (external occipital protuberance) which
juts out at the center of the lower part of the back of the skull. The second
head wound measured approximately 5 inches (13 centimeters) in its greatest
diameter, but it was difficult to measure accurately because multiple crisscross
fractures radiated from the large defect.280 During the autopsy examination,
Federal agents brought the surgeons three pieces of bone recovered from Elm
Street and the Presidential automobile. When put together, these fragments
accounted for approximately three-quarters of the missing portion of the
skull.281 The surgeons observed, through X-ray analysis, 30 or 40 tiny dustlike
fragments of metal running in a line from the wound in the rear of the
President's head toward the front part of the skull, with a sizable metal
fragment lying just above the right eye.282 From this head wound two small
irregularly shaped fragments of metal were recovered and turned over to the
FBI.283
The autopsy also disclosed a wound near the base of the back of President
Kennedy's neck slightly to the right of his spine. The doctors traced the course
of the bullet through the body and, as information was received from Parkland
Hospital, concluded that the bullet had emerged from the front portion of the
President's neck that had been cut away by the tracheotomy at Parkland. 284 The
nature and characteristics of this neck wound and the two head wounds are
discussed fully in the next chapter.
After the autopsy was concluded at approximately 11 p.m., the President's body
was prepared for burial. This was finished at approximately 4 a.m.285 Shortly
thereafter, the President's wife, family and aides left Bethesda Naval
Hospital.286 The President's body was taken to the East Room of the White House
where it was placed under ceremonial military guard.
Chapter III The Shots From the Texas School Book Depository
Page 61
CHAPTER III
The Shots From the Texas School
Book Depository
IN THIS chapter the Commission analyzes the evidence and sets forth its
conclusions concerning the source, effect, number and timing of the shots that
killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally. In that connection the
Commission has evaluated (1) the testimony of eyewitnesses present at the scene
of the assassination; (2) the damage to the Presidential limousine; (3) the
examination by qualified experts of the rifle and cartridge cases found on the
sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository and the bullet fragments found
in the Presidential limousine and at Parkland Hospital; (4) the wounds suffered
by President. Kennedy and Governor Connally; (5) wound ballistics tests; (6) the
examination by qualified experts of the clothing worn by President Kennedy and
Governor Connally; and (7) motion- picture films and still photographs taken at
the time of the assassination.
The Witnesses
Page 61
THE WITNESSES
As reflected in the previous chapter, passengers in the first few cars of the
motorcade had the impression that the shots came from the rear and from the
right, the general direction of the Texas School Book Depository Building,
although none of these passengers saw anyone fire the shots. Some spectators at
Houston and Elm Streets, however, did see a rifle being fired in the direction
of the President's car from the easternmost window of the sixth floor on the
south side of the building. Other witnesses saw a rifle in this window
immediately after the assassination. Three employees of the Depository,
observing the parade from the fifth floor, heard the shots fired from the floor
immediately above them. No credible evidence suggests that the shots were fired
from the railroad bridge over the Triple Underpass, the nearby railroad yards or
any place other than the Texas School Book Depository Building.
Page 62
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 477
Page 63
Near the Depository
Eyewitnesses testified that they saw a man fire a weapon from the sixth-floor
window. Howard L. Brennan, a 45- year-old steamfitter, watched the motorcade
from a concrete retaining wall at the southwest corner of Elm and Houston, where
he had a clear view of the south side of the Depository Building.1 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 477, p. 62.) He was approximately 107 feet from the
Depository entrance and 120 feet from the southeast corner window of the sixth
floor.2 Brennan's presence and vantage point are corroborated by a motion
picture of the motorcade taken by amateur photographer Abraham Zapruder, which
shows Brennan, wearing gray khaki work clothes and a gray work helmet, seated on
the retaining wall. 3 Brennan later identified himself in the Zapruder movie.4
While waiting about 7 minutes for the President to arrive, he observed the crowd
on the street and the people at the windows of the Depository Building.5 He
noticed a man at the southeast corner window of the sixth floor, and observed
him leave the window "a couple of times." 6
Brennan watched the President's car as it turned the corner at Houston and Elm
and moved down the incline toward the Triple Underpass. Soon after the
President's car passed, he heard an explosion like the backfire of a motorcycle.
7 Brennan recalled:
Well, then something, just right after this explosion, made me think that it was
a firecracker being thrown from the Texas Book Store. And I glanced up. And this
man that I saw previous was aiming for his last shot.
* * * * * *
Well, as it appeared to me he was standing up. and resting against the left
window sill, with gun shouldered to his right shoulder, holding the gun with his
left hand and taking positive aim and fired his last shot. As I calculate a
couple of seconds. He drew the gun back from the window as though he was drawing
it back to his side and maybe paused for another second as though to assure
himself that he hit his mark, and then he disappeared.8
Brennan stated that he saw 70 to 85 percent of the gun when it was fired and the
body of the man from the waist up." The rifle was aimed southwesterly down Elm
Street toward the underpass.10 Brennan saw the man fire one shot and he
remembered hearing a total of only two shots. When questioned about the number
of shots, Brennan testified:
I don't know what made me think that there was firecrackers throwed out of the
Book Store unless I did hear the second shot, ,because I positively thought the
first shot was a backfire, and subconsciously I must have heard a second shot,
.but I do not recall it. I could not swear to it. 11
Page 64
Brennan quickly reported his observations to police officers.12 Brennan's
description of the man he saw is discussed in the next chapter.
Amos Lee Euins, a 15-year-old ninth grade student, stated that he was facing the
Depository as the motorcade turned the corner at Elm and Houston. He recalled:
Then I was standing here, and as the motorcade turned the corner, I was facing,
looking dead at the building. And so I seen this pipe thing sticking out the
window. I wasn't paying too much attention to it. Then when the first shot was
fired, I started looking around, thinking it was a backfire. Everybody else
started looking around. Then I looked up at the window, and he shot again.13
After witnessing the first shots, Euins hid behind a fountain bench and saw the
man shoot again from the window in the southeast corner of the Depository's
sixth floor.14 According to Euins, the man had one hand on the barrel and the
other on the trigger. Euins believed that there were four shots.15 Immediately
after the assassination, he reported his observations to Sgt. D. V. Harkness of
the Dallas Police Department and also to James Underwood of station KRLD-TV of
Dallas.16 Sergeant Harkness testified that Euins told him that the shots came
from the last window of the floor "under the ledge" on the side of the building
they were facing.17 Based on Euins' statements, Harkness radioed to headquarters
at 12:36 p.m. that "I have a witness that says that it came from the fifth floor
of the Texas Book Depository Store." 18 Euins accurately described the sixth
floor as the floor "under the ledge." Harkness testified that the error in the
radio message was due to his own "hasty count of the floors." 19
Other witnesses saw a rifle in the window after the shots were fired. Robert H.
Jackson, staff photographer, Dallas Times Herald, was in a press car in the
Presidential motorcade, eight or nine cars from the front. On Houston Street
about halfway between Main and Elm, Jackson heard the first shot.20 As someone
in the car commented that it sounded like a firecracker, Jackson heard two more
shots.21 He
testified:
Then we realized or we thought that it was gunfire, and then we could not at
that point see the President's car. We were still moving slowly, and after the
third shot the second two shots seemed much closer together than the first shot,
than they were to the first shot. Then after the last shot, I guess all of us
were just looking all around and I just looked straight up ahead of me which
would have been looking at the School Book Depository and I noticed two Negro
men in a window straining to see directly above them, and my eyes followed right
on up to the window above them and I saw the rifle or what looked like a rifle
approximately half of the weapon, I guess I saw, and just as I looked
Page 65
at it, it was drawn fairly slowly back into the building, and I saw no one in
the window with it. I didn't even see a form in the window.22
In the car with Jackson were James Underwood, television station KRLD-TV; Thomas
Dillard, chief photographer, Dallas Morning News; Malcolm O. Couch and James
Darnell, television newsreel cameramen. Dillard, Underwood, and the driver were
in the. front seat, Couch and Darnell were sitting on top of the back seat of
the convertible with Jackson. Dillard, Couch, and Underwood confirmed that
Jackson spontaneously exclaimed that he saw a rifle in the window.23 According
to Dillard, at the time the shots were fired he and his fellow passengers "had
an absolutely perfect view of the School Depository from our position in the
open ear." 24 Dillard immediately took two pictures of the building: one of the
east two-thirds of the south side and the other of the southeast corner,
particularly the fifth- and sixth-floor windows.25 These pictures show three
Negro men in windows on the fifth floor and the partially open window on the
sixth floor directly above them. (See Dillard Exhibits C and D, pp. 66-67.)
'Couch also saw the rifle in the window, and testified :'
And after the third shot, Bob Jackson, who was, as I recall, on my fight, yelled
something like, "Look up in the window! There's the rifle!" And I remember
glancing up to a window on the far right, which at the time impressed me as the
sixth or seventh floor, and seeing about a foot of a rifle being--the barrel
brought into the window.26
Couch testified he saw people standing in other windows on the third or fourth
floor in the middle of the south side, one of them being a Negro in a white
T-shirt leaning out to. look up at the windows above him.27
Mayor and Mrs. Earle Cabell rode in the motorcade immediately behind the
Vice-Presidential followup car.28 Mrs. Cabell was seated in the back seat behind
the driver and was facing U.S. Representative Ray Roberts on her right as the
ear made the turn at Elm and Houston. In this position Mrs. Cabell "was actually
facing" the seven-story Depository when the first shot rang out.29 She "jerked"
her head up immediately and saw a "projection" in the first group of windows on
a floor which she described both as the sixth floor and the top floor.30
According to Mrs. Cabell, the object was "rather long looking," but she was
unable to determine whether it was a mechanical object or a person's arm.31 She
turned away from the window to tell her husband that the noise was a shot, and
"just as I got the words out * * * the second two shots rang out." 32 Mrs.
Cabell did not look at the sixth-floor window when the second and third shots
were fired.33
Page 66
DILLARD EXHIBIT C
Enlargement of photograph taken by Thomas C. Dillard on November 22, 1963
Page 67
DILLARD EXHIBIT D
Photograph taken by Thomas C. Dillard on November 22, 1963
Page 68
James N. Crawford and Mary Ann Mitchell, two deputy district clerks for Dallas
County, watched the motorcade at the southeast corner of Elm and Houston. After
the President's car turned the corner, Crawford heard a loud report which he
thought was backfire coming from the direction of the Triple Underpass.34 He
heard a second shot seconds later, followed quickly by a third. At the third
shot, he looked up and saw a "movement" in the far east corner of the sixth
floor of the Depository, the only open window on that floor.35 He told Miss
Mitchell "that if those were shots they came from that window." When asked to
describe the movement more exactly, he said,
* * * I would say that it was a profile, somewhat from the waist up, but it was
a very quick movement. and rather indistinct and it was very light colored. * *
*
* * * * * * *
When I saw it, I automatically in my mind came to the conclusion that it was a
person having moved out of the window. * * * 36
He could not state whether the person was a man or a woman.37 Miss Mitchell
confirmed that after the third shot Crawford told her, "Those shots came from
that building." 38 She saw Crawford pointing at a window but was not sure at
which window he was pointing.39
On the Fifth Floor
Three Depository employees shown in the picture taken by Dillard were on the
fifth floor of the building when the shots were fired: James Jarman, Jr., age
34, a wrapper in the shipping department; Bonnie Ray Williams, age 20, a
warehouseman temporarily assigned to laying a plywood floor on the sixth floor;
and Harold Norman, age 26, an "order filler." Norman and Jarman decided to watch
the parade during the lunch hour from the fifth-floor windows.40 From the ground
floor they took the west elevator, which operates with pushbutton controls, to
the fifth floor.41 Meanwhile, Williams had gone up to the sixth floor where he
had been .working and ate his lunch on the south side of that floor. Since he
saw no one around when he finished his lunch, he started down on the east
elevator, looking for company. He left behind his paper lunch sack, chicken
bones and an empty pop bottle.42 Williams went down to the fifth floor, where he
joined Norman and Jarman at approximately 12:20 p.m.43
Harold Norman was in the fifth-floor window in the southeast corner, directly
under the window where witnesses saw the rifle. (See Commission Exhibit No. 485,
p. 69.) He could see light through the ceiling cracks between the fifth and
sixth floors.44 As the motorcade went by, Norman thought that the President was
saluting with his right arm,
Page 69
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 485
Positions occupied by Depository employees on fifth floor on November 22, 1963.
Page 70
* * * and I can't remember what the exact time was but I know I heard a shot,
and then after I heard the shot, well, it seems as though the President, you
know, slumped or something, and then another shot and I believe Jarman or
someone told me, he said, "I believe someone is shooting at the President," and
I think I made a statement "It is someone shooting at the President, and I
believe it came from up above us."
Well, I couldn't see at all during the time but I know I heard a third shot
fired, and I could also hear something sounded like the shell hulls hitting the
floor and the ejecting of the rifle * * * 45
Williams said that he "really did not pay any attention" to the first shot---
* * * because I did not know what was happening. The second shot, it sounded
like it was right in the building, the second and third shot. And it sounded--it
even shook the building, the side we were on. Cement fell on my head.
Q. You say cement fell on your head ?
A. Cement, gravel, dirt, or something, from the old building, because it shook
the windows and everything. Harold was sitting next to me, and he said it came
right from over our head.46
Williams testified Norman said "I can even hear the shell being ejected from the
gun hitting the floor." 47
When Jarman heard the first sound, he thought that it was either a backfire--
* * * or an officer giving a salute to the President. And then at that time I
didn't, you know, think too much about it. * * *
* * * * * * *
Well, after the third shot was fired, I think I got up and I run over to Harold
Norman and Bonnie Ray Williams, and told them, I said, I told them that it
wasn't .a backfire or anything, that somebody was shooting at the President.48
Jarman testified that Norman .said "that he thought the shots had come from
above us, and I noticed that Bonnie Ray had a few debris in his head. It was
sort of white stuff, or something." 49 Jarman stated that Norman said "that he
was sure that the shot came from inside the building because he had been used to
guns and all that, and he said it didn't sound like it was too far off
anyway."50 The three men ran to the west side of the building, where they could
look toward the Triple Underpass to see what had happened to the motorcade.51
After the men had gone to the window on the west side of the building, Jarman
"got to thinking about all the debris on Bonnie Ray's head" and said, "That shot
probably did come from upstairs, up over us."52 He testified that Norman said,
"I know it did, because I could
Page 71
hear the action of the bolt, and I could hear the cartridges drop on the
floor."53 After pausing for a few minutes, the three men ran downstairs. Norman
and Jarman ran out of the front entrance of the building, where they saw
Brennan, the construction worker who had seen the man in the window firing the
gun, talking to a police officer, and they then reported their own experience.54
On March 20, 1964, preceding their appearance before the Commission, these
witnesses were interviewed in Dallas. At that time members of the Commission's
legal staff conducted an experiment. Norman, Williams, and Jarman placed
themselves at the windows of the fifth floor as they had been on November 22. A
Secret Service agent operated the bolt of a rifle directly above them at the
southeast corner window of the sixth floor. At the same time, three cartridge
shells were dropped to the floor at intervals of about 3 seconds. According to
Norman, the noise outside was less on the day of the assassination than on the
day of the test.55 He testified, "Well, I heard the same sound, the sound
similar. I heard three something that he dropped on the floor and then I could
hear the rifle or whatever he had up there."56 The experiment with the shells
and rifle was repeated for members of the Commission on May 9, 1964, on June 7,
1964, and again' on September 6, 1964. All seven of the Commissioners clearly
heard the shells drop to the floor.
At the Triple Underpass
In contrast to the testimony of the witnesses who heard and observed shots fired
from the Depository, the Commission's investigation has disclosed no credible
evidence that any shots were fired from anywhere else. When the shots were
fired, many people near the Depository believed that the shots came from the
railroad bridge over the Triple Underpass or from the area to the west of the
Depository.57 In the hectic moments after the assassination, many spectators ran
in the general .direction of the Triple Underpass or the railroad yards
northwest of the building. Some were running toward the place from which the
sound of the rifle fire appeared to come, others were fleeing the scene of the
shooting.58 None of these people saw anyone with a rifle, and the Commission's
inquiry has yielded no evidence that shots were fired from the bridge over the
Triple Underpass or from the railroad yards.
On the day of the motorcade, Patrolman J. W. Foster stood on the east side of
the railroad bridge over the Triple Underpass and Patrolman J. C. White stood on
the west side.59 Patrolman Joe E. Murphy was standing over Elm Street on the
Stemmons Freeway overpass, west of the railroad bridge farther away from the
Depository.60 Two other officers were stationed on Stemmons Freeway to control
traffic as the motorcade entered the Freeway.61 Under the advance preparations
worked out between the Secret Service and the Dallas Police Department, the
policemen were under instructions to keep "unauthorized" people away from these
locations.62 When the
Page 72
motorcade reached the intersection of Elm and Houston Streets, there were no
spectators on Stemmons Freeway where Patrolman Murphy was stationed.63 Patrolman
Foster estimated that there were 10 or 11 people on the railroad bridge where he
was assigned;64 another witness testified that there were between 14 and 18
people there as the motorcade came into view.65 Investigation has disclosed 15
persons who were on the railroad bridge at this time, including 2 police men, 2
employees of the Texas-Louisiana Freight Bureau and 11 employees of the Union
Terminal Co.66 In the absence of any explicit definition of "unauthorized"
persons, the policemen permitted these employees to remain on the railroad
bridge to. watch the motorcade. (See chapter VIII, pp. 446-447.) At the request.
of the policemen, S. M. Holland, signal supervisor for Union Terminal Co., came
to the railroad bridge at about 11:45 a.m. and remained to identify those
persons who were railroad employees.67 In addition, Patrolman Foster checked
credentials to determine if persons seeking access to the bridge were railroad
employees.68 Persons who were not railroad employees were ordered away,
including one news photographer who wished only to take a picture of the
motorcade.69
Another employee of the Union Terminal Co., Lee E. Bowers, Jr., was at work in a
railroad tower about 14 feet above the tracks to the north of the railroad
bridge and northwest of the corner of Elm and Houston, approximately 50 yards
from the back of the Depository.70 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2218, p. 73.)
From the tower he could view people moving in the railroad yards and at the rear
of the Depository. According to Bowers, "Since approximately 10 o'clock in the
morning traffic had been cut off into the area so that anyone moving around
could actually be observed."71 During the 20 minutes prior to the arrival of the
motorcade, Bowers noticed three automobiles which entered his immediate. area;
two left without discharging any passengers and the third was apparently on its
way out when last observed by Bowers.72 Bowers observed only three or four
people in the general area, as well as a few bystanders on the railroad bridge
over the Triple Underpass.73
As the motorcade proceeded toward the Triple Underpass, the spectators were
clustered together along the east concrete wall of the railroad bridge facing
the oncoming procession.74 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2215, p. 75.) Patrolman
Foster stood immediately behind them and could observe all of them.75 Secret
Service agents in the lead car of the motorcade observed the bystanders and the
police officer on the bridge.76 Special Agent Winston G. Lawson motioned through
the windshield in an unsuccessful attempt to instruct Patrolman Foster to move
the people away from their position directly over the path of the motorcade.77
Some distance away, on the Stemmons Freeway overpass above Elm Street, Patrolman
Murphy also had the group on the railroad bridge within view.78 When he heard
the shots, Foster rushed to the wall of the railroad bridge over the Triple
Underpass and looked toward the street.79 After the third shot, Foster ran
toward the Depository and shortly thereafter informed
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2118
Page 74
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2214
Page 75
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2215
Page 76
Inspector Herbert J. Sawyer of the Dallas Police Department that he thought the
shots came from the vicinity of Elm and Houston.80
Other witnesses on the railroad bridge had varying views concerning the source
and number of the shots. Austin L. Miller, employed by the Texas-Louisiana
Freight Bureau, heard three shots and thought that they came from the area of
the Presidential limousine itself.81 One of his coworkers, Royce G. Skelton,
thought he heard four shots, but could not tell their exact source.82 Frank E.
Reilly, an electrician at Union Terminal, heard three shots which seemed to come
from the trees "On the north side of Elm Street at the corner up there."83
According to S. M. Holland, there were four shots which sounded as though they
came from the trees on the north side of Elm Street where he saw a puff of
smoke.84 Thomas 5. Murphy, a mail foreman at Union Terminal Co., heard two shots
and said that they came from a spot just west of the Depository.85 In the
railroad tower, Bowers heard three shots, which sounded as though they came
either from the Depository Building or near the mouth of the Triple Underpass.
Prior to November 22, 1963, Bowers had noted the similarity of the sounds coming
from the vicinity of the Depository and those from the Triple Underpass, which
he attributed to "a reverberation which takes place from either location."86
Immediately after the shots were fired, neither the policemen the spectators on
the railroad bridge over the Triple Underpass saw anything suspicious on the
bridge in their vicinity. (See Commission Exhibit No. 2214, p. 74.) No one saw
anyone with a rifle. As he ran around through the railroad yards to the
Depository, Patrolman Foster saw no suspicious activity.87 The same was true of
the other bystanders, many of whom made an effort after the shooting to observe
any unusual activity. Holland, for example, immediately after the shots, ran off
the overpass to see if there was anyone behind the picket fence on the north
side of Elm Street, but he did not see anyone among the parked cars.88 Miller
did not see anyone running across the railroad tracks or on the plaza west of
the Depository.89 Bowers and others saw a motorcycle officer dismount hurriedly
and come running up the incline on the north side of Elm Street.90 The
motorcycle officer, Clyde A. Haygood, saw no one running from the railroad
yards.91
The Presidential Automobile
Page 76
THE PRESIDENTIAL AUTOMOBILE
After the Presidential car was returned to Washington on November 22, 19.63,
Secret Service agents found two bullet fragments in the front seat. One
fragment, found on the seat beside the driver, weighed 44.6 grains and consisted
of the nose portion of a bullet.92 The other fragment, found along the right
side of the front seat, weighed 21.0 grains and consisted of the base portion of
a bullet.93 During the course of an examination on November 23, agents of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation found three small lead particles, weighing
Page 77
between seven-tenths and nine-tenths of a grain each, on the rug underneath the
left jump seat which had been occupied by Mrs. Connally.94 During this
examination, the Bureau agents noted a small residue of lead on the inside
surface of the laminated windshield and a very small pattern of cracks on the
outer layer of the windshield immediately behind the lead residue.95 There was a
minute particle of glass missing from the outside surface, but no penetration.
The inside layer of glass was not broken.96 The agents also observed a dent in
the strip of chrome across the top of the windshield, located to the left of the
rear view mirror support.97
The lead residue on the inside of the windshield was compared under
spectrographic analysis by FBI experts with the bullet fragments found on and
alongside the front seat and with the fragments under the left jump seat. It was
also compared with bullet fragments found at Parkland Hospital. All these bullet
fragments were found to be similar in metallic composition, but it was not
possible to determine whether two or more of the fragments came from the same
bullet.98 It is possible for the fragments from the front seat to have been a
part of the same bullet as the three fragments found near the left jump seat,99
since a whole bullet of this type weighs 160-161, grains.100 (See app. X, pp.
555-558.)
The physical characteristics of the windshield after the assassination
demonstrate that the windshield was struck on the inside surface. The windshield
is composed of two layers of glass with a very thin layer of plastic in the
middle "which bonds them together in the form of safety glass."101 The
windshield was extracted from the automobile and was examined during a
Commission hearing.102 (See Commission Exhibit No. 350, p. 78.) According to
Robert A. Frazier, FBI firearms expert, the fact that cracks were present on the
outer layer of glass showed that the glass had been struck from the inside. He
testified that the windshield
could not have been struck on the outside surface because of the manner in which
the glass broke
and further because of the lead residue on the inside surface. The cracks appear
in the outer layer
of the glass because the glass is bent outward at the time of impact which
stretches the outer layer
of the glass to the point where these small radial or wagon spoke, wagon wheel
spoke-type cracks
appear on the outer surface.103
Although there is some uncertainty whether the dent in the chrome on the
windshield was present prior to the assassination,104 Frazier testified that the
dent "had been caused by some projectile which struck the chrome on the inside
surface."105 If it was caused by a shot during the assassination, Frazier stated
that it would not have been caused by a bullet traveling at full velocity, but
rather by a fragment traveling at "fairly high velocity."106 It could have been
caused by either fragment found in the front seat of the limousine.107
Page 78
Page 78
Expert Examination of Rifle, Cartridge Cases, and Bullet Fragments
Page 79
EXPERT EXAMINATION OF RIFLE, CARTRIDGE CASES,
AND BULLET FRAGMENTS
On the sixth floor of the Depository Building, the Dallas police found three
spent cartridges and a rifle. A nearly whole bullet was discovered on the
stretcher used to carry Governor Connally at Parkland Hospital. As described in
the preceding section, five bullet fragments were found in the President's
limousine. The cartridge cases, the nearly whole bullet and the bullet fragments
were all subjected to firearms identification analysis by qualified experts. It
was the unanimous opinion of the experts that the nearly whole bullet, the two
largest. bullet fragments. and the three cartridge cases were definitely fired
in the rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository Building to the
exclusion of all other weapons.
Discovery of Cartridge Cases and Rifle
Shortly after the assassination, police officers arrived at the Depository
Building and began a search for the assassin and evidence.108 Around 1 p.m.
Deputy Sheriff Luke Mooney noticed a pile of cartons in front of the window in
the southeast corner of the sixth floor.109 (See Commission Exhibit No. 723, p.
80.) Searching that area he found at approximately 1:12 p.m. three empty
cartridge cases on the floor near the window.110 When he was notified of
Mooney's discovery, Capt. J. W. Fritz, chief of the homicide bureau of the
Dallas Police Department, issued instructions that nothing be moved or touched
until technicians from the police crime laboratory could take photographs and
check for fingerprints.111 Mooney stood guard to see that nothing was
disturbed.112 A few minutes later, Lt. J. C. Day of the Dallas Police Department
arrived and took photographs of the cartridge cases before anything had been
moved.113
At 1:22 p.m. Deputy Sheriff Eugene Boone and Deputy Constable Seymour Weitzman
found a bolt-action rifle with a telescopic sight between two rows of boxes in
the northwest corner near the staircase on the sixth floor.114 No one touched
the weapon or otherwise disturbed the scene until Captain Fritz and Lieutenant
Day arrived and the weapon was photographed as it lay on the floor.115 After
Lieutenant Day determined that there were no fingerprints on the knob of the
bolt and that the wooden stock was too rough to take fingerprints, he picked the
rifle up by the stock and held it that way while Captain Fritz opened the bolt
and ejected a live round.116 Lieutenant Day retained possession of the weapon
and took it back to the police department for examination.117 Neither Boone nor
Weitzman handled the rifle.118
Discovery of Bullet at Parkland Hospital
A nearly whole bullet was found on Governor Connally's stretcher at Parkland
Hospital after the assassination. After his arrival at the hospital the Governor
was brought into trauma room No. 2 on a
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 723
Shield of cartons around sixth floor southeast corner window.
Page 81
stretcher, removed from the room on that stretcher a short time later, and taken
on an elevator to the second-floor operating room.119 On the second floor he was
transferred from the stretcher to an operating table which was then moved into
the operating room, and a hospital attendant wheeled the empty stretcher into an
elevator.120 Shortly afterward, Darrell C. Tomlinson, the hospital's senior
engineer, removed this stretcher from the elevator and placed it in the corridor
on the ground floor, alongside another stretcher wholly unconnected with the
care of Governor Connally.121 A few minutes later, he bumped one of the
stretchers against the wall and a bullet rolled out.122
Although Tomlinson was not certain whether the bullet came from the Connally
stretcher or the adjacent one, the Commission has concluded that the bullet came
from the Governor's stretcher. That conclusion is buttressed by evidence which
eliminated President Kennedy's stretcher as a source of the bullet. President
Kennedy remained on the stretcher on which he was carried into the hospital
while the doctors tried to save his life.123 He was never removed from the
stretcher from the time he was taken into the emergency room until his body was
placed in a casket in that same room.124 After the President's body was removed
from that stretcher, the linen was taken off and placed in a hamper and the
stretcher was pushed into trauma room No. 2, a completely different location
from the site where the nearly whole bullet was found.125
Description of Rifle
The bolt-action, clip-fed rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository,
described more fully in appendix X, is inscribed with various markings,
including "MADE ITALY," "CAL. 6.5," "1940" and the number C2766.126 (See
Commission Exhibit Nos. 1303, 541(2) and 541 (3), pp. 82-83.) These markings
have been explained as follows: "MADE ITALY" refers to its origin; "CAL. 6.5"
refers to the rifle's caliber; "1940" refers to the year of manufacture; and the
number C2766 is the serial number. This rifle is the only one of its type
bearing that serial number.127 After review of standard reference works and the
markings on the rifle, it was identified by the FBI as a 6.5-millimeter model.
91/38 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle.128 Experts from the FBI made an independent
determination of the caliber by inserting a Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5-millimeter
cartridge into the weapon for fit, and by making a sulfur cast of the inside of
the weapon's barrel and measuring the cast with a micrometer.129 From outward
appearance, the weapon would appear to be a 7.35-millimeter rifle, but its
mechanism had been rebarreled with a 6.5-millimeter barrel.130 Constable Deputy
Sheriff Weitzman, who only saw the rifle at a glance and did not handle it,
thought the weapon looked like a 7.65 Mauser bolt- action rifle.131 (See chapter
V, p. 235.)
The rifle is 40.2 inches long and weighs 8 pounds.132 The minimum length broken
down is 34.8 inches, the length of the wooden stock.133
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1303
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COMMISSION EXHIBITS Nos. 541(2) AND 541(3)
Photograph of markings on C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle.
Page 84
(See Commission Exhibit No. 1304, p. 132.) Attached to the weapon is an
inexpensive four-power telescopic sight, stamped "Optics Ordnance Inc./Hollywood
California," and "Made in Japan."134 The weapon also bears a sling consisting of
two leather straps. The sling is not a standard rifle sling but appears to be a
musical instrument strap or a sling from a carrying case or camera bag.135
Expert Testimony
Four experts in the field of firearms identification analyzed the nearly whole
bullet, the two largest fragments and the three cartridge cases to determine
whether they had been fired from the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found on the
sixth floor of the Depository. Two of these experts testified before the
Commission. One was Robert A. Frazier, a special agent of the FBI assigned to
the FBI Laboratory in Washington, D.C. Frazier has worked generally in the field
of firearms identification for 23 years, examining firearms of various types for
the purpose of identifying the caliber and other characteristics of the weapons
and making comparisons of bullets and cartridge cases for the purpose of
determining whether or not they were fired in a particular weapon.136 He
estimated that he has made "in the neighborhood of 50,000 to 60,000" firearms
comparisons and has testified in court on about 400 occasions.137 The second
witness who testified on this subject was Joseph D. Nicol, superintendent of the
bureau of criminal identification and investigation for the State of Illinois.
Nicol also has had long and substantial experience since 1941 in firearms
identification, and estimated that he has made thousands of bullet and cartridge
case examinations.138
In examining the bullet fragments and cartridge cases, these experts applied the
general principles accepted in the field of firearms identification, which are
discussed in more detail in appendix X at s 547-553. In brief, a determination
that a particular bullet or cartridge case has been fired in a particular weapon
is based upon a comparison of the bullet or case under examination with one or
more bullets or cases known to have been fired in that weapon. When a bullet is
fired in any given weapon, it is engraved with the characteristics of the
weapon. In addition to the rifling characteristics of the barrel which are
common to all weapons of a given make and model, every weapon bears distinctive
microscopic markings on its barrel, firing pin and bolt face.139 These markings
arise initially during manufacture, since the action of the manufacturing tools
differs microscopically from weapon to weapon and since, in addition, the tools
change microscopically while being used. As a weapon is used further distinctive
markings are introduced. Under microscopic examination a qualified expert may be
able to determine whether the markings on a bullet known to have been fired in a
particular weapon and the markings on a suspect bullet are the same and,
therefore, whether both bullets were fired in the same weapon
Page 85
to the exclusion of all other weapons. Similarly, firearms identification
experts are able to compare the markings left upon the base of cartridge cases
and thereby determine whether both cartridges were fired by the same weapon to
the exclusion of all other weapons. According to Frazier, such an identification
"is made on the presence of sufficient individual microscopic characteristics so
that a very definite pattern is formed and visualized on the two surfaces."140
Under some circumstances, as where the bullet or cartridge case is seriously
mutilated, there are not sufficient individual characteristics to enable the
expert to make a firm identification.141
After making independent examinations, both Frazier and Nicol positively
identified the nearly whole bullet from the stretcher and the two larger bullet
fragments found in the Presidential limousine as having been fired in the C2766
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found in the Depository to the exclusion of all other
weapons.142 Each of the two bullet fragments had sufficient unmutilated area to
provide the basis for an identification.143 However, it was not possible to
determine whether the two bullet fragments were from the same bullet or from two
different bullets.144 With regard to the other bullet fragments discovered in
the limousine and in the course of treating President Kennedy and Governor
Connally, however, expert examination could demonstrate only that the fragments
were "similar in metallic composition" to each other, to the two larger
fragments and to the nearly whole bullet.145 After examination of the three
cartridge cases found on the sixth floor of the Depository, Frazier and Nicol
concluded that they had been fired in the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle to the
exclusion of all other weapons.146 Two other experts from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, who made independent examinations of the nearly whole bullet,
bullet fragments and cartridge cases, reached the identical conclusions.147
The Bullet Wounds
Page 85
THE BULLET WOUNDS
In considering the question of the source of the shots fired at President
Kennedy and Governor Connally, the Commission has also evaluated the expert
medical testimony of the doctors who observed the wounds during the emergency
treatment at Parkland Hospital and during the autopsy at Bethesda Naval
Hospital. It paid particular attention to any wound characteristics which would
be of assistance in identifying a wound as the entrance or exit point of a
missile. Additional information regarding the source and nature of the injuries
was obtained by expert examination of the clothes worn by the two men,
particularly those worn by President Kennedy, and from the results of special
wound ballistics tests conducted at the Commission's request, using the C2766
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle with ammunition of the same type as that used and found
on November 22, 1963.
Page 86
The President's Head Wounds
The detailed autopsy of President Kennedy performed on the night of November 22
at the Bethesda Naval Hospital led the three examining pathologists to conclude
that the smaller hole in the rear of the President's skull was the point of
entry and that the large opening on the right side of his head was the wound of
exit.148 The smaller hole on the back of the President's head measured
one-fourth of an inch by five-eighths of an inch (6 by 15 millimeters).149 The
dimensions of that wound were consistent with having been caused by a
6.5-millimeter bullet fired from behind and above which struck at a tangent or
an angle causing a 15-millimeter cut. The cut reflected a larger dimension of
entry than the bullet's diameter of 6.5 millimeters, since the missile, in
effect, sliced along the skull for a fractional distance until it entered.150
The dimension of 6 millimeters, somewhat smaller than the diameter of a
6.5-millimeter bullet, was caused by the elastic recoil of the skull which
shrinks the size of an opening after a missile passes through it.151
Lt. Col. Pierre A. Finck, Chief of the Wound Ballistics Pathology Branch of the
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, who has had extensive experience with
bullet wounds, illustrated the characteristics which led to his conclusions
about the head wound by a chart prepared by him. This chart, based on Colonel
Finck's studies of more than 400 cases, depicted the effect of a perforating
missile wound on the human skull.152 When a bullet enters the skull (cranial
vault) at one point and exits at another, it causes a beveling or cratering
effect where the diameter of the hole is smaller on the impact side than on the
exit side. Based on his observations of that beveling effect on the President's
skull, Colonel Finck testified: "President Kennedy was, in my opinion, shot from
the rear. The bullet entered in the back of the head and went out on the right
side of his skull * * * he was shot from above and behind."153
Comdr. James J. Humes, senior pathologist and director of laboratories at the
Bethesda Naval Hospital, who acted as chief autopsy surgeon, concurred in
Colonel Finck's analysis. He compared the beveling or coning effect to that
caused by a BB shot which strikes a pane of glass, causing a round or oval
defect on the side of the glass where the missile strikes and a belled-out or
coned-out surface on the opposite side of the glass.154 Referring to the bullet
hole on the back of President Kennedy's head, Commander Humes testified: "The
wound on the inner table, however, was larger and had what in the field of wound
ballistics is described as a shelving Or coning effect."155 After studying the
other hole in the President's skull, Commander Humes stated: "* * * we concluded
that the large defect to the upper right side of the skull, in fact, would
represent a wound of exit."156 Those characteristics led Commander Humes and
Comdr. J. Thornton Boswell, chief of pathology at Bethesda Naval Hospital, who
assisted in the autopsy, to conclude that the bullet
Page 87
penetrated the rear of the President's head and exited through a large wound on
the right side of his head.157
Ballistics experiments (discussed more fully in app. X, pp. 585-586) showed that
the rifle and bullets identified above were capable of producing the President's
head wound. The Wound Ballistics Branch of the U.S. Army laboratories at
Edgewood Arsenal, Md., conducted an extensive series of experiments to test the
effect of Western Cartridge Co. 6.5-millimeter bullets, the type found on
Governor Connally's stretcher and in the Presidential limousine, fired from the
C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found in the Depository. The Edgewood Arsenal
tests were performed under the immediate supervision of Alfred G. Olivier, a
doctor who had spent 7 years in wounds ballistics research for the U.S. Army.158
One series of tests, performed on reconstructed inert human skulls, demonstrated
that the President's head wound could have been caused by the rifle and bullets
fired by the assassin from the sixth-floor window. The results of this series
were illustrated by the findings on one skull which was struck at a point
closely approximating the wound of entry on President Kennedy's head. That
bullet blew out the right side of the reconstructed skull in a manner very
similar to the head wound of the President.159 As a result of these tests, Dr.
Olivier concluded that a Western Cartridge Co. 6.5 bullet fired from the C2766
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle at a distance of 90 yards would make the same type of
wound as that found on the President's head. Referring to the series of tests,
Dr. Olivier testified:
It disclosed that the type of head wounds that the President received could be
done by this type of
bullet. This surprised me very much, because this type of stable bullet I didn't
think would cause a
massive head wound, I thought it would go through making a small entrance and
exit, but the bones of
the skull are enough to. deform the end of this bullet causing it to expend a
lot of energy and blowing
out the side of the skull or blowing out fragments of the skull.160
After examining the fragments of the bullet which struck the reconstructed
skull, Dr. Olivier stated that--
the recovered fragments were very similar to the ones recovered on the front
seat and on the floor of
the car. This, to me, indicates that those fragments did come from the bullet
that wounded the
President in the head.161
The President's Neck Wounds
During the autopsy at Bethesda Naval Hospital another bullet wound was observed
near the base of the back of President Kennedy's neck slightly to the right of
his spine which provides further enlightenment as to the source of the shots.
The hole was located approximately
Page 88
51/2 inches (14 centimeters) from the tip of the right shoulder joint and
approximately the same distance below the tip of the right mastoid process, the
bony point immediately behind the ear.162 The wound was approximately one-fourth
by one-seventh of an inch (7 by 4 millimeters), had clean edges, was sharply
delineated, and had margins similar in all respects to those of the entry wound
in the skull.163 Commanders Humes and Boswell agreed with Colonel Finck's
testimony that this hole..
* * * is a wound of entrance. * * * The basis for that conclusion is that this
wound was relatively small with clean edges. It was not a jagged wound, and that
is what we see in wound of entrance at a long range.164
The autopsy examination further disclosed that, after entering the President,
the bullet passed between two large muscles, produced a contusion on the upper
part of the pleural cavity (without penetrating that cavity), bruised the top
portion of the right lung and ripped the windpipe (trachea) in its path through
the President's neck.165 The examining surgeons concluded that the wounds were
caused by the bullet rather than the tracheotomy performed at Parkland Hospital.
The nature of the bruises indicated that the President's heart and lungs were
functioning when the bruises were caused, whereas there was very little
circulation in the President's body when incisions on the President's chest were
made to insert tubes during the tracheotomy.166 No bone was struck by the bullet
which passed through the President's body.167 By projecting from a point of
entry on the rear of the neck and proceeding at a slight downward angle through
the bruised interior portions, the doctors concluded that the bullet exited from
the front portion of the President's neck that had been cut away by the
tracheotomy.168
Concluding that a bullet passed through the President's neck, the doctors at
Bethesda Naval Hospital rejected a theory that the bullet lodged in the large
muscles in the back of his neck and fell out through the point of entry when
external heart massage was applied at Parkland Hospital. In the earlier stages
of the autopsy, the surgeons were unable to find a path into any large muscle in
the back of the neck. At that time they did not know that there had been a
bullet hole in the front of the President's neck when he arrived at Parkland
Hospital because the tracheotomy incision had completely eliminated that
evidence.169 While the autopsy was being performed, surgeons learned that a
whole bullet had been found at Parkland Hospital on a stretcher which, at that
time, was thought to be the stretcher occupied by the President. This led to
speculation that the bullet might have penetrated a short distance into the back
of the neck and then dropped out onto the stretcher as a result of the external
heart massage.170
Further exploration during the autopsy disproved that theory. The surgeons
determined that the bullet had passed between two large strap muscles and
bruised them without leaving any channel, since the bullet
Page 89
merely passed between them.171 Commander Humes, who believed that a tracheotomy
had been performed from his observations at the autopsy, talked by telephone
with Dr. Perry early on the morning of November 23, and learned that his
assumption was correct and that Dr. Perry had used the missile wound in the neck
as the point to make the incision.172 This confirmed the Bethesda surgeons'
conclusion that the bullet had exited from the front part of the neck.
The findings of the doctors who conducted the autopsy were consistent with the
observations of the doctors who treated the President. at Parkland Hospital. Dr.
Charles S. Carrico, a. resident surgeon at Parkland, noted a small wound
approximately one-fourth of an inch in diameter (5 to 8 millimeters) in the
lower third of the neck below the Adam's apple.173 Dr. Malcolm O. Perry, who
performed the tracheotomy, described the wound as approximately one-fifth of an
inch in diameter (5 millimeters) and exuding blood which partially hid edges
that were "neither cleancut, that is, punched out, nor were they very
ragged."174 Dr. Carrico testified as follows:
Q. Based on your observations on the neck wound alone did have a sufficient
basis to form an opinion as to whether it was entrance or an exit wound ?
A. No, sir; we did not. Not having completely evaluated all the wounds, traced
out the course of the bullets, this wound would have been compatible with either
entrance or exit wound depending upon the size, the velocity, the tissue
structure and so forth.175
The same response was made by Dr. Perry to a similar query:
Q. Based on the appearance of the neck wound alone, could it have been either an
entrance or an exit wound ?
A. It could have been either.176
Then each doctor was asked to take into account the other known facts, such as
the autopsy findings, the approximate distance the bullet traveled and tested
muzzle velocity-of the assassination weapon. With these additional factors, the
doctors commented on the wound on the front of the President's neck as follows:
Dr. CARRICO. With those facts and the fact. as I understand it no other bullet
was found this would be, this was, I believe, was an exit wound.177
Dr. PERRY. A full jacketed bullet without deformation passing through skin would
leave a similar wound for an exit and entrance wound and with the facts which
yon have made available and with these assumptions, I believe that it was an
exit wound.178
Other doctors at Parkland Hospital who observed the wound prior to the
tracheotomy agreed with the observations of Drs. Perry and Carrico.179 The
bullet wound in the neck could be seen for only a short time, since Dr. Perry
eliminated evidence of it when he performed
Page 90
the tracheotomy. He selected that spot since it was the point where such an
operation was customarily performed, and it was one of the safest and easiest
spots from which to reach the trachea. In addition, there was possibly an
underlying wound to the muscles in the neck, the carotid artery or the jugular
vein, and Dr. Perry concluded that the incision, therefore, had to be low in
order to maintain respiration.180
Considerable confusion has arisen because of comments attributed to Dr. Perry
concerning the nature of the neck wound. Immediately after the assassination,
many people reached erroneous conclusions about the source of the shots because
of Dr. Perry's observations to the press. On the afternoon of November 22, a
press conference was organized at Parkland Hospital by members of the White
House press staff and a hospital administrator. Newsmen with microphones and
cameras were crowded into a room to hear statements by Drs. Perry and William
Kemp Clark, chief neurosurgeon at Parkland, who had attended to President
Kennedy's head injury. Dr. Perry described the situation as "bedlam."181 The
confusion was compounded by the fact that some questions were only partially
answered before other questions were asked.182
At the news conference, Dr. Perry answered a series of hypothetical questions
and stated to the press that a variety of possibilities could account for the
President's wounds. He stated that a single bullet could have caused the
President's wounds by entering through the throat, striking the spine, and being
deflected upward with the point of exit being through the head.183 This would
have accounted for the two wounds he observed, the hole in the front of the neck
and the large opening in the skull. At that time, Dr. Perry did not know about
either the wound on the back of the President's neck or the small bullet-hole
wound in the back of the head. As described in chapter II, the President was
lying on his back during his entire time at Parkland. The small hole in the head
was also hidden from view by the large quantity of blood which covered the
President's head. Dr. Perry said his answers at the press conference were
intended to convey his theory about what could have happened, based on his
limited knowledge at the time, rather than his professional opinion about what
did happen.184 Commenting on his answers at the press conference, Dr. Perry
testified before the Commission:
I expressed it [his answers] as a matter of speculation that this was
conceivable. But, again, Dr. Clark [who also answered questions at the
conference] and I emphasized that we had no way of knowing.185
Dr. Perry's recollection of his comments is corroborated by some of the news
stories after the press conference. The New York Herald Tribune on November 23,
1963, reported as follows:
Dr. Malcolm Perry, 34, attendant surgeon at Parkland Hospital who attended the
President, said he saw two wounds--
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one below the Adam's apple, the other at the back of the head. He said he did
not know if two bullets were involved. It is possible, he said, that the neck
wound was the entrance and the other the exit of the missile.186
According to this report, Dr. Perry stated merely that it was "possible" that
the neck wound was a wound of entrance. This conforms with his testimony before
the Commission, where he stated that by themselves the characteristics of the
neck wound were consistent with being either a point of entry or exit.
Wound ballistics tests.--Experiments performed by the Army Wound Ballistics
experts at Edgewood Arsenal, Md. (discussed in app. X, p. 582) showed that under
simulated conditions entry and exit wounds are very similar in appearance. After
reviewing the path of the bullet through the President's neck, as disclosed in
the autopsy report, the experts simulated the neck by using comparable material
with a thickness of approximately 5½ inches (13½ to 14½ centimeters), which was
the distance traversed by the bullet. Animal skin was placed on each side, and
Western Cartridge Co. 6.5 bullets were fired from the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano
rifle from a distance of 180 feet.. The animal skin on the entry side showed
holes which were regular and round. On the exit side two holes were only
slightly elongated, indicating that the bullet had become only a little unstable
at the point of exit.187 A third exit hole was round, although not quite as
regular as the entry holes.188 The exit holes, especially the one most nearly
round, appeared similar to the descriptions given by Drs. Perry and Carrico of
the hole in the front of the President's neck.189
The autopsy disclosed that the bullet which entered the back of the President's
neck hit no bony structure and proceeded in a slightly downward angle. The
markings on the President's clothing indicate that the bullet moved in a slight
right to left lateral direction as it passed through the President's body.190
After the examining doctors expressed the thought that a bullet would have lost
very little velocity in passing through the soft tissue of the neck, wound
ballistics experts conducted tests to measure the exit velocity of the
bullet.191 The tests were the same as those used to create entry and exit holes,
supplemented by the use of break-type screens which measured the velocity of
bullets. The entrance velocity of the bullet fired from the rifle averaged 1,904
feet per second after it traveled 180 feet. The exit velocity averaged 1,772 to
1,798 feet per second, depending upon the substance through which the bullet
passed. A photograph of the path of the bullet traveling through the simulated
neck showed that it proceeded in a straight line and was stable.192
Examination of clothing.--The clothing worn by President Kennedy on November 22
had holes and tears which showed that a missile entered the back of his clothing
in the vicinity of his lower neck and exited through the front of his shirt
immediately behind his tie, nicking the knot of his tie in its forward
flight.193 Although the caliber of the bullet could not be determined and some
of the clothing items
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precluded a positive determination that some tears were made by a bullet, all
the defects could have been caused by a 6.5-millimeter bullet entering the back
of the President's lower neck and exiting in the area of the knot of his tie.194
An examination of the suit jacket worn by the President by FBI Agent Frazier
revealed a roughly circular hole approximately one-fourth of an inch in diameter
on the rear of the coat, 5 3/8 inches below the top of the collar and 1 3/4
inches to the right of the center back seam of the coat.195 The hole was visible
on the upper rear of the coat slightly to the right of center. Traces of copper
were found in the margins of the hole and the cloth fibers around the margins
were pushed inward.196 Those characteristics established that the hole was
caused by an entering bullet.197 Although the precise size of the bullet could
not be determined from the hole, it was consistent with having been made by a
6.5- millimeter bullet.198
The shirt worn by the President contained a hole on the back side 5 3/4 inches
below the top of the collar and 1 1/8 inches to the right of the middle of the
back of the shirt.199 The hole on the rear of the shirt was approximately
circular in shape and about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, with the fibers
pressed inward.200 These factors established it as a bullet entrance hole.201
The relative position of the hole in the back of the suit jacket to the hole in
the back of the shirt indicated that both were caused by the same penetrating
missile.202
On the front of the shirt, examination revealed a hole seven-eighths of an inch
below the collar button and a similar opening seven-eighths of an inch below the
buttonhole. These two holes fell into alinement on overlapping positions when
the shirt was buttoned.203 Each hole was a vertical, ragged slit approximately
one-half of an inch in height, with the cloth fibers protruding outward.
Although the characteristics of the slit established that the missile had exited
to the front, the irregular nature of the slit precluded a positive
determination that it was a bullet hole.204 However, the hole could have been
caused by a round bullet although the characteristics were not sufficiently
clear to enable the examining expert to render a conclusive opinion.205
When the President's clothing was removed at Parkland Hospital, his tie was cut.
off by severing the loop immediately to the wearer's left of the knot, leaving
the knot in its original condition.206 The tie had a nick on the left side of
the knot.207 The nick was elongated horizontally, indicating that the tear was
made by some object moving horizontally, but the fibers were not affected in a
manner which would shed light on the direction or the nature of the missile.208
The Governor's Wounds
While riding in the right jump seat of the Presidential limousine on November
22, Governor Connally sustained wounds of the back, chest, right wrist and left
thigh. Because of the small size and dean-cut edges of the wound on the
Governor's back, Dr. Robert Shaw concluded that it was an entry wound.209 The
bullet traversed the Governor's
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chest in a downward angle, shattering his fifth rib, and exited below the right
nipple.210 The ragged edges of the 2-inch (5 centimeters) opening on the front
of the chest led Dr. Shaw to conclude that it was the exit point of the
bullet.211 When Governor Connally testified before the Commission 5 months after
the assassination, on April 21, 1964, the Commission observed the Governor's
chest wounds, as well as the injuries to his wrist and thigh and watched Dr.
Shaw measure with a caliper an angle of declination of 25° from the point of
entry on the back to the point of exit on the front of the Governor's chest.212
At the time of the shooting, Governor Connally was unaware that he had sustained
any injuries other than his chest wounds.213 On the back of his arm, about 2
inches (5 centimeters) above the wrist .joint on the thumb side, Dr. Charles F.
Gregory observed a linear perforating wound approximately one-fifth of an inch
(one-half centimeter) wide and 1 inch (2 1/2 centimeters) long.214 During his
operation on this injury, the doctor concluded that this ragged wound was the
point of entry because thread and cloth had been carried into the wound to the
region of the bone.215 Dr. Gregory's conclusions were also based upon the
location in the Governor's wrist, as revealed by X-ray, of small fragments of
metal shed by the missile upon striking the firm surface of the bone.216
Evidence of different amounts of air in the tissues of the wrist gave further
indication that the bullet passed from the back to the front of the wrist.217 An
examination of the palm surface of the wrist showed a wound approximately
one-fifth of an inch (one-half centimeter) long and approximately three-fourths
of an inch (2 centimeters) above the crease of the right wrist.218 Dr. Shaw had
initially believed that the missile entered on the palm side of the Governor's
wrist and exited on the back side.219 After reviewing the factors considered by
Dr. Gregory, however, Dr. Shaw withdrew his earlier opinion. He deferred to the
judgment of Dr. Gregory, who had more closely examined that wound during the
wrist operation.220
In addition, Governor Connally suffered a puncture wound in the left thigh that
was approximately two-fifths of an inch (1 centimeter) in diameter and located
approximately 5 or 6 inches above the Governor's left knee.221 On the Governor's
leg, very little soft-tissue damage was noted, which indicated a tangential
wound or the penetration of a larger missile entering at low velocity and
stopping after entering the skin.222 X-ray examination disclosed a tiny metallic
fragment embedded in the Governor's leg.223 The surgeons who attended the
Governor concluded that the thigh wound was not caused by the small fragment in
the thigh but resulted from the impact of a larger missile.224
Examination of clothing.--The clothing worn by Governor Connally on November 22,
1963, contained holes which matched his wounds. On the back of the Governor's
coat, a hole was found 1 1/8 inches from the seam where the right sleeve
attached to the coat and 7 1/4 inches to the right of the midline.225 This hole
was elongated in a horizontal direction approximately five-eighths of an inch in
length
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and one-fourth of an inch in height.226 The front side of the Governor's coat
contained a circular hole three-eighths of an inch in diameter, located 5 inches
to the right of the front right edge of the coat slightly above the top
button.227 A rough hole approximately five-eighths of an inch in length and
three-eighths of an inch in width was found near the end of the right sleeve.228
Each of these holes could have been caused by a bullet, but a positive
determination of this fact or the direction of the missile was not possible
because the garment had been cleaned and pressed prior to any opportunity for a
scientific examination.229
An examination of the Governor's shirt disclosed a very ragged tear five-eighths
of an inch long horizontally and one-half of an inch vertically on the back of
the shirt near the right sleeve 2 inches from the line where the sleeve
attaches.230 Immediately to the right was another small tear, approximately
three-sixteenths of an inch long.231 The two holes corresponded in position to
the hole in the back of the Governor's coat.232 A very irregular tear in the
form of an "H" was observed on the front side of the Governor's shirt,
approximately 1 1/2 inches high, with a crossbar tear approximately 1 inch wide,
located 5 inches from the right side seam and 9 inches from the top of the right
sleeve.233 Because the shirt had been laundered, there were insufficient
characteristics for the expert examiner to form a conclusive opinion on the
direction or nature of the object causing the holes.234 The rear hole could have
been caused by the entrance of a 6.5-millimeter bullet and the front hole by the
exit of such a bullet.235
On the French cuff of the right sleeve of the Governor's shirt was a ragged,
irregularly shaped hole located 1 1/2 inches from the end of the sleeve and 5
1/2 inches from the outside cuff-link hole.236 The characteristics after
laundering did not permit positive conclusions but these holes could have been
caused by a bullet passing through the Governor's right wrist from the back to
the front sides.237 The Governor's trousers contained a hole approximately
one-fourth of an inch in diameter in the region of the left knee.238 The roughly
circular shape of the hole and the slight tearing away from the edges gave the
hole the general appearance of a bullet hole but it was not possible to
determine the direction of the missile which caused the hole.239
Course of bullet.--Ballistics experiments and medical findings established that
the missile which passed through the Governor's wrist and penetrated his thigh
had first traversed his chest. The Army Wound Ballistics experts conducted tests
which proved that the Governor's wrist wound was not caused by a pristine
bullet. (See app. X, pp. 582-585.) A bullet is pristine immediately on exiting
from a rifle muzzle when it moves in a straight line with a spinning motion and
maintains its uniform trajectory with but a minimum of nose surface striking the
air through which it passes.240 When the straight line of flight of a bullet is
deflected by striking some object, it starts to wobble or become irregular in
flight, a condition called yaw.241 A bullet with yaw has a greater surface
exposed to the striking material or air, since the target or air is struck not
only by the nose of the bullet, its smallest striking surface, but also by the
bullet's sides.242
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The ballistics experts learned the exact nature of the Governor's wrist wound by
examining Parkland Hospital records and X-rays and conferring with Dr. Gregory.
The C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found in the Depository was fired with
bullets of the same type as the bullet found on the Governor's stretcher and the
fragments found in the Presidential limousine. Shots were fired from a distance
of 70 yards at comparable flesh and bone protected by material similar to the
clothing worn by the Governor.243 One of the test shots wounded the comparable
flesh and bone structure in virtually the same place and from the same angle as
the wound inflicted on Governor Connally's wrist. An X-ray and photograph of the
simulated wrist confirmed the similarity.244 The bullet which inflicted that
injury during the tests had a nose which was substantially flattened from
striking the material.245 The striking velocity at 70 yards of seven shots fired
during the tests averaged 1,858 feet per second; the average exit velocity of
five shots was 1,776 feet per second.246
The conclusion that the Governor's wrist was not struck by a pristine bullet was
based upon the following: ( 1 ) greater damage was inflicted on the test
material than on the Governor's wrist; 247 (2) the test material had a smaller
entry wound and a larger exit wound, characteristic of a pristine bullet, while
the Governor's wrist had a larger entry wound as compared with its exit wound,
indicating a bullet which was tumbling;248 (3) cloth was carried into the wrist
wound, which is characteristic of an irregular missile;249 (4) the partial
cutting of a radial nerve and tendon leading to the Governor's thumb further
suggested that the bullet which struck him was not pristine, since such a bullet
would merely push aside a tendon and nerve rather than catch and tear them;250
(5) the bullet found on the Governor's stretcher probably did not pass through
the wrist as a pristine bullet because its nose was not considerably flattened,
as was the case with the pristine bullet which struck the simulated wrist;251
and (6) the bullet which caused the Governor's thigh injury and then fell out of
the wound had a "very low velocity," whereas the pristine bullets fired during
the tests possessed a very high exit velocity.252
All the evidence indicated that the bullet found on the Governor's stretcher
could have caused all his wounds. The weight of the whole bullet prior to firing
was approximately 160-161 grains and that of the recovered bullet was 158.6
grains.253 An X-ray of the Governor's wrist showed very minute metallic
fragments, and two or three of these fragments were removed from his wrist.254
All these fragments were sufficiently small and light so that the nearly whole
bullet found on the stretcher could have deposited those pieces of metal as it
tumbled through his wrist.255 In their testimony, the three doctors who attended
Governor Connally at Parkland Hospital expressed independently their opinion
that a single bullet had passed through his chest; tumbled through his wrist
with very little exit velocity, leaving small metallic fragments from the rear
portion of the bullet; punctured his left thigh after the bullet had lost
virtually all of its velocity; and had fallen out of the thigh wound.256
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Governor Connally himself thought it likely that all his wounds were caused by a
single bullet. In his testimony before the Commission, he repositioned himself
as he recalled his position on the jump seat, with his right palm on his left
thigh, and said:
I * * * wound up the next day realizing I was hit in three places, and I was not
conscious of having been hit but by one bullet, so I tried to reconstruct how I
could have been hit in three places by the same bullet, and I merely, I know it
penetrated from the back through the chest first.
I assumed that I had turned as I described a moment ago, placing my right hand
on my left leg, that it hit my wrist, went out the center of the wrist, the
underside, and then into my leg, but it might not have happened that way at
all.257
The Governor's posture explained how a single missile through his body would
cause all his wounds. His doctors at Parkland Hospital had recreated his
position, also, but they placed his right arm somewhat higher than his left
thigh although in the same alinement.258 The wound ballistics experts concurred
in the opinion that a single bullet caused all the Governor's wounds.259
The Trajectory
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THE TRAJECTORY
The cumulative evidence of eyewitnesses, firearms and ballistic experts and
medical authorities demonstrated that the shots were fired from above and behind
President Kennedy and Governor Connally, more particularly, from the sixth floor
of the Texas School Book Depository Building. In order to determine the facts
with as much precision as possible and to insure that all data were consistent
with the shots having been fired from the sixth floor window, the Commission
requested additional investigation, including the analysis of motion picture
films of the assassination and onsite tests. The facts developed through this.
investigation by the FBI and Secret Service confirmed the conclusions reached by
the Commission regarding the source and trajectory of the shots which hit the
President and the Governor. Moreover, these facts enabled the Commission to make
certain approximations regarding the locations of the Presidential limousine at
the time of the shots and the relevant time intervals.
Films and Tests
When the shots rang out the Presidential limousine was moving beyond the Texas
School Book Depository Building in a southwesterly direction on Elm Street
between Houston Street and the Triple Underpass.260 The general location of the
car was described and marked on maps by eyewitnesses as precisely as their
observations and recollections permitted.261 More exact information was provided
by motion
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pictures taken by Abraham Zapruder, Orville O. Nix and Mary Muchmore, who were
spectators at the scene.262 Substantial light has been shed on the assassination
sequence by viewing these motion pictures, particularly the Zapruder film, which
was the most complete and from which individual 35-millimeter slides were made
of each motion picture frame.263
Examination of the Zapruder motion picture camera by the FBI established that
18.8 pictures or frames were taken each second, and therefore, the timing of
certain events could be calculated by allowing 1/18.8 seconds for the action
depicted from one frame to the next.264 The films and slides made from
individual frames were viewed by Governor and Mrs. Connally, the Governor's
doctors, the autopsy surgeons, and the Army wound ballistics scientists in order
to apply the knowledge of each to determine the precise course of events.265
Tests of the assassin's rifle disclosed that at least 2.8 seconds were required
between shots.266 In evaluating the films in the light of these timing guides,
it was kept in mind that a victim of a bullet wound may not react immediately
and, in some situations, according to experts, the victim may not even know
where he has been hit, or when.267
On May 24, 1964, agents of the FBI and Secret Service conducted a series of
tests to determine as precisely as possible what happened on November 22, 1968.
Since the Presidential limousine was being remodeled and was therefore
unavailable, it was simulated by using the Secret Service followup car, which is
similar in design.268 Any differences were taken into account. Two Bureau agents
with approximately the same physical characteristics sat in the car in the same
relative positions as President Kennedy and Governor Connally had occupied. The
back of the stand-in for the President was marked with chalk at the point where
the bullet entered. The Governor's model had on the same coat worn by' Governor
Connally when he was shot, with the hole in the back circled in chalk.269
To simulate the conditions which existed at the assassination scene on November
22, the lower part of the sixth- floor window at the southeast corner of the
Depository Building was raised halfway, the cardboard boxes were repositioned,
the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository
was used, and mounted on that rifle was a camera which recorded the view as was
seen by the assassin.270 In addition, the Zapruder, Nix, and Muchmore cameras
were on hand so that photographs taken by these cameras from the same locations
where they were used on November 22, 1963, could be compared with the films of
that date.271 The agents ascertained that the foliage of an oak tree that came
between the gunman and his target along the motorcade route on Elm Street was
approximately the same as on the day of the assassination.272
The First Bullet That Hit
The position of President Kennedy's car when he was struck in the neck was
determined with substantial precision from the films and
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onsite tests. The pictures or frames in the Zapruder film were marked by the
agents, with the number "1" given to the first frame where the motorcycles
leading the motorcade came into view on Houston Street.273 The numbers continue
in sequence as Zapruder filmed the Presidential limousine as it came around the
corner and proceeded down Elm. The President was in clear view of the assassin
as he rode up Houston Street and for 100 feet as he proceeded down Elm Street,
until he came to a point denoted as frame 166 on the Zapruder film.274 These
facts were determined in the test by placing the car and men on Elm Street in
the exact spot where they were when each frame of the Zapruder film was
photographed. To pinpoint their locations, a man stood at Zapruder's position
and directed the automobile and both models to the positions shown on each
frame, after which a Bureau photographer crouched at the sixth-floor window and
looked through a camera whose lens recorded the view through the telescopic
sight of the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle.275 (See Commission Exhibit No. 887,
p. 99.) Each position was measured to determine how far President Kennedy had
gone down Elm from a point, which was designated as station C, on a line drawn
along the west curbline of Houston Street.276
Based on these calculations, the agents concluded that at frame 166 of the
Zapruder film the President passed beneath the foliage of the large oak tree and
the point of impact on the President's back disappeared from the gunman's view
as seen through the telescopic lens.277 (See Commission Exhibit No. 889, p.
100.) For a fleeting instant, the President came back into view in the
telescopic lens at frame 186 as he appeared in an opening among the leaves.278
(See Commission Exhibit No. 891, p. 101.) The test revealed that the next point
at which the rifleman had a clear view through the telescopic sight of the point
where the bullet entered the President's back was when the car emerged from
behind the tree at frame 210.279 (See Commission Exhibit No. 893, p. 102.)
According to FBI Agent Lyndal L. Shaneyfelt, "There is no obstruction from the
sixth floor window from the time they leave the tree until they disappear down
toward the triple overpass."
As the President rode along Elm Street for a distance of about 140 feet, he was
waving to the crowd.281 Shaneyfelt testified that the waving is seen on the
Zapruder movie until around frame 205, when road sign blocked out most of the
President's body from Zapruder's view through the lens of his camera. However,
the assassin continued to have a clear view of the President as he proceeded
down Elm.282 When President Kennedy again came fully into view in the Zapruder
film at frame 225, he seemed to be reacting to his neck wound by raising his
hands to his throat.283 (See Commission Exhibit No. 895, p. 103.) According to
Shaneyfelt the reaction was "clearly apparent in 226 and barely apparent in
225."284 It is probable that the President. was not shot. before frame 210,
since it is unlikely that the assassin would deliberately have shot at him with
a view obstructed by the oak tree when he was about to have a clear opportunity.
It is
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 887
Photograph taken during reenactment showing C2766 rifle with camera attached.
Page 100
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 889
Page 101
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 891
Page 102
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 893
Page 103
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 895
Page 104
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 697
Photograph of Presidential limousine taken during motorcade.
Page 105
also doubtful that even the most proficient marksman would have hit him through
the oak tree. In addition, the President's reaction is "barely apparent" in
frame 225, which is 15 frames or approximately eight-tenths second after frame
210, and a shot much before 210 would assume a longer reaction time than was
recalled by eyewitnesses at the scene. Thus, the evidence indicated that the
President was not hit until at least frame 210 and that he was probably hit by
frame 225. The possibility of variations in reaction time in addition to the
obstruction of Zapruder's view by the sign precluded a more specific
determination than that the President was probably shot through the neck between
frames 210 and 225, which marked his position between 138.9 and 153.8 feet west
of station C.285
According to Special Agent Robert. A. Frazier, who occupied the position of the
assassin in the sixth-floor window during the reenactment, it is likely that the
bullet which passed through the President's neck, as described previously, then
struck the automobile or someone else in the automobile.286 The minute
examination by the FBI inspection team, conducted in Washington between 14 and
16 hours after the assassination, revealed no damage indicating that a bullet
struck any part of the interior of the Presidential limousine, with the
exception of the cracking of the windshield and the dent on the windshield
chrome.287 Neither of these points of damage to the car could have been caused
by the bullet which exited from the President's neck at a velocity of 1,772 to
1,779 feet per second.288 If the trajectory had permitted the bullet to strike
the windshield, the bullet would have penetrated it and traveled a substantial
distance down the road unless it struck some other object en route.289 Had that
bullet struck the metal framing, which was dented, it would have torn a hole in
the chrome and penetrated the framing, both inside and outside the car.290 At
that exit velocity, the bullet would have penetrated any other metal or
upholstery surface of the interior of the automobile.291
The bullet that hit President Kennedy in the back and exited through his throat
most likely could not have missed both the automobile and its occupants. Since
it did not hit the automobile, Frazier testified that it probably struck
Governor Connally.292 The relative positions of President Kennedy and Governor
Connally at the time when the President was struck in the neck confirm that the
same bullet probably passed through both men. Pictures taken of the President's
limousine on November 22, 1963, showed that the Governor sat immediately in
front of the President.293 Even though the precise distance cannot be
ascertained, it is apparent that President Kennedy was somewhat to the
Governor's right. The President sat on the extreme right, as noted in the films
and by eyewitnesses, while the right edge of the jump seat in which the Governor
sat is 6 inches from the right door.294 (See Commission Exhibit No. 697 p. 104.)
The President wore a back brace which tended to make him sit up straight, and
the Governor also sat erect since the jump seat gave him little leg room.295
Based on his observations during the reenactment and the position of Governor
Connally shown in the Zapruder film after the car
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emerged from behind the sign, Frazier testified that Governor Connally was in a
position during the span from frame 207 to frame 225 to receive a bullet which
would have caused the wounds he actually suffered.296 Governor Connally viewed
the film and testified that he was hit between frames 231 and 234.297 According
to Frazier, between frames 235 and 240 the Governor turned sharply to his right,
so that by frame 240 he was too far to the right to have received his injuries
at that time.298 At some point between frames 235 and 240, therefore, is the
last occasion when Governor Connally could have received his injuries, since in
the frames following 240 he remained turned too far to his right.299 If Governor
Connally was hit by a separate shot between frames 235 and 240 which followed
the shot which hit the President's neck, it would follow that: (1) the
assassin's first shot, assuming a minimum firing time of 2.3 seconds (or 42
frames), was fired between frames 193 and 198 when his view was obscured by the
oak tree; (2) President Kennedy continued waving to the crowd after he was hit
and did not begin to react for about 1 1/2 seconds; and (3) the first shot,
although hitting no bones in the President's body, was deflected after its exit
from the President's neck in such a way that it failed to hit either the
automobile or any of the other occupants.
Viewed through the telescopic sight of the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle from
the sixth-floor window during the test, the marks that simulated the entry
wounds on the stand-ins for the President and the Governor were generally in a
straight line. That alinement became obvious to the viewer through the scope as
the Governor's model turned slightly to his right and assumed the position which
Governor Connally had described as his position when he was struck. Viewing the
stand-ins for the President and the Governor in the sight of the C2766
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle at the location depicted in frames 207 and 210, Frazier
testified: "They both are in direct alinement with the telescopic sight at the
window. The Governor is immediately behind the President in the field of
view."300 (See Commission Exhibit No. 893, p. 102.) A surveyor then placed his
sighting equipment at the precise point of entry on the back of the President's
neck, assuming that the President was struck at frame 210, and measured the
angle to the end of the muzzle of the rifle positioned where it was believed to
have been held by the assassin.301 That angle measured 21°34'.302 From the same
points of reference, the angle at frame 225 was measured at 20°11, giving an
average angle of 20°52'30'' from frame 210 to frame 225.303 Allowing for a
downward street grade of 309', the probable angle through the President's body
was calculated at 17°43'30'', assuming that he was sitting in a vertical
position.304
That angle was consistent with the trajectory of a bullet passing through the
President's neck and then striking Governor Connally's back, causing the wounds
which were discussed above. Shortly after that angle was ascertained, the open
car and the stand-ins were taken by the agents to a nearby garage where a
photograph was taken to determine through closer study whether the angle of that
shot could have accounted for the wounds in the President's neck and the
Governor's
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back.305 A rod was placed at an angle of 17º43'30" next to the stand-ins for the
President and the Governor, who were seated in the same relative positions.306
The wounds of entry and exit on the President were approximated based on
information gained from the autopsy reports and photographs.307 The hole in the
back of the jacket worn by the Governor and the medical description of the wound
on his back marked that entry point.308 That line of fire from the sixth floor
of the Depository would have caused the bullet to exit under the Governor's
right nipple just as the bullet did. Governor Connally's doctors measured an
angle of declination on his body from the entry wound on his hack to the exit on
the front of his chest at about 25°when he sat erect.309 That difference was
explained by either a slight deflection of the bullet caused by striking the
fifth rib or the Governor's leaning slightly backward at the time he was struck.
In addition, the angle could not be fixed with absolute precision, since the
large wound on the front of his chest precluded an exact determination of the
point of exit.310
The alinement of the points of entry was only indicative and not conclusive that
one bullet hit both men. The exact positions of the men could not be re-created;
thus, the angle could only be approximated.311 Had President Kennedy been
leaning forward or backward, the angle of declination of the shot to a
perpendicular target would have varied. The angle of 17º43'30" was approximately
the angle of declination reproduced in an artist's drawing.312 That drawing,
made from data provided by the autopsy surgeons, could not reproduce the exact
line of the bullet, since the exit wound was obliterated by the tracheotomy.
Similarly, if the President or the Governor had been sitting in a different
lateral position, the conclusion might have varied. Or if the Governor had not
turned in exactly the way calculated, the alinement would have been destroyed.
Additional experiments by the Army Wound Ballistics Branch further suggested
that the same bullet probably passed through both President Kennedy and Governor
Connally. (See app. X, pp. 582-585. ) Correlation of a test simulating the
Governor's chest wound with the neck and wrist experiments.' indicated that
course. After reviewing the Parkland Hospital medical records and X-rays of the
Governor and discussing his chest injury with the attending surgeon, the Army
ballistics experts virtually duplicated the wound using the assassination weapon
and animal flesh covered by cloth.313 The bullet that struck the animal flesh
displayed characteristics similar to the bullet found on Governor Connally's
stretcher.314 Moreover, the imprint on the velocity screen immediately behind
the animal flesh showed that the bullet was tumbling after exiting from the
flesh, having lost a total average of 265 feet per second.315 Taking into
consideration the Governor's size, the reduction in velocity of a bullet passing
through his body would be approximately 400 feet per second.316
Based upon the medical evidence on the wounds of the Governor and the President
and the wound ballistics tests performed at Edgewood
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 902
Page 109
Arsenal, Drs. Olivier and Arthur J. Dziemian, chief of the Army Wound Ballistics
Branch, who had spent 17 years in that area of specialization, concluded that it
was probable that the same bullet passed through the President's neck and then
inflicted all the wounds on the Governor.317 Referring to the President's neck
wound and all the Governor's wounds, Dr. Dziemian testified: "I think the
probability is very good that it is, that all the wounds were caused by one
bullet."318 Both Drs. Dziemian and Olivier believed that the wound on the
Governor's wrist would have been more extensive had the bullet which inflicted
that injury merely passed through the Governor's chest, exiting at a velocity of
approximately 1,500 feet per second.319 Thus, the Governor's wrist wound
suggested that the bullet passed through the President's neck, began to yaw in
the air between the President and the Governor, and then lost more velocity than
400 feet per second in passing through the Governor's chest. A bullet which was
yawing on entering into the Governor's back would lose substantially more
velocity in passing through his body than a pristine bullet.320 In addition, the
bullet that struck the animal flesh was flattened to a greater extent than the
bullet which presumably struck the Governor's rib,321 which suggests that the
bullet which entered the Governor's chest had already lost velocity by passing
through the President's neck. Moreover, the large wound on the Governor's back
would be explained by a bullet which was yawing, although that type of wound
might also be accounted for by a tangential striking.322
Dr. Frederick W. Light, Jr., the third of the wound ballistics experts, who. has
been engaged in that specialty at Edgewood Arsenal since 1951, testified that
the anatomical findings were insufficient for him to formulate a firm opinion as
to whether the same bullet did or did not pass through the President's neck
first before inflicting all the wounds on Governor Connally.323 Based on the
other circumstances, such as the relative positions of the President and the
Governor in the automobile, Dr. Light concluded that it was probable that the
same bullet traversed the President's neck and inflicted all the wounds on
Governor Connally.324
The Subsequent Bullet That Hit
After a bullet penetrated President Kennedy's neck, a subsequent shot entered
the back of his head and exited through the upper right portion of his skull.
The Zapruder, Nix and Muchmore films show the instant in the sequence when that
bullet struck. ( See Commission Exhibit No. 902, p. 108.) That impact was
evident from the explosion of the President's brain tissues from the right side
of his head. The immediately preceding frame from the Zapruder film shows the
President slumped to his left, clutching at his throat, with his chin close to
his chest and his head tilted forward at an angle.325 Based upon information
provided by the doctors who conducted the autopsy, an artist's drawing depicted
the path of the bullet through the President's head, with his head being in the
same approximate position.326
Page 110
By using the Zapruder, Nix and Muchmore motion pictures, the President's
location at the time the bullet penetrated his head was fixed with reasonable
precision. A careful analysis of the Nix and Muchmore films led to fixing the
exact location of these cameramen. The point of impact of the bullet on the
President's head was apparent in all of the movies. At that point in the Nix
film a straight line was plotted from the camera position to a fixed point in
the background and the President's location along this line was marked on a plat
map.327 A similar process was followed with the Muchmore film. The President's
location on the plat map was identical to that determined from the Nix film.328
The President's location, established through the Nix and Muchmore films, was
confirmed by comparing his position on the Zapruder film. This location had
hitherto only been approximated, since there were no landmarks in the background
of the Zapruder frame for alinement purposes other than a portion of a painted
line on the curb.329 Through these procedures, it was determined that President
Kennedy was shot in the head when he was 230.8 feet from a point on the west
curbline on Houston Street where it intersected with Elm Street.330 The
President was 265.3 feet from the rifle in the sixth-floor window and at that
position the approximate angle of declination was 15°21'.331
Number of Shots
Page 110
NUMBER OF SHOTS
The consensus among the witnesses at the scene was that three shots were
fired.332 However, some heard only two shots,333 while others testified that
they heard four and perhaps as many as five or six shots.334 The difficulty of
accurate perception of the sound of gunshots required careful scrutiny of all of
this testimony regarding the number of shots. The firing of a bullet causes a
number of noises: the muzzle blast, caused by the smashing of the hot gases
which propel the bullet into the relatively stable air at the gun's muzzle; the
noise of the bullet, caused by the shock wave built up ahead of the bullet's
nose as it travels through the air; and the noise caused by the impact of the
bullet on its target.335 Each noise can be quite sharp and may be perceived as a
separate shot. The tall buildings in the area might have further distorted the
sound.
The physical and other evidence examined by the Commission compels the
conclusion that at least two shots were fired. As discussed previously, the
nearly whole bullet discovered at Parkland Hospital and the two larger fragments
found in the Presidential automobile, which were identified as coming from the
assassination rifle, came from at least two separate bullets and possibly from
three.336 The most convincing evidence relating to the number of shots was
provided by the presence on the sixth floor of three spent cartridges which were
demonstrated to have been fired by the same rifle that fired the bullets which
caused the wounds. It is possible that the assassin carried an empty shell in
the rifle and fired only two shots, with the witnesses hearing multiple noises
made by the same shot. Soon after the three
Page 111
empty cartridges were found, officials at the scene decided that three shots
were fired, and that conclusion was widely circulated by the press. The
eyewitness testimony may be subconsciously colored by the extensive publicity
given the conclusion that three shots were fired. Nevertheless, the
preponderance of the evidence, in particular the three spent cartridges, led the
Commission to conclude that there were three shots fired.
The Shot that Missed
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THE SHOT THAT MISSED
From the initial findings that (a) one shot passed through the President's neck
and then most probably passed through the Governor's body, (b) a subsequent shot
penetrated the President's head, (c) no other shot struck any part of the
automobile, and (d) three shots were fired, it follows that one shot probably
missed the car and its occupants. The evidence is inconclusive as to whether it
was the first, second, or third shot which missed.
The First Shot
If the first shot missed, the assassin perhaps missed in an effort to fire a
hurried shot before the President passed under the oak tree, or possibly he
fired as the President passed under the tree and the tree obstructed his view.
The bullet might have struck a portion of the tree and been completely
deflected. On the other hand, the greatest cause for doubt that the first shot
missed is the improbability that the same marksman who twice hit a moving target
would be so inaccurate on the first and closest of his shots as to miss
completely, not only the target, but the large automobile.
Some support for the contention that the first shot missed is found in the
statement of Secret Service Agent Glen A. Bennett, stationed in the right rear
seat of the President's followup car, who heard a sound like a firecracker as
the motorcade proceeded down Elm Street. At that moment, Agent Bennett stated:
* * * I looked at the back of the President. I heard another firecracker noise
and saw that shot hit the President about four inches down from the right
shoulder. A second shot followed immediately and hit the right rear high of the
President's head.337
Substantial weight may be given Bennett's observations. Although his formal
statement was dated November 23, 1963, his notes indicate that he recorded what
he saw and heard at 5:30 p.m., November 1963, on the airplane en route back to
Washington, prior to the autopsy, when it was not yet. known that the President
had been hit in the back.338 It is possible, of course, that Bennett did not
observe the hole in the President's back, which might have been there
immediately after the first noise.
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Governor Connally's testimony supports the view that the first shot missed,
because he stated that he heard a shot, turned slightly to his right, and, as he
started to turn back toward his left, was struck by the second bullet.339 He
never saw the President during the shooting sequence, and it is entirely
possible that he heard the missed shot and that both men were struck by the
second bullet. Mrs. Connally testified that after the first shot she turned and
saw the President's hands moving toward his throat, as seen in the films at
frame 225.340 However, Mrs. Connally further stated that she thought her husband
was hit immediately thereafter by the second bullet.341 If the same bullet
struck both the President and the Governor, it is entirely possible that she saw
the President's movements at. the same time as she heard the second shot. Her
testimony, therefore, does not preclude the possibility of the first shot having
missed.
Other eyewitness testimony, however, supports the conclusion that the first of
the shots fired hit the President. As discussed in chapter II, Special Agent
Hill's testimony indicates that the President was hit by the first shot and that
the head injury was caused by a second shot which followed about 5 seconds
later. James W. Altgens, a photographer in Dallas for the Associated Press, had
stationed himself on Elm Street opposite the Depository to take pictures of the
passing motorcade. Altgens took a widely circulated photograph which showed
President Kennedy reacting to the first of the two shots which hit him. (See
Commission Exhibit No. 900, p. 113.) According to Altgens, he snapped the
picture "almost simultaneously" with a shot which he is confident was the first
one fired.342 Comparison of his photograph with the Zapruder film, however,
revealed that Altgens took his picture at approximately the same moment as frame
255 of the movie, 30 to 45 frames (approximately 2 seconds) later than the point
at which the President was shot in the neck.343 (See Commission Exhibit No. 901,
p. 114.) Another photographer, Phillip L. Willis, snapped a picture at a time
which he also asserts was simultaneous with the first shot. Analysis of his
photograph revealed that it was taken at approximately frame 210 of the Zapruder
film, which was the approximate time of the shot that probably hit the President
and the Governor. If Willis accurately recalled that there were no previous
shots, this would be strong evidence that the first shot did not miss.344
If the first shot did not miss, there must be an explanation for Governor
Connally's recollection that he was not hit by it. There was, conceivably, a
delayed reaction between the time the bullet struck him and the time he realized
that he was hit, despite the fact that the bullet struck a glancing blow to a
rib and penetrated his wrist bone. The Governor did not even know that he had
been struck in the wrist or in the thigh until he regained consciousness in the
hospital the next day. Moreover, he testified that he did not hear what he
thought was the second shot, although he did hear a subsequent shot which
coincided with the shattering of the President's head.345 One possibility,
therefore, would be a sequence in which the Governor heard the first shot, did
not. immediately feel the penetration of the bullet,
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 900
Page 114
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 901
Page 115
then felt the delayed reaction of the impact on his back, later heard the shot
which shattered the President's head, and then lost consciousness without
hearing a third shot which might have occurred later.
The Second Shot
The possibility that the second shot missed is consistent with the elapsed time
between the two shots that hit their mark. From the timing evidenced by the
Zapruder films, there was an interval of from 4.8 to 5.6 seconds between the
shot which .struck President Kennedy's neck (between frames 210 to 225) and the
shot which struck his head at frame 813.346 Since a minimum of 2.3 seconds must
elapse between shots, a bullet could have been fired from the rifle and missed
during this interval.347 This possibility was buttressed by the testimony of
witnesses who claimed that the shots were evenly spaced, since a second shot
occurring within an interval of approximately 5 seconds would have to be almost
exactly midway in this period. If Altgens' recollection is correct that he
snapped his picture at the same moment as he heard a shot, then it is possible
that he heard a second shot which missed, since a shot fired 2.3 seconds before
he took his picture at frame 255 could have hit the President at about frame
213. On the other hand, a substantial majority of the witnesses stated that the
shots were not evenly spaced. Most witnesses recalled that the second and third
shots were bunched together, although some believed that it was the first and
second which were bunched.348 To the extent that reliance can be placed on
recollection of witnesses as to the spacing of the shots, the testimony that the
shots were not evenly spaced would militate against a second shot missing.
Another factor arguing against the second shot missing is that the gunman would
have been shooting at very near the minimum allowable time to have fired the
three shots within 4.8 to 5.6 seconds, although it was entirely possible for him
to have done so. (See ch. IV, pp. 188-194.)
The Third Shot
The last possibility, of course, is that it was the third shot which missed.
This conclusion conforms most easily with the probability that the assassin
would most likely have missed the farthest shot, particularly since there was an
acceleration of the automobile after the shot which struck the President's head.
The limousine also changed direction by following the curve to the right,
whereas previously it had been proceeding in almost a straight line with a rifle
protruding from the sixth-floor window of the Depository Building.
One must consider, however, the testimony of the witnesses who described the
head shot as the concluding event in the assassination sequence. Illustrative is
the testimony of Associated Press photographer Altgens, who had an excellent
vantage point near the President's car. He recalled that the shot which hit the
President's head "was the last shot--that much I will say with a great degree
Page 116
of certainty."349 On the other hand, Emmett J. Hudson, the grounds-keeper of
Dealey Plaza, testified that from his position on Elm Street, midway between
Houston Street and the Triple Underpass, he heard a third shot after the shot
which hit the President in the head.350 In addition, Mrs. Kennedy's testimony
indicated that neither the first nor the second shot missed. Immediately after
the first noise she turned, because of the Governor's yell, and saw her husband
raise his hand to his forehead. Then the second shot struck the President's
head.351
Some evidence suggested that a third shot may have entirely missed and hit the
turf or street by the Triple Underpass. Royce G. Skelton, who watched the
motorcade from the railroad bridge., testified that after two shots "the car
came on down close to the Triple Underpass" and an additional shot "hit in the
left front of the President's car on the cement."352 Skelton thought that there
had been a total of four shots, either the third or fourth of which hit in the
vicinity of the underpass.353 Dallas Patrolman J. W. Foster, who was also on the
Triple Underpass, testified that a shot hit the turf near a manhole cover in the
vicinity of the underpass.354 Examination of this area, however, disclosed no
indication that a bullet struck at the locations indicated by Skelton or
Foster.355
At a different location in Dealey Plaza, the evidence indicated that a bullet
fragment did hit the street. James T. Tague, who got out of his car to watch the
motorcade from a position between Commerce and Main Streets near the Triple
Underpass, was hit on the cheek by an object during the shooting.356 Within a
few minutes Tague reported this to Deputy Sheriff Eddy R. Walthers, who was
examining the area to see if any bullets had struck the turf.357 Walthers
immediately started to search where Tague had been standing and located a place
on the south curb of Main Street where it appeared a bullet had hit the
cement.358 According to Tague, "There was a mark quite obviously . that was a
bullet, and it was very fresh."359 In Tague's opinion, it was the second shot
which caused the mark, since he thinks he heard the third shot after he was hit
in the face.360 This incident appears to have been recorded in the
contemporaneous report of Dallas Patrolman L. L. Hill, who radioed in around
12:40 p.m.: "I have one guy that was possibly hit by a richochet from the bullet
off the concrete."361 Scientific examination of the mark on the south curb of
Main Street by FBI experts disclosed metal smears which, "were
spectrographically determined to be essentially lead with a trace of
antimony."362 The mark on the curb could have originated from the lead core of a
bullet but the absence of copper precluded "the possibility that the mark on the
curbing section was made by an unmutilated military full metal-jacketed bullet
such as the bullet from Governor Connally's stretcher."363
It is true that the noise of a subsequent shot might have been drowned out by
the siren on the Secret Service followup car immediately after the head shot, or
the dramatic effect of the head shot might have caused so much confusion that
the memory of subsequent events was blurred.
Page 117
Nevertheless, the preponderance of the eyewitness testimony that the head shot
was the final shot must be weighed in any determination as to whether it was the
third shot that missed. Even if it were caused by a bullet fragment, the mark on
the south curb of Main Street cannot be identified conclusively with any of the
three shots fired. Under the circumstances it might have come from the bullet
which hit the President's head, or it might have been a product of the
fragmentation of the missed shot upon hitting some other object in the area.364
Since he did not observe any of the shots striking the President, Tague's
testimony that the second shot, rather than the third, caused the scratch on his
cheek, does not assist in limiting the possibilities.
The wide range of possibilities and the existence of conflicting testimony, when
coupled with the impossibility of scientific verification, precludes a
conclusive finding by the Commission as to which shot missed.
Time Span of Shots
Page 117
TIME SPAN OF SHOTS
Witnesses at the assassination scene said that the shots were fired within a few
seconds, with the general estimate being 5 to 6 seconds.365 That approximation
was most probably based on the earlier publicized reports that the first shot
struck the President in the neck, the second wounded the Governor and the third
shattered the President's head, with the time span from the neck to the head
shots on the President being approximately 5 seconds. As previously indicated,
the time span between the shot entering the back of the President's neck and the
bullet which shattered his skull was 4.8 to 5.6 seconds. If the second shot
missed, then 4.8 to 5.6 seconds was the total time span of the shots. If either
the first or third shots missed, then a minimum of 2.3 seconds (necessary to
operate the rifle) must be added to the time span of the shots which hit, giving
a minimum time of 7.1 to 7.9 seconds for the three shots. If more than 2.3
seconds elapsed between a shot that missed and one that hit, then the time span
would be correspondingly increased.
Conclusion
Page 117
CONCLUSION
Based on the evidence analyzed in this chapter, the Commission has concluded
that the shots which killed President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally were
fired from the sixth-floor window at the southeast corner of the Texas School
Book Depository Building. Two bullets probably caused all the wounds suffered by
President Kennedy and Governor Connally. Since the preponderance of the evidence
indicated that three shots were fired, the Commission concluded that one shot
probably missed the Presidential limousine and its occupants, and that the three
shots were fired in a time period ranging from approximately 4.8 to in excess of
7 seconds.
Chapter IV The Assassin
Page 118
CHAPTER IV
The Assassin
THE PRECEDING chapter has established that the bullets which killed President
Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally were fired from the southeast corner
window of the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building and that
the weapon which fired these bullets was a Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5-millimeter
Italian rifle bearing the serial number C2766. In this chapter the Commission
evaluates the evidence upon which it has based its conclusion concerning the
identity of the assassin. This evidence includes (1) the ownership and
possession of the weapon used to commit the assassination, (2) the means by
which the weapon was brought into the Depository Building, (3) the identity of
the person present at the window from which the shots were fired, (4) the
killing of Dallas Patrolman J. D. Tippit within 45 minutes after the
assassination, (5) the resistance to arrest and the attempted shooting of
another police officer by the man (Lee Harvey Oswald) subsequently accused of
assassinating President Kennedy and killing Patrolman Tippit, (6) the lies told
to the police by Oswald, (7) the evidence linking Oswald to the attempted
killing of Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker (Resigned, U.S. Army) on April 10, 1963,
and (8) Oswald's capability with a rifle.
Ownership and Possession of Assassination Weapon
Page 118
OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION OF
ASSASSINATION WEAPON
Purchase of Rifle by Oswald
Shortly after the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle was found on the sixth floor of the
Texas School Book Depository Building,1 agents of the FBI learned from retail
outlets in Dallas that Crescent Firearms, Inc., of New York City, was a
distributor of surplus Italian 6.5-millimeter military rifles.2 During the
evening of November 22, 1963, a review of the records of Crescent Firearms
revealed that the firm had shipped an Italian carbine, serial number C2766, to
Klein's Sporting Goods Co., of Chicago, Ill.3 After searching their records from
10 p.m. to 4 a.m. the officers of Klein's discovered that a rifle bearing serial
number C2766 had been shipped to one A. Hidell,
Page 119
Post Office Box 2915, Dallas, Tex., on March 20, 1963.4 (See Waldman Exhibit No.
7, p. 120.)
According to its microfilm records, Klein's received an order for a rifle on
March 13, 1963, on a coupon clipped from the February 1963 issue of the American
Rifleman magazine. The order coupon was signed, in handprinting, "A. Hidell,
P.O. Box 2915, Dallas, Texas." (See Commission Exhibit No. 773, p. 120.) It was
sent in an envelope bearing the same name and return address in handwriting.
Document examiners for the Treasury Department and the FBI testified
unequivocally that the bold printing on the face of the mail-order coupon was in
the handprinting of Lee Harvey Oswald and that the writing on the envelope was
also his. 5 Oswald's writing on these and other documents was identified by
comparing the writing and printing on the documents in question with that
appearing on documents known to have been written by Oswald, such as his
letters, passport application, and endorsements of checks.6 (See app. X, p.
568-569.)
In addition to the order coupon the envelope contained a. U.S. postal money
order for $21.45, purchased as No. 2,202,130,462 in Dallas, Tex., on March 12,
1963.7 The canceled money order was obtained from the Post Office Department.
Opposite the printed words "Pay To" were written the words "Kleins Sporting
Goods," and opposite the printed word "From" were written the words "A. Hidell,
P.O. Box 2915 Dallas, Texas." These words were also in the handwriting of Lee
Harvey Oswald. 8 (See Commission Exhibit No. 788, p. 120.)
From Klein's records it was possible to trace the processing of the order after
its receipt. A bank deposit made on March 13, 1963, included an item of $21.45.
Klein's shipping order form shows an imprint made by the cash register which
recorded the receipt of $21.45 on March 13, 1963. This price included $19.95 for
the rifle and the scope, and $1.50 for postage and handling. The rifle without
the scope cost only $12.78.9
According to the vice president of Klein's, William Waldman, the scope was
mounted on the rifle by a gunsmith employed by Klein's, and the rifle was
shipped fully assembled in accordance with customary company procedures. 10 The
specific rifle shipped against the order had been received by Klein's from
Crescent on February 21, 1963. It bore the manufacturer's serial number C2766.
On that date, Klein's placed an internal control number VC836 on this rifle. 11
According to Klein's shipping order form, one Italian carbine 6.5 X-4 x scope,
control number VC836, serial number C2766, was shipped parcel post to "A.
Hidell, P.O. Box 2915, Dallas, Texas," on March 20, 1963. 12 Information
received from the Italian Armed Forces Intelligence Service has established that
this particular rifle was the only rifle of its type bearing serial number
C2766.13 (See app. X, p. 554.)
The post office box to which the rifle was shipped was rented to "Lee H. Oswald"
from October 9, 1962, to May 14, 1963.14 Experts on handwriting identification
from 'the Treasury Department and the
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DOCUMENTS ESTABLISHING PURCHASE OF RIFLE BY LEE HARVEY OSWALD
Page 121
FBI testified that the signature and other writing on the application for that
box were in the handwriting of Lee Harvey Oswald,15 as was a change-of-address
card dated May 12, 1963,16 by which Oswald requested that mail addressed to that
box be forwarded to him in New Orleans, where he had moved on April 24.17 Since
the rifle was shipped from Chicago on March 20, 1963, it was received in Dallas
during the period when Oswald rented and used the box. (See Commission Exhibit
No. 791, p. 120.)
It is not known whether the application for post office box 2915 listed "A.
Hidell" as a person entitled to receive mail at this box. In accordance with
postal regulations, the portion of the application which lists names of persons,
other than the applicant, entitled to receive mail was thrown away after the box
was closed on May 1963. 18 Postal Inspector Harry D. Holmes of the Dallas Post
Office testified, however, that when a package is received for a certain box, a
notice is placed in that box regardless of whether the name on the package is
listed on the application as a person entitled to receive mail through that box.
The person having access to the box then takes the notice to the window and is
given the package. Ordinarily, Inspector
Holmes testified, identification is not requested because it is assumed that the
person with the notice is entitled to the package.19
Oswald's use of the name "Hidell" to purchase the assassination weapon was one
of several instances in which he used this name as an alias. When arrested on
the day of the assassination, he had in his possession a Smith & Wesson .38
caliber revolver purchased by mail-order coupon from Seaport-Traders, Inc., a
mail-order division of George Rose & Co., Los Angeles. The mail-order coupon
listed the purchaser as "A. J. Hidell Age 28" with the address of post office
box 2915 in Dallas. 21 Handwriting experts from the FBI and the Treasury
Department testified that the writing on the mail-order form was that of Lee
Harvey Oswald.22
Among other identification cards in Oswald's wallet at the time of his arrest
were a Selective Service notice of classification, a Selective Service
registration certificate,23 and a certificate of service in the U.S. Marine
Corps,24 all three cards being in his own name. Also in his wallet at that time
were a Selective Service notice of classification and a Marine certificate of
service in the name of Alek James Hidell.25 On the Hidell Selective Service card
there appeared a signature, "Alek J. Hidell," and the photograph of Lee Harvey
Oswald.26 Experts on questioned documents from the Treasury Department and the
FBI testified that the Hidell cards were counterfeit photographic reproductions
made by photographing the Oswald cards, retouching the resulting negatives, and
producing prints from the retouched negatives. The Hidell signature on the
notice of classification was in the handwriting of Oswald. (See app. X, p. 572.)
In Oswald's personal effects found in his room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue in
Dallas was a purported international certificate of vaccination signed by "Dr.
A. J. Hideel," Post Office Box 30016, New
Page 122
Orleans. 28 It certified that Lee Harvey Oswald had been vaccinated for smallpox
on June 8, 1963. This, too, was a forgery. The signature of "A. J. Hideel" was
in the handwriting of Lee Harvey Oswald. 29 There is no "Dr. Hideel" licensed to
practice medicine in Louisiana.30 There is no post office box 30016 in the New
Orleans Post Office but Oswald had rented post office box 30061 in New Orleans
on June 3, 1963, listing Marina Oswald and A. J. Hidell as additional persons
entitled to receive mail in the box.32 The New Orleans postal authorities had
not discarded the portion of the application listing the names of those, other
than the owner of the box, entitled to receive mail through the box. Expert
testimony confirmed that the writing on this application was that of Lee Harvey
Oswald. 33
Hidell's name on the post office box application was part of Oswald's use of a
nonexistent Hidell to serve as president of the so-called New Orleans Chapter of
the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. (As discussed below in ch.VI, p. 292.) Marina
Oswald testified that she first learned of Oswald's use of the fictitious name
"Hidell" in connection with his pro-Castro activities in New Orleans.34
According to her testimony, he compelled her to write the name "Hidell" on
membership cards in the space designated for the signature of the "Chapter
President." 35 The name "Hidell" was stamped on some of the "Chapter's" printed
literature and on the membership application blanks.36 Marina Oswald testified,
"I knew there was no such organization. And I know Hidell is merely an altered
Fidel, and I laughed at such foolishness." 37 Hidell was a fictitious president
of an organization of which Oswald was the only member.38
When seeking employment in New Orleans, Oswald listed a "Sgt. Robt. Hidell" as a
reference on one job application 39 and "George Hidell" as a reference on
another.40 Both names were found to be fictitious.41 Moreover, the use of "Alek"
as a first name for Hidell is a further link to Oswald because "Alek" was
Oswald's nickname in Russia.42 Letters received by Marina Oswald from her
husband signed "Alek" were given to the Commission.43
Oswald's Palmprint on Rifle Barrel
Based on the above evidence, the Commission concluded that Oswald purchased the
rifle found on the sixth floor of the Depository Building. Additional evidence
of ownership was provided in the form of palmprint identification which
indicated that Oswald had possession of the rifle he had purchased.
A few minutes after the rifle was discovered on the sixth floor of the
Depository Building 44 it was examined by Lt. J. C. Day of the identification
bureau of the Dallas police. He lifted the rifle by the wooden stock after his
examination convinced him that the wood was too rough to take fingerprints.
Capt. J. W. Fritz then ejected a cartridge by operating the bolt, but only after
Day viewed the knob on the bolt through a magnifying glass and found no
prints.45 Day continued to examine the rifle with the magnifying glass, looking
for
Page 123
possible fingerprints. He applied fingerprint powder to the side of the metal
housing near the trigger, and noticed traces of two prints.46 At 11:45 p.m. on
November 22, the rifle was released to the FBI and forwarded to Washington where
it was examined on the morning of November 23 by Sebastian F. Latona, supervisor
of the Latent Fingerprint Section of the FBI's Identification Division.47
In his testimony before the Commission, Latona stated that when he received the
rifle, the area where prints were visible was protected by cellophane.48 He
examined these prints, as well as photographs of them which the Dallas police
had made, and concluded that:
* * * the formations, the ridge formations and characteristics, were
insufficient for purposes of either effecting identification or a determination
that the print was not identical with the prints of people. Accordingly, my
opinion simply was that the latent prints which were there were of no value.49
Latona then processed the complete weapon but developed no identifiable
prints.50 He stated that the poor quality of the wood and the metal would cause
the rifle to absorb moisture from the skin, thereby making a clear print
unlikely. 51
On November 22, however, before surrendering possession of the rifle to the FBI
Laboratory, Lieutenant Day of the Dallas Police Department had "lifted" a
palmprint from the underside of the gun barrel "near the firing end of the
barrel about 3 inches under the woodstock when I took the woodstock loose." 52
"Lifting" a print involves the use of adhesive material to remove the
fingerprint powder which adheres to the original print. In this way the powdered
impression is actually removed from the object.53 The lifting had been so
complete in this case that there was no trace of the print on the rifle itself
when it was examined by Latona. Nor was there any indication that the lift had
been performed. 54 Day, on the other hand, believed that sufficient traces of
the print had been left on the rifle barrel, because he did not release the
lifted print until November 26, when he received instructions to send
"everything that we had" to the FBI.55 The print arrived in the FBI Laboratory
in Washington on November 29, mounted on a card on which Lieutenant Day had
written the words "off underside gun barrel near end of grip C2766." 56 The
print's positive identity as having been lifted from the rifle was confirmed by
FBI Laboratory tests which established that the adhesive material bearing the
print also bore impressions of the same irregularities that appeared on the
barrel of the rifle. 57
Latona testified that this palmprint was the right palmprint of Lee Harvey
Oswald.58 At the request of the Commission, Arthur Mandella, fingerprint expert
with the New York City Police Department, conducted an independent examination
and also determined that this was the right palmprint of Oswald.59 Latona's
findings were also confirmed by Ronald G. Wittmus, another FBI fingerprint
Page 124
expert.60 In the opinion of these experts, it was not possible to estimate the
time which elapsed between the placing of the print on the rifle and the date of
the lift.61
Experts testifying before the Commission agreed that palmprints are as unique as
fingerprints for purposes of establishing identification.62 Oswald's palmprint
on the underside of the barrel demonstrates that he handled the rifle when it
was disassembled. A palmprint could not be placed on this portion of the rifle,
when assembled, because the wooden foregrip covers the barrel at this point.63
The print is additional proof that the rifle was in Oswald's possession.
Fibers on Rifle
In a crevice between the butt plate of the rifle and the wooden stock was a tuft
of several cotton fibers of dark blue, gray-black, and orange-yellow shades.64
On November 23, 1963, these fibers were examined by Paul M. Stombaugh, a special
agent assigned to the Hair and Fiber Unit of the FBI Laboratory.65 He compared
them with the fibers found in the shirt which Oswald was wearing when arrested
in the Texas Theatre.66 This shirt was also composed of dark blue, gray- black
and orange-yellow cotton fibers. Stombaugh testified that the colors, shades,
and twist of the fibers found in the tuft on the rifle matched those in Oswald's
shirt.67 (See app. X, p. 592.) Stombaugh explained in his testimony that in
fiber analysis, as distinct from fingerprint or firearms identification, it is
not. possible to state with scientific certainty that a particular small group
of fibers come from a certain piece of clothing to the exclusion of all others
because there are not enough microscopic characteristics present in fibers.68
Judgments as to probability will depend on the number and types of matches.69 He
concluded, "There is no doubt in my mind that these fibers could have come from
this shirt. There is no way, however, to eliminate the possibility of the fibers
having come from another identical shirt." 70
Having considered the probabilities as explained in Stombaugh's testimony, the
Commission has concluded that the fibers in the tuft on the rifle most probably
came from the shirt worn by Oswald when he was arrested, and that. this was the
same shirt which Oswald wore on the morning of the assassination. Marina Oswald
testified that she thought her husband wore this shirt to work on that day. The
testimony of those who saw him after the assassination was inconclusive about
the color of Oswald's shirt,72 but Mary Bledsoe, a former landlady of Oswald,
saw him on a bus approximately 10 minutes after the assassination and identified
the shirt as being the one worn by Oswald primarily because of a distinctive
hole in the shirt's right elbow. 73 Moreover, the bus transfer which he obtained
as he left. the bus was still in the pocket when he was arrested.74 Although
Oswald returned to his roominghouse after the assassination and when questioned
by the police, claimed to have changed his shirt,75 the evidence
Page 125
indicates that he continued wearing the same shirt which he was wearing all
morning and which he was still wearing when arrested.
In light of these findings the Commission evaluated the additional testimony of
Stombaugh that the fibers were caught in the crevice of the rifle's butt plate
"in the recent past."76 Although Stombaugh was unable to estimate the period of
time the fibers were on the rifle he said that the fibers "were clean, they had
good color to them, there was no grease on them and they were not fragmented.
They looked as if they had just been picked up." 77 The relative freshness of
the fibers is strong evidence that they were caught on the rifle on the morning
of the assassination or during the preceding evening. For 10 days prior to the
eve of the assassination Oswald had not been present at Ruth Paine's house in
Irving, Tex.,78 where the rifle was kept. 79 Moreover, the Commission found no
reliable evidence that Oswald used the rifle at any time between September 23,
when it was transported from New Orleans, and November 22, the day of the
assassination.80 The fact that on the morning of the assassination Oswald was
wearing the shirt from which these relatively fresh fibers most probably
originated, provides some evidence that they were placed on the rifle that day
since there was limited, if any, opportunity for Oswald to handle the weapon
during the 2 months prior to November 22.
On the other hand Stombaugh pointed out that fibers might retain their freshness
if the rifle had been "put aside" after catching the fibers. The rifle used in
the assassination probably had been wrapped in a blanket for about 8 weeks prior
to November 22.81 Because the relative freshness of these fibers might be
explained by the continuous storage of the rifle in the blanket, the Commission
was unable to reach any firm conclusion as to when the fibers were caught in the
rifle. The Commission was able to conclude, however, that the fibers most
probably came from Oswald's shirt. This adds to the conviction of the Commission
that Oswald owned and handled the weapon used in the assassination.
Photograph of Oswald With Rifle
During the period from March 2, 1963, to April 24, 1963, the Oswalds lived on
Neely Street in Dallas in a rented house which had a small back yard.32 One
Sunday, while his wife was hanging diapers, Oswald asked her to take a picture
of him holding a rifle, a pistol and issues of two newspapers later identified
as the Worker and the Militant.83 Two pictures were taken. The Commission has
concluded that the rifle shown in these pictures is the same rifle which was
found on the sixth floor of the Depository Building on November 22, 1963. (See
Commission Exhibits Nos. 133-A and 133-B, p.. 126.)
One of these pictures, Exhibit No. 133-A, shows most of the rifle's
configuration.84 Special Agent Lyndal L. Shaneyfelt, a photography expert with
the FBI, photographed the rifle used in the assassination, attempting to
duplicate the position of the rifle and the lighting in Exhibit No. 133-A.85
After comparing the rifle in the simulated
Page 126
PHOTOGRAPHS OF OSWALD HOLDING RIFLE
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 133-A
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 133-B
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 134
(Enlargement of Commission Exhibit No. 133-A)
Page 127
photograph with the rifle in Exhibit No. 133-A, Shaneyfelt testified, "I found
it to be the same general configuration. All appearances were the same." He
found "one notch in the stock at this point that appears very faintly in the
photograph." He stated, however, that while he "found no differences" between
the rifles in the two photographs, he could not make a "positive identification
to the exclusion of all other rifles of the same general configuration." 86
The authenticity of these pictures has been established by expert testimony
which links the second picture, Commission Exhibit No. 133-B, to Oswald's
Imperial Reflex camera, with which Marina Oswald testified she took the
pictures.87 The negative of that picture, Commission Exhibit No. 133-B, was
found among Oswald's possessions.88 Using a recognized technique of determining
whether a picture was taken with a particular camera, Shaneyfelt compared this
negative with a negative which he made by taking a new picture with Oswald's
camera.89 He concluded that the negative of Exhibit No. 133-B was exposed in
Oswald's Imperial Reflex camera to the exclusion of all other cameras. 90 He
could not test Exhibit No. 133-A in the same way because the negative was never
recovered. 91 Both pictures, however, have identical backgrounds and lighting
and, judging from the shadows, were taken at the same angle. They are
photographs of the same scene.92 Since Exhibit No. 133-B was taken with Oswald's
camera, it is reasonably certain that Exhibit No. 133-A was taken by the same
camera at the same time, as Marina Oswald testified. Moreover, Shaneyfelt
testified that in his opinion the photographs were not composites of two
different photographs and that Oswald's face had not been superimposed on
another body.93
One of the photographs taken by Marina Oswald was widely published in newspapers
and magazines, and in many instances the details of these pictures differed from
the original, and even from each other, particularly as to the configuration of
the rifle. The Commission sought to determine whether these photographs were
touched prior to publication. Shaneyfelt testified that the published
photographs appeared to be based on a copy of the original which the
publications had each retouched differently.94 Several of the publications
furnished the Commission with the prints they had used, or described by
correspondence the retouching they had done. This information enabled the
Commission to conclude that the published pictures were the same as the original
except for retouching done by these publications, apparently for the purpose of
clarifying the lines of the rifle and other details in the picture.95
The dates surrounding the taking of this picture and the purchase of the rifle
reinforce the belief that the rifle in the photograph is the rifle which Oswald
bought from Klein's. The rifle was shipped from Klein's in Chicago on March 20,
1963, at a time when the Oswalds were living on Neely Street.96 From an
examination of one of the photographs, the Commission determined the dates of
the issues of the Militant and the Worker which Oswald was holding in his hand.
Page 128
By checking the actual mailing dates of these issues and the time usually takes
to effect. delivery to Dallas, it was established that the photographs must have
been taken sometime after March 27.97 Marina Oswald testified that the
photographs were taken on a Sunday about 2 weeks before the attempted shooting
of Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker on April 10, 1968.98 By Sunday, March 31, 1963, 10
days prior to the Walker attempt, Oswald had undoubtedly received the rifle
shipped from Chicago on March 20, the revolver shipped from Los Angeles on the
same date,99 and the two newspapers which he was holding in the picture.
Rifle Among Oswald's Possessions
Marina Oswald testified that the rifle found on the sixth floor of the
Depository Building was the "fateful rifle of Lee Oswald." Moreover, it was the
only rifle owned by her husband following his return from the Soviet Union in
June 1962.101 It had been purchased in March 1963, and taken to New Orleans
where Marina Oswald saw it in their rented apartment during the summer' of
1963.102 It appears from his wife's testimony that. Oswald may have sat on the
screened-in porch at night practicing with the rifle by looking through the
telescopic sight and operating the bolt.103 In September 1963, Oswald loaded
their possessions into a station wagon owned by Ruth Paine, who had invited
Marina Oswald and the baby to live at her home in Irving,104 Tex. Marina. Oswald
has stated that the rifle was among these possessions,105 although Ruth Paine
testified that she was not aware of it.106
From September 24, 1963, when Marina Oswald arrived in Irving from New Orleans,
until the morning of the assassination, the rifle was, according to the
evidence, stored in a green and brown blanket in the Paines' garage among the
Oswalds' other possessions.107 About 1 week after the return from New Orleans,
Marina Oswald was looking in the garage for parts to the baby's crib and thought
that the parts might be in the blanket. When she started to open the blanket,
she saw the stock of the rifle.108 Ruth and Michael Paine both noticed the
rolled-up blanket in the garage during the time that Marina Oswald was living in
their home.109 On several occasions, Michael Paine moved the blanket in the
garage.110 He thought it contained tent poles, or possibly other camping
equipment such as a folding shovel.111 When he appeared before the Commission,
Michael Paine lifted the blanket with the rifle wrapped inside and testified
that it appeared to be the same approximate weight and shape as the package in
his garage.112
About 3 hours after the assassination, a detective and deputy sheriff saw the
blanket-roll, tied with a string, lying on the floor of the Paines' garage. Each
man testified that he thought he could detect the outline of a rifle in the
blanket, even though the blanket was empty.113 Paul M. Stombaugh, of the FBI
Laboratory, examined the blanket and discovered a bulge approximately 10 inches
long midway in the blanket. This bulge was apparently caused by a hard
protruding
Page 129
object which had stretched the blanket's fibers. It could have been caused by
the telescopic sight of the rifle which was approximately 11 inches long.114
(See Commission Exhibit No. 1304 p. 132.)
Conclusion
Having reviewed the evidence that (1) Lee Harvey Oswald purchased the rifle used
in the assassination, (2) Oswald's palmprint was on the rifle in a position
which shows that he had handled it while it was disassembled, (3) fibers found
on the rifle most probably came from the shirt Oswald was wearing on the day of
the assassination, (4) a photograph taken in the yard of Oswald's apartment
showed him holding this rifle, and (5) the rifle was kept among Oswald's
possessions from the time of its purchase until the day of the assassination,
the Commission concluded that the rifle used to assassinate President Kennedy
and wound Governor Connally was owned and possessed by Lee Harvey Oswald.
The Rifle in the Building
Page 129
THE RIFLE IN THE BUILDING
The Commission has evaluated the evidence tending to show how Lee Harvey
Oswald's Mannlicher-Carcano rifle, serial number C2766, was brought into the
Depository Building, where it was found on the sixth floor shortly after the
assassination. In this connection the Commission considered (1) the
circumstances surrounding Oswald's return to Irving, Tex., on Thursday, November
21, 1963, (2) the disappearance of the rifle from its normal place of storage,
(3) Oswald's arrival at the Depository Building on November 22, carrying a long
and bulky brown paper package, (4) the presence of a long handmade brown paper
bag near the point from which the shots were fired, and (5) the palmprint,
fiber, and paper analyses linking Oswald and the assassination weapon to this
bag.
The Curtain Rod Story
During October and November of 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald lived in a roominghouse
in Dallas while his wife and children lived in Irving, at the home of Ruth
Paine,113 approximately 15 miles from Oswald's place of work at the Texas School
Book Depository. Oswald traveled between Dallas and Irving on weekends in a car
driven by a neighbor of the Paines, Buell Wesley Frazier, who also worked at the
Depository.116 Oswald generally would go to Irving on Friday afternoon and
return to Dallas Monday morning. According to the testimony of Frazier, Marina
Oswald, and Ruth Paine, it appears that Oswald never returned to Irving in
midweek prior to November 21, 1963, except on Monday, October 21, when he
visited his wife in the hospital after the birth of their second child.117
During the morning of November 21, Oswald asked Frazier whether he could ride
home with him that afternoon. Frazier, surprised, asked
Page 130
him why he was going to Irving on Thursday night rather than Friday. Oswald
replied, "I'm going home to get some curtain rods * * * [to] put in an
apartment." 118 The two men left work at 4: 40 p.m. and drove to Irving. There
was little conversation between them on the way home.119 Mrs. Linnie Mac Randle,
Frazier's sister, commented to her brother about Oswald's unusual midweek return
to Irving. Frazier told her that Oswald had come home to get curtain rods,120
It would appear, however, that obtaining curtain rods was not the purpose of
Oswald's trip to Irving on November 21. Mrs. A. C. Johnson, his landlady,
testified that Oswald's room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue had curtains and
curtain rods,121 and that Oswald had never discussed the subject with her.122 In
the Paines' garage, along with many other objects of a household character,
there were two flat lightweight curtain rods belonging to Ruth Paine but they
were still there on Friday afternoon after Oswald's arrest.123 Oswald never
asked Mrs. Paine about the use of curtain rods,124 and Marina. Oswald testified
that Oswald did not say anything about curtain rods on the day before the
assassination.125 No curtain rods were known to have been discovered in the
Depository Building after the assassination.126 In deciding whether Oswald
carried a rifle to work in a long paper bag on November 22, the Commission gave
weight to the fact that Oswald gave a false reason for returning home on
November 21, and one which provided an excuse for the carrying of a bulky
package the following morning.
The Missing Rifle
Before dinner on November 21, Oswald played on the lawn of the Paines' home with
his daughter June.127 After dinner Ruth Paine and Marina Oswald were busy
cleaning house and preparing their children for bed.128 Between the hours of 8
and 9 p.m. they were occupied with the children in the bedrooms located at the
extreme east end of the house.129 On the west end of the house is the attached
garage, which can be reached from the kitchen or from the outside.130 In the
garage were the personal belongings of the Oswald family including, as the
evidence has shown., the rifle wrapped in the old brown and green blanket.131
At approximately 9 p.m., after the children had been put to bed, Mrs. Paine,
according to her testimony before the Commission, "went out to the garage to
paint some children's blocks, and worked in the garage for half an hour or so. I
noticed when I went out that the light was on." 132 Mrs. Paine was certain that
she had not left the light on in the garage after dinner.138 According to Mrs.
Paine, Oswald had gone to bed by 9 p.m.; 134 Marina Oswald testified that it was
between 9 and 10 p.m.135 Neither Marina Oswald nor Ruth Paine saw Oswald in the
garage.136 The period between 8 and 9 p.m., however, provided ample opportunity
for Oswald to prepare the rifle for his departure the next. morning. Only if
disassembled could
Page 131
the rifle fit into the paper bag found near the window 137 from which the shots
were fired. A firearms expert with the FBI assembled the rifle in 6 minutes
using a 10-cent coin as a tool, and he could disassemble it more rapidly.138
While the rifle may have already been disassembled when Oswald arrived home on
Thursday, he had ample time that evening to disassemble the rifle and insert it
into the paper bag.
On the day of the assassination, Marina Oswald was watching television when she
learned of the shooting. A short time later Mrs. Paine told her that someone had
shot the President "from the building in which Lee is working." Marina Oswald
testified that at that time "My heart dropped. I then went to the garage to see
whether the rifle was there and I saw that the blanket was still there and I
said 'Thank God.'" She did not unroll the blanket. She saw that it was in its
usual position and it appeared to her to have something inside.139
Soon afterward, at about 3 p.m., police officers arrived and searched the house.
Mrs. Paine pointed out that most of the Oswalds' possessions were in the
garage.140 With Ruth Paine acting as an interpreter, Detective Rose asked Marina
whether her husband had a rifle. Mrs. Paine, who had no knowledge of the rifle,
first said "No," but when the question was translated, Marina Oswald replied
"Yes." 141 She pointed to the blanket which was on the floor very close to where
Ruth Paine was standing. Mrs. Paine testified:
As she [Marina] told me about it I stepped onto the blanket roll. * * * And she
indicated to me that she had peered into this roll and saw a portion of what she
took to be a gun she knew her husband to have, a rifle. And I then translated
this to the officers that she knew that her husband had a gun that he had stored
in here. * * * I then stepped off of it and the officer picked it up in the
middle and it bent so. * * * 142
Mrs. Paine had the actual blanket before her as she testified and she indicated
that the blanket. hung limp in the officer's hand.143 Marina Oswald testified
that this was her first knowledge that the rifle was not in its accustomed
place.144
The Long and Bulky Package
On the morning of November 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald left the Paine house in
Irving at approximately 7:15 a.m., while Marina Oswald was still in bed.145
Neither she nor Mrs. Paine saw him leave the house.146 About half-a- block away
from the Paine house was the residence of Mrs. Linnie Mac Randle, the sister of
the man with whom Oswald drove to work--Buell Wesley Frazier. Mrs. Randle stated
that on the morning of November 22, while her brother was eating breakfast, she
looked out the breakfast-room window and saw Oswald cross the street and walk
toward the driveway where her brother parked his car near the carport. He
carried a "heavy brown bag." 147 Oswald
Page 132
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1304
C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle and paper bag found on the sixth floor of the
Texas
School Book Depository.
Page 133
gripped the bag in his right hand near the top. "It tapered like this as he
hugged it. in his hand. It was * * * more bulky toward the bottom" than toward
the top.148 She then opened the kitchen door and saw Oswald open the right rear
door of her brother's car and place the package in the back of the car.149 Mrs.
Randle estimated that the package was approximately 28 inches long and about 8
inches wide.150 She thought. that its color was similar to that of the bag found
on the sixth floor of the School Book Depository after the assassination.151
Frazier met Oswald at. the kitchen door and together they walked to the car.152
After entering the car, Frazier glanced over his shoulder and noticed a brown
paper package on the back seat. He asked, "What's the package, Lee?" Oswald
replied, "curtain rods."153 Frazier told the Commission "* * * the main reason
he was going over there that Thursday afternoon when he was to bring back some
curtain rods, so I didn't think any more about it when he told me that."154
Frazier estimated that the bag was 2 feet long "give and take a few inches," and
about 5 or 6 inches wide.155 As they sat in the car, Frazier asked Oswald where
his lunch was, and Oswald replied that he was going to buy his lunch that
day.156 Frazier testified that Oswald carried no lunch bag that day. "When he
rode with me, I say he always brought lunch except that one day on November 22
he didn't bring his lunch that day." 157
Frazier parked the car in the company parking lot about 2 blocks north of the
Depository Building. Oswald left the car first, picked up the brown paper bag,
and proceeded toward the building ahead of Frazier. Frazier walked behind and as
they crossed the railroad tracks he watched the switching of the cars. Frazier
recalled that one end of the package was under Oswald's armpit and the lower
part was held with his right hand so that it was carried straight and parallel
to his body. When Oswald entered the rear door of the Depository Building, he
was about 50 feet ahead of Frazier. It was the first time that Oswald had not
walked with Frazier from the parking lot to the building entrance.158 When
Frazier entered the building, he did not see Oswald.159 One employee, Jack
Dougherty, believed that he saw Oswald coming to work, but he does not remember
that Oswald had anything in his hands as he entered the door.160 No other
employee has been found who saw Oswald enter that morning.161
In deciding whether Oswald carried the assassination weapon in the bag which
Frazier and Mrs. Randle saw, the Commission has carefully considered the
testimony of these two witnesses with regard to the length of the bag. Frazier
and Mrs. Randle testified that the bag which Oswald was carrying was
approximately 27 or 28 inches long,162 whereas the wooden stock of the rifle,
which is its largest component, measured 34.8 inches.163 The bag found on the
sixth floor was 88 inches long.164 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1304, p. 132.)
When Frazier appeared before the Commission and was asked to demonstrate how
Oswald carried the package, he said, "Like I said, I remember that I didn't look
at the package very much ***
Page 134
but when I did look at it he did have his hands on the package like that," 165
and at this point Frazier placed the upper part of the package under his armpit
and attempted to cup his right hand beneath the bottom of the bag. The
disassembled rifle was too long to be carried in this manner. Similarly, when
the butt of the rifle was placed in Frazier's hand, it extended above his
shoulder to ear level. 1 Moreover, in an interview on December 1, 1963, with
agents of the FBI, Frazier had marked the point on the back seat of his car
which he believed was where the bag reached when it was laid on the seat with
one edge against the door. The distance between the point on the seat and the
door was 27 inches.167
Mrs. Randle said, when shown the paper bag, that the bag she saw Oswald carrying
"wasn't that long, I mean it was folded down at the top as I told you. It
definitely wasn't that long." 168 And she folded the bag to length of about 28½
inches. Frazier doubted whether the bag that Oswald carried was as wide as the
bag found on the sixth floor,169 although Mrs. Randle testified that the width
was approximately the same.170
The Commission has weighed the visual recollection of Frazier and Mrs. Randle
against the evidence here presented that the bag Oswald carried contained the
assassination weapon and has concluded that Frazier and Randle are mistaken as
to the length of the bag. Mrs. Randle saw the bag fleetingly and her first
remembrance is that it was held in Oswald's right hand "and it almost touched
the ground as he carried it." 171 Frazier's view of the bag was from the rear.
He continually advised that he was not paying close attention.172 For example,
he said,
* * * I didn't pay too much attention the way he was walking because I was
walking along there looking at the railroad cars and watching the men on the
diesel switch them cars and I didn't pay too much attention on how he carried
the package at all.173
Frazier could easily have been mistaken when he slated that Oswald held the
bottom of the bag cupped in his hand with the upper end tucked into his armpit.
Location of Bag
A handmade bag of wrapping paper and tape 174 was found in the southeast corner
of the sixth floor alongside the window from which the shots were fired.175 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 2707, p. 142.) It was not a standard type bag which could
be. obtained in a store and it was presumably made for a particular purpose. It
was the appropriate size to contain, in disassembled form, Oswald's
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle, serial No. CS2766, which was also found on the sixth
floor.176 Three cartons had been placed at the window apparently to act as a gun
rest and a fourth carton was placed behind those at the window.177 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 1301,
Page 135
p. 138.) A person seated on the fourth carton could assemble the rifle without
being seen from the rest of the sixth floor because the cartons stacked around
the southeast corner would shield him.178 (See Commission Exhibit No. 723, p.
80.) The presence of the bag in this corner is cogent evidence that it was used
as the container for the rifle. At the time the bag was found, Lieutenant Day of
the Dallas police wrote on it, "Found next to the sixth floor window gun fired
from. May have been used to carry gun. Lt. J. C. Day." 179
Scientific Evidence Linking Rifle and Oswald to Paper Bag
Oswald's fingerprint and palmprint found on bag.--Using a standard chemical
method involving silver nitrates 180 the FBI Laboratory developed a latent
palmprint and latent fingerprint on the bag. (See app. X, p. 565.) .Sebastian F.
Latona, supervisor of the FBI's Latent Fingerprint Section, identified these
prints as the left index fingerprint and right palmprint of Lee Harvey
Oswald.181 The portion of the palm which was identified was the heel of the
right palm, i.e., the area near the wrist, on the little finger side.182 These
prints were examined independently by Ronald G. Wittmus of the FBI,183 and by
Arthur Mandella, a fingerprint expert with the New York City Police Department.
184 Both concluded that the prints were the right palm and left index finger of
Lee Oswald. No other identifiable prints were found on the bag.185
Oswald's palmprint on the bottom of the paper bag indicated, of course, that he
had handled the bag. Furthermore, it was consistent with the bag having
contained a heavy or bulky object when he handled it since a light object is
usually held by the fingers.186 The palmprint was found on the closed end of the
bag. It was from Oswald's right hand, in which he carried the long package as he
walked from Frazier's car to the building.187
Materials used to make bag.--On the day of the assassination, the Dallas police
obtained a sample of wrapping paper and tape from the shipping room of the
Depository and forwarded it to the FBI Laboratory in Washington.188 James C.
Cadigan, a questioned-documents expert with the Bureau, compared the samples
with the paper and tape in the actual bag. He testified, "In all of the
observations and physical tests that I made I found * * * the bag * * * and the
paper sample * * * were the same." 189
Among other tests, the paper and tape were submitted to fiber analysis and
spectrographic examination.190 In addition the tape was compared to determine
whether the sample tape and the tape on the bag had been taken from the tape
dispensing machine at the Depository. When asked to explain the similarity of
characteristics, Cadigan stated: 191
Well, briefly, it would be the thickness of both the paper and the tape, the
color under various lighting conditions of both the paper and the tape, the
width of the tape, the knurled markings
Page 136
on the surface of the fiber, the texture of the fiber, the letting pattern * * *
* * * * * * *
I found that the paper sack found on the sixth floor * * * and the sample * * *
had the same observable characteristics both under the microscope and all the
visual tests that I could conduct.
* * * * * * *
The papers I also found were similar in fiber composition, therefore, in
addition to the visual characteristics, microscopic and UV [ultra violet]
characteristics.
Mr. Cadigan concluded that the paper and tape from the bag were identical in all
respects to the sample paper and tape taken from the Texas School Book
Depository shipping room on November 22, 1963.192
On December l, 1963, a replica bag was made from materials found on that date in
the shipping room. This was done as an investigatory aid since the original bag
had been discolored during various laboratory examinations and could not be used
for valid identification by witnesses.193 Cadigan found that the paper used to
make this replica sack had different characteristics from the paper in the
original bag.194 The science of paper analysis enabled him to distinguish
between different rolls of paper even though they were produced by the same
manufacturer.125
Since the Depository normally used approximately one roll of paper every 3
working days,196 it was not surprising that the replica sack made on December 1,
1963, had different characteristics from both the actual bag and the sample
taken on November 22. On the other hand, since two rolls could be made from the
same batch of paper, one cannot estimate when, prior to November 22, Oswald made
the paper bag. However, the complete identity of characteristics between the
paper and tape in the bag found on the sixth floor and the paper and tape found
in the shipping room of the Depository on November 22 enabled the Commission to
conclude that the bag was made from these materials. The Depository shipping
department was on the first floor to. which Oswald had access in the normal
performance of his duties filling orders.197
Fibers in paper bag matched fibers in blanket.--When Paul M. Stombaugh of the
FBI Laboratory examined the paper bag, he found, on the inside, a single brown
delustered viscose fiber and several light green cotton fibers.198 'The blanket
in which the rifle was stored was composed of brown and green cotton, viscose
and woolen fibers.199
The single brown viscose fiber found in the bag matched some of the brown
viscose fibers from the blanket in all observable characteristics.200 The green
cotton fibers found in the paper bag matched 'some of the green cotton fibers in
the blanket "in all observable microscopic
Page 137
characteristics." 201 Despite these matches, however, Stombaugh was unable to
render on opinion that the fibers which he found in the bag had probably come
from the blanket, because other types of fibers present in the blanket were not
found in the bag. He concluded:
All I would say here is that it is possible that these fibers could have come
from this blanket., because this blanket is composed of brown and green woolen
fibers, brown and green delustered viscose fibers, and brown and green cotton
fibers. * * * We found no brown cotton fibers, no green viscose fibers, and no
woolen fibers.
So if I found all of these then I would have been able to say these fibers
probably had come from this blanket. But since I found so few, then I would say
the possibility exists, these fibers could have come from this blanket.202
Stombaugh confirmed that the rifle could have picked up fibers from the blanket
and transferred them to the paper bag.203 In light of the other evidence linking
Lee Harvey Oswald, the blanket, and the rifle to the paper bag found on the
sixth floor, the Commission considered Stombaugh's testimony of probative value
in deciding whether Oswald' carried the rifle into the building in the paper
bag.
Conclusion
The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald
(1) told the curtain rod story to Frazier to explain both the return to Irving
on a Thursday and the obvious bulk of the package which he intended to bring to
work the next day; (2) took paper and tape from the wrapping bench of the
Depository and fashioned a bag large enough to carry the disassembled rifle; (3)
removed the rifle from the blanket in the Paines' garage on Thursday evening;
(4) carried the rifle into the Depository Building, concealed in the bag; and,
(5) left the bag alongside the window from which the shots were fired.
Oswald At Window
Page 137
OSWALD AT WINDOW
Lee Harvey Oswald was hired on October 15, 1963, by the Texas School Book
Depository as an "order filler." 204 He worked principally on the first and
sixth floors of the building, gathering books listed on orders and delivering
them to the shipping room on the first floor.205 He had ready access to the
sixth floor, 208 from the southeast corner window of which the shots were fired.
207 The Commission evaluated the physical evidence found near the window after
the assassination and the testimony of eyewitnesses in deciding whether Lee
Harvey Oswald was present at this window at the time of the assassination.
Page 138
COMMISSION EXHIBIT 1301
Page 139
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1302
Page 140
Palmprints and Fingerprints on Cartons and Paper Bag
Below the southeast corner window on the sixth floor was a large carton of books
measuring approximately 18 by 12 by 14 inches which had been moved from a stack
along the south wall.208 Atop this carton was a small carton marked "Rolling
Readers," measuring approximately 13 by 9 by 8 inches.209 In front of this small
carton and resting partially on the windowsill was another small "Rolling
Readers" carton.210 These two small cartons had been moved from a stack about
three aisles away. 211 The boxes in the window appeared to have been arranged as
a convenient gun rest.212 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1301, p. 138.) Behind
these boxes was another carton placed on the floor on which a man sitting could
look southwesterly down Elm Street over the top of the "Rolling Readers"
cartons.213 Next to these cartons was the handmade paper bag, previously
discussed, on which appeared the print of the left index finger and right palm
of Lee Harvey Oswald.214 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1302, p. 139.)
The cartons were forwarded to the FBI in Washington. Sebastian F. Latona,
supervisor of the Latent Fingerprint Section, testified that 20 identifiable
fingerprints and 8 palmprints were developed on these cartons.205 The carton on
the windowsill and the large carton below the window contained no prints which
could be identified as being those of Lee Harvey Oswald.216 The other "Rolling
Readers" carton, however, contained a palmprint and a fingerprint which were
identified by Latona as being the left palmprint and right index fingerprint of
Lee Harvey Oswald.217 (See app. X, p. 566.)
The Commission has considered the possibility that the cartons might have been
moved in connection with the work that was being performed on the sixth floor on
November 22. Depository employees were laying a new floor at the west end and
transferring books from the west to the east end of the building.218 The
"Rolling Readers" cartons, however, had not been moved by the floor layers and
had apparently been taken to the window from their regular position for some
particular purpose.219 The "Rolling Readers" boxes contained, instead of books,
light blocks used as reading aids.220 They could be easily adjusted and were
still solid enough to serve as a gun rest.
The box on the floor, behind the three near the window, had been one of these
moved by the floor layers from the west wall to near the east side of the
building in preparation for the laying of the floor.221 During the afternoon of
November 22, Lieutenant Day of the Dallas police dusted this carton with powder
and developed a palmprint on the top edge of the carton on the side nearest the
window.222 The position of this palmprint on the carton was parallel with the
long axis of the box, and at right angles with the short axis; the bottom of the
palm rested on the box.223 Someone sitting on the box facing the window would
have his palm in this position if he placed his hand alongside his right hip.
(See Commission Exhibit No. 1302, p. 139.) This print
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which had been cut out of the box was also forwarded to the FBI and Latona
identified it as Oswald's right palmprint.224 In Latona's opinion "not too long"
a time had elapsed between the time that the print was placed on the carton and
the time that it had been developed by the Dallas police.225 Although Bureau
experiments had shown that 24 hours was a likely maximum time, Latona stated
that he could only testify with certainty that the print was less than 3 days
old.226
The print, therefore, .could have been placed on the carton at any time within
this period. The freshness of this print could be estimated only because the
Dallas police developed it through the use of powder. Since cartons absorb
perspiration, powder can successfully develop a print on such material 227 only
within a limited time. When the FBI in Washington received the cartons, the
remaining prints, including Oswald's on the Rolling Readers carton, were
developed by chemical processes. The freshness of prints developed in this
manner 228 cannot be estimated, so no conclusions can be drawn as to whether
these remaining prints preceded or followed the print developed in Dallas by
powder. Most of the prints were found to have been placed on the cartons by an
FBI clerk and a Dallas police officer after the cartons had been processed with
powder by the Dallas Police.229 (See ch. VI, p. 249; .app. X, p. 566.)
In his independent investigation, Arthur Mandella of the New York City Police
Department reached the same conclusion as Latona that the prints found on the
cartons were those of Lee Harvey Oswald.229 In addition, Mandella was of the
opinion that the print taken from the carton on the floor was probably made
within a day or a day and a half of the examination on November 22.230 Moreover,
another expert with the FBI, Ronald G. Wittmus, conducted a separate examination
and also agreed with Latona that the prints were Oswald's.231
In evaluating the significance of these fingerprint and palmprint
identifications, the Commission considered the possibility that Oswald handled
these cartons as part of his normal duties. Since other identifiable prints were
developed on the cartons, the Commission requested that they be compared with
the prints of the 12 warehouse employs who, like Oswald, might have handled the
cartons. They were also compared with the prints of those law enforcement
officials who might have handled the cartons. The results of this investigation
are fully discussed in chapter VI, page 249. Although a. person could handle a
carton and not leave identifiable prints, none of these employees except Oswald
left identifiable prints on the cartons.232 This finding, in addition to the
freshness of one of the prints and the presence of Oswald's prints on two of the
four cartons and the paper bag led the Commission to attach some probative value
to the fingerprint and palmprint identifications in reaching the conclusion that
Oswald was at the window from which the shots were fired, although the prints do
not establish the exact time he was there.
Page 142
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2707
Page 143
Oswald's Presence on Sixth Floor Approximately 35 Minutes Before
the Assassination
Additional testimony linking Oswald with the point from which the shots were
fired was provided by the testimony of Charles Givens, who was the last known
employee to see Oswald inside the building prior to the assassination. During
the morning of November 22, Givens was working with the floor-laying crew in the
southwest section of the sixth floor.233 At about. 11:45 a.m. the. floor-laying
crew used both elevators to come down from the sixth floor. The employees raced
the elevators to the first floor.234 Givens saw Oswald standing at the gate on
the fifth floor as the elevator went by.235 Givens testified that after reaching
the first floor, "I discovered I left my cigarettes in my jacket pocket
upstairs, and I took the elevator back upstairs to get my jacket with my
cigarettes in it." 236 He saw Oswald, a clipboard in hand, walking from the
southeast corner of the sixth floor toward the elevator.237 (See Commission
Exhibit No. 2707, p. 142.) Givens said to Oswald, "Boy are you going downstairs?
* * * It's near lunch time." Oswald said, "No, sir. When you get downstairs,
close the gate to the elevator." 238 Oswald was referring to the west elevator
which operates by pushbutton and only with the gate closed.239 Givens said,
"Okay," and rode down in the east elevator. When he reached the first floor, the
west elevator--the one with the gate was not there. Givens thought this was
about 11:55 a.m.240 None of the Depository employees is known to have seen
Oswald again until after the shooting.241
The significance of Givens' observation that Oswald was carrying his clipboard
became apparent on December 2, 1963, when an employee, Frankie Kaiser, found a
clipboard hidden by book cartons in the northwest corner of the sixth floor at
the west wall a few feet from where the rifle had been found.242 This clipboard
had been made by Kaiser and had his name on it.243 Kaiser identified it as the
clipboard which Oswald had appropriated from him when Oswald came to work at the
Depository.244 Three invoices on this clipboard, each dated November 22, were
for Scott-Foresman books, located on the first and sixth floors.245 Oswald had
not filled any of the three orders.246
Eyewitness Identification of Assassin
Howard L. Brennan was an eyewitness to the shooting. As indicated previously the
Commission considered his testimony as probative in reaching the conclusion that
the shots came from the sixth floor, southeast corner window of the Depository
Building.247 (See ch. III, pp. 61-68.) Brennan also testified that Lee Harvey
Oswald, whom he viewed in a police lineup on the night. of the assassination,
was the man he saw fire the shots from the sixth-floor window of the Depository
Building.248 When the shots were fired, Brennan was in an excellent position to
observe anyone in the window. He was sitting
Page 144
on a concrete wall on the southwest corner of Elm and Houston Streets, looking
north at the Depository Building which was directly in front of him.249 The
window was approximately 120 feet away.250 (See Commission Exhibit No. 477, p.
62.)
In the 6- to 8-minute period before the motorcade arrived,251 Brennan saw a man
leave and return to the window "a couple of times." 253 After hearing the first
shot, which he thought was a motorcycle backfire, Brennan glanced up at the
window. He testified that "this man I saw previously was aiming for his last
shot * * * as it appeared to me he was standing up and resting against the left
window sill * * *252
Brennan saw the man fire the last shot and disappear from the window. Within
minutes of the assassination, Brennan described the man to the police.254 This
description most probably led to the radio alert sent to police cars at
approximately 12:45 p.m., which described the suspect as white, slender,
weighing about 165 pounds, about 5'10" tall, and in his early thirties.255 In
his sworn statement to the police later that day, Brennan described the man in
similar terms, except that he gave the weight as between 165 and 175 pounds and
the height was omitted.256 In his testimony before the Commission, Brennan
described the person he saw as "* * * a man in his early thirties, fair
complexion, slender, but neat, neat slender, possible 5 foot 10 * * * 160 to 170
pounds." 257 Oswald was 5'9'' slender and 24 years old. When arrested, he gave
his weight as 140 pounds.258 On other occasions he gave weights of both 140 and
150 pounds.259 The New Orleans police records of his arrest in August of 1963
show a weight of 136 pounds.260 The autopsy report indicated an estimated weight
of 150 pounds.261
Brennan's description should also be compared with the eyewitness description
broadcast over the Dallas police radio at 1:22 p.m. of the man who shot
Patrolman J. D. Tippit. The suspect was described as "a white male about 30,
5'8", black hair, slender. * * *" 262 At 1:29 p.m. the police radio reported
that the description of the suspect in the Tippit shooting was similar to the
description which had been given by Brennan in connection with the
assassination.263 Approximately 7 or 8 minutes later the police radio reported
that "an eyeball witness" described the suspect in the Tippit shooting as "a
white male, 27, 5'11", 165 pounds, black wavy hair." 264 As will be discussed
fully below, the Commission has concluded that this suspect was Lee Harvey
Oswald.
Although Brennan testified that the man in the window was standing when he fired
the shots,265 most probably he was either sitting or kneeling. The half-open
window,266 the arrangement of the boxes,267 and the angle of the shots virtually
preclude a standing position.268 It is understandable, however, for Brennan to
have believed that the man with the rifle was standing. A photograph of the
building taken seconds after the assassination shows three employees looking out
of the fifth-floor window directly below the window from which the shots were
fired. Brennan testified that they were standing,269 which is their apparent
position in the photograph.270
Page 145
(See Dillard Exhibits Nos. C and D, pp. 66-67.) But the testimony of these
employees,271 together with photographs subsequently taken of them at the scene
of the assassination,272 establishes that they were either squatting or
kneeling. (See Commission Exhibit No. 485, p. 69.) Since the window ledges in
the Depository Building are lower than in most buildings,273 a person squatting
or kneeling exposes more of his body than would normally be the case. From the
street, this creates the impression that the person is standing. Brennan could
have seen enough of the body of a kneeling or squatting person to estimate his
height.
Shortly after the assassination Brennan noticed two of these employees leaving
the building and immediately identified them as having been in the fifth-floor
windows.274 When the three employees appeared before the Commission, Brennan
identified the two whom he saw leave the building.275 The two men, Harold Norman
and James Jarman, Jr., each confirmed that when they came out of the building,
they saw and heard Brennan describing what he had seen.276 Norman stated, "* * *
I remember him talking and I believe I remember seeing him saying that he saw us
when we first went up to the fifth-floor window, he saw us then." 277 Jarman
heard Brennan "talking to this officer about that he had heard these shots and
he had seen the barrel of the gun sticking out the window, and he said that the
shots came from inside the building." 278
During the evening of November 22, Brennan identified Oswald as the person in
the lineup who bore the closest resemblance to the man in the window but he said
he was unable to make a positive identification.279 Prior to the lineup, Brennan
had seen Oswald's picture on television and he told the Commission that whether
this affected his identification "is something I do not know." 238 In an
interview with FBI agents on December 17, 1963, Brennan stated that he was sure
that the person firing the rifle was Oswald.281 In another interview with FBI
agents on January 7, 1964, Brennan appeared to revert to his earlier inability
to make a positive identification,282 but, in his testimony before the
Commission, Brennan stated that his remarks of January 7 were intended by him
merely as an accurate report of what he said on November 22.283
Brennan told the Commission that he could have made a positive identification in
the lineup on November 22 but did not do so because he felt that the
assassination was "a Communist activity, and I felt like there hadn't been more
than one eyewitness, and if it got to be a known fact that I was an eyewitness,
my family or I, either one, might not be safe." 284 When specifically asked
before the Commission whether or not he could positively identify the man he saw
in the sixth-floor window as the same man he saw in the police station, Brennan
stated, "I could at that time--I could, with all sincerity, identify him as
being the same man." 285
Although the record indicates that Brennan was an accurate observer, he declined
to make a positive identification of Oswald when he first saw him in the police
lineup.286 The Commission, therefore,
Page 146
does not base its conclusion concerning the identity of the assassin on
Brennan's subsequent certain identification of Lee Harvey Oswald as the man he
saw fire the rifle. Immediately after the assassination, however, Brennan
described to the police the man he saw in the window and then identified Oswald
as the person who most nearly resembled the man he saw. The Commission is
satisfied that, at the least, Brennan saw a man in the window who closely
resembled Lee Harvey Oswald, and that Brennan believes the man he saw was in
fact Lee Harvey Oswald.
Two other witnesses were able to offer partial descriptions of a man they saw in
the southeast corner window of the sixth floor approximately 1 minute before the
assassination, although neither witness saw the shots being fired.287 Ronald
Fischer and Robert Edwards were standing on the curb at the southwest corner of
Elm and Houston Streets,288 the same corner where Brennan was sitting on a
concrete wall. 289 Fischer testified that about 10 or 15 seconds before the
motorcade turned onto Houston Street from Main Street, Edwards said, "Look at
that guy there in that window." 290
Fischer looked up and watched the man in the window for 10 or 15 seconds and
then started watching the motorcade, which came into view on Houston Street.291
He said that the man held his attention until the motorcade came because the
man:
* * * appeared uncomfortable for one, and secondly, he wasn't watching * * * he
didn't look like he was watching for the parade. He looked like he was looking
down toward the Trinity River and the Triple Underpass down at the end- -toward
the end of Elm Street. And * * * all the time I watched him, he never moved his
head, he never--he never moved anything. Just was there transfixed.292
Fischer placed the man in the easternmost window on the south side of the
Depository Building on either the fifth or the sixth floor.293 He said that he
could see the man from the middle of his chest to the top of his head, and that
as he was facing the window the man was in the lower right-hand portion of the
window and "seemed to be sitting a little forward." 294 The man was dressed in a
light-colored, open-neck shirt which could have been either a sports shirt or a
T-shirt, and he had brown hair, a slender face and neck with light complexion,
and looked to be 22 or 24 years old.295 The person in the window was a white man
and "looked to me like he was looking straight at the Triple Underpass" down Elm
Street.296 Boxes and cases were stacked behind him.287
Approximately 1 week after the assassination, according to Fisher, policemen
showed him a picture of Oswald.298 In his testimony he said, "I told them that
that could have been the man. * * * That that could have been the man that I Saw
in the window in the School Book Depository Building, but that I was not sure."
299 Fischer described the man's hair as some shade of brown--"it wasn't dark
Page 147
and it wasn't light." 300 On November 22, Fischer had apparently described the
man as "light-headed." 301 Fischer explained that he did not mean by the earlier
statement. that the man was blond, but rather that his hair was not black.302
Robert Edwards said that, while looking at the south side of the Depository
Building shortly before the motorcade, he saw nothing of importance "except
maybe one individual who was up there in the corner room of the sixth floor
which was crowded in among boxes." 303 He said that this was a white man about
average in size, "possibly thin," and that he thought the man had light-brown
hair.304 Fischer and Edwards did not see the man clearly enough or long enough
to identify him. Their testimony is of probative value, however, because their
limited description is consistent with that of the man who has been found by the
Commission, based on other evidence, to have fired the shots from the window.
Another person who saw the assassin as the shots were fired was Amos L. Euins,
age 15, who was one of the first. witnesses to alert the police to the
Depository as the source of the shots, as has been discussed in chapter III.305
Euins, who was on the southwest corner of Elm and Houston Streets 306 testified
that he could not describe the man he saw in the window. According to Euins,
however, as the man lowered his head in order to aim the rifle down Elm Street,
he appeared to have a white bald spot, on his head.307 Shortly after the
assassination, Euins signed an affidavit describing the man as "white," 308 but
a radio reporter testified that Euins described the man to him as "colored." 309
In his Commission testimony, Euins stated that he could not ascertain the man's
race and that the statement in the affidavit was intended to refer only to the
white spot on the man's head and not to his race.310 A Secret Service agent who
spoke to Euins approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the assassination confirmed
that Euins could neither describe the man in the window nor indicate his
race.311 Accordingly, Euins' testimony is considered probative as to the source
of the shots but is inconclusive as to the identity of the man in the window.
In evaluating the evidence that Oswald was at the southeast corner window of the
sixth floor at the time of the shooting, the Commission has considered the
allegation that Oswald was photographed standing in front of the building when
the shots were fired. The picture which gave rise to these allegations was taken
by Associated Press Photographer James W. Altgens, who was standing on the south
side of Elm Street between the Triple Underpass and the Depository Building.312
As the motorcade started its descent down Elm Street., Altgens snapped a picture
of the Presidential limousine with the entrance to the Depository Building in
the background.313 Just before snapping the picture Altgens heard a noise which
sounded like the popping of a firecracker. Investigation has established that
Altgens' picture was taken approximately 2 seconds after the firing of the shot
which entered the back of the President's neck.314
Page 148
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1061
Page 149
In the background of this picture were several employees watching the parade
from the steps of the Depository Building. One of these employees was alleged to
resemble Lee Harvey Oswald. 315 The Commission has determined that the employee
was in fact Billy Lovelady, who identified himself in the picture.316 Standing
alongside him were Buell Wesley Frazier 317 and William Shelley,318 who also
identified Lovelady. The Commission is satisfied that Oswald does not appear in
this photograph. (See Commission Exhibit. No. 900, p. 113.)
Oswald's Actions in Building After Assassination
In considering whether Oswald was at the southeast corner window at the time the
shots were fired, the Commission has reviewed the testimony of witnesses who saw
Oswald in the building within minutes after the assassination. The Commission
has found that Oswald's movements, as described by these witnesses, are
consistent with his having been at the window at 12:30 p.m.
The encounter in the lunchroom.--The first person to see Oswald after the
assassination was Patrolman M. L. Baker of the Dallas Police Department. Baker
was riding a two-wheeled motorcycle behind the last press car of the
motorcade.319 As he turned the corner from Main onto Houston .at a speed of
about 5 to 10 miles per hour,320 a strong wind blowing from the north almost
unseated him.321 At about this time he heard the first shot.322 Having recently
Heard the sounds of rifles while on a hunting trip, Baker recognized the shots
as that of a high-powered rifle; "it sounded high and I immediately kind of
looked up, and I had a feeling that it came from the building, either right in
front of me [the Depository Building] or of the one across to the right of it."
323 He saw pigeons flutter upward. He was not certain, "but I am pretty sure
they came from the building right on the northwest corner." 324 He heard two
more shots spaced "pretty well even to me." 325 After the third shot, he "revved
that motorcycle up," drove to the northwest corner of Elm and Houston, and
parked approximately 10 feet from the traffic signal.326 As he was parking he
noted that people were "falling, and they were rolling around down there * * *
grabbing their children" and rushing about.327 A woman screamed, "Oh, they have
shot that man, they have shot that man." 328 Baker "had it in mind that the
shots came from the top of this building here," so he ran straight to the
entrance of the Depository Building.329
Baker testified that he entered the lobby of the building and "spoke out and
asked where the stairs or elevator was * * * and this man, ,Mr. Truly, spoke up
and says, it seems to me like he says, 'I am a building manager. Follow me,
officer, and I will show you.' "330 Baker and building superintendent Roy Truly
went through a second set of doors 331 and stopped at a swinging door where
Baker bumped into Truly's back.332 They went through the swinging door and
continued at "a good trot" to the northwest corner of the floor where Truly
hoped to find one of the two freight elevators.
Page 150
TEXAS SCHOOL BOOK DEPOSITORY
DIAGRAM OF SECOND FLOOR
SHOWING ROUTE OF OSWALD
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1118
Page 151
(See Commission Exhibit No. 1061, p. 148.) Neither elevator was there.333 Truly
pushed the button for the west elevator which operates automatically if the gate
is closed.334 He shouted twice, "Turn loose the elevator."335 When the elevator
failed to come, Baker said, "let's take the stairs," and he followed Truly up
the stairway, which is to the west of the elevator.336
The stairway is located in the northwest corner of the Depository Building. The
stairs from one floor to the next are "L-shaped," with both legs of the "L"
approximately the same length. Because the stairway itself is enclosed, neither
Baker nor Truly could see anything on the second-floor hallway until they
reached the landing at the top of the stairs.337 On the second-floor landing
there is a small open area with a door at the east end. This door leads into a
small vestibule, and another door leads from the vestibule into the second-floor
lunchroom.338 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1118, p. 150. ) The lunchroom door is
usually open, but the first door is kept shut by a closing mechanism on the
door.339 This vestibule door is solid except for a small glass window in the
upper part of the door.340 As Baker reached the second floor, he was about 20
feet from the vestibule door.341 He intended to continue around to his left
toward the stairway going up but through the window in the door he caught a
fleeting glimpse of a man walking in the vestibule toward the lunchroom.342
Since the vestibule door is only a few feet from the lunchroom door,343 the man
must. have entered the vestibule only a second or two before Baker arrived at
the top of the stairwell. Yet he must have entered the vestibule door before
Truly reached the top of the stairwell, since Truly did not see him.344 If the
man had passed from the vestibule into the lunchroom, Baker could not have seen
him. Baker
said:
He [Truly] had already started around the bend to come to the next elevator
going up, I was coming out this one on the second floor, and I don't know, I was
kind of sweeping this area as I come up, I was looking from right to left and as
I got. to this door here I caught a glimpse of this man, just, you know, a
sudden glimpse * * * and it looked to me like he was going away from me.***
I can't say whether he had gone on through that door [the lunchroom door] or
not. All I did was catch a glance at him, and evidently he was--this door might
have been, you know, closing and almost shut at that time.345
With his revolver drawn, Baker opened the vestibule door and ran into the
vestibule. He saw a man walking away from him in the lunchroom. Baker stopped at
the door of the lunchroom and commanded, "Come here."346 The man turned and
walked back toward Baker.347 He had been proceeding toward the rear of the
lunchroom.348 Along a side wall of the lunchroom was a soft drink rending
machine,349 but at that time the man had nothing in his hands.350
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Meanwhile, Truly had run up several steps toward the third floor. Missing Baker,
he came back to find the officer in the doorway to the lunchroom "facing Lee
Harvey Oswald.351 Baker turned to Truly and said, "Do you know this man, does he
work here?"352 Truly replied, "Yes."353 Baker stated later that the man did not
seem to be out of breath; he seemed calm. "He never did say a word or nothing.
In fact, he didn't change his expression one bit." 352 Truly said of Oswald: "He
didn't seem to be excited or overly afraid or anything. He might have been a bit
startled, like I might have. been if somebody confronted me. But I cannot recall
any change in expression of any kind on his face." 355 Truly thought that the
officer's gun at that time appeared to be almost touching the middle portion of
Oswald's body. Truly also noted at this time that Oswald's hands were empty. 356
In an effort to determine whether Oswald could have descended to the lunchroom
from the sixth floor by the time Baker and Truly arrived, Commission counsel
asked Baker and Truly to repeat their movements from the time of the shot until
Baker came upon Oswald in the lunchroom. Baker placed himself on a motorcycle
about 200 feet from the corner of Elm and Houston Streets where he said he heard
the shots.357 Truly stood in front of the building. 358 At a given signal, they
reenacted the event. Baker's movements were timed with a stopwatch. On the first
test, the elapsed time between the simulated first shot and Baker's arrival on
the second-floor stair landing was 1 minute and 30 seconds. The second test run
required 1 minute and 15 seconds. 359
A test was also conducted to determine the time required to walk from the
southeast corner of the sixth floor to the second-floor lunchroom by stairway.
Special Agent John Howlett of the Secret Service carried a rifle from the
southeast corner of the sixth floor along the east aisle to the northeast
corner. He placed the rifle on the floor near the site where Oswald's rifle was
actually found after the shooting. Then Howlett walked down the stairway to the
second-floor landing and entered the lunchroom. The first test, run at normal
walking pace, required 1 minute, 18 seconds; 360 the second test, at a "fast
walk" took 1 minute, 14 seconds. 361 The second test. followed immediately after
the first. The only interval was the time necessary to ride in the elevator from
the second to the sixth floor and walk back to the southeast corner. Howlett was
not short winded at the end of either test run. 362
The minimum time required by Baker to park his motorcycle and reach the
second-floor lunchroom was within 3 seconds of the time needed to walk from the
southeast corner of the sixth floor down the stairway to the lunchroom. The time
actually required for Baker and Truly to reach the second floor on November 22
was probably longer than in the test runs. For example, Baker required 15
seconds after the simulated shot to ride his motorcycle 180 to 200 feet, park
it, and run 45 feet to the building. 363 No allowance was made for the special
conditions which existed on the day of the assassination--possible delayed
reaction to the shot, jostling with the crowd of people on
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the steps and scanning the area along Elm Street and the parkway.364 Baker said,
"We simulated the shots and by the time we got there, we did everything that I
did that day, and this would be the minimum, because I am sure that I, you know,
it took me a little longer." 365 On the basis of this time test, therefore, the
Commission concluded that Oswald could have fired the shots and still have been
present in the second-floor lunchroom when seen by Baker and Truly.
That Oswald descended by stairway from the sixth floor to the second-floor
lunchroom is consistent with the movements of the two elevators, which would
have provided the other possible means of descent. When Truly, accompanied by
Baker, ran to the rear of the first floor, he was certain that both elevators,
which occupy the same shaft, 366 were on the fifth floor. 367 Baker, not
realizing that there were two elevators, thought that only one elevator was in
the shaft and that it was two or three floors above the second floor. 368 In the
few seconds which elapsed while Baker and Truly ran from the. first to the
second floor, neither of these slow elevators could have descended from the
fifth to the second floor. Furthermore, no elevator was at the second floor when
they arrived there. 369 Truly and Baker continued up the stairs after the
encounter with Oswald in the lunchroom. There was no elevator on the third or
fourth floor. The east elevator was on the fifth floor when they arrived; the
west elevator was not. They took the east elevator to the seventh floor and ran
up a stairway to the roof where they searched for several minutes. 370
Jack Dougherty, an employee working on the fifth floor, testified that he took
the west elevator to the first floor after hearing a noise which sounded like a
backfire. 370 Eddie Piper, the janitor, told Dougherty that the President had
been shot, 372 but in his testimony Piper did not mention either seeing or
talking with Dougherty during these moments of excitement. 373 Both Dougherty
and Piper were confused witnesses. They had no exact memory of the events of
that afternoon. Truly was probably correct in stating that the west elevator was
on the fifth floor when he looked up the elevator shaft from the first floor.
The west elevator was not on the fifth floor when Baker and Truly reached that
floor, probably because Jack Dougherty took it to the first floor while Baker
and Truly were running up the stairs or in the lunchroom with Oswald. Neither
elevator could have been used by Oswald as a means of descent.
Oswald's use of the stairway is consistent with the testimony of other employees
in the building. Three employees-- James Jarman, Jr., Harold Norman, and Bonnie
Ray Williams--were watching the parade from the fifth floor, directly below the
window from which the shots were fired. They rushed to the west windows after
the shots were fired and remained there until after they saw Patrolman Baker's
white helmet on the fifth floor moving toward the elevator. 374 While they were
at the west windows their view of the stairwell was completely blocked by
shelves and boxes. 375 This is the period during which Oswald would have
descended the stairs. In all likelihood Dougherty took the elevator down from
the fifth floor after Jarman,
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Norman, and Williams ran to the west windows and were deciding what to do. None
of these three men saw Dougherty, probably because of the anxiety of the moment
and because of the books which may have blocked the view. 376 Neither Jarman,
Norman, Williams, or Dougherty saw Oswald. 377
Victoria Adams, who worked on the fourth floor of the Depository Building,
claimed that within about 1 minute following the shots she ran from a window on
the south side of the fourth floor, 378 down the rear stairs to the first floor,
where she encountered two Depository employees--William Shelley and Billy
Lovelady. 379 If her estimate of time is correct, she reached the bottom of the
stairs before Truly and Baker started up, and she must have run down the stairs
ahead of Oswald and would probably have seen or heard him. Actually she noticed
no one on the back stairs. If she descended from the fourth to the first floor
as fast as she claimed in her testimony, she would have seen Baker or Truly on
the first floor or on the stairs, unless they were already in the second-floor
lunchroom talking to Oswald. When she reached the first floor, she actually saw
Shelley and Lovelady slightly east of the east elevator.
Shelley and Lovelady, however, have testified that they were watching the parade
from the top step of the building entrance when Gloria Calverly, who works in
the Depository Building, ran up and said that the President had been shot. 380
Lovelady and Shelley moved out into the street. 381 About this time Shelley saw
Truly and Patrolman Baker go into the building Shelley and Lovelady, at a fast
walk or trot, turned west into the railroad yards and then to the west side of
the Depository Building. They reentered the building by the rear door several
minutes after Baker and Truly rushed through the front entrance? 382 On
entering, Lovelady saw a girl on the first floor who he believes was Victoria
Adams. 384 If Miss Adams accurately recalled meeting Shelley and Lovelady when
she reached the bottom of the stairs, then her estimate of the time when she
descended from the fourth floor is incorrect, and she actually came down the
stairs several minutes after Oswald and after Truly and Baker as well.
Oswald's departure from building.--Within a minute after Baker and Truly left
Oswald in the lunchroom, Mrs. R. A. Reid, clerical supervisor for the Texas
School Book Depository, saw him walk through the clerical office on the second
floor toward the door leading to the front stairway. Mrs. Reid had watched the
parade from the sidewalk in front of the building with Truly and Mr. O. V.
Campbell, vice president of the Depository. 385 She testified that she heard
three shots which she thought came from the building. 386 She ran inside and up
the front stairs into the large open office reserved for clerical employees. As
she approached her desk, she saw Oswald. 387 He was walking into the office from
the back hallway, carrying a full bottle of Coca-Cola in his hand, 388
presumably purchased after the encounter with Baker and Truly. As Oswald passed
Mrs. Reid she said, ''Oh, the President has been shot, but maybe they didn't hit
him." 389 Oswald mumbled something and walked by. 390 She paid
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no more attention to him. The only exit from the office in the direction Oswald
was moving was through the door to the front stairway. 391 (See Commission
Exhibit 1118, p. 150.) Mrs. Reid testified that when she saw Oswald, he was
wearing a T-shirt and no jacket. 392 When he left home that morning, Marina
Oswald, who was still in bed, suggested that he wear a jacket. 393 A blue
jacket, later identified by Marina Oswald as her husband's, 394 was subsequently
found in the building, 395 apparently left behind by Oswald.
Mrs. Reid believes that she returned to her desk from the street about 2 minutes
after the shooting. 396 Reconstructing her movements, Mrs. Reid ran the distance
three times and was timed in 2 minutes by stopwatch. 397 The reconstruction was
the minimum time. 398 Accordingly, she probably met Oswald at about 12:32,
approximately 30-45 seconds after Oswald's lunchroom encounter with Baker and
Truly. After leaving Mrs. Reid in the front office, Oswald could have gone down
the stairs and out the front door by 12:33 p.m.399--3 minutes after the
shooting. At that time the building had not yet been sealed off by the police.
While it was difficult to determine exactly when the police sealed off the
building, the earliest estimates would still have permitted Oswald to leave the
building by 12:33. One of the police officers assigned to the corner of Elm and
Houston Streets for the Presidential motorcade, W. E. Barnett, testified that
immediately after the shots he went to the rear of the building to check the
fire escape. He then returned to the corner of Elm and Houston where he met a
sergeant who instructed him to find out the name of the building. Barnett ran to
the building, noted its name, and then returned to the corner. 400 There he was
met by a construction worker--in all likelihood Howard Brennan, who was wearing
his work helmet. 401 This worker told Barnett that the shots had been fired from
a window in the Depository Building, where upon Barnett. posted himself at the
front door to make certain that no one left the building. The sergeant did the
same thing at the rear of the building. 402 Barnett estimated that approximately
3 minutes elapsed between the time he heard the last of the shots and the time
he started guarding the front door. According to Barnett, ''there were people
going in and out" during this period. 403
Sgt. D. V. Harkness of the Dallas police said that to his knowledge the building
was not sealed off at 12:36 p.m. when he called in on police radio that a
witness (Amos Euins) had seen shots fired from a window of the building. 404 At
that time, Inspector Herbert V. Sawyer's car was parked in front of the
building. 405 Harkness did not know whether or not two officers with Sawyer were
guarding the doors. 406 At 12:34 p.m. Sawyer heard a call over the police radio
that the shots had come from the Depository Building. 407 He then entered the
building and took the front passenger elevator as far as it would go--the fourth
floor. 408 After inspecting this floor, Sawyer returned to the street about 3
minutes after he entered the building. 409 After he returned to the street he
directed Sergeant Harkness to station two patrolmen at the front door and not
let anyone in or out;
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he also directed that the back door be sealed off. 410 This was no earlier than
12:37 p.m. 411 and may have been later. Special Agent Forrest V. Sorrels of the
Secret Service, who had been in the motorcade, testified that after driving to
Parkland Hospital, he returned to the Depository Building about 20 minutes after
the shooting, found no police officers at the rear door and was able to enter
through this door without identifying himself.412
Although Oswald probably left the building at about 12:33 p.m., his absence was
not noticed until at least. one-half hour later. Truly, who had returned with
Patrolman Baker from the roof, saw the police questioning the warehouse
employees. Approximately 15 men worked in the warehouse 413 and Truly noticed
that Oswald was not among those being questioned. 414 Satisfying himself that
Oswald was missing, Truly obtained Oswald's address, phone number, and
description from his employment application card. The address listed was for the
Paine home in Irving. Truly gave this information to Captain Fritz who was on
the sixth floor at the time. 415 Truly estimated that he gave this information
to Fritz about 15 or 20 minutes after the shots,416 but it was probably no
earlier than 1:22 p.m., the time when the rifle was found. Fritz believed that
he learned of Oswald's absence after the rifle was found.417 The fact that Truly
found Fritz in the northwest corner of the floor, near the point where the rifle
was found, supports Fritz' recollection.
Conclusion
Fingerprint and palmprint evidence establishes that Oswald handled two of the
four cartons next to the window and also handled a paper bag which was found
near the cartons. Oswald was seen in the vicinity of the southeast corner of the
sixth floor approximately 35 minutes before the assassination and no one could
be found who saw Oswald anywhere else in the building until after the shooting.
An eyewitness to the shooting immediately provided a description of the man in
the window which was similar to Oswald's actual appearance. This witness
identified Oswald in a lineup as the man most nearly resembling the man he saw
and later identified Oswald as the man he observed. Oswald's known actions in
the building immediately after the assassination are consistent with his having
been at the southeast corner window of the sixth floor at 12:30 p.m. On the
basis of these findings the Commission has concluded that. Oswald, at the time
of the assassination, was present at the window from which the shots were fired.
The Killing of Patrolman J. D. Tippit
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THE KILLING OF PATROLMAN J. D. TIPPIT
After leaving the Depository Building at. approximately 12:33 p.m., Lee Harvey
Oswald proceeded to his roominghouse by bus and taxi. He arrived at
approximately 1 p.m. and left a few minutes later. At
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about 1:16 p.m., a Dallas police officer, J. D. Tippit, was shot less than 1
mile from Oswald's roominghouse. In deciding whether Oswald killed Patrolman
Tippit the Commission considered the following: (1) positive identification of
the killer by two eyewitnesses who saw the shooting and seven eyewitnesses who
heard the shots and saw the gunman flee the scene with the revolver in his hand,
(2) testimony of firearms identification experts establishing the identity of
the murder weapon, (3) evidence establishing the ownership of the murder weapon,
(4) evidence establishing the ownership of a zipper jacket found along the path
of flight taken by the gunman from the scene of the shooting to the place of
arrest.
Oswald's Movements After Leaving Depository Building
The bus ride.--According to the reconstruction of time and events which the
Commission found most credible, Lee Harvey Oswald left the building
approximately 3 minutes after the assassination. probably walked east on Elm
Street for seven blocks to the corner of Elm and Murphy where he boarded a bus
which was heading back in the direction of the Depository Building, on its way
to the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. (See Commission Exhibit 1119-A, p. 158.)
When Oswald was apprehended, a bus transfer marked for the Lakewood-Marsalis
route was found in his shirt pocket. 476 The transfer was dated "Fri. Nov. 22,
'63" and was punched in two places by the busdriver. On the basis of this
punchmark, which was distinctive to each Dallas driver, the transfer was
conclusively identified as having been issued by Cecil J. McWatters, a busdriver
for the Dallas Transit Co. 419 On the basis of the date and time on the
transfer, McWatters was able to testify that the transfer had been issued by him
on a trip which passed a check point at St. Paul and Elm Streets at 12:36 p.m.,
November 22, 1963. 420
McWatters was sure that he left the checkpoint on time and he estimated that it
took him 3 to 4 minutes to drive three blocks west from the checkpoint to Field
Street, which he reached at about 12:40 p.m. 421 McWatters' recollection is that
he issued this transfer to a man who entered his bus just beyond Field Street~
where a man beat. on the front door of the bus, boarded it and paid his fare.
422 About two blocks later, a woman asked to get off to make a 1 o'clock train
at Union Station and requested a transfer which she might use if she got through
the traffic.
* * * So I gave her a transfer and opened the door and she was going out the
gentleman I had picked up about two blocks [back] asked for a transfer and got
off at the same place in the middle of the block where the lady did.
* * * It was the intersection near Lamar Street, it was near Poydras and Lamar
Street. 423
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1119-A
Page 159
The man was on the bus approximately 4 minutes.424
At about 6:30 p.m. on the day of the assassination, McWatters viewed four men in
a police lineup. He picked Oswald from the lineup as the man who had boarded the
bus at the "lower end of town on Elm around Houston," and who, during the ride
south on Marsalis, had an argument with a woman passenger.425 In his Commission
testimony, McWatters said he had been in error and that a teenager named Milton
Jones was the passenger he had in mind.425 In a later interview, Jones confirmed
that he had exchanged words with a woman passenger on the bus during the ride
south on Marsalis.427 McWatters also remembered that a man received a transfer
at Lamar and Elm Streets and that a man in the lineup. was about the size of
this man.428 However, McWatters' recollection alone was too vague to be a basis
for placing Oswald on the bus.
Riding on the bus was an elderly woman, Mary Bledsoe, who confirmed the mute
evidence of the transfer. Oswald had rented a room from Mrs. Bledsoe about 6
weeks before, on October 7,429 but she had asked him to leave at the end of a
week. Mrs. Bledsoe told him "I am not going to rent to you any more." 430 She
testified, "I didn't like his attitude. * * * There was just something about him
I didn't like or want him. * * * Just didn't want him around me." 481 On
November 22, Mrs. Bledsoe came downtown to watch the Presidential motorcade. She
boarded the Marsalis bus at St. Paul and Elm Streets to return home.432 She
testified further:
And, after we got past Akard, at Murphy--I figured it out. Let's see. I don't
know for sure. Oswald got on. He looks like a maniac. His sleeve was out here. *
* * His shirt was undone.
* * * * * * *
Was a hole in it, hole, and he was dirty, and I didn't look at him. I didn't
want to know I even seen him * * *
* * * * * * *
* * * he looked so bad in his face, and his face was so distorted.
* * * * * * *
* * * Hole in his sleeve right here.433
As Mrs. Bledsoe said these words, she pointed to her fight elbow.434 When Oswald
was arrested in the Texas Theatre, he was wearing a brown sport shirt with a
hole in the right sleeve at the elbow.435 Mrs. Bledsoe identified the shirt as
the one Oswald was wearing and she stated she was certain that it was Oswald who
boarded the bus.436 Mrs. Bledsoe recalled that Oswald sat halfway to the rear of
the bus which moved slowly and intermittently as traffic became heavy.437 She
heard a passing motorist tell the driver that the President
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had been shot.438 People on the bus began talking about it. As the bus neared
Lamar Street, Oswald left the bus and disappeared into the crowd.439
The Marsalis bus which Oswald boarded traveled a route west on Elm, south on
Houston, and southwest across the Houston viaduct to service the Oak Cliff area
along Marsalis.440 A Beckley bus which also served the Oak Cliff area, followed
the same route as the Marsalis bus through downtown Dallas, except that it
continued west on Elm, across Houston in front of the Depository Building, past
the Triple Underpass into west Dallas, and south on Beckley.441 Marsalis Street
is seven blocks from Beckley.442 Oswald lived at 1026 North Beckley.443 He could
not reach his roominghouse on the Marsalis bus, but the Beckley bus stopped
across the street.444 According to McWatters, the Beckley bus was behind the
Marsalis bus, but he did not actually see it.445 Both buses stopped within one
block of the Depository Building. Instead of waiting there, Oswald apparently
went as far away as he could and boarded the first Oak Cliff bus which came
along rather than wait for one which stopped across the street from his
roominghouse.
In a reconstruction of this bus trip, agents of the Secret Service and the FBI
walked the seven blocks from the front entrance of the Depository Building to
Murphy and Elm three times, averaging 6.5 minutes for the three trips.446 A bus
moving through heavy traffic on Elm from Murphy to Lamar was timed at. 4
minutes.447 If Oswald left the Depository Building at 12:33 p.m., walked seven
blocks directly to Murphy and Elm, and boarded a bus almost immediately, he
would have boarded the bus at approximately 12:40 p.m. and left it at
approximately 12:44 p.m. (See Commission Exhibit No.1119-A, p. 158.)
Roger D. Craig, a deputy sheriff of Dallas County, claimed that about 15 minutes
after the assassination he saw a man, whom he later identified as Oswald,448
coming from the direction of the Depository Building' and running down the hill
north of Elm Street toward a light-colored Rambler station wagon, which was
moving slowly along Elm toward the underpass:449 The station wagon stopped to
pick up the man and then drove off.450 Craig testified that later in the-
afternoon he saw Oswald in the police interrogation room and told Captain Fritz
that Oswald was the man he saw.451 Craig also claimed that when Fritz pointed
out to Oswald that Craig had identified him, Oswald rose from his chair, looked
directly at Fritz, and said, "Everybody will know who I am now." 452
The Commission could not accept important elements of Craig's testimony. Captain
Fritz stated that a deputy sheriff whom he could not identify did ask to see him
that afternoon and told him a similar story to Craig's.453 Fritz did not bring
him into his office to identify Oswald but turned him over to Lieutenant Baker
for questioning. If Craig saw Oswald that afternoon, he saw him through the
glass windows of the office. And neither Captain Fritz nor any other officer can
remember that Oswald dramatically arose from his chair and said,
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"Everybody will know who I am now." '454 If Oswald had made such a statement,
Captain Fritz and others present would probably have remembered it. Craig may
have seen a person enter a white Rambler station wagon 15 or 20 minutes after
the shooting and travel west on Elm Street, but the Commission concluded that
this man was not Lee Harvey Oswald, because of the overwhelming evidence that
Oswald was far away from the building by that time.
The taxicab ride.--William Whaley, a taxicab driver, told his employer on
Saturday morning, November 23, that he recognized Oswald from a newspaper
photograph as a man whom he had driven to the Oak Cliff area the day before.455
Notified of Whaley's statement, the police brought him to the police station
that afternoon. He was taken to the lineup room where, according to Whaley, five
young teenagers, all handcuffed together, were displayed with Oswald.456 He
testified that Oswald looked older than the other boys.457 The police asked him
whether he could pick out his passenger from the lineup. Whaley picked Oswald.
He said,
* * * you could have picked him out without identifying him by just listening to
him because he was bawling out the policeman, telling them it wasn't right to
put him in line with these teenagers and all of that and they asked me which one
and I told them. It was him all right, the same man.
* * * * * * *
He showed no respect for the policemen, he told them what he thought about them.
They knew what. they were doing and they were trying to railroad him and he
wanted his lawyer.458
Whaley believes that Oswald's conduct did not aid him in his identification
"because I knew he was the right one as soon as I saw him." 459
Whaley's memory of the lineup is inaccurate. There were four men altogether, not
six men, in the lineup with Oswald.460 Whaley said that Oswald was the man under
No. 2.461 Actually Oswald was under No. 3. Only two of the men in the lineup
with Oswald were teenagers: John T. Horn, aged 18, was No. 1; David Knapp, aged
18, was No. 2; Lee Oswald was No. 3; and Daniel Lujan, aged 26, was No. 4. 462
When he first testified before the Commission, Whaley displayed a trip manifest
463 which showed a 12 o'clock trip from Travis Hotel to the Continental bus
station, unloaded at 12:15 p.m., a 12:15 p.m. pickup at Continental to
Greyhound, unloaded at 12:30 p.m., and a pickup from Greyhound (bus station) at
12:30 p.m., unloaded at 500 North Beckley at 12:45 p.m. Whaley testified that he
did not keep an accurate time record of his trips but recorded them by the
quarter hour, and that sometimes he made his entry right after a trip while at
other times he waited to record three or four trips.464 As he unloaded his
Continental bus station passenger in front of Greyhound,
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he started to get out to buy a package of cigarettes.465 He saw a man walking
south on Lamar from Commerce. The man was dressed in faded blue color khaki work
clothes, a brown shirt, and some kind of work jacket that almost matched his
pants.466 The man asked, "May I have the cab?", and got into the front seat.467
Whaley described the ensuing events as follows:
And about that time an old lady, I think she was an old lady, I don't remember
nothing but her sticking her head down past him in the door and said, "Driver,
will you call me a cab down here ?"
She had seen him get this cab and she wanted one, too, and he opened the door a
little bit like he was going to get out and he said, "I will let you have this
one," and she says, "No, the driver can call me one."
* * * * *
* * * I asked him where he wanted to go. And he said, "500 North Beckley."
Well, I started up, I started to that address, and the police cars, the sirens
was going, running crisscrossing everywhere, just a big uproar in that end of
town and I said, "What the hell. I wonder what the hell is the uproar ?"
And he never said anything. So I figured he was one of these people that don't
like to talk so I never said any more to him.
But when I got pretty close to 500 block at Neches and North Beckley which is
the 500 block, he said, "This will do fine," and I pulled over to the curb
right. there. He gave me a dollar bill, the trip was 95 cents. He gave me a
dollar bill and didn't say anything, just got out and closed the door and walked
around the front of the cab over to the other side of the street [east side of
the street]. Of course, the traffic was moving through there and I put it in
gear and moved on, that is the last I saw of him.468
Whaley was somewhat imprecise as to where he unloaded his passenger. He marked
what, he thought was the intersection of Neches and Beckley on a map of Dallas
with a large "X." 469 He said, "Yes, sir; that is right, because that is the 500
block of North Beckley." However, Neches and Beckley do not intersect. Neches is
within one-half block of the roominghouse at 1026 North Beckley where Oswald was
living. The 500 block of North Beckley is five blocks south of the
roominghouse.471
After a review of these inconsistencies in his testimony before the Commission,
Whaley was interviewed again in Dallas. The route of the taxicab was retraced
under the direction of Whaley.472 He directed the driver of the car to a point
20 feet north of the northwest corner of the intersection of Beckley and Neely,
the point at. which he said his passenger alighted.473 This was the 700 block of
North
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Beckley.474 The elapsed time of the reconstructed run from the Greyhound Bus
Station to Neely and Beckley was 5 minutes and 30 seconds by stopwatch.475 The
walk from Beckley and Neely to 1026 North Beckley was timed by Commission
counsel at 5 minutes and 45 seconds.476
Whaley testified that Oswald was wearing either the gray zippered jacket or the
heavy blue jacket.477 He was in error, however. Oswald could not possibly have
been wearing the blue jacket during the trip with Whaley, since it was found in
the "domino" room of the Depository late in November. 478 Moreover, Mrs. Bledsoe
saw Oswald in the bus without a jacket and wearing a shirt with a hole at the
elbow.479 On the other hand, Whaley identified Commission Exhibit No. 150 (the
shirt taken from Oswald upon arrest) as the shirt his passenger was wearing.480
He also stated he saw a silver identification bracelet on his passenger's left
wrist.481 Oswald was wearing such a bracelet when he was arrested.482 On
November 22, Oswald told Captain Fritz that he rode a bus to a stop near his
home and then walked to his roominghouse.483 When queried the following morning
concerning a bus transfer found in his .possession at the time of his arrest, he
admitted receiving it.484 And when interrogated about a cab ride, Oswald also
admitted that he left the slow-moving bus and took a cab to his roominghouse.485
The Greyhound Bus Station at Lamar and Jackson Streets, where Oswald entered
Whaley's cab, is three to four short blocks south of Lamar and Elm.486 If Oswald
left the bus at 12:44 p.m. and walked directly to the terminal, he would have
entered the cab at 12:47 or 12:48 p.m. If the cab ride was approximately 6
minutes, as was the reconstructed ride, he would have reached his destination at
approximately 12:54 p.m. If he was discharged at Neely and Beckley and walked
directly to his roominghouse, he would have arrived there about 12:59 to 1 p.m.
From the 500 block of North Beckley, the walk would be a few minutes longer, but
in either event he would have been in the roominghouse at about 1 p.m. This is
the approximate time he entered the roominghouse, according to Earlene Roberts,
the housekeeper there.487 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1119-A, p. 158.)
Arrival and departure from roominghouse.---Earlene Roberts, housekeeper for Mrs.
A. C. Johnson at 1026 North Beckley, knew Lee Harvey Oswald under the alias of
O. II. Lee. She first saw him the day he rented a room at that address on
October 14, 1963.488 signed his name as O. II. Lee on the roominghouse
register.489
Mrs. Roberts testified that on Thursday, November 21, Oswald did not come home.
On Friday, November 22, about 1 p.m., he entered the house in unusual haste. She
recalled that it was subsequent to the time the President had been shot. After a
friend had called and told her, "President Kennedy has been shot," she turned on
the television. When Oswald came in she said, "Oh, you are in a hurry," but
Oswald did not respond. He hurried to his room and stayed no longer than 3 or 4
minutes. Oswald had entered the house in his shirt sleeves,
Page 164
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1968
Page 165
but when he left, he was zipping up a jacket. Mrs. Roberts saw him a few seconds
later standing near the bus stop in front of the house on the east side of
Beckley.490
Oswald was next seen about nine-tenths of a mile away at the southeast corner of
10th Street and Patton Avenue, moments before the Tippit shooting. (See
Commission Exhibit No. 1119-A, p. 158.) If Oswald left. his roominghouse shortly
after 1 p.m. and walked at a brisk pace, he would have reached 10th and Patton
shortly after 1:15 p.m.491 Tippit's murder was recorded on the police radio tape
at about 1:16 p.m.492
Description of Shooting
Patrolman J. D. Tippit joined the Dallas Police Department in July 1952.493 He
was described by Chief Curry as having the reputation of being "a very free,
dedicated officer." 494 Tippit patroled district No. 78 in the Oak Cliff area of
Dallas during daylight hours. tic drove a police car' painted distinctive colors
with No. 10 prominently displayed on each side. Tippit rode alone, as only one
man was normally assigned to a patrol car in residential areas during daylight
shifts.495
At about 12:44 p.m. on November 22, the radio dispatcher on channel 1 ordered
all downtown patrol squads to report to Elm and Houston, code 3 (emergency).496
At 12:45 p.m. the dispatcher ordered No. 78 (Tippit.) to "move into central Oak
Cliff area."497 At 12:54 p.m., Tippit reported that he was in the central Oak
Cliff area at Lancaster and Eighth. The dispatcher ordered Tippit to be: "* * *
at large for any emergency that comes in." 498 According to Chief Curry, Tippit.
was free to patrol the central Oak Cliff area.499 Tippit must have heard the
description of the suspect wanted for the President's shooting; it was broadcast
over channel 1 at 12:45 p.m., again at 12:48 p.m., and again at 12:55 p.m.500
The suspect was described as a "white male, approximately 30, slender build,
height 5 foot 10 inches, weight 165 pounds." 501 A similar description was given
on channel 2 at 12:45 p.m.502
At approximately 1:15 p.m., Tippit, who was cruising east on 10th Street, passed
the intersection of 10th and Patton, about eight blocks from where he had
reported at 12:54 p.m. About 100 feet past the intersection Tippit stopped a man
walking east along the south side of Patton. (See Commission Exhibit No. 1968,
p. 164.) The man's general description was similar to the one broadcast over the
police radio. Tippit stopped the man and called him to his car. He approached
the car and apparently exchanged words with Tippit through the right front or
vent window. Tippit got out and started to walk around the front of the car As
Tippit reached the left front wheel the man pulled out a revolver and fired
several shots. Four bullets hit Tippit and killed him instantly. The gunman
started back toward Patton Avenue, ejecting the empty cartridge cases before
reloading with fresh bullets.
Page 166
Eyewitnesses
At least 12 persons saw the man with the revolver in the vicinity of the Tippit
crime scene at or immediately after the shooting. By the evening of November 22,
five of them had identified Lee Harvey Oswald in police lineups as the man they
saw. A sixth did so the next day. Three others subsequently identified Oswald
from a photograph. Two witnesses testified that Oswald resembled the man they
had seen. One witness felt he was too distant from the gunman to make a positive
identification. (See Commission Exhibit No. 1968, p. 164.)
A taxi driver, William Scoggins, was eating lunch in his cab which was parked on
Patton facing the southeast corner of 10th Street and Patton Avenue a few feet
to the north. 503 A police car moving east on 10th at about 10 or 12 miles an
hour passed in front of his cab. About 100 feet from the comer the police car
pulled up alongside a man on the sidewalk. This man, dressed in a light-colored
jacket, approached the car. Scoggins lost sight of him behind some shrubbery on
the southeast corner lot, but he saw the policeman leave the car, heard three or
four shots, and then saw the policeman fall. Scoggins hurriedly left his seat
and hid behind the cab as the man came back toward the corner with gun in hand.
The man cut. across the yard through some bushes, passed within 12 feet of
Scoggins, and ran south on Patton. Scoggins saw him and heard him mutter either
"Poor damn cop" or "Poor dumb cop." 504 The next day Scoggins viewed a lineup of
four persons and identified Oswald as the man whom he had seen the day before at
10th and Patton.505 In his testimony before the Commission, Scoggins stated that
he thought he had seen a picture of Oswald in the newspapers prior to the lineup
identification on Saturday. He had not seen Oswald on television and had not
been shown any photographs of Oswald by the police.506
Another witness, Domingo Benavides, was driving a pickup truck west on 10th
Street. As he crossed the intersection a block east of 10th and Patton, he saw a
policeman standing by the left door of the police car parked along the south
side of 10th. Benavides saw a man standing at the right side of the parked
police car. He then heard three shots and saw the policeman fall to the ground.
By this time the pickup truck was across the street and about 25 feet from the
police car. Benavides stopped and waited in the truck until the gunman ran to
the corner. He saw him empty the gun and throw the shells into some bushes on
the southeast corner lot.507 It was Benavides, using Tippit's car radio, who
first reported the killing of Patrolman Tippit at about 1:16 p.m.: "We've had a
shooting out here." 508 He found two empty shells in the bushes and gave them to
Patrolman J. M. Poe who arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting.509
Benavides never saw Oswald after the arrest. When questioned by police officers
on the evening of November 22, Benavides told them that he did not think that he
could identify the man who fired the shots. As a result, they did not take him
to the police station.
Page 167
He testified that the picture of Oswald which he saw later on television bore a
resemblance to the man who shot Officer Tippit. 510
Just prior to the shooting, Mrs. Helen Markham, a waitress in downtown Dallas,
was about to cross 10th Street at Patton. As she waited on the northwest corner
of the intersection for traffic to pass,511 she noticed a young man as be was
"almost ready to get up on the curb" 512 at the southeast corner of the
intersection, approximately 50 feet away. The man continued along 10th Street.
Mrs. Markham saw a police ear slowly approach the man from the rear and stop
alongside of him. She saw the man come to the right window of the police ear. As
he talked, he leaned on the ledge of the right window with his arms. The man
appeared to step back as the policeman "calmly opened the ear door" and very
slowly got out and walked toward the front of the ear. The man pulled a gun.
Mrs. Markham heard three shots and saw the policeman fall to the ground near the
left front wheel. She raised her hands to her eyes as the man started to walk
back toward Patton.513 She peered through her fingers, lowered her hands, and
saw the man doing something with his gun. "He was just fooling with it. I didn't
know what he was doing. I was afraid he was fixing to kill me." 514 The man "in
kind of a little trot" headed down Patton toward Jefferson Boulevard, a block
away. Mrs. Markham then ran to Officer Tippit's side and saw him lying in a pool
of blood? 515
Helen Markham was screaming as she leaned over the body.516 A few minutes later
she described the gunman to a policeman?517 Her description and that of other
eyewitnesses led to the police broadcast at 1:22 p.m. describing the slayer as
"about 30, 5'8", black hair, slender." 518 At about 4:30 p.m., Mrs. Markham, who
had been greatly upset by her experience, was able to view a lineup of four men
handcuffed together at the police station. 519 .She identified Lee Harvey Oswald
as the man who shot the policeman.520 Detective L. C. Graves, who had been with
Mrs. Markham before the lineup testified that she was "quite hysterical" and was
"crying and upset." 521 He said that Mrs. Markham started crying when Oswald
walked into the lineup room. 522 In testimony before the Commission, Mrs.
Markham confirmed her positive identification of Lee Harvey Oswald as the man
she saw kill Officer Tippit. 523
In evaluating Mrs. Markham's identification of Oswald, the Commission considered
certain allegations that Mrs. Markham described the man who killed Patrolman
Tippit as "short, a little on the heavy side," and having "somewhat bushy"
hair.523 The Commission reviewed the transcript of a phone conversation in which
Mrs. Markham is alleged to have provided such a description.525 A review of the
complete transcript has satisfied the Commission that Mrs. Markham strongly
reaffirmed her positive identification of Oswald and denied having described the
killer as short, stocky and having bushy hair. She stated that the man weighed
about 150 pounds.526 Although she used the words "a little bit bushy" to
describe the gunman's hair, the transcript establishes that she was referring to
the uncombed
Page 168
state of his hair, a description fully supported by a photograph of Oswald taken
at the time of his arrest. (See Pizzo Exhibit No. 453-C, p. 177.) Although in
the phone conversation she described the man as "short," 527 on November 22,
within minutes of the shooting and before the lineup, Mrs. Markham described the
man to the police as 5'8" tall. 528
During her testimony Mrs. Markham initially denied that she ever had the above
phone conversation.529 She has subsequently admitted the existence of the
conversation and offered an explanation for her denial.530 Addressing itself
solely to the probative value of Mrs. Markham's contemporaneous description of
the gunman and her positive identification of Oswald at a police lineup, the
Commission considers her testimony reliable. However, even in the absence of
Mrs. Markham's testimony, there is ample evidence to identify Oswald as the
killer of Tippit.
Two young women, Barbara Jeanette Davis and Virginia Davis, were in an apartment
of a multiple-unit house on the southeast corner of 10th and Patton when they
heard the sound of gunfire and the screams of Helen Markham. They ran to the
door in time to see a man with a revolver cut across their lawn and disappear
around a corner of the house onto Patton.531 Barbara Jeanette Davis assumed that
he was emptying his gun as "he had it open and was shaking it." 532 She
immediately called the police. Later in the day each woman found an empty shell
on the ground near the house. These two shells were delivered to the police.533
On the evening of November 22, Barbara Jeanette and Virginia Davis viewed a
group of four men in a lineup and each one picked Oswald as the man who crossed
their lawn while emptying his pistol.534 Barbara Jeanette Davis testified that
no one had shown her a picture of Oswald before the identification and that she
had not seen him on television. She was not sure whether she had seen his
picture in a newspaper on the afternoon or evening of November 22 prior to the
lineup.535 Her reaction when she saw Oswald in the lineup was that "I was pretty
sure it was the same man I saw. When they made him turn sideways, I was positive
that was the one I seen." 536 Similarly, Virginia Davis had not been shown
pictures of anyone prior to the lineup and had not seen either television or the
newspapers during the afternoon.537' She identified Oswald, who was the No. 2
man in the lineup,538 as the man she saw running with the gun: she testified, "I
would say that was him for sure." 539 Barbara Jeanette Davis and Virginia Davis
were sitting alongside each other when they made their positive identifications
of Oswald.540 Each woman whispered Oswald's number to the detective. Each
testified that she was the first to make the identification.541
William Arthur Smith was about a block east of 10th and Patton when he heard
shots. He looked west on 10th and saw a man running to the west and a policeman
falling to the ground. Smith failed to make himself known to the police on
November 22. Several days later he reported what he had seen and was questioned
by FBI
Page 169
agents.542 Smith subsequently told a Commission staff member that he saw Oswald
on television the night of the murder and thought that Oswald was the man he had
seen running away from the shooting.543 On television Oswald's hair looked
blond, whereas Smith remembered that the man who ran away had hair that was
brown or brownish black. Later, the FBI showed Smith a picture of Oswald. In the
picture the hair was brown.544 According to his testimony, Smith told the FBI,
"It looked more like him than it did on television." He stated further that from
"What I saw of him" the man looked like the man in the picture.545
Two other important eyewitnesses to Oswald's flight were Ted Callaway, manager
of a used-car lot on the northeast corner of Patton Avenue and Jefferson
Boulevard, and Sam Guinyard, a porter at the lot. They heard the sound of shots
to the north of their lot.546 Callaway heard five shots, and Guinyard three.
Both ran to the sidewalk on the east side of Patton at a point about a half a
block south of 10th. They saw a man coming south on Patton with a revolver held
high in his right hand. According to Callaway, the man crossed to the west side
of Patton.547 From across the street Callaway yelled, "Hey, man, what the hell
is going on?" He slowed down, halted, said something, and then kept on going to
the corner, turned right, and continued west on Jefferson.548 Guinyard claimed
that the man ran down the east side of Patton and passed within 10 feet of him
before crossing to the other side.549 Guinyard and Callaway ran to 10th and
Patton and found Tippit lying in the street beside his car.550 Apparently he had
reached for his gun; it lay beneath him outside of the holster. Callaway picked
up the gun.551 He and Scoggins attempted to chase down the gunman in Scoggin's
taxicab,552 but he had disappeared. Early in the evening of November 22,
Guinyard and Callaway viewed the same lineup of four men from which Mrs. Markham
had earlier made her identification of Lee Harvey Oswald. Both men picked Oswald
as the man who had run south on Patton with a gun in his hand.553 Callaway told
the Commission: "So they brought four men in. i stepped to the back of 'the
room, so I could kind of see him from the same distance which I had seen him
before. And when he came out I knew him." 554 Guinyard said, "I told them that
was him right there. I pointed him out right there." 555 Both Callaway and
Guinyard testified that they had not been shown any pictures by the police
before the lineup.556
The Dallas Police Department furnished the Commission with pictures of the men
who appeared in the lineups with Oswald,557 and the Commission has inquired into
general lineup procedures used by the Dallas police as well as the specific
procedures in the lineups involving Oswald.558 The Commission is satisfied that
the lineups were conducted fairly.
As Oswald ran south on Patton Avenue toward Jefferson Boulevard he was moving in
the direction of a used-car lot located on the southeast corner of this
intersection.559 Four men--Warren Reynolds,560
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REVOLVER USED IN TIPPIT KILLING
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 143
Page 171
Harold Russell 561 Pat Patterson 562 and L. J. Lewis 563--were on the lot at the
time, and they saw a white male with a revolver in his hands running south on
Patton. When the man reached Jefferson, he turned right and headed west.
Reynolds and Patterson decided to follow him. When he reached a gasoline service
station one block away he turned north and walked toward a parking area in the
rear of the station. Neither Reynolds nor Patterson saw the man after he turned
off Jefferson at the service station. 56 These four witnesses were interviewed
by FBI agents 2 months after the shooting. Russell and Patterson were shown a
picture of Oswald and they stated that Oswald was the man they saw on November
22, 1963. Russell confirmed this statement in a sworn affidavit for the
Commission.565 Patterson, when asked later to confirm his identification by
affidavit said he did not recall having been shown the photograph. He was then
shown two photographs of Oswald and he advised that Oswald was "unquestionably"
the man he saw.566 Reynolds did not make a positive identification when
interviewed by the FBI, but he subsequently testified before a Commission staff
member and, when shown two photographs of Oswald, stated that they were
photographs of the man he saw.567 L.J. Lewis said in an interview that because
of the distance from which he observed the gunman he would hesitate to state
whether the man was identical with Oswald. 568
Murder Weapon
When Oswald was arrested, he had in his possession a Smith & Wesson .38 Special
caliber revolver, serial number V510210. (See Commission Exhibit No. 143, p.
170). Two of the arresting officers placed their initials on the weapon and a
third inscribed his name. All three identified Exhibit No. 143 as the revolver
taken from Oswald when he was arrested.569 Four cartridge eases were found in
the shrubbery on the corner of 10th and Patton by three of the
eyewitnesses--Domingo Benavides, Barbara Jeanette Davis, and Virginia Davis.570
It was the unanimous and unequivocal testimony of expert witnesses before the
Commission that these used cartridge cases were fired from the revolver in
Oswald's possession to the exclusion of all other weapons. (See app. X, p. 559.)
Cortlandt Cunningham, of the Firearms Identification Unit of the FBI Laboratory,
testified that. he compared the four empty cartridge cases found near the scene
of the shooting with a test cartridge fired from the weapon in Oswald's
possession when he was arrested. Cunningham declared that this weapon fired the
four cartridges to the exclusion of all other weapons. Identification was
effected through breech face marks and firing pin marks.571 Robert A. Frazier
and Charles Killion, other FBI firearms experts, independently examined the four
cartridge cases and arrived at the same conclusion as Cunningham. 572 At the
request of the Commission, Joseph D. Nicol, superintendent. of the Illinois
Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation, also examined the four
cartridge eases found near the site of the homicide and compared them with the
test cartridge cases
Page 172
fired from the Smith & Wesson revolver taken from Oswald. He concluded that all
of these cartridges were fired from the same weapon.573
Cunningham compared four lead bullets recovered from the body of Patrolman
Tippit with test bullets fired from Oswald's revolver 574 He explained that the
bullets were slightly smaller than the barrel of the pistol which had fired
them. This caused the bullets to have an erratic passage through the barrel and
impressed upon the lead of the bullets inconsistent individual characteristics
which made identification impossible. Consecutive bullets fired from the
revolver by the FBI experts could not be identified as having been fired from
that revolver.575 (See app. X, p. 559.) Cunningham testified that all of the
bullets were mutilated, one being useless for comparison purposes. All four
bullets were fired from a weapon with five lands and grooves and a right. twist
576 which were the rifling characteristics of the revolver taken from Oswald. He
concluded, however, that he could not say whether the four bullets were fired
from the revolver in Oswald's possession.577 "The only thing I can testify is
they could have on the basis of the rifling characteristics--they could have
been." 578
Nicol differed with the FBI experts on one bullet taken from Tippit's body. He
declared that this bullet 579 was fired from the same weapon that fired the test
bullets to the exclusion of all other weapons. But he agreed that because the
other three bullets were mutilated, he could not determine if they had been
fired from the same weapon as the test bullets.580
The examination and testimony of the experts enabled the Commission to conclude
that five shots may have been fired, even though only four bullets were
recovered. Three of the bullets recovered from Tippit's body were manufactured
by Winchester-Western, and the fourth bullet by Remington-Peters, but only two
of the four discarded cartridge eases found on the lawn at 10th Street and
Patton Avenue were of Winchester-Western manufacture.581 Therefore, one
cartridge case of this type was not recovered. And though only one bullet of
Remington-Peters manufacture was recovered, two empty cartridge cases of that
make were retrieved. Therefore, either one bullet of Remington-Peters
manufacture is missing or one used Remington-Peters cartridge case, which may
have been in the revolver before the shooting, was discarded along with the
others as Oswald left the scene. If a bullet is missing, five were fired. This
corresponds with the observation and memory of Ted Callaway,582 and possibly
Warren Reynolds, but not with the other eyewitnesses who claim to have heard
from two to four shots.
Ownership of Revolver
By checking certain importers and dealers after the assassination of President
Kennedy and slaying of Officer Tippit, agents of the FBI determined that George
Rose & Co. of Los Angeles was a major distributor
Page 173
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 790
MICHAELIS EXHIBIT No. 2
MICHAELIS EXHIBIT No. 4
MICHAELIS EXHIBIT No. 5
Page 174
of this type of revolver.583 Records of Seaport Traders, Inc., a mail-order
division of George Rose & Co., disclosed that on January 3, 1963, the company
received from Empire Wholesale Sporting Goods, Ltd., Montreal, a shipment of 99
guns in one case. Among these guns was a .38 Special caliber Smith & Wesson
revolver, serial No. V510210, the only revolver made by Smith & Wesson with this
serial number.584 When first manufactured, it had a 5-inch barrel. George Rose &
Co. had the barrel shortened by a gunsmith to inches.585
Sometime after January 27, 1963, Seaport Traders, Inc., received through the
mail a mail-order coupon for one ".38 St. W. 2" Bbl.," cost $29.95. Ten dollars
in cash was enclosed. The order was signed in ink by "A. J. Hidell, aged 28."
588 (See Commission Exhibit No. 790, p. 173.) The date of the order was January
27 (no year shown), and the return address was Post Office Box 2915, Dallas,
Tex. Also on the order form was an order, written in ink, for one box of
ammunition and one holster, but a line was drawn through these items. The
mail-order form had a line for the name of a witness to attest that the person
ordering the gun was a U.S. citizen and had not been convicted of a felony. The
name written in this space was D. F. Drittal.587
Heinz W. Michaelis, office manager of both George Rose & Co., Inc., and Seaport
Traders, Inc., identified records of Seaport Traders, Inc., which showed that a
".38 S and W Special two-inch Commando, serial number V510210" was shipped on
March 20, 1963, to A. J. Hidell, Post Office Box 2915, Dallas, Tex. The invoice
was prepared on March 13, 1963; the revolver was actually shipped on March 20 by
Railway Express. The balance due on the purchase was $19.95. Michaelis furnished
the shipping copy of the invoice, and the Railway Express Agency shipping
documents, showing that $19.95, plus $1.27 shipping charge, had been collected
from the consignee, Hidell.588 (See Michaelis Exhibits Nos. 2, 4, 5, p. 173.)
Handwriting experts, Alwyn Cole of the Treasury Department and James C. Cadigan
of the FBI, testified before the Commission that the writing on the coupon was
Oswald's. The signature of the witness, D. F. Drittal, who attested that the
fictitious Hidell was an American citizen and had not been convicted of a
felony, was also in Oswald's handwriting.589 Marina Oswald gave as her opinion
that the mail-order coupon was in Oswald's handwriting. 590 When shown the
revolver, she stated that she recognized it as the one owned by her husband.591
She also testified that this appeared to be the revolver seen in Oswald's belt
in the picture she took in late March or early April 1963 when the family was
living on Neely Street in Dallas? Police found an empty revolver holster when
they searched Oswald's room on Beckley Avenue after his arrest.593 Marina Oswald
testified that this was the holster which contained the revolver in the
photographs taken on Neely Street.594
Page 175
Oswald's Jacket
Approximately 15 minutes before the shooting of Tippit, Oswald was seen leaving
his roominghouse.595 He was wearing a zipper jacket which he had not been
wearing moments before when he had arrived home.596 When Oswald was arrested, he
did not have a jacket.597 Shortly after Tippit was slain, policemen found a
light-colored zipper jacket along the route taken by the killer as he attempted
to escape.598 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1968, p. 164.)
At 1:22 p.m. the Dallas police radio described the man wanted for the murder of
Tippit as "a white male about thirty, five foot eight inches, black hair,
slender, wearing a white jacket, white shirt and dark slacks." 599 According to
Patrolman Poe this description came from Mrs. Markham and Mrs. Barbara Jeanette
Davis.600 Mrs. Markham told Poe that the man was a "white male, about 25, about
five feet eight, brown hair, medium," and wearing a "white jacket." Mrs. Davis
gave Poe the same general description: a "white male in his early twenties,
around five foot seven inches or eight inches, about 145 pounds," and wearing a
white jacket.
As has been discussed previously, two witnesses, Warren Reynolds and B. M.
Patterson, saw the gunman run toward the rear of a gasoline service station on
Jefferson Boulevard. Mrs. Mary Brock, the wife of a mechanic who worked at the
station, was there at the time and she saw a white male, 5 feet, 10 inches * * *
wearing light clothing * * * a light-colored jacket" walk past her at a fast
pace with his hands in his pocket. She last saw him in the parking lot directly
behind the service station. When interviewed by FBI agents on January 91, 1964,
she identified a picture of Oswald as being the same person she saw on November
22. She confirmed this interview by a sworn affidavit.601
At 1:24 p.m., the police radio reported, "The suspect last seen running west on
Jefferson from 400 East Jefferson." 602 Police Capt. W. R. Westbrook and several
other officers concentrated their search along Jefferson Boulevard.603 Westbrook
walked through the parking lot behind the service station 604 and found a
light-colored jacket lying under the rear of one of the cars.605 Westbrook
identified Commission Exhibit No. 162 as the light-colored jacket which he
discovered underneath the automobile.606
This jacket belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald. Marina Oswald stated that her husband
owned only two jackets, one blue and the other gray.607 The blue jacket was
found in the Texas School Book Depository 608 and was identified by Marina
Oswald as her husband's.609 Marina Oswald also identified Commission Exhibit No.
162, the jacket found by Captain Westbrook, as her husband's second jacket.610
The eyewitnesses vary in their identification of the jacket. Mrs. Earlene
Roberts, the housekeeper at Oswald's roominghouse and the last person known to
have seen him before he reached 10th Street and Patton Avenue, said that she may
have seen the gray zipper jacket but
Page 176
she was not certain. It seemed to her that the jacket Oswald wore was darker
than Commission Exhibit No. 162.611 Ted Callaway, who saw the gunman moments
after the shooting, testified that Commission Exhibit No. 162 looked like the
jacket he was wearing but "I thought it had a little more tan to it." 612 Two
other witnesses, Sam Guinyard and William Arthur Smith, testified that
Commission Exhibit No. 162 was the jacket worn by the man they saw on November
22. Mrs. Markham and Barbara Davis thought that the jacket worn by the slayer of
Tippit was darker than the jacket found by Westbrook.613 Scoggins thought it was
lighter.614
There is no doubt., however, that Oswald was seen leaving his roominghouse at
about 1 p.m. wearing a zipper jacket, that the man who killed Tippit was wearing
a light-colored jacket, that he was seen running along Jefferson Boulevard, that
a jacket was found under a car in a lot adjoining Jefferson Boulevard, that the
jacket belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald, and that when he was arrested at
approximately 1:50 p.m., he was in shirt sleeves. These facts warrant the
finding that Lee Harvey Oswald disposed of his jacket as he fled from the scene
of the Tippit killing.
Conclusion
The foregoing evidence establishes that (1) two eyewitnesses who heard the shots
and saw the shooting of Dallas Police Patrolman J. D. Tippit and seven
eyewitnesses who saw the flight of the gunman with revolver in hand positively
identified Lee Harvey Oswald as the man they saw fire the shots or flee from the
scene, (2) the cartridge cases found near the scene of the shooting were fired
from the revolver in the possession of Oswald at the time of his arrest, to the
exclusion of all other weapons, (3) the revolver in Oswald's possession at the
time of his arrest was purchased by and belonged to Oswald, and (4) Oswald's
jacket was found along the path of flight taken by the gunman as he fled from
the scene of the killing. On the basis of this evidence the Commission concluded
that Lee Harvey Oswald killed Dallas Police Patrolman J. D. Tippit.
Oswald Arrest
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OSWALD'S ARREST
The Texas Theatre is on the north side of Jefferson Boulevard, approximately
eight blocks from the scene of the Tippit shooting and six blocks from where
several witnesses last saw Oswald running west .on Jefferson Boulevard.615 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 1968, p. 164.) Shortly after the Tippit murder, police
sirens sounded along Jefferson Boulevard. One of the persons who heard the
sirens was Johnny Calvin Brewer, manager of Hardy's Shoestore, a few doors east
of the Texas Theatre. Brewer knew from radio broadcasts that the President had
been shot and that a patrolman had also been shot in Oak Cliff.616 When he heard
police sirens, he "looked up and
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OSWALD IN FRONT OF TEXAS THEATER
(HILL EXHIBIT B)
OSWALD AT DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
(FRANK PIZZO EXHIBIT 453-C) (COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1797)
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saw the man enter the lobby," a recessed area extending about 15 feet between
the sidewalk and the front door of his store.617 A police car made a U-turn, and
as the sirens grew rainier, the man in the lobby "looked over his shoulder and
turned around and walked up West Jefferson towards the theatre." 618 The man
wore a T-shirt beneath his outer shirt and he had no jacket.619 Brewer said, "He
just looked funny to me. * * * His hair was sort of messed up and looked like he
had been running, and he looked scared, and he looked funny." 620
Mrs. Julia Postal, selling tickets at the box office of the Texas Theatre, heard
police sirens and then saw a man as he "ducked into" the outer lobby space of
the theatre near the ticket office. 620 Attracted by the sound of the sirens,
Mrs. Postal stepped out of the box office and walked to the curb.622 Shortly
thereafter, Johnny Brewer, who had come from the nearby shoestore, asked Mrs.
Postal whether the fellow that had ducked in had bought a ticket.623 She said,
"No; by golly, he didn't," and turned around, but the man was nowhere in
sight.624 Brewer told Mrs. Postal that he had seen the man ducking into his
place of business and that he had followed him to the theatre.625 She sent
Brewer into the theatre to find the man and check the exits, told him about the
assassination, and said "I don't know if this is the man they want. * * * but he
is running from them for some reason." 626 She then called the police.627
At 1:45 p.m., the police radio stated, "Have information a suspect just went in
the Texas Theatre on West Jefferson." 628 Patrol cars bearing at least 15
officers converged on the Texas Theatre.629 Patrolman M. N. McDonald, with
Patrolmen R. Hawkins, T. A. Hutson, and C. T. Walker, entered the theatre from
the rear.630 Other policemen entered the front door and searched the balcony.631
Detective Paul L. Bentley rushed to the balcony and told the projectionist to
turn up the house lights.632 Brewer met McDonald and the other policemen at the
alley exit door, stepped out onto the stage with them 633 and pointed out the
man who had come into the theatre without paying. 634 The man was Oswald. He was
sitting alone in the rear of the main floor of the theatre near the right center
aisle.635 About six or seven people were seated on the theatre's main floor and
an equal number in the balcony.636
McDonald first searched two men in the center of the main floor, about 10 rows
from the front.637 He walked out of the row up the right center aisle.638 When
he reached the row where the suspect was sitting, McDonald stopped abruptly and
told the man to get on his feet. 639 Oswald rose from his seat, bringing up both
hands.640 As McDonald started to search Oswald's waist for a gun, he heard him
say, "Well, it's all over now." 641 Oswald then struck McDonald between the eyes
with his left fist.; with his right hand he drew a gun from his waist.642
McDonald struck back with his right hand and grabbed the gun with his left
hand.643 They both fell into the seats.644 Three other officers, moving toward
the scuffle, grabbed Oswald from the front, rear and side.645 As McDonald fell
into the seat with his left
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hand on the gun, he felt something graze across his hand and heard what sounded
like the snap of the hammer.646 McDonald felt the pistol scratch his cheek as he
wrenched it away from Oswald.647 Detective Bob K. Carroll, who was standing
beside McDonald, seized the gum from him.648
The other officers who helped subdue Oswald corroborated McDonald in his
testimony except that they did not hear Oswald say, "It's all over now." Deputy
Sheriff Eddy R. Walthers recalled such a remark but he did not reach the scene
of the struggle until Oswald had been knocked to the floor by McDonald and the
others.649 Some of the officers saw Oswald strike McDonald with his fist.650
Most of them heard a click which they assumed to be a click of the hammer of the
revolver.651 Testimony of a firearms expert before the Commission established
that the hammer of the revolver never touched the shell in the chamber.652
Although the witnesses did not hear the sound of a misfire, they might have
heard a snapping noise resulting from the police officer grabbing the cylinder
of the revolver and pulling it away from Oswald while he was attempting to pull
the trigger.653 (See app. X, p. 560.)
Two patrons of the theatre and John Brewer testified regarding the arrest of
Oswald, as did the various police officers who participated in the fight. George
Jefferson Applin, Jr., confirmed that Oswald fought with four or five officers
before he was handcuffed.654 He added that one officer grabbed the muzzle of a
shotgun, drew back, and hit Oswald with the butt end of the gun in the back.655
No other theatre patron or officer has testified that Oswald was hit by a gun.
Nor did Oswald ever complain that he was hit with a gun, or injured in the back.
Deputy Sheriff Walthers brought a shotgun into the theatre but laid it on some
seats before helping subdue Oswald.656 Officer Ray Hawkins said that there was
no one near Oswald who had a shotgun and he saw no one strike Oswald in the back
with a rifle butt or the butt of a gun.657
John Gibson, another patron in the theatre, saw an officer grab Oswald, and he
claims that he heard the click of a gun misfiring.658 He saw no shotgun in the
possession of any policeman near Oswald.659 Johnny Brewer testified he saw
Oswald pull the revolver and the officers struggle with him to take it away but
that once he was subdued, no officer struck him.660 He further stated that while
fists were flying he heard one of the officers say "Kill the President, will
you." 661 It is unlikely that any of the police officers referred to Oswald as a
suspect in the assassination. While the police radio had noted the similarity in
description of the two suspects, the arresting officers were pursuing Oswald for
the murder of Tippit.662 As Oswald, handcuffed, was led from the theatre, he
was, according to McDonald, "cursing a little bit and hollering police
brutality." 663 At 1:51 p.m., police car 2 reported by radio that it was on the
way to headquarters with tile suspect.664
Captain Fritz returned to police headquarters from the Texas School Book
Depository at 2:15 after a brief stop at the sheriff's
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office.665 When he entered the homicide and robbery bureau office, he saw two
detectives standing there with Sgt. Gerald L. Hill, who had driven from the
theatre with Oswald.666 Hill testified that Fritz told the detective to get a
search warrant, go to an address on Fifth Street in Irving, and pick up a man
named Lee Oswald. When Hill asked why Oswald was wanted, Fritz replied, "Well,
he was employed down at the Book Depository and he had not been present for a
roll call of the employees." 667 Hill said, "Captain, we will save you a trip *
* * there he sits." 668
Statements of Oswlad During Detention
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STATEMENTS OF OSWALD DURING DETENTION
Oswald was questioned intermittently for approximately 12 hours between 2:30
p.m., on November 22, and 11 a.m., on November 24. Throughout this interrogation
he denied that- he had anything to do either with the assassination of President
Kennedy or the murder of Patrolman Tippit. Captain Fritz of the homicide and
robbery bureau did most of the questioning, but he kept no notes and there were
no stenographic or 'tape recordings. Representatives of other law enforcement
agencies were also present, including the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service. They
occasionally participated in the questioning. The reports prepared by those
present at these interviews are set forth in appendix XI. A full discussion of
Oswald's detention and interrogation is presented in chapter V of this report.
During the evening of November 22, the Dallas Police Department performed
paraffin tests on Oswald's hands and right cheek in an apparent effort to
determine, by means of a scientific test, whether Oswald had recently fired a
weapon. The results were positive for the hands and negative for the right
cheek.669 Expert testimony before the Commission was to the effect that the
paraffin test was unreliable 670 in determining whether or not a person has
fired a rifle or revolver.671 The Commission has, therefore, placed no reliance
on the paraffin tests administered by the Dallas police. (See app.. X, pp.
561-562.)
Oswald provided little information during his questioning. Frequently, however,
he was confronted with evidence which he could not explain, and he resorted to
statements which are known to be lies.672 While Oswald's untrue statements
during interrogation were not considered items of positive proof by the
Commission, they had probative value in deciding the weight to be given to his
denials that he assassinated President Kennedy and killed Patrolman Tippit.
Since independent evidence revealed that Oswald repeatedly and blatantly lied to
the police, the Commission gave little weight to his denials of guilt.
Denial of Rifle Ownership
From the outset, Oswald denied owning a rifle. On November 23, Fritz confronted
Oswald with the evidence that he had purchased a rifle under the fictitious name
of "Hidell." Oswald said that this
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was not true. Oswald denied that he had a rifle wrapped up in a blanket in the
Paine garage. Oswald also denied owning a rifle and said that since leaving the
Marine Corps he had fired only a small bore .22 rifle.673 On the afternoon of
November 23, Officers H. M. Moore, R. S. Stovall, and G. F. Rose obtained a
search warrant and examined Oswald's effects in the Paine garage. They
discovered two photographs, each showing Oswald with a rifle and a pistol.674
These photographs were shown to Oswald on the evening of November 23 and again
on the morning of the 24th. According to Fritz, Oswald sneered, saying that they
were fake photographs, that he had been photographed a number of times the day
before by the police, that they had superimposed upon the photographs a rifle
and a revolver.675 He told Fritz a number of times that the smaller photograph
was either made from the larger, or the larger photograph was made from the
smaller and that at the proper time he would show that the pictures were fakes.
Fritz told him that the two small photographs were found in the Paine garage. At
that point., Oswald refused to answer any further questions.676 As previously
indicated, Marina Oswald testified that she took the two pictures with her
husband's Imperial Reflex camera when they lived on Neely Street. Her testimony
was fully supported by a photography expert who testified that in his opinion
the pictures were not composites.677
The Revolver
At the first interrogation, Oswald claimed that his only crime was carrying a
gun and resisting arrest. When Captain Fritz asked him why he carried the
revolver, he answered, "Well, you know about a pistol. I just carried it." 678
He falsely alleged that he bought the revolver in Fort Worth,679 when in fact he
purchased it from a mail-order house in Los Angeles.680
The Aliases "Hidell" and "O. H. Lee"
The arresting officers found a forged selective service card with a picture of
Oswald and the name "Alek J. Hidell" in Oswald's billfold.681 On November 22 and
23, Oswald refused to tell Fritz why this card was in his possession,682 or to
answer any questions concerning the card.683 On Sunday morning, November 24,
Oswald denied that he knew A. J. Hidell. Captain Fritz produced the selective
service card bearing the name "Alek J. Hidell." Oswald became angry and said,
"Now, I've told you all I'm going to tell you about that card in my
billfolds--you have the card yourself and you know as much about it as I do."
684 At. the last interrogation on November Oswald admitted to Postal Inspector
Holmes that he had rented post office box 2915, Dallas, but denied that he had
received a package in this box addressed to Hidell. He also denied that he had
received the rifle through this box.685 Holmes reminded Oswald that A. J.
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Hidell was listed on post office box 30061, New Orleans, as one entitled to
receive mail. Oswald replied, "I don't know anything about that."686
When asked why he lived at his roominghouse under the name O. H. Lee, Oswald
responded that the landlady simply made a mistake, because he told her that his
name was Lee, meaning his first name.687 An examination of the roominghouse
register revealed that Oswald actually signed the name O. H. Lee.688
The Curtain Rod Story
In concluding that Oswald was carrying a rifle in the paper bag on the morning
of November 22, 1963, the Commission found that Oswald lied when he told Frazier
that he was returning to Irving to obtain curtain rods. When asked about the
curtain rod story, Oswald lied again. He denied that he had ever told Frazier
that he wanted a ride to Irving to get curtain rods for an apartment.689 He
explained that a party for the Paine children had been planned for the weekend
and he preferred not to be in the Paine house at that time; therefore, he made
his weekly visit on Thursday night.690 Actually, the party for one of the
Paine's children was the preceding weekend, when Marina Oswald suggested that
Oswald remain in Dallas.691 When told that Frazier and Mrs. Randle had seen him
carrying a long heavy package, Oswald replied, "Well, they was mistaken. That
must have been some other time he picked me up." 692 In one interview, he told
Fritz that the only sack he carried to work that day was a lunch sack which he
kept on his lap during the ride from Irving to Dallas.693 Frazier testified
before the Commission that Oswald carried no lunch sack that day.694
Actions During and After Shooting
During the first interrogation on November 22, Fritz asked Oswald to account for
himself at the time the President was shot. Oswald told him that he ate lunch in
the first-floor lunchroom and then went to the second floor for a Coke which he
brought downstairs. He acknowledged the encounter with the police officer on the
second floor. Oswald told Fritz that after lunch he went outside, talked with
Foreman Bill Shelley for 5 or 10 minutes and then left for home. He said that he
left work because Bill Shelley said that there would be no more work done that.
day in the building.695 Shelley denied seeing Oswald after 12 noon or at any
time after the shooting.696 The next day, Oswald' added to his story. He stated
that at. the time the President was shot he was having lunch with "Junior" but
he did not give Junior's last name.697 The only employee at the Depository
Building named "Junior" was James Jarman, Jr. Jarman testified that he ate his
lunch on the first floor around 5 minutes to 12, and that he neither ate lunch
with nor saw Oswald.698 Jarman did talk to Oswald that morning:
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* * * he asked me what were the people gathering around on the corner for and I
told him that the
President was supposed to pass that morning, and he asked me did I know which
way he was coming,
and I told him, yes, he probably come down Main and turn on Houston and then
back again on Elm.
Then he said, "Oh, I see," and that was all.699
Prior Attempt to Kill
Page 183
PRIOR ATTEMPT TO KILL
The Attempt on the Life of Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker
At approximately 9 p.m., on April 10, 1963, in Dallas, Tex., Maj. Gen. Edwin A.
Walker, an active and controversial figure on the American political scene since
his resignation from the U.S. Army in 1961, narrowly escaped death when a rifle
bullet fired from .outside his home passed near his head as he was seated at his
desk.700 There were no eyewitnesses, although a 14-year-old boy in a neighboring
house claimed that immediately after the shooting he saw two men, in separate
cars, drive out of a church parking lot adjacent to Walker's home.701 A friend
of Walker's testified that two nights before the shooting he saw "two men around
the house peeking in windows." 702 General Walker gave this information to the
police before the shooting, but it did not help solve the crime. Although the
bullet was recovered from Walker's house (see app. X, p. 562), in the absence of
a weapon it was of little investigatory value. General Walker hired two
investigators to determine whether a former employee might have been involved in
the shooting.708 Their results were negative. Until December 3, 1963, the Walker
shooting remained unsolved.
The Commission evaluated the following evidence in considering whether Lee
Harvey Oswald fired the shot which almost killed General Walker: (1) A note
which Oswald left for his wife on the evening of the shooting, photographs found
among Oswald's possessions after the assassination of President Kennedy, (3)
firearm identification of the bullet found in Walker's home, and (4) admissions
and other statements made to Marina Oswald by Oswald concerning the shooting.
Note left by Oswald.--On December 2, 1963, Mrs. Ruth Paine turned over to the
police some of the Oswalds' belongings, including a Russian volume entitled
"Book of Useful Advice." 704, In this book was an undated note written in
Russian.. In translation, the note read as follows:
1. This is the key to the mailbox which is located in the main post office in
the city on Ervay
Street. This is the same street where the drugstore, in which you always waited
is located. You
will find the mailbox in the post office which is located 4 blocks from the
drugstore on that street. I
paid for the box last month so don't worry about it.
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2. Send the information as to what has happened to me to the Embassy and include
newspaper clippings (should there be anything about me in the newspapers). I
believe that the Embassy will come quickly to your assistance on learning
everything.
3. I paid the house rent on the 2d so don't worry about it.
4. Recently I also paid for water and gas.
5. The money from work will possibly be coming. The money will be sent to our
post office box. Go to the bank and cash the check.
6. You can either throw out or give my clothing, etc. away. Do not keep these.
However, I prefer that you hold on to my personal papers (military, civil,
etc.).
7. Certain of my documents are in the small blue valise.
8. The address book can be found on my table in the study should need same.
9. We have friends here. The Red Cross also will help you.
(Red Cross in English). [sic]
10. I left you as much money as I could, $60 on the second of the month. You and
the baby [apparently] can live for another 2 months using $10 per week.
11. If I am alive and taken prisoner, the city jail is located at the end of the
bridge through which we always passed on going to the city (right in the
beginning of the city after crossing the bridge).705
James C. Cadigan, FBI handwriting expert, testified that this note was written
by Lee Harvey Oswald.706
Prior to the Walker shooting on April 10, Oswald had been attending typing
classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. He had quit these classes at
least a week before the shooting, which occurred on a Wednesday night.707
According to Marina Oswald's testimony, on the night of the Walker shooting, her
husband left their apartment on Neely Street shortly after dinner. She thought
he was attending a class or was on his own business." 708 When he failed to
return by 10 or 10:30 p.m., Marina Oswald went to his room and discovered the
note. She testified: "When he came back I asked him what had happened. He was
very pale. I don't remember the exact time, but it was very late. And he told me
not to ask him any questions. He only told me he had shot at General Walker."
709 Oswald told his wife that he did not know whether he had hit Walker;
according to Marina Oswald when he learned on the radio and in the newspapers
the next. day that he had missed, he said that he "was very sorry that he had
not hit him." 710 Marina Oswald's testimony was fully supported by the note
itself which appeared to be the work of a man expecting to be killed, or
imprisoned, or to disappear. The last paragraph directed her to the jail and the
other paragraphs instructed her on the disposal of Oswald's personal effects and
the management of her affairs if he should not return.
It is clear that the note was written while the Oswalds were living in Dallas
before they moved to New Orleans in the spring of 1963.
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The references to house rent and payments for water and gas indicated that the
note was written when they were living in a rented apartment; therefore it could
not have been written while Marina Oswald was living with the Paines. Moreover,
the reference in paragraph 3 to paying "the house rent on the 2d" would be
consistent with the period when the Oswalds were living on Neely Street since
the apartment was rented on March 3, 1963. Oswald had paid the first month's
rent in advance on March 2, 1963, and the second month's rent was paid on either
April 2 or April 3.711 The main post office "on Ervay Street" refers to the post
office where Oswald rented box 2915 from October 9, 1962, to May 14, 1963.712
Another statement which limits the time when it could have been written is the
reference "you and the baby," which would indicate that it was probably written
before the birth of Oswald's second child on October 20, 1963.
Oswald had apparently mistaken the county jail for the city jail. From Neely
Street the Oswalds would have traveled downtown on the Beckley bus, across the
Commerce Street viaduct and into downtown Dallas through the Triple
Underpass.713 Either the viaduct or the underpass might have been the "bridge"
mentioned in the last paragraph of the note. The county jail is at the corner of
Houston and Main Streets "right in the beginning of the city" after one travels
through the underpass.
Photographs.--In her testimony before the Commission in February 1964, Marina
Oswald stated that when Oswald returned home on the night of the Walker
shooting, he told her that he had been planning the attempt for 2 months. He
showed her a notebook 3 days later containing photographs of General Walker's
home and a map of the area where the house was located.714 Although Oswald
destroyed the notebook,715 three photographs found among Oswald's possessions
after the assassination were identified by Marina Oswald as photographs of
General Walker's house.716 Two of these photographs were taken from the rear of
Walker's house.717 The Commission confirmed, by comparison with other
photographs, that these were, indeed, photographs of the rear of Walker's
house.718 An examination of the window at the rear of the house, the wall
through which the bullet passed, and the fence behind the house indicated that
the bullet was fired from a position near the point where one of the photographs
was taken.719
The third photograph identified by Marina Oswald depicts the entrance to General
Walker's driveway from a back alley.720 Also seen in the picture is the fence on
which Walker's assailant apparently rested the rifle.721 An examination of
certain construction work appearing in the background of this photograph
revealed that the picture was taken between March 8 and 12, 1963, and most
probably on either March 9 or March 10.722 Oswald purchased the money order for
the rifle on March 12, the rifle was shipped on March 20,728 and the shooting
occurred on April 10. A photography expert with the FBI was able to determine
that, this picture was taken with the Imperial Reflex camera owned by Lee Harvey
Oswald.724 (See app. X, p. 596.)
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A fourth photograph, showing a stretch of railroad tracks, was also identified
by Marina Oswald as having been taken by her husband, presumably in connection
with the Walker shooting.725 Investigation determined that this photograph was
taken approximately seven-tenths of a mile from Walker's house.726 Another
photograph of railroad tracks found among Oswald's possessions was not
identified by his wife, but investigation revealed that it was taken from a
point slightly less than half a mile from General Walker's house.727 Marina
Oswald stated that- when she asked her husband what be had done with the rifle,
he replied that he had buried it in the ground or hidden it in some bushes and
that he also mentioned a railroad track in this connection. She testified that
several days later Oswald recovered his rifle and brought it back to their
apartment.728
Firearms identification.--In the room beyond the one in which General Walker was
sitting on the night of the shooting the Dallas police recovered a badly
mutilated bullet which had come to rest on a stack of paper.729 The Dallas
City-County Investigation Laboratory tried to determine the type of weapon which
fired the bullet. The oral report was negative because of the battered condition
of the bullet.730 On November 30, 1963, the FBI requested the bullet. for
ballistics examination; the Dallas Police Department forwarded it on December 2,
1963.731
Robert A. Frazier, an FBI ballistics identification expert, testified that he
was "unable to reach a conclusion" as to whether or not the bullet recovered
from Walker's house had been fired from the rifle found on the sixth floor of
the Texas School Book Depository Building. He concluded that "the general
rifling characteristics of the rifle * * * are of the same type as those found
on the bullet * * * and, further, on this basis * * * the bullet could have been
fired from the rifle on the basis of its land and groove impressions." 732
Frazier testified further that the FBI 'avoids the category of "probable"
identification. Unless the missile or cartridge case can be identified as coming
from a particular weapon to the exclusion of all others, the FBI refuses to draw
any conclusion as to probability.733 Frazier testified, however, that he found
no microscopic characteristics or other evidence which would indicate that the
bullet was not. fired from the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle owned by Lee Harvey
Oswald. It was a 6.5-millimeter bullet and, according to Frazier, "relatively
few" types of rifles could produce the characteristics found on the bullet.734
Joseph D. Nicol, superintendent of the Illinois Bureau of Criminal
Identification and Investigation, conducted an independent examination of this
bullet and concluded "that there is a fair probability" that the bullet was
fired from the rifle used in the assassination of President Kennedy.735 In
explaining the difference between his policy and that of the FBI on the matter
of probable identification, Nicol said:
I am aware of their position. This is not, I am sure, arrived at without careful
consideration. However, to say that because one does not find sufficient marks
for identification that it is a negative,
Page 187
I think is going overboard in the other direction. And for purposes of probative
value, for whatever it might be worth, in the absence of very definite negative
evidence, I think it is permissible to say that in an exhibit such as 573 there
is enough on it to say that it could have come, and even perhaps a little
stronger, to say that it probably came from this, without going so far as to say
to the exclusion of all other guns. This I could not do. 736
Although the Commission recognizes that neither expert was able to state that
the bullet which missed General Walker was fired from Oswald's rifle to the
exclusion of all others, this testimony was considered probative when combined
with the other testimony linking Oswald to the shooting.
Additional corroborative evidence.--The admissions made to Marina Oswald by her
husband are an important element in the evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald fired
the shot at General Walker. As shown above, the note and the photographs of
Walker's house and of the nearby railroad tracks provide important corroboration
for her account of the incident. Other details described by Marina Oswald
coincide with facts developed independently of her statements. She testified
that her husband had postponed his attempt to kill Walker until that Wednesday
because he had heard that there was to be a gathering at the church next door to
Walker's house on that evening. He indicated that he wanted more people in the
vicinity at the time of the attempt so that his arrival and departure would not
attract great attention.737 An official of this church told FBI agents that
services are held every Wednesday at the church except during the month of
August.738 Marina Oswald also testified that her husband had used a bus to
return home.739 A study of the bus routes indicates that Oswald could have taken
any one of several different buses to Walker's house or to a point near the
railroad tracks where he may have concealed the rifle.740 It would have been
possible for him to take different routes in approaching and leaving the scene
of the shooting.
Conclusion.--Based on (1) the contents of the note which Oswald left for his
wife on April 10, 1963, (2) the photographs found among Oswald's possessions,
(3) the testimony of firearms identification experts, and (4) the testimony of
Marina Oswald, the Commission has concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald attempted to
take the life of Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker (Resigned, U.S. Army) on April 10,
1963. The finding that Lee Harvey Oswald attempted to murder a public figure in
April 1963 was considered of probative value in this investigation, although the
Commission's conclusion concerning the identity of the assassin was based on
evidence independent of the finding that Oswald attempted to kill General
Walker.
Richard M. Nixon Incident
Another alleged threat by Oswald against a public figure involved former Vice
President Richard M. Nixon. In January 1964, Marina Oswald and her business
manager, James Martin, told Robert Oswald,
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Lee Harvey Oswald's brother, that Oswald had once threatened to shoot former
Vice President Richard M. Nixon.741 When Marina Oswald testified before the
Commission on February 3-6, 1964, she had failed to mention the incident when
she was asked whether Oswald had ever expressed any hostility toward any
official of the United States.742 The Commission first learned of this incident
when Robert Oswald related it to FBI agents on February 19, 1964,743 and to the
Commission on February 21.744
Marina Oswald appeared before the Commission again on June 11, 1964, and
testified that a few days before her husband's departure from Dallas to New
Orleans on April 24, 1963, he finished reading a morning newspaper "* * * and
put on a good suit. I saw that he took a pistol. I asked him where he was going,
and why he was getting dressed. He answered 'Nixon is coming. I want to go and
have a look.' " He also said that he would use the pistol if the opportunity
arose.745 She reminded him that after the Walker shooting he had promised never
to repeat such an act. Marina Oswald related the events which followed:
I called him into the bathroom and I closed the door and I wanted to prevent him
and then I started to cry. -And I told him that he shouldn't do this, and that
he had promised me.
* * * * * *
I remember that I held him. We actually struggled for several minutes and then
he quieted down.746
She stated that it was not physical force which kept him from leaving the house.
"I couldn't keep him from going out if he really wanted to." 747 After further
questioning she stated that she might have been confused about shutting him in
the bathroom, but that "there is no doubt that he got dressed and got a gun."
Oswald's revolver was shipped from Los Angeles on March 20, 1968, 749 and he
left for New Orleans on April 24, 1968. 750 No edition of either Dallas
newspaper during the period January 1, 1963, to May 15, 1968, mentioned any
proposed visit by Mr. Nixon to Dallas.751 Mr. Nixon advised the Commission that
the only time he was in Dallas in 1963 was on November 20-21, 19'63.752 An
investigation failed to reveal any invitation extended to Mr. Nixon during the
period when Oswald's threat reportedly occurred.753 The Commission has
concluded, therefore, that regardless of what Oswald may have said to his wife
he was not actually planning to shoot Mr. Nixon at that time in Dallas.
On April 23, 1963, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was in Dallas for a visit
which had 'been publicized in the Dallas newspapers throughout April.754 The
Commission asked Marina Oswald whether she might have misunderstood the object
of her husband's threat. She stated, "there is no question that in this incident
it was a question of Mr. Nixon." 755 When asked later whether it might have been
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Mr. Johnson, she said, "Yes, no. I am getting a little confused with so many
questions. I was absolutely convinced it was Nixon and now after all these
questions I wonder if I am right in my mind? 756 She stated further that Oswald
had only mentioned Nixon's name once during the incident.757 Marina Oswald might
have misunderstood her husband. Mr. Johnson was the then Vice President and his
visit took place on April 23d. 758 This was 1 day before Oswald left for New
Orleans and Marina. appeared certain that the Nixon incident "wasn't the day
before. Perhaps 3 days before." 759
Marina Oswald speculated that. the incident may have been unrelated to an actual
threat. She said,
* * * It might have been that he was just. trying to test me. He was the kind of
person who could try and wound somebody in that way. Possibly he didn't want to
go out at all but was just doing this all as a sort of joke, not really as a
joke but rather to simply wound me, to make me feel bad.760
In the absence of other evidence that Oswald actually intended to shoot someone
at this time, the Commission concluded that the incident, as described by Marina
Oswald, was of no probative value in the Commission's decision concerning the
identity of the assassin of President. Kennedy.
Oswald's Rifle Capability
Page 189
OSWALD'S RIFLE CAPABILITY
In deciding whether Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots which killed President
Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally, the Commission considered whether Oswald,
using his own rifle, possessed the capability to hit his target with two out of
three shots under the conditions described in chapter Ill. The Commission
evaluated (1) the nature of the shots, (2) Oswald's Marine training in
marksmanship, (8) his experience and practice after leaving the Marine Corps,
and (4) the accuracy of the weapon and the quality of the ammunition.
The Nature of the Shots
For a rifleman situated on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository
Building the shots were at a slow- moving target proceeding on a downgrade in
virtually a straight line with the alinement of the assassin's rifle, at a range
of 177 to 266 feet.761 An aerial photograph of Dealey Plaza shows that. Elm
Street runs at an angle so that the President would have been moving in an
almost straight line away from the assassin's rifle.762 (See Commission Exhibit
No. $76, p. 33.) In addition, the 3° downward slope of Elm Street was of
assistance in eliminating at least some of the adjustment which is ordinarily
required when a marksman must raise his rifle as a target moves farther away.763
Four marksmanship experts testified before the Commission. Maj. Eugene D.
Anderson, assistant head of the Marksmanship Branch of
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the U.S. Marine Corps, testified that the shots which struck the President in
the neck and in the head were "not * * * particularly difficult." 764 Robert A.
Frazier, FBI expert. in firearms identification and training, said:
From my own experience in shooting over the years, when you shoot at 175 feet or
260 feet, which is less than 100 yards, with a telescopic sight, you should not
have any difficulty in hitting your target.
* * * * * * *
I mean it requires no training at all to shoot a weapon with a telescopic sight
once you know that you must put the crosshairs on the target and that is all
that is necessary.765
Ronald Simmons, chief of the U.S. Army Infantry Weapons Evaluation Branch of the
Ballistics Research Laboratory, said: "Well, in order to achieve three hits, it
would not be required that a man be an exceptional shot. A proficient man with
this weapon, yes." 766
The effect of a four-power telescopic sight on the difficulty of these shots was
considered in detail by M. Sgt. James A. Zahm, noncommissioned officer in charge
of the Marksmanship Training Unit in the Weapons Training Battalion of the
Marine Corps School at Quantico, Va.767 Referring to a rifle with a four-power
telescope, Sergeant Zahm said:
* * * this is the ideal type of weapon for moving targets * * * 768
* * * * * *
* * * Using the scope, rapidly working a bolt and using the scope to relocate
your target quickly and at the same time when you locate that target you
identify it and the crosshairs are in close relationship to the point you want
to shoot at, it just takes a minor move in aiming to bring the crosshairs to
bear, and then it is a quick squeeze.769
* * * * * *
I consider it a real advantage, particularly at the range of 100 yards, in
identifying your target. It. allows you to see your target clearly, and it is
still of a minimum amount of power that it doesn't exaggerate your own body
movements. It just is an aid in seeing in the fact that you only have the one
element, the crosshair, in relation to the target as opposed to iron sights with
aligning the sights and then aligning them on the target.770
Characterizing the four-power scope as "a real aid, an extreme aid" in rapid
fire shooting, Sergeant Zahm expressed the opinion that the shot which struck
President Kennedy in the neck at 176.9 to 190.8 feet was "very easy" and the
shot which struck the President in the
Page 191
head at a distance of 265.3 feet was "an easy shot." 771 After viewing
photographs depicting the alinement of Elm Street in relation to the Texas
School Book Depository Building, Zahm stated further:
This is a definite advantage to the shooter, the vehicle moving directly away
from him and the downgrade of the street, and he being in an elevated position
made an almost stationary target while he was aiming in, very little movement if
any.772
Oswald's Marine Training
In accordance with standard Marine procedures, Oswald received extensive
training in marksmanship.773 During the first week of an intensive 8-week
training period he received instruction in sighting, aiming, and manipulation of
the trigger.774 He went through a series of exercises called dry firing where he
assumed all positions which would later be used in the qualification course.775
After familiarization with live ammunition in the .22 rifle and .22 pistol,
Oswald, like all Marine recruits, received training on the rifle range at
distances up to 500 yards, firing 50 rounds each day for five days.776
Following that training, Oswald was tested in December of 1956, and obtained a
score of 212, which was 2 points above the minimum for qualifications as a
"sharpshooter" in a scale of marksman--sharp-shooter--expert.777 In May of 1959,
on another range, Oswald scored 191, which was 1 point over the minimum for
ranking as a "marksman." 778 The Marine Corps records maintained on Oswald
further show that he had fired and was familiar with the Browning Automatic
rifle, .45 caliber pistol, and 12-gage riot gun.779
Based on the general Marine Corps ratings, Lt. Col. A. G. Folsom, Jr., head,
Records Branch, Personnel Department, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, evaluated
the sharpshooter qualification as a "fairly good shot." and a low marksman
rating as a "rather poor shot."
When asked to explain the different scores achieved by Oswald on the two
occasions when he fired for record, Major Anderson said:
* * * when he fired that [212] he had just completed a very intensive
preliminary training period. He had the services of an experienced highly
trained coach. He had high motivation. He had presumably a good to excellent
rifle and good ammunition. We have nothing here to show under what conditions
the B course was fired. It might well have been a bad day for firing the
rifle--windy, rainy, dark. There is little probability that he had a good,
expert coach, and he probably didn't have as high a motivation because he was no
longer in recruit training and under the care of the drill instructor. There is
some possibility that the rifle he was firing might not have been as good a
rifle as the rifle that he was firing in his A course firing, because [he] may
well have carried this rifle for quite some time, and it got banged around in
normal usage. 781
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Major Anderson concluded:
I would say that as compared to other Marines receiving the same type of
training, that Oswald was a good shot, somewhat better than or equal to--better
than the average let us say. As compared to a civilian who had not received this
intensive training, he would be considered as a good to excellent shot.782
When Sergeant Zahm was asked whether Oswald's Marine Corps training would have
made it easier to operate a rifle with a four-power scope, he replied:
Based on that training, his basic knowledge in sight manipulation and trigger
squeeze and what not, I would say that he would be capable of sighting that
rifle in well, firing it, with 10 rounds.783
After reviewing Oswald's marksmanship scores, Sergeant Zahm concluded:
I would say in the Marine Corps he is a good shot, slightly above average, and
as compared to the average male of his age throughout the civilian, throughout
the United States, that he is an excellent shot.784
Oswald's Rifle Practice Outside the Marines
During one of his leaves from the Marines, Oswald hunted with his brother
Robert, using a .22 caliber bolt-action rifle belonging either to Robert or
Robert's in-laws.785 After he left the Marines and before departing for Russia,
Oswald, his brother, and a third companion went hunting for squirrels and
rabbits.786 On that occasion Oswald again used a bolt-action .22 caliber rifle;
and according to Robert, Lee Oswald exhibited an average amount of proficiency
with that weapon.787 While in Russia, Oswald obtained a hunting license, joined
a hunting club and went hunting about six times, as discussed more fully in
chapter VI.788 Soon after Oswald returned from the Soviet Union he again went
hunting with his brother, Robert, and used a borrowed .22 caliber bolt-action
rifle.789 After Oswald purchased the Mannlicher- Carcano rifle, he told his wife
that he practiced with it.790 Marina Oswald testified that on one occasion she
saw him take the rifle, concealed in a raincoat, from the house on Neely Street.
Oswald told her he was going to practice with it. 791 According to George De
Mohrenschildt, Oswald said that he went target shooting with that rifle.792
Marina Oswald testified that in New Orleans in May of 1963, she observed Oswald
sitting with the rifle on their screened porch at night, sighting with the
telescopic lens and operating the bolt.798 Examination of the cartridge cases
found on the sixth floor of the Depository
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Building established that they had been previously loaded and ejected from the
assassination rifle, which would indicate that Oswald practiced operating the
bolt.794
Accuracy of Weapon
It will be recalled from the discussion in chapter III that the assassin in all
probability hit two out of the three shots during the maximum time span of 4.8
to 5.6 seconds if the second shot missed, or, if either the first or third shots
missed, the assassin fired the three shots during a minimum time span of 7.1 to
7.9 seconds.795 A series of tests were performed to determine whether the weapon
and ammunition used in the assassination were capable of firing the shots which
were fired by the assassin on November 22, 1968. The ammunition used by the
assassin was manufactured by Western Cartridge Co. of East Alton, III. In tests
with the Mannlicher-Carcano C2766 rifle, over 100 rounds of this ammunition were
fired by the FBI and the Infantry Weapons Evaluation Branch of the U.S. Army.
There were no misfires.796
In an effort to test the rifle under conditions which simulated those which
prevailed during the assassination, the Infantry Weapons Evaluation Branch of
the Ballistics Research Laboratory had expert riflemen fire the assassination
weapon from a tower at three silhouette targets at distances of 175, 240, and
265 feet. The target at 265 feet was placed to the right of the 240-foot target
which was in turn placed to the right of the closest silhouette.797 Using the
assassination rifle mounted with the telescopic sight, three marksmen, rated as
master by the National Rifle Association, each fired two series of three shots.
In the first series the firers required time spans of 4.6, 6.75, and 8.25
seconds respectively. On the second series they required 5.15, 6.45, and 7
seconds. None of the marksmen had any practice with the assassination weapon
except for exercising the bolt for 2 or 3 minutes on a dry run. They had not
even pulled the trigger because of concern about breaking the firing pin.798
The marksmen took as much time as they wanted for the first target and all hit
the target.799 For the first four attempts, the firers missed the second shot.
by several inches. 800 The angle from the first. to the second shot was greater
than from the second to the third shot and required a movement in the basic
firing position of the marksmen.801 This angle was used in the test because the
majority of the eyewitnesses to the assassination stated that there was a
shorter interval between shots two and three than between shots one and two.802
As has been shown in chapter III, if the three shots were fired within a period
of from 4.8 to 5.6 seconds, the shots would have been evenly spaced and the
assassin would not have incurred so sharp an angular movement.803
Five of the six shots hit the third target where the angle of movement. of the
weapon was small.804 On the basis of these results, Simmons testified that in
his opinion the probability of hitting the targets at the relatively short range
at which they were hit was very high.805
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Considering the various probabilities which may have prevailed during the actual
assassination, the highest level of firing performance which would have been
required of the assassin and the C2766 rifle would have been to fire three times
and hit the target twice within a span of 4.8 to 5.6 seconds. In fact, one of
the firers in the rapid fire test in firing his two series of three shots, hit
the target twice within a span of 4.6 and 5.15 seconds. The others would have
been able to reduce their times if they had been given the opportunity to become
familiar with the movement of the bolt and the trigger pull.806 Simmons
testified that familiarity with the bolt could be achieved in dry practice and,
as has been indicated above, Oswald engaged in such practice.807 If the assassin
missed either the first or third shot, he had a total of between 4.8 and 5.6
seconds between the two shots which hit and a total minimum time period of from
7.1 to 7.9 seconds for all three shots. All three of the firers in these tests
were able to fire the rounds within the time period which would have been
available to the assassin under those conditions.
Three FBI firearms experts tested the rifle in order to determine the speed with
which it could be fired. The purpose of this experiment was not to test the
rifle under conditions which prevailed at the time of the assassination but to
determine the maximum speed at which it could be fired. The three FBI experts
each fired three shots from the weapon at 15 yards in 6, 7, and 9 seconds, and
one of these agents, Robert A. Frazier, fired two series of three shots at 25
yards in 4.6 and 4.8 seconds.808 At 15 yards each man's shots landed within the
size of a dime.809 The shots fired by Frazier at the range of 25 yards landed
within an area of 2 inches and 5 inches respectively.810 Frazier later fired
four groups of three shots at a distance of 100 yards in 5.9, 6.2, 5.6, and 6.5
seconds. Each series of three shots landed within areas ranging in diameter from
3 to 5 inches.811 Although all of the shots were a few inches high and to the
right of the target., this was because of a defect in the scope which was
recognized by the FBI agents and which they could have compensated for if they
were aiming to hit a bull's-eye.812 They were instead firing to determine how
rapidly the weapon could be fired and the area within which three shots could be
placed. Frazier testified that while he could not tell when the defect occurred,
but that a person familiar with the weapon could compensate for it.813 Moreover,
the defect was one which would have assisted the assassin aiming at a target
which was moving away. Frazier said, "The fact that the crosshairs are set high
would actually compensate for any lead which had to be taken. So that if you
aimed with this weapon as it actually was received at the laboratory, it would
not be necessary to take any lead whatsoever in order to hit the intended
object. The scope would accomplish the lead for you." Frazier added that the
scope would cause a slight miss to the right. It should be noted, however, that
the President's car was curving slightly to the right when the third shot was
fired.
Based on these tests the experts agreed that the assassination rifle was an
accurate weapon. Simmons described it as "quite accurate,"
Page 195
in fact, as accurate as current. military rifles.814 Frazier testified that the
rifle was accurate, that it had less recoil than the average military rifle and
that one would not have to be an expert marksman to have accomplished the
assassination with the weapon which was used.815
Conclusion
The various tests showed that the Mannlicher-Carcano was an accurate rifle and
that the use of a four-power scope was a substantial aid to rapid, accurate
firing. Oswald's Marine training in marksmanship, his other rifle experience and
his established familiarity with this particular weapon show that he possessed
ample capability to commit the assassination. Based on the known facts of the
assassination, the Marine marksmanship experts, Major Anderson and Sergeant
Zahm, concurred in the opinion that Oswald had the capability to fire three
shots, with two hits, within 4.8 and 5.6 seconds.816 Concerning the shots which
struck the President in the back of the neck, Sergeant Zahm testified: "With the
equipment he [Oswald] had and with his ability I consider it a very easy shot."
817 Having fired this slot the assassin was then required to hit the target one
more time within a space of from 4.8 to 5.6 seconds. On the basis of Oswald's
training and the accuracy of the weapon as established by the tests, the
Commission concluded that Oswald was capable of accomplishing this second hit
even if there was an intervening shot which missed. The probability of hitting
the President a second time would have been markedly increased if, in fact, he
had missed either the first or third shots thereby leaving a time span of 4.8 to
5.6' seconds between the two shots which struck their mark. The Commission
agrees with the testimony of Marine marksmanship expert Zahm that it was easy
shot" to hit some part of the President's body, and that the range where the
rifleman would be expected to hit would include the President's head.818
Conclusion
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CONCLUSION
On the basis of the evidence reviewed in this chapter, the Commission has found
that Lee Harvey Oswald (1) owned and possessed the rifle used to kill President
Kennedy and wound Governor Connally, (2) brought this rifle into the Depository
Building on the morning of the assassination, (3) was present, at the time of
the assassination, at the window from which the shots were fired (4) killed
Dallas Police Officer J. D. Tippit in an apparent attempt to escape, (5)
resisted arrest by drawing a fully loaded pistol and attempting to shoot.
another police officer, (6) lied to the police after his arrest concerning
important substantive matters, (7) attempted, in April 1963, to kill Maj. Gen.
Edwin A. Walker, and (8) possessed the capability with a rifle which would have
enabled him to commit the assassination. On the basis of these findings the
Commission has concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the assassin of President
Kennedy.
Chapter V Detention and Death of Oswald
Page 196
CHAPTER V
Detention and Death of Oswald
LEE HARVEY OSWALD spent almost all of the last 48 hours of his life in the
Police and Courts Building, a gray stone structure in downtown Dallas that
housed the headquarters of the Dallas Police Department and the city jail.
Following his arrest early Friday afternoon, Oswald was brought immediately to
this building and remained there until Sunday morning, November 24, when he was
scheduled to be transferred to the county jail. At 11:21 that morning, in full
view of millions of people watching on television, Oswald was fatally wounded by
Jack Ruby, who emerged suddenly from the crowd of newsmen and policemen
witnessing the transfer and fired a single shot at Oswald.
Whether the killing of Oswald was part of a conspiracy involving the
assassination of President Kennedy is considered in chapter VI. Aside from that
question, the occurrences within the Police and Courts Building between November
22 and 24 raise other important issues concerning the conduct of law enforcement
officials, the responsibilities of the press, the rights of accused persons, and
the administration of criminal justice in the United States. The Commission has
therefore deemed it necessary to determine the facts concerning Oswald's
detention and death and to evaluate the actions and responsibilities of the
police and press involved in these events.
Treatment of Oswald in Custody
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TREATMENT OF OSWALD IN CUSTODY
The focal center of the Police and Courts Building during Oswald's detention was
the third floor, which housed the main offices of the Dallas Police Department.
The public elevators on this floor opened into a lobby midpoint of a corridor
that extended along the length of the floor for about 140 feet. At one end of
this 7-foot-wide corridor were the offices occupied by Chief of Police Jesse E.
Curry and his immediate subordinates; at the other end was a small pressroom
that could accommodate only a handful of reporters. Along this corridor were
other police offices, including those of the major detective bureaus. Between
the pressroom and the lobby was the complex of offices
Page 197
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
DALLAS, TEXAS
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2175
Page 198
belonging to the homicide and robbery bureau, headed by Capt. J. Will Fritz.1
(See Commission Exhibit No. 2175, p. 197.)
Chronology
The policemen who seized Oswald at the Texas Theatre arrived with him at the
police department building at about 9 p.m. and brought him immediately to the
third floor offices of the homicide and robbery bureau to await the arrival of
Captain Fritz from the Texas School Book Depository. After about 15 or 20
minutes Oswald was ushered into the office of Captain Fritz for the first of
several interrogation sessions.2 At 4:05 p.m. he was taken to the basement
assembly room for his first lineup.3 While waiting outside the lineup room,
Oswald was searched, and five cartridges and other items were removed from his
pockets.4 After the lineup, at about 4 :20, Oswald was returned to Captain
Fritz' office for further questioning.5 Two hours later, at 6:20 p.m., Oswald
was taken downstairs for a second lineup and returned to Captain Fritz' office
within 15 minutes for additional interrogation.6 Shortly after 7 p.m., Captain
Fritz signed a complaint charging Oswald with the murder of Patrolman Tippit.
Oswald was formally .arraigned, i.e., advised of the charges, at 7:10 p.m.,
before Justice of the Peace David L. Johnston, who came to Captain office for
the occasion.7
After a third lineup at about 7:40 p.m., Oswald was returned to Fritz' office.8
About. an hour later, after further questioning, Oswald's fingerprints and
palmprints were taken and a paraffin test (see app. XI) administered in Fritz'
office, after which the questioning resumed.9 At 11:26 p.m. Fritz signed the
complaint charging Oswald with the murder of President Kennedy. 10 Shortly after
midnight, detectives took Oswald to the basement assembly room for an appearance
of several minutes before members of the press.11 At about 12 :20 a.m. Oswald
was delivered to the jailer who placed him in a maximum security cell on the
fifth floor. 12 His cell was the center one in a block of three cells that were
separated from the remainder of the jail area. The cells on either side of
Oswald were empty and a guard was nearby whenever Oswald was present.13 Shortly
after 1 :30 a.m. Oswald was brought to the identification bureau on the fourth
floor and arraigned before Justice of the Peace Johnston, this time for the
murder President Kennedy.14
Questioning resumed in Fritz' office on Saturday morning at about 10:25 a.m.,
and the session lasted nearly an hour and 10 minutes.15 Oswald was then returned
to his cell for an hour, and at 12:35 p.m. he was brought back to Fritz' office
for an additional half-hour of questioning.16 From 1:10 to 1:30 p.m., Oswald's
wife and mother visited him in the fourth floor visiting area;17 at 1:40 p.m. he
tempted to call an attorney in New York. 18 He appeared in another lineup at, 2
:15 p.m.19 At 2:45 p.m., with Oswald's consent, a member of the identification
bureau obtained fingernail scrapings and specimens of hair from him.20 He
returned to the fourth floor at 3:30
Page 199
p.m. for a 10-minute visit with his brother, Robert. 21 Between 4 and 4:30 p.m.,
Oswald made two telephone calls to Mrs. Ruth Paine 22 at her home in Irving; at
about 5:30 p.m. he was visited by the president of the Dallas Bar Association 23
with whom he spoke for about 5 minutes. From 6 to 7:15 p.m. Oswald was
interrogated once again in Captain Fritz' office and then returned to his cell.
24 At 8 p.m. he called the Paine residence again and asked to speak to his wife,
but Mrs. Paine told him that his wife was no longer there.25
Oswald was signed out of jail at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 24, and taken to
Captain Fritz' office for a final round of questioning.26 The transfer party
left Fritz' office at about 11:15 a.m.;27 at 11:21 a.m. Oswald was shot.28 He
was declared dead at Parkland Hospital at 1:07 p.m.29
Interrogation Sessions
During the period between 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon and 11:15 a.m. Sunday
morning, Oswald was interrogated for a total of approximately 12 hours.30 Though
subject to intermittent questioning for more than 7 hours on Friday, Oswald was
given 8 to 9 hours to rest that night. On Saturday he was questioned for a total
of only 3 hours during three interrogation sessions, and on Sunday he was
questioned for less than 2 hours. 31 (These interrogations are discussed in ch.
IV.)
Captain Fritz' office, within which the interrogations took place, was a small
room, 14 feet by 9 and a half feet in size. 32 In addition to the policemen
guarding the prisoner, those present usually included Dallas detectives,
investigators from the FBI and the Secret Service, and occasionally other
officials, 'particularly a post office inspector and the U.S. marshal. (See
statements in app. XI.) As many as seven or eight people crowded into the small
office.33 In all, more than 25 different persons participated in or were present
at some time during interrogations. Captain Fritz, who conducted most of the
interrogations, was frequently called from the room. He said, "I don't believe
there was any time when I went through a very long period without having to step
to the door, or step outside, to get a report from some pair of officers, or to
give them additional assignments." 34 In his absence, others present would
occasionally question Oswald.35
The interrogators differ on whether the confusion prevailing in the main third
floor corridor penetrated Fritz' office and affected the atmosphere within.36
Oswald's processions through the third floor corridor, described more fully
below, tended, in Fritz' opinion, to keep Oswald upset, and the remarks and
questions of newsmen sometimes caused him to become annoyed. Despite the
confusion that frequently prevailed, Oswald remained calm most of the time
during the interrogations.37 According to Captain Fritz:
You know I didn't have trouble with him. If we would just talk to him quietly
like we are talking right now, we talked all right until I asked him a question
that meant something, every
Page 200
time I asked him a question that meant something, that would produce evidence he
immediately told
me he wouldn't tell me about it and he seemed to anticipate what I was going to
ask. 38
Special Agent James W. Bookhout, who represented the FBI at most of the
interrogations, stated, "I think generally you might say any-time that you asked
a question that would be pertinent to the investigation, that would be the type
of question he would refuse to discuss." 39
The number of people in the interrogation room and the tumultuous atmosphere
throughout the third floor made it difficult for the interrogators to gain
Oswald's confidence and to encourage him to be truthful. As Chief Curry has
recognized in his testimony, "we were violating every principle of interrogation
* * * it was just against all principles of good interrogation practice." 40
Oswald's Legal Rights
All available evidence indicates that Oswald was not subjected to any physical
hardship during the interrogation sessions or at any other time while he was in
custody. He was fed and allowed to rest. When he protested on Friday against
being handcuffed from behind, the cuffs were removed and he was handcuffed in
front. 41 Although he made remarks to newsmen about desiring a shower and
demanding his "civil rights," Oswald did not complain about his treatment to any
of the numerous police officers and other persons who had much to do with him
during the 2 days of his detention.42 As described in chapter IV, Oswald
received a. slight cut over his right eye and a bruise under his left eye during
the scuffle in the Texas Theatre with the arresting officers, three of whom were
injured .and required medical treatment. These marks were visible to all who saw
him during the 2 days of his detention and to millions of television viewers.43
Before the first questioning session on Friday afternoon, Fritz warned Oswald
that he was not compelled to make any statement and that statements he did make
could be used against him.44 About 5 hours later, he was arraigned for the
Tippit murder and within an additional 6 and a half hours he was arraigned for
the murder of President Kennedy. On each occasion the justice of the peace
advised Oswald of his right to obtain counsel and the right to remain silent.45
Throughout the period of detention, however, Oswald was not represented by
counsel. At the Friday midnight press conference in the basement assembly room,
he made the following remarks:
Oswald. Well, I was questioned by Judge-------[Johnston]. However, I protested
at that time that I
was not allowed legal representation during that very short and sweet hearing. I
really don't know what
the situation is about. Nobody has told me anything except that I am accused of,
of, murdering a policeman.
Page 201
I know nothing more than that and I do request someone to come forward to give
me legal assistance.
Q. Did you kill the President ?
A. No. I have not been charged with that. In fact nobody has said that to me
yet. The first thing I heard about it was when the newspaper reporters in the
hall asked me that question.
Q. Mr. Oswald, how did you hurt your eye ?
A. A policeman hit me.46
At this time Oswald had been arraigned only for the murder of Patrolman Tippit,
but questioning by Captain Fritz and others had been substantially concerned
with Oswald's connection with the assassination.47
On Friday evening, representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union visited
the police department to determine whether Oswald was being deprived of counsel.
They were assured by police officials and Justice of the Peace Johnston that
Oswald had been informed of his rights and was being allowed to seek a lawyer.48
On Saturday Oswald attempted several times to reach John Abt, a New York lawyer,
by telephone, but with no success. 49 In the afternoon, he called Ruth Paine and
asked her to try to reach Abt for him, but she too failed. 50 Later in the
afternoon, H. Louis Nichols, president of the Dallas Bar Association, visited
Oswald in his cell and asked him whether he wanted the association to obtain a
lawyer for him. Oswald declined the offer, stating a first preference for Abt
and a second preference for a lawyer from the American Civil Liberties Union.51
As late as Sunday morning, according to Postal Inspector Harry D. Holmes, Oswald
said that he preferred to get his own lawyer.52
Activity of Newsmen
Page 201
ACTIVITY OF NEWSMEN
Within an hour of Oswald's arrival at the police department on November 22, it
became known to newsmen that he was a possible suspect in the slaying of
President Kennedy as well as in the murder of Patrolman Tippit. At least as
early as 3:26 p.m. a television report carried this information. Reporters and
cameramen flooded into the building and congregated in the corridor of the third
floor, joining those few who had been present when Oswald first arrived. 53
On the Third Floor
Felix McKnight, editor of the Dallas Times-Herald, who handled press
arrangements for the President's visit, estimated that within 24 hours of the
assassination more than 800 representatives of news media were in Dallas,
including correspondents from foreign newspapers and press associations.54
District Attorney Henry M. Wade
Page 202
thought that the crowd in the third floor hallway itself may have numbered as
many as 300.55 Most estimates, including those based on examination of video
tapes, place upwards of 100 newsmen and cameramen in the third floor corridor of
the police department by the evening of November 22.55 (See Commission Exhibit
No. 2633, p. 203.)
In the words of an FBI agent who was present, the conditions at the police
station were "not too much unlike Grand Central Station at rush hour, maybe like
the Yankee Stadium during the World Series games.
* * *" 57 In the lobby of the third floor, television cameramen set up two large
cameras and floodlights in strategic positions that gave them a sweep of the
corridor in either direction. Technicians stretched their television cables into
and out of offices, running some of them out of the windows of a deputy chief's
office and down the side of the building. Men with newsreel cameras, still
cameras, and microphones, more mobile than the .television cameramen, moved back
and forth seeking information and opportunities for interviews. Newsmen wandered
into the offices of .other bureaus located on the third floor, sat on desks, and
used police telephones; indeed, one reporter admits hiding a telephone behind a
desk so that he would have exclusive access to it if something developed.58
By the time Chief Curry returned to the building in the middle of the afternoon
from Love Field where he had escorted President Johnson from Parkland Hospital,
he found that "there was just pandemonium on the third floor." 59 The news
representatives, he testified:
* * * were jammed into the north hall of the third floor, which are the offices
of the criminal investigation division. The television trucks, there were
several of them around the city hall. I went into my administrative offices, I
saw cables coming through the administrative assistant office and through the
deputy chief of traffic through his office, and running through the hall they
had a live TV set up on the third floor, and it was a bedlam of confusion.60
According to Special Agent Winston G. Lawson of the Secret Service:
At least by 6 or 7 o'clock * * * [the reporters and cameramen] were quite in
evidence up and down the corridors, cameras on the tripods, the sound equipment,
people with still cameras, motion picture-type hand cameras, all kinds of people
with tape recorders, and they were trying to interview people, anybody that
belonged in police headquarters that might know anything about Oswald * * * .61
The corridor became so jammed that policemen and newsmen had to push and shove
if they wanted to get through, stepping over cables,
Page 203
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2633
Scene in third floor corridor.
Page 204
wires, and tripods.62 The crowd in the hallway was so dense that District
Attorney Wade found it a "strain to get the door open" to get. into the homicide
office.63 According to Lawson, "You had to literally fight your way through the
people to get up and down the corridor." 64 A witness who was escorted into the
homicide offices on Saturday afternoon related that he
tried to get by the reporters, stepping over television cables and you couldn't
hardly get by, they would grab you and wanted to know what you were doing down
here, even with the detectives one in front and one behind you.65
The television cameras continued to record the scene on the third floor as some
of the newsmen kept. vigil through the night.66
Such police efforts as there were to control the newsmen were unavailing. Capt.
Glen D. King, administrative assistant to Chief Curry, witnessed efforts to
clear an aisle through the hallway, but related that "this was a constant battle
because of the number of newsmen who were there. They would move back into the
aisleway that had been cleared. They interfered with the movement of people who
had to be there." 67 According to one detective, "they would be asked to stand
back and stay back but it wouldn't do much good, and they would push forward and
you had to hold them off physically." The detective recalled that on one
occasion when he was escorting a witness through the corridor he "stopped * * *
and looked down and there was a joker had a camera stuck between * * * [his]
legs taking pictures. * * * "68 Forrest V. Sorrels of the Secret Service had the
impression that the "press and the television people just * * * took over." 69
Police control over the access of other than newsmen to the third floor was of
limited but increasing effectiveness after Oswald's arrival at the police
department. Initially no steps. were taken to exclude unauthorized persons from
the third floor corridor, but late Friday afternoon Assistant Chief Charles
Batchelor stationed guards at the elevators and the stairway to prevent the
admission of such persons. He also directed the records room in the basement to
issue passes, after verification by the bureaus involved, to people who had
legitimate business on the third floor.70 Throughout the 3 days of Oswald's
detention, the police were obliged to continue normal business in all five
bureaus located along the third floor hallway. Thus many persons--relatives of
prisoners, complainants, witnesses 71 --had occasion to visit police offices on
the third floor on business unrelated to the investigation of the assassination.
Newsmen seeking admission to the third floor were required to identify
themselves by their personal press cards; however, the department did not follow
its usual procedure of checking the authenticity of press credentials.72 Captain
King felt that this would have been impossible in light of "the atmosphere that
existed over there, the tremendous pressures that existed, the fact that
telephones were ringing constantly,
Page 205
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2631
Oswald being moved through third floor corridor.
Page 206
that there were droves of people in there * * * the fact that the method by
which you positively identify someone * * * it's not easy." 73
Police officers on the third floor testified that they carefully checked all
persons for credentials, and most newsmen indicated that after Batchelor imposed
security they were required to identify themselves by their press cards.74
Special Agent Sorrels of the Secret Service stated that he was requested to
present credentials on some of his visits to the third floor.75 However, other
newsmen apparently went unchallenged during the entire period before Oswald was
killed, al though some of them were wearing press badges on their lapels and
some may have been known to the police officers. 76
According to some reporters and policemen, people who appeared to be
unauthorized were present on the third floor after security procedures were
instituted, and video tapes seem to confirm their observations.77 Jack Ruby was
present on the third floor on Friday night.78 Assistant Chief of Police N. T.
Fisher testified that even on Saturday "anybody could come up with a plausible
reason for going to one of the third floor bureaus and was able to get in." 79
Oswald and the Press
When the police car bringing Oswald from the Texas Theatre drove into the
basement of police headquarters at about 2 p.m. on Friday, some reporters and
cameramen, principally from local papers and stations, were already on hand. The
policemen formed a wedge around Oswald and conducted him to the elevator, but
several newsmen crowded into the elevator with Oswald and the police. When the
elevator stopped at the third floor, the cameramen ran ahead down the corridor,
and then turned around and backed up, taking pictures of Oswald as he was
escorted toward the homicide and robbery bureau office. According to one
escorting officer, some six or seven reporters followed the police into the
bureau office.80
From Friday afternoon, when Oswald arrived in the building, until Sunday,
newspaper reporters and television cameras focused their attention on the
homicide office. In full view and within arm's length of the assembled newsmen,
Oswald traversed the 20 feet of corridor between the homicide office and the
locked door leading to the jail elevator at least 15 times after his initial
arrival. The jail elevator, .sealed off from public use, took him to his fifth
floor cell and to the assembly room in the basement for lineups and the Friday
night news conference.81
On most occasions, Oswald's escort of three to six detectives and policemen had
to push their way through the newsmen who sought to surround them. (See
Commission Exhibit No. 2631, p. 205.) Although the Dallas press normally did not
take pictures of a prisoner without first obtaining permission of the police,
who generally asked the prisoner, this practice was not followed by any of the
newsmen with Oswald.82 Generally when Oswald appeared the newsmen turned their
cameras on him, thrust microphones at his face, and shouted
Page 207
OSWALD AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN
ASSEMBLY ROOM, FRIDAY NIGHT
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2965)
Page 208
questions at him. Sometimes he answered. Reporters in the forefront of the
throng would repeat his answers for the benefit of those behind them who could
not hear. On Saturday, however in response to police admonitions, the reporters
exercised more restraint and shouted fewer questions at Oswald when he passed
through the corridor.83
Oswald's most prolonged exposure occurred at the midnight press conference on
Friday night. In response to demands of newsmen, District Attorney Wade, after
consulting with Chief Curry and Captain Fritz, had announced shortly before
midnight that Oswald would appear at a press conference in the basement assembly
room.84 An estimated 70 to 100 people, including Jack Ruby, and other
unauthorized persons, crowded into the small downstairs room. No identification
was required.85 The room was so packed that Deputy Chief M. W. Stevenson and
Captain Fritz who came down to the basement after the crowd had assembled could
not get in and were forced to remain in the doorway.86
Oswald was brought into the room shortly after midnight.87 Curry had instructed
policemen not to permit newsmen to touch Oswald or get close to him, but no
steps were taken to shield Oswald from the crowd.88 Captain Fritz had asked that
Oswald be placed on the platform used for lineups so that he could be more
easily removed "if anything happened." 89 Chief Curry, however, insisted that
Oswald stand on the floor in front of the stage, where he was also in front of
the one-way nylon-cloth screen customarily used to prevent a suspect. from
seeing those present in the room. This was done because cameramen had told Curry
that their cameras would not photograph well through the screen.90
Curry had instructed the reporters that they were not to "ask any questions and
try to interview * * * [Oswald] in any way," but when he was brought into the
room, immediately they began to shoot questions at him and shove microphones
into his face." 91 It was difficult to hear Oswald's answers above the uproar.
Cameramen stood on the tables to take pictures and others pushed forward to get
close-ups. (See Commission Exhibit No. 2965, p. 207.) The noise and confusion
mounted as reporters shouted at each other to get out of the way and cameramen
made frantic efforts to get into position for pictures.92 After Oswald had been
in the room only a few minutes, Chief Curry intervened and directed that Oswald
be taken back to the jail because, he testified, the newsmen "tried to overrun
him." 93
The Abortive Transfer
Page 208
THE ABORTIVE TRANSFER
In Dallas, after a person is charged with a felony, the county sheriff
ordinarily takes custody of the prisoner and assumes responsibility for his
safekeeping. Normally, the Dallas Police Department notifies the sheriff when a
prisoner has been charged with a felony and the sheriff dispatches his deputies
to transport the accused to the county jail. This is usually done within a few
hours after the complaint
Page 209
has been filed. In cases of unusual importance, however, the Dallas city police
sometimes transport the prisoners to the county jail.94
The decision to move Oswald to the county jail on Sunday morning was reached by
Chief Curry the preceding evening. Sometime after 7:30 Saturday evening,
according to Assistant Chief Batchelor, two reporters told him that they wanted
to go out to dinner but that "they didn't want to miss anything if we were going
to move the prisoner." Curry came upon them at that point and told the two
newsmen that if they returned by 10 o'clock in the morning, they wouldn't "miss
anything." 95 A little later, after checking with Captain Fritz, Curry made a
similar announcement to the assembled reporters. Curry reported the making of
his decision to move Oswald as follows:
Then, I talked to Fritz about when he thought he would transfer the prisoner,
and he didn't think it was a good idea to transfer him at night because of the
fact you couldn't see, and if anybody tried to cause them any trouble, they
needed to see who they were and where it was coming from and so forth, and he
suggested that we wait until daylight, so this was normal procedure, I mean, for
Fritz to determine when he is going to transfer his prisoners, so I told him
"Okay." I asked him, I said, "What time do you think you will be ready
tomorrow?" And he didn't know exactly and I said, "Do you think about 10
o'c1ock," and he said, "I believe so," and then is when I went out and told the
newspaper people * * * "I believe if you are back here by 10 o'clock you will be
back in time to observe anything you care to observe." 96
During the night, between 2:30 and 3 a.m., the local office of the FBI and the
sheriff's office received telephone calls from an unidentified man who warned
that a committee had decided "to kill the man that killed the President." 97
Shortly after, an FBI agent notified the Dallas police of the anonymous threat.
The police department and ultimately Chief Curry were informed of both
threats.98
Immediately after his arrival at the building on Sunday morning between 8:30 and
8:45 a.m., Curry spoke by telephone with Sheriff J. E. Decker about the
transfer. When Decker indicated that he would leave to Curry the decision on
whether the sheriff's office or the police would move Oswald, Curry decided that
the police would handle it because "we had so much involved here, we were the
ones that were investigating the case and we had the officers set up down stairs
to handle it." 99
After talking with Decker, Curry began to discuss plans for the transfer. With
the threats against Oswald in mind, Curry suggested to Batchelor and Deputy
Chief Stevenson that Oswald be transported to the county jail in an armored
truck, to which they agreed. While Batchelor made arrangements to have an
armored truck brought to the building, Curry and Stevenson tentatively agreed on
the route the armored truck would follow from the building to the county
jail.100
Page 210
Curry decided that Oswald would leave the building via the basement. He stated
later that he reached this decision shortly after his arrival at the police
building Sunday morning, when members of the press had already begun to gather
in the basement. There is no evidence that anyone opposed this decision.101 Two
members of the Dallas police did suggest to Captain Fritz that Oswald be taken
from the building by another exit, leaving the press "waiting in the basement
and on Commerce Street, and we could be to the county jail before anyone knew
what was taking place." 102 However, Fritz said that he did not think Curry
would agree to such a plan because he had promised that Oswald would be
transferred at a time when newsmen could take pictures.103 Forrest Sorrels also
suggested to Fritz that Oswald be moved at an unannounced time when no one was
around, but Fritz again responded that Curry "wanted to go along with the press
and not try to put anything over on them." 104
Preliminary arrangements to obtain additional personnel to assist with the
transfer were begun Saturday evening. On Saturday night, the police reserves
were requested to provide 8 to 10 men on Sunday, and additional reservists were
sought in the morning.105 Capt. C. E. Talbert, who was in charge of the patrol
division for the city of Dallas on the morning of November 24, retained a small
number of policemen in the building when he took charge that morning and later
ordered other patrolmen from several districts to report to the basement. 106 At
about 9 a.m. Deputy Chief Stevenson instructed all detectives within the
building to remain for the transfer.107 Sheriff Decker testified that his men
were ready to receive Oswald at the county jail from the early hours of Sunday
morning.108
With the patrolmen and reserve policemen available to him, Captain Talbert, on
his own initiative, undertook to secure the basement of the police department
building. He placed policemen outside the building at the top of the Commerce
Street ramp to keep all spectators on the opposite side of Commerce Street.
Later, Talbert directed that patrolmen be assigned to all street intersections
the transfer vehicle would cross along the route to the county jail. 109 His
most significant security precautions, however, were steps designed to exclude
unauthorized persons from the basement area.
The spacious basement of the Police and Courts Building contains, among other
things, the jail office and the police garage. (See Commission Exhibit No. 2179,
p. 211.) The jail office, into which the jail elevator opens, is situated on the
west side of an auto ramp cutting across the length of the basement from Main
Street, on the north side of the building, to Commerce Street, on the south
side. From the foot of this ramp, on the east side, midway .through the
basement, a decline runs down a short distance to the l.-shaped police garage.
In addition to the auto ramp, five doors to the garage provide access to the
basement from the Police and Courts Building on the west side of the garage and
the attached Municipal Building on the east. Three of these five doors provide
access to three elevators opening into the garage, two for passengers near the
central part of the garage and
Page 211
BASEMENT
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, DALLAS, TEXAS
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2179
Page 212
one for service at the east end of the garage. A fourth door near the passenger
elevator opens into the municipal building; the fifth door, at the Commerce
Street side of the garage, opens into a sub~ basement that is connected with
both buildings.110
Shortly after 9 o'clock Sunday morning, policemen cleared the basement of all
but police personnel. Guards were stationed at the top of the Main and Commerce
Streets auto ramps leading down into the basement, at each of the five doorways
into the garage, and at the double doors leading to the public hallway adjacent
to the jail office. Then, Sgt. Patrick T. Dean, acting under instructions from
Talbert, directed 14 men in a search of the garage. Maintenance workers were
directed to leave the area. The searchers examined the rafters, tops of air
conditioning ducts, and every closet and room opening off the garage. They
searched the interior and trunk compartment of automobiles parked in the garage.
The two passenger elevators in the central part of the garage were not in
service and the doors were shut and locked; the service elevator was moved to
the first floor, and the operator was instructed not to return it to the
basement.111
Despite the thoroughness with which the search was conducted, there still
existed one and perhaps two weak points in controlling access to the garage.
Testimony did not resolve positively whether or not the stairway door near the
public elevators was locked both from the inside and outside as was necessary to
secure it effectively.112 And 'although guards were stationed near the double
doors, the hallway near the jail office was accessible to people from inside the
Police and Courts Building without the necessity of presenting identification.
Until seconds before Oswald was shot, newsmen hurrying to photograph Oswald were
able to run without challenge through those doors into the basement.113
After the search had been completed, the police allowed news representatives to
reenter the basement area and gather along the entrance to the garage on the
east side of the ramp. Later, the police permitted the newsmen to stand in front
of the railing on the east side of the ramp leading to Main Street. The
policemen deployed by Talbert and Dean had instructions to allow no one but
identified news media representatives into the basement. As before, the police
accepted any credentials that- appeared authentic, though some officers did make
special efforts to check for pictures and other forms of corroborating
identification. Many newsmen reported that they were checked on more than one
occasion while they waited in the basement. A small number did not recall that
their credentials were ever checked.114
Shortly after his arrival on Sunday morning, Chief Curry issued instructions to
keep reporters and cameramen out of the jail office and to keep television
equipment behind the railing separating the basement auto ramp from the garage.
Curry observed that in other respects Captain Talbert appeared to have security
measures in hand and allowed him to proceed on his own initiative. Batchelor and
Page 213
Stevenson checked progress in the basement during the course of the morning, and
the officials were generally satisfied with the steps Talbert had taken.115
At about 11 a.m., Deputy Chief Stevenson requested that Capt. O. A. Jones of the
forgery bureau bring all available detectives from the third floor offices to
the basement. Jones instructed the detectives who accompanied him to the
basement to line the walls on either side of the passageway cleared for the
transfer party.116 According to Detective T. D. McMillon,
* * * Captain Jones explained to us that, when they brought the prisoner out,
that he wanted two lines formed and we were to keep these two lines formed: you
know, a barrier on either side of them, kind of an aisle * * * for them to walk
through, and when they came down this aisle, we were to keep this line intact
and move along with them until the man was placed in the car.117
With Assistant Chief Batchelor's permission, Jones removed photographers who had
gathered once again in the basement jail office. Jones recalled that he
instructed all newsmen along the Main Street ramp to remain behind an imaginary
line extending from the southeast corner of the jail office to the railing on
the east side of the ramp; other officers recalled that Jones directed the
newsmen to move away from the foot of the Main Street ramp and to line up
against the east. railing. In any event, newsmen were allowed to congregate
along the foot of the ramp after Batchelor observed that there was insufficient
room along the east of the ramp to permit .all the news representatives to see
Oswald as he was brought out.118
By the time Oswald reached the basement, 40 to 50 newsmen and 70 to 75 police
officers were assembled there. Three television cameras stood along the railing
and most of the newsmen were congregated in that area and at the top of the
adjacent decline leading into the garage. A group of newsmen and police
officers, best estimated at about 20, stood strung across the bottom of the Main
Street ramp. Along the south wall of the passageway outside the jail office door
were about eight detectives, and three detectives lined the north wall. Two
officers stood in front of the double doors leading into the passageway from the
corridor next to the jail office.119 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2634, p. 214.)
Beginning Saturday night, the public had been kept informed of the approximate
time of the transfer. At approximately 10:20 a.m. Curry told a press conference
that Oswald would be moved in an armored truck and gave a general description of
other security precautions.120 Apparently no newsmen were informed of the
transfer route, however, and the route was not disclosed to the driver of the
armored truck until the truck arrived at the Commerce Street exit at about 11:07
a.m.121 When they learned of its arrival, many of the remaining newsmen who had
waited on the third floor descended to the basement. Shortly after, newsmen may
have had another indication
Page 214
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2634
Scene in areaway outside jail office immediately before shooting
(Sunday, November 24.)
Page 215
that the transfer was imminent if they caught a glimpse through the glass
windows of Oswald putting on a sweater in Captain Fritz' office. 122
Because the driver feared that the truck might stall if it had to start from the
bottom of the ramp and because the overhead clearance appeared to be inadequate,
Assistant Chief Batchelor had it backed only into the entranceway at the top of
the ramp. Batchelor and others then inspected the inside of the truck.123
When Chief Curry learned that the truck had arrived, he informed Captain Fritz
that security controls were in effect and inquired how long the questioning of
Oswald would continue. At this point, Fritz learned for the first time of the
plan to convey Oswald by armored truck and immediately expressed his
disapproval. He urged the use of an unmarked police car driven by a police
officer, pointing out that this would be better from the standpoint of both
speed and maneuverability. Curry agreed to Fritz' plan; the armored truck would
be used as a decoy. They decided that the armored truck would leave the ramp
first, followed by a car which would contain only security officers. A police
car bearing Oswald would follow. After proceeding one block, the car with Oswald
would turn off and proceed directly to the county jail; the armored truck would
follow a lead car to the jail along the previously agreed upon and more
circuitous route.124
Captain Fritz instructed Detectives C. W. Brown and C. N. Dhority and a third
detective to proceed to the garage and move the followup car and the transfer
car into place on the auto ramp. He told Lt. Rio S. Pierce to obtain another
automobile from the basement and take up a lead position on Commerce Street.125
Deputy Chief Stevenson went back to the basement to inform Batchelor and Jones
of the change in plans.126 Oswald was given his sweater, and then his right hand
was handcuffed to the left hand of Detective J. R. Leavelle.127 Detective T. L.
Baker called the jail office to check on security precautions in the basement
and notify officials that the prisoner was being brought down.128
On arriving in the basement, Pierce asked Sgts. James A. Putnam and Billy Joe
Maxey to accompany him in the lead car. Since the armored truck was blocking the
Commerce Street ramp, it would be necessary to drive out the Main Street ramp
and circle the block to Commerce Street. Maxey sat on the back seat of Pierce's
car, and Putnam helped clear a path through reporters on the ramp so that Pierce
could drive up toward Main Street. When the car passed by the reporters at about
11:20 a.m., Putnam entered the car on the right front side. Pierce drove to the
top of the Main Street ramp and slowed momentarily as Patrolman Roy E. Vaughn
stepped from his position at the top of the ramp toward the street to. watch for
traffic.129 After Pierce's car left the garage area, Brown drove another police
car out of the garage, moved part way up the Commerce Street ramp, and began to
back down into position to receive Oswald. Dhority also proceeded to. drive the
followup car into position ahead of Brown.130
Page 216
As Pierce's car started up the ramp at about 11:20 a.m., Oswald, accompanied by
Captain Fritz and four detectives, arrived at the jail office. Cameramen in the
hallway of the basement took pictures of Oswald through the interior glass
windows of the jail office as he was led through the office to the exit.131 Some
of these cameramen then ran through the double doors near the jail office and
squeezed into the line which had formed across the Main Street ramp.132 Still
others remained just inside the double doors or proceeded through the double
doors after Oswald and his escort emerged from the jail office.133 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 2177, p. 217.)
When Fritz came to the jail office door, he asked if everything was ready, and a
detective standing in the passageway answered yes.134 Someone shouted, "Here he
comes !"; additional spotlights were turned on in the basement, and the din
increased. A detective stepped from the jail office and proceeded toward the
transfer car. Seconds later Fritz and then Oswald, with Detective Leavelle at
his right, Detective L. C. Graves at his left, and Detective L. D. Montgomery at
his rear, came through the door. Fritz walked to Brown's car, which had not yet
backed fully into position; Oswald followed a few feet behind. Newsmen near the
double door moved forward after him.135 Though movie films and video tapes
indicate that the front line newsmen along the Main Street ramp remained fairly
stationary, it was the impression of many who were close to the scene that with
Oswald's appearance the crowd surged forward. According to Detective Montgomery,
who was walking directly behind Oswald, soon as we came out this door * * * this
bunch here just moved in on us." 136 To Detective B. H. Combest, standing on the
Commerce Street side of the passageway from the jail office door, it appeared
that
Almost the whole line of people pushed forward when Oswald started to leave the
jail office, the door, the hall--all the newsmen were poking their sound mikes
across to him and asking questions, and they were everyone sticking their
flashbulbs up and around and over him and in his face.137
After Oswald had moved about 10 feet from the door of the jail office, Jack Ruby
passed between a newsman and a detective at the edge of the straining crowd on
the Main Street ramp. With his right hand extended and holding a .38 caliber
revolver, Ruby stepped quickly forward and fired a single fatal bullet into
Oswald's abdomen.138 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2636, p. 218.)
Possible Assisstance To Jack Ruby In Entering the Basement
Page 216
POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE TO JACK RUBY IN ENTERING THE
BASEMENT
The killing of Lee Harvey Oswald in the basement of police headquarters in the
midst of more than 70 police officers gave rise to
Page 217
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2177
Page 218
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2636
Ruby shooting Oswald (Sunday, November 24).
Page 219
immediate speculation that one or more members of the police department provided
Jack Ruby assistance which had enabled him to enter the basement and approach
within a few feet of the accused Presidential assassin. In chapter VI, the
Commission has considered whether there is any evidence linking Jack Ruby with a
conspiracy to kill the President. At this point, however, it is appropriate to
consider whether there is evidence that Jack Ruby received assistance from
Dallas policemen or others in gaining access to the basement on the morning of
November 24. An affirmative answer would require that the evidence be evaluated
for possible connection with the assassination itself. While the Commission has
found no evidence that Ruby received assistance from any person in entering the
basement, his means of entry is significant in evaluating the adequacy of the
precautions taken to protect Oswald.
Although more than a hundred policemen and newsmen were present in the basement
of police headquarters during the 10 minutes before the shooting of Oswald, none
has been found who definitely observed Jack Ruby's entry into the basement.
After considering all the evidence, the Commission has concluded that Ruby
entered the basement unaided, probably via the Main Street ramp, and no more
than 3 minutes before the shooting of Oswald.
Ruby's account of how he entered the basement by the Main Street ramp merits
consideration in determining his means of entry. Three Dallas policemen
testified that approximately 80 minutes after his arrest, Ruby told them that he
had walked to the top of the Main Street ramp from the nearby Western Union
office and that he walked down the ramp at the time the police car driven by
Lieutenant Pierce emerged into Main Street.139 This information did not come to
light immediately because the policemen did not report it to their superiors
until some days later.140 Ruby refused to discuss his means of entry in
interrogations with other investigators later on the day of his arrest.141
Thereafter, in a lengthy interview on December 21 and in a sworn deposition
taken after his trial, Ruby gave the same explanation he had given to the three
policemen.142
The Commission has been able to establish with precision the time of certain
events leading up to the. shooting. Minutes before Oswald appeared in the
basement, Ruby was in the Western Union office located on the same block of Main
Street some 350 feet from the top of the Main Street ramp. The time stamp on a
money order which he sent and on the receipt found in his pocket establish that
the order was accepted for transmission at almost exactly 11:17 a.m. Ruby was
then observed to depart the office walking in the direction of the police
building.143 Video tapes taken without interruption before the shooting
establish that Lieutenant Pierce's car cleared the crowd at the foot of the ramp
55 seconds before the shooting. They also show Ruby standing at the foot of the
ramp on the Main Street side before the shooting.144 (See Commission Exhibit No.
2635, p. 220.) The shooting occurred very close to 11:21 a.m. This time has been
established by observing the time on a clock appearing in motion pictures
Page 220
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2635
Ruby in basement (extreme right) immediately before shooting (Sunday, November
24).
Page 221
of Oswald in the basement jail office, and by records giving the time of
Oswald's departure from the city jail and the time at which an ambulance was
summoned for Oswald.145
The Main Street ramp provided the most direct route to the basement from the
Western Union office. At normal stride, it requires approximately 1 minute to
walk from that office to the top of the Main Street ramp and about 20-25 seconds
to descend the ramp.146 It is certain, therefore, that Ruby entered the basement
no more than 2-3 minutes before the shooting. This timetable indicates that a
little more than 2 of the 4 minutes between Ruby's departure from the Western
Union office and the time of the shooting are unaccounted for. Ruby could have
consumed this time in loitering along the way, at the top of the ramp, or inside
the basement. However, if Ruby is correct that he passed Pierce's car at the top
of the ramp, he could have been in the basement no more than 30 seconds before
the shooting.147
The testimony of two witnesses partially corroborates Ruby's claim that he
entered by the Main Street ramp. James Turner, an employee of WBAP-TV Fort
Worth, testified that while he was standing near the railing on the east side of
the Main Street ramp, perhaps 30 seconds before the shooting, he observed a man
he is confident was Jack Ruby moving slowly down the Main Street ramp about 10
feet from the bottom.148 Two other witnesses testified that they thought they
had seen Ruby on the Main Street side of the ramp before the shooting.149
One other witness has testified regarding the purported movements of a man on
the Main Street ramp, but his testimony merits little credence. A former police
officer, N.J. Daniels, who was standing at the top of the ramp with the single
patrolman guarding this entrance, R. E. Vaughn, testified that "3 or 4 minutes,
I guess" 150 before the shooting, a man walked down the Main Street ramp in full
view of Vaughn but was not stopped or questioned by the officer. Daniels did not
identify the man as Ruby. Moreover, he gave a description which differed in
important respects from Ruby's appearance on November 24, and he has testified
that he doesn't think the man was Ruby.151 On November 24, Vaughn telephoned
Daniels to ask him if he had seen anybody walk past him on the morning of the
24th and was told that he had not; it was not until November 29 that Daniels
came forward with the statement that he had seen a man enter.152
Although the sum of this evidence tends to support Ruby's claim that he entered
by the Main Street ramp, there is other evidence not fully consistent with
Ruby's story. Patrolman Vaughn stated that he checked the credentials of all
unknown persons seeking' to enter the basement, and his testimony was supported
by several persons.153 Vaughn denied that the emergence of Lieutenant Pierce's
car from the building distracted him long enough to allow Ruby to enter the ramp
unnoticed, and neither he nor any of the three officers in Lieutenant Pierce's
car saw Ruby enter.154
Page 222
Despite Vaughn's denial the Commission has found no credible evidence to
support. any other entry route. Two Dallas detectives believed they observed
three men pushing a WBAP-TV camera into the basement minutes before the
shooting', while only two were with the camera after Oswald had been shot.155
However, films taken in the basement show the WBAP-TV camera being pushed past
the detectives by only two men.156 The suspicion of the detectives is probably
explained by testimony that a third WBAP-TV employee ran to help steady the
incoming camera as it entered the basement, probably just before the camera
became visible on the films.157 Moreover, since the camera entered the basement
close to 4 minutes before the shooting,158 it is virtually impossible that Ruby
could have been in the basement at that time.
The possibility that Ruby entered the basement by some other route has been
investigated, but the Commission has found no evidence to support it. Ruby could
have walked from the Western Union office. to the Commerce Street ramp on the
other side of the building in about 2 and a half minutes. 159 However, during
the minutes preceding the shooting video tapes show the armored truck in the
entranceway to this ramp with only narrow clearance on either side. (See
Commission Exhibit. No. 2710, p. 223.) Several policemen were standing near the
truck and a large crowd of spectators was gathered across the street.160 It is
improbable that Ruby could have squeezed past the truck without having been
observed. If Ruby entered by any other means, he would have had to pass first
through the Police and Courts Building or the attached Municipal Building, and
then secondly through one of the five doors into the basement, all of which,
according to the testimony of police officers, were secured. The testimony was
not completely positive about one of the doors.161
There is no evidence to support the speculations that Ruby used a press badge to
gain entry to the basement or that he concealed himself in a police car. Police
found no form of press card on Ruby's person after his apprehension, nor any
discarded badges within the basement.162 There is no evidence that any police
officer admitted Ruby on the pretense that he was a member of the press or any
other pretense.163
Police vehicles in the basement were inspected during the course of the search
supervised by Sergeant Dean.164 According to Patrolman Vaughn, the only vehicles
that entered the basement while he was at the top of the Main Street ramp were
two patrol cars, one of which entered twice, and a patrol wagon which was
searched by another policeman after it entered the basement. All entered on
official police business and considerably more than 4 minutes before Oswald was
shot.165 None of the witnesses at the top of the Main Street ramp recalled any
police car entering the basement in the 4-minute period after Ruby left the
Western Union office and preceding the shooting.166 The possibility that Ruby
could have entered the basement in a car may therefore be completely discounted.
Page 223
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2710
Page 224
The Dallas Police Department, concerned at the failure of its security measures,
conducted an extensive investigation that revealed no information indicating
complicity between any police officer and Jack Ruby.167 Ruby denied to the
Commission that he received any form of assistance.168 The FBI interviewed every
member of the police department who was on duty in the basement on November 24,
and Commission staff members took sworn depositions from many. With few
exceptions, newsmen who were present in the basement at the time also gave
statements and/or depositions. As the record before the Commission indicated,
Ruby had had rather free access to the Dallas police quarters during the period
subsequent to the assassination, but there was no evidence that implicated the
police or newsmen in Ruby's actions on that day.169
Ruby was known to have a wide acquaintanceship with Dallas policemen and to seek
their favor. According to testimony from many sources, he gave free coffee at
his clubs to many policemen while they were on duty and free admittance and
discounts on beverages when they were off duty.170 Although Chief Curry's
estimate that approximately 25 to 50 of the 1,175 men in the Dallas Police
Department knew Ruby 171 may be too conservative, the Commission found no
evidence of any suspicious relationships between Ruby and any police officer.
The Commission found no substantial evidence that any member of the Dallas
Police Department recognized Jack Ruby as an unauthorized person in the basement
prior to the time Sgt. P. T. Dean, according to his testimony, saw Ruby dart
forward toward Oswald. But Dean was then part way up the Commerce Street ramp,
too far removed to act.172 Patrolman W. J. Harrison, Capt. Glen King, and
reserve officers Capt. C. O. Arnett and Patrolman W. M. Croy were among those in
front of Ruby at the time Dean saw him. They all faced away from Ruby, toward
the jail office.173 Video tapes show that Harrison turned in the direction of
the ramp at the time Lieutenant Pierce's car passed, and once again 25 seconds
later, but there is no indication that he observed or recognized Ruby.174 The
policemen standing on the south side of the passageway from the jail office, who
might have been looking in Ruby's direction, had the glare of television and
photographer's lights in their eyes.175
The Commission also considered the possibility that a member of the police
department called Ruby at his apartment and informed him, either intentionally
or unintentionally, of the time of the planned transfer. From at least 10:19
a.m., until close to 11 a.m., on Sunday, Ruby was at his apartment,176 where he
could have received a call that the transfer was imminent. He apparently left
his apartment between 10:45 and 11 a.m.177 However, the drive from Ruby's
apartment to the Western Union office takes approximately 15 minutes.178 Since
the time of the contemplated transfer could not have been known to anyone until
a few minutes before 11:15 a.m., a precise time could not have been conveyed to
Ruby while he was at his apartment. Moreover, the television and radio
publicized
Page 225
the transfer plans throughout the morning, obviating the need for Ruby to obtain
information surreptitiously.
Adequacy of Security Precautions
Page 225
ADEQUACY OF SECURITY PRECAUTIONS
The shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald obviously resulted from the failure of the
security precautions which the Dallas Police Department had taken to protect
their prisoner. In assessing the causes of the security failure, the Commission
has not overlooked the extraordinary circumstances which prevailed during the.
days that the attention of the world was turned on Dallas. Confronted with a
unique situation, the Dallas police took special security measures to insure
Oswald's safety. Unfortunately these did not include adequate control of the
great crowd of newsmen that inundated the police department building.
The Dallas police had in custody a man whose alleged act had brought upon him
immediate and universal opprobrium. There were many possible reasons why people
might have attempted to kill him if given the opportunity. Concerned that there
might be an attempt on Oswald's life, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover sent a
message to Chief Curry on November 22 through Special Agent Manning C. Clements
of the FBI's Dallas office, urging that Oswald be afforded the utmost security.
Curry does not recall receiving the message.179
Although the presence of a great mass of press representatives created an
extraordinary security problem in the building, the police department pursued
its normal policy of admitting the press. That policy, set forth in General
Order No. 81 of the Dallas Police Department, provided--
* * * that members of this Department render every assistance, except such as
obviously may seriously hinder or delay the proper functioning of the
Department, to the accredited members of the official news-gathering agencies
and this includes newspaper, television cameramen and news-reel
photographers.180
In a letter to all members of the police department, dated February 7, 1963,
Chief Curry explained the general order, in part, as follows:
The General Order covering this subject is not merely permissive. It does not
state that the Officer may, if he so chooses, assist the press. It rather places
on him a responsibility to lend active assistance.
* * * * * *
* * * as a Department we deal with public affairs. It is the right of the public
to know about these affairs, and one of the most accurate and useful avenues we
have of supplying this information is through the newspapers and radio and
television stations.
Implied in the General Order is a prohibition for the Officer to improperly
attempt to interfere with the news media representative,
Page 226
who is functioning in his capacity as such. Such activity on the part of any
Police Officer is regarded by the press as an infringement of rights, and the
Department shares this view.181
Under this policy, news representatives ordinarily had access to the Police and
Courts Building. The first newsmen to arrive on Friday afternoon were admitted
in accordance with the policy; others who came later simply followed behind
them. Shortly after Oswald arrived, Captain King granted permission to bring
television cameras to the third floor.182 By the time the unwieldy proportions
of the crowd of newsmen became apparent, it had already become well entrenched
on the third floor. No one suggested reversing the department's policy expressed
in General Order No. 81. Chief Curry testified that at no time did he consider
clearing the crowd from the building; he "saw no particular harm in allowing the
media to observe the prisoner." 183 Captain King later stated candidly that he
simply became "accustomed to the idea of them being out there." 184
The general policy of the Dallas police recognized that the rule of full
cooperation did not apply when it might jeopardize an investigation.185 In
retrospect, most members of the department believed that the general rule
allowing admittance of the press to the police quarters should not have been
followed after the assassination. Few, if any, thought this at the time.186 By
failing' to exclude the press from the building on Friday and Saturday, the
Dallas police made it possible for the uncontrolled crowd to nearly surround
Oswald on the frequent occasions that he moved through the third floor corridor.
The decision to allow newsmen to observe the transfer on Sunday followed
naturally the policy established during these first 2 days of Oswald's
detention. The reporters and cameramen descended upon the third floor of the
Police and Courts Building in such numbers that the pressroom on the third floor
proved wholly inadequate. Rather than the "two or three or maybe a half dozen
reporters" who normally appeared to cover local police stories, 187 the police
were faced with upward of 100. Bringing with them cameras, microphones, cables,
and spotlights, the newsmen inevitably spilled over into areas where they
interfered with the transaction of police business and the maintenance of
security.188
Aside from numbers, the gathering of reporters presented a problem because most
of them were representatives of the national and foreign press, rather than the
local press.189 These newsmen carried individual press cards rather than
identification cards issued by the Dallas police. Therefore, it was impossible
for the police to verify quickly the identity of this great number of unfamiliar
people who appeared almost simultaneously.190 Because of the close physical
proximity of the milling mass of insistent newsmen to the prisoner, the failure
to authenticate press credentials subjected the prisoner to a serious security
risk.
Although steps were taken on Friday afternoon to insure that persons seeking
entry to the third floor were there for a legitimate purpose,
Page 227
reasons could be fabricated. Moreover, because of the large crowd, it was easier
for unauthorized persons to slip by those guarding the entrances. Jack Ruby, for
one, was able to gain entry to the third-floor corridor on Friday night.191
The third-floor corridor provided the only passageway between the homicide and
robbery bureau and the jail elevator. No thought seems to have been given,
however, to the possibility of questioning Oswald on some other floor.192
Moreover, Oswald's most extended exposure to the press, at the Friday evening
press conference, was unrelated to any phase of the investigation and was
motivated primarily by the desire to satisfy the demands of the news media to
see the prisoner.193 The risks attendant upon this appearance were emphasized by
the presence of unauthorized persons, including Jack Ruby, at the press
conference in the basement assembly room.194
Although Oswald was repeatedly exposed to possible assaults on Friday and
Saturday, he met his death on Sunday, when police took the most extensive
security precautions. The assembly of more than 70 police officers, some of them
armed with tear gas, and the contemplated use of an armored truck, appear to
have been designed primarily to repel an attempt of a mob to seize the
prisoner.195 Chief Curry's own testimony indicated that such a focus resulted
not from any appraisal of the varied risks to Oswald's life but came about in
response to the telephone threat Sunday morning that a hundred men were going
to. attack Oswald.196
A more balanced appraisal would have given thought to protection against. any
attack. For example, the acceptance of inadequate press credentials posed a
clear avenue for a one-man assault. The likelihood of an unauthorized person
obtaining entry by such means is confirmed not alone by the fact that Jack Ruby
managed to. get by a guard at one entrance. Several newsmen related that their
credentials were not checked as they entered the basement Sunday morning.
Seconds before Oswald was shot, the double doors from the hallway next to the
jail office afforded a means of entry to the basement without presentation of
credentials earlier demanded of newsmen.197
The swarm of newspeople in the basement also substantially limited the ability
of the police to detect an unauthorized person once he had entered the basement.
'While Jack Ruby might have been easily spotted if only police officers had been
in the basement,198 he remained apparently unnoticed in the crowd of newsmen
until he lunged forward toward Oswald. The near-blinding television and motion
picture lights which were allowed to shine upon the escort party further
increased the difficulty of observing unusual movements in the basement.
Moreover, by making public the plans for the transfer, the police attracted to
the city jail many persons who otherwise might not have learned of the move
until it had been completed. This group included the onlookers gathered on
Commerce Street and a few people on Main Street. Also, continuous television and
radio coverage of
Page 228
the activities in the basement might have resulted in compromise of the transfer
operation.
These risks to Oswald's safety, growing in part out of adherence to the general
policy of the police department, were also accepted for other reasons. Many
members of the police department believed that the extraordinary public
attention aroused by the tragic death of President Kennedy obliged them to make
special efforts to accommodate the press. Captain King carefully articulated one
reason why the newsmen were permitted
* * * to remain in the hallways, * * * to view the investigation and to keep in
constant touch with progress of the investigation.
* * * * * *
We realized that if we arrested a suspect, that if we brought him into the
police station and then conducted all of our investigations behind closed doors,
that if we gave no reports on the progress of our investigation and did not
permit the newsmen to see the suspect--if we excluded them from it--we would
leave ourselves open not only to criticisms that we were fabricating a suspect
and were attempting to pin something on someone, but even more importantly, we
would cause people to lose faith in our fairness and, through losing faith in
our fairness, to lose faith to a certain extent in the processes of law.
We felt it was mandatory that as many people knew about it as possible. We knew,
too, that if we did exclude the newsmen, we would be leaving ourselves open to a
charge that we were using improper action, duress, physical abuse, all of these
things.199
While Oswald was in custody, the Dallas police kept the press informed about the
treatment Oswald was receiving. The public could have been assured that the
prisoner was not mistreated and that his rights were fully respected by the
police, without each one of hundreds of cameramen and reporters being permitted
to satisfy himself that the police had not abused the prisoner. This result
could have been accomplished by obtaining reports from members of the family who
visited him, or by a committee of the bar or other substantial citizens of the
community. When it became known on Saturday that Oswald did not have an
attorney, the president of the Dallas Bar Association visited him to inquire
whether he wished assistance in obtaining counsel.200
Moreover, the right of the public to know does not give the press license to
interfere with the efficient operation of law-enforcement agencies. Permitting
the press to remain on the third floor of the building served no valid purpose
that could not have been met if the press had been excluded from the third
floor, as it was from the fourth and fifth floors, and informed of developments
either through press releases or at press conferences elsewhere in the building.
Having failed to exclude the mass of the press from the basement during the
transfer of Oswald, the police department's security measures
Page 229
could not be completely effective. Despite the pressures that prevailed,
planning and coordination of security arrangements could have been more thorough
and precise. No single member of the Dallas Police Department ever assumed full
responsibility for the details of Oswald's transfer.201 Chief Curry participated
in some of the planning, but he felt that primary authority for the transfer
should be Fritz', since Fritz had charge of the investigation. According to
Chief Curry--
Fritz and I, I think, discussed this briefly, the possibility of getting that
prisoner out of the city hall during the night hours and by another route and
slipping him to the jail, but actually Fritz was not too much in favor of this
and I more or less left this up to Fritz as to when and how this transfer would
be made, because he has in the past transferred many of his prisoners to the
county jail and I felt that since it was his responsibility, the prisoner was,
to let him decide when and how he wanted to transfer this prisoner.202
Fritz, on the other hand, felt that Curry was directing the transfer
arrangements: "I was transferring him like the chief told me to. transfer him."
203 When Capt. W. B. Frazier notified Fritz by telephone early Sunday morning
about the threats to Oswald's life, Fritz replied that Curry should be notified,
since he was handling the transfer.204 When urged to modify the transfer plans
to avoid the press, as he later testified he would have preferred to do, Fritz
declined on the ground that Curry had already decided to the contrary.205 Hence,
if the recollection of both officials is accurate, the basic decision to move
Oswald at an announced time and in the presence of the news media was never
carefully thought through by either man. Curry and Fritz had agreed Saturday
evening that Oswald should not be moved at night, but their discussion
apparently went little further.206
Perhaps the members of the Dallas Police Department were, as many testified,
accustomed to working together so that formal instructions were sometimes
unnecessary. On the other hand, it is clear, at least in retrospect, that this
particular occasion demanded more than the usual informal unspoken
understandings. The evidence indicates that no member of the department at any
time considered fully the implications of moving Oswald through the basement.
Nor did any single official or group of officials coordinate and direct where
the transfer vehicle would be stationed to accept Oswald, where the press would
stand, and the number and positioning of police officers in the basement.
Captain Jones indicated that there were to be two solid lines of policemen from
the jail office door to the transfer vehicle, 207 but lines were formed only
along the walls of the areaway between the jail office door and the ramp. The
newsmen were not kept east of the auto ramp where a railing would have separated
Page 230
them from Oswald. No strong ranks of policemen were ever placed in front of the
newsmen once they were allowed to gather in the area of the Main Street ramp.208
Many policemen in the basement did not know the function they were supposed to
perform. No instructions were given that certain policemen should watch the
crowd rather than Oswald.209 Apparently no one gave any thought. to the blinding
effect of television and other camera lights upon the escort party.
Largely on his own initiative, Captain Talbert undertook to secure the basement,
with only minimal coordination with those responsible for and familiar with the
route Oswald would take through the basement. Several officials recalled that
Lt. Woodrow Wiggins was directed to clear the basement jail office, but Wiggins
testified that he received no such assignment. 210 In any event, less than 20
minutes before the transfer, Captain Jones observed newsmen in the jail office
and had them removed. But no official removed news personnel from the corridor
beside the jail office; indeed, cameramen took pictures through the glass
windows of the jail office as Oswald walked through it toward the basement, and
then approached to within 20 feet of Oswald from the rear at the same time that
Jack Ruby moved toward Oswald from the front.211
A clear example of the inadequacy of coordination was the last-minute change in
plans to transfer Oswald in an unmarked police car rather than by .armored
truck.212 The plan to use an armored vehicle was adopted without informing
Fritz. When Fritz was told of the arrangement shortly after 11 o'clock, he
objected, and hurried steps were taken to modify the arrangements. Fritz was
then prematurely informed that the basement arrangements were complete. When
Oswald and the escorting detectives entered the basement, the transfer car had
not yet been backed into position, nor had the policemen been arranged to block
the newsmen's access to Oswald's path.213 If the transfer car had been carefully
positioned between the press and Oswald, Ruby might have been kept several yards
from his victim and possibly without a clear view of him. Detective Leavelle,
who accompanied Oswald into the basement, testified:
* * * I was surprised when I walked to the door and the car was not in the spot
it should have been, but I could see it was in back, and backing into position,
but had it been in position where we were told it would be, that would have
eliminated a lot of the area in which anyone would have access to him, because
it would have been blocked. by the car. In fact, if the car had been sitting
where we were told it was going to be, see -- it would have been sitting
directly upon the spot where Ruby was standing when he fired the shot.214
Captain Jones described the confusion with which Oswald's entry into the
basement was in fact received:
Page 231
Then the change--going to put two cars up there. There is no reason why that
back car can't get all the way back to the jail office. The original plan would
be that the line of officers would be from the jail door to the vehicle. Then
they say, "Here he comes." * * * It is too late to get the people out of the way
of the car and form the line. I am aware that. Oswald is already coming because
of the furor, so, I was trying to keep everybody out of the way and keep the way
clear and I heard a shot.215
Therefore, regardless of whether the press should have been allowed to witness
the transfer, security measures in the basement for Oswald's protection could
and should have been better organized and more thorough. These additional
deficiencies were directly related to the decision to admit newsmen to the
basement. The Commission concludes that the failure of the police to remove
Oswald secretly or to control the crowd in the basement at the time of the
transfer were the major causes of the security breakdown which led to Oswald's
death.
News Coverage and Police Policy
Page 231
NEWS COVERAGE AND POLICE POLICY
Consistent with its policy of allowing news representatives to remain within the
working quarters of the Police and Courts Building, the police department made
every effort to keep the press fully informed about the progress of the
investigation. As a result, from Friday afternoon until after the killing of
Oswald on Sunday, the press was able to publicize virtually all of the
information about the case which had been gathered until that time. In the
process, a great deal of misinformation was disseminated to a worldwide
audience. (For some examples see app. XII.)
As administrative assistant to Chief Curry, Captain King also handled
departmental press relations and issued press releases. According to King, it
was "the responsibility of each member of the department to furnish to the press
information on incidents in which they, themselves, were involved, except on
matters which involved * * * personnel policies of the department, or * * *
unless it would obviously interfere with an investigation underway." 216 In
Oswald's case, Chief Curry released most of the information to. the press. He
and Assistant Chief Batchelor agreed on Friday that Curry would make all
announcements to the press.217 However, there is no evidence that this decision
was ever communicated to the rest of the police force. The chief consequence
appears to have been that Batchelor refrained from making statements to the news
media during this period.
Most of the information was disclosed through informal oral statements or
answers to questions at impromptu and clamorous press conferences in the third
floor corridor. Written press releases were not employed. The ambulatory press
conference became a familiar sight during these days. Whenever Curry or other
officials appeared in the
Page 232
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2632
Press interview with Chief Curry in third floor corridor.
Page 233
hallway, newsmen surrounded them, asking questions and requesting statements.
Usually the officials complied. (See Commission Exhibit No. 2632, p. 232.)
Curry appeared in interviews on television and radio at least a dozen times
during November 22-24. He did not attend any of the interrogations of Oswald in
Captain Fritz' office except at the beginning and toward the end of Sunday
morning's session; he received his information through Captain Fritz and other
sources.218 Nevertheless, in sessions with the newsmen on Friday and Saturday he
gave detailed information on the progress of the case against Oswald. Recorded
statements of television and radio interviews with Curry and other officials in
Dallas during November 22-24 have been transcribed and included in the record
compiled by the Commission.219 An example of these interviews is the following
transcript of remarks made by Curry to newsmen on Saturday:
Q. Chief Curry, I understand you have some new information in this case. Could
you relate what that is ?
A. Yes, we've just been informed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that
they, the FBI, have the order letter from a mail order house, and the order was
sent to their laboratory in Washington and the writing on this order was
compared with known samples of our suspect, Oswald's handwriting and found to be
the same.
Q. This order was for the rifle ?
A. This order was for the rifle to a mail order house in Chicago. It was
[inaudible]. The return address was to Dallas, Texas, to the post office box
under the name of A. Hidell, H-I-D-E-double L. This is the post office box of
our suspect. This gun was mailed parcel post March 20, 1963. I understand he
left Dallas shortly after this and didn't come back until I think about two
months ago,
Q. Do you know again on what date this rifle was ordered and 'are you able to
link it. definitely as the rifle which you confiscated at the School Book
Depository?
A. That we have not done so far. If the FBI has been able to do it I have not
been informed of it yet. We do know that this man ordered a rifle of the type
that was used in the assassination of the President from this mail order house
in Chicago and the FBI has definitely identified the writing as that of our
suspect
Q. On another subject-- I understand you have photographs of the suspect,
Oswald, with a rifle like that used. Could you describe that picture ?
A. This is the picture of Oswald sanding facing a camera with a rifle in his
hand which is very similar to the rifle that we have in our possession. He also
had a pistol strapped on his hip. He was holding two papers in his hand, with
one of them seemed to be The Worker and the other says Be Militant--I don't know
whether that was headlines or the name of the paper.
Page 234
Q. How much did the gun cost from the mail order house ?
A. I understand the gun was advertised for $12.78, I believe.
Q. Have you received any results on the ballistics test conducted on the gun and
on Oswald ?
A. They're going to be favorable. I don't have a formal report yet.
Q. But you are sure at this time they will be favorable ?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you feel now that you have the case completely wrapped up, or are you
continuing ?
A. We will continue as long as there is a shred of evidence to be gathered. We
have a strong case at this time.
Q. I believe you said earlier this afternoon that you have a new development
which does wrap up the case--the first time you said the case definitely is
secure. Is that correct ?
A. That was this morning. This additional evidence just makes a stronger case.
Q. But this is not the same evidence you were referring to then ?
A. No, that's true.
Q. Would you be willing to say what that evidence was ?
A. No, sir. I don't wish to reveal it. It might jeopardize our case.
Commentator: Thank you very much Chief Jesse Curry of the Dallas Police
Department.220
Although Captain Fritz permitted himself to be interviewed by the news media'
less frequently than did Chief Curry, he nevertheless answered questions and
ventured opinions about the progress of the investigation. On Saturday he told
reporters that he was convinced beyond a doubt that Oswald had killed the
President. He discussed some of the evidence in the case, especially the rifle,
but his contribution to the knowledge of the reporters was small compared with
that of Chief Curry.221
Many other members of the police department, including high officials,
detectives, and patrolmen, were also interviewed by news representatives during
these days.222 Some of these men had participated in specific aspects of the
ease, such as the capture of Oswald at the Texas Theatre and the search for
evidence at the Texas School Book Depository Building. Few, if any, seemed
reluctant to submit to questions and to being televised. It seemed to District
Attorney Wade that the newsmen "just followed everybody everywhere they went * *
* they interviewed some of your patrolmen * * * on the corner' * * * they were
interviewing anybody." 223
Wade himself also made several statements to the press. He visited police
headquarters twice on Friday, twice on Saturday, and twice on Sunday. On most of
these occasions he was interviewed by the press and appeared on television.224
After Oswald had appeared before the press on Friday night, Wade held an
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impromptu conference with reporters in the overflowing assembly room.225 Wade
told the press on Saturday that he would not reveal any evidence because it
might prejudice the selection of a jury.226 On other occasions, however, he
mentioned some items of evidence and expressed his opinions regarding Oswald's
guilt. He told the press on Friday night that Oswald's wife had told the police
that her husband had a rifle in the garage at the house in Irving and that it
was missing the morning of the assassination. On one occasion he repeated the
error that the murder rifle had been a Mauser. Another time, he stated his
belief that Oswald had prepared for the assassination months in advance,
including what he would tell the police. He also said that Oswald had practiced
with the rifle to improve his marksmanship.227
The running commentary on the investigation by the police inevitably carried
with it the disclosure of many details that proved to be erroneous. In their
efforts to keep the public abreast of the investigation, the police reported
hearsay items and unverified leads; further investigation proved many of these
to be incorrect or inaccurate. For example, the rifle found on the sixth floor
of the Texas School Book Depository Building was initially identified as a
Mauser 7.65 rather than a Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5 because a deputy constable who
was one of the first to see it thought it looked like a Mauser. He neither
handled the weapon nor saw it at close range.228
Police sources were also responsible for the mistaken notion that the chicken
bones found on the sixth floor were the remains of Oswald's lunch. They had in
fact been left by another employee who ate his lunch there at least 15 minutes
before the assassination.229 Curry repeated the erroneous report that a Negro
had picked up Oswald near the scene of the assassination and driven him across
town.230 It was also reported that the map found in Oswald's room contained a
marked route of the Presidential motorcade when it actually contained markings
of places where Oswald may have applied for jobs, including, of course, the
Texas School Book Depository.231
Concern about the effects of the unlimited disclosures was being voiced by
Saturday morning. According to District Attorney Wade, he received calls from
lawyers in Dallas and elsewhere expressing concern about providing an attorney
for Oswald and about the amount of information being given to the press by the
police and the district attorney.232 Curry continued to answer questions on
television and radio during the remainder of the day and Sunday morning.233
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover became concerned because "almost as soon as * * *
[FBI Laboratory reports] would reach the Dallas Police Department, the chief of
police or one of the representatives of the department would go on TV or radio
and relate findings of the FBI, giving information such as the identification of
the gun and other items of physical evidence." 234 On Sunday, after Oswald was
shot, Hoover dispatched a personal message to Curry requesting him
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"not to go on the air any more until this case * * * [is] resolved." Hoover
testified later that Curry agreed not. to make any more statements.235
The shooting of Oswald shocked the Dallas police, and after the interviews that
immediately followed the shooting they were disposed to remain silent. Chief
Curry made only one more television appearance after the shooting. At 1:30 p.m.,
he descended to the assembly room where, tersely and grimly, he announced
Oswald's death. He refused to answer any of the questions shouted at him by the
persistent reporters, concluding the conference in less than a minute.236
District Attorney Wade also held one more press conference. Before doing so on
Sunday evening, he returned once more to the police station and held a meeting
with "all the brass" except Curry. Wade told them that "people are saying * * *
you had the wrong man and you all were the one who killed him or let him out
here to have him killed intentionally." Wade told the police that "somebody
ought to go out in television and lay out the evidence that you had on Oswald,
and tell them everything." He sat down and listed from memory items of evidence
in the case against Oswald. According to Wade, Chief Curry refused to make any
statements because he had told an FBI inspector that he would say no more. The
police refused to furnish Wade with additional details of the case.237
Wade nonetheless proceeded to hold a lengthy formal press conference that
evening, in which he attempted to list all of the evidence that had been
accumulated at that point tending to establish Oswald as the assassin of
President Kennedy. Unfortunately, at that time, as he subsequently testified, he
lacked a thorough grasp of the evidence and made a number of errors.238 He
stated that Oswald had told a woman on a bus that the President had been killed,
an error apparently caused by the busdriver having confused Oswald with another
passenger who was on the bus after Oswald had left. Wade also repeated the error
about Oswald's having a map marked with the route of the motorcade. He told
reporters that Oswald's description
and name "went out by the police to look for him." 239 The police never
mentioned Oswald's name in their broadcast descriptions before his arrest.240
Wade was innocent of one error imputed to him since November 24. The published
transcript of part of the press conference furnished to newspapers by the
Associated Press represented Wade as having identified the cabdriver who took
Oswald to North Beckley Avenue after the shooting, as one named "Darryl Click."
The transcript as it appeared in the New York Times and the Washington Post of
November 26, reads:
A. [Wade] a lady. He then the bus, he asked the bus driver to stop, got off at a
stop, caught a taxicab driver, Darryl Click. don't have his exact place--and
went to his home in Oak Cliff, changed his clothes hurriedly, and left.241
Page 237
The correct transcript of the press conference, taken from an audio tape
supplied by station WBAP, Fort. Worth, is as follows:
A. [Wade] A lady. He then--the bus, he asked the bus driver to stop, got off at
a stop, caught a taxicab driver.
Q. Where?
A. In Oak Cliff. I don't have the exact place--and went to his home in Oak
Cliff, changed his clothes hurriedly and left.242
In this manner, a section of Dallas, "Oak Cliff," became a nonexistent taxicab
driver, "Darryl Click." Wade did not mention the cabdriver by name at any time.
In transcribing the conference from the sound tape, a stenographer apparently
made an error that might have become permanently imbedded in the literature of
the event but for the preservation and use of an original sound tape.
Though many of the inaccuracies were subsequently corrected by the police and
are negated by findings of the Commission included elsewhere in this report, the
publicizing of unchecked information provided much of the basis for the myths
and rumors that came into being soon after the President's death. The erroneous
disclosures became the basis for distorted reconstructions and interpretations
of the assassination. The necessity for the Dallas authorities to correct
themselves or to be corrected by other sources gave rise not only to criticism
of the police department's competence but also to doubts regarding the veracity
of the police. Skeptics sought to cast doubt on much of the correct evidence
later developed and to find support for their own theories in these early police
statements.
The immediate disclosure of information by the police created a further risk of
injuring innocent citizens by unfavorable publicity. This was the unfortunate
experience of Joe R. Molina, a Dallas-born Navy veteran who had been employed by
the Texas School Book Depository since 1947 and on November 22, 1963, held the
position of credit manager. Apparently because of Molina's employment at the
Depository and his membership in a veterans' organization, the American G.I.
Forum, that the Dallas police considered possibly subversive, Dallas policemen
searched Molina's home with his permission, at about 1:30 a.m., Saturday,
November 23. During the day Molina was intermittently interrogated at police
headquarters for 6 or 7 hours, chiefly about his membership in the American G.I.
Forum, and also about Oswald. He was never arrested, charged, or held in
custody.243
While Molina was being questioned, officials of the police department made
statements or answered questions244 that provided the basis for television
reports about Molina during the day. These reports spoke of a "second suspect
being picked up," insinuated that the Dallas police had reason to suspect
another person who worked in the Texas School Book Depository, stated that the
suspect had been arrested and his home searched, and mentioned that Molina may
have
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been identified by .the U.S. Department of Justice as a possible subversive.245
No evidence was ever presented to link Molina with Oswald except as a fellow
employee of the Texas School Book Depository. According to Molina, he had never
spoken to Oswald.246 The FBI notified the Commission that Molina had never been
the subject. of an investigation by it and that it had never given any
information about Molina to the Dallas police concerning any alleged subversive
activities by him.247 The Dallas police explained in a statement to the FBI that
they had never had a file on Molina, but that they did have one on the American
G.I. Forum.248
Molina lost his his job in December. He felt that he was being discharged
because of the unfavorable publicity he had received, but officials of the
Depository claimed that automation was the reason. Molina testified that he had
difficulty in finding another position, until finally, with the help of a fellow
church member, he secured a position at. a lower salary than his previous
one.249
If Oswald had been tried for his murders of November 22, the effects of the news
policy pursued by the Dallas authorities would have proven harmful both to the
prosecution and the defense. The misinformation reported after the shootings
might have been used by the defense to cast doubt on the reliability of the
State's entire case. Though each inaccuracy can be explained without great
difficulty, the number and variety of misstatements issued by the police shortly
after the assassination would have greatly assisted a skillful defense attorney
attempting to influence the attitudes of jurors.
A fundamental objection to the news policy pursued by the Dallas police,
however, is the extent to which it endangered Oswald's constitutional right to a
trial by an impartial jury. Because of the nature of the crime, the widespread
attention which it necessarily received, and the intense public feelings which
it aroused, it would have been a most difficult task to select an unprejudiced
jury, either' in Dallas or elsewhere. But the difficulty was markedly increased
by the divulgence of the specific items of evidence with which the police linked
Oswald to the two killings. The disclosure of evidence encouraged the public,
from which a jury would ultimately be impaneled, to prejudge the very questions
that would be raised at trial.
Moreover, rules of law might have prevented the prosecution from presenting
portions of this evidence to the jury. For example, though expressly recognizing
that Oswald's wife could not be compelled to testify against him, District
Attorney Wade revealed to the Nation that Marina Oswald had affirmed her
husband's ownership of a rifle like that found on the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository.250 Curry stated that Oswald had refused to take a lie
detector test, although such a statement would have been inadmissible in a
trial.251 The exclusion of such evidence, however, would have been meaningless
if jurors were already familiar with the same facts from previous television or
newspaper reports. Wade might have influenced prospective jurors by his mistaken
statement that
Page 239
the paraffin test showed that Oswald had fired a gun. The tests merely showed
that he had nitrate traces on his hands, which did not necessarily mean that he
had fired either a rifle or a pistol.252
The disclosure of evidence was seriously aggravated by the statements of
numerous responsible officials that they were certain of Oswald's guilt. Captain
Fritz said that the case against Oswald was "cinched." Curry reported on
Saturday that "we are sure of our case." 253 Curry announced that he considered
Oswald sane, and Wade told the public that he would ask for the death
penalty.254
The American Bar Association declared in December 1963 that "widespread
publicizing of Oswald's alleged guilt, involving statements by officials and
public disclosures of the details of 'evidence,' would have made it extremely
difficult to impanel an unprejudiced' jury and afford the accused a fair trial."
255 Local bar associations expressed similar feelings.256 The Commission agrees
that Lee Harvey Oswald's opportunity for a trial by 12 jurors free of
preconception as to his guilt or innocence would have been seriously jeopardized
by the premature disclosure and weighing of the evidence against him.
The problem of disclosure of information and its effect on trials is, of course,
further complicated by the independent activities of the press in developing
information on its own from sources other than law enforcement agencies. Had the
police not released the specific items of evidence against Oswald, it is still
possible that the other information presented on television and in the
newspapers, chiefly of a biographical nature, would itself have had a
prejudicial effect on the public.
In explanation of the news policy adopted by the Dallas authorities, Chief Curry
observed that "it seemed like there was a great demand by the general public to
know what was going on." 257 In a prepared statement, Captain King wrote:
At that time we felt a necessity for permitting the newsmen as much latitude as
possible. We realized the magnitude of the incident the newsmen were there to
cover. We realized that not only the nation but the world would be greatly
interested in what occurred in Dallas. We believed that we had an obligation to
make as widely known as possible everything we could regarding the investigation
of the assassination and the manner in which we undertook that investigation.258
The Commission recognizes that the people of the United States, and indeed the
world, had a deep-felt interest in learning of the events surrounding the death
of President Kennedy, including the development of the investigation in Dallas.
An informed public provided the ultimate guarantee that adequate steps would be
taken to apprehend those responsible for the assassination and that all
necessary precautions would be taken to protect the national security. It was
therefore proper and desirable that the public know which agencies
Page 240
were participating in the investigation and the rate at which their work was
progressing. The public was also entitled to know that Lee Harvey Oswald had
been apprehended and that the State had gathered sufficient evidence to arraign
him for the murders of the President and Patrolman Tippit, that he was being
held pending action of the grand jury, that the investigation was continuing,
and that the law enforcement agencies had discovered no evidence which tended to
show that any other person was involved in either slaying.
However, neither the press nor the public had a right to be contemporaneously
informed by the police or prosecuting authorities of the details of the evidence
being accumulated against Oswald. Undoubtedly the public was interested in these
disclosures, but its curiosity should not have been satisfied at the expense of
the accused's right to a trial by an impartial jury. The courtroom, not the
newspaper or television screen, is the appropriate forum in our system for the
trial of a man accused of a crime.
If the evidence in the possession of the authorities had not been disclosed, it
is true that the public would not have been in a position to assess the adequacy
of the investigation or to apply pressures for further official undertakings.
But a major consequence of the hasty and at times inaccurate divulgence of
evidence after the assassination was simply to give rise to groundless rumors
and public confusion. Moreover, without learning the details of the case, the
public could have been informed by the responsible authority of the general
scope of the investigation and the extent to which State and Federal agencies
were assisting in the police work.
Responsibility of News Media
Page 240
RESPONSIBILITY OF NEWS MEDIA
While appreciating the heavy and unique pressures with which the Dallas Police
Department was confronted by reason of the assassination of President Kennedy,
primary responsibility for having failed to control the press and to check the
flow of undigested evidence to the public must be borne by the police
department. It was the only agency that could have established orderly and sound
operating procedures to control the multitude of newsmen gathered in the police
building after the assassination.
The Commission believes, however, that a part of the responsibility for the
unfortunate circumstances following the President's death must be borne by the
news media. The crowd of newsmen generally failed to respond properly to the
demands of the police. Frequently without permission, news representatives used
police offices on the third floor, tying up facilities and interfering with
normal police operations. Police efforts to preserve order and to clear
passageways in the corridor were usually unsuccessful. On Friday night the
reporters completely ignored Curry's injunction against asking Oswald questions
in the assembly room and crowding in on him. On Sunday morning, the newsmen were
instructed to direct no questions
Page 241
at Oswald; nevertheless, several reporters shouted questions at him when he
appeared in the basement.259
Moreover, by constantly pursuing public officials, the news representatives
placed an insistent pressure. upon them to disclose information. And this
pressure was not without effect, since the police attitude toward the press was
affected by the desire to maintain satisfactory relations with the news
representatives and to create a favorable image of themselves. Chief Curry
frankly told the Commission that
I didn't order them out of the building, which if I had it to do over I would.
In the past like I say, we had always maintained very good relations with our
press, and they had always respected us. * * * 260
Curry refused Fritz' request to put Oswald behind the screen in the assembly
room at the Friday night press conference because this might have hindered the
taking of pictures.261 Curry's subordinates had the impression that an
unannounced transfer of Oswald to the county jail was unacceptable because Curry
did not want to disappoint the newsmen; he had promised that they could witness
the transfer.262 It seemed clear enough that any attempt to exclude the press
from the building or to place limits on the information disclosed to them would
have been resented and disputed by the newsmen, who were constantly and
aggressively demanding all possible information about anything related to the
assassination.
Although the Commission has found no corroboration in the video and audio tapes,
police officials recall that one or two representatives of the press reinforced
their demands to see Oswald by suggesting that the police had been guilty of
brutalizing him. They intimated that unless they were given the opportunity to
see him, these suggestions would be passed on to the public.263 Captain King
testified that he had been told that
A short time after Oswald's arrest one newsman held up a photograph .and said,
"This is what the man charged with the assassination of the President looks
like. Or at least this is what he did look like. We don't know what he looks
like after an hour in the custody of the Dallas Police Department." 264
City Manager Elgin Crull stated that when he visited Chief Curry in his office
on the morning of November 23, Curry told him that he "felt it was necessary to
cooperate with the news media representatives, in order to avoid being accused
of using Gestapo tactics in connection with the handling of Oswald." Crull
agreed with Curry.265 The Commission deems any such veiled threats to be
absolutely without justification.
The general disorder in the Police and Courts Building during November 22-24
reveals a regrettable lack of self- discipline by the newsmen.
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The Commission believes that the news media, as well as the police authorities,
who failed to impose conditions more in keeping with the orderly process of
justice, must share responsibility for the failure of law enforcement which
occurred in connection with the death of Oswald. On previous occasions, public
bodies have voiced the need for the exercise of self-restraint by the news media
in periods when the demand for information must be tempered by other fundamental
requirements of our society.
At its annual meeting in Washington in April 1964, the American Society of
Newspaper Editors discussed the role of the press in Dallas immediately after
President Kennedy's assassination. The discussion revealed the strong misgivings
among the editors themselves about the role that the press had played and their
desire that the press display more self-discipline and adhere to higher
standards of con-duet in the future.266 To prevent a recurrence of the
unfortunate events which followed the assassination, however, more than general
concern will be needed. The promulgation of a code of professional conduct
governing representatives of all news media would be welcome evidence that the
press had profiled by the lesson of Dallas.
The burden of insuring that appropriate action is taken to establish ethical
standards of conduct for the news media must also be borne, however, by State
and local governments, by the bar, and ultimately by the public. The experience
in Dallas during November 22-24 is a dramatic affirmation of the need for steps
to bring about a proper balance between the right of the public to be kept
informed and the right of the individual to a fair and impartial trial.
Chapter VI Investigation of Possible Conspiracy
Page 243
CHAPTER VI
Investigation of Possible Conspiracy
THIS chapter sets forth the findings of the Commission as to whether Lee Harvey
Oswald had any accomplices in the planning or execution of the assassination.
Particularly after the slaying of Oswald by Jack Ruby under the circumstances
described in the preceding chapter, rumors and suspicions developed regarding
the existence of a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. As discussed in
appendix XII, many of these rumors were based on a lack of information as to the
nature and extent of evidence that Oswald alone fired the shots which killed
President Kennedy and wounded Governor Connally. Others of the more widely
publicized rumors maintained that Oswald must have received aid from one or more
persons or political groups, ranging from the far left to the far right of the
political spectrum, or from a foreign government, usually either the Castro
regime in Cuba or the Soviet Union.
The Commission faced substantial difficulties in determining whether anyone
conspired with or assisted the person who committed the assassination. Prior to
his own death Oswald had neither admitted his own involvement nor implicated any
other persons in the assassination of the President. The problem of determining
the existence or nonexistence of a conspiracy was compounded because of the
possibility of subversive activity by a foreign power. Witnesses and evidence
located in other countries were not subject to subpena, as they would have been
if they had been located in the United States. When evidence was obtained from a
foreign nation, it could not be appraised as effectively as if it had been
derived from a domestic source. The Commission has given the closest scrutiny to
all available evidence which related or might have related to a foreign country.
All such evidence was tested, whenever possible, against the contingency that it
had been fabricated or slanted to mislead or confuse.
In order to meet its obligations fully, the Commission has investigated each
rumor and allegation linking Oswald to a conspiracy which has come to its
attention, regardless of source. In addition, the Commission has explored the
details of Lee Harvey Oswald's activities and
Page 244
life, especially in the months immediately preceding the assassination, in order
to develop any investigative lead relevant to the issue of conspiracy. All of
Oswald's known writings or other possessions which might have been used for code
or other espionage purposes have been examined by either the Federal Bureau of
Investigation or the National Security Agency, or both agencies, to determine
whether they were so used.1
In setting forth the results of this investigation, the first section of this
chapter reviews the facts related to the assassination itself, previously
considered in more detail in chapter IV. If any conspiracy did exist, it might
have manifested itself at some point during Oswald's preparation for the
shooting, his execution of the plan, or his escape from the scene of the
assassination. The Commission has therefore studied the precise means by which
the assassination occurred for traces of evidence that Oswald received any form
of assistance in effecting the killing.
The second section of the chapter deals more broadly with Oswald's life since
1959. During the period following his discharge from the Marines in 1959, Oswald
engaged in several activities which demand close scrutiny to determine whether,
through these pursuits, he developed any associations which were connected with
the planning or execution of the assassination. Oswald professed commitment to
Marxist ideology; he defected to the Soviet Union in 1959; he at tempted to
expatriate himself and acquire Soviet citizenship; and he resided in the Soviet
Union until June of 1962. After his return to the United States he sought to
maintain contacts with the Communist Party, Socialist Workers Party, and the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee; he associated with various Russian-speaking
citizens in the Dallas-Fort Worth area--some of whom had resided in Russia; he
traveled to Mexico City where he visited both the Cuban and Soviet Embassies 7
weeks before the assassination; and he corresponded with the Soviet Embassy in
Washington, D.C. In view of these activities, the Commission has instituted a
thorough investigation to determine whether the assassination was in some manner
directed or encouraged through contacts made abroad or through Oswald's
politically oriented activities in this country. The Commission has also
considered whether any connections existed between Oswald and certain right-
wing activity in Dallas which, shortly before the assassination, led to the
publication of hostile criticism of President Kennedy.
The final section of this chapter considers the possibility that Jack Ruby was
part of a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. The Commission explored
Ruby's background and his activities in the months prior to the assassination,
and especially his activities in the 2 days after the assassination, in an
effort to determine whether there was any indication that Ruby was implicated in
that event. The Commission also sought to ascertain the truth or falsity of
assertions that Oswald and Ruby were known to one another prior to the
assassination.
In considering the question of foreign involvement, the Commission has received
valuable assistance from the Department of State,
Page 245
the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other
Federal agencies with special competence in the field of foreign investigation.
Some of the information furnished by these agencies is of a highly confidential
nature. Nevertheless, because the disclosure of all facts relating to the
assassination of President Kennedy is of great public importance, the Commission
has included in this report all information furnished by these agencies which
the Commission relied upon in coming to its conclusions, or which tended to
contradict those conclusions. Confidential sources of information, as contrasted
with the information itself, have, in a relatively few instances, been withheld.
Circumstances Surrounding the Assassination
Page 245
CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE ASSASSINATION
Earlier chapters have set forth the evidence upon which the Commission concluded
that President Kennedy was fired upon from a single window in the southeast
corner of the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, and that Lee
Harvey Oswald was the person who fired the shots from this point. As reflected
in those chapters, a certain sequence of events necessarily took place in order
for the assassination to have occurred as it did. The motorcade traveled past
the Texas School Book Depository; Oswald had access to the sixth floor of the
building; Oswald brought the rifle into the building; the cartons were arranged
at the sixth-floor window; and Oswald escaped from the building before the
police had sealed off the exits. Accordingly, the Commission has investigated
these circumstances to determine whether Oswald received help from any other
person in planning or performing the shooting.
Selection of Motorcade Route
The factors involved in the choice of the motorcade route by the Secret Service
have been discussed in chapter II of this report,2 It was there indicated that
after passing through a portion of suburban Dallas, the motorcade was to travel
west on Main Street, and then to the Trade Mart by way of the Stemmons Freeway,
the most direct route from that point. This route would take the motorcade along
the traditional parade route through downtown Dallas; it allowed the maximum
number of persons to observe the President; and it enabled the motorcade to
cover the distance from Love Field to the Trade Mart in the 45 minutes allocated
by members of the White House staff planning the President's schedule in Dallas.
No member of the Secret Service, the Dallas Police Department, or the local host
committee who was consulted felt that any other route would be preferable.
To reach Stemmons Freeway from Main Street, it was determined that the motorcade
would turn right from Main Street onto Houston Street for one block and then
left onto Elm Street, proceeding through the Triple Underpass to the Stemmons
Freeway access road. This route took the motorcade past the Texas School Book
Depository
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Building on the northwest corner of Elm and Houston Streets. Because of the
sharp turn at this corner, the motorcade also reduced its speed. The motorcade
would have passed approximately 90 yards further from the Depository Building
and made no turn near the building if it had attempted to reach the Stemmons
Freeway directly from Main Street. The road plan in Dealey Plaza, however, is
designed to prevent such a turn. In order to keep motorists from reaching the
freeway from Main Street, a concrete barrier has been erected between Main and
Elm Streets extending beyond the freeway entrance. (See Commission Exhibits Nos.
2114-2116, pp. 35-37.) Hence, it would have been necessary for the motorcade
either to have driven over this barrier or to have made a sharp S-turn in order
to have entered the freeway from Main Street. Selection of the motorcade route
was thus entirely appropriate and based on such legitimate considerations as the
origin and destination of the motorcade, the desired opportunity for the
President to greet large numbers of people, and normal patterns of traffic.
Oswald's Presence in the Depository Building
Oswald's presence as an employee in the Texas School Book Depository Building
was the result of a series of happenings unrelated to the President's trip to
Dallas. He obtained the Depository job after almost 2 weeks of job hunting which
began immediately upon his arrival in Dallas from Mexico on October 8, 1963.3 At
that time he was in poor financial circumstances, having arrived from Mexico
City with approximately $133 or less,4 and with his unemployment compensation
benefits due to expire on October 8.5 Oswald and his wife were expecting the
birth of their second child, who was in fact born on October 20.6 In attempting
to procure work, Oswald utilized normal channels, including the Texas Employment
Commission.7
On October 4, 1963, Oswald applied for a position with Padgett Printing Corp.,
which was located at 1313 Industrial Boulevard, several blocks from President
Kennedy's parade route.8 Oswald favorably impressed the plant superintendent who
checked his prior job references, one of which was Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall, the
firm where Oswald had done photography work from October 1962 to April 1963.9
The following report was written by Padgett's plant superintendent on the
reverse side of Oswald's job application: "Bob Stovall does not recommend this
man. He was released because of his record as a troublemaker--Has Communistic
tendencies." 10 Oswald received word that Padgett Printing had hired someone
else.11
Oswald's employment with the Texas School Book Depository came about through a
chance conversation on Monday, October 14, between Ruth Paine, with whom his
family was staying while Oswald was living in a roominghouse in Dallas, and two
of Mrs. Paine's neighbors.12 During a morning conversation over coffee, at which
Marina Oswald was present, Oswald's search for employment was mentioned. The
neighbors suggested several places where Oswald might
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apply for work. One of the neighbors present, Linnie Mac Randle, said that her
brother had recently been hired as a schoolbook order filler at the Texas School
Book Depository and she thought. the Depository might need additional help. She
testified, "and of course you know just being neighborly and everything, we felt
sorry for Marina because her baby was due right away as we understood it, and he
didn't have any work * * *. 13
When Marina Oswald and Mrs. Paine returned home, Mrs. Paine promptly telephoned
the Texas School Book Depository and spoke to Superintendent Roy Truly, whom she
did not know.14 Truly agreed to interview Oswald, who at the time was in Dallas
seeking employment. When Oswald called that. evening, Mrs. Paine told him of her
conversation with Truly.15 The next morning Oswald went to the Texas School Book
Depository where he was interviewed and hired for the position of order
filler.16
On the same date, the Texas Employment Commission attempted to refer Oswald to
an airline company which was looking for baggage and cargo handlers at a salary
which was $100 per month higher than that offered by the Depository Co.17 The
Employment Commission tried to advise Oswald of this job at 10:30 a.m. on
October 16, 1963. Since the records of the Commission indicate that Oswald was
then working,18 it seems clear that Oswald was hired by the Depository Co.
before the higher paying job was available. It is unlikely that he ever learned
of this second opportunity.
Although publicity concerning the President's trip to Dallas appeared in Dallas
newspapers as early as September 13, 1963, the planning of the motorcade route
was not started until after November 4, when the Secret Service was first
notified of the trip.19 A final decision as to the route could not have been
reached until November 14, when the Trade Mart was selected as the luncheon
site.20 Although news reports on November 15 and November 16 might have led a
person to believe that the motorcade would pass the Depository Building, the
route was not finally selected until November 18; it was announced in the press
on November 19, only 3 days before the President's arrival.21 Based on the
circumstances of Oswald's employment and the planning of the motorcade route,
the Commission has concluded that Oswald's employment in the Depository was
wholly unrelated to the President's trip to Dallas.
Bringing Rifle Into Building
On the basis of the evidence developed in chapter IV the Commission concluded
that Lee Harvey Oswald carried the rifle used in the assassination into the
Depository Building on Friday, November 22, 1968, in the handmade brown paper
bag found near the window from which the shots were fired.22 The arrangement by
which Buell Wesley Frazier drove Oswald between Irving and Dallas was an
innocent one, having commenced when Oswald first started working at the
Depository.23 As noted above, it was Frazier's sister, Linnie May Randle, who
had suggested to Ruth Paine that Oswald might be able
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to find employment at the Depository. When Oswald started working there,
Frazier, who lived only a half block away from the Paines, offered to drive
Oswald to and from Irving whenever he was going to stay at the Paines' home.24
Although Oswald's request for a ride to Irving on Thursday, November 21, was a
departure from the normal weekend pattern, Oswald gave the explanation that he
needed to obtain curtain rods for an "apartment" in Dallas.25 This served also
to explain the long package which he took with him from Irving to the Depository
Building the next morning.26 Further, there is no evidence that Ruth Paine or
Marina Oswald had reason to believe that Oswald's return was in any way related
to an attempt to shoot the President the next day. Although his visit was a
surprise, since he arrived on Thursday instead of Friday for his usual weekend
visit, both women testified that they thought he had come to patch up a quarrel
which he had with his wife a few days earlier when she learned that he was
living in Dallas under an assumed name.27
It has also been shown that Oswald had the opportunity to work in the Paines'
garage on Thursday evening and prepare the rifle by dis-assembling it, if it
were not already disassembled, and packing it in the brown bag. 28 It has been
demonstrated that the paper and tape from which the bag was made came from the
shipping room of the Texas School Book Depository and that Oswald had access to
this material.29 Neither Ruth Paine nor Marina Oswald saw the paper bag or the
paper and tape out of which the bag was constructed.30 Oswald actually prepared
the bag in the Depository out of materials available to him there, he could have
concealed it in the jacket or shirt which he was wearing. 31 The Commission has
found no evidence which suggests that Oswald required or in fact received any
assistance in bringing the rifle into the building other than the innocent
assistance provided by Frazier in the form of the ride to work.
Accomplices at the Scene of the Assassination
The arrangement of boxes at the window from which the shots were fired was
studied to determine whether Oswald required any assistance in moving the
cartons to the window. Cartons had been stacked on the floor, a few feet behind
the window, thus shielding Oswald from the view of anyone on the sixth floor who
did not attempt to go behind them.32 (See Commission Exhibit No. 723, p. 80.)
Most of those cartons had been moved there by other employees to dear an area
for laying a new flooring on the west end of the sixth floor.33 Superintendent
Roy Truly testified that the floor-laying crew moved a long row of books
parallel to the windows on the south side and had "quite a lot of cartons" in
the southeast corner of the building.34 He said that there was not any
particular pattern that the men used in putting them there. "They were just
piled up there more or less at that time." 35 According to Truly, "several
cartons" which had been in the extreme southeast corner had been placed on top
of the ones that had been piled in front of the southeast corner window.36
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The arrangement of the three boxes in the window and the one on which the
assassin may have sat has been described previously.37 Two of these four boxes,
weighing approximately 55 pounds each, had been moved by the floor- laying crew
from the west side of the floor to the area near the southwest corner.38 The
carton on which the assassin may have sat might not even have been moved by the
assassin at all. A photograph of the scene depicts this carton on the floor
alongside other similar cartons. (See Commission Exhibit No. 1301, p. 138.)
Oswald's right palmprint on this carton may have been placed there as he was
sitting on the carton rather than while carrying it. In any event both of these
55-pound cartons could have been carried by one man. The remaining two cartons
contained light block-like reading aids called "Rolling Readers" weighing only
about 8 pounds each. 39 Although they had been moved approximately 40 feet 40
from their normal locations at the southeast corner window, it would appear that
one man could have done this in a matter of seconds.
In considering the possibility of accomplices at the window, the Commission
evaluated the significance of the presence of fingerprints other than Oswald's
on the four cartons found in and near the window. Three of Oswald's prints were
developed on two of the cartons.41 In addition a total of 25 identifiable prints
were found on the 4 cartons.42 Moreover, prints were developed which were
considered as not identifiable, i.e., the quality of the print was too
fragmentary to be of value for identification purposes.43
As has been explained in chapter IV, the Commission determined that none of the
warehouse employees who might have customarily handled these cartons left prints
which could be identified.44 This was considered of some probative value in
determining whether Oswald moved the cartons to the window. All but 1 of the 25
definitely identifiable prints were the prints of 2 persons--an FBI employee and
a member of the Dallas Police Department who had handled the cartons during the
course of the investigation.45 One identifiable palmprint was not identified.46
The presence on these cartons of unidentified prints, whether or not
identifiable, does not appear to be unusual since these cartons con-rained
commercial products which had been handled by many people throughout the normal
course of manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping. Unlike other items of
evidence such as, for example, a ransom note in a kidnaping, these cartons could
contain the prints of many people having nothing to do with the assassination.
Moreover, the FBI does not maintain a filing system for palmprints because,
according to the supervisor of the Bureau's latent fingerprint section,
Sebastian F. Latona, the problems of classification make such a system
impracticable.47 Finally, in considering the significance of the unidentified
rifled prints, the Commission gave weight to the opinion of Latona to the effect
that people could handle these cartons without leaving prints which were capable
of being developed.48
Though the fingerprints other than Oswald's on the boxes thus provide no
indication of the presence of an accomplice at the window,
Page 250
two Depository employees are known to have been present briefly on the sixth
floor during the period between 11:45 a.m., when the floor-laying crew stopped
for lunch, and the moment of the assassination. One of these was Charles Givens,
a member of the floor-laying crew, who went down on the elevator with the others
and then, returned to the sixth floor to get his jacket and cigarettes.49 He saw
Oswald walking away from the southeast corner, but saw no one else on the sixth
floor at that time. He then took one of the elevators back to the first floor at
approximately 11:55 a.m.50
Bonnie Ray Williams, who was also working with the floor-laying crew, returned
to the sixth floor at about noon to eat his lunch and watch the motorcade.51 He
looked out on Elm Street from a position in the area of the third or fourth set
of windows from the east wall.52 At this point he was approximately 20-30 feet
away from the southeast corner window. He remained for about "5, 10, maybe 12
minutes" eating his lunch which consisted of chicken and 'a bottle of soda
pop.53 Williams saw no one on the sixth floor during this period, although the
stacks of books prevented his seeing the east side of the building.54 After
finishing his lunch Williams took the elevator down because no one had joined
him on the sixth floor to watch the motorcade.55 He stopped at the fifth floor
where he joined Harold Norman and James Jarman, Jr., who watched the motorcade
with him from a position on the fifth floor directly below the point from which
the shots were fired. Williams left the remains of his lunch, including chicken
bones and a bottle of soda, near the window where he was eating.56
Several witnesses outside the building claim to have seen a person in the
southeast corner window of the sixth floor. As has already been indicated, some
were able to offer better descriptions than others and one, Howard L. Brennan,
made a positive identification of Oswald as being the person at the window.57
Although there are differences among these witnesses with regard to their
ability to describe the person they saw, none of these witnesses testified to
seeing more than one person in the window.58
One witness, however,' offered testimony which, if accurate, would create the
possibility of an accomplice at the window at the time of the assassination. The
witness was 18-year-old Arnold Rowland, who testified in great detail concerning
his activities and observations on November 22, 1963. He and his wife were
awaiting the motorcade, standing on the east side of Houston Street between
Maine and Elm,59 when he looked toward the Depository Building and noticed a man
holding a rifle standing back from the southwest corner window on the sixth
floor. The man was rather slender in proportion to his size and of light
complexion with dark hair.60 Rowland said that his wife was looking elsewhere at
the time and when they looked back to the window the man "was gone from our
vision." 61 They thought the man was most likely someone protecting the
President. After the assassination Rowland signed an affidavit in which he told
of seeing this man, although Rowland was unable to identify him.62
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When Rowland testified before the Commission on March 10, 1964, he claimed for
the first time to have seen another person on the sixth floor. Rowland said that
before he had noticed the man with the rifle on the southwest corner of the
sixth floor he had seen an elderly Negro man "hanging out that window" on the
southeast corner of the sixth floor.63 Rowland described the Negro man as "very
thin, an elderly gentleman, bald or practically bald, very thin hair if he
wasn't bald," between 50 and 60 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10
inches tall, with fairly dark complexion. 64 Rowland claimed that he looked back
two or three times and noticed that the man remained until 5 or 6 minutes prior
to the time the motorcade came. Rowland did not see him thereafter. He made no
mention of the Negro man in his affidavit.65 And, while he said he told FBI
agents about the man in the southeast corner window when interviewed on the
Saturday and Sunday following the assassination,66 no such statement appears in
any FBI report. 67
Mrs. Rowland testified that her husband never told her about seeing any other
man on the sixth floor except the man with the rifle in the southwest corner
that he first saw. She also was present during Rowland's interview with
representatives of the FBI 68 and said she did not hear him make such a
statement,69 although she also said that she did not hear everything that was
discussed. 70 Mrs. Rowland testified that after her husband first talked about
seeing a man with the rifle, she looked back more than once at the Depository
Building and saw no person looking out of any window on the sixth floor.71 She
also said that "At times my husband is prone to exaggerate." 72 Because of
inconsistencies in Rowland's testimony and the importance of his testimony to
the question of a possible accomplice, the Commission requested the FBI to
conduct an inquiry into the truth of a broad range of statements made by Rowland
to the Commission. The investigation showed that numerous statements by Rowland
concerning matters about which he would not normally be expected to be
mistaken--such as subjects he studied in school, grades he received, whether or
not he had graduated from high school, and whether or not he had been admitted
to college--were false.73
The only possible corroboration for Rowland's story is found in the testimony of
Roger D. Craig, a deputy sheriff of Dallas County, whose testimony on other
aspects of the case has been discussed in chapter IV. Craig claimed that about
10 minutes after the assassination he talked to a young couple, Mr. and Mrs.
Rowland,
* * * and the boy said he saw two men on the sixth floor of the Book Depository
Building over there; one of them had a rifle with a telescopic sight on it--but
he thought they were Secret Service agents or guards and didn't report it. This
was about--oh, he said, 15 minutes before the motorcade ever arrived.74
According to Craig, Rowland said that he looked back a few minutes later and
"the other man was gone, and there was just one man--the
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man with the rifle." 75 Craig further testified that Rowland told him that when
he first saw the two men, they were walking back and forth in front of the
window for several minutes. They were both white men and one of them had a rifle
with a scope on it.7° This report by Craig is contradicted by the testimony of
both the Rowlands, and by every recorded interview with them conducted by law
enforcement agencies after the assassination.
As part of its investigation of Rowland's allegation and of the general question
of accomplices at the scene of the assassination, the Commission undertook an
investigation of every person employed in the Texas School Book Depository
Building. Two employees might possibly fit the general description of an elderly
Negro man, bald or balding. These two men were on the first floor of the
building during the period before and during the assassination.77 Moreover, all
of the employees were asked whether they saw any strangers in the building on
the morning of November 22.78 Only one employee saw a stranger whom he described
as a feeble individual who had to be helped up the front steps of the building.
He went to a public restroom and left the building 5 minutes later, about 40
minutes before the assassination. 79
Rowland's failure to report his story despite several interviews until his
appearance before the Commission, the lack of probative corroboration, and the
serious doubts about his credibility, have led the Commission to reject the
testimony that Rowland saw an elderly balding Negro man in the southeast corner
window of the sixth floor of the Depository Building several minutes before the
assassination.
Oswald's Escape
The Commission has analyzed Oswald's movements between the time of the
assassination and the shooting of Patrolman Tippit to determine whether there is
any evidence that Oswald had assistance in his flight from the building.
Oswald's activities during this period have been traced through the testimony of
seven witnesses and discussed in detail in chapter IV.80 (See Commission Exhibit
No. 1119-A, p. 158 and Commission Exhibit No. 1118, p. 150.) Patrolman M. L.
Baker and Depository superintendent Roy Truly saw him within 2 minutes of the
assassination on the second floor of the building. Mrs. R. A. Reid saw him less
than 1 minute later walking through the second-floor offices toward the front of
the building. A busdriver, Cecil J. McWatters, and Oswald's former landlady,
Mrs. Mary Bledsoe, saw him board a bus at approximately 12:40 p.m., and get off
about 4 minutes later. A cabdriver, William W. Whaley, drove Oswald from a
cabstand located a few blocks from where Oswald left the bus to a point in Oak
Cliff about four blocks from his roominghouse; and Earlene Roberts, the
housekeeper at Oswald's roominghouse, saw him enter the roominghouse at about 1
p.m. and leave a few minutes later'. When seen by these seven witnesses Oswald
was always alone.
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Particular attention has been directed to Oswald's departure from the Depository
Building in order to determine whether he could have left the building within
approximately 3 minutes of the assassination without assistance. As discussed
more fully in chapter IV, the building was probably first sealed off no earlier
than 12:37 by Inspector Herbert Sawyer. 81 The shortest estimate of the time
taken to seal off the building comes from Police Officer W. E. Barnett, one of
the officers assigned to the corner of Elm and Houston Streets for the
Presidential motorcade, who estimated that approximately 3 minutes elapsed
between the time he heard the last of the shots and the time he started guarding
the front door. 82 According to Barnett, "there were people going in and out"
during this period. 88 The evidence discussed in chapter IV shows that 3 minutes
would have been sufficient time for Oswald to have descended from the sixth
floor and left the building without assistance.84
One witness, James R. Worrell Jr., claims to have seen a man running from the
rear of the building shortly after the assassination, but in testimony before
the Commission he stated that he could not see his face. 85 Two other witnesses
who watched the rear of the building during the first 5 minutes after the
shooting saw no one leave.86 The claim of Deputy Sheriff Roger Craig that he saw
Oswald leave the Depository Building approximately 15 minutes after the
assassination has been discussed in chapter IV.87 Although Craig may have seen
someone enter a station wagon 15 minutes after the assassination, the person he
saw was not Lee Harvey Oswald, who was far removed from the building at that
time.
The possibility that accomplices aided Oswald in connection with his escape was
suggested by the testimony of Earlene Roberts., the housekeeper at the 1026
North Beckley roominghouse.88 She testified that at about 1 p.m. on November 22,
after Oswald had returned to the roominghouse, a Dallas police car drove slowly
by the front. of the 1026 North Beckley premises and stopped momentarily; she
said she heard its horn several times. 89 Mrs. Roberts stated that the occupants
of the car were not known to her even though she had worked for some policemen
who would occasionally come by.90 She said the policeman she knew drove car No.
170 and that this was not the number on the police car that honked on November
22. She testified that she first thought the car she saw was No. 106 and then
said that it was No. 107.91 In an FBI interview she had stated that she looked
out the front window and saw police car No. 207. 92 Investigation has not
produced any evidence that there was a police vehicle in the area of 1026 North
Beckley at about 1 p.m. on November 22.93 Squad car 207 was at the Texas School
Book Depository Building, as was car 106. Squad cars 170 and 107 were sold in
April 1963 and their numbers were not reassigned until February 1964.94
Whatever may be the accuracy of Mrs. Roberts' recollection concerning the police
car, it is apparent from Mrs. Roberts' further testimony that she did not see
Oswald enter a car when he hurriedly left the house. She has stated that when
she last saw Oswald, shortly after
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1 p.m., he was standing at a bus stop in front of the house.95 Oswald was next
seen less than 1 mile away, at the point where he shot Patrolman Tippit. Oswald
could have easily reached this point on foot by about 1:16 p.m., when Tippit was
shot. Finally, investigation has produced no evidence that Oswald had
prearranged plans for a means to leave Dallas after the assassination or that
any other person was to have provided him assistance in hiding or in departing
the city.
Background of Lee Harvey Oswald
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BACKGROUND OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD
Finding no evidence in the circumstances immediately surrounding the
assassination that any person other than Lee Harvey Oswald was involved in the
killing of the President, the Commission directed an intensive investigation
into his life for the purpose, among others, of detecting any possible traces
that at some point he became involved in a conspiracy culminating in the deed of
November 22, 1963. As a product of this investigation, the Commission has
compiled a detailed chronological biography of Oswald which is set forth as
appendix XIII. Study of the period from Oswald's birth in 1989 to his military
service from 1956 to 1959 has revealed no evidence that he was associated with
any type of sinister or subversive organization during that period. Though his
personality and political views took shape during these early years, the events
of that period are significant primarily to an understanding of the personality
of Lee Harvey Oswald and are discussed in that connection in chapter VII.
Beginning with his preparation for defection to the Soviet Union in 1959,
however, Oswald engaged in several activities which required dose scrutiny by
the Commission. In an appraisal of Oswald's actions since 1959 for the purpose
of determining whether he was part of a conspiracy, several aspects of his
background and character must be borne in mind. He was young, inexperienced, and
had only a limited education. As will be more fully discussed in chapter VII, he
was unable to establish relationships with others and had a resent-merit for
authority and any discipline flowing from it. While he demonstrated the ability
to act secretively and alone, without regard to the consequences to himself, as
in his defection to the Soviet Union, he does not appear to have been the kind
of person whom one would normally expect to be selected as a conspirator.
Residence in the Soviet Union
Lee Harvey Oswald was openly committed to Marxist ideology, he defected to the
Soviet Union in 1959, and resided there until June of 1962, eventually returning
to the United States with a Russian wife. In order to evaluate rumors and
speculations 96 that Oswald may have been an agent of the Soviet Union, the
Commission investigated the facts surrounding Oswald's stay in Russia. The
Commission was thus fulfilling its obligation to probe all facts of possible
rele-
Page 255
vance to the assassination, and does not suggest by this investigation that the
rulers of the Soviet Union believed that their political interests would be
advanced by the assassination of President Kennedy. On this question, the
Secretary of State testified before the Commission on June 10, 1964 as follows:
I have seen no evidence that would indicate to me that the Soviet Union
considered that it had an interest in the removal of President Kennedy or that
it was in any way involved in the removal of President Kennedy.
I have not seen or heard of any scrap of evidence indicating that the Soviet
Union had any desire to eliminate President Kennedy nor in any way participated
in any such event.
Now, standing back and trying to look at that question objectively despite the
ideological differences between our two great systems, I can't see how it could
be to the interest of the Soviet Union to make any such effort.
I do think that the Soviet Union, again objectively considered, has an interest
in the correctness of state relations. This would be .particularly true among
the great powers, with which the major interests of the Soviet Union are
directly engaged.
I think that although there are grave differences between the Communist world
and the free world, between the Soviet Union and other major powers, that even
from their point of view there needs to be some shape and form to international
relations, that it is not in their interest to have this world structure
dissolve into complete anarchy, that great states and particularly nuclear
powers have to be in a position to deal with each other, to transact business
with each other, to try to meet problems with each other, and that requires the
maintenance of correct relations and access to the leadership on all sides.
I think also that although there had been grave differences between Chairman
Khrushchev and President Kennedy, I think there were evidences of a certain
mutual respect that had developed over some of the experiences, both good and
bad, through which these two men had lived.
I think both of them were aware of the fact that any Chairman of the Soviet
Union, and any President of the United States, necessarily bear somewhat special
responsibility for the general peace of the world. Indeed without exaggeration,
one could almost say the existence of the northern hemisphere in this nuclear
age.
* * * *
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So that it would be an act of rashness and madness for Soviet leaders to
undertake such an action as an active policy. Because everything would have been
put in jeopardy or at stake in connection with such an act.
It has not been our impression that madness has characterized the actions of the
Soviet leadership in recent years.97
The Commission accepts Secretary Rusk's estimate as reasonable and objective but
recognizes that a precise assessment of Soviet intentions or interests is most
difficult. The Commission has thus examined all the known facts regarding
Oswald's defection, residence in the Soviet Union, and return to the United
States. At each step the Commission sought to determine whether there was any
evidence which supported a conclusion that Soviet authorities may have directly
or indirectly influenced Oswald's actions in assassinating the President.
Oswald's entry into the Soviet Union.-Although the evidence is inconclusive as
to the factors which motivated Oswald to go to the Soviet Union, there is no
indication that he was prompted to do so by agents of that country. He may have
begun to study the Russia language when he was stationed in Japan, which was
intermittently from August 1957 to November 1958.98 After he arrived in Moscow
in October 1959 he told several persons that he had been planning his defection
for 2 years, which suggests that the decision was made while he was in the Far
East.99 George De Mohrenschildt, who met Oswald after his return from the Soviet
Union, testified that Oswald once told him much the same thing: "I met some
Communists in Japan and they got me excited and interested, and that was one of
my inducements in going to Soviet Russia, to see what goes on there." 100 This
evidence, however, is somewhat at variance with Oswald's statements made to two
American newspaper reporters in Moscow shortly after his defection in 1959,101
and to other people in the United States after his return in 1962.102 Though his
remarks were not inconsistent as to the time he decided to defect, to these
people he insisted that before going to the Soviet Union he had "never met a
Communist" and that the intent to defect derived entirely from his own reading
and thinking. He said much the same to his brother in a letter he wrote to him
from Russia explaining why he had defected.103 Which of Oswald's statements was
the more accurate remains unknown.
There is no evidence that Oswald received outside assistance in financing his
trip to the Soviet Union. After he arrived in Moscow, Oswald told a newspaper
correspondent, Aline Mosby, that he had saved $1,500 out of his Marine Corps
salary to finance his defection,104 although the news story based upon Oswald's
interview with Aline Mosby unaccountably listed the sum of $1,600 instead of
$1,500. 105 After this article had appeared, Marguerite Oswald also related the
$1,600 figure to an FBI agent.106 Either amount could have been accumulated out
of Oswald's earnings in the Marine Corps; during
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his 2 years and 10 months of service. he received $3,452.20, after all taxes,
allotments and other deductions.107 Moreover Oswald could certainly have made
the entire trip on less than $1,000. The ticket on the ship he took from New
Orleans to Le Havre, France, cost $220.75;108 it cost him about $20 to reach
London from Le Havre: his plane fare from London to Helsinki, where he received
his visa, cost him $111.90; he probably purchased Russian "tourist Vouchers"
normally good for room and board for 10 days for $300; his train fare from
Helsinki to Moscow was about $44; in Moscow he paid only $1.50 to $3 a night for
his room and very little for his meals after his tourist vouchers ran out; 109
and apparently he did not pay his hotel bill at all after November 30, 1959.110
Oswald's known living habits indicate that he could be extraordinarily frugal
when he had reason to be, and it seems clear that he did have a strong desire to
go to the Soviet Union.
While in Atsugi, Japan, Oswald studied the Russian language, perhaps with some
help from an officer in his unit who was interested in Russian and used to "talk
about it" with Oswald occasionally. 111 He studied by himself a great deal in
late 1958 and early 1959 after he was transferred from Japan to California.112
He took an Army aptitude test in Russian in February 1959 and rated "Poor." 113
When he reached the Soviet Union in October of the same year he could barely
speak the language. 114 During the period in Moscow while he was awaiting
decision on his application for citizenship, his diary records that he practiced
Russian 8 hours a day.115 After he was sent to Minsk in early January 1960 he
took lessons from an interpreter assigned to him for that purpose by the Soviet
Government.116 Marina Oswald said that by the time she met him in March 1961 he
spoke the language well enough so that at first she thought he was from one of
the Baltic areas of her country, because of his accent. She stated that his only
defects were that his grammar was sometimes incorrect and that his writing was
never good.117
Thus, the limited evidence provides no indication that Oswald was recruited by
Soviet agents in the Far East with a view toward defection and eventual return
to the United States. Moreover, on its face such a possibility is most unlikely.
If Soviet agents had communicated with Oswald while he was in the Marine Corps,
one of the least probable instructions they would have given him would have been
to defect. If Oswald had remained a Marine radar specialist, he might at some
point have reached a position of value as a secret agent. However, his defection
and the disloyal statements he made publicly in connection with it eliminated
the possibility that he would ever gain access to confidential information or
programs of the United States. The very fact that he defected, therefore, is
itself persuasive evidence that he was not recruited as an agent prior to his
defection.
The Commission has investigated the circumstances under which Oswald obtained a
visa to enter the Soviet Union for possible evidence that he received
preferential treatment in being permitted to enter the country. Oswald left New
Orleans, La., for Europe on September 20, 1959, 118 having been released from
.active duty in the Marine Corps on
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September 11, 1959.119 He went directly to Helsinki, Finland, by way of Le
Havre, France, and London, England, arriving at Helsinki on Saturday, October
10, 1959.120 Oswald probably arrived in Helsinki too late in the evening to have
applied for a visa at the Soviet Union consulate that night.121 In light of the
rapidity with which he made connections throughout his entire trip,122 he
probably applied for a visa early on Monday, October 12. On October 14, he was
issued Soviet Tourist Visa No. 403339, good for one 6-day visit in the U.S.S.R.
128 He left Helsinki on a train destined for Moscow on October 15. 124
The Department of State has advised the Commission that it has some information
that in 1959 it usually took an American tourist in Helsinki I to 2 weeks to
obtain a visa,125 and that it has other information that the normal waiting
period during the past 5 years has been a week or less.126 According to the
Department's information, the waiting period has always varied frequently and
widely, with one confirmed instance in 1963 of a visa routinely issued in less
than 24 hours.127 The Central Intelligence Agency has indicated that visas
during the 1964 tourist season were being granted in about 5 to 7 days.128
This information from the Department of State and the Central Intelligence
Agency thus suggests that Oswald's wait for a visa may have been shorter than
usual but not beyond the range of possible variation. The prompt issuance of
Oswald's visa may have been merely the result of normal procedures, due in part
to the fact that the summer rush had ended. It might also mean that Oswald was
unusually urgent in his demands that his visa be issued promptly. Oswald himself
told officials at the American Embassy in Moscow on October 31, when he appeared
to renounce his citizenship, that he had said nothing to the Soviets about
defecting until he arrived in Moscow.129 In any event, the Commission has found
nothing in the circumstances of Oswald's entry into the Soviet Union which
indicates that he was at the time an agent of the U.S.S.R.
Defection and admission to residence.--Two months and 22 days elapsed from
Oswald's arrival in Moscow until he left that city to take up residence in
Minsk. The Commission has considered the possibility that Oswald was accepted
for residence in the Soviet Union and sent to Minsk unusually soon after he
arrived, either because he had been expected or because during his first weeks
in Moscow he developed an undercover relationship with the Soviet Government. In
doing so, the Commission has attempted to reconstruct the events of those
months, though it is, of course, impossible to account for Oswald's activities
on every day of that period.
Oswald's "Historic Diary," 130 which commences on October 16, 1959, the date
Oswald arrived in Moscow, and other writings he later prepared,131 have provided
the Commission with one source of information about Oswald's activities
throughout his stay in the Soviet Union. Even assuming the diary was intended to
be a truthful record, it is not
258
Page 259
an accurate guide to the details of Oswald's activities. Oswald seems not to
have been concerned about the accuracy of dates and names,132 and apparently
made many of his entries subsequent to the date the events occurred. Marina
Oswald testified that she believed that her husband did not begin to keep the
diary until he reached Minsk, 3 months after his arrival in Russia,133 and
scraps of paper found in Oswald's possession, containing much the same
information as appears in his diary,134 suggest that he transcribed the entries
into the diary at a later time. The substance of Oswald's writings has been
carefully examined for consistency with all other related information available
to the Commission. In addition, the writings have been checked for
handwriting,135 and for consistency of style, grammar, and spelling with earlier
and later writings which are known to be his.136 No indication has been found
that entries were written or coached by other persons.137
However, the most reliable information concerning the period Oswald spent in
Moscow in the latter part of 1962 comes from the records of the American Embassy
in Moscow,138 the testimony of Embassy officials,139 and the notes of two
American newspaper reporters, Aline Mosby 140 and Priscilla Johnson,141 who
interviewed Oswald during this period. Oswald's correspondence with his brother
and mother has also been relied upon for some relatively minor information. The
findings upon which the Commission based its conclusion concerning Soviet
involvements in the assassination were supported by evidence other than material
provided by the Soviet Union 142 or Oswald's writings. The Central Intelligence
Agency has also contributed data on the normal practices and procedures of the
Soviet authorities in handling American defectors.
The "Historic Diary" indicates that on October 16, 1959, the day Oswald arrived
in Moscow, he told his Intourist guide, Rima Shirokova, that he wished to
renounce his American citizenship and become a Soviet citizen. The same day, the
guide reportedly helped Oswald prepare a letter to the Soviet authorities
requesting citizenship.143 The diary indicates, however, that on October 21 he
was informed that his visa had expired and that he would be required to leave
Moscow within 2 hours. 144 During the preceding days, according to the diary, he
had been interviewed once and perhaps twice by Soviet officials.145 During this
period the KGB,* the agency with
259
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primary responsibility for examining defectors arriving in Russia, undoubtedly
investigated Oswald as fully as possible. In 1959, virtually all Intourist
guides were KGB informants, and there is no reason to believe that this was not
true of Oswald's guide.146
According to Oswald's diary he attempted suicide when he learned his application
for citizenship had been denied.147 If true, this would seem to provide strong
evidence that, at least prior to October 21, there was no undercover
relationship between Oswald and the Soviet Government. Though not necessarily
conclusive, there is considerable direct evidence which indicates that Oswald
did slash his wrist. Oswald's autopsy showed that he had a scar on his left
wrist and that it was of the kind which could have been caused by a suicide
attempt.148 The medical records from the Botkinskaya Hospital in Moscow,
furnished by the Soviet Government, reveal that from October 21 to October 28 he
was treated there for a self-inflicted wound on the left wrist.149 The
information contained in these records is consistent with the facts disclosed by
the autopsy examination relating to Oswald's wrist and to other facts known
about Oswald. Although no witness recalled Oswald mentioning a suicide
attempt,150 Marina Oswald testified that when she questioned her husband about
the scar on his wrist, he became "very angry," and avoided giving her a reply.
151 Oswald's character, discussed in the following chapter, does not seem
inconsistent with a suicide or feigned suicide attempt, nor with his having
failed to disclose the suicide attempt. Many witnesses who testified before the
Commission observed that he was not an "open" or trusting person, had a tendency
toward arrogance, and was not the kind of man who would readily admit
weaknesses.152
Oswald appeared at the American Embassy in Moscow on October 31, 1959, 3 days
after his release from the Botkinskaya Hospital.153 He did not give the
officials at the Embassy any indication that he had recently received medical
treatment.154 Oswald's appearance was the first notification to the American
Government that he was in Russia, since he had failed to inform the Embassy upon
his arrival,155 as most American tourists did at the time.156 In appendix w,
Oswald's dealings with the Embassy in 1959 until his return to the United States
in 1962 are described in full, and all action taken by the American officials on
his case is evaluated. His conduct at the Embassy has also been considered by
the Commission for any indication it may provide as to whether or not Oswald was
then acting under directions of the Soviet Government.
At the Embassy, Oswald declared that he wished to renounce his U.S.
citizenship,157 but the consul to whom he spoke, Richard E.
260
Page 261
NOTE HANDED BY OSWALD TO THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW ON OCT. 31, 1959
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 913
261
Page 262
Snyder, refused to accept his renunciation at that time, telling him that he
would have to return to complete the necessary papers.158 However, Oswald did
give the consul his passport 159 and a hand-written statement requesting that
his American citizenship be "revoked" and "affirm[ing] [his] * * * allegiance"
to the Soviet Union.160 (See Commission Exhibit No. 913, p. 261.) The FBI has
confirmed that this statement is in Oswald's handwriting,161 and Snyder has
testified that the letter's phrases are consistent with the way Oswald talked
and conducted himself.162 During the approximately 40-minute interview, Oswald
also informed Snyder that he had been a radar operator in the Marine Corps,
intimating that he might how something of special interest, and that he had
informed a Soviet official that he would give the Soviets any information
concerning the Marine Corps and radar operation which he possessed.163 Although
Oswald never filed a formal renunciation, in a letter to the Embassy dated
November 3, 1959, he again requested that his American citizenship be revoked
and protested the refusal to accept his renunciation on October 31.164 (See
Commission Exhibit 912, p. 263.)
While at the Embassy,165 and in a subsequent interview with an American
journalist,166 Oswald displayed familiarity with Communist ideological
arguments, which led those with whom he spoke to speculate that he may have
received some instruction from Soviet authorities. Oswald's familiarity with the
law regarding renunciation of citizenship, observed by both Embassy
officials,167 could also be construed as a sign of coaching by Soviet
authorities. However, Oswald is known to have been an avid reader 168 and there
is evidence that he had read Communist literature without guidance while in the
Marine Corps and before that time.169 After his arrival in Moscow, Oswald most
probably had discussions with his Intourist guide and others,170 but none of the
Americans with whom he talked in Moscow felt that his conversations necessarily
revealed any type of formal training.171 The "Historic Diary" indicates that
Oswald did not tell his guide that he intended to visit the Embassy because he
feared she would disapprove.172 (See Commission Exhibit No. 24, p. 264.) Though
Oswald gave Snyder the impression "of an intelligent person who spoke in a
manner and on a level, which seemed to befit his apparent level of
intelligence," 173 correspondent Priscilla Johnson, who spent about 5 hours
talking with him,174 received a much less favorable impression:
He liked to create the pretense, the impression that he was attracted to
abstract discussion and was capable of engaging in it, and was drawn to it. But
it was like pricking a balloon. I had the feeling that if you really did engage
him on this ground, you very quickly would discover that he didn't have the
capacity for a logical sustained argument about an abstract point on economics
or on noneconomic, political matters or any matter, philosophical.175
262
Page 263
LETTER MAILED BY OSWALD TO THE AMERICAN
EMBASSY IN MOSCOW
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 912
Page 264
OSWALD'S OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS MEETING AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW OCT. 31,
1959
Excerpts from his "Historic Diary"
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 24
Page 265
A comparison of the formal note Oswald handed Snyder 176 and his letter of
November 3 177 with the provisions of section 349 (a) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act 178 suggests that Oswald had read the statute but understood it
imperfectly; he apparently was trying to use three out of the four ways set out
in the statute to surrender his citizenship, but he succeeded in none.
Moreover, persuasive evidence that Oswald's conduct was not carefully coached by
Soviet agents is provided by some of his actions at the Embassy. The single
statement which probably caused Oswald the most future trouble was his
declaration that he had already volunteered to a Soviet official that he would,
if asked, tell the Soviet Government all that he knew about his job in radar as
a Marine. Certainly a statement of this type would prejudice any possibility of
his being an effective pro-Communist agent.
Further, though unquestionably evidencing anti-American sentiments, Oswald's
behavior at the Embassy, which brought him exceedingly close to expatriation,
was unlikely to have increased his value in any capacity to the Soviet Union.
Richard E. Snyder, the official who interviewed Oswald on October 31, testified
that he "had every reason to believe" that Oswald would have carried through a
formal--and therefore effective--renunciation of his American citizenship
immediately if he had let. him.179 However, as a defector, Oswald could have had
considerable propaganda value without expatriating himself; and if he had
expatriated himself his eventual return to the United States would have been
much more difficult and perhaps impossible. If Snyder's assessment of Oswald's
intentions is accurate, it thus tends to refute the suggestion that Oswald was
being coached by the Soviets. In addition, reporters noticed Oswald's apparent
ambivalence in regard to renouncing his citizen-ship-- stormily demanding that
he be permitted to renounce while failing to follow through by completing the
necessary papers 180--behavior which might have detracted from his propaganda
value.
According to Oswald's "Historic Diary" 181 and the documents furnished to the
Commission by the Soviet Government, 182 Oswald was not told that he had been
accepted as a resident of the Soviet Union until about January 4, 1960. Although
on November 13 and 16 Oswald informed Aline Mosby 183 and Priscilla Johnson 184
that he had been granted permission to remain in the country indefinitely, the
diary indicates that at that time he had been told only that he could remain
"until some solution is found with what to do with me." 185 The diary is more
consistent with the letter Oswald wrote to his brother Robert on December 17,
saying that he was then, more than a month after he saw Johnson and Mosby, about
to leave his hotel,186 and with some later correspondence with his mother.
Oswald mailed a short note to his mother which she received in Texas on January
5; that same day she mailed a money order to him in Moscow, but it apparently
got there too late, because she received it back, unopened, on February 25. 187
Oswald's conflicting statement to the correspondents also seems rec-oneliable
with his very apparent desire to appear important to others.
265
730-900 O-64--19
Page 266
Moreover, so long as Oswald continued to stay in a hotel in Moscow, the
inference is that the Soviet authorities had not yet decided to accept him.188
This inference is supported by information supplied by the CIA on the handling
of other defectors in the Soviet Union.189
Thus, the evidence is strong that Oswald waited at least until November 16, when
he saw Miss Johnson, and it is probable that he was required to wait until
January 4, a little over 2.5 months from October 16, before his application to
remain in Russia was granted. In mid-November Miss Johnson asked Oswald whether
the Russians were encouraging his defection, to which Oswald responded: "The
Russians are treating it like a legal formality. They don't encourage you and
they don't discourage you." 190 And, when the Soviet Government finally acted,
Oswald did not receive Soviet citizenship, as he had requested, but merely
permission to reside in Russia on a year-to-year basis.191
Asked to comment upon the length of time, 2 months and 22 days, that probably
passed before Oswald was granted the right to remain in the Soviet Union, the
CIA has advised that "when compared to five other defector cases, this procedure
seems unexceptional." 192 Similarly, the Department of State reports that its
information "indicated that a 2-month waiting period is not unusual." 193 The
full response of the CIA is as follows:
Oswald said that he asked for Soviet citizenship on 16 October 1959. According
to his diary, he received word a month later that he could stay in the USSR
pending disposition of his request, but it was another month and a half before
he was given his stateless passport.
When compared to five other defector cases, this procedure seems unexceptional.
Two defectors from US Army intelligence units in West Germany appear to have
been given citizenship immediately, but both had prior KGB connections and fled
as a result of Army security checks. Of the other three cases, one was accepted
after not more than five weeks and given a stateless passport apparently at
about the same time. The second was immediately given permission to stay for a
while, and his subsequent request for citizenship was granted three months
later. The third was allowed to stay after he made his citizenship request, but
almost two months passed before he was told that he had been accepted. Although
the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs soon after told the US Embassy that he
was a Soviet citizen, he did not receive his document until five or six months
after initial application. We know of only one case in which an American asked
for Soviet citizenship but did not take up residence in the USSR. In that
instance, the American changed his mind and voluntarily returned to the United
States less than three weeks after he had requested Soviet citizenship.194
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Page 267
The Department of State has commented as follows:
The files of the Department of State reflect the fact that Oswald first applied
for permission to remain in Russia permanently, or at least for a long period,
when he arrived in Moscow, and that he obtained permission to remain within one
or two months.
A. Is the fact that he obtained permission to stay within this period of time
usual ?
Answer--Our information indicates that a two months waiting period is not
unusual. In the ease of [name withheld] the Supreme Soviet decided within two
months to give Soviet citizenship and he was thereafter, of course, permitted to
stay.
B. Can you tell us what the normal procedures are under similar circumstances ?
Answer--It is impossible for us to state any "normal" procedures. The Soviet
Government never publicizes the proceedings in these eases or the reasons for
its action. Furthermore, it is, of course, extremely unusual for an American
citizen to defect.195
The information relating to Oswald's suicide attempt indicates that his
application to remain in the Soviet Union was probably re-jeered about 6 days
after his arrival in Moscow. Since the KGB is the Soviet agency responsible for
the initial handling of all defectors,196 it seems likely that the original
decision not to accept Oswald was made by the KGB. That Oswald was permitted to
remain in Moscow after his release from the hospital suggests that another
ministry of the Soviet Government may have intervened on his behalf. This
hypothesis is consistent with entries in the "Historic Diary" commenting that
the officials Oswald met after his hospital treatment were different from those
with whom he had dealt before.197 The most plausible reason for any such
intervention may well have been apprehension over the publicity that would
follow the rejection of a devout convert to the Communist cause.
Oswald's Life in Minsk.--According to the "Historic Diary" 198 and documents
received from the Soviet Government,199 Oswald resided in the city of Minsk from
January 1960 until June 1962. Oswald's life in Minsk is the portion of his life
concerning which the least is known. The primary sources of information are
Oswald's own writings and the testimony of Marina Oswald. Other evidence,
however, establishes beyond doubt that Oswald was in fact located in Minsk on at
least two occasions. The Commission has obtained two photographs which were
taken by American tourists in Minsk in August 1961 in which Oswald appears.200
The tourists did not know Oswald, nor did they speak with him; they remembered
only that several men gathered near their car.201 (See Kramer Exhibit 1, p.
268.) In addition, Oswald was noticed in Minsk by a student who was traveling
with
Page 268
OSWALD, MAN STANDING ON RIGHT IN FIGURED SHIRT.
268
Page 269
the University of Michigan band on a tour of Russia in the spring of 1961. 202
Oswald corresponded with the American Embassy in Moscow from Minsk,203 and wrote
letters from Minsk to his family in the United States.204 Oswald and his wife
have many photographs taken of themselves which show Minsk backgrounds and
persons who are identifiable as residents of Minsk.205 After he returned to the
United States,` Oswald conversed about the city with Russian-born American
citizens who were familiar with it.206 Marina Oswald is also familiar with the
city. 207 The Commission has also been able independently to verify the
existence in Minsk of many of the acquaintances of Oswald and his wife whom they
said they knew there. 208 (See Commission Exhibits Nos. 1392, 1395, 2606, 2609,
2612 and 2623, pp. 270--271.)
Once he was accepted as a resident alien in the Soviet Union, Oswald was given
considerable benefits which ordinary Soviet citizens in his position in society
did not have. The "Historic Diary" recites that after Oswald was informed that
he could remain in the Soviet Union and was being sent to Minsk he was given
5,000 rubles* ($500) by the "Red Cross, * * * for expenses." He used 2,200
rubles to pay his hotel bill, and another 150 rubles to purchase a train ticket.
With the balance of slightly over 2,500 rubles, Oswald felt, according to the
diary, like a rich man.209 Oswald did not receive free living quarters, as the
diary indicates the "Mayor" of Minsk promised him,210 but about 6 weeks after
his arrival he did receive an apartment, very pleasant by Soviet standards, for
which he was required to pay only 60 rubles ($6.00) a month. Oswald considered
the apartment "almost rent free." Oswald was given a job in the "Byelorussian
Radio and Television Factory," where his pay on a per piece basis ranged from
700 to 900 rubles ($70-$90) a month.212 According to his wife, this rate of pay
was average for people in his occupation but good by Soviet standards
generally.213 She explained that piecework rates throughout the Soviet Union
have generally grown out of line with compensation for other jobs.214 The CIA
has confirmed that this condition exists in many areas and occupations in the
Soviet Union. 215 In addition to his salary, Oswald regularly received 700
rubles ($70) per month from the Soviet "Red Cross." 216 The well-paying job, the
monthly subsidy, and the "almost rent-free" apartment combined to give Oswald
more money than he needed. The only complaint recorded in the "Historic Diary"
is that there was "no place to spend the money." 217
The Commission has found no basis for associating Oswald's preferred income with
Soviet undercover activity. Marina Oswald testified that foreign nationals are
commonly given special treatment in the Soviet Union, 218 and the Central
Intelligence Agency has confirmed that it is standard practice in the Soviet
Union for Americans and other foreign defectors from countries with high
standards of living to be "subsidized." 219 Apparently it is Soviet practice
269
Page 270
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE OSWALDS
IN MINSK, U.S.S.R.
OSWALD AND MARINA ON A BRIDGE IN MINSK (COMMISSION EXHIBIT 1392)
UNCLE VASILY AKSIONOV AND
AUNT LUBOVA AKSlONOVA,
WITH THE OSWALDS (COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2623)
MARINA WAITING FOR BUS
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 1395)
Page 271
PHOTOGRAPHS OF OSWALDS
IN U.S.S.R.
ROSA KUZNETSOVA, ELLA GERMAN LEE HARVEY OSWALD, AND
PAVEL GOLOVACHEV
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT2609)
OSWALD AND ALFRED (LAST NAME UNKNOWN),
A HUNGARIAN FRIEND OF ANITA ZIGER
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2612)
VIEW OVERLOOKING THE SVISLOCH
RIVER FROM THE BALCONY OF THE OSWALDS' APARTMENT
IN MINSK
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2606)
271
Page 272
to attempt to make life sufficiently pleasant for a foreign defector so that he
will not become disillusioned and return to his native country. The Commission
has also assumed that it is customary for Soviet intelligence agencies to keep
defectors under surveillance during their residence in the Soviet Union, through
periodic interviews of neighbors and associates of the defector.220 Oswald once
mentioned that the Soviet police questioned his neighbors occasionally.221
Moreover, it is from Oswald's personal writings alone that the Commission has
learned that he received supplementary funds from the Soviet "Red Cross." In the
notes he made during the return trip to the United States Oswald recognized that
the "Red Cross" subsidy had nothing to do with the well-known International Red
Cross. He frankly stated that the money was paid to him for having "denounced"
the United States and that it had come from the "MVD." 222 Oswald's papers
reveal that the "Red Cross" subsidy was terminated as soon as he wrote the
American Embassy in Moscow in February 1961 asking that he be permitted to
return.223 (See Commission Exhibit No. 25, p. 278.) Marina Oswald's testimony
confirmed this; she said that when she knew Oswald he no longer was receiving
the monthly grant but still retained some of the savings accumulated in the
months when he had been receiving it.224 Since she met Oswald in March and
married him in April of 1961, her testimony was consistent with his records.
The nature of Oswald's employment while in Minsk has been examined by the
Commission. The factory in which he worked was a large plant manufacturing
electronic parts and radio and television sets. Marina Oswald has testified that
he was an "apprentice machinist" and "ground small metallic parts for radio
receivers, on a lathe." as So far as can be determined, Oswald never
straight-forwardly described to anyone else in the United States exactly what
his job was in the Soviet Union.226 Some of his acquaintances in Dallas and Fort
Worth had the impression that he was disappointed in having been given a menial
job and not assigned to an institution of higher learning in the Soviet
Union.227 Marina Oswald confirmed this and also testified that her husband was
not interested in his work and not regarded at the factory as a very good
worker.228 The documents furnished to the Commission by the Soviet government
were consistent with her testimony on this point, since they included a report
from Oswald's superior at the factory which is critical of his performance on
the job.229 Oswald's employment and his job performance are thus consistent with
his known occupational habits in this country and otherwise afford no ground for
suspicion.
Oswald's membership in a hunting club while he was in the Soviet Union has been
a matter of special interest to the Commission. One Russian emigre testified
that this was a suspicious circumstance because no one in the Soviet Union is
permitted to own a gun for pleasure.230 The Commission's investigation, however,
has established that this is not so. The Central Intelligence Agency has advised
the Commission that hunting societies such as the one to
Page 273
EXCERPTS FROM A SPEECH OSWALD NEVER DELIVERED, WHICH HE PROBABLY WROTE ABOARD
THE SHIP WHILE RETURNING FROM THE U. S. S. R. WITH HIS FAMILY
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 25)
273
Page 274
which Oswald belonged are very popular in the Soviet Union. 231 They are
frequently sponsored by factories for their employees, as was Oswald's.232
Moreover, Soviet citizens (or foreigners residing in the Soviet Union) are
permitted to own shotguns, but not rifles, without joining a society; all that
is necessary is that the gun be registered at the local militia office
immediately after it has been purchased.233 Experts from the Central
Intelligence Agency have examined Oswald's club membership certificate and gun
permit and expressed the opinion that its terms and numbers are consistent with
other information the CIA has about the Soviet Union. 234
Marina Oswald testified that her husband went hunting only on one occasion
during the time of their marriage.235 However, Oswald .apparently joined the
Byelorussian Society of Hunters and Fishermen m the summer of 1960 236 and did
not marry until April 30, 1961, 237 so he could have been more active while he
was still a bachelor. Oswald made no secret of his membership in the hunting
club. He mentioned it on occasion to friends after he returned to the United
States; 238 discussed it at some length in a speech at a Jesuit Seminary in
Mobile, Ala., in the summer of 1962; 239 included it in his correspondence with
his brother Robert; 240 and kept his membership certificate 241 and gun permit
242 until the day he was killed. In view of these facts, it is unlikely that
Oswald's membership in a hunting club was contrived to conceal some sort of
secret training. Moreover, the CIA has informed the Commission that it is in
possession of considerable information on the location of secret Soviet training
institutions and that it knows of no such institution in or near Minsk during
the time Oswald was there. 243
Oswald's marriage to Marina Prusakova on April 30, 1961, 244 is itself a fact
meriting consideration. A foreigner living in Russia cannot marry without the
permission of the Soviet Government. 245 It seems unlikely that the Soviet
authorities would have permitted Oswald to marry and to take his wife with him
to the United States if they were contemplating using him alone as an agent. The
fact that he had a Russian wife would be likely, in their view, to increase any
surveillance under which he would be kept by American security agencies, would
make him even more conspicuous to his neighbors as "an ex- Russian," and would
decrease his mobility. A wife's presence in the United States would also
constitute a continuing risk of disclosure. On the other hand, Marina Oswald's
lack of English training and her complete ignorance of the United States and its
customs 246 would scarcely recommend-her to the Soviet authorities as one member
of an "agent team" to be sent to the United States on a difficult and dangerous
foreign enterprise.
Oswald's departure from the Soviet Union.--On February 13, 1961, the American
Embassy in Moscow received a letter from Oswald postmarked Minsk, February 5,
asking that he be readmitted to the United States. 247 This was the first time
that the Embassy had heard from or about Oswald since November 16, 1959. 248 The
end of the 15-month silence came only a few days after the Department of State
Page 275
in Washington had forwarded a request to the Moscow Embassy on February 1, 1961,
informing the Embassy that Oswald's mother was worried about him, and asking
that he get in touch with her if possible.249 The simultaneity of the two events
was apparently coincidental. The request from Marguerite Oswald went from
Washington to Moscow by sealed diplomatic pouch and there was no evidence that
the seal had been tampered with.250 The officer of the Department of State who
carried the responsibility for such matters has testified that the message was
not forwarded to the Russians after it arrived in Moscow.251
Oswald's letter does not seem to have been designed to ingratiate him with the
Embassy officials. It starts by incorrectly implying that he had written an
earlier letter that was not answered, states that he will return to the United
States only if he can first "come to some agreement" on there being no legal
charges brought against him, and ends with a reminder to the officials at the
Embassy that they have a responsibility to do everything they can to help him,
since he is an American citizen.252
The Embassy's response to this letter was to invite Oswald to come personally to
Moscow to discuss the matter.253 Oswald at first protested because of the
difficulty of obtaining Soviet permission.254 He wrote two more protesting
letters during the following 4 months,255 but received no indication that the
Embassy would allow him to handle the matter by mail.256 While the Department of
State was clarifying its position on this matter,257 Oswald unexpectedly
appeared in Moscow on Saturday, July 8, 1961.258 On Sunday, Marina Oswald flew
to Moscow,259 and was interviewed by officials in the American Embassy on
Tuesday.260
The Commission asked the Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency
to comment on whether the Oswalds' travel to Moscow without permission signified
special treatment by the Soviet Union. From their responses, it appears that
since Marina Oswald possessed a Soviet citizen's internal passport, she did not
require prior approval to make the trip.261 Although Soviet law did require her
husband, as the holder of a "stateless passport," to obtain advance permission
for the trip, his failure to do so would not normally have been considered a
serious violation. In this respect, the CIA has advised the Commission as
follows:
OSWALD'S travel from Minsk to Moscow and return in July 1961 would normally have
required prior authorization. Bearers of a Soviet "passport for foreigners" (vid
na zhitelstov v. SSSR dlya innostrantsa) are required to obtain travel
authorization from the Visa and Registration Department (OVIR) (or Passport
Registration Department (PRO) in smaller towns) if they desire to leave the city
(or oblast) where they are domiciled. This same requirement is believed to apply
to persons, such as OSWALD, holding Soviet "stateless passports" (vid na
zhitel-stvo v. SSSR dlya lits bez grazhdanstva).
Page 276
The practicality of even "unauthorized" travel was demonstrated by events
related by a United States citizen who defected in 1960, and subsequently was
sent to Kiev to study. After repatriating this defector told U.S. authorities he
had made a total of seven unauthorized trips from Kiev during his stay in the
USSR. He was apprehended on two of his flights and was returned to Kiev each
time, the second time under escort. On both occasions he was merely reprimanded
by the deputy chief of the institute at which he was studying. Since Marina had
a Soviet citizen's internal passport there would have been no restrictions
against her making the trip to Moscow.262
The answers of the Department of State, together with the Commission's specific
questions, are as follows:
B. Could resident foreigners normally travel in this manner without first
obtaining such permission?
Answer--There are only a few U.S. nationals now living in the Soviet Union. They
include an American Roman Catholic priest, an American Protestant minister, a
number of correspondents, some students and technical advisers to Soviet
businesses. We know that the priest, the minister, the correspondents and the
students must obtain permission from Soviet authorities before taking any trips.
The technical advisers notify officials of their project before they travel and
these officials personally inform the militia.
C. If travel of this type was not freely permitted, do you believe that Oswald
normally would have been apprehended during the attempt or punished after the
fact for traveling without permission ?
Answer--Based on the information we have, we believe that if Oswald went to
Moscow without permission, and this was known to the Soviet authorities, he
would have been fined or reprimanded. Oswald was not, of course, an average
foreign resident. He was a defector from a foreign country and the bearer of a
Soviet internal "stateless" passport * * * during the time when he was
contemplating the visit to Moscow to come to the Embassy * * *
The Soviet authorities probably knew about Oswald's trip even if he did not
obtain advance permission, since in most instances the Soviet militia guards at
the Embassy ask for the documents of unidentified persons entering the Embassy
grounds ***
An American citizen who, with her American citizen husband, went to the Soviet
Union to live permanently and is now trying to obtain permission to leave,
informed the Embassy that she had been fined for not getting permission to go
from Odessa to Moscow on a recent trip to visit the Embassy.
D. Even if such travel did not have to be authorized, do you have any
information or observations regarding the practicality of such travel by Soviet
citizens or persons in Oswald's status ?
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Answer--It is impossible to generalize in this area. We understand from
interrogations of former residents in the Soviet Union who were considered
"stateless" by Soviet authorities that they were not permitted to leave the town
where they resided without permission of the police. In requesting such
permission they were required to fill out a questionnaire giving the reason for
travel, length of stay, addresses of individuals to be visited, etc.
Notwithstanding these requirements, we know that at least one "stateless" person
often traveled without permission of the authorities and stated that police
stationed at railroad stations usually spotchecked the identification papers of
every tenth traveler, but that it was an easy matter to avoid such checks.
Finally, she stated that persons who were caught evading the registration
requirements were returned to their home towns by the police and sentenced to
short jail terms and fined. These sentences were more severe for repeated
violations.263
When Oswald arrived at the Embassy in Moscow, he met Richard E. Snyder, the same
person with whom he had dealt in October of 1959. 264 Primarily on the basis of
Oswald's interview with Snyder on Monday, July 10, 1961, the American Embassy
concluded that Oswald had not expatriated himself. 265 (See app. XV pp. 752-
760. ) On the basis of this tentative decision, Oswald was given back his
American passport, which he had surrendered in 1959. 266 The document was due to
expire in September 1961, 267 however, and Oswald was informed that its renewal
would depend upon the ultimate decision by the Department of State on his
expatriation.268 On July 11, Marina Oswald was interviewed at the Embassy and
the steps necessary for her to obtain an American visa were begun.269 In May
1962, after 15 months of dealings with the Embassy, Oswald's passport was
ultimately renewed and permission for his wife to enter the United States was
granted.270
The files on Oswald and his wife compiled by the Department of State and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service contain no indication of any expert
guidance by Soviet authorities in Oswald's dealings with the Department or the
Service. For example, the letters from Minsk to the Embassy in Moscow,271 which
are in his handwriting,272 display the arrogant attitude which was
characteristic of him both before and after he lived in Russia, and, when
compared with other letters that were without doubt composed and written by him,
273 show about the same low level of sophistication, fluency, and spelling. The
Department officer who most frequently dealt with Oswald when he began
negotiations to return to the United States, Richard E. Snyder, testified that
he can recall nothing that indicated Oswald was being guided or assisted by a
third party when he appeared at the Embassy in July 1961.274 On the contrary,
the arrogant and presumptuous attitude which Oswald displayed in his
correspondence with the Embassy from early 1961 until June 1962, 275 when he
finally departed from Russia, undoubtedly hindered
277
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his attempts to return to the United States. Snyder has testified that although
he made a sincere effort to treat Oswald's application objectively, Oswald's
attitude made this very difficult. 276
In order to leave Russia, it was also necessary for the Oswalds to obtain
permission from the Soviet Government. The timing and circumstances under which
the Oswalds obtained this permission have also been considered by the
Commission. Marina Oswald, although her memory is not clear on the point, said
that she and Oswald first made their intentions to go to the United States known
to Soviet officials in Minsk in May, even before coming to Moscow in July for
the conference at the American Embassy.277 The Oswalds' correspondence with the
Embassy and the documents furnished the Commission by the Soviet Government show
that the Oswalds made a series of formal applications to the Soviets from July
15 to August 21. 278 Presumably the most difficult question for the
Soviet-authorities was whether to allow Marina Oswald to accompany her husband.
She was called to the local passport office in Minsk on December 25, 1961, and
told that authority had been received to issue exit visas to her and Oswald.279
Obtaining the permission of the Soviet Government to leave may have been aided
by a conference which Marina Oswald had, at her own request, with a local MVD
official, Colonel Aksenov, sometime in late 1961. She testified that she applied
for the conference at her husband's urging, after he had tried unsuccessfully to
arrange such a conference for himself.280 She believed that it may have been
granted her because her uncle with whom she had lived in Minsk before her
marriage was also an MVD official.281
The correspondence with the American Embassy at this time reflected that the
Oswalds did not pick up their exit visas immediately.282 On January 11, 1962,
Marina Oswald was issued her Soviet exit visa. It was marked valid until
December 1, 1962.283 The Oswalds did not leave Russia until June 1962, but the
additional delay was caused by problems with the U.S. Government and by the
birth of a child in February.284 Permission of the Soviet authorities to leave,
once given, was never revoked. Oswald told the FBI in July 1962, shortly after
he returned to the United States, that he had been interviewed by the MVD twice,
once when he first came to the Soviet Union and once just before he departed.285
His wife testified that the second interview did not occur in Moscow but that
she and her husband dealt with the MVD visa officials frequently in Minsk.286
Investigation of the circumstances, including the timing, under which the
Oswalds obtained permission from the Soviet Government to leave Russia for the
United States show that they differed in no discernible manner from the normal.
The Central Intelligence Agency has informed the Commission that normally a
Soviet national would not be permitted to emigrate if he might endanger Soviet
national security once he went abroad.287 Those persons in possession of
confidential information, for example, would constitute an
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important category of such "security risks." Apparently Oswald's predeparture
interview by the MVD was part of an attempt to ascertain whether he or his wife
had access to any confidential information. Marina Oswald's reported interview
with the MVD in late 1961, which was arranged at her request, may have served
the same purpose. The Commission's awareness of both interviews derives entirely
from Oswald's and his wife's statements and letters to the American Embassy,
which afford additional evidence that the conferences carried no subversive
significance.
It took the Soviet authorities at least 5% months, from about July 15, 1961,
until late December, to grant permission for the Oswalds to leave the country.
When asked to comment upon the alleged rapidity of the Oswalds' departure, the
Department of State advised the Commission:
* * * In the immediate post-war period there were about fifteen marriages in
which the wife had been waiting for many years for a Soviet exit permit. After
the death of Stalin the Soviet Government showed a disposition to settle these
cases. In the summer of 1953 permission was given for all of this group of
Soviet citizen wives to accompany their American citizen husbands to the United
States.
Since this group was given permission to leave the Soviet Union, there have been
from time to time marriages in the Soviet Union of American citizens and Soviet
citizens. With one exception, it is our understanding that all of the Soviet
citizens involved have been given permission to emigrate to the United States
after waiting periods which were, in some cases from three to six months and in
others much longer. 288
Both the Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency compiled data
for the Commission on Soviet wives of American citizens who received exit visas
to leave the Soviet Union, where the relevant information was available. In both
cases the data were consistent with the above conclusion of the State
Department. The Department of State had sufficient information to measure the
timespan in 14 cases. The Department points out that it has information on the
dates of application for and receipt of Soviet exit visas only on those cases
that have been brought to its attention. A common reason for bringing a case to
the attention of the Department is that the granting of the exit visa by the
Soviet Union has been delayed, so that the American spouse seeks the assistance
of his own government. It therefore appears that the sampling data carry a
distinct bias toward lengthy waiting periods. Of the 14 cases tested, 6 involve
women who applied for visas after 1953, when the liberalized post-Stalin policy
was in effect. The approximate waiting periods for these wives were, in
decreasing order, 13 months, 6 months, 8 months, 1 month, and 10 days.289 Of the
11 cases examined by the Central Intelligence Agency
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in which the time period is known or can be inferred, the Soviet wives had to
wait from 5 months to a year to obtain exit visas.290
In his correspondence with the American Embassy and his brother while he was in
Russia,291 in his diary,292 and in his conversations with people in the United
States after he returned,293 Oswald claimed that his wife had been subjected to
pressure by the Soviet Government in an effort to induce her not to emigrate to
the United States. In the Embassy correspondence, Oswald claimed that the
pressure had been so intense that she had to be hospitalized for 5 days for
"nervous exhaustion." 294 Marina Oswald testified that her husband exaggerated
and that no such hospitalization or "nervous exhaustion" ever occurred.295
However, she did testify that she was questioned on the matter occasionally and
given the impression that her government was not pleased with her decision. 296
Her aunt and uncle in Minsk did not speak to her "for a long time"; she also
stated that she was dropped from membership in the Communist Youth Organization
(Komsomol) when the news of her visit to the American Embassy in Moscow reached
that organization. 297 A student who took Russian lessons from her in Texas
testified that she once referred to the days when the pressure was applied as "a
very horrible time." 298 Despite all this Marina Oswald testified that she was
surprised that their visas were granted as soon as they were--and that hers was
granted at all.299 This evidence thus indicates that the Soviet authorities,
rather than facilitating the departure of the Oswalds, first tried to dissuade
Marina Oswald from going to the United States and then, when she failed to
respond to the pressure, permitted her to leave without undue delay. There are
indications that the Soviet treatment of another recent defector who left the
Soviet Union to return to the United States resembled that accorded to the
Oswalds. 300
On the basis of all the foregoing evidence, the Commission concluded that there
was no reason to believe that the Oswalds received unusually favorable treatment
in being permitted to leave the Soviet Union.
Associations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Community
The Russian-speaking community.--Shortly after his return from Russia in June
1962, Oswald and his family settled in Fort Worth, Tex., where they met a group
Of Russian-born or Russian-speaking persons in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.301
The members of this community were attracted to each other by common background,
language, and culture. Many of them were well-educated, accomplished, and
industrious people, several being connected with the oil exploration,
production, and processing industry that flourishes in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area.302 As described more fully in chapter VII and in appendix XIII, many of
these persons assisted the Oswalds in various ways. Some provided the Oswalds
with gifts of such things as food, clothing, and baby furniture.303 Some
arranged appointments and transportation for medical and dental treatment, and
assumed the cost in some instances.304 When Oswald under-
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took to look for employment in Dallas in early October of 1962 and again when
marital difficulties arose between the Oswalds in November of the same year,
Marina Oswald and their child were housed at times in the homes of various
members of the group.305 The Commission has examined the background of many of
these individuals and has thoroughly investigated Oswald's relationship with
them.
There is no basis to suppose that Oswald came to Fort Worth upon his return from
Russia for the purpose of establishing contacts with the Russian-speaking
community located in that area. Oswald had spent several of his grammar-school
years in Fort Worth.306 In 1962, his brother Robert lived in Fort Worth and his
mother resided in nearby Vernon, Tex. In January of that year, Oswald indicated
to American officials in Russia that he intended to stay with his mother upon
his return to the United States; however, sometime after mid- February, he
received an invitation to stay with Robert and his family until he became
settled, and he did spend the first several weeks after his return at Robert's
home.307 In July, Oswald's mother moved to Fort Worth and Oswald and his wife
and child moved into an apartment with her.308 While in that apartment, Oswald
located a job in Fort Worth and then rented and moved with his family into an
apartment on Mercedes Street.309
Upon his arrival in 1962, Oswald did not know any members of the relatively
small and loosely knit Russian-speaking community.310 Shortly after his arrival
Oswald obtained the name of two Russian-speaking persons in Fort Worth from the
office of the Texas Employment Commission in that city.311 Attempts to arrange a
prompt visit with one of them failed.312 The second person, Peter Paul Gregory,
was a consulting petroleum engineer and part-time Russian-language instructor at
the Fort Worth Public Library. Oswald contacted him in order to obtain a letter
certifying to his proficiency in Russian and Marina Oswald later tutored his son
in the Russian language.313 Gregory introduced the Oswalds to George Bouhe and
Anna Meller, both of whom lived in Dallas and became interested in the welfare
of Marina Oswald and her child.314 Through them, other members of the Russian
community became acquainted with the Oswalds.315
The Oswalds met some 30 persons in the Russian-speaking community, of whom 25
testified before the Commission or its staff; others were interviewed on behalf
of the Commission.316 This range of testimony has disclosed that the
relationship between Lee Harvey Oswald and the Russian-speaking community was
short lived and generally quite strained.317 During October and November of 1962
Marina Oswald lived at the homes of some of the members of the Russian-speaking
community.318 She stayed first with Elena Hall while Oswald was looking for work
in Dallas.319 In early November, Marina Oswald and the baby joined Oswald in
Dallas, but soon thereafter, she spent approximately 2 weeks with different
Russian-speaking friends during another separation.320 Oswald openly resented
the help Marina's "Russian friends" gave to him and his wife and the efforts of
some of them to induce Marina to leave him.321 George
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Bouhe attempted to dissuade Marina from returning to her husband in November
1962, and when she rejoined him, Bouhe became displeased with her as well.322
Relations between the Oswalds and the members of the Russian community had
practically ceased by the end of 1962. Katherine Ford, one of the members of the
group, summed up the situation as it existed at the end of January 1963: "So it
was rather, sort of, Marina and her husband were dropped at that time, nobody
actually wanted to help. * * *" 323
In April of 1963, Oswald left Fort Worth for New Orleans, where he was later
joined by his wife and daughter, and remained until his trip to Mexico City in
late September and his subsequent return to the Dallas- Fort Worth area in early
October of 1963.324 With only minor exceptions,325 there is no evidence that any
member of the Russian-speaking community had further contact with Oswald or his
family after April. 326 In New Orleans, Oswald made no attempt to make new
Russian-speaking acquaintances for his wife and there is no evidence that he
developed any friendships in that city.327 Similarly, after the return from New
Orleans, there seems to have been no communication between the Oswalds and this
group until the evening of November 22, 1963, when the Dallas Police enlisted
Ilya Mamantov to serve as an interpreter for them in their questioning of Marina
Oswald.328
George De Mohrenschildt and his wife, both of whom speak Russian as well as
several other languages, however, did continue to see the Oswalds on occasion up
to about the time Oswald went to New Orleans on April 24, 1963. De Mohrenschildt
was apparently the only Russian-speaking person living in Dallas for whom Oswald
had appreciable respect, and this seems to have been true even though De
Mohrenschildt helped Marina Oswald leave her husband for a period in November of
1962. 329
In connection with the relations between Oswald and De Mohrenschildt, the
Commission has considered testimony concerning an event which occurred shortly
after Oswald shot at General Walker. The De Mohrenschildts came to Oswald's
apartment on Neely Street for the first time on the evening of April 13, 1963,
apparently to bring an Easter gift for the Oswald child.330 Mrs. De
Mohrenschildt testified that while Marina Oswald was showing her the apartment,
she saw a rifle with a scope in a closet. Mrs. De Mohrenschildt then told her
husband, in the presence of the Oswalds, that there was a rifle in the
closet.331 Mrs. De Mohrenschildt testified that "George, of course, with his
sense of humor--Walker was shot at a few days ago, within that time. He said,
'Did you take a pot shot at Walker by any chance?' "332 At that point, Mr. De
Mohrenschildt testified, Oswald "sort of shriveled, you see, when I asked this
question. * * * made a peculiar face * * * [and] changed the expression on his
face" and remarked that he did targetshooting.333 Marina Oswald testified that
the De Mohrenschildts came to visit a few days after the Walker incident and
that when De Mohrenschildt made his reference to Oswald's possibly shooting at
Walker, Oswald's "face changed, * * * he almost
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became speechless." 334 According to the De Mohrenschildts, Mr. De
Mohrenschildt's remark was intended as a joke, and he had no knowledge of
Oswald's involvement in the attack on Walker.335 Nonetheless, the remark appears
to have created an uncomfortable silence, and the De Mohrenschildts left "very
soon afterwards." They never saw either of the Oswalds again.336 They left in a
few days on a trip to New York City and did not return until after Oswald had
gone to New Orleans.337 A postcard from Oswald to De Mohrenschildt was
apparently the only contact they had thereafter.338 The De Mohrenschildts left
in early June for Haiti on a business venture, and they were still residing
there at the time they testified on April 23, 1964. 339
Extensive investigation has been conducted into the background of both De
Mohrenschildts.340 The investigation has revealed that George De Mohrenschildt
is a highly individualistic person of varied interests. He was born in the
Russian Ukraine in 1911 and fled Russia with his parents in 1921 during the
civil disorder following the revolution. He was in a Polish cavalry military
academy for 11/2 years. Later he studied in Antwerp and attended the University
of Liege from which he received a doctor's degree in international commerce in
1928. Soon thereafter, he emigrated to the United States; he became a U.S.
citizen in 1949.341 De Mohrenschildt eventually became interested in oil
exploration .and production; he entered the University of Texas in 1944 and
received a master's degree in petroleum geology and petroleum engineering in
1945.342 He has since become active as a petroleum engineer throughout the
world.343 In 1960, after the death of his son, he and his wife made an 8-month
hike from the United States-Mexican border to Panama over primitive jungle
trails. By happenstance they were in Guatemala City at the time of the Bay of
Pigs invasion.344 A lengthy film and complete written log was prepared by De
Mohrenschildt and a report of the trip was made to the U.S. Government.345 Upon
arriving in Panama they journeyed to Haiti where De Mohrenschildt eventually
became involved in a Government-oriented business venture in which he has been
engaged continuously since June 1963 until the time of this report.346
The members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Russian community and others have variously
described De Mohrenschildt as eccentric, outspoken, and a strong believer in
individual liberties and in the U.S. form of government, but also of the belief
that some form of undemocratic government might be best for other peoples.347 De
Mohrenschildt frankly admits his provocative personality.348
Jeanne De Mohrenschildt was born in Harbin, China, of White Russian parents. She
left during the war with Japan, coming to New York in 1938 where she became a
successful ladies dress and sportswear apparel designer. She married her present
husband in 1959. 349
The Commission's investigation has developed no signs of subversive or disloyal
conduct on the part of either of the De Mohrenschildts. Neither the FBI, CIA,
nor any witness contacted by the
283
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Commission has provided any information linking the De Mohrenschildts to
subversive or extremist organizations. 350 Nor has there been any evidence
linking them in any way with the assassination of President Kennedy.
The Commission has also considered closely the relations between the Oswalds and
Michael and Ruth Paine of Irving, Tex. The Paines were not part of the Russian
community which has been discussed above. Ruth Paine speaks Russian, however,
and for this reason was invited to a party in February of 1963 at which she
became acquainted with the Oswalds.351 The host had met the Oswalds through the
De Mohrenschildts.352 Marina Oswald and Ruth Paine subsequently became quite
friendly, and Mrs. Paine provided considerable assistance to the Oswalds. 353
Marina Oswald and her child resided with Ruth Paine for a little over 2 weeks
while Oswald sought a job in New Orleans in late April and early May 1963.354 In
May, she transported Marina Oswald to New Orleans, paying all of the traveling
and other expenses. 355 While the Oswalds were in New Orleans, the two women
corresponded.356 Mrs. Paine came to New Orleans in late September and took
Marina Oswald and her child to her home in Irving.357
Since Oswald left for Mexico City promptly after Mrs. Paine and his family
departed New Orleans, 358 the Commission has considered whether Ruth Paine's
trip to New Orleans was undertaken to assist Oswald in this venture, but the
evidence is clear that it was not. In her letters to Ruth Paine during the
summer of 1963, Marina Oswald confided that she was having continuing
difficulties with her husband, and Mrs. Paine urged Marina Oswald to live with
her in Irving; the letters of the two women prior to Mrs. Paine's arrival in New
Orleans on September 20, 1963, however, contain no mention that Oswald was
planning a trip to Mexico City or elsewhere.359 In New Orleans, Mrs. Paine was
told by Oswald that he planned to seek employment in Houston, or perhaps
Philadelphia. Though Marina Oswald knew this to be false, she testified that she
joined in this deception.360 At no time during the entire weekend was Mexico
City mentioned.361 Corroboration for this testimony is found in a letter Mrs.
Paine wrote her mother shortly after she and Marina Oswald had returned to
Irving on September 24, in which she stated that Marina Oswald was again living
with her temporarily and that Oswald was job-hunting.362 When Oswald arrived at
the Paine home on October 4, he continued his deception by telling Mrs. Paine,
in his wife's presence, that he had been unsuccessful in finding employment.363
At Oswald's request, Marina Oswald remained silent.364
Marina Oswald lived with Ruth Paine through the birth of her second daughter on
October 20, 1963, and until the assassination of President Kennedy.365 During
this period, Oswald obtained a room in Dallas and found employment in Dallas,
but spent weekends with his family at the Paine home.366 On November 1 and 5,
Ruth Paine was interviewed by agents of the FBI who were investigating Oswald's
activities since his return from the Soviet Union, as set forth
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in greater detail in chapter VIII. She did not then know Oswald's address in
Dallas.367 She was not asked for, nor did she volunteer, Oswald's telephone
number in Dallas, which she did know.368 She advised the Bureau agent to whom
she spoke of Oswald's periodic weekend visits, and she informed him that Oswald
was employed at the Texas School Book Depository Building.369
On November 10, Ruth Paine discovered a draft of Oswald's letter written the day
before to the Soviet Embassy in Washington, in which he indicated that he had
journeyed to Mexico City and conferred with a "comrade Kostine in the Embassy of
the Soviet Union, Mexico City, Mexico." 370 (This letter is discussed later in
this chapter.) Mr. and Mrs. Paine testified that although they initially assumed
the letter was a figment of Oswald's imagination, the letter gave Mrs. Paine
considerable misgivings.371 She determined that if the FBI agents returned she
would deliver to them the copy of a draft of the letter which, unknown to
Oswald, she had made.372 However, the agents did not. return before the
assassination.373 On November 19, Mrs. Paine learned that Oswald was living in
his Dallas roominghouse under an assumed name.374 She did not report this to the
FBI because, as she testified, she "had no occasion to see them, and * * * did
not think it important enough to call them after that until the 23d of
November." 375
The Commission has thoroughly investigated the background of both Paines. Mrs.
Paine was born Ruth Hyde in New York City on September 8, 1932. Her parents
moved to Columbus, Ohio, in the late 1930's.376 They were divorced in 1961.377
Ruth Paine graduated from Antioch College in 1955.378 While in high school she
first. became interested in Quaker activities; she and her brother became
Quakers in 1951. 379 In 1952, following completion of her sophomore year at
Antioch College, she was a delegate to two Friends conferences in England.380
At the time the Paines met in 1955, Mrs. Paine was active in the work of the
Young Friends Committee of North America, which, with the cooperation of the
Department of State, was making an effort to lessen the tensions between Soviet
Russia and the United States by means of the stimulation of contacts and
exchange of cultures between citizens of the two nations through "pen-pal"
correspondence and exchanges of young Russians and Americans.381 It was during
this period that Mrs. Paine became interested in the Russian language.382 Mrs.
Paine participated in a Russian-American student exchange program sponsored by
the Young Friends Committee of North America, and has participated in the
"pen-pal" phase of the activities of the Young Friends Committee. 383 She has
corresponded until recently with a schoolteacher in Russia.384 Although her
active interest in the Friends' program for the lessening of East-West tensions
ceased upon her marriage in December 1957, she has continued to hold to the
tenets of the Quaker faith. 385
Michael Paine is the son of George Lyman Paine and Ruth Forbes Paine, now Ruth
Forbes Young, wife of Arthur Young of Phila-
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delphia, Pa.386 His parents were divorced when he was 4 years of age. His
father, George Lyman Paine, is an architect and resides in California. 387
Michael Paine testified that during his late grammar and early high school days
his father participated actively in the Trotskyite faction of the Communist
movement in the United States and that he attended some of those meetings.388 He
stated that his father, with whom he has had little contact throughout most of
his life, has not influenced his political thinking. He said that he has visited
his father four or five times in California since 1959, but their discussions
did not include the subject of communism.389 Since moving to Irving, Tex., in
1959, he has been a research engineer for Bell Helicopter Co. in Fort Worth.390
Mr. Paine has security clearance for his work.391 He has been a long-time member
of the American Civil Liberties Union.392 Though not in sympathy with rightist
political aims, he has attended a few meetings of far-right organizations in
Dallas for the purpose, he testified, of learning something about those
organizations and because he "was interested in seeing more communication
between the right and the left." 393
The Commission has conducted a thorough investigation of the Paines' finances
and is satisfied that their income has been from legitimate and traceable
sources, and that their expenditures were consistent with their income and for
normal purposes. Although in the course of their relationship with the Oswalds,
the Paines assumed expenses for such matters as food and transportation, with a
value of approximately $500, they made no direct payments to, and received no
moneys or valuables from, the Oswalds.394
Although prior to November 22, Mrs. Paine had information relating to Oswald's
use of an alias in Dallas, his telephone number, and his correspondence with the
Soviet Embassy, which she did not pass on to the FBI,395 her failure to have
come forward with this information must be viewed within the context of the
information available to her at that time. There is no evidence to contradict
her testimony that she did not then know about Oswald's attack on General
Walker, the presence of the rifle on the floor of her garage, Oswald's ownership
of a pistol, or the photographs of Oswald displaying the firearms.396 She thus
assumed that Oswald, though a difficult and disturbing personality, was not
potentially violent, and that the FBI was cognizant of his past history and
current activities.397
Moreover, it is from Mrs. Paine herself that the Commission has learned that she
possessed the information which she did have. Mrs. Paine was forthright with the
agent of the FBI with whom she spoke in early November 1963, providing him with
sufficient information to have located Oswald at his job if he had deemed it
necessary to do so,398 and her failure to have taken immediate steps to notify
the Bureau of the additional information does not under the circumstances appear
unusual. Throughout the Commission's investigation, Ruth Paine has been
completely cooperative, voluntarily producing all correspondence, memoranda, and
other written communications in her possession that had passed between her and
Marina Oswald both
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before and after November 22, 1963. 399 The Commission has had the benefit of
Mrs. Paine's 1963 date book and calendar and her address book and telephone
notation book, in both of which appear many entries relating to her activities
with the Oswalds.400 Other material of a purely personal nature was also
voluntarily made available. 401 The Commission has found nothing in the Paines'
background, activities, or finances which suggests disloyalty to the United
States,402 and it has concluded that Ruth and Michael Paine were not involved in
any way with the assassination of President Kennedy.
A fuller narrative of the social contacts between the Oswalds and the various
persons of the Dallas-Fort Worth community is incorporated in chapter VII and
appendix XIII, and the testimony of all members of the group who testified
before the Commission is included in the printed record which accompanies the
report. The evidence establishes that the Oswalds' contacts with these people
were originated and maintained under normal and understandable circumstances.
The files maintained by the FBI contain no information indicating that any of
the persons in the Dallas-Fort Worth community with whom Oswald associated were
affiliated with any Communist, Fascist, or other subversive organization.403
During the course of this investigation, the Commission has found nothing which
suggests the involvement of any member of the Russian-speaking community in
Oswald's preparations to assassinate President Kennedy.
Political Activities Upon Return to the United States
Upon his return from the Soviet Union, Oswald had dealings with the Communist
Party, U.S.A., the Socialist Workers Party, and the Fair Play for Cuba
Committee, and he also had minor contacts with at least two other organizations
with political interests. For the purpose of determining whether Oswald received
any advice, encouragement, or assistance from these organizations in planning or
executing the assassination of President Kennedy, the Commission has conducted a
full investigation of the nature and extent of Oswald's relations with them. The
Commission has also conducted an investigation to determine whether certain
persons and organizations expressing hostility to President Kennedy prior to the
assassination had any connection with Lee Harvey Oswald or with the shooting of
the President.
Communist Party, U.S.A.; Socialist Workers Party.--In August of 1962, Oswald
subscribed to the Worker, a publication of the Communist Party, U.S.A. 404 He
also wrote the Communist Party to obtain pamphlets and other literature which,
the evidence indicates, were sent to him as a matter of course.405
Oswald also attempted to initiate other dealings with the Communist Party,
U.S.A., but the organization was not especially responsive. From New Orleans, he
informed the party of his activities in connection with the Fair Play for Cuba
Committee discussed below, submit-
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ting membership cards in his fictitious chapter to several party officials.406
In a letter from Arnold S. Johnson, director of the information and lecture
bureau of the party, Oswald was informed that although the Communist Party had
no "organizational ties" with the committee, the party issued much literature
which was "important for anybody who is concerned about developments in Cuba."
407 In September 1963 Oswald inquired how he might contact the party when he
relocated in the Baltimore-Washington area, as he said he planned to do in
October, and Johnson suggested in a letter of September 19 that he "get in touch
with us here [New York] and we will find some way of getting in touch with you
in that city [Baltimore] ." 408 However, Oswald had also written asking whether,
"handicapped as it were, by * * * [his] past record," he could "still * * *
compete with antiprogressive forces, above ground or whether in your opinion * *
* [he] should always remain in the background, i.e., underground," and in the
September 19 letter received the reply that "often it is advisable for some
people to remain in the background, not underground."
In a letter postmarked November 1, Oswald informed the party that he had moved
to Dallas, and reported his attendance at a meeting at which General Walker had
spoken, and at a meeting of the American Civil Liberties Union; he asked Johnson
for the party's "general view" of the latter organization and "to what degree,
if any, [he] should attempt to highten its progressive tendencies." According to
Johnson, this letter was not received by the Communist Party until after the
assassination.410 At different times, Oswald also wrote the Worker and the
Hall-Davis Defense Committee, enclosing samples of his photographic work and
offering to assist in preparing posters; he was told that "his kind offer [was]
most welcomed and from time to time we shall call on you," but he was never
asked for assistance.411 The correspondence between Oswald and the Communist
Party, and with all other organizations, is printed in the record accompanying
this report.
When Oswald applied for a visa to enter Cuba during his trip to Mexico City,
discussed below,412 Senora Silvia Duran, the Cuban consular employee who dealt
with Oswald, wrote on the application that Oswald said he was a member of the
Communist Party and that he had "displayed documents in proof of his
membership."
When Oswald went to Mexico, he is believed to have carried his letters from the
Soviet Embassy in Washington and from the Communist Party in the United States,
his 1959 passport, which contained stamps showing that he had lived in Russia
for 2 1/2 years, his Russian work permit, his Russian marriage certificate,
membership cards and newspaper clippings purporting to show his role in the Fair
Play for Cuba Committee, and a prepared statement, of his qualifications as a
"Marxist." 414 Because of the mass of papers Oswald did present showing Iris
affinity for communism, some in the Russian language, which was foreign to
Senora Duran, and because further investigation, discussed below, indicated that
Oswald was not
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a member of the party, Senora Duran's notation was probably inaccurate.
Upon his arrest after the assassination, Oswald attempted to contact John J.
Abt, a New York attorney, to request Abt to represent him. Abt was not in New
York at the time, and he was never reached in connection with representing'
Oswald. Abt has testified that he at no time had any dealings with Oswald and
that prior to the assassination he had never heard of Lee Harvey Oswald.415
After his return from the Soviet Union, Oswald also carried on a limited
correspondence with the Socialist Workers Party. In October of 1962 he attempted
to join the party, but his application was not accepted since there was then no
chapter in the Dallas area. 416 Oswald also wrote the Socialist Workers Party
offering his assistance in preparing posters. From this organization too he
received the response that he might be called upon if needed. He was asked for
further information about his photographic skills, which he does not appear to
have ever provided.417 Oswald did obtain literature from the Socialist Workers
Party, however, and in December 1962 he entered a subscription to the affiliated
publication, the Militant.418 Apparently in March of 1963 Oswald wrote the party
of his activities and submitted a clipping with his letter. In response, he was
told that his name was being sent to the Young Socialist Alliance for further
correspondence, but the files of the alliance apparently contain no reference to
Oswald. Neither the letter nor the clipping which Oswald sent has been located.
419
Investigation by the Commission has produced no plausible evidence that Lee
Harvey Oswald had any other significant contacts with the Communist Party,
U.S.A., the Socialist Workers Party, or with any other extreme leftist political
organization. The FBI and other Federal security agencies have made a study of
their records and files and contacted numerous confidential informants of the
agencies and have produced no such evidence.420 The Commission has questioned
persons who, as a group, knew Oswald during virtually every phase of his adult
life, and from none of these came any indication that Oswald maintained a
surreptitious relationship with any organization. Arnold S. Johnson, of the
American Communist Party; James T. Tormey, executive secretary of the Hall-Davis
Defense Committee; and Farrell Dobbs, secretary of the Socialist Workers Party,
voluntarily appeared before the Commission and testified under oath that Oswald
was not a member of these organizations and that a thorough search of their
files had disclosed no records relating to Oswald other than those which they
produced for the Commission.421 The material that has been disclosed is in all
eases consistent with other data in the possession of the Commission.
Socialist Labor Party.--Oswald also wrote to the Socialist Labor Party in New
York in November 1962 requesting literature. Horace Twiford, a national
committeeman at large for the party in the State of Texas, was informed by the
New York headquarters in July 1963
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of Oswald's request, and on September 11, 1963, he did mail literature to Oswald
at his old post office box in Dallas.422 On his way to Mexico City in September
1963, Oswald attempted to contact Twiford at his home in Houston; Oswald spoke
briefly with Twiford's wife, identifying himself as a member of the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee, but since Twiford was out of town at the time, Oswald was
unable to speak with him.423 Arnold Peterson, national secretary and treasurer
of the Socialist Labor Party, has stated that a search of the records of the
national headquarters reveals no record pertaining to Oswald; he explained that
letters requesting literature are routinely destroyed.424 The Socialist
Party-Social Democratic Federation has also advised that a review of its records
fails to reflect any information or correspondence pertaining to Oswald.425
Fair Play for Cuba Committee.---During the period Oswald was in New Orleans,
from the end of April to late September 1963, he was engaged in activity
purportedly on behalf of the now defunct Fair Play for Cuba Committee (FPCC), an
organization centered in New York which was highly critical of U.S. policy
toward the Cuban Government under Fidel Castro. In May 1963, after having
obtained literature from the FPCC,426 Oswald applied for and was granted
membership in the organization.427 When applying for membership, Oswald wrote
national headquarters that he had
* * * been thinking about renting a small office at my own expense for the
purpose of forming a F.P.C.C. branch here in New Orleans.
Could you give me a charter ? 428
With his membership card, Oswald apparently received ,a copy of the constitution
and bylaws for FPCC chapters, and a letter, dated May 29, which read in part as
follows (with spelling as in original):
It would be hard to concieve of a chapter with as few members as seem to exist
in the New Orleans area. I have just gone through our files and find that
Louisiana seams somewhat restricted for Fair Play activities. However, with what
is there perhaps you could build a larger group if a few people would undertake
the disciplined responsibility of concrete organizational work.
We certainly are not at all adverse to a very small Chapter but certainly would
expect that there would be at least twice the amount needed to conduct a legal
executive board for the Chapter. Should this be reasonable we could readily
issue a charter for a New Orleans Chapter of FPCC. In fact, we would be very,
very pleased to see this take place and would like to do everything possible to
assist in bringing it about.
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You must realize that you will come under tremendous pressures with any attempt
to do FPCC work in that area and that you will not be able to operate in the
manner which is conventional here in the north-east. Even most of our big city
Chapters have been forced to Abandon the idea of operating an office in public.
* * * Most Chapters have discovered that it is easier to operate semi-privately
out of a home and maintain a P.O. Box for all mailings and public notices. (A
P.O. Box is a must for any Chapter in the organization to guarantee the
continued contact with the national even if an individual should move or drop
out.) We do have a serious and often violent opposition and this proceedure
helps prevent many unnecessary incidents which frighten away prospective
supporters. I definitely would not recommend an office, at ]east not one that
will be easily identifyable to the lunatic fringe in your community. Certainly,
I would not recommend that you engage in one at the very beginning but wait and
see how you can operate in the community through several public experiences.429
Thereafter Oswald informed national headquarters that he had opened post office
box No. 30061, and that against its advice he had decided "to take an office
from the very beginning"; he also submitted copies of a membership application
form and a circular headed "Hands Off Cuba!" which he had had printed, and
informed the headquarters that he intended to have membership cards for his
chapter printed, which he subsequently did.430 He wrote three further letters to
the New York office to inform it of his continued activities.431 In one he
reported that he had been evicted from the office he claimed to have opened, so
that he "worked out of a post office box and by useing street demonstrations and
some circular work * * * sustained a great deal of interest but no new members."
432
Oswald did distribute the handbills he had printed on at least three
occasions.433 Once, while doing so, he was arrested and fined for being involved
in a disturbance with anti-Castro Cuban refugees,434 one of whom he had
previously met by presenting himself as hostile to Premier Castro in an apparent
effort to gain information about anti- Castro organizations operating in New
Orleans.435 When arrested, he informed the police that Iris chapter had 35
members.436 His activities received some attention in the New Orleans press, and
he twice appeared on a local radio program representing himself as a spokesman
for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.437 After his return to Dallas, he listed
the FPCC as an organization authorized to receive mail at his post office
box.438
Despite these activities, the FPCC chapter which Oswald purportedly formed in
New Orleans was entirely fictitious. Vincent T. Lee, formerly national director
of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, has testified that the New York office did
not authorize the creation of a New Orleans chapter, nor did it provide Oswald
with funds to support his activities there.439 The national office did not write
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Oswald again after its letter of May 29. As discussed more fully in chapter VII,
Oswald's later letters to the national office purporting to inform it of his
progress in New Orleans contained numerous exaggerations about the scope of his
activities and the public reaction to them.440 There is no evidence that Oswald
ever opened an office as he claimed to have done. Although a pamphlet taken from
him at the time of his arrest in New Orleans contains the rubber stamp imprint
"FPCC, 544 CAMP ST., NEW ORLEANS, LA.," investigation has indicated that neither
the Fair Play for Cuba Committee nor Lee Harvey Oswald ever maintained an office
at that address.441 The handbills and other materials bearing the name of the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee were printed commercially by Oswald without the
approval of the national headquarters.442 Oswald's membership card in the "New
Orleans chapter" of the committee carried the signature of "A. J. Hidell,"
purportedly the president of the chapter, but there is no evidence that an "A.
J. Hidell" existed and, as pointed out in chapter IV, there is conclusive
evidence that the name was an alias which Oswald used on various occasions.
Marina Oswald herself wrote the name "Hidell" on the membership card at her
husband's insistence.443
No other member of the so-called New Orleans chapter of the committee has ever
been found. The only occasion on which anyone other than Oswald was observed
taking part in these activities was on August 9, 1963, when Oswald and two young
men passed out leaflets urging "Hands Off Cuba!" on the streets of New Orleans.
One of the two men, who was 16 years old at the time, has testified that Oswald
approached him at the Louisiana State Employment Commission and offered him $2
for about an hour's work. He accepted the offer but later, when he noticed that
television cameras were being focused on him, he obtained his money and left. He
testified that he had never seen Oswald before and never saw him again. The
second individual has never been located; but according to the testimony of the
youth who was found, he too seemed to be someone not previously connected with
Oswald.444 Finally, the FBI has advised the Commission that its information on
undercover Cuban activities in the New Orleans area reveals no knowledge of
Oswald before the assassination.445
Right-wing groups hostile to President Kennedy.--The Commission also considered
the possibility that there may have been a link between Oswald and certain
groups which had bitterly denounced President Kennedy and his policies prior to
the time of the President's trip to Dallas. As discussed in chapter II, two
provocative incidents took place concurrently with President Kennedy's visit and
a third but a month prior thereto. The incidents were (1) the demonstration
against the Honorable Adlai E. Stevenson, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,
in late October 1963, when he came to Dallas on United Nations Day; (2) the
publication in the Dallas Morning News on November 22 of the full page,
black-bordered paid advertisement entitled, "Welcome Mr. Kennedy"; and (3) the
distribution of a throwaway handbill entitled "Wanted for Treason" throughout
Dallas on November 20 and 21. Oswald was aware of
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the Stevenson incident; there is no evidence that he became aware of either the
"Welcome Mr. Kennedy" advertisement or the "Wanted for Treason" handbill, though
neither possibility can be precluded.
The only evidence of interest on Oswald's part in rightist groups in Dallas was
his alleged attendance at a rally at the Dallas Auditorium the evening preceding
Ambassador Stevenson's address on United Nations Day, October 24, 1963. On the
evening of October 25, 1968, at the invitation of Michael Paine, Oswald attended
a monthly meeting of the Dallas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in
which he was later to seek membership.446 During the course of the discussion at
this meeting, a speaker mentioned Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker (Resigned, U.S.
Army). Oswald arose in the midst of the meeting to remark that a "night or two
nights before" he had attended a meeting at which General Walker had spoken in
terms that led Oswald to assert that General Walker was both anti-Catholic and
anti-Semitic.447 General Walker testified that he had been the speaker at a
rally the night before Ambassador Stevenson's appearance, but that he did not
know and had never heard of Oswald prior to the announcement of his name on
radio and television on the afternoon of November 22.448 Oswald confirmed his
attendance at the U.S. Day rally in an undated letter he wrote to Arnold
Johnson, director of the information and lecture bureau of the Communist Party,
mailed November 1, 1963, in which he reported:
On October 23rd, I had attended a ultra-right meeting headed by General Edwin a.
Walker, who lives in Dallas.
This meeting preceded by one day the attack on a. e. Stevenson at the United
Nations Day meeting at which he spoke.
As you can see, political friction between 'left' and 'right' is very great
here.449
In the light of Oswald's attack upon General Walker on the evening of April 10,
1963, discussed in chapter IV,450 as well as Oswald's known political views,451
his asserted attendance at the political rally at which General Walker spoke may
have been induced by many possible motives. However, there is no evidence that
Oswald attended any other rightist meetings or was associated with any
politically conservative organizations.
While the black-bordered "Welcome Mr. Kennedy" advertisement in the November 22
Dallas Morning News, which addressed a series of critical questions to the
President, probably did not come to Oswald's attention, it was of interest to
the Commission because of its appearance on the day of the assassination and
because of an allegation made before the Commission concerning the person whose
name appeared as the chairman of the committee sponsoring the advertisement. The
black-bordered advertisement was purported to be sponsored by "The American
Fact-Finding Committee," which was described as "An unaffiliated and nonpartisan
group of citizens who wish truth." Bernard Weissman was listed as "Chairman" and
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 1031
Page 295
post office box in Dallas was the only address. (See Commission Exhibit No.
1031, p. 294.)
The Commission has conducted a full investigation into the genesis of this
advertisement and the background of those responsible for it. Three of the four
men chiefly responsible, Bernard W. Weissman, William B. Burley III, and Larrie
H. Schmidt, had served together in the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany, in 1962.
During that time they had with others devised plans to develop two conservative
organizations, one political and the other business. The political entity was to
be named Conservatism--USA, or CUSA, and the business entity was to be named
American Business, or AMBUS.452 While in Munich, according to Weissman, they
attempted to develop in their "own minds * * * ways to build up various
businesses that would support us and at the same time support our political
activities." 453 According to a subsequent letter from Schmidt to Weissman,
"Cusa was founded for patriotic reasons rather than for personal gain--even
though, as a side effect, Ambus was to have brought great return, as any
business endeavor should." 454 To establish their organizations, Weissman
testified that they:
* * * had planned while in Munich that in order to accomplish our goals, to try
to do it from scratch would be almost impossible, because it would be years
before we could even get the funds to develop a powerful organization. So we had
planned to infiltrate various rightwing organizations and by our own
forts become involved in the hierarchy of these various organizations and
eventually get ourselves elected or appointed to various higher offices in these
organizations, and by doing this bring in some of our own people, and eventually
take over the leadership of these organizations, and at that time having our
people in these various organizations, we would then, you might say, call a
conference and have them unite, and while no one knew of the existence of CUSA
aside from us, we would then bring them all together, unite them, and arrange to
have it called CUSA.455
Schmidt was the first to leave the service; settling in Dallas in October 1962,
he became a life insurance salesman and quickly engaged in numerous political
activities in pursuit of the objectives devised in Munich.456 lie became
affiliated with several organizations and prepared various political
writings.457
Upon their release from the military, Weissman and Burley did not immediately
move to Dallas, though repeatedly urged to do so by Schmidt.458 On October 1,
1963, Schmidt wrote Weissman: "Adlai Stevenson is scheduled here on the 24th on
UN Day. Kennedy is scheduled in Dallas on Nov. 24th. There are to be protests.
All the big things are happening now--if we don't get in right now we may as
well forget it."459 The day of the Stevenson demonstration, Schmidt telephoned
Weissman, again urging him to move to Dallas. Recalling that conversation with
Schmidt, Weissman testified:
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And he said, "If we are going to take advantage of the situation * * * you
better hurry down here and take advantage of the publicity, and at least become
known among these various right-wingers, because this is the chance we have been
looking for to infiltrate some of these organizations and become known," in
other words, go along with the philosophy we had developed in Munich.460
Five days later he wrote to Weissman and Burley to report that as the "only
organizer of the demonstration to have publicly identified himself," he had
"become, overnight, a 'fearless spokesman' and 'leader' of the rightwing in
Dallas. What I worked so hard for in one year--and nearly failed--finally came
through one incident in one night
He ended, "Politically, CUSA is set. It is now up to you to get Ambus going."
Weissman and Burley accepted Schmidt's prompting and traveled to Dallas,
arriving on November 4, 1963.462 Both obtained employment as carpet salesmen. At
Schmidt's solicitation they took steps to join the John Birch Society, and
through Schmidt they met the fourth person involved in placing the November 22
advertisement, Joseph P. Grinnan, Dallas independent oil operator and a John
Birch Society coordinator in the Dallas area.463
Within a week to 10 days after Weissman and Burley had arrived in Dallas, the
four men began to consider plans regarding President Kennedy's planned visit to
Dallas.464 Weissman explained the reason for which it was decided that the ad
should be placed:
* * * after the Stevenson incident, it was felt that a demonstration would be
entirely out of order, because we didn't want anything to happen in the way of
physical violence to President Kennedy when he came to Dallas. But we thought
that the conservatives in Dallas--I was told--were a pretty downtrodden lot
after that, because they were being oppressed by the local liberals, because of
the Stevenson incident. We felt we had to do something to build up the morale of
the conservative element, in Dallas. So we hit upon the idea of the ad.465
Weissman, Schmidt, and Grinnan worked on the text for the advertisement.466 A
pamphlet containing 50 questions critical of American policy was employed for
this purpose, and was the source of the militant questions contained in the ad
attacking President Kennedy's administration.467 Grinnan undertook to raise the
$1,465 needed to pay for the ad.468 He employed a typed draft of the
advertisement to support his funds solicitation.469 Grinnan raised the needed
money from three wealthy Dallas businessmen: Edgar R. Crissey, Nelson Bunker
Hunt, and H. R. Bright., some of whom in turn collected contributions from
others.470 At least one of the contributors would not make a contribution unless
a question he suggested was inserted.471 Weissman, believing that Schmidt,
Grinnan, and the contributors were
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active members of the John Birch Society, and that Grinnan eventually took
charge of the project, expressed the opinion that the advertisement was the
creation of the John Birch Society,472 though Schmidt and Grinnan have
maintained that they were acting "solely as individuals." 473
A fictitious sponsoring organization was invented out of whole cloth.474 The
name chosen for the supposed organization was The American Fact-Finding
Committee.475 This was "Solely a name," Weissman testified; "* * * As a matter
of fact, when I went to place the ad, I could not remember the name * * * I had
to refer to a piece of paper for the name." 476 Weissman's own name was used on
the ad in part to counter charges of anti-Semitism which had been leveled
against conservative groups in Dallas.477 Weissman conceived the idea of using a
black border,478 and testified he intended it to serve the function of
stimulating reader attention.479 Before accepting the advertisement, the Dallas
Morning News apparently submitted it to its attorneys for their opinion as to
whether its publication might subject them to liability.480
Weissman testified that the advertisement drew 50 or 60 mailed responses.481 He
took them from the post office box early on Sunday morning, November 24.482 He
said that those postmarked before the attack on President Kennedy were
"favorable" in tone;483 those of later postmark were violently unfavorable,
nasty, and threatening; 484 and, according to a report from Schmidt, those
postmarked some weeks later were again of favorable tone.485
The four promoters of the ad deny that they had any knowledge of or familiarity
with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to November 22, or Jack Ruby prior to November
24.486 Each has provided a statement of his role in connection with the
placement of the November 22 advertisement and other matters, and investigation
has revealed no deception. The Commission has found no evidence that any of
these persons was connected with Oswald or Ruby, or was linked to a conspiracy
to assassinate President Kennedy.
The advertisement, however, did give rise to one allegation concerning Bernard
Weissman which required additional investigation. On March 4, 1964, Mark Lane, a
New York attorney, testified before the Commission that an undisclosed informant
had told him that Weissman had met with Jack Ruby and Patrolman J. D. Tippit at
Ruby's Carouse] Club on November 14, 1963. Lane declined to state the name of
his informant but said that he would attempt to obtain his informant's
permission to reveal his name.487 On July 2, 1964, after repeated requests by
the Commission that he disclose the name of his informant, Lane testified a
second time concerning this matter, but declined to reveal the information,
stating as his reason that he had promised the individual that his name would
not be revealed without his permission. 488 Lane also made this allegation
during a radio appearance, whereupon Weissman twice demanded that Lane reveal
the name of the informant. 489 As of the date of this report Lane has failed to
reveal the name of his informant and has
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offered no evidence to support his allegation. The Commission has investigated
the allegation of a Weissman- Ruby-Tippit meeting and has found no evidence that
such a meeting took place anywhere at any time. The investigation into this
matter is discussed in a later section of this chapter dealing with possible
conspiracies involving Jack Ruby.
A comparable incident was the appearance of the "Wanted for Treason" handbill on
the streets of Dallas 1 to 2 days before President Kennedy's arrival. These
handbills bore a reproduction of a front and profile photograph of the President
and set forth a series of inflammatory charges against him.490 Efforts to locate
the author and the lithography printer of the handbill at first met with evasive
responses 491 and refusals to furnish information.492 Robert A. Surrey was
eventually identified as the author of the handbill.493 Surrey, a 38-year- old
printing salesman employed by Johnson Printing Co. of Dallas, Tex., has been
closely associated with General Walker for several years in his political and
business activities.494 He is president of American Eagle Publishing Co. of
Dallas, in which he is a partner with General Walker.495 Its office and address
is the post office box of Johnson Printing Co. Its assets consist of cash and
various printed materials composed chiefly of General Walker's political and
promotional literature, 496 all of which is storm at General Walker's
headquarters.497
Surrey prepared the text for the handbill and apparently used Johnson Printing
Co. facilities to set the type and print a proof.498 Surrey induced Klause, a
salesman employed by Lettercraft Printing Co. of Dallas,499 whom Surrey had met
when both were employed at Johnson Printing Co.,500 to print the handbill "on
the side." 501 According to Klause, Surrey contacted him initially approximately
2 or 2 1/2 weeks prior to November 22.502 About a week prior to November 22,
Surrey delivered to Klause two slick paper magazine prints of photographs of a
front view and profile of President Kennedy,503 together with the textual page
proof.504 Klause was unable to make the photographic negative of the prints
needed to prepare the photographic printing plate,505 so that he had this
feature of the job done at a local shop.506 Klause then arranged the halftone
front and profile representations of President Kennedy at the top of the textual
material he had received from Surrey so as to simulate a "man wanted" police
placard. He then made a photographic printing plate of the picture.507 During
the night, he and his wife surreptitiously printed approximately 5,000 copies on
Lettercraft Printing Co. offset printing equipment without the knowledge of his
employers.508 The next day he arranged with Surrey a meeting place, and
delivered the handbills.509 Klause's charge for the printing of the handbills
was, including expenses, $60.510
At the outset of the investigation Klause stated to Federal agents that he did
not know the name of his customer, whom he incorrectly described; 511 he did
say, however, that the customer did not resemble either Oswald or Ruby.512
Shortly before he appeared before the
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Commission, Klause disclosed Surrey's identity.513 He explained that no record
of the transaction had been made because "he saw a chance to make a few dollars
on the side." 514
Klause's testimony receives some corroboration from Bernard Weissman's testimony
that he saw a copy of one of the "Wanted for Treason" handbills on the floor of
General Walker's station wagon shortly after November 22.515 Other details of
the manner in which the handbills were printed have also been verified.516
Moreover, Weissman testified that neither he nor any of his associates had
anything to do with the handbill or were ,acquainted with Surrey, Klause,
Lettercraft Printing Co., or Johnson Printing Co. 517 Klause and Surrey, as well
as General Walker, testified that they were unacquainted with Lee Harvey Oswald
and had not heard of him prior to the afternoon of November 22.518 The
Commission has found no evidence of any connection between those responsible for
the handbill and Lee Harvey Oswald or the assassination.
Contacts With the Cuban and Soviet Embassies in Mexico City and
the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Eight weeks before the assassination, Oswald traveled to Mexico City where he
visited both the Cuban and Soviet Embassies.* Oswald's wife knew of this trip
before he went,519 but she denied such knowledge until she testified before the
Commission.520 The Commission undertook an intensive investigation to determine
Oswald's purpose and activities on this journey, with specific reference to
reports that Oswald was an agent of the Cuban or Soviet Governments. As a result
of its investigation, the Commission believes that it has been able to
reconstruct and explain most of Oswald's actions during this time. A detailed
chronological account of this trip appears in appendix XIII.
Trip to Mexico.--Oswald was in Mexico from September 26, 1963, until October 3,
1968.521 (See Commission Exhibits Nos. 2478, 2481, p. 800.) Marina Oswald
testified that Oswald had told her that the purpose of the trip was to evade the
American prohibition on travel to Cuba and to reach that country.522 He
cautioned her that the trip and its purpose were to be kept strictly secret.523
She testified that he had earlier laid plans to reach Cuba by hijacking an
airliner flying out of New Orleans, but she refused to cooperate and urged him
to give it up, which he finally did.524 Witnesses who spoke with Oswald while he
was on a bus going to Mexico City also testified that Oswald told them he
intended to reach Cuba by way of Mexico, and that he hoped to meet Fidel Castro
after he arrived.525 When Oswald spoke to the Cuban and Soviet consular
officials in Mexico City, he represented that he intended to travel to the
Soviet Union and requested
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OSWALD'S MEXICAN TOURIST CARD AND APPLICATION
APPLICATION FOR TOURIST CARD
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2481)
TOURIST CARD (COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2478)
Page 301
an "in-transit" Cuban visa to permit him to enter Cuba on September 30 on the
way to the Soviet Union. Marina Oswald has testified that these statements were
deceptions designed to get him to Cuba.526 Thus, although it is possible that
Oswald intended to continue on to Russia from Cuba, the evidence makes it more
likely that he intended to remain in Cuba.527
Oswald departed from New Orleans probably about noon on September 25 and arrived
in Mexico City at about 10 a.m. on September 27.528 In Mexico City he embarked
on a series of visits to the Soviet and Cuban Embassies, which occupied most of
his time during the first 2 days of his visit. At the Cuban Embassy, he
requested an "in-transit" visa to permit him to visit Cuba on his way to the
Soviet Union. 529 Oswald was informed that he could not obtain a visa for entry
into Cuba unless he first obtained a visa to enter the U.S.S.R.,530 and the
Soviet Embassy told him that he could not expect an answer on his application
for a visa for the Soviet Union for about 4 months.531 Oswald carried with him
newspaper clippings, letters and various documents, some of them forged or
containing false information, purporting to show that he was a "friend" of
Cuba.532 With these papers and his record of previous residence in the Soviet
Union and marriage to a Soviet national, he tried to curry favor with both
Embassies.533 Indeed, his wife testified that in her opinion Oswald's primary
purpose in having engaged in Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities was to
create a public record that he was a "friend" of Cuba.534 He made himself
especially unpopular at the Cuban Embassy by persisting in his demands that as a
sympathizer in Cuban objectives he ought to be given a visa. This resulted in a
sharp argument with the consul, Eusebio Azque.535
By Saturday, September 28, 1963, Oswald had failed to obtain visas at both
Embassies. 536 From Sunday, September 29, through Wednesday morning, October 2,
when he left Mexico City on a bus bound for the United States, Oswald spent
considerable time making his travel arrangements, sightseeing and checking again
with the Soviet Embassy to learn whether anything had happened on his visa
application.537 Marina Oswald testified that when she first saw him after his
return to the United States he was disappointed and discouraged at his failure
to reach Cuba.538
The general outlines of Oswald's activities in Mexico, particularly the nature
and extent of his contacts at the Cuban Embassy, were learned very early in the
investigation. An important source of information relating to his business at
the Cuban Embassy was Senora Silvia Tirado de Duran, a Mexican national employed
in the visa section of the Cuban Embassy, who was questioned intensively by
Mexican authorities soon after the assassination. 539 An excerpt from the report
of the Mexican Government summarized the crucial portion of Senora Duran's
recollection of Oswald. In translation it reads as follows:
* * * she remembered * * * [that Lee Harvey Oswald] was the name of an American
who had come to the Cuban Consulate to
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Page 302
obtain a visa to travel to Cuba in transit to Russia, the latter part of
September or the early part of October of this year, and in support of his
application had shown his passport., in which it was noted that he had lived in
that country for a period of three years; his labor-card from the same country
written in the Russian language; and letters in that same language. He had
presented evidence that he was married to a Russian woman, and also that he was
apparently the leader of an organization in the city of New Orleans called "Fair
* * * [Play] for Cuba," claiming that he should be accepted as a "friend" of the
Cuban Revolution. Accordingly, the declarant, complying with her duties, took
down all of the information and completed the appropriate application form; and
the declarant, admittedly exceeding her responsibilities, informally telephoned
the Russian consulate, with the intention of doing what she could to facilitate
issuance of the Russian visa to Lee Harvey Oswald. However, they told her that
there would be a delay of about four months in processing the case, which
annoyed the applicant since, according to his statement, he was in a great hurry
to obtain visas that would enable him to travel to -Russia, insisting on his
right to do so in view of his background and his loyalty and his activities in
behalf of the Cuban movement. The declarant was unable to recall accurately
whether or not the applicant told her he was a member of the Communist Party,
but he did say that his wife * * * was then in New York City, and would follow
him, * * * [Senora Duran stated] that when Oswald understood that it was not
possible to give him a Cuban visa without his first having obtained the Russian
visa, * * * he became very excited or angry, and accordingly, the affiant called
Consul Ascue [sic], * * * [who] came out and began a heated discussion in
English with Oswald, that concluded by Ascue telling him that "if it were up to
him, he would not give him the visa," and "a person of his type was harming the
Cuban Revolution rather than helping it," it being understood that in their
conversation they were talking about the Russian Socialist Revolution and not
the Cuban. Oswald maintained that he had two reasons for requesting that his
visa be issued prompt]y, and they were: one, that his tourist permit in Mexico
was about to expire; and the other, that he had to get to Russia as quickly as
possible. Despite her annoyance, the declarant gave Oswald a paper * * * in
which she put down her name, "Silvia Duran," and the number of the telephone at
the consulate, which is "11-28-47" and the visa application was processed
anyway. It was sent to the Ministry of [Foreign] Relations of Cuba; from which a
routine reply was received some fifteen to thirty days later, approving the
visa, but on the condition that the Russian visa be obtained first, although she
does not recall whether or not Oswald later telephoned her at the Consulate
number that she gave him.540
302
Page 303
OSWALD'S APPLICATION FOR A VISA FOR TRAVEL TO CUBA AND THE REPLY OF THE CUBAN
GOVERNMENT
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2564)
OSWALD'S APPLICATION
CUBAN REPLY
TRANSLATION
TRANSLATION
BOTH DOCUMENTS FURNISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA.
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Page 304
With the dates of Oswald's entry into and departure from Mexico, which had been
obtained from the records of the Mexican Immigration Service very shortly after
the assassination, the Government of Mexico initiated a thorough investigation
to uncover as much information as possible on Oswald's trip.541 Representatives
of U.S. agencies worked in close liaison with the Mexican law enforcement
authorities. The result of this investigative effort was to corroborate the
statements of Senora Duran and to verify the essentials of Oswald's activities
in Mexico as outlined above.
Senora Duran is a well-educated native of Mexico, who was 26 years old at the
time of her interrogation. She is married to Senor Horacio Duran Navarro, a
40-year-old industrial designer, and has a young child. Although Senora Duran
denies being a member of the Communist Party or otherwise connected with it,
both Durans have been active in far left, political affairs in Mexico, believe
in Marxist ideology, and sympathize with the government of Fidel Castro,542 and
Senor Duran has written articles for El Dia, a pro-Communist newspaper in Mexico
City.543 The Commission has reliable evidence from a confidential source that
Senora Duran as well as other personnel at the Cuban Embassy were genuinely
upset upon receiving news of President Kennedy's death. Senora Duran's
statements were made to Mexican officials soon after the assassination,544 and
no significant inaccuracies in them have been detected. Documents fitting the
description given by Senora Duran of the documents Oswald had shown her, plus a
notation which she said she had given him, were found among his possessions
after his arrest.545
The Cuban Government was asked to document and confirm the essentials of Senora
Duran's testimony. Its response, which has been included in its entirety in this
Report, included a summary statement of Oswald's activities at the Cuban
Embassy,546 a photograph of the application for a visa he completed there,547
and a photograph of the communication from Havana rejecting the application
unless he could first present a Soviet visa.548 (See Commission Exhibit No.
2564, p. 306.) The information on these documents concerning Oswald's date of
birth, American passport number and activities and statements at the Embassy is
consistent with other information available to the Commission.549 CIA experts
have given their opinion that the handwriting on the visa application which
purports to be Oswald's is in fact his and that, although the handwritten
notations on the bottom of the document are too brief and faint to permit a
conclusive determination, they are probably Senora Duran's.550 The cloths which
Oswald was wearing in the photograph which appears on the application appear to
be the same as some of those found among his effects after the assassination,
and the photograph itself appears to be from the same negative as a photograph
found among his effects.551 Nothing on any of the documents raises a suspicion
that they might not be authentic.
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Page 305
By far the most important confirmation of Senora Duran's testimony, however, has
been supplied by confidential sources of extremely high reliability available to
the United States in Mexico. The information from these sources establishes that
her testimony was truthful and accurate in all material respects. The identities
of these sources cannot be disclosed without destroying their future usefulness
to the United States.
The investigation of the Commission has produced considerable testimonial and
documentary evidence establishing the precise time of Oswald's journey, his
means of transportation, the hotel at which he stayed in Mexico City, and a
restaurant at which he often ate. All known persons whom Oswald may have met
while in Mexico, including passengers on the buses he rode, 552 and the
employees and guests of the hotel where he stayed,553 were interviewed. No
credible witness has been located who saw Oswald with any unidentified person
while in Mexico City; to the contrary, he was observed traveling alone to and
from Mexico City, 554 at his hotel, 555 and at the nearby restaurant where he
frequently ate.556 A hotel guest stated that on one occasion he sat down at a
table with Oswald at the restaurant because no empty table was available, but
that neither spoke to the other because of the language barrier.557 Two
Australian girls who saw Oswald on the bus to Mexico City relate that he
occupied a seat next to a man who has been identified as Albert Osborne, an
elderly itinerant preacher.558 Osborne denies that Oswald was beside him on the
bus.559 To the other passengers on the bus it appeared that Osborne and Oswald
had not previously met, 560 and extensive investigation of Osborne has revealed
no further contact between him and Oswald. Osborne's responses to Federal
investigators on matters unrelated to Oswald have proved inconsistent and
unreliable, and, therefore, based on the contrary evidence and Osborne's lack of
reliability, the Commission has attached no credence to his denial that Oswald
was beside him on the bus. Investigation of his background and activities,
however, disclose no basis for suspecting him of any involvement in the
assassination.561
Investigation of the hotel at which Oswald stayed has failed to uncover any
evidence that the hotel is unusual in any way that could relate to Oswald's
visit. It is not especially popular among Cubans, and there is no indication
that it is used as a meeting place for extremist or revolutionary
organizations.562 Investigation of other guests of the hotel who were there when
Oswald was has failed to uncover anything creating suspicion.563 Oswald's
notebook which he carried with him to Mexico City contained the telephone number
of the Cuban Air- lines Office in Mexico City; 564 however, a Cuban visa is
required by Mexican authorities before an individual may enplane for Cuba,565
and a confidential check of the Cuban Airlines Office uncovered no evidence that
Oswald visited their offices while in the city.566
Allegations of conspiracy.--Literally dozens of allegations of a conspiratorial
contact between Oswald and agents of the Cuban Government have been investigated
by the Commission. Among the claims made were allegations that Oswald had made a
previous trip to
Page 306
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 1400
306
Page 307
Mexico City in early September to receive money and orders for the
assassination,567 that he had been flown to a secret airfield somewhere in or
near the Yucatan Peninsula,568 that he might have made contacts in Mexico City
with a Communist from the United States shortly before the assassination, 569
and that Oswald assassinated the President at the direction of a particular
Cuban agent who met with him in the United States and paid him $7,000.570 A
letter was received from someone in Cuba alleging the writer had attended a
meeting where the assassination had been discussed as part of a plan which would
soon include the death of other non-Communist leaders in the Americas.571 The
charge was made in a Cuban expatriate publication that in a speech he delivered
5 days after the assassination, while he was under the influence of liquor,
Fidel Castro made a slip of the tongue and said, "The first time Oswald was in
Cuba," thereby giving away the fact that Oswald had made one or more
surreptitious trips to that
country.572
Some stories linked the assassination to anti-Castro groups who allegedly were
engaged in obtaining illicit firearms in the United States, one such claim being
that these groups killed the President as part of a bargain with some illicit
organizations who would then supply them with firearms as payment.573 Other
rumors placed Oswald in Miami, Fla., at various times, allegedly in pro-Cuban
activities there.574 The assassination was claimed to have been carried out by
Chinese Communists operating jointly with the Cubans.575 Oswald was also alleged
to have met with the Cuban Ambassador in a Mexico City restaurant and to have
driven off in the Ambassador's car for a private talk.576 Castro himself, it was
alleged, 2 days after the assassination called for the files relating to
Oswald's dealings with two members of the Cuban diplomatic mission in the Soviet
Union; the inference drawn was that the "dealings" had occurred and had
established a secret subversive relationship which continued through Oswald's
life.577 Without exception, the rumors and allegations of a conspiratorial
contact were shown to be without any factual basis, in some cases the product of
mistaken identification.
Illustrative of the attention given to the most serious allegations is the case
of "D," a young Latin American secret agent who approached U.S. authorities in
Mexico shortly after the assassination and declared that he saw Lee Harvey
Oswald receiving $6,500 to kill the President. Among other details, "D" said
that at about noon on September 18, waiting to conduct some business at the
Cuban consulate, he saw a group of three persons conversing in a patio a few
feet away. One was a tall, thin Negro with reddish hair, obviously dyed, who
spoke rapidly in both Spanish and English, and another was a man he said was Lee
Harvey Oswald. A tall Cuban joined the group momentarily and passed some
currency to the Negro. The Negro then allegedly said to Oswald in English, "I
want to kill the man." Oswald replied, "You're not man enough, I can do it." The
Negro then said in Spanish, "I can't go with you, I have a lot to do." Oswald
replied, "The people are waiting for me back there." The
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Negro then gave Oswald $6,500 in large-denomination American bills, saying,
"This isn't much." After hearing this conversation, "D" said that he telephoned
the American Embassy in Mexico City several times prior to the assassination in
an attempt to report his belief that someone important in the United States was
to be killed, but was finally told by someone at the Embassy to stop wasting his
time.
"D" and his allegations were immediately subjected to intensive investigation.
His former employment as an agent for a Latin American country was confirmed,
although his superiors had no knowledge of his presence in Mexico or the
assignment described by "D." Four days after "D" first appeared the U.S.
Government was informed by the Mexican authorities that "D" had admitted in
writing that his whole narrative about Oswald was false. He said that he had
never seen Oswald anyplace, and that he had not seen anybody paid money in the
Cuban Embassy. He also admitted that he never tried to telephone the American
Embassy in September and that his first call to the Embassy was after the
assassination. "D" said that his motive in fabricating the story was to help get
himself admitted into the United States so that he could there participate in
action against Fide] Castro. He said that he hated Castro and hoped that the
story he made up would be believed and would cause the United States to "take
action" against him.
Still later, When questioned by American authorities, "D" claimed that he had
been pressured into retracting his statement by the Mexican police and that the
retraction, rather than his first statement, was false. A portion of the
American questioning was carried on with the use of a polygraph machine, with
the consent of "D." When told that the machine indicated that he was probably
lying, "D" said words to the effect that he "must be mistaken." Investigation in
the meantime had disclosed that the Embassy extension number "D" said he had
called would not have given him the person he said he spoke to, and that no one
at the Embassy---clerks, secretaries, or officers--had any recollection of his
calls. In addition, Oswald spoke little, if any, Spanish. That he could have
carried on the alleged conversation with the red-headed Negro in the Cuban
Embassy, part of which was supposed to have been in Spanish, was therefore
doubtful. "D" now said that he was uncertain as to the date when he saw "someone
who looked like Oswald" at the Cuban Embassy, and upon reconsideration, he now
thought it was on a Tuesday, September 17, rather than September 18. On
September 17, however, Oswald visited the Louisiana State Unemployment
Commission in New Orleans and also cashed a check from the Texas Employment
Commission at the Winn-Dixie Store No. 1425 in New Orleans. On the basis of the
retractions made by "D" when he heard the results of the polygraph examination,
and on the basis of discrepancies which appeared in his story, it was concluded
that "D" was lying.578
The investigation of the Commission has thus produced no evidence that Oswald's
trip to Mexico was in any way connected with the assassination of President
Kennedy, nor has it uncovered evidence that the
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Cuban Government had any involvement in the assassination. To the contrary, the
Commission has been advised by the CIA and FBI that secret and reliable sources
corroborate the statements of Senora Duran in all material respects, and that
the Cuban Government had no relationship with Lee Harvey Oswald other than that
described by Senora Duran. Secretary of State Rusk also testified that after the
assassination "there was very considerable concern in Cuba as to whether they
would be held responsible and what the effect of that might be on their own
position and their own safety." 579
Contacts with the Soviet Embassy in the United States.--Soon after the Oswalds
reached the United States in June 1962 they wrote to the Soviet Embassy in
Washington, D.C. Oswald requested information about subscriptions to Russian
newspapers and magazines and ultimately did subscribe to several Russian
journals. Soviet law required Marina Oswald, as a Soviet citizen living abroad,
to remain in contact with her nation's Embassy and to file various papers
occasionally.580 In 1963, after Oswald had experienced repeated employment
difficulties, there were further letters when the Oswalds sought permission to
return to the Soviet Union. The first such request was a letter written by
Marina Oswald on February 17, 1963. She wrote that she wished to return to
Russia but that her husband would stay in the United States because "he is an
American by nationality." 581 She was informed on March 8, 1963, that it would
take from 5 to 6 months to process the application.582 The Soviet Union made
available to the Commission what purports to be the entire correspondence
between the Oswalds and the Russian Embassy in the United States.583 This
material has been checked for codes and none has been detected.584 With the
possible exception of a letter which Oswald wrote to the Soviet Embassy after
his return from Mexico City, discussed below, there is no material which gives
any reason for suspicion. The implications of all of this correspondence for an
understanding of Lee Harvey Oswald's personality and motivation is discussed in
the following chapter.
Oswald's last letter to the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C., dated November
9, 1963, began by stating that it was written "to inform you of recent events
since my meetings with Comrade Kostin in the Embassy of the Soviet Union, Mexico
City, Mexico." 585 The envelope bears a postmark which appears to be November
12, 1963.586 Ruth Paine has testified that Oswald spent the weekend at her home
working on the letter and that she observed one preliminary draft.587 A piece of
paper which was identified as one of these drafts was found among Oswald's
effects after the assassination. (See Commission Exhibits Nos. 15, 103, p. 311.)
According to Marina Oswald, her husband retyped the envelope 10 times.588
Information produced for the Commission by the CIA is to the effect that the
person referred to in the letter as "comrade Kostin" was probably Valeriy
Vladimirovich Kostikov, a member of the consular staff of the Soviet Union in
Mexico City. He is also one of the KGB officers stationed at the Embassy.589 It
is standard Soviet pro-
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cedure for KGB officers stationed in embassies and in consulates to carry on the
normal duties of such a position in addition to the undercover activities.590
The Commission has identified the Cuban consul referred to in Oswald's letter as
Senor Eusebio Azque (also "Ascue"), the man with whom Oswald argued at the Cuban
Embassy, who was in fact replaced. The CIA advised the Commission:
We surmise that the references in Oswald's 9 November letter to a man who had
since been replaced must refer to Cuban Consul Eusebio Azque, who left Mexico
for Cuba on permanent transfer on 18 November 1963, four days before the
assassination. Azque had been in Mexico for 18 years and it was known as early
as September 1963 that Azque was to be replaced. His replacement did arrive in
September. Azque was scheduled to leave in October but did not leave until 18
November.
We do not know who might have told Oswald that Azque or any other Cuban had been
or was to be replaced, but we speculate that Silvia Duran or some Soviet
official might have mentioned it if Oswald complained about Azque's altercation
with him.591
When asked to explain the letter, Marina Oswald was unable to add anything to an
understanding of its contents.592 Some light on its possible meaning can be shed
by comparing it with the early draft. When the differences between the draft and
the final document are studied, and especially when crossed-out words are taken
into account, it becomes apparent that Oswald was intentionally be-clouding the
true state of affairs in order to make his trip to Mexico sound as mysterious
and important as possible.
For example, the first sentence in the second paragraph of the letter reads, "I
was unable to remain in Mexico indefinily because of my mexican visa
restrictions which was for I5 days only." The same sentence in the draft begins,
before the words are crossed out, "I was unable to remain in Mexico City because
I considered useless * * *" As already mentioned, the Commission has good
evidence that Oswald's trip to Mexico was indeed "useless" and that he returned
to Texas with that conviction. The first draft, therefore, spoke the truth; but
Oswald rewrote the sentence to imply that he had to leave because his visa was
about to expire. This is false; Oswald's tourist card still had a full week to
run when he departed from Mexico on October 3. 593
The next sentence in the letter reads, "I could not take a chance on reqesting a
new visa unless I used my real name, so I returned to the United States." The
fact is that he did use his real name for his tourist card, and in all dealings
with the Cuban Embassy, the Russian Embassy and elsewhere. Oswald did use the
name of "Lee" on the trip, but as indicated below, he did so only sporadically
and probably as the result of a clerical error. In the opinion of the
Commission, based upon its knowledge of Oswald, the letter constitutes no more
than a clumsy effort to ingratiate himself with the Soviet Embassy.
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OSWALD'S LETTER TO THE
EMBASSY U. S. S. R., WASHINGTON, D.C.
COMMISSION EXHIBIT 15
PRELIMINARY DRAFT
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 103)
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Page 312
Investigation of Other Activities
Oswald's use of post office boxes and false names.---After his return from the
Soviet Union, Lee Harvey Oswald is known to have received his mail at post
office boxes and to have used different aliases on numerous occasions. Since
either practice is susceptible of use for clandestine purposes, the Commission
has directed attention to both for signs that Oswald at some point made
undercover contact with other persons who might have been connected with the
assassination.
Oswald is known to have opened three post office boxes during 1962 and 1963. On
October 9, 1962, the same day that he arrived in Dallas from Fort Worth, and
before establishing a residence there, he opened box No. 2915 at the Dallas
General Post Office. This box was closed on May 14, 1963, shortly after Oswald
had moved to New Orleans.594 That portion of the post office box application
listing the names of those persons other than the applicant entitled to receive
mail at the box was discarded in accordance with postal regulations after the
box was closed; hence, it is not known what names other than Oswald's were
listed on that form.595 However, as discussed in chapter IV, Oswald is known to
have received the assassination rifle under the name of A. Hidell and his Smith
& Wesson revolver under the name of A. J. Hidell at that box.596 On June 3,
1963, Oswald opened box No. 30061 at the Lafayette Square Substation in New
Orleans. Marina Oswald and A. J. Hidell were listed as additional persons
entitled to receive mail at this box.597 Immediately before leaving for Mexico
City in late September, Oswald submitted a request to forward his mail to the
Paines' address in Irving, and the box was closed on September 26.598 On
-November 1, 1963, he opened box No. 6225 at the Dallas Post Office Terminal
Annex. The Fair Play for Cuba Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union
were listed as also being entitled to receive mail at this box.599
Oswald's use of post office boxes is consistent with other information known
about him. His frequent changes of address and receipt of Communist and other
political literature would appear to have provided Oswald reason to have rented
postal boxes. These were the explanations for his use of the boxes which he
provided Postal Inspector H. D. Holmes on November 24.600 Moreover, on October
14, 1963, he had moved into a room on Beckley Avenue under the name of O. H. Lee
601 and it would have been extremely difficult for Oswald to have received his
mail at that address without having disclosed his true name. The boxes cost
Oswald only $1.50 or less per month.602
Although the possibilities of investigation in this area are limited, there is
no evidence that any of the three boxes was ever used for the surreptitious
receipt of messages or was used by persons other than Oswald or his family. No
unexplainable notes were found among Oswald's possessions after his arrest.
Oswald's box on the day of the assassination, No. 6225, was kept under constant
personal surveillance by postal inspectors from about 5 p.m. November 22 until
midnight November 24. A modified surveillance was maintained there-
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after. No one called for mail out of this box; indeed the only mail in the box
was a Russian magazine addressed to Oswald. The single outstanding key was
recovered from Oswald immediately after he was taken in custody.603
In appraising the import of Oswald's rental of post office boxes, it is
significant that he was not secretive about their use. All three boxes were
rented by Oswald using his true name.604 His application for box No. 2915 showed
his home address as that of Alexandra De Mohrenschildt (Taylor), whose husband
had agreed to allow Oswald to use his address.605 His application for the New
Orleans box listed his address as 657 French Street; his aunt, Lillian Murret,
lived at 757 French Street.606 On the application for box No. 6225, Oswald gave
an incorrect street number, though he did show Beckley Avenue, where he was then
living.607 He furnished the box numbers to his brother, to an employer, to Texas
and New Orleans unemployment commissions, and to others.608 Based on all the
facts disclosed by its investigation, the Commission has attached no
conspiratorial significance to Oswald's rental of post office boxes.
Oswald's use of aliases is also well established. In chapter IV, the evidence
relating to his repeated use of the name "A. J. Hidell," and close variants
thereof, is set forth.609 Because Oswald's use of this pseudonym became known
quickly after the assassination, investigations were conducted with regard to
persons using the name Hidell or names similar to it. Subversive files, public
carrier records, telegraph company records, banking and other commercial
records, and other matters investigated and persons interviewed have been
examined with regard to Oswald's true name and his known alias.610 No evidence
has been produced that Oswald ever used the name Hidell as a means of making
undercover contact with any person. Indeed, though Oswald did prepare a
counterfeit selective service card and other identification using this name, he
commonly used "Hidell" to represent persons other than himself, such as the
president of his nonexistent Fair Play for Cuba Committee chapter, the doctor
whose name appeared on his counterfeit international certificate of vaccination,
and as references on his job applications.611
Alwyn Cole, questioned document expert for the Treasury Department, testified
that the false identification found on Oswald upon his arrest could have been
produced by employing elementary techniques used in a photographic printing
plant.612 (See app. X, pp. 571-578.) Though to perform the necessary procedures
would have been difficult without the use of expensive photographic equipment,
such equipment and the needed film and photographic paper were available to
Oswald when he was employed from October 1962 through early April 1963 at
Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall, a commercial advertising photography firm in Dallas.613
While so employed, Oswald is known to have become familiar with the mechanics of
photographic enlargements, contraction, and image distortion that would have
been necessary to produce his false identification, and to have used the
facilities of his employer for some personal work.614 Cole testified that the
cards
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in Oswald's wallet did not exhibit a great deal of skill, pointing out various
errors that had been committed.615 Oswald's supervisor at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall
has stated that Oswald seemed unable to perform photographic work with
precision, which was one of the main reasons for which he was ultimately
discharged.616 The retouched negatives used to make Oswald's counterfeit
certificate of service identification were found among Oswald's personal effects
after his arrest, as was a rubber stamping kit apparently employed to produce
his spurious international certificate of vaccination.617 There is strong
evidence, therefore, that Oswald himself made the various pieces of counterfeit
identification which he carried, and there is no reason to believe that he
received assistance from any person in establishing his alias.
Oswald also used incorrect names other than Hidell, but these too appear
unconnected with any form of conspiracy. Oswald's last name appears as "Lee" in
three places in connection with his trip to Mexico City, discussed above. His
tourist card was typed by the Mexican consulate in New Orleans, "Lee, Harvey
Oswald." 618 However, the comma seems to have been a clerical error, since
Oswald signed both the application and the card itself, "Lee H. Oswald."
Moreover, Oswald seems originally to have also printed his name, evenly spaced,
as "Lee H Oswald," but, noting that the form instructed him to "Print full name.
No initials," printed the remainder of his middle name after the "H." The clerk
who typed the card thus saw a space after "Lee," followed by "Harvey Oswald"
crowded together, and probably assumed that "Lee" was the applicant's last name.
(See Commission Exhibit 2481, p. 800.) The clerk who prepared Oswald's bus
reservation for his return trip wrote "H. O. Lee." He stated that he did not
remember the occasion, although he was sure from the handwriting and from other
facts that he had dealt with Oswald. He surmised that he probably made out the
reservation directly from the tourist card, since Oswald spoke no Spanish, and,
seeing the comma, wrote the name "H. O. Lee." 619 Oswald himself signed the
register at the hotel in Mexico City as "Lee, Harvey Oswald," 620 but since the
error is identical to that on the tourist card and since he revealed the
remainder of his name, "Harvey Oswald," it is possible that Oswald inserted the
comma to conform to the tourist card, or that the earlier mistake suggested a
new pseudonym to Oswald which he decided to continue.
In any event, Oswald used his correct name in making reservations for the trip
to Mexico City, in introducing himself to passengers on the bus, and in his
dealings with the Cuban and Soviet Embassies.621 When registering at the Beckley
Avenue house in mid-October, Oswald perpetuated the pseudonym by giving his name
as "0. H. Lee," 622 though he had given his correct name to the owner of the
previous roominghouse where he had rented a room after his return from Mexico
City.623 Investigations of the Commission have been conducted with regard to
persons using the name "Lee," and no evidence
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has been found that Oswald used this alias for the purpose of making any type of
secret contacts.
Oswald is also known to have used the surname "Osborne" in ordering Fair Play
for Cuba Committee handbills in May 1963.624 He also used the false name D. F.
Drittal as a certifying witness on the mail-order coupon with which he purchased
his Smith & Wesson revolver. 625 He used the name Lt. J. Evans as a reference on
an employment application in New Orleans.626
Oswald's repeated use of false names is probably not to be disassociated from
his antisocial and criminal inclinations. No doubt he purchased his weapons
under the name of Hidell in attempt to prevent their ownership from being
traced. Oswald's creation of false names and ficititious personalities is
treated in the discussion of possible motives set forth in chapter VII. Whatever
its significance in that respect may be, the Commission has found no indication
that Oswald's use of aliases was linked with any conspiracy with others.
Ownership of a second rifle.--The Commission has investigated a report that,
during the first 2 weeks of November 1963, Oswald had a telescopic sight mounted
and sighted on a rifle at a sporting goods store in Irving, Tex. The main
evidence that Oswald had such work performed for him is an undated repair tag
bearing the name "Oswald" from the Irving Sports Shop in Irving, Tex. On
November 25, 1963, Dial D. Ryder, an employee of the Irving Sports Shop,
presented this tag to agents of the FBI, claiming that the tag was in his
handwriting. The undated tag indicated that three holes had been drilled in an
unspecified type of rifle and a telescopic sight had been mounted on the rifle
and boresighted.627
As discussed in chapter IV, the telescopic sight on the C2766 Mannlicher-Carcano
rifle was already mounted when shipped to Oswald, and both Ryder and his
employer, Charles W. Greener, feel certain that they never did any work on this
rifle.628 If the repair tag actually represented a transaction involving Lee
Harvey Oswald, therefore, it would mean that Oswald owned another rifle.
Although this would not alter the evidence which establishes Oswald's ownership
of the rifle used to assassinate President Kennedy, the possession of a second
rifle warranted investigation because it would indicate that a possibly
important part of Oswald's life had not been uncovered.
Since all of Oswald's known transactions in connection with firearms after his
return to the United States were undertaken under an assumed name,629 it seems
unlikely that if he did have repairs made at the sports shop he would have used
his real name Investigation has revealed that the authenticity of the repair tag
bearing Oswald's name is indeed subject to grave doubts. Ryder testified that he
found the repair tag while cleaning his workbench on November 23, 1963.630
However, Ryder spoke with Greener repeatedly during the period be tween November
22-28 and, sometime prior to November 25, he discussed with him the possibility
that Oswald had been in the store. Neither he nor Greener could remember that he
had been. But despite these conversations with Greener, it is significant that
Ryder never
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called the repair tag to his employer's attention. Greener did not learn about
the tag until November 28, when he was called by TV reporters after the story
had appeared in the Dallas Times-Herald.631 The peculiarity of Ryder's silence
is compounded by the fact that, when speaking to the FBI on November 25, Ryder
fixed the period during which the tag had been issued as November 1-14, 1963,
yet, from his later testimony, it appears that he did so on the basis that it
must have occurred when Greener was on vacation since Greener did not remember
the transaction.632 Moreover, the FBI had been directed to the Irving Sports
Shop by anonymous telephone calls received by its Dallas office and by a local
television station. The anonymous male who telephoned the Bureau attributed his
information to an unidentified sack boy at a specified supermarket in Irving,
but investigation has failed to verify this source.633
Neither Ryder nor Greener claimed that Lee Harvey Oswald had ever been a
customer in the Irving Sports Shop. Neither has any recollection of either
Oswald or his Mannlicher-Carcano rifle, nor does either recall the transaction
allegedly represented by the repair tag or the person for whom the repair was
supposedly made. 634 Although Ryder stated to the FBI that he was "quite sure"
that he had seen Oswald and that Oswald may have been in the store at one time,
when shown a photograph of Oswald during his deposition, Ryder testified he knew
the picture to be of Oswald, "as the pictures in the paper, but as far as seeing
the guy personally, I don't think I ever have." 635
Subsequent events also reflect on Ryder's credibility. In his deposition, Ryder
emphatically denied that he talked to any reporters about this matter prior to
the time a story about it appeared in the November 28, 1963, edition of the
Dallas Times-Herald.636 Earlier, however, he told an agent of the U.S. Secret
Service that the newspaper had misquoted him.637 Moreover, a reporter for the
Dallas Times-Herald has testified that on November 28, 1968, he called Ryder at
his home and obtained from him all of the details of the alleged transaction,
and his story is supported by the testimony of a second reporter who overheard
one end of the telephone conversation.638 No other person by the name of Oswald
in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has been found who had a rifle repaired at the
Irving Sports Shop.639
Possible corroboration for Ryder's story is provided by two women, Mrs. Edith
Whitworth, who operates the Furniture Mart, a furniture store located about 1½
blocks from the Irving Sports Shop, and Mrs. Gertrude Hunter, a friend of Mrs.
Whitworth. They testified that in early November of 1963, a man who they later
came to believe was Oswald drove up to the Furniture Mart in a two-tone blue and
white 1957 Ford automobile, entered the store and asked about a part for a gun,
presumably because of a sign that. appeared in the building advertising a
gunsmith shop that had formerly occupied part of the premises. When he found
that he could not obtain the part, the man allegedly returned to his car and
then came back into the store with a woman and two young children to look at
furniture, remaining in the store for about 30 to 40 minutes.640
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Upon confronting Marina Oswald, both women identified her as the woman whom they
had seen in the store on the occasion in question, although Mrs. Hunter could
not identify a picture of Lee Harvey Oswald and Mrs. Whitworth identified some
pictures of Oswald but not others. Mrs. Hunter purported to identify Marina
Oswald by her eyes, and did not observe the fact that Marina Oswald had a front
tooth missing at the time she supposedly saw her.641 After a thorough inspection
of the Furniture Mart, Marina Oswald testified that she had never been on the
premises before.642
The circumstances surrounding the testimony of the two women are helpful in
evaluating the weight to be given to their testimony, and the extent to which
they lend support to Ryder's evidence. The women previously told newspaper
reporters that the part for which the man was looking was a "plunger," which the
Commission has been advised is a colloquial term used to describe a firing
pin.643 This work was completely different from the work covered by Ryder's
repair tag, and the firing pin of the assassination weapon does not appear to
have been recently replaced.644 At the time of their depositions, neither woman
was able to recall the type of work which the man wanted done. 645
Mrs. Whitworth related to the FBI that the man told her that the younger child
with him was born on October 20, 1968, which was in fact Rachel Oswald's
birthday.646 In her testimony before the Commission, however, Mrs. Whitworth
could not state that the man had told her the child's birthdate was October 20,
1963, and in fact expressed uncertainty about the birthday of her own
grandchild, which she had previously used as a guide to remembering the
birthdate of the younger child in the shop.647 Mrs. Hunter thought that the man
she and Mrs. Whitworth believed was Oswald drove the car to and from the store;
648 however, Lee Harvey Oswald apparently was not able to drive an automobile by
himself and does not appear to have had
access to a car.649
The two women claimed that Oswald was in the Furniture Mart on a weekday, and in
midafternoon. However, Oswald had reported to work at the Texas School Book
Depository on the dates referred to by the women and there is no evidence that
he ]eft his job during business hours.650 In addition, Ruth Paine has stated
that she always accompanied Marina Oswald whenever Marina left the house with
her children and that they never went to the Furniture Mart, either with or
without Lee Harvey Oswald, at any time during October or November of 1963.651
There is nothing to indicate that in November the Oswalds were interested in
buying furniture.652
Finally, investigation has produced reason to question the credibility of Mrs.
Hunter as a witness. Mrs. Hunter stated that one of the reasons she remembers
the description of the car in which Oswald supposedly drove to the furniture
store was that she was awaiting the arrival of a friend from Houston, who drove
a similar automobile. 653 However, the friend in Houston has advised that in
November 1963, she never visited or planned to visit Dallas, and that she
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told no one that she intended to make such a trip. Moreover the friend added,
according to the FBI interview report, that Mrs. Hunter has "a strange obsession
for attempting to inject herself into any big event which comes to her
attention" and that she "is likely to claim some personal knowledge of any major
crime which receives much publicity." 654 She concluded that "the entire family
is aware of these 'tall tales' Mrs. Hunter tells and they normally pay no
attention to her." 655
Another allegation relating to the possible ownership of a second rifle by
Oswald comes from Robert Adrian Taylor, a mechanic at a service station in
Irving. Some 3 weeks after the assassination, Taylor reported to the FBI that he
thought that, in March or April of 1963, a man he believed to be Oswald had been
a passenger in an auto mobile that stopped at his station for repairs; since
neither the driver nor the passenger had sufficient funds for the repair work,
the person believed to be Oswald sold a U.S. Army rifle to Mr. Taylor, using the
proceeds to pay for the repairs.656 However, a second employee at the service
station, who recalled the incident, believed that, despite a slight resemblance,
the passenger was not Oswald.657 Upon reflection, Taylor himself stated that he
is very doubtful that the man was Oswald.658
Rifle practice.--Several witnesses believed that in the weeks preceding the
assassination, they observed a man resembling Oswald practicing with a rifle in
the fields and wooded areas surrounding Dallas, and at rifle ranges in that
area. Some witnesses claimed Oswald was alone, while others said he was
accompanied by one or more other persons. In most instances, investigation has
disclosed that there is no substantial basis for believing that the person
reported by the various witnesses was Oswald.659
One group of witnesses, however, believed that they observed Lee Harvey Oswald
at the Sports Drome Rifle Range in Dallas at various times from September
through November of 1963. In light of the number of witnesses, the similarity of
the descriptions of the man they saw, and the type of weapon they thought the
individual was shooting, there is reason to believe that these witnesses did see
the same person at the firing range, although the testimony of none of these
witnesses is fully consistent with the reported observations of the other
witnesses.
The witnesses who claimed to have seen Oswald at the firing range had more than
a passing notice of the person they observed. Malcolm H. Price, Jr., adjusted
the scope on the individual's rifle on one occasion; 660 Garland G. Slack had an
altercation with the individual on another occasion because he was shooting at
Slack's target; 661 and Sterling C. Wood, who on a third date was present at the
range with his father, Dr. Homer Wood, spoke with his father and very briefly
with the man himself about the individual's rifle.662 All three of these
persons, as well as Dr. Wood, expressed confidence that the man they saw was
Oswald.663 Two other persons believed they saw
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a person resembling Oswald firing a similar rifle at another range near Irving 2
days before the assassination.664
Although the testimony of these witnesses was partially corroborated by other
witnesses,665 there was other evidence which prevented the Commission from
reaching the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald was the person these witnesses
saw. Others who were at the firing range remembered the same individual but,
though noting a similarity to Oswald, did not believe that the man was
Oswald;666 others either were unable to state whether the man was Oswald or did
not recall seeing anybody who they feel may have been Oswald.667 Moreover, when
interviewed on December 2, 1963, Slack recalled that the individual whom he saw
had blond hair,668 and on December 3, 1963, Price stated that on several
occasions when he saw the individual, he was wearing a "Bulldogger Texas style"
hat and had bubble gum or chewing tobacco in his cheek.669 None of these
characteristics match those known about Lee Harvey Oswald.
Moreover, the date on which Price adjusted the scope for the unknown person was
September 28, 1963, but Oswald is known to have been in Mexico City at that
time; 670 since a comparison of the events testified to by Price and Slack
strongly suggests that they were describing the same man,671 there is reason to
believe that Slack was also describing a man other than Oswald. In addition,
Slack believed he saw the same person at the rifle range on November 10 672 and
there is persuasive evidence that on November 10, Oswald was at the Paine's home
in Irving and did not leave to go to the rifle range.673 Finally, the man whom
Price assisted on September 28 drove an old car, possibly a 1940 or 1941
Ford.674 However, there is evidence that Oswald could not drive at that timer
and there is no indication that Oswald ever had access to such a car.675 Neither
Oswald's name nor any of his known aliases was found in the sign-in register
maintained at the Sports Drome Rifle Ranger though many customers did not sign
this register.676 The allegations pertaining to the companions who reportedly
accompanied the man believed to be Oswald are also inconsistent among themselves
677 and conform to no other credible information ascertained by the Commission.
Several witnesses noticed a bearded man at the club when the person believed to
be Oswald was there, although only one witness thought the two men were
together; 678 the bearded gentleman was located, and he was not found to have
any connection with Oswald.679
It seems likely that the identification of Price, Slack, and the Woods was
reinforced in their own minds by the belief that the man whom they saw was
firing a rifle perhaps identical to Oswald's Mannlicher-Carcano. The witnesses
agreed that the man they observed was firing a Mauser-type bolt-action rifle
with the ammunition clip immediately in front of the trigger action, and that a
scope was mounted on the rifle.680 These features are consistent with the rifle
Oswald used for the assassination.681 The witnesses agreed that the man had
accurate aim with the rifle.682
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However, the evidence demonstrated that the weapon fired by the man they
observed was different from the assassination rifle. The witnesses agreed that
the barrel of the gun which the individual was firing had been shortened in the
process of "sporterizing" the weapon.683 In addition, Price and Slack recalled
that certain pieces were missing from the top of the weapon,684 and Dr. Wood and
his son, and others, remembered that the weapon spouted flames when fired.685
None of these characteristics correspond with Oswald's Mannlicher- Carcano.686
Price and Slack believed that the gun did not have a sling, but the
assassination weapon did have one. Sterling Wood, on the other hand, recalled
that the rifle which he saw had a sling.687 Price also recalled that he examined
the rifle briefly for some indication as to where it had been manufactured, but
saw nothing, whereas the words "MADE ITALY" are marked on the top of Oswald's
Mannlicher-Carcano.688
The scope on the rifle observed at the firing range does not appear to be the
same as the one on the assassination weapon. Price remembered that the
individual told him that his scope was Japanese, that he had paid $18 for it,
and that he had it mounted in a gunshop in Cedar Hills, though apparently no
such shop exists in that area.689 The scope on the Mannlicher-Carcano was of
Japanese origin but it was worth a little more than $7 and was already mounted
when he received the rifle from a mail-order firm in Chicago.690 Sterling Wood
and Slack agreed that the scope had a somewhat different appearance from the
scope on the assassination rifle.691
Though the person believed to be Oswald retained his shell casings, presumably
for reuse,692 all casings recovered from areas where it is believed that Oswald
may have practiced have been examined by the FBI Laboratory, and none has been
found which was fired from Oswald's rifle.693 Finally, evidence discussed in
chapter IV tends to prove that Oswald brought his rifle to Dallas from the home
of the Paines in Irving on November 22, and there is no other evidence which
indicates that he took the rifle or a package which might have contained the
rifle out of the Paine's garage, where it was stored, prior to that date.694
Automobile demonstration.--The testimony of Albert Guy Bogard has been carefully
evaluated because it suggests the possibility that Oswald might have been a
proficient automobile driver and, during November 1963, might have been
expecting funds with which to purchase a car. Bogard, formerly an automobile
salesman with a Lincoln-Mercury firm in Dallas, testified that in the early
afternoon of November 9, 1963, he attended a prospective customer who he
believes was Lee Harvey Oswald. According to Bogard, the customer, after test
driving an automobile over the Stemmons Freeway at 60 to 70 miles per hour, told
Bogard that in several weeks he would have the money to make a purchase. Bogard
asserted that the customer gave his name as "Lee Oswald," which Bogard wrote on
a business card. After Oswald's name was mentioned on the radio on November 22,
Bogard assertedly threw the card in a trash can, making the comment
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to coemployees that he supposed Oswald would no longer wish to buy a car.695
Bogard's testimony has received corroboration.696 The assistant sales manager at
the time, Frank Pizzo, and a second salesman, Eugene M. Wilson, stated that they
recall an instance when the customer described by Bogard was in the showroom.697
Another salesman, Oran Brown, recalled that Bogard asked him to assist the
customer if he appeared during certain evenings when Bogard was away from the
showroom. Brown stated that he too wrote down the customer's name and both he
and his wife remember the name "Oswald" as being on a paper in his possession
before the assassination.698
However, doubts exist about the accuracy of Bogard's testimony. He, Pizzo, and
Wilson differed on important details of what is supposed to have occurred when
the customer was in the showroom. Whereas Bogard stated that the customer said
he did not wish credit and wanted to purchase a car for cash,699 Pizzo and
Wilson both indicated that the man did attempt to purchase on credit.700
According to Wilson, when the customer was told that he would be unable to
purchase a ear without a credit rating, substantial cash or a lengthy employment
record, he stated sarcastically, "Maybe I'm going to have to go back to Russia
to buy a car." 701 While it is possible that Oswald would have made such a
remark, the statement is not consistent with Bogard's story. Indeed, Bogard has
made no mention that the customer ever spoke with Wilson while he was in the
showroom.702 More important, on November 23, a search through the showroom's
refuse was made, but no paper bearing Oswald's name was found.703 The paper on
which Brown reportedly wrote Oswald's name also has never been located.704
The assistant sales manager, Mr. Pizzo, who saw Bogard's prospect on November 9
and shortly after the assassination felt that Oswald may have been this man,
later examined pictures of Oswald and expressed serious doubts that the person
with Bogard was in fact Oswald. While noting a resemblance, he did not believe
that Oswald's hairline matched that of the person who had been in the showroom
on November 9.705 Wilson has stated that Bogard's customer was only about 5 feet
tall.706 Several persons who knew Oswald have testified that he was unable to
drive,707 although Mrs. Paine, who was giving Oswald driving lessons, stated
that Oswald was showing some improvement by November.708 Moreover, Oswald's
whereabouts on November 9, as testified to by Marina Oswald and Ruth Paine,
would have made it impossible for him to have visited the automobile showroom as
Mr. Bogard claims.709
Alleged association with various Mexican or Cuban individuals.--The Commission
has examined Oswald's known or alleged contacts and activities in an effort to
ascertain whether or not he was involved in any conspiracy may be seen in the
investigation it conducted as a result of the testimony given by Mrs. Sylvia
Odio. The Commission investigated her statements in connection with its consid-
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eration of the testimony of several witnesses suggesting that Oswald may have
been seen in the company of unidentified persons of Cuban or Mexican background.
Mrs. Odio was born in Havana in 1937 and remained in Cuba until 1960; it appears
that both of her parents are political prisoners of the Castro regime. Mrs. Odio
is a member of the Cuban Revolutionary Junta (JURE), an anti-Castro
organization.710 She testified that late in September 1963, three men came to
her apartment in Dallas and asked her to help them prepare a letter soliciting
funds for JURE activities. She claimed that the men, who exhibited personal
familiarity with her imprisoned father, asked her if she were "working in the
underground," and she replied that she was not.711 She testified that two of the
men appeared to be Cubans, although they also had some characteristics that she
associated with Mexicans. Those two men did not state their full names, but
identified themselves only by their fictitious underground "war names." Mrs.
Odio remembered the name of one of the Cubans as "Leopoldo." 712 The third man,
an American, allegedly was introduced to Mrs. Odio as "Leon Oswald," and she was
told that he was very much interested in the Cuban cause.713 Mrs. Odio said that
the men told her that they had lust come from New Orleans and that they were
then about to leave on a trip. 714 Mrs. Odio testified that the next day
Leopoldo called her on the telephone and told her that it was his idea to
introduce the American into the underground "because he is great, he is kind of
nuts." 715 Leopoldo also said that the American had been in the Marine Corps and
was an excellent shot, and that the American said the Cubans "don't have any
guts * * * be cause President Kennedy should have been assassinated after the
Bay of Pigs, and some Cubans should have done that, because he was the one that
was holding the freedom of Cuba actually." 716
Although Mrs. Odio suggested doubts that the men were in fact members of JURE,
717 she was certain that the American who was introduced to her as Leon Oswald
was Lee Harvey Oswald.718 Her sister, who was in the apartment at the time of
the visit by the three men, and who stated that she saw them briefly in the
hallway when answering the door, also believed that the American was Lee Harvey
Oswald.719 By referring to the date on which she moved from her former
apartment, October 1, 1963, Mrs. Odio fixed the date of the alleged visit on the
Thursday or Friday immediately preceding that date, i.e., September 26 or 27.
She was positive that the visit occurred prior to October 1.720
During the course of its investigation, however, the Commission concluded that
Oswald could not have been in Dallas on the evening of either September 26 or
27, 1963. It also developed considerable evidence that he was not in Dallas at
any time between the beginning of September and October 3, 1963. On April 24,
Oswald left Dallas for New Orleans, where he lived until his trip to Mexico City
in late September and his subsequent return to Dallas. Oswald is known to
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have been in New Orleans as late as September 23, 1963, the date on which Mrs.
Paine and Marina Oswald left New Orleans for Dallas.721 Sometime between 4 p.m.
on September 24 and 1 p.m. on September 25, Oswald cashed an unemployment
compensation check at a store in New Orleans;722 under normal procedures this
check would not have reached Oswald's postal box in New Orleans until at least 5
on September 25.723 The store at which he cashed the check did not open until 8
a.m.724 Therefore, it appeared that Oswald's presence in New Orleans until
sometime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on September 25 was quite firmly established.
Although there is no firm evidence of the means by which Oswald traveled from
New Orleans to Houston, on the first leg of his Mexico City trip, the Commission
noted that a Continental Trailways bus leaving New Orleans at 12:30 p.m. on
September 25 would have brought Oswald to Houston at 10:50 p.m. that evening.725
His presence on this bus would be consistent with other evidence before the
Commission.726 There is strong evidence that on September 26, 1963, Oswald
traveled on Continental Trailways bus No. 5133 which left Houston at 2:35 a.m.
for Laredo, Tex. Bus company records disclose that one ticket from Houston to
Laredo was sold during the night shift on September 25-26, and that such ticket
was the only one of its kind sold in the period of September 24 through
September 26. The agent who sold this ticket has stated that Oswald could have
been the purchaser.727 Two English passengers, Dr. and Mrs. John B. McFarland,
testified that they saw Oswald riding alone on this bus shortly after they awoke
at 6 a.m.728 The bus was scheduled to arrive in Laredo at 1:20 p.m. on September
26, and Mexican immigration records show that Oswald in fact crossed the border
at Laredo to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on that day.729
Evidence set out in appendix XIII establishes that Oswald did not leave Mexico
until October 3, and that he arrived in Dallas the same day.
The Commission noted that the only time not strictly accounted for during the
period that Mrs. Odio thought Oswald might have visited her is the span between
the morning of September 25 and 2:35 a.m. on September 26. The only public means
of transportation by which Oswald could have traveled from New Orleans to Dallas
in time to catch his bus from Houston to Laredo, would have been the airlines.
Investigation disclosed no indication that he flew between these points.730
Moreover, it did not seem probable that Oswald would speed from New Orleans,
spend a short time talking to Sylvia Odio, and then travel from Dallas to Mexico
City and back on the bus. Automobile travel in the time available, though
perhaps possible, would have been difficult.731 The Commission noted, however,
that if Oswald had reached Dallas on the evening of September 25, he could have
traveled by bus to Alice, Tex., and there caught the bus which had left Houston
for Laredo at 2:35 a.m. on September 26, 1963.732 Further investigation in that
regard indicated, however, that no tickets were sold, during the period
September 23-26, 1963 for travel from
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Dallas to Laredo or points beyond by the Dallas office of Continental Trailways,
the only bus line on which Oswald could have made connections with the bus on
which he was later seen. Furthermore, if Oswald had traveled from Dallas to
Alice, he would not have reached the Houston to Laredo bus until after he was
first reportedly observed on it by the McFarlands.733 Oswald had also told
passengers on the bus to Laredo that he had traveled from New Orleans by bus,
and made no mention of an intervening trip to Dallas. 734 In addition, the
Commission noted evidence that on the evening of September 25, 1963, Oswald made
a telephone call to a party in Houston proposing to visit a resident. of Houston
that evening 735 and the fact that such a call would appear to be inconsistent
with Oswald's having been in Dallas at the time. It thus appeared that the
evidence was persuasive that Oswald was not in Dallas on September 25, and,
therefore, that he was not in that city at the time Mrs. Odio said she saw him.
In spite of the fact that it appeared almost certain that Oswald could not have
been in Dallas at the time Mrs. Odio thought he was, the Commission requested
the FBI to conduct further investigation to determine the validity of Mrs.
Odio's testimony.736 The Commission considered the problems raised by that
testimony as important, in view of the possibility it raised that Oswald .may
have had companions on his trip to Mexico.737 The Commission specifically
requested the FBI to attempt to locate and identify the two men who Mrs. Odio
stated were with the man she thought was Oswald. 738 In an effort to do that the
FBI located and interviewed Manuel Ray, a leader of JURE who confirmed that Mrs.
Odio's parents were political prisoners in Cuba, but stated that he did not know
anything about the alleged Oswald visit.739 The same was true of Rogelio
Cisneros,740 a former anti-Castro leader from Miami who had visited Mrs. Odio in
June of 1962 in connection with certain anti- Castro activities. 741 Additional
investigation was conducted in Dallas and in other cities in search of the
visitors to Mrs. Odio's apartment. 742 Mrs. Odio herself was reinterviewed.743
On September 16, 1964, the FBI located Loran Eugene Hall in Johnsandale Calif.
744 Hall has been identified as a participant in numerous anti-Castro
activities. 745 He told the FBI that in September of 1963 he was in Dallas,
soliciting aid in connection with anti-Castro activities. He said he had visited
Mrs. Odio. He was accompanied by Lawrence Howard, a Mexican-American from East
Los Angeles and one William Seymour from Arizona. He stated that Seymour is
similar in appearance to Lee Harvey Oswald; he speaks only a few words of
Spanish,746 as Mrs. Odio had testified one of the men who visited her did.747
While the FBI had not yet completed its investigation into this matter at the
time the report went to press, the Commission has concluded that Lee Harvey
Oswald was not at Mrs. Odio's apartment in September of 1963.
The Commission has also noted the testimony of Evaristo Rodriguez, a bartender
in the Habana Bar in New Orleans, to the effect that he saw Oswald in that bar
in August of 1963 in the company of a
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Latin-appearing man. 748 Rodriguez' description of the man accompanying the
person he thought to be Oswald was similar in respects to the description given
by Sylvia Odio since beth testified that the man may have been of either Cuban
or Mexican extraction, and had a slight bald spot on the forepart of his
hairline.749 Rodriguez' identification of Oswald was uncorroborated except for
the testimony of the owner of the bar, Orest Pena; according to Rodriguez, Pena
was not in a position to observe the man he thought later to have been
Oswald.750 Although Pena has testified that he did observe the same person as
did Rodriguez, and that this person was Oswald,751 an FBI interview report
indicated that a month earlier Pena had stated that he "could not at this time
or at any time say whether or not the person was identical with Lee Harvey
Oswald." 752 Though when testifying, Pena identified photographs of Oswald, the
FBI report also recorded that Pena "stated the only reason he was able to
recognize Oswald was because he had seen Oswald's picture in the news media so
often after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy." 753 When present at
Pena's bar, Oswald was supposed to have been intoxicated to the extent that he
became ill,754 which is inconsistent. with other evidence that Oswald did not
drink alcoholic beverages to excess.755
The Commission has also noted the testimony of Dean Andrews, an attorney in New
Orleans. Andrews stated that Oswald came to his office several times in the
summer of 1963 to seek advice on a less than honorable discharge from the Armed
Forces, the citizenship status of his wife and his own citizenship status.
Andrews, who believed that he was contacted on November 23 to represent Oswald,
testified that Oswald was always accompanied by a Mexican and was at times
accompanied by apparent homosexuals.756 Andrews was able to locate no records of
any of Oswald's alleged visits, and investigation has failed to locate the
person who supposedly called Andrews on November 23, at a time when Andrews was
under heavy sedation.757 While one of Andrews' employees felt that Oswald might
have been at his office, his secretary has no recollection of Oswald being
there. 758
Oswald Was Not an Agent for the U.S. Government
From the time of his release from the Marine Corps until the assassination, Lee
Harvey Oswald dealt in various transact-ions with several agencies of the U.S.
Government. Before departing the United States for the Soviet Union in 1959, he
obtained an American passport, which he returned to the Embassy in Moscow in
October 1959 when he attempted to renounce his U.S. citizenship. Thereafter,
while in the Soviet Union, Oswald had numerous contacts with the American
Embassy, beth in person and through correspondence. Two years later, he applied
for the return and renewal of his passport, which was granted him. His
application concerning the admittance of his wife to this country was passed
upon by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice
in addition to the State Department. And before returning to this country, he
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secured a loan from the State Department to help cover his transportation costs
from Moscow to New York. These dealings with the. Department of State and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service have been reviewed earlier in this
chapter and are considered in detail in appendix w. After his return, Oswald was
interviewed on three occasions by agents of the FBI, and Mrs. Paine was also
questioned by the FBI about Oswald's activities. Oswald obtained a second
passport in June of 1963. And both the FBI and the CIA took note of his Fair
Play for Cuba Committee activities in New Orleans and his appearance at the
Soviet consulate in Mexico City. For reasons which will be discussed fully in
chapter VIII, Oswald's name was never given to the U.S. Secret Service.
These dealings have given rise to numerous rumors and allegations that Oswald
may have been a paid informant or some type of undercover agent for a Federal
agency, usually the FBI or the CIA. The Commission has fully explored whether
Oswald had any official or unofficial relationship with any Federal agency
beyond that already described.
Oswald's mother, Mrs. Marguerite Oswald, testified before the Commission that
she believes her son went to Russia and returned as an undercover agent for the
U.S. Government.759 Mrs. Oswald mentioned the belief that her son was an agent
to a State Department representative whom she visited in January 1961, when she
was trying to locate her son. 760 She had been interviewed earlier by FBI Agent
John W. Fain, within some 6 months of Oswald's departure for Russia, and did not
at that time suggest such an explanation for Oswald's departure. 761 Though
provided the opportunity to present any material she considered pertinent, Mrs.
Oswald was not able to give the Commission any reasonable basis for her
speculation. 762 As discussed later in this chapter, the Commission has
investigated Marguerite Oswald's claim that an FBI agent showed her a picture of
Jack Ruby after the assassination but before Lee Harvey Oswald had been killed;
this allegation was inaccurate, since the picture was not of Ruby.
After the assassination it was reported that in 1962 Oswald had told Pauline
Bates, a public stenographer in Fort Worth, Tex., that he had become a "secret
agent" of the U.S. Government and that he was soon going back to Russia "or
Washington." 763 Mrs. Bates in her sworn testimony denied that Oswald ever told
her anything to that effect. 764 She testified that she had stated "that when he
first said that he went to Russia and had gotten a visa that I thought--it was
just a thought--that maybe he was going over under the auspices of the State
Department--as a student or something." 765
In order to evaluate the nature of Oswald's dealings with the Department of
State and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Commission has
obtained the complete files of both the Department and the Service pertaining to
Lee Harvey Oswald. Officials who were directly involved in dealing with the
Oswald case on these matters have testified before the Commission. A critical
evaluation of the manner in which they were handled by these organizations is
set forth
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in appendix XV. The record establishes that Oswald received no preferential
treatment and that his case involved no impropriety on the part of any
Government official.
Director John A. McCone and Deputy Director Richard Helms of the Central
Intelligence Agency testified before the Commission that no one connected with
the CIA had ever interviewed Oswald or communicated with him in any way.766 In
his supplementing affidavit, Director McCone stated unequivocally that Oswald
was not an agent, employee, or informant of the CIA, that the Agency never
communicated with him in any manner or furnished him any compensation, and that
Oswald was never directly or indirectly associated with the CIA.767 The
Commission has had access to the full CIA file on Oswald which is entirely
consistent with Director McCone's statements.
The Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, Assistant to the Director Alan H.
Belmont, FBI Agents John W. Fain and John L. Quigley, who interviewed Oswald,
and FBI Agent James P. Hosty, Jr., who was in charge of his case at the time of
the assassination, have also testified before the Commission. All declared, in
substance, that Oswald was not an informant or agent of the FBI, that he did not
act in any other capacity for the FBI, and that no attempt was made to recruit
him in any capacity.768 Director Hoover and each Bureau agent, who according to
the FBI would have been responsible for or aware of any attempt to recruit
Oswald as an informant, have also provided the Commission with sworn affidavits
to this effect.769 Director Hoover has sworn that he caused a search to be made
of the records of the Bureau, and that the search discloses that Oswald "was
never an informant of the FBI, and never assigned a symbol number in that
capacity, and was never paid any amount of money by the FBI in any regard." 770
This testimony is corroborated by the Commission's independent review of the
Bureau files dealing with the Oswald investigation.
The Commission also investigated the circumstances which led to the presence in
Oswald's address book of the name of Agent Hosty together with his office
address, telephone number, and license number. 771 Hosty and Mrs. Paine
testified that on November 1, 1963, Hosty left his name and phone number with
Mrs. Paine so that she could advise Hosty when she learned where Oswald was
living in Dallas.772 Mrs. Paine and Marina Oswald have testified that Mrs. Paine
handed Oswald the slip of paper on which Hosty had written this information. 773
In accordance with prior instructions from Oswald, 774 Marina Oswald noted
Hosty's license number which she gave to her husband. 775 The address of the
Dallas office of the FBI could have been obtained from many public sources.
Thus, close scrutiny of the records of the Federal agencies involved and the
testimony of the responsible officials of the U.S. Government establish that
there was absolutely no type of informant or undercover relationship between an
agency of the U.S. Government and Lee Harvey Oswald at any time.
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Oswald's Finances
In search of activities or payments demonstrating the receipt of unexplained
funds, the Commission undertook a detailed study of Oswald's receipts and
expenditures starting with the date of his return from the Soviet Union on June
13, 1962, and continuing to the date of his arrest on November 22, 1963. In
appendix XIV there appears a table listing Oswald's estimated receipts and
expenditures on a monthly basis during this period.
The Commission was assisted in this phase of the investigation by able
investigators of the Internal Revenue Service of the Department of the Treasury
and by agents of the FBI. The investigation extended far beyond interrogation of
witnesses who appeared before the Commission. At banks in New Orleans, La.; Fort
Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Laredo, Tex., inquiries were made for any record of
a checking, savings, or loan accounts or a safe deposit box rented in the names
of Lee Harvey Oswald, his known aliases, or members of his immediate family. In
many cases a photograph of Oswald was exhibited to bank officials who were in a
position to see a person in the safe deposit box area of their banks. No bank
account or safe deposit boxes were located which could be identified with Oswald
during this period of his life, although evidence was developed of a bank
account which he had used prior to his trip to the Soviet Union in 1959.
Telegraph companies were checked for the possibility of money orders that may
have been sent to Oswald. All known locations where Oswald cashed checks which
he received were queried as to the possibility of his having cashed other checks
there. Further inquiries were made at Oswald's places of employment, his
residences and with local credit associations, hospitals, utility companies,
State and local government offices, post offices, periodicals, newspapers, and
employment agencies.776
Marina Oswald testified that she knew of no sources of income Oswald other than
his wages and his unemployment compensation.777 No evidence of other cash income
has been discovered. The Commission has found that the funds known to have been
available to Oswald during the period June 13, 1962, through November 22, 1963,
were sufficient to cover all of his known expenditures during this period.
Including cash on hand of $63 when he arrived from the Soviet Union, the Oswalds
received a total of $3,665.89 in cash from wages, unemployment compensation
benefits, loans, and gifts from acquaintances. His cash disbursements during
this period were estimated at $3,501.79, leaving a balance of $164.10. (See app.
XIV.) This estimated balance is within $19 of the $183.87 in cash which was
actually in Oswald's possession at the time of his arrest, consisting of $13.87
on his person and $170 in his wallet left at the Paine house.778
In computing Oswald's expenditures, estimates were made for food, clothing, and
incidental expenses. The incidental expenses included telephone calls, the cost
of local newspapers, money order and check-cashing fees, postage, local
transportation costs, personal care goods and services, and other such small
items. All of these expenses, in-
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cluding food and clothing, were estimated at a slightly higher figure than would
be normal for a family with the income of the Oswalds, and probably higher than
the Oswalds actually spent on such items.779 This was done in order to be
certain that even if some of Oswald's minor expenditures are not known, he had
adequate funds to cover his known expenditures.
During the 17-month period preceding his death, Oswald's pattern of living was
consistent with his limited income. He lived with his family in furnished
apartments whose cost, including utilities, ranged from about $60 to $75 per
month. 780 Witnesses testified to his wife's disappointment and complaints and
to their own shock and misgivings about several of the apartments in which the
Oswalds lived during the period.781 Moreover, the Oswalds, particularly Marina,
frequently lived with relatives and acquaintances at no cost. Oswald and his
family lived with his brother Robert and then with Marguerite Oswald from June
until sometime in August 1962.782 As discussed previously, Marina Oswald lived
with Elena Hall and spent a few nights at the Taylors' house during October of
1962 ;783 in November of that same year, Marina Oswald lived with two
families.784 When living away from his family Oswald rented rooms for $7 and $8
per week or stayed at the YMCA in Dallas where he paid $2.25 per day.785 During
late April and early May 1963, Oswald lived with relatives in New Orleans, while
his wife lived with Ruth Paine in Irving, Tex.786 From September 24, 1963, until
November
Marina Oswald stayed with Ruth Paine, while Oswald lived in roominghouses in
Dallas.787 During 'the period Marina Oswald resided with others, neither she nor
her husband made any contribution to her support.788
The Oswalds owned no major household appliances, had no automobile, and resorted
to dental and hospital clinics for medical care.789 Acquaintances purchased baby
furniture for them, and paid dental bills in one instance.790 After his return
to the United States, Oswald did not smoke or drink, and he discouraged his wife
from doing so.791 Oswald spent much of his time reading books which he obtained
from the public library, and periodicals to which he subscribed.792 He resided
near his place of employment and used buses to travel to and from work.793 When
he visited his wife and the children on weekends in October and November 1963,
he rode in a neighbor's ear, making no contribution for gasoline or other
expenses.794 Oswald's personal wardrobe was also very modest. He customarily
wore T-shirts, cheap slacks, well-worn sweaters, and well-used zipper jackets.
Oswald owned one suit, of Russian make and purchase, poor fitting and of heavy
fabric which, despite its unsuitability to the climates of Texas and Louisiana
and his obvious discomfort, he wore on the few occasions that required dress.795
Food for his family was extremely meager. Paul Gregory testified that during the
6 weeks that Marina Oswald tutored him he took the Oswalds shopping for food and
groceries on a number of occasions and that he was"amazed" at how little they
bought." 796 Their friends
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in the Dallas-Fort Worth area frequently brought them food and groceries.797
Marina testified that her husband ate "very little." He "never had breakfast. He
just drank coffee and that is all. Not because he was trying to economize.
Simply he never liked to eat." She estimated that when he was living by himself
in a roominghouse, he would spend "about a dollar, $1.30" for dinner and have a
sandwich and soft drink for lunch.798
The thrift which Oswald exercised in meeting his living expenses allowed him to
accumulate sufficient funds to meet other expenses which he incurred after his
return from the Soviet Union. From his return until January of 1963, Oswald
repaid the $435.71 he had borrowed from the State Department for travel expenses
from Moscow, and the $200 loan he had obtained from his brother Robert to fly
from New York to Dallas upon his return to this country. He completed the
retirement of the debt to his brother in October 1962.799 His cash receipts from
all sources from the day of his arrival in Fort Worth through October 1962
aggregated $719.94; it is estimated that he could have made the repayments to
Robert and met his other known expenses and still have been left with savings of
$122.06 at the end of the month. After making initial $10 monthly payments to
the State Department, Oswald paid the Government $190 in December and $206 in
January, thus liquidating that debt. 800 From his net earning of $805.96 from
November through January plus his prior savings, Oswald could have made these
payments to the State Department, met his other known expenses, and still have
had a balance of $8.59 at the end of January 1963. In discussing the repayment
of these debts, Marina Oswald testified: "Of course we did not live in luxury.
We did not buy anything that was not absolutely needed, because Lee had to pay
his debt to Robert and to the Government. But it was not particularly
difficult." 801
Included in the total figure for Oswald's disbursements were $21.45 for the
rifle used in the assassination and $31.22 for the revolver with which Oswald
shot Officer Tippit. The major portion of the purchase price for these weapons
was paid in March 1963, when Oswald had finished paying his debts, and the
purchases were compatible with the total funds then available to him.802 During
May, June, and July of 1963, Oswald spent approximately $23 for circulars,
application blanks, and membership cards for his one-man New Orleans chapter of
the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.803 In August he paid $2 to one and possibly
two young men to assist in passing out circulars and then paid a $10 court fine
after pleading guilty to a charge of disturbing the peace.804 Although some of
these expenses were incurred after Oswald lost his job on July 19, 1963, his
wages during June and July, and his unemployment compensation thereafter,
provided sufficient funds to enable him to finance these activities out of his
own resources.805
Although Oswald paid his own busfare to New Orleans on April 24, 1963, his wife
and the baby were taken there, at no cost to Oswald, by Ruth Paine.806
Similarly, Ruth Paine drove to New Orleans in
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September and brought Marina Oswald and the baby back to Irving, Tex.807
Oswald's uncle, Charles Murret, also paid for the short trip taken by Oswald and
his family from New Orleans to Mobile, Ala., on July 27, 1963.808 It is
estimated that when Oswald left for Mexico City in September 1963, he had
accumulated slightly over $200. Marina Oswald testified that when he left for
Mexico City he had "a little over $100," though she may not have taken into
account the $33 unemployment compensation check which Oswald collected after her
departure from New Orleans.809 In any event, expenses in Mexico have been
estimated as approximately $85, based on transportation costs of $50 and a hotel
expense of about $1.28 per day. Oswald ate inexpensively and, allowing $15 for
entertainment and miscellaneous items, it would appear that he had the funds
available to finance the trip.810
The Commission has considered the testimony of Leonard E. Hutchison, proprietor
of Hutch's Market in Irving, in connection with Oswald's finances. Hutchison has
testified that on a Friday during the first week in November, a man he believes
to have been Lee Harvey Oswald attempted to cash a "two-party," or personal
check for $189, but that he refused to cash the check since his policy is to
cash personal cheeks for no more than $25. 811 Oswald is not known to have
received a check for this amount from any source.
On Friday, November 1, Oswald did cash a Texas Unemployment Commission check for
$33 at another supermarket in Irving,812 so that a possible explanation of
Hutchison's testimony is that he refused to cash this $33 check for Oswald and
is simply in error as to the amount of the instrument. However, since the check
cashed at the super-market was issued by the State comptroller of Texas, it is
not likely that Hutchison could have confused it with a personal check.
Examination of Hutchison's testimony indicates that a more likely explanation is
that Oswald was not in his store at all. Hutchison testified that the man who
attempted to cash the cheek was a customer in his store on previous occasions;
in particular, Hutchison recalled that the man, accompanied by a woman he
believes was Marina Oswald and an elderly woman, were shopping in his store in
October or November of 1963 on a night he feels certain was a. Wednesday
evening.813 Oswald, however, is not known to have been in Irving on any
Wednesday evening during this period.814 Neither of the two checkers at the
market recall such a visit by a person matching the description provided by
Hutchison, and both Marina Oswald and Marguerite Oswald deny that they were ever
in Hutchison's store. 815 Hutchison further stated that the man made irregular
calls at his grocery between 7:20 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. on weekday mornings, and
always purchased cinnamon rolls and a full gallon of milk.816 However, the
evidence indicates that except for rare occasions Oswald was in Irving only on
weekends; moreover, Buell Wesley Frazier, who drove Oswald to and from Irving on
these occasions, testified that on Monday mornings he picked Oswald up at a
point which is many blocks from Hutchison's store and ordinarily by
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Hutchison also testified that Ruth Paine was an occasional customer in his
store; 818 however, Mrs. Paine indicated that she was not in the store as often
as Hutchison testified; 819 and her appearance is dissimilar to the description
of the woman Hutchison stated was Mrs. Paine.820 In light of the strong reasons
for doubting the correctness of Hutchison's testimony and the absence of any
other sign that Oswald ever possessed a personal check for $189, the Commission
was unable to conclude that he ever received such a check.
The Commission has also examined a report that, not long before the
assassination, Oswald may have received unaccounted funds through money orders
sent to him in Dallas. Five days after the assassination, C. A. Hamden, early
night manager for the Western Union Telegraph Co. in Dallas, told his superior
that about 2 weeks earlier he remembered Oswald sending a telegram from the
office to Washington, D.C., possibly to the Secretary of the Navy, and that the
application was completed in an unusual form of hand printing.821 The next day
Hamden told a magazine correspondent who was in the Western Union office on
other business that he remembered seeing Oswald in the office on prior occasions
collecting money orders for small amounts of money. 822 Soon thereafter Hamden
signed a statement relating to both the telegram and the money orders, and
specifying two instances in which he had seen the person he believed to be
Oswald in the office; in each instance the man had behaved disagreeably and one
other Western Union employee had become involved in assisting him. 823
During his testimony, Hamden did not recall with clarity the statements he had
previously made and was unable to state whether the person he reportedly had
seen in the Western Union office was or was not Lee Harvey Oswald. 824
Investigation has disclosed that a second employee does recall one of the
occurrences described by Hamden, and believes that the money order in question
was delivered "to someone at the YMCA"; however, he is unable to state whether
or not the man involved was Oswald. 825 The employee referred to by Hamden in
connection with the second incident feels certain that the unusual episode
described by Hamden did not occur, and that she at no time observed Oswald in
the Western Union office.826
At the request of Federal investigators, officers of Western Union conducted a
complete search of their records in Dallas and in other cities, for the period
from June through November 1963, for money orders payable to Lee Harvey Oswald
or his known aliases and for telegrams sent by Oswald or his known aliases. In
addition, all money orders addressed to persons at the YMCA in Dallas during
October and November 1963 were inspected, and all telegrams handled from
November 1 through November 29 by the employee who Hamden assertedly saw service
Oswald were examined, as were all telegrams sent from Dallas to Washington
during November. No indication of any such money order or telegram was found in
any of these records.827 Hamden himself participated in this search, and was
"unable * * * to pin down any of these telegrams or money orders that would
indicate
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it was Oswald." 828 Hamblen's superiors have concluded "that this whole thing
was a figment of Mr. Hamblen's imagination," 829 and the Commission accepts this
assessment.
Possible Conspiracy Involving Jack Ruby
Page 333
POSSIBLE CONSPIRACY INVOLVING JACK RUBY
Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald at 11:21 a.m., on Sunday, November 24, 1968,
shortly after Ruby entered the basement of the Dallas Police Department. Almost
immediately, speculation arose that Ruby had acted on behalf of members of a
conspiracy who had planned the killing of President Kennedy and wanted to
silence Oswald. This section of chapter VI sets forth the Commission's
investigation into the possibility that Ruby, together with Oswald or with
others, conspired to kill the President., or that Ruby, though not part of any
such conspiracy, had accomplices in the slaying of Oswald. Presented first are
the results of the Commission's detailed inquiry into Ruby's actions from
November 21 to November 24. In addition, this section analyzes the numerous
rumors and suspicions that Ruby and Oswald were acquainted and examines Ruby's
background and associations for evidence of any conspiratorial relationship or
motive. A detailed life of Ruby is given in appendix XVI which provides
supplemental information about Ruby and his associations.
Ruby's Activities From November 21 to November 24, 1963
The Commission has attempted to reconstruct as precisely as possible the
movements of Jack Ruby during the period November 21-November 24, 1968. It has
done so on the premise that, if Jack Ruby were involved in a conspiracy, his
activities and associations during this period would, in some way, have
reflected the conspiratorial relationship. The Commission has not attempted to
determine the time at which Ruby first decided to make his attack on Lee Harvey
Oswald, nor does it purport to evaluate the psychiatric and related legal
questions which have arisen from the assault upon Oswald. Ruby's activities
during this a-day period have been scrutinized, however, for the insight they
provide into whether the shooting of Oswald was grounded in any form of
conspiracy.
The eve of the President's visit.--On Thursday, November 21, Jack Ruby was
attending to his usual duties as the proprietor of two Dallas night spots--the
Carousel Club, a downtown nightclub featuring strip-tease dancers, and the Vegas
Club, a rock-and-roll establishment in the Oaklawn section of Dallas. Both clubs
opened for business each day in the early evening and continued 7 days a week
until after midnight. 830 Ruby arrived at the Carousel Club at about 3 p.m.
Thursday afternoon, as was his custom, 831 and remained long enough to chat with
a friend and receive messages from Larry Crafard, a handyman and helper who
lived at the Carousel. 832 Earlier in the day Ruby had visited with a young lady
who was job hating in Dallas, 833 paid
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his rent for the Carousel premises,834 conferred about a peace bond he had been
obliged to post as a result of a fight with one of his striptease dancers,835
consulted with an attorney about problems he was having with Federal tax
authorities,836 distributed membership cards for the Carousel Club,837 talked
with Dallas County Assistant District Attorney William F. Alexander about
insufficient fund checks which a friend had passed,838 and submitted advertising
copy for his night-clubs to the Dallas Morning News.839
Ruby's evening activities on Thursday, November 21, were a combination of
business and pleasure. At approximately 7:30 p.m., he drove Larry Crafard to the
Vegas Club which Crafard was overseeing because Ruby's sister, Eva Grant, who
normally managed the club, was convalescing from a recent illness.840
Thereafter, Ruby returned to the Carousel Club and conversed for about an hour
with Lawrence Meyers, a Chicago businessman.841 Between 9:45 and 10:45 p.m.,
Ruby had dinner with Ralph Paul, his close friend and financial backer. While
dining Ruby spoke briefly with a Dallas Morning News employee, Don Campbell, who
suggested that they go to the Castaway Club, but Ruby declined.842 Thereafter,
Ruby returned to the Carousel Club where he acted as master of ceremonies for
his show and peacefully ejected an unruly patron.843 At about midnight Ruby
rejoined Meyers at the Bon Vivant Room of the Dallas Cabana where they met
Meyers' brother and sister- in-law.844 Neither Ralph Paul nor Lawrence Meyers
recalled that Ruby mentioned the President's trip to Dallas. 845 Leaving Meyers
at the Cabana after a brief visit, Ruby returned to close the Carousel Club and
obtain the night's receipts.846 He then went to the Vegas Club which he helped
Larry Crafard close for the night; 847 and, as late as 2:30 a.m., Ruby was seen
eating at a restaurant near the Vegas Club.848
Friday morning at the Dallas Morning News.-- Jack Ruby learned of the shooting
of President Kennedy while in the second-floor advertising offices of the Dallas
Morning News, five blocks from the Texas School Book Depository, where he had
come Friday morning to place regular weekend advertisements for his two
nightclubs.849 On arriving at the newspaper building at about 11 or 11:30 a.m.,
he talked briefly with two newspaper employees concerning some diet pills he had
recommended to them.850 Ruby then went to the office of Morning News columnist,
Tony Zoppi, where he states he obtained a brochure on his new master of
ceremonies that he wanted to use in preparing copy for his advertisements. 851
Proceeding to the advertising department, he spoke with advertising employee Don
Campbell from about noon until 12:25 p.m. when Campbell left the office.852 In
addition to the business at hand, much of the conversation concerned Ruby's
unhappiness over the financial condition of his clubs and his professed ability
to handle the physical fights which arose in connection with the clubs.583
According to Campbell, Ruby did not mention the Presidential motorcade nor did
he display any unusual behavior.854
About 10 minutes after the President had been shot but before word had spread to
the second floor, John Newnam, an advertising de-
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partment employee, observed Ruby sitting at the same spot where Campbell had
left him. At that time Ruby had completed the advertisement, which he had
apparently begun to compose when Campbell departed, and was reading a newspaper.
855 To Newnam, Ruby voiced criticism of the black-bordered advertisement
entitled "Welcome, Mr. Kennedy" appearing in the morning paper and bearing the
name of Bernard Weissman as the chairman of the committee sponsoring the
advertisement. 856 (See Commission Exhibit No. 1031, p. 294.) According to Eva
Grant, Ruby's sister, he had telephoned her earlier in the morning to call her
attention to the ad. 857 At about 12:45 p.m., an employee entered the office and
announced that shots had been fired at the President. Newham remembered that
Ruby responded with a look of "stunned disbelief." 858
Shortly afterward, according to Newnam, "confusion reigned" in the office as
advertisers telephoned to cancel advertising they had placed for the weekend.
859 Ruby appears to have believed that some of those cancellations were
motivated by the Weissman advertisement. 860 After Newnam accepted a few
telephone calls, he and Ruby walked toward a room where other persons were
watching television. 861 One of the newspaper employees recalled that Ruby then
appeared "obviously shaken, and an ashen color--just. very pale * * *" 362
showed little disposition to converse, 863 and sat for a while with a dazed
expression in his eyes. 864
After a few minutes, Ruby placed telephone calls to Andrew Armstrong, his
assistant at the Carousel Club, and to his sister, Mrs. Grant. He told
Armstrong, "If anything happens we are going to close the club" and said he
would see him in about 30 minutes. 865 During the call to his sister, Ruby again
referred to the Weissman advertisement; at one point he put the telephone to
Newnam's ear, and Newnam heard Mrs. Grant exclaim, "My God, what do they want?"
It was Newnam's recollection that Ruby tried to calm her. 866
Ruby testified that after calling his sister he said, "John, I will have to
leave Dallas." 867 Ruby explained to the Commission:
I don't know why I said that, but it is a funny reaction that you feel; the city
is terribly let down by the tragedy that happened. And I said, "John, I am not
opening up tonight."
And I don't know what else transpired. I know people were just heartbroken * *
*.
I left the building and I went down 'and I got in my car and I couldn't stop
crying. * * * 868
Newnam estimated that Ruby departed from the Morning News at about 1:30 p.m.,
but other testimony indicated that Ruby may have left earlier.869
Ruby'8 alleged visit to Parkland Hospital.--The Commission has investigated
claims that Jack Ruby was at Parkland Hospital at about 1:30 p.m., when a
Presidential press secretary, Malcolm Kilduff, announced that President Kennedy
was dead. Seth Kantor, a newspaperman who had previously met Ruby in Dallas,
reported and later
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testified that Jack Ruby stopped him momentarily inside the main entrance to
Park]and Hospital some time between 1:30 and 2 p.m., Friday, November 22,
1963.870 The only other person besides Kantor who recalled seeing Ruby at the
hospital did not make known her observation until April 1964, had never seen
Ruby before, allegedly saw him only briefly then, had an obstructed view, and
was uncertain of the time.871 Ruby has firmly denied going to Parkland and has
stated that he went to the Carousel Club upon leaving the Morning News.872 Video
tapes of the scene at Parkland do not show Ruby there, although Kantor can be
seen.873
Investigation has limited the period during which Kantor could have met Ruby at
Parkland Hospital on Friday to a few minutes before and after 1:30 p.m.
Telephone company records and the testimony of Andrew Armstrong established that
Ruby arrived at the Carousel Club no later than 1:45 p.m. and probably a few
minutes earlier.874 Kantor was engaged in a long-distance telephone call to his
Washington office from 1:02 p.m. until 1:27 p.m. 875 Kantor testified that,
after completing that call, be immediately left the building from which he had
been telephoning, traveled perhaps 100 yards, and entered the main entrance of
the hospital. It was there, as he walked through a small doorway, that he
believed he saw Jack Ruby, who, Kantor said, tugged at his coattails and asked,
"Should I close my places for the next three nights, do you think?" Kantor
recalled that he turned briefly to Ruby and proceeded to the press conference at
which the President's death was announced. Kantor was certain he encountered
Ruby at Parkland but had doubts about the exact time and place.876
Kantor probably did not see Ruby at Parkland Hospital in the few minutes before
or after 1:30 p.m., the only time it would have been possible for Kantor to have
done so. If Ruby immediately returned to the Carousel Club after Kantor saw him,
it would have been necessary for him to have covered the distance from Parkland
in approximately 10 or 15 minutes in order to have arrived at the club before
1:45 p.m., when a telephone call was placed at Ruby's request to his
entertainer, Karen Bennett Carlin. 877 At a normal driving speed under normal
conditions the trip can be made in 9 or 10 minutes. 878 However, it is likely
that congested traffic conditions on November 22 would have extended the driving
time. 879 Even if Ruby had been able to drive from Parkland to the Carousel in
15 minutes, his presence at the Dallas Morning News until after 1 p.m., and at
the Carousel prior to 1:45 p.m., would have made his visit at Parkland
exceedingly brief. Since Ruby was observed at the Dallas Police Department
during a 2 hour period after 11 p.m. on Friday, 880 when Kantor was also
present, and since Kantor did not remember seeing Ruby there, 881 Kantor may
have been mistaken about both the time and the place that he saw Ruby. When
seeing Ruby, Kantor was preoccupied with the important event that a press
conference represented. Both Ruby and Kantor were present at another important
event, a press conference held about midnight, November 22, in the assembly room
of the Dallas Police Department.. It is conceivable that Kantor's en-
336
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counter with Ruby occurred at that time, perhaps near the small doorway
there.882
Ruby's decision to close his clubs.--Upon arriving at the Carouse] Club shortly
before 1:45 p.m., Ruby instructed Andrew Armstrong, the Carousel's bartender, to
notify employees that the club would be closed that night. 883 During much of
the next hour Ruby talked by telephone to several persons who were or had been
especially close to him, and the remainder of the time he watched television and
spoke with Armstrong and Larry Crafard about the assassination. 884 At 1:51
p.m., Ruby telephoned Ralph Paul in Arlington, Tex., to say that he was going to
close his clubs. He urged Paul to do likewise with his drive-in restaurant.885
Unable to reach Alice Nichols, a former girl friend, who was at lunch, Ruby
telephoned his sister, Eileen Kaminsky, in Chicago.886 Mrs. Kaminsky described
her brother as completely unnerved and crying about President Kennedy's
death.887 To Mrs. Nichols, whose return call caused Ruby to cut short his
conversation with Mrs. Kaminsky, Ruby expressed shock over the assassination.888
Although Mrs. Nichols had dated Ruby for nearly 11 years, she was surprised to
hear from him on November 22 since they had not seen one another socially for
some time.889 Thereafter, Ruby telephoned at 2:37 p.m. to Alex Gruber, a boyhood
friend from Chicago who was living in Los Angeles. 890 Gruber recalled that in
their 3-minute conversation Ruby talked about a dog he had promised to send
Gruber, a carwash business Gruber had considered starting, and the
assassination. 891 Ruby apparently lost his self-control during the conversation
and terminated it. 892 However, 2 minutes after that call ended, Ruby telephoned
again to Ralph Paul. 893
Upon leaving the Carousel Club at about 3:15 p.m., Ruby drove to Eva Grant's
home but left soon after he arrived, to obtain some weekend food for his sister
and himself. 894 He first returned to the Carousel Club and directed Larry
Crafard to prepare a sign indicating that the club would be closed; however,
Ruby instructed Crafard not to post the sign until later in the evening to avoid
informing his competitors that he would be closed. 895 (See Commission Exhibit
2427, p. 339.) Before leaving the club, Ruby telephoned Mrs. Grant who reminded
him to purchase food. 896 As a result he went to the Ritz Delicatessen, about
two blocks from the Carousel Club, and bought a great quantity of cold cuts. 897
Ruby probably arrived a second time at his sister's home close to 5:30 p.m. and
remained for about 2 hours. He continued his rapid rate of telephone calls, ate
sparingly, became ill, and attempted to get some rest. 898 While at the
apartment, Ruby decided to close his clubs for 3 days. He testified that after
talking to Don Saffran, a columnist for the Dallas Times-Herald:
I put the receiver down and talked to my sister, and I said "Eva, what shall we
do?"
And she said, "Jack, let's close for the 3 days." She said, "We don't have
anything anyway, but we owe it to--" (chokes up.)
Page 338
So I called Don Saffran back immediately and I said, "Don, we decided to close
for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday."
And he said, "Okay." 899
Ruby then telephoned the Dallas Morning News to cancel his advertisement and,
when unable to do so, he changed his ad to read that his clubs would be closed
for the weekend. 900 Ruby also telephoned Cecil Hamlin, a friend of many years.
Sounding very "broken up," he told Hamlin that he had closed the clubs since he
thought most people would not be in the mood to visit them and that he felt
concern for President Kennedy's "kids." 901 Thereafter he made two calls to
ascertain when services at Temple Shearith Israel would be held.902 He placed a
second call to Alice Nichols to tell her of his intention to attend those
services 903 and phoned Larry Crafard at the Carousel to ask whether he had
received any messages. 904 Eva Grant testified:
When he was leaving, he looked pretty bad. This I remember. I can't explain it
to you. He looked too broken, a broken man already. He did make the remark, he
said, "I never felt so bad in my life, even when Ma or Pa died."
So I said, "Well, Pa was an old man. He was almost 89 years. * * *"
Friday evening.--Ruby is uncertain whether he went directly from his sister's
home to his apartment or possibly first to his club.906 At least 5 witnesses
recall seeing a man they believe was Ruby on the third floor of police
headquarters at times they have estimated between 6 and 9 p.m.; 907 however, it
is not clear that Ruby was present at the Police and Courts Building before 11
p.m. With respect to three of the witnesses, it is doubtful that the man
observed was Ruby. Two of those persons had not known Ruby previously and
described wearing apparel which differed both from Ruby's known dress that night
and from his known wardrobe.908 The third, who viewed from the rear the person
he believed was Ruby, said the man unsuccessfully attempted to enter the
homicide office.909 Of the police officers on duty near homicide at the time of
the alleged event, only one remembered the episode, and he said the man in
question definitely was not Ruby.910 The remaining witnesses knew or talked with
Ruby, and their testimony leaves little doubt that they did see him on the third
floor at some point on Friday night; however the possibility remains that they
observed Ruby later in the evening, when his presence is conclusively
established. 911 Ruby has denied being at the police department Friday night
before approximately 11:15 p.m.912
In any event, Ruby eventually returned to his own apartment before 9 p.m. There
he telephoned Ralph Paul but was unable to persuade Paul to join him at
synagogue services.913 Shortly after 9 p.m., Ruby called the Chicago home of his
oldest brother, Hyman Rubenstein, and two of his sisters, Marion Carroll and Ann
Volpert.914 Hyman Rubenstein testified that, during the call, his brother was so
disturbed
338
Page 339
"CLOSED" SIGN POSTED IN THE WINDOW OF THE CAROUSEL CLUB AND RUBY'S NEWSPAPER
ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCING THAT THE VEGAS AND CAROUSEL CLUBS WILL BE CLOSED
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2427)
DALLAS TIMES HERALD SATURDAY, NOV. 23, 1963 PAGE A-13
339
Page 340
about the situation in Dallas that he mentioned selling his business and
returning to Chicago.915 From his apartment, Ruby drove to Temple Shearith
Israel, arriving near the end of a 2-hour service which had begun at 8 p.m.916
Rabbi Hillel Silverman, who greeted him among the crowd leaving the services 917
was surprised that Ruby, who appeared depressed, mentioned only his sister's
recent illness and said nothing .about the assassination.918
Ruby related that, after joining in the postservice refreshments,919 he drove by
some night clubs, noticing whether or not they had been closed as his were. 920
He testified that, as he drove toward town, a radio announcement that the Dallas
police were working overtime prompted the thought that he might bring those at
police headquarters something to eat.921 At about 10:30 p.m., he stopped at a
delicatessen near the Vegas Club and purchased 8 kosher sandwiches and 10 soft
drinks.922 From the delicatessen, he called the police department but was told
that the officers had already eaten. 923 He said he then tried to offer the food
to employees at radio station KLIF but failed in several attempts to obtain the
private night line number to the station. 924 On three occasions between phone
calls, Ruby spoke with a group of students whom he did not know, lamenting the
President's death, teasing one of the young men about being too young for his
clubs, borrowing their copy of the Dallas Times Herald to see how his
advertisements had been run, and stating that. his clubs were the only ones that
had closed because of the assassination. He also expressed the opinion, as he
had earlier in the day, that the assassination would be harmful to the
convention business in Dallas. 925 Upon leaving the delicatessen with his
purchases, Ruby gave the counterman as a tip a card granting free admission to
his clubs.926 He drove downtown to the police station where he has said he hoped
to find an employee from KLIF who could give him the "hot line" phone number for
the radio station.927
The third floor of police headquarters.--Ruby is known to have made his way, by
about 11:30 p.m., to the third floor of the Dallas Police Department where
reporters were congregated near the homicide bureau.928 Newsman John Rutledge,
one of those who may well have been mistaken as to time, gave the following
description of his first encounter with Ruby at the police station:
I saw Jack and two out-of-state reporters, whom I did not know, leave the
elevator door and proceed toward those television cameras, to go around the
corner where Captain Fritz's office was. Jack walked between them. These two
out-of-state reporters had big press cards pinned on their coats, great big red
ones, I think they said "President Kennedy's Visit to Dallas--Press", or
something like that. And Jack didn't have one, but the man on either side of him
did. And they walked pretty rapidly from the elevator area past the policeman,
and Jack was bent over like this--writing on a piece of paper, and talking to
one of the reporters, and pointing to something on the piece of paper, he was
kind of hunched over.929
340
Page 341
Jack Ruby at press conference in basement assembly room about midnight November
22, 1963. (Jack Ruby is the individual in the dark suit, back row, right-hand
side, wearing horn-rimmed glasses. )
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 2424
341
Page 342
Detective Augustus M. Eberhardt, who also. recalled that he first saw Ruby
earlier in the evening, said Ruby carried a note pad and professed to be a
translator for the Israeli press. He remembered Ruby's remarking how unfortunate
the assassination was for the city of Dallas and that it was "hard to realize
that a complete nothing, a zero like that, could kill a man like President
Kennedy * * * "930
Video tapes confirm Ruby's statement that he was present on the third floor when
Chief Jesse E. Curry and District Attorney Henry M. Wade announced that Oswald
would be shown to the newsmen at a press conference in the basement. 931 Though
he has said his original purpose was only to locate a KLIF employee, Ruby has
stated that while at the police station he was "carried away with the excitement
of history." 932 He accompanied the newsmen to the basement to observe Oswald.
His presence at the midnight news conference is established by television tapes
and by at least 12 witnesses. 933 When Oswald arrived, Ruby, together with a
number of newsmen, was standing atop a table on one side of the room.934 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 2424, p. 341.) Oswald was taken from the room after a
brief appearance, and Ruby remained to hear reporters question District Attorney
Wade. During the press conference, Wade stated that Oswald would probably be
moved to the county jail at the beginning of the next week.935 In answer to one
question, Wade said that Oswald belonged to the "Free Cuba Committee." A few
reporters spoke up correcting Wade and among the voices was that of Jack
Ruby.936
Ruby later followed the district attorney out of the press conference, walked up
to him and, according to Wade, said "Hi Henry * * * Don't you know me ? * * * I
am Jack Ruby, I run the Vegas Club. * * *" 937 Ruby also introduced himself to
Justice of the Peace David L. Johnston, shook his hand, gave Johnston a business
card to the Carousel Club, and, upon learning Johnston's official position,
shook Johnston's hand again. 938 After talking with Johnston, he gave another
card to Icarus M. Pappas, a reporter for New York radio station WNEW.939 From a
representative of radio station KBOX in Dallas, Ruby obtained the "hot line"
telephone number to KLIF.940 He then called the station and told one of the
employees that he would like to come up to distribute the sandwiches and cold
drinks he had purchased. 941 Observing Pappas holding a telephone line open and
attempting to get the attention of District Attorney Wade, Ruby directed Wade to
Pappas, who proceeded to interview the district attorney.942 Ruby then called
KLIF a second time and offered to secure an interview with Wade; he next
summoned Wade to his phone, whereupon KLIF recorded a telephone interview with
the district attorney.943 A few minutes later, Ruby encountered Russ Knight, a
reporter from KLIF who had left the station for the police department at the
beginning of Ruby's second telephone call. Ruby directed Knight to Wade and
waited a short distance away while the reporter conducted another interview with
the district attorney.944
342
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At radio station KLIF.--When Ruby left police headquarters, he drove to radio
station KLIF, arriving at approximately 1:45 a.m. and remaining for about 45
minutes.945 After first distributing his sandwiches and soft drinks. Ruby
settled in the newsroom for the 2 a.m. newscast in which he was credited with
suggesting that Russ Knight ask District Attorney Wade whether or not Oswald was
sane.946 After the newscast, Ruby gave a Carousel card to one KLIF employee,
although another did not recall that Ruby was promoting his club as he normally
did.947 When speaking with KLIF's Danny Patrick Me-Curdy, Ruby mentioned that he
was going to close his clubs for the weekend and that he would rather lose
$1,200 or $1,500 them remain open at that time in the Nation's history. McCurdy
remembered that Ruby "looked rather pale to me as he was talking to me and he
kept looking at the floor." 948 To announcer Glen Duncan, Ruby expressed
satisfaction that the evidence was mounting against Oswald. Duncan said that
Ruby did not appear to be grieving but, instead, seemed pleased about the
personal contact he had had with the investigation earlier in the evening.949
Ruby left the radio station accompanied by Russ Knight. Engaging Knight in a
short conversation, Ruby handed him a radio script entitled "Heroism" from a
conservative radio program called "Life Line." It was apparently one of the
scripts that had come into Ruby's hands a few weeks before at the Texas Products
Show when Hunt Foods were including such scripts with samples of their
products.950 The script extolled the virtues of those who embark upon risky
business ventures and stand firmly for causes they believe to be correct. 951
Ruby asked Knight's views on the script and suggested that there was a group of
"radicals" in Dallas which hated President Kennedy and that the owner .of the
radio station should editorialize against this group. Knight could not clearly
determine whether Ruby had reference to persons who sponsored programs like
"Life Line" or to those who held leftwing views.952 Knight gained the impression
that Ruby believed such persons, whoever they might be, were partially
responsible for the assassination. 953
Early morning of November 23.--At about 2:30 a.m., Ruby entered his automobile
and departed for the Dallas Times-Herald Building. En route, he stopped for
about an hour to speak with Kay Helen Coleman, one of his dancers, and Harry
Olsen, a member of the Dallas Police Department, who had hailed him from a
parking garage at the corner of Jackson and Field Streets. The couple were
crying and extremely upset over the assassination. At one point, according to
Ruby, the police officer remarked that "they should cut this guy [Oswald] inch
by inch into ribbons," and the dancer said that. "in England they would drag him
through the streets and would have hung him." 954 Although Ruby failed to
mention this episode during his first two FBI interviews,955 he later explained
that his reason for failing to do so was that he did not "want to involve them
in anything, because it was supposed to be a secret that he [the police officer]
was going with this young lady." 956 About
Page 344
6 weeks after the assassination, Olsen left the Dallas Police Department and
married Miss Coleman. Both Olsen and his wife testified that they were greatly
upset during their lengthy conversation with Ruby early Saturday morning; but
Mrs. Olsen denied and Olsen did not recall the remarks ascribed to them.957 The
Olsens claimed instead that Ruby had cursed Oswald. 958 Mrs. Olsen also
mentioned that Ruby expressed sympathy for Mrs. Kennedy and her children.959
From Jackson and Field Streets, Ruby drove to the Dallas Times-Herald, where he
talked for about 15 minutes with composing room employee Roy Pryor, who had jug
finished a shift at 4 a.m. Ruby mentioned that he had seen Oswald earlier in the
night, that he had corrected Henry Wade in connection with the Fair Play for
Cuba Committee, and that he had set up a telephone interview with Wade. Pryor
testified that Ruby explicitly stated to him that he believed he was in good
favor with the district attorney.960 Recalling that Ruby described Oswald as a
"little weasel of a guy" and was emotionally concerned about the President's
wife and children, Pryor also was impressed by Ruby's sorrowful mood and
remembered that, as he talked, Ruby shook a newspaper to emphasize his concern
over the assassination. 961
When Pryor left the composing room, Ruby remained and continued speaking with
other employees, including Arthur Watherwax and the foreman, Clyde Gadash. Ruby,
who often visited the Times-Herald at that early morning hour in connection with
his ads, sought Watherwax's views on his decision to close his clubs and
indicated he was going to attempt to persuade other club owners to do likewise.
Watherwax described Ruby as "pretty shaken up" about the assassination and at
the same time "excited" that he had attended Oswald's Friday night press
conference. 962
While at the Times-Herald, Ruby displayed to the composing room employees a
"twistboard" he had previously promised to Gadash. 963 The twistboard was an
exercising device consisting of two pieces of hardened materials joined together
by a lazy susan bearing so that one piece could remain stationary on the floor
while a person stood atop it and swiveled to and fro.964 Ruby had been trying to
promote sales of the board in the weeks before President Kennedy was killed.965
Considerable merriment developed when one of the women employees at the
Times-Herald demonstrated the board, and Ruby himself, put on a demonstration
for those assembled.966 He later testified: "* * * not that I wanted to get in
with the hilarity of frolicking, but he [Gadash] asked me to show him, and the
other men gathered around." 967 Gadash agreed that Ruby's general mood was one
of sorrow.968
At about 4:30 a.m., Ruby drove from the Dallas Times-Herald to his apartment
where he awakened his roommate George Senator.969 During his visit in the
composing room Ruby had expressed the view that the Weissman advertisement was
an effort to discredit the Jews.970 Senator testified that when Ruby returned to
the apartment, he began to discuss the Weissman advertisement and also a sign-
Page 345
board he had seen in Dallas urging that Chief Justice Earl Warren be
impeached.971 Shortly thereafter, Ruby telephoned Larry Crafard at the Carousel
Club.972 He told Crafard to meet him and Senator at the Nichols Garage adjacent
to the Carousel Club and to bring a Polaroid camera kept in the club.973 After
Crafard joined Ruby and Senator, the three men drove to the "Impeach Earl
Warren" sign near Hall Avenue and Central Expressway in Dallas. There Ruby
instructed Crafard to take three photographs of the billboard. Believing that
the sign and the Weissman newspaper ad might somehow be connected, Ruby noted on
the back of an envelope a name and post office box number that appeared on the
sign.974 According to George Senator:
* * * when he was looking at the sign and taking pictures of it, and the
newspaper ad, * * * this is where he really wanted to know the whys or why these
things had to be out. He is trying to combine these two together which I did
hear him say, "This is the work of the John Birch Society or the Communist Party
or maybe a combination of both." 975
Pursuing a possible connection between the billboard and the newspaper
advertisement, Ruby drove to the post office and asked a postal employee for the
name of the man who had rented the box indicated on the billboard, but the
employee said that he could not provide such information. Ruby inspected the
box, however, and was upset to find it stuffed with mail.976 The three men then
drove to a coffee-shop where Ruby continued to discuss the two advertisements.
After about 30 minutes, they left the coffeeshop. Crafard was taken to the
Carousel Club; Ruby and Senator returned to their apartment,977 and Ruby retired
at about 6 a.m. 978
The morning and afternoon of November 23.--At 8 or 8:30 a.m. Crafard, who had
been asked to feed Ruby's dogs, telephoned Ruby at his apartment to inquire
about food for the animals.979 Ruby forgot that he had told Crafard he did not
plan to go to bed and reprimanded Crafard for waking him.980 A few hours
thereafter Crafard assembled his few belongings, took from the Carousel cash
register $5 of money due him from Ruby, left a receipt and thank-you note, and
began hitchhiking to Michigan. Later that day, Andrew Armstrong found the note
and telephoned Ruby.981
Ruby apparently did not return to bed following Crafard's call. During the
morning hours, he watched a rabbi deliver on television a moving eulogy of
President Kennedy.982 According to Ruby, the rabbi:
went ahead and eulogized that here is a man that fought in every battle, went to
every country, and had to come back to his own country to be shot in the back
[starts crying] * * * That created a tremendous emotional feeling for me, the
way he said that. Prior to all the other times, I was carried away.983
345
730-900 0-64--24
Page 346
An employee from the Carousel Club who telephoned Ruby during the morning
remembered that his "voice was shaking" when he spoke of the assassination. 984
Ruby has stated that, upon leaving his apartment some time between noon and 1:30
p.m., he drove to Dealey Plaza where a police officer, who noted Ruby's
solemnity, pointed out to him the window from which the rifleshots had been
fired the day before.985 Ruby related that he inspected the wreaths that had
been placed in memory of the President and became filled with emotion while
speaking with the police officer. 986 Ruby introduced himself to a reporter for
radio station KRLD who was working inside a mobile news unit at the plaza; the
newsman mentioned to Ruby that he bad heard of Ruby's help to KLIF in obtaining
an interview with Henry Wade, and Ruby pointed out to the reporter that Capt. &
Will Fritz and Chief Curry were then in the vicinity. Thereafter, the newsman
interviewed and photographed the officers. 987 Ruby said that he next drove home
and returned downtown to Sol's Turf Bar on Commerce Street.
The evidence indicated, however, that sometime after leaving Dealey Plaza, Ruby
went to the Nichols Parking Garage adjacent, to the Carousel Club, where he was
seen by Garnett C. Hallmark, general manager of the garage, and Tom Brown, an
attendant,. Brown believed that at about 1:30 p.m. he heard Ruby mention Chief
Curry's name in a telephone conversation from the garage. Brown also recalled
that, before finally departing, Ruby asked him to inform acquaintances whom he
expected to stop by the garage that the Carousel would be closed.989 Hallmark
testified that Ruby drove into the garage at-about 3 p.m., walked to the
telephone, inquired whether or mot a competing burlesque club would be closed
that night, and told Hallmark that he (Ruby) was "acting" like a reporter."
Hallmark then heard Ruby address someone at the other end of the telephone as
"Ken" and caught portions of a conversation concerning the transfer of
Oswald.991 Hallmark said Ruby never called Oswald by name but used the pronoun
"he" and remarked to the recipient of the call, "you know I'll be there."
Ken Dowe, a KLIF announcer, to whom Ruby made at. least two telephone calls
within a short span of time Saturday afternoon, confirmed that he was probably
the person to whom Hallmark and Brown overheard Ruby speaking. In one call to
Dowe, Ruby asked whether the station knew when Oswald would be moved; and, in
another, he stated he was going to attempt to locate Henry Wade.993 After Ruby
finished his calls, he walked onto Commerce Street, passed the Carousel Club,
and returned a few minutes later to get his car.994
Ruby's comment that he was "acting like a reporter" and that he would be at the
Oswald transfer suggests that Ruby may have spent part of Saturday afternoon
shuttling back and forth from the Police and Courts Building to Dealey Plaza.
Such activity would explain the fact that Tom Brown at the Nichols Garage
believed he saw Ruby at 1:30 p.m. while Garnett Hallmark placed Ruby at the
garage at 3 p.m. It would also explain Ken Dowe's receiving two phone calls
Page 347
from Ruby. The testimony of five news reporters supports the possibility that
Ruby was at the Police and Courts Building Saturday afternoon.995 One stated
that Ruby provided sandwiches for newsmen on duty there Saturday afternoon,
although no news representative has mentioned personally receiving such
sandwiches. 996 Another testified that he received a card to the Carousel Club
from Ruby about 4p.m. that day at the police station.997 A third believed he saw
Ruby enter an office in which Henry Wade was working, but no one else reported a
similar event. 998 The remaining two witnesses mentioned no specific
activities.999 None of the persons who believed they saw Ruby at the police
department on Saturday had known him previously, and no police officer has
reported Ruby's presence on that day. Ruby has not mentioned such a visit. The
Commission, therefore, reached no firm conclusion as to whether or not Ruby
visited the Dallas Police Department on Saturday.
Shortly after 3 p.m. Ruby went to Sol's Turf Bar on Commerce Street where he
remained for about 45 minutes. Ruby, a nondrinker, stated that he visited Sol's
for the purpose of talking with his accountant, who customarily prepared the
bar's payroll on Saturday afternoon. The accountant testified, however, that he
saw Ruby only briefly and mentioned no business conversation with Ruby. 1000
Ruby was first noticed at the Turf Bar by jeweler Frank Bellochio, who, after
seeing Ruby, began to berate the people of Dallas for the assassination.1001
Ruby disagreed and, when Bellochio said he might close his jewelry business and
leave Dallas, Ruby attempted to calm him, saying that there were many good
citizens in Dallas.1002 In response, Bellochio pointed to a copy of the Bernard
Weissman advertisement.1003 To Bellochio's bewilderment, Ruby then said he
believed that the advertisement was the work of a group attempting to create
anti-Semitic feelings in Dallas and that he had learned from the Dallas Morning
News that the ad had been paid for partly in cash.1004 Ruby thereupon produced
one of the photographs he had taken Saturday morning of the "Impeach Earl
Warren" sign and excitedly began to rail against the sign as if he agreed with
Bellochio's original criticism of Dallas.1005 He "seemed to be taking two
sides--he wasn't coherent," Bellochio testified.1006 When Bellochio saw Ruby's
photographs, which Bellochio. thought supported his argument against Dallas, he
walked to the front of the bar and showed them to Tom Apple, with whom he had
been previously arguing. In Apple's presence, Bellochio asked Ruby for one of
the pictures but Ruby refused, mentioning that he regarded the pictures as a
scoop.1007 Bellochio testified: "I spoke to Tom and said a few more words to
Tom, and Ruby was gone--never said 'Goodbye' or 'I'll be seeing you.'" 1008
Ruby may have left in order to telephone Stanley Kaufman, a friend and attorney
who had represented him in civil matters.1009 Kaufman testified that, at
approximately 4 p.m., Ruby called him about the Bernard Weissman advertisement.
According to Kaufman, "Jack was particularly impressed with the [black] border
as being a
Page 348
tipoff of some sort--that this man knew the President was going to be
assassinated * * * "1010 Ruby told Kaufman that he had tried to locate Weissman
by going to the post office and said that he was attempting to be helpful to law
enforcement authorities.1011
Considerable confusion exists as to the place from which Ruby placed the call to
Kaufman and as to his activities after leaving Sol's Turf Bar. Eva Grant stated
that the call was made from her apartment about 4 p.m. 1012 Ruby, however,
believed it was made from the Turf Bar. He stated that from the Turf Bar he went
to the Carouse] and then home and has not provided additional details on his
activities during the hours from about 4 to 9:30 p.m.1013 Robert Larkin saw him
downtown at about 6 p.m. 1014 and Andrew Armstrong testified that Ruby visited
the Carousel Club between 6 and 7 p.m. and remained about an hour.1015
At Eva Grant's apartment Saturday evening.--Eva Grant believed that, for most of
the period from 4 until 8 p.m., Ruby was at her apartment. Mrs. Grant testified
that her brother was still disturbed about the Weissman advertisement when he
arrived, showed her the photograph of the Warren sign, and recounted his
argument with Bellochio about the city of Dallas. Still curious as to whether or
not Weissman was Jewish, Mrs. Grant asked her brother whether he had been able
to find the name Bernard Weissman in the Dallas city directory, and Ruby said he
had not. Their doubts about Weissman's existence having been confirmed, both
began to speculate that the Weissman ad and the Warren sign were the work of
either "Commies or the Birchers," and were designed to discredit the Jews.1016
Apparently in the midst of that conversation Ruby telephoned Russ Knight at KLIF
and, according to Knight, asked who Earl Warren was. 1017
Mrs. Grant has testified that Ruby eventually retired to her bedroom where he
made telephone calls and slept.1018 About 8:30 p.m., Ruby telephoned to Thomas
J. O'Grady, a friend and former Dallas police officer who had once worked for
Ruby as a bouncer. To O'Grady, Ruby mentioned closing the Carousel Club,
criticized his competitors for remaining open, and complained about the "Impeach
Earl Warren" sign.1019
Saturday evening at Ruby's apartment.--By 9:30 p.m., Ruby had apparently
returned to his apartment where he received a telephone call from one of his
striptease dancers, Karen Bennett Carlin, who, together with her husband, had
been driven from Fort Worth to Dallas that evening by another dancer, Nancy
Powell.1020 All three had stopped at the Colony Club, a burlesque nightclub
which competed with the Carousel.1021 Mrs. Carlin testified that, in need of
money, she telephoned Ruby, asked whether the Carousel would be open that night,
and requested part of her salary.1022 According to Mrs. Carlin, Ruby became
angry at the suggestion that the Carousel Club might be open for business but
told her he would come to the Carousel in about an hour.1023
Thereafter, in a depressed mood, Ruby telephoned his sister Eva Grant, who
suggested he visit a friend.1024 Possibly in response to
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that suggestion, Ruby called Lawrence Meyers, a friend from Chicago with whom he
had visited two nights previously.1025 Meyers testified that, during their
telephone conversation, Ruby asked him what. he thought of this "terrible
thing." Ruby then began to criticize his competitors, Abe and Barney Weinstein,
for failing to close their clubs on Saturday night. In the course of his
conversation about the Weinsteins and the assassination, Ruby said "I've got to
do something about this." 1026 Meyers initially understood that remark to refer
to the Weinsteins. Upon reflection after Oswald was shot, Meyers was uncertain
whether Ruby was referring to his competitors, or to the assassination of
President Kennedy; for Ruby had also spoken at length about Mrs. Kennedy and had
repeated "those poor people, those poor people." 1027 At the conclusion of their
conversation, Meyers declined Ruby's invitation to join him for a cup of coffee
but invited Ruby to join him at the motel. When Ruby also declined, the two
agreed to meet for dinner the following evening.1028
Meanwhile, Karen Carlin and her husband grew anxious over Ruby's failure to
appear with the money they had requested.1029 After a substantial wait, they
returned together to the Nichols Garage where Mr. Carlin telephoned to Ruby.1030
Carlin testified that he told Ruby they needed money in order to return to Fort
Worth 1031 although Nancy Powell testified that she drove the Carlins home that
evening.1032 Agreeing to advance a small sum, Ruby asked to speak to Mrs.
Carlin, who claimed that Ruby told her that if she needed more money she should
call him on Sunday.1033 Thereafter, at Ruby's request, garage attendant Huey
Reeves gave Mrs. Carlin $5, and she signed with her stage name "Little Lynn" a
receipt which Reeves time-stamped 10:33 p.m., November 23.1034 (See Commission
Exhibit No. 1476, p. 351.)
Inconsistent testimony was developed regarding Ruby's activities during the next
45 minutes. Eva Grant testified that she did not see her brother on Saturday
night after 8 p.m. and has denied calling Ralph Paul herself that night.1035
Nonetheless, telephone company records revealed that at 10:44 p.m. a call was
made to Ralph Paul's Bull Pen Drive-In in Arlington, Tex., from Mrs. Grant's
apartment.1036 It was the only call to Paul from her apartment on Friday or
Saturday; 1037 she recalled her brother making such a call that weekend; 1038
and Ralph Paul has testified that Ruby telephoned him Saturday night from Eva
Grant's apartment and said he and his sister were there crying.1039
Nineteen-year-old Wanda Helmick, a former waitress at the Bull Pen Drive-In,
first reported in June, 1964 that some time during the evening she saw the
cashier answer the Bull Pen's pay telephone and heard her call out to Paul, "It
is for you. It is Jack." 1040 Mrs. Hel-mick claimed she overheard Paul, speaking
on the telephone, mention something about a gun which, she understood from
Paul's conversation, the caller had in his possession. She said she also heard
Paul exclaim "Are you crazy?"" 1041 She provided no other details of the
conversation. Mrs. Helmick claimed that on Sunday, November 24,
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after Oswald had been shot, she heard Paul repeat the substance of the call to
other employees as she had related it and that Paul said Ruby was the
caller.1042 Ralph Paul denied the allegations of Mrs. Helmick.1043 Both Paul and
Mrs. Helmick agreed that Paul went home soon after the call, apparently about 11
p.m. 1044
Shortly after 11 p.m., Ruby arrived at the Nichols Garage where he repaid Huey
Reeves and obtained the receipt Mrs. Carlin had signed.1045 Outside the
Carousel, Ruby exchanged greetings with Police Officer Harry Olsen and Kay
Coleman, whom he had seen late the previous night.1046 Going upstairs to the
club, Ruby made a series of five brief long-distance phone calls, the first
being to the Bull Pen Drive-In at 11:18 p.m. and lasting only 1 minute.1047
Apparently unable to reach Paul there, Ruby telephoned Paul's home in Arlington,
Tex., for 3 minutes.1046 A third call was placed at. 11:36 p.m. for 2 minutes,
again to Paul's home.1049 At 11:44 p.m. Ruby telephoned Breck Wall, a friend and
entertainer who had gone to Galveston, Tex., when his show in Dallas suspended
its performance out of respect to President Kennedy. The call lasted 2 minutes.
1050 Thereafter, Ruby immediately placed a 1-minute phone call to Paul's home.
1051
Although Ruby has mentioned those calls, he has not provided details to the
Commission; however, he has denied ever indicating to Paul or Wall that he was
going to shoot Oswald and has said he did not consider such action until Sunday
morning.1052 Ralph Paul did not mention the late evening calls in his interview
with FBI agents on November 24, 1963.1053 Later Paul testified that Ruby called
him from downtown to say that nobody was doing any business.1054 Breck Wall
testified that Ruby called him to determine whether or not the American Guild of
Variety Artists (AGVA), which represented striptease dancers in Dallas, had met
concerning a dispute Ruby was having with the union.1055 Ruby's major difference
with AGVA during the preceding 2 weeks had involved what Ruby considered to be
AGVA's failure to enforce against his 2 competitors, Abe and Barney Weinstein,
AGVA's ban on "striptease contests" and performances by "amateurs." 1056 As
recently as Wednesday, November 20, Ruby had telephoned an AGVA representative
in Chicago about that complaint and earlier in November he had unsuccessfully
sought to obtain assistance from a San Francisco gambler and a Chicagoan reputed
for his heavyhanded union activities.1057 Wall testified that Ruby "was very
upset the President was assassinated and he called Abe Weinstein or Bernie
Weinstein * * * some names for staying open * * * "Wall added, "he was very
upset * * * that they did not have the decency to close on such a day and he
thought out of respect they should close."
Ruby's activities after midnight.--After completing the series of calls to Paul
and Wall at 11:48 p.m., Ruby went to the Pago Club, about a 10-minute drive from
the Carousel Club.1059 He took a table near the middle of the club and, after
ordering a Coke, asked the waitress in a disapproving tone, "Why are you open?"
1060 When Robert
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Page 351
COPY OF RECEIPT GIVEN BY LITTLE LYNN TO HUEY REEVES AT 10:33 P. M.
NOVEMBER 23, 1963
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 1476)
COPY OF TELEGRAM ORDER FOR MONEY SENT TO LITTLE LYNN ON
NOVEMBER 24, 1963, STAMPED 11:17 A. M.
(DOYLE LANE DEPOSITION 5118)
COPY OF WESTERN UNION OFFICE COPY OF RECEIPT GIVEN
TO JACK RUBY ON NOVEMBER 24, 1963, STAMPED 11:17 A. M.
(DOYLE LANE DEPOSITION 5119)
COPY OF FACE OF WESTERN UNION RECEIPT GIVEN TO
JACK RUBY ON NOVEMBER 24, 1963
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2420)
COPY OF BACK OF WESTERN UNION RECEIPT GIVEN TO
JACK RUBY ON NOVEMBER 24, 1963
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2421)
Page 352
Norton, the club's manager, joined Ruby a few minutes later he expressed to Ruby
his concern as to whether or not it was proper to operate the Pago Club that
evening. Ruby indicated that the Carousel was closed but did not criticize
Norton for remaining open.1061 Norton raised the topic of President Kennedy's
death and said, "[W]e couldn't do enough to the person that [did] this sort of
thing." Norton added, however, that "Nobody has the right to take the life of
another one." 1062 Ruby expressed no strong opinion, and closed the conversation
by saying he was going home because he was tired.1063 Later, Ruby told the
Commission: "he knew something was wrong with me in the certain mood I was in."
Ruby testified that he went home after speaking with Norton and went to bed
about 1:30 a.m.1065 By that time, George Senator claimed, he had retired for the
night. and did not. remember Ruby's return.1066 Eva Grant testified that her
brother telephoned her at about 12:45 a.m. to learn how she was feeling.1067
Sunday morning.--Ruby's activities on Sunday morning are the subject of
conflicting testimony. George Senator believed that Ruby did not rise until 9 or
9:30 a.m.; 1068 both Ruby and Senator maintained that Ruby did not leave their
apartment until shortly before 11:00 a.m., and two other witnesses have provided
testimony which supports that account. of Ruby's whereabouts. 1069 On the other
hand, three WBAP-TV television technicians--Warren Richey, John Smith, and Ira
Walker--believed they saw Ruby near the Police and Courts Building at various
times between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.1070 But there are substantial reasons to doubt
the accuracy of their identifications. None had ever seen Ruby on a prior
occasion. None looked for an extended period at the man believed to be Ruby,1070
and all were occupied with their duties and had no reason to remember the man's
appearance until they saw Ruby's picture on television.1072
Smith, for one, was not entirely positive about his identification of Ruby as
the man he saw; 1073 and Richey was looking down from atop a TV mobile unit when
he observed on the sidewalk the man be believed was Ruby.1074 In addition,
Richey and Smith provided descriptions of Ruby which differ substantially from
information about Ruby gathered from other sources. Smith described the man he
saw as being an "unkempt person that possibly could have slept with his clothes
on * * * "1075 Ruby was characteristically clean and well groomed. 1076 In fact,
Senator testified that Ruby shaved and dressed before leaving their apartment
that morning, and at the time Ruby shot Oswald he was dressed in a hat and
business suit. 1077 Richey described Ruby as wearing a. grayish overcoat,1078
while investigation indicated that Ruby did not own an overcoat and was not
wearing one at the time of the shooting. 1079 (See Pappas Deposition Exhibit No.
1, p. 356.) Al though Walker's identification of Ruby is the most positive, his
certainty must, be contrasted with the indefinite identification made by Smith,
who had seen the man on one additional occasion. 1080 Both Smith and Walker saw
a man resembling Ruby when the man, on two occasions, looked through the window
of their mobile news unit and
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once asked whether Oswald had been transferred. Both saw only the man's head,
and Smith was closer to the window; yet Smith would not state positively that
the man was Ruby.1081 Finally, video tapes of scenes on Sunday morning near the
NBC van show a man close to the Commerce Street entrance who might have been
mistaken for Ruby.1082
George Senator said that when he arose, before 9 a.m., he began to do his
laundry in the basement of the apartment building while Ruby slept.1083 During
Senator's absence, Ruby received a telephone call from his cleaning lady, Mrs.
Elnora Pitts, who testified that she called sometime between 8:30 and 9 a.m. to
learn whether Ruby wanted her to clean his apartment that day.1084 Mrs. Pitts
remembered that Ruby "sounded terrible strange to me." She said that "there was
something wrong with him the way he was talking to me." 1085 Mrs. Pitts
explained that, although she had regularly been cleaning Ruby's apartment on
Sundays, Ruby seemed not to comprehend who she was or the reason for her call
and required her to repeat herself several times.1086 As Senator returned to the
apartment after the call, he was apparently mistaken for Ruby by a neighbor,
Sidney Evans, Jr. Evans had never seen Ruby before but recalled observing a man
resembling Ruby, clad in trousers and T-shirt, walk upstairs from the
"washateria" in the basement of their building and enter Ruby's suite with a
load of laundry. Later in the morning, Malcolm Slaughter who shared an
apartment, with Evans, saw an individual, similarly clad, on the same floor as
Ruby's apartment.1087 Senator stated that it was not Ruby's custom to do his own
washing and that Ruby did not do so that morning.1088
While Senator was in the apartment, Ruby watched television, made himself coffee
and scrambled eggs, and received, at 10:19 a.m., a telephone call from his
entertainer, Karen Carlin.1089 Mrs. Carlin testified that in her telephone
conversation she asked Ruby for $25 inasmuch as her rent was delinquent and she
needed groceries.1090 She said that Ruby, who seemed upset, mentioned that he
was going downtown anyway and that he would send the money from the Western
Union office.1091 According to George Senator, Ruby then probably took a half
hour or more to bathe and dress.1092
Supporting the accounts given by Mrs. Carlin and Mrs. Pitts of Ruby's emotional
state, Senator testified that during the morning Ruby:
* * * was even mumbling, which I didn't, understand. And right after breakfast
he got dressed. Then after he got dressed he was pacing the floor from the
living room to the bedroom, from the bedroom to the living room, and his lips
were going. What he was jabbering I don't know. But he was really pacing.1093
Ruby has described to the Commission his own emotions of Sunday morning as
follows:
Page 354
* * * Sunday morning * * * [I] saw a letter to Caroline, two columns about a
16-inch area. Someone had written a letter to Caroline. The most heartbreaking
letter. I don't remember the contents. * * * alongside that letter on the same
sheet of paper was a small comment in the newspaper that, I don't know how it
was stated, that Mrs. Kennedy may have to come back for the trial of Lee Harvey
Oswald. * * *
I don't know what bug got ahold of me. I don't know what it is, but I am going
to tell the truth word for word.
I am taking a pill called Preludin. It is a harmless pill, and it is very easy
to get in the drugstore. It isn't a highly prescribed pill. I use it for
dieting.
I don't partake of that much food. I think that was a stimulus to give me an
emotional feeling that suddenly I felt, which was so stupid, that I wanted to
show my love for our faith, being of the Jewish faith, and I never used the term
and I don't want to go into that--suddenly the feeling, the emotional feeling
came within me that someone owed this debt to our beloved President to save her
the ordeal of coming back. I don't know why that came through my mind. 1084
(See Commission Exhibit. No. 2426, p. 355.)
Sunday morning trip to police department.---Leaving his apartment a few minutes
before 11 a.m., Ruby went to his automobile taking with him his dachshund,
Sheba, and a portable radio. 1095 He placed in his pocket a revolver which he
routinely carried in a bank moneybag in the trunk of his car.1096 Listening to
the radio, he drove downtown, according to his own testimony, by a route that
took him past Dealey Plaza where he observed the scattered wreaths. Ruby related
that he noted the crowd that had gathered outside the county jail and assumed
that Oswald had already been transferred. However, when he passed the Main
Street side of the Police and Courts Building, which is situated on the same
block as the Western Union office, he a]so noted the crowd that. was gathered
outside that building.1097 Normal driving time for the trip from his apartment
would have been about. 15 minutes, but Ruby's possible haste and the slow
movement of traffic through Dealey Plaza make a reliable estimate difficult.
1098
Ruby parked his car in a lot directly across the street from the Western Union
office. He apparently placed his keys and billfold in the trunk of the car, then
locked the trunk, which contained approximately $1,000 in cash, and placed the
trunk key in the glove compartment of the car. He did not lock the car
doors.1099
With his revolver, more than $2,000 in cash, and no personal identification,
Ruby walked from the parking lot across the street to the Western Union office
where he filled out forms for sending $25 by telegraph to Karen Carlin.1100
After waiting in line while one other Western Union customer completed her
business,1101 Ruby paid for the telegram and retained as a receipt one of three
time-stamped docu-
354
Page 355
BEDROOM OF JACK RUBY'S APARTMENT
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2426)
355
Page 356
JACK RUBY MOVING TOWARD OSWALD IN FRONT OF NEWSMAN IKE PAPPAS
PAPPAS DEPOSITION EXHIBIT 2
356
Page 357
ments which show that the transaction was completed at almost exactly 11:17
a.m., c.s.t.1102 (See Commission Exhibits Nos. 1476, 2420, 2421; D. Lane
Deposition Exhibits Nos. 5118, 5119, p. 351.) The Western Union clerk who
accepted Ruby's order recalls that Ruby promptly turned, walked out of the door
onto Main Street, and proceeded in the direction of the police department one
block away. 1103 The evidence set forth in chapter V indicates that Ruby entered
the police basement through the auto ramp from Main Street and stood behind the
front rank of newsmen and police officers who were crowded together at the base
of the ramp awaiting the transfer of Oswald to the county jail.1104 As Oswald
emerged from a basement office at approximately 11:21 a.m., Ruby moved quickly
forward and, without speaking,1105 fired one fatal shot into Oswald's abdomen
before being subdued by a rush of police officers.1106
Evaluation of activities.--Examination of Ruby's activities immediately
preceding and following the death of President Kennedy revealed no sign of any
conduct which suggests that he was involved in the assassination. Prior to the
tragedy, Ruby's activities were routine. Though persons who saw him between
November 22 and 24 disagree as to whether or not he appeared more upset than
others around him, his response to the assassination appears to have been one of
genuine shock and grief. His indications of concern over the possible effects of
the assassination upon his businesses seem consistent with other evidence of his
character.1107 During the course of the weekend, Ruby seems to have become
obsessed with the possibility that the Impeach Earl Warren sign and the Bernard
Weissman ad were somehow connected and related to the assassination. However,
Ruby's interest in these public notices was openly expressed and, as discussed
below, the evidence reveals no connection between him and any political
organization.
Examination of Larry Crafard's sudden departure from Dallas shortly before noon
on November 23 does not suggest that Ruby was involved in a conspiracy. To be
sure, Crafard started hitchhiking to Michigan, where members of his family
lived, with only $7 in his pocket.1108 He made no attempt to communicate with
law enforcement officials after Oswald's death; 1109 and a relative in Michigan
recalled that Crafard spoke very little of his association with Ruby.1110 When
finally located by the FBI 6 days later, he stated that he left Ruby's employ
because he did not wish to be subjected to further verbal abuse by Ruby and that
he went north to see his sister, from whom he had not heard in some time.1111
An investigation of Crafard's unusual behavior confirms that his departure from
Dallas was innocent. After Oswald was shot, FBI agents obtained from the
Carousel Club an unmailed letter drafted by Crafard to a relative in Michigan at
least a week before the assassination.1112 The letter revealed that. he was
considering leaving Dallas at that time.1113 On November 17, Crafard, who had
been receiving only room, board, and incidental expenses, told Ruby he wanted to
stop working for him; however, Crafard agreed to remain when Ruby
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promised a salary.1114 Then on the morning of November 23, Ruby and Crafard had
a minor altercation over the telephone.1115 Although Crafard did not voluntarily
make known to the authorities his associations with Ruby, he spoke freely and
with verifiable accuracy when questioned. The automobile driver who provided
Crafard his first ride from Dallas has been located; his statement generally
conforms with Crafard's story; and he did not recall any unusual or troubled
behavior by Crafard during that ride.1115
Although Crafard's peremptory decision to leave Dallas might be unusual for most
persons, such behavior does not appear to have been uncommon for him. His family
residence had shifted frequently among California, Michigan, and Oregon.1117
During his 22 years, he had earned his livelihood picking crops, working in
carnivals, and taking other odd jobs throughout the country.1118 According to
his testimony, he had previously hitchhiked across the country with his then
wife and two infant children.1119 Against such a background, it is most probable
that the factors motivating Crafard's departure from Dallas on November 23 were
dissatisfaction with his existence in Ruby's employ, which he had never
considered more than temporary, Ruby's decision to dose his clubs for 3 days,
the argument on Saturday morning, and his own desire to see his relatives in
Michigan. There is no evidence to suggest any connection between Crafard's
departure and the assassination of the President or the shooting of Oswald.
The allegations of Wanda Helmick raised speculation that Ruby's Saturday night
phone calls to Ralph Paul and Breck Wall might have concerned the shooting of
Oswald, but investigation has found nothing to indicate that the calls had
conspiratorial implications. Paul was a close friend, business associate, and
adviser to Jack Ruby. Ruby normally kept in dose telephone contact with Paul,
who had a substantial sum of money committed to the Carousel Club.1120 Paul
explained that Ruby called him Saturday evening once to point out his ads,
another time to say that nobody seemed to be doing any business in downtown
Dallas, and a third time to relate that both he and his sister were crying over
the assassination.1121 Between two of those phone calls to Paul, Ruby telephoned
to Galveston, Tex. to speak with Wall, a friend and former business associate
who was an official of the American Guild of Variety Artists. Wall related that
during that call Ruby criticized the Weinsteins for failing to close their
clubs.
Having earlier made the same complaint to Lawrence Meyers to whom he mentioned a
need "to do something about this" it would have been characteristic for Ruby to
want to direct Breck Wall's attention, as an AGVA official, to what he regarded
as the Weinstein's improper conduct. The view that the calls to Wall and Paul
could have had conspiratorial implications also is belled in large measure by
the conduct of both men before and after the events of November 22-24. A check
of long-distance telephone records reveals no suspicious activity by either man.
1122 Paul, in fact, is not known to have visited Dallas during the weekend of
the assassination except to appear openly in an effort to arrange counsel for
Ruby within a few hours of the at-
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tack on Oswald. Neither the FBI nor the CIA has been able to provide any
information that Ralph Paul or Breck Wall ever engaged in any form of subversive
activity.1123
Moreover, Mrs. Helmick's reliability is undermined by her failure to report her
information to any investigative official until June 9, 1964.1124 Although a
sister-in-law confirms that Mrs. Helmick wrote her "something about a gun"
shortly after the shooting,1125 the only mention of any statement by Paul which
was included in a letter writ ten by Mrs. Helmick after the Ruby trial was that
Paul believed Ruby was "not in his right mind." 1126 No corroborating witness
named by Mrs. Helmick has been found who remembers the conversations she
mentioned. 1127 Both Ruby and Paul have denied that anything was said, as Mrs.
Helmick suggests, about a gun or an intent to shoot Oswald, and Wall has stated
that Ruby did not discuss such matters with him.1128 Even if Mrs. Helmick is
accurate the statements ascribed to Paul indicate only that he may have heard of
a possible reference .by Ruby to shooting Oswald. According to her, Paul's
response was to exclaim "Are you crazy?" But under no circumstances does the
report of Mrs. Helmick or any other fact support a belief that Paul or Wall was
involved in the shooting of Oswald.
The Commission has conducted an investigation of the telephone call Ruby
received from Karen Carlin at 10:19 Sunday morning to determine whether that
call was prearranged for the purpose of conveying information about the transfer
of Oswald or to provide Ruby an excuse for being near the police department. The
Commission has examined the records of long-distance telephone calls on Sunday
morning for Jack Ruby,1129 the Carlins,1130 the Dallas police,1131 and several
other persons 1132 and has found no sign of any indirect communication to Ruby
through Mr. or Mrs. Carlin. No other evidence showing any link between the
Carlins and the shooting of Oswald has been developed.
Ruby and Oswald Were Not Acquainted
The possibility of a prior acquaintanceship between Ruby and Oswald has been
suggested by some persons who viewed the shooting on television and believed
that a look of recognition appeared on Oswald's face as Ruby moved toward him in
the jail basement. The Commission has examined the television tapes and movie
films which were made as Oswald moved through the basement and has observed no
facial expressions which can be interpreted as signifying recognition of Ruby by
Oswald. It is doubtful even that Oswald could have seen Ruby sufficiently
clearly to discern his identity since Oswald was walking from a dark corridor
into "the flash from the many cameras" and the lights of TV cameramen which were
"blinding." 1133 In addition to such generalized suspicion, there have been
numerous specific allegations that Oswald was seen in the company of Ruby prior
to November 22, often at Ruby's Carousel Club. All such allegations have been
investigated, but the Commission has found none which
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merits credence. In all but a few instances where the Commission was able to
trace the claim to its source, the person responsible for the report either
denied making it or admitted that he had no basis for the original
allegations.1134 Frequently those responsible for the allegations have proved to
be persons of erratic memory or dubious mental stability.1135 In a few
instances, the source of the story has remained unidentified, and no person has
come forward to substantiate the rumor. 1136
The testimony of a few witnesses who claim to have seen Ruby with a person who
they feel may have been Oswald warrants further comment. One such witness,
Robert K. Patterson, a Dallas electronics salesman, has stated that on a date
established from sales records as November 1, 1963, Ruby, accompanied by a man
who resembled Oswald, purchased some equipment at his business
establishment.1137 However, Patterson did not claim positively that the man he
saw was Oswald,1138 and two of his associates who were also present at the time
could not state that the man was Oswald.1139 Other evidence indicates that
Ruby's companion was Larry Crafard. Crafard, who lived at the Carousel Club
while working for Ruby from mid-October until November 23, 1963, stated that
sometime in late October or early November he accompanied Ruby to an electronics
store in connection with the purchase of electronics equipment.1140 Ruth Paine
testified that Crafard's photograph bears a strong resemblance to Oswald; and
employment records of the Texas School Book Depository show that Oswald worked a
full day on November 1, 1963.1141
William D. Crowe, Jr., a young nightclub master of ceremonies who had worked for
Ruby on three occasions and had begun a 4- or 5-week engagement at the Carousel
Club on November 11, 1963, was the first person who reported a possible
association between Ruby and Oswald.1142 While attempting to enter the Carousel
Club on November 24, shortly after Oswald was shot, Crowe encountered two news
media representatives who were gathering information on Jack Ruby.1143 At that
time, Crowe, who included a memory act in his repertoire,1144 mentioned the
"possibility" that he had seen Oswald at the Carousel Club.1145 As a result he
was asked to appear on television. In Crowe's own words, the story "started
snowballing." He testified:
They built up the memory thing and they built up the bit of having seen Oswald
there, and I never stated definitely, positively, and they said that I did, and
all in all, what they had in the paper was hardly even close to what I told
them.1146
Crowe added that his memory act involved a limited system which did not, in
fact, improve his memory and that his memory might not even be as good as that
of the average person. When asked how certain he was that the man he saw was
Oswald, Crowe testified: " * * * the face seemed familiar as some faces do, and
I had associated him with a patron that I had seen in the club a week before.
That was about it." 1147
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A possible explanation for Crowe's belief that Oswald's face seemed familiar was
supplied by a freelance photographer, Eddie Rocco, who had taken pictures at the
Carousel Club for Ruby at about the time Crowe was employed there. Rocco
produced one of those photographs which depicted a man who might have been
mistaken for Oswald by persons having no reason to remember the man at the time
they saw him.1148 When shown the Rocco photograph, Crowe said that there was as
strong a possibility that the man he recalled seeing was the man in the
photograph as there was that he was Oswald.1149 Crowe's uncertainty was further
underscored by his failure initially to provide his information about Oswald to
David Hoy, a news-media friend whom Crowe telephoned in Evansville, Ind., less
than 20 minutes after Oswald was shot.1150 By then the possible recognition had
occurred to Crowe,1151 and Hoy said he was quite surprised that Crowe had given
the information first to other news representatives instead of telling him in
that early conversation.1152
After Crowe's identification had been publicized, four other persons also
reported seeing Oswald at the Carousel Club. One man said he saw Ruby and Oswald
seated at a table together and recalled that the man resembling Oswald was
addressed by a blond-haired waitress as "Bettit" or "Pettit." The witness was
unable to give any description of "Pettit" except that he was the man who had
been shot by Ruby. He could not describe the inside of the Carousel and was
unable to give a precise location for the club.1153 Another witness, a resident
of Tennessee, related seeing a man resembling Oswald at the Carousel Club on
November 10.1154 Ruth Paine has testified, however, that Oswald spent the entire
holiday weekend of November 9, 10, and 11 at her home in Irving, Tex.1155 Two of
Ruby's former employees, Karen Carlin and Billy Joe Willis, also believed they
had seen a person who resembled Oswald. Willis believed he saw the man at the
Carousel Club but did not think the man was Oswald.1156 Mrs. Carlin likewise was
not certain that the man was Oswald nor was she sure where she had seen him.1157
Neither reported any connection between the man and Ruby. No other employees
recalled seeing Oswald or a person resembling him at the Carousel Club.1158
Wilbryn Waldon (Robert) Litchfield II also claimed to have seen at the Carousel
Club a man resembling Oswald. Litchfield stated that during a visit to the
Carousel Club in late October or early November 1963, he saw such a man enter
Ruby's office, apparently
confer with Ruby.1159 Although there is substantial evidence that Litchfield did
see Ruby at the Carousel Club about that time,1160 there is strong reason to
believe that Litchfield did not see Lee Harvey Oswald. Litchfield described the
man he saw as having pockmarks on the right side of his chin; 1161 Oswald did
not have such identifying marks.1162 Moreover, the Commission has substantial
doubts concerning Litchfield's credibility. Although present at an FBI interview
of another witness on November 29, Litchfield made no mention of his observation
to public officials until December 2, 1963.1163 Litchfield, who had twice been
convicted for offenses involving forged
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checks,1164 testified that he first recalled that Oswald resembled the visitor
he saw at the Carousel Club while watching a television showing on Sunday
morning, November 24, of the shooting by Ruby.1165 At that time Litchfield was
playing poker with three friends, and he testified that he promptly informed
them of the re semblance he observed.1166 However, none of the three poker
companions remembered Litchfield's making such a remark; and two added that
Litchfield's statements were often untrustworthy.1167
With regard to all of the persons who claimed to have seen Ruby and Oswald
together, it is significant that none had particular reason to pay close
attention to either man, that substantial periods of time elapsed before the
events they assertedly witnessed became meaningful, and that, unlike the
eyewitnesses who claimed to have seen Oswald on November 22, none reported their
observations soon after Oswald was arrested. In the course of its investigation,
the Commission has encountered numerous dear mistakes of identification. For
example, at least four persons, other than Crafard, are known to have been
mistaken for Oswald.1168 Other persons have been misidentified as Jack Ruby.1169
Under all the available evidence there is no substantial likelihood that the
person the various witnesses claimed to have seen with Ruby was in fact Oswald.
In addition to probing the reported evidence that Ruby and Oswald had been seen
together, the Commission has examined other circumstances for signs that the two
men were acquainted. From the time Oswald returned from Mexico, both he and Jack
Ruby lived in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, slightly more than a mile apart.
Numerous neighbors of both Oswald and Ruby were interviewed, and none knew of
any association between the two.1170 Oswald's work began at 8 each weekday
morning and terminated at 4:45 each afternoon.1171 Jack Ruby usually remained in
his apartment until past 9 a.m. each day.1172 Although both men worked in
downtown Dallas, they normally traveled to their places of employment by
different routes. Ruby owned an automobile, and the shortest route downtown from
his home was via a freeway adjacent to his apartment.1173 Oswald did not own a
car and had, at best, a rudimentary ability to drive.1174 From his roominghouses
on North Beckley Avenue and on Marsalis Street, he normally took public
transportation which did not bring him within six blocks of either Ruby's
apartment or his downtown nightclub, nor did Oswald's route from the bus stop to
home or work bring him near Ruby's home or business.1175 Persons at Oswald's
roominghouse testified that he regularly came home promptly after work and
remained in his room.1176 While in Dallas, he is not known to have visited any
nightclub.1177 Ruby was generally at the Carousel Club from 9 o'clock each
evening until after 1 a.m.1178 In a few instances, Ruby and Oswald patronized
the same stores, but no indication has been found that they ever met at such
stores.1179 Ruby at one time frequented a restaurant where Oswald occasionally
ate breakfast, but the times of their patronage were widely separated and
restaurant employees knew of no acquaintance between Ruby and Oswald. 1180
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Likewise, Ruby has held various memberships in the Dallas YMCA and Oswald lived
there for brief periods; however, there is no indication that they were there at
the same time.1181
Both Ruby and Oswald maintained post office boxes at the terminal annex of the
U.S. post office in Dallas, but there is no indication that those facts were
more than coincidental. On November 1, 1963, Oswald rented box No. 6225, his
third since October 1962. 1182 Oswald's possible purpose has been discussed
previously in this chapter. On November 7, 1963, Jack Ruby rented post office
box No. 5475 because he hoped to receive mail responses to advertisements for
the twistboard exercise device which he was then promoting. 1183 Although it is
conceivable that Oswald and Ruby coincidentally encountered one another while
checking their boxes, the different daily schedules of the two men render even
this possibility unlikely. Moreover, Oswald's withdrawn personality makes it
improbable that the two would have spoken if their paths had crossed.
The Commission has also examined the known friends and acquaintances of Ruby and
Oswald for evidence that the two were acquainted, but it has found very few
possible links. One conceivable association was through John Carter, a boarder
at 1026 North Beckley Avenue while Oswald lived there. Carter was friendly with
Wanda Joyce Killam, who had known Jack Ruby since shortly after he moved to
Dallas in 1947 and worked for him from July 1963 to early November 1963. Mrs.
Killam, who volunteered the information about Carter's residence during an
interview with an agent of the FBI, has stated that she did not believe Carter
ever visited the Carousel Club and that she did not think Carter knew Ruby. 1184
Carter slated that he had not heard of Ruby until Oswald was shot, had talked
briefly with Oswald only once or twice, and had never heard Oswald mention Ruby
or the Carousel Club. 1185 The Commission has no reason to disbelieve either
Mrs. Killam or Mr. Carter.
A second possible link between Oswald and Ruby was through Earl-ene Roberts, the
housekeeper at 1026 North Beckley Avenue. Bertha Cheek, the sister of Mrs.
Roberts, is known to have visited Jack Ruby at the Carousel Club during the
afternoon of November 18, 1963. Mrs. Cheek testified that she had met with Ruby
and a person whom Ruby represented to be an interior decorator for the purpose
of discussing the possibility of financially backing Ruby in a new night-club
Which he planned to open. Mrs. Cheek said she had met Ruby only once, a few
years before, and that she had not heard of Oswald until he shot President
Kennedy. 1186 Mr. Frank Boerder, the decorator who was present at the November
18 meeting, confirmed the substance of the discussion reported by Mrs. Cheek,
1187 and other witnesses establish that Ruby was, in fact, seeking an associate
for a new night-club venture. 1188 There is no evidence that Jack Ruby ever
associated with Earlene Roberts, nor is there any indication that Mrs. Cheek
knew of Lee Harvey Oswald prior to November 22. 1189
Oswald's trips to the home of Mrs. Ruth Paine at 2115 West Fifth Street in
Irving, Tex., presented another possible link to Ruby.
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While Oswald's family resided with Mrs. Paine, William F. Simmons, pianoplayer
in the musical combo which worked at the Carousel Club from September 17, 1963,
until November 21, 1963, lived at 2539 West Fifth Street, in Irving. Simmons has
stated that his only relationship to Ruby was as an employee, that Ruby never
visited him, that he did not know Oswald, and that he had never seen Oswald at
the Carousel Club. 1190 Other persons in the neighborhood knew of no connection
between Ruby and Oswald. 1191
The Commission has investigated rumors that Jack Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald were
both homosexuals and, thus, might have known each other in that respect.
However, no evidence has been uncovered to support the rumors, the closest
acquaintances of both men emphatically deny them, 1192 and Ruby's nightclubs
were not known to have been frequented by homosexuals. 1193
A final suggestion of a connection between Jack Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald
arises from the testimony of Oswald's mother, Marguerite Oswald. When appearing
before the Commission, Mrs. Oswald related that on November 23, 1963, before
Ruby shot Oswald, FBI Agent Bardwell D. Odum showed her a picture of a man she
believed was Jack Ruby, and asked whether the man shown was familiar to her.
Odum had first attempted to see Marina Oswald, but Marguerite refused to allow
Marina to be disturbed at that time. 1194 In the course of Marguerite's
testimony, the Commission asked the FBI for a copy of the photograph displayed
by Odum to her. When Marguerite viewed the photograph provided the Commission,
she stated that the picture was different from the one she saw in November, in
part because the "top two corners" were cut differently and because the man
depicted was not Jack Ruby. 1195
The Commission has investigated this matter and determined that Special Agent
Odum did show a picture to Marguerite Oswald for possible identification but
that the picture was not of Jack Ruby. On November 22 the CIA had provided the
FBI with a photograph of a man who, it was thought at the time, might have been
associated with Oswald. To prevent the viewer from determining precisely where
the picture had been taken, FBI Agent Odum had trimmed the background from the
photograph by making a series of straight cuts which reduced the picture to an
irregular hexagonal shape. 1196 The picture which was displayed by the
Commission to Marguerite Oswald was a copy of the same picture shown her by
Agent Odum; however, in supplying a duplicate photograph for Commission use the
FBI had cropped the background by cutting along the contours of the body of the
man shown, 1197 resulting in a photograph without any background, unlike the
first photograph Marguerite viewed on November 23. Affidavits obtained from the
CIA and from the two FBI agents who trimmed the photographs established that the
one shown to Mrs. Oswald before the Commission, though trimmed differently from
the one shown her on November 23, was a copy of the same picture. Neither
picture was of Jack Ruby. 1198 The original photograph had been taken by the CIA
outside of the United States sometime between
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July 1, 1963, and November 22, 1963, during all of which time Ruby was within
the country. 1199
Ruby's Background and Associations
In addition to examining in detail Jack Ruby's activities from November 21 to
November 24 and his possible acquaintanceship with Lee Harvey Oswald, the
Commission has considered whether or not Ruby had ties with individuals or
groups that might have obviated the need for any direct contact near the time of
the assassination. Study of Jack Ruby's background, which is set out more fully
in appendix XVI, leads to the firm conclusion that he had no such ties.
Business activities.--Ruby's entire life is characteristic of a rigorously
independent person. He moved from his family home soon after leaving high school
at age 16, although a "family" residence has been maintained in Chicago
throughout the years. 1200 Later, in 1947, he moved from Chicago to Dallas and
maintained only sporadic contact with most of his family. 1201 For most of his
working years and continuously since 1947, Jack Ruby was self-employed. 1202
Although he had partners from time to time, the partnerships were not lasting,
and Ruby seems to have preferred to operate independently.
Ruby's main sources of income were his two nightclubs--the Carousel Club and the
Vegas Club--although he also frequently pursued a number of independent,
short-lived business promotions. (Ruby's business dealings are described in
greater detail in app. XVI.) At the time of the assassination, the United States
claimed approximately $44,000 in delinquent taxes, and he was in substantial
debt to his brother Earl and to his friend Ralph Paul. 1203 However, there are
no indications that Earl Ruby or Ralph Paul was exerting pressure for payment or
that Ruby's tax liabilities were not susceptible to an acceptable settlement.
Ruby operated his clubs on a cash basis, usually carrying large amounts of cash
on his person; thus there is no particular significance to the fact that
approximately $3,000 in cash was found on his person and in his automobile when
arrested. Nor do his meager financial records reflect any suspicious activities.
He used his bank accounts only infrequently, with no unexplained large
transactions; and no entries were made to Ruby's safe-deposit boxes in over a
year prior to the shooting of Oswald. 1204 There is no evidence that Ruby
received any sums after his arrest except royalties from a syndicated newspaper
article on his life and small contributions for his defense from friends,
sympathizers, and family members. 1205
Ruby's political activities.--Jack Ruby considered himself a Democrat, perhaps
in part because his brother Hyman had been active in Democratic ward politics in
Chicago. 1206 When Ruby was arrested, police officers found in his apartment, 10
political cards urging the election of the "Conservative Democratic slate," 1207
but the Commission has found no evidence that Ruby had distributed that
literature and he is not known ever to have campaigned for any political candi-
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dates. 1208 None of his friends or associates expressed any knowledge that he
belonged to any groups interested 'm political issues, nor did they remember
that he had discussed political problems except on rare occasions. 1209
As a young man, Ruby participated in attacks upon meetings of the
German-American Bund in Chicago, but the assaults were the efforts of poolhall
associates from his predominantly Jewish neighborhood rather than the work of
any political group. His only other known activities which had any political
flavor possessed stronger overtones of financial self-interest. In early 1942 he
registered a copyright for a placard which displayed an American flag and bore
the inscription "Remember Pearl Harbor." The placard was never successfully
promoted. At other times, he is reported to have attempted to sell busts of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 1210 The rabbi of Ruby's synagogue expressed
the belief that Ruby was too unsophisticated to grasp or have a significant
interest in any political creed. 1211 Although various views have been given
concerning Ruby's attitude toward President Kennedy prior to the assassination,
the overwhelming number of witnesses reported that Ruby had considerable respect
for the President, and there has been no report of any hostility toward him.
1212
There is also no reliable indication that Ruby was ever associated with any
Communist or radical causes. Jack Ruby's parents were born in Poland in the
1870's and his father served in the Czarist Russian army from 1893-98. Though
neither parent became a citizen after emigrating to the United States in the
early 1900's, the evidence indicates that neither Ruby nor his family maintained
any ties with relatives in Europe. 1213 Jack Ruby has denied ever being
connected with any Communist activities. The FBI has reported that, prior to the
shooting of Oswald, its nationwide files contained no information of any
subversive activities by Ruby. 1214 In addition, a Commission staff member has
personally examined all subversive activities reports from the Dallas- Fort
Worth office of the FBI for the year 1963 and has found no reports pertaining to
Jack Ruby or any of his known acquaintances. 1215
The Commission has directed considerable attention to an allegation that Jack
Ruby was connected with Communist Party activities in Muncie, Ind. On the day
after Oswald's death, a former resident of Muncie claimed that between 1943 and
1947 a Chicagoan resembling Ruby and known to him as Jack Rubenstein was in
Muncie on three occasions and associated with persons who the witness suspected
were Communists. The witness stated that the man resembling Ruby visited Muncie
during these years as a guest of the son-in-law of a now-de-ceased jeweler for
whom the witness worked. 1216 A second son-in-law of the jewelry store owner
suggested that he may have known Ruby while the two resided in Chicago, 1217 but
the son-in-law whom Ruby allegedly visited disclaimed any acquaintanceship with
Ruby. 1218 Both sons-in-law denied any Communist activities and
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the Commission has found no contrary evidence other than the testimony of the
witness.
On the first two occasions on which Ruby is alleged to have been in Muncie,
military records show him to have been on active military duty in the South.
1219 The witness also said that the man he knew as Rubenstein owned or managed a
nightclub when he met him, but the Commission has no reliable evidence that Jack
Ruby ever owned or worked in any nightclubs when he lived in Chicago. 1220 The
witness further stated that on one occasion he found the name of Jack
Rubenstein, or perhaps a similar name, together with the names of others he
believed were Communists, on a list which had been left in a room above the
jewelry store after a meeting held there. The witness said he gave the list to
his wife's cousin, now deceased, who was then the chief of detectives in Muncie.
1221 However, neither the list nor a person identifiable as Jack Ruby has been
located after a thorough search by the FBI of its own files and those of the
Muncie Police Department, the Indiana State Police, and other agencies. 1222 The
witness did not recall seeing Rubenstein in Muncie during the period of that
meeting, and he had never heard Rubenstein say anything which would indicate he
was a Communist. 1223
The FBI has interviewed all living persons who the witness stated were involved
with Ruby in Communist activities in Muncie. One person named by the witness was
known previously to have been involved in Communist Party activities, but
subversive activities files have revealed no such activities for any of the
others.1224 The admitted former Communist denied knowing Ruby and stated that
the jewelry store owner was not known to him as a Communist and that Communist
meetings were never held above the store.1225 All other Muncie residents named
by the witness as possible associates of Ruby denied knowing Ruby.1226
Similarly, fellow employees of the witness whom he did not claim were Communists
knew of no Communist activities connected with the jewelry store owner or any
visits of Jack Ruby, and FBI informants familiar with Communist activities in
Indiana and Chicago did not know of any participation by Ruby.1227 Finally, the
witness testified that even though he believed as early as 1947 that all of the
persons named by him were Communists he had never brought his information to the
attention of any authority investigating such activities, except for providing
the alleged list to his cousin.1228 The Commission finds no basis for accepting
the witness's testimony.
The Commission has also investigated the possibility that Ruby was associated
with ultraconservative political endeavors in Dallas. Upon his arrest, there
were found in Ruby's possession two radio scripts of a right-wing program
promoted by H. L. Hunt, whose political views are highly conservative. Ruby had
acquired the scripts a few weeks earlier at the Texas Products Show, where they
were enclosed in bags of Hunt food products. Ruby is reported to have become
enraged when he discovered the scripts, and threatened to send one to "Kennedy."
1229 He is not known to have done anything with them prior to
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giving one to a radio announcer on November 23; and on that day seemed to
confuse organizations of the extreme right with those of the far left.1230 On
November 21, Ruby drove Connie Trammel, a young college graduate whom he had met
some months previous]y, to the office of Lamar Hunt, the son of H.L. Hunt, for a
job interview. Although Ruby stated that he would like to meet Hunt, seemingly
to establish a business connection, he did not enter Hunt's office with her.
An allegation that Ruby was a visitor at the home of Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker
(Resigned, U.S. Army) appears totally unfounded. The allegation was made in late
May 1964 to an agent of the U.S. Secret Service by William McEwan Duff. Duff,
who was discharged from military service in June 1964 because of a fraudulent
enlistment, disclaimed any knowledge of Ruby or Oswald when questioned by FBI
agents in January 1964. 1232
Another allegation connecting Jack Ruby with right-wing activities was Mark
Lane's assertion, mentioned previously, that an unnamed informant told him of a
meeting lasting more than 2 hours in the Carousel Club on November 14, 1963,
between Jack Ruby, Patrolman J. D. Tippit, and Bernard Weissman.1233 Although
the name of Lane's informant has never been revealed to the Commission, an
investigation has been conducted in an effort to find corroboration for the
claimed Tippit, Weissman, and Ruby meeting. No employee of the Carousel Club has
any knowledge of the meeting described by Lane.1234 Ruby and Weissman both deny
that such a meeting occurred, and Officer Tippit's widow has no knowledge that
her late husband ever went to the Carousel Club.1235
Some confusion has arisen, however, because early Friday afternoon, November 22,
Ruby remarked that he knew the Tippit who had been shot by Oswald. Later Ruby
stated that he did not know J. D. Tippit but that his reference was to G. M.
Tippit, a member of the special services bureau of the Dallas Police Department
who had visited Ruby establishments occasionally in the course of his official
duties.1236 Larry Crafard was unable to recognize photographs of J. D. Tippit
and had no recollection of a Tippit, Weissman, and Ruby meeting at any time.1237
However, uncertainty was introduced when Crafard identified a photograph of
Bernard Weissman as resembling a man who had visited the Carousel Club and had
been referred to by Ruby as "Weissman." 1238 In a subsequent interview Crafard
stated that he believed Weissman was a detective on the Dallas Police
Department, that his first name may have been Johnny, and that he was in his
late thirties or early forties.1239 As set forth previously, Bernard Weissman
was a 26- year-old New York carpet salesman. Crafard added "I could have my
recollection of a Mr. Weissman mixed up with someone else".1240
Ruby's conduct on November 22 and 23, 1963, corroborates his denial that he knew
Bernard Weissman. Ruby expressed hostility to the November 22 full-page
advertisement to many persons. To none did he give any indication that he was
familiar with the person listed as responsible for the advertisement.1241 His
attempt on November 23
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to trace the holder of the post office box shown on the "Impeach Earl Warren"
sign and to locate Weissman's name in a Dallas city directory 1242 also tends to
indicate that in fact he was not familiar with Weissman. Had he been involved in
some type of unlawful activity with Weissman, it is highly unlikely that Ruby
would have called attention to Weissman as he did.
Investigation has disclosed no evidence that Officer J. D. Tippit was acquainted
with either Ruby or Oswald. Neither Tippit's wife nor his close friends knew of
such an acquaintanceship.1243 Tippit was not known to frequent nightclubs 1244
and he had no reason during the course of his police duties to enter Ruby's
clubs.1245 Although at the time of the assassination Tippit was working weekends
in a Dallas restaurant owned by a member of the John Birch Society, the
restaurant owner stated that he never discussed politics with Tippit.1246
Persons close to Tippit related that Tippit rarely discussed political matters
with any person and that he was a member of no political organization.1247
Telephone records for the period following September 26, 1963, revealed no
suspicious long-distance calls from the Tippit household.1248
Tippit's encounter with Oswald following the shooting of the President is
indicative of no prior association between the two men. Police radio logs show
that, as part of general directions issued to all officers immediately after the
assassination, Tippit was specifically directed to patrol the Oak Cliff area
where he came upon Oswald.1249 His movement from the area which he had been
patrolling into the central Oak Cliff area was also in conformity with the
normal procedure of the Dallas Police Department for patrol cars to cover nearby
districts when the patrol cars in that district became otherwise engaged, as
occurred after the assassination.1250 Oswald fit the general description, which,
15 minutes after the assassination, was broadcast to all police cars of a
suspect described by a bystander who had seen Oswald in the sixth-floor window
of the Texas School Book Depository.1251 There is thus no basis for any
inference that, in approaching Oswald, Tippit was acting other than in the line
of police duty.
Allegations of Cuban activity.--No substantiation has been found for rumors
linking Ruby with pro- or anti- Castro Cuban activities, 1252 except for one
incident in January 1959 when Ruby made preliminary inquiries, as a middleman,
concerning the possible sale to Cuba of some surplus jeeps located in
Shreveport, La., and asked about the possible release of prisoners from a Cuban
prison. No evidence has been developed that the project ever became more than a
"possibility". Ruby explained that in early 1959 United States sentiment toward
Cuba was still favorable and that he was merely pursuing a money-making
opportunity.1253
During the period of the "jeep sale", R. D. Matthews, a gambler and a "passing
acquaintance" of Ruby, returned to Dallas from Havana where he had been living.
In mid-1959, he returned to Cuba until mid-1960.1254 On October 3, 1963, a
telephone call was made from the Carousel Club to Matthews' former wife in
Shreveport.1255 No
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evidence has been uncovered that Matthews was associated with the sale of jeeps
or the release of prisoners or that he knew of Oswald prior to the
assassination.1256 Matthews' ex-wife did not recall the phone call in October of
1963, and she asserted that she did not know Jack Ruby or anybody working for
him.1257
In September 1959, Ruby traveled to Havana as a guest of a close friend and
known gambler, Lewis J. McWillie. Both Ruby and McWillie state the trip was
purely social.1258 In January 1961, McWillie left Cuba with strong feelings of
hostility to the Castro regime. In early 1963, Ruby purchased a pistol which he
shipped to McWillie in Nevada, but McWillie did not accept the package.1259 The
Commission has found no evidence that McWillie has engaged in any activities
since leaving Cuba that are related to pro- or anti-Castro political movements
or that he was involved in Ruby's abortive jeep transaction.
The Commission has also received evidence that in April 1962, a telegram sent to
Havana, Cuba, was charged to the business telephone of Earl Ruby, brother of
Jack Ruby.1260 Earl Ruby stated that he was unable to recall that telegram but
testified that he had never traveled to Cuba nor had any dealings with persons
in Cuba.1261 Jack Ruby is not known to have visited his brother at that time,
and during that period Earl and Jack did not maintain a close relationship.1262
Earl Ruby is not known to have been involved in any subversive activities.1263
Finally, examination of FBI information relative to Cuban groups in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area for the year 1963 fails to disclose any person who might
provide a link between Ruby and such groups.1264 The Central Intelligence Agency
has no information suggesting that Jack Ruby or any of his closest associates
have been involved in any type of revolutionary or subversive Cuban
activity.1265
Possible underworld connections.--The Commission has investigated Ruby's
possible criminal activities, looking with particular concern for evidence that
he engaged in illegal activities with members of the organized underworld or
that, on his own, he was a promoter of illegal endeavors. The results of that
investigation are more fully detailed in appendix XVI. Ruby was reared in a
Chicago neighborhood where he became acquainted with local criminals and with
persons who later became criminals. Throughout his life, Ruby's friendships with
persons of that character were limited largely to professional gamblers,
although his night club businesses brought him in contact with persons who had
been convicted of other offenses. There is no credible evidence that Ruby,
himself, gambled on other than a social basis or that he had any unpaid gambling
debts.1266 He had never been charged with a felony prior to his attack on
Oswald; his only encounters in Chicago stemmed from ticket scalping and the
unauthorized sale of copyrighted music; and, in Dallas, his law violations,
excluding traffic charges, resulted from the operation of his clubs or outbursts
of temper.1267 Ruby has disclaimed that he was
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associated with organized criminal activities, and law enforcement agencies have
Confirmed that denial.1268
Investigation of George Senator.--In addition to examining Ruby's own activities
and background, the Commission has paid careful attention to the activities and
background of George Senator, Ruby's roommate and one of his closest friends in
Dallas. Senator was interrogated by staff members over a 2-day period; he
provided a detailed account of his own life and cooperated fully in all aspects
of the Commission's inquiry into the activities of Jack Ruby.
Senator was 50 years old at the time Ruby shot Oswald. He had been born
September 4, 1913, in Gloversville, N.Y., and had received an eighth grade
education. Upon leaving school, he worked in Gloversville and New York City
until about age 25. For the next few years he worked in various restaurants and
cafeterias in New York and Florida until enlisting in the Army in August
1941.1269 After his honorable discharge in September 1945, Senator was employed
for most of the next 13 years selling inexpensive dresses throughout the South
and Southwest. In the course of that employment he moved to Dallas where he met
Jack Ruby while visiting Ruby's Vegas Club in about 1955 or 1956.1270 Ruby was
one of many who helped Senator when he encountered financial difficulties during
the years 1958 to 1962. For a while in 1962, Ruby provided room and board in
exchange for Senator's help in his clubs and apartment. In August 1963, Senator
was unable to maintain his own apartment alone following his roommate's
marriage. Ruby again offered to help and on November 1, 1963, Senator moved into
Ruby's apartment.1271 The Commission has found no evidence that Senator ever
engaged in any political activities.1272
Against this background the Commission has evaluated Senator's account of his
own activities on November 22, 23, and 24. When questioned by Dallas and Federal
authorities hours after the shooting of Oswald, Senator omitted mention of
having accompanied Ruby to photograph the "Impeach Earl Warren" sign on Saturday
morning. Senator stated to Commission staff members that in the interviews of
November 24 he omitted the incident because of oversight.1273 However, he spoke
freely about it in his sworn testimony and no inaccuracies have been noted in
that portion of his testimony. Senator also failed to mention to the Commission
and to previous interrogators that, shortly after Ruby left their apartment
Sunday morning, he called friends, Mr. and Mrs. William Downey, and offered to
visit their apartment and make breakfast for them.1274 Downey stated, in June
1964, that Senator said he was alone and that, after Downey declined the offer,
Senator remarked that he would then go downtown for breakfast.1275 When told of
Downey's account, Senator denied it and explained that the two were not friendly
by the time Senator left Dallas about six weeks after the assassination.1276
The Commission also experienced difficulty in ascertaining the activities of
Senator on November 22 and 23. He was unable to account specifically for large
segments of time when he was not with
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Ruby. 1277 And, as to places and people Senator says he visited on those days
prior to the time Oswald was shot, the Commission has been unsuccessful in
obtaining verification.1278 Senator admitted that he had spent much of that time
drinking but denied that he was intoxicated.1279
It is difficult to know with complete certainty whether Senator had any
foreknowledge of the shooting of Oswald. Ruby testified that at about 10:15 a.m.
on Sunday morning, November 24, he said, in Senator's presence, "If something
happened to this person, that then Mrs. Kennedy won't have to come back for the
trial." 1280 According to Ruby, this is the most explicit statement he made
concerning Oswald that morning.1281 Senator denies any knowledge of Ruby's
intentions.1282
Senator's general response to the shooting was not like that of a person seeking
to conceal his guilt. Shortly before it was known that Ruby was the slayer of
Oswald, Senator visited the Eatwell Restaurant in downtown Dallas. Upon being
informed that Ruby was the attacker, Senator exclaimed, "My God," in what
appeared to be a genuinely surprised tone.1283 He then ran to a telephone,
returned to gulp down his coffee, and quickly departed.1284 He drove promptly to
the home of James Martin, an attorney and friend. Martin recalled that Senator's
concern was for his friend Ruby and not for himself.1285 Martin and Senator
drove to the Dallas Police Department where Senator voluntarily submitted
himself to police questioning, and gave interviews to newspaper and television
reporters.1286 The Commission has concluded, on the basis of its investigation
into Senator's background, activities, and reaction to the shooting, that
Senator did not aid or conspire with Jack Ruby in the killing of Oswald.
Ruby's activities preceding President's trip.--In addition to the broad
investigation into Ruby's background and associations, the Commission delved
particularly into Ruby's pattern of activities during the 2 months preceding
President Kennedy's visit to Dallas in order to determine whether there was
unusual conduct which might be linked to the President's forthcoming trip.
The Commission has been able to account specifically for Jack Ruby's presence in
Dallas on every day after September 26, 1963, except five--September 29, 30 and
October 11, 14, and 24--and there is no evidence that he was out of the
Dallas-Fort Worth area on those days.1287 The report of one person who saw Ruby
on September 28 indicates that Ruby probably remained in Dallas on September 29
and 30,1288 when Oswald was in Mexico City. The Commission has looked for but
has found no evidence that Ruby traveled to Mexico at that time.1289 Both Ruby
and Ralph Paul have stated that Ruby did not ]cave the Dallas-Fort Worth area
during September, October, or November 1963.1290
During October and November of 1963, Jack Ruby maintained his usual vigorous
pace of business activities. In particular, he directed considerable attention
to his two nightclubs and to other business
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promotions.1291 During the final month before the Kennedy trip, his time was
increasingly occupied with personnel problems at both his clubs. There is no
indication that he devoted less than full attention to these matters or that he
appeared preoccupied with other affairs. His acquaintances did feel that Ruby
seemed depressed and concerned that his friends were deserting him.1292 However,
there were no signs of secretive conduct.
Scrutiny of Ruby's activities during the several days preceding the President's
arrival in Dallas has revealed no indication of any unusual activity. Ruby is
remembered to have discussed the President's impending trip with only two
persons and only briefly.1293 Two newspapers containing a description of the
expected motorcade routes through Dallas and Fort Worth were found in Ruby's car
at the time of this arrest. However, such papers circulated widely in Dallas,
and Ruby's car, like his apartment, was so cluttered with other newspapers,
notebooks, brochures, cards, clothing, and personal items 1294 that there is no
reason to attach any significance to the papers.
Aside from the results of the Commission's investigation reported above, there
are other reasons to doubt that Jack Ruby would have shot Oswald as he did if he
had been involved in a conspiracy to carry out the assassination, or that he
would have been delegated to perform the shooting of Oswald on behalf of others
who were involved in the slaying of the President. By striking in the city jail,
Ruby was certain to be apprehended. An attempt to silence Oswald by having Ruby
kill him would have presented exceptionally grave dangers to any other persons
involved in the scheme. If the attempt had failed, Oswald might have been moved
to disclose his confederates to the authorities. If it succeeded, as it did, the
additional killing might itself have produced a trail to them. Moreover, Ruby
was regarded by most persons who knew him as moody and unstable .hardly one to
have encouraged the confidence of persons involved in a sensitive
conspiracy.1295
Since his apprehension, Jack Ruby has provided the Federal authorities with
several detailed accounts of his activities both preceding and following the
assassination of President Kennedy. Ruby has shown no reluctance to answer any
questions addressed to him. The accounts provided by Ruby are consistent with
evidence available to the Commission from other sources.
These additional considerations are thus fully consistent with the results of
the Commission's investigation. Rumors of a connection between Ruby and Oswald
have proved groundless, while examination of Ruby's background and associations,
his behavior prior to the assassination, and his activities during the November
22-24 weekend has yielded no evidence that Ruby conspired with anyone in
planning or executing the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald. Whatever the legal
culpability of Jack Ruby for his act of November 24, the evidence is persuasive
that he acted independently in shooting Oswald.
Conclusion
Page 374
CONCLUSION
Based upon the investigation reviewed in this chapter, the Commission concluded
that there is no credible evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald was part of a
conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy. Examination of the facts of the
assassination itself revealed no indication that Oswald was aided in the
planning or execution of his scheme. Review of Oswald's life and activities
since 1959, although productive in illuminating the character of Lee Harvey
Oswald (which is discussed in the next chapter), did not produce any meaningful
evidence of a conspiracy. The Commission discovered no evidence that the Soviet
Union or Cuba were involved in the assassination of President Kennedy. Nor did
the Commission's investigation of Jack Ruby produce any grounds for believing
that Ruby's killing of Oswald was part of a conspiracy. The conclusion that
there is no evidence of a conspiracy was also reached independently by Dean
Rusk, the Secretary of State; Robert S. McNamara, the Secretary of Defense; C.
Douglas Dillon, the Secretary of the Treasury; Robert F. Kennedy, the Attorney
General; J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI; John A. McCone, the Director
of the CIA; and James J. Rowley, the Chief of the Secret Service, on the basis
of the information available to each of them.1296
Chapter VII Lee Harvey Oswald: Background and Possible Motives
Page 375
CHAPTER VII
Lee Harvey Oswald: Background and
Possible Motives
THE EVIDENCE reviewed above identifies Lee Harvey Oswald as the assassin of
President Kennedy and indicates that he acted alone in that event. There is no
evidence that he had accomplices or that he was involved in any conspiracy
directed to the assassination of the President. There remains the question of
what impelled Oswald to conceive and to carry out the assassination of the
President of the United States. The Commission has considered many possible
motives for the assassination, including those which might flow from Oswald's
commitment to Marxism or communism, the existence of some personal grievance, a
desire to effect changes in the structure of society or simply to go down in
history as a well publicized assassin. None of these possibilities
satisfactorily explains Oswald's act if it is judged by the standards of
reasonable men. The motives of any man, however, must be analyzed in terms of
the character and state of mind of the particular individual involved. For a
motive that appears incomprehensible to other men may be the moving force of a
man whose view of the world has been twisted, possibly by factors of which those
around him were only dimly aware. Oswald's complete state of mind and character
are now outside of the power of man to know. He cannot, of course, be questioned
or observed by those charged with the responsibility for this report or by
experts on their behalf. There is, however, a large amount of material available
in his writings and in the history of his life which does give some insight into
his character and, possibly, into the motives for his act.
Since Oswald is dead, the Commission is not able to reach any definite
conclusions as to whether or not he was "sane" under prevailing legal standards.
Under our system of justice no forum could properly make that determination
unless Oswald were before it. It certainly could not be made by this Commission
which, as has been pointed out above, ascertained the facts surrounding the
assassination but did not draw conclusions concerning Oswald's legal guilt.
Indications of Oswald's motivation may be obtained from a study of the events,
relationships and influences which appear to have been
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significant in shaping his character and in guiding him. Perhaps the most
outstanding conclusion of such a study is that Oswald was profoundly alienated
from the world in which he lived. His life was characterized by isolation,
frustration, and failure. He had very few, if any, close relationships with
other people and he appeared to have great difficulty in finding a meaningful
place in the world. He was never satisfied with anything. When he was in the
United States he resented the capitalist system which he thought was exploiting
him and others like him. He seemed to prefer the Soviet Union and he spoke
highly of Cuba.1 When he was in the Soviet Union, he apparently resented the
Communist Party members, who were accorded special privileges and who he thought
were betraying communism, and he spoke well of the United States.2 He accused
his wife of preferring others to himself and told her to return to the Soviet
Union without him but without a divorce. At the same time he professed his love
for her and said that he could not get along without her.3 Marina Oswald thought
that he would not be happy anywhere, "Only on the moon, perhaps." 4
While Oswald appeared to most of those who knew him as a meek and harmless
person, he sometimes imagined himself as "the Commander" 5 and, apparently
seriously, as a political prophet--a man who said that after 20 years he would
be prime minister.6 His wife testified that he compared himself with great
readers of history. Such ideas of grandeur were apparently accompanied by
notions of oppression.7 He had a great hostility toward his environment,
whatever it happened to be, which he expressed in striking and sometimes violent
acts long before the assassination. There was some quality about him that led
him to act with an apparent disregard for possible consequences.8 He defected to
the Soviet Union, shot at General Walker, tried to go to Cuba and even
contemplated hijacking an airplane to get there. He assassinated the President,
shot Officer Tippit, resisted arrest and tried to kill another policeman in the
process.
Oswald apparently started reading about communism when he was about 15. In the
Marines, he evidenced a strong conviction as to the correctness of Marxist
doctrine, which one associate described as "irrevocable," but also as
"theoretical"; that associate did not think that Oswald was a Communist.9 Oswald
did not always distinguish between Marxism and communism. 10 He stated several
times that he was a Communist but apparently never joined any Communist Party.11
His attachment to Marxist and Communist doctrine was probably, in some measure,
an expression of his hostility to his environment. While there is doubt about
how fully Oswald understood the doctrine which he so often espoused, it seems
clear that his commitment to Marxism was an important factor influencing his
conduct during his adult years. It was an obvious element in his decision to go
to Russia and later to Cuba and it probably influenced his decision to shoot at
General Walker. It was a factor which contributed to his character
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and thereby might have influenced his decision to assassinate President Kennedy.
The discussion below will describe the events known to the Commission which most
clearly reveals the formation and nature of Oswald's character. It will attempt
to summarize the events of his early life, his experience in New York City and
in the Marine Corps, and his interest in Marxism. It will examine his defection
to the Soviet Union in 1959, his subsequent return to the United States and his
life here after June of 1962. The review of the latter period will evaluate his
personal and employment relations, his attempt to kill General Walker, his
political activities, and his unsuccessful attempt to go to Cuba in late
September of 1963. Various possible motives will be treated in the appropriate
context of the discussion outlined above.
The Early Years
Page 377
The Early Years
Significant in shaping the character of Lee Harvey Oswald was the death of his
father, a collector of insurance premiums. This occurred 2 months before Lee was
born in New Orleans on October 18, 1939.12 That death strained the financial
fortunes of the remainder of the Oswald family. It had its effect on Lee's
mother, Marguerite, his brother Robert, who had been born in 1934, and his
half-brother John Pic, who had been born in 1932 during Marguerite's previous
marriage.13 It forced Marguerite Oswald to go to work to provide for her
family.14 Reminding her sons that they were orphans and that the family's
financial condition was poor, she placed John Pie and Robert Oswald in an
orphans' home.15 From the time Marguerite Oswald returned to work until December
26, 1942, when Lee too was sent to the orphans' home, he was cared for
principally by his mother's sister, by babysitters and by his mother, when she
had time for him.16
Marguerite Oswald withdrew Lee from the orphans' home and took him with her to
Dallas when he was a little over 4 years old.17 About 6 months later she also
withdrew John Pic and Robert Oswald.18 Apparently that action was taken in
anticipation of her marriage to Edwin A. Ekdahl, which took place in May of
1945.19 In the fall of that year John Pic and Robert Oswald went to a military
academy where they stayed, except for vacations, until the spring of 1948.20 Lee
Oswald remained with his mother and Ekdahl,21 to whom he became quite attached.
John Pic testified that he thought Lee found in Ekdahl the father that he never
had.22 That situation, however, was short-lived, for the relations between
Marguerite Oswald and Ekdahl were stormy and they were finally divorced, after
several separations and reunions, in the summer of 1948.23
After the divorce Mrs. Oswald complained considerably about how unfairly she was
treated, dwelling on the fact that she was a widow with three children. John
Pic, however, did not think her position was worse than that of many other
people.24 In the fall of 1948 she told John Pic and Robert Oswald that she could
not afford to send them back to the military school and she asked Pic to quit
school
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730-900 0-64--26
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entirely to help support the family, which he did for 4 months in the fall of
1948.25 In order to supplement their income further she falsely swore that Pic
was 17 years old so that he could join the Marine Corps Reserves.26 Pic did turn
over part of his income to his mother, but he returned to high school in January
of 1949, where he stayed until 3 days before he was scheduled to graduate, when
he left school in order to get into the Coast Guard.27 Since his mother did not
approve of his decision to continue school he accepted the responsibility for
that decision himself and signed his mother's name to all his own excuses and
report cards.28
Pic thought that his mother overstated her financial problems and was unduly
concerned about money. Referring to the period after the divorce from Ekdahl,
which was apparently caused in part by Marguerite's desire to get more money
from him, Pic said: "Lee was brought up in this atmosphere of constant money
problems, and I am sure it had quite an effect on him, and also Robert." 29
Marguerite Oswald worked in miscellaneous jobs after her divorce from Ekdahl.30
When she worked for a time as an insurance saleslady, she would sometimes take
Lee with her, apparently leaving him alone in the car while she transacted her
business.31 When she worked during the school year, Lee had to leave an empty
house in the morning, return to it for lunch and then again at night, his mother
having trained him to do that rather than to play with other children.32
An indication of the nature of Lee's character at this time was provided in the
spring of 1950, when he was sent to New Orleans to visit the family of his
mother's sister, Mrs. Lillian Murret, for 2 or 3 weeks. Despite their urgings,
he refused to play with the other children his own age.33 It also appears that
Lee tried to tag along with his older brothers but apparently was not able to
spend as much time with them as he would have liked, because of the age gaps of
5 and 7 years, which became more significant as the children grew older.34
New York City
Page 378
New York City
Whatever problems may have been created by Lee's home life in Louisiana and
Texas, he apparently adjusted well enough there to have had an average, although
gradually deteriorating, school record with no behavior or truancy problems.
That was not the case, however, after he and his mother moved to New York in
August of 1952, shortly before Lee's 13th birthday. They moved shortly after
Robert joined the Marines; they lived for a time with John Pie who was stationed
there with the Coast Guard.35 Relations soon became strained, however,36 so in
late September Lee and his mother moved to their own apartment in the Bronx.37
Pie and his wife would have been happy to have kept Lee, however, who was
becoming quite a disciplinary problem for his mother, having struck her on at
least one occasion.38
The short-lived stay with the Pics was terminated after an incident in which Lee
allegedly pulled out a pocket knife during an argument
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and threatened to use it on Mrs. Pic. When Pie returned home, Mrs. Oswald tried
to play down the event but Mrs. Pic took a different view and asked the Oswalds
to leave. Lee refused to discuss the matter with Pie, whom he had previously
idolized, and their relations were strained thereafter. 39
On September 30, 1952, Lee enrolled in P.S. 117,40 a junior high school in the
Bronx, where the other children apparently teased him because of his "western"
clothes and Texas accent.41 He began to stay away from school, preferring to
read magazines and watch television at home by himself. 42 This continued
despite the efforts of the school authorities and, to a lesser extent, of his
mother to have him return to school. 43 Truancy charges were brought against him
alleging that he was "beyond the control of his mother insofar as school
attendance is
concerned." 44 Oswald was remanded for psychiatric observation
to Youth House, an institution in which children are kept for psychiatric
observation or for detention pending court appearance or commitment to a
child-caring or D institution such as a training school. 45 He was in Youth
House from April 16 to May 7, 1953,46 during which time he was examined by its
Chief Psychiatrist, Dr. Renatus Hartogs, and interviewed and observed by other
members of the Youth House staff. 47
Marguerite Oswald visited her son at Youth House, where she recalled that she
waited in line "with Puerto Ricans and Negroes and everything." 48 She said that
her pocketbook was searched "because the children in this home were such
criminals, dope fiends, and had been in criminal offenses, that anybody entering
this home had to be searched in case the parents were bringing cigarettes or
narcotics or anything." 49 She recalled that Lee cried and said, "Mother, I want
to get out of here. There are children in here who have killed people, and
smoke. I want to get out." 50 Marguerite Oswald said that she had not realized
until then in what kind of place her son had been confined. 51
On the other hand, Lee told his probation officer, John Carro, that "while he
liked Youth House he miss[ed] the freedom of doing what he wanted. He indicated
that he did not miss his mother." 52 Mrs. Evelyn D Siegel, a social worker who
interviewed both Lee and his mother while Lee was confined in Youth House,
reported that Lee "confided that the worse thing about Youth House was the fact
that he had to be with other boys all the time, was disturbed about disrobing in
front of them, taking showers with them etc." 53
Contrary to reports that appeared after the assassination, the psychiatric
examination did not indicate that Lee Oswald was a potential assassin,
potentially dangerous, that "his outlook on life had strongly paranoid
overtones" or that he should be institutionalized.54 Dr. Hartogs did find Oswald
to be a tense, withdrawn, and evasive boy who intensely disliked talking about
himself and his feelings. He noted that Lee liked to give the impression that he
did not care for other people but preferred to keep to himself, so that he was
not bothered and did not have to make the effort of communicating. Os-
Page 380
wald's withdrawn tendencies and solitary habits were thought to be the result of
"intense anxiety, shyness, feelings of awkwardness and insecurity." 55 He was
reported to have said "I don't want a friend and I don't like to talk to people"
and "I dislike everybody." 56 He was also described as having a "Vivid fantasy
life, turning around the topics of omnipotence and power, through which he tries
to compensate for his present shortcomings and frustrations." 57 Dr. Hartogs
summarized his report by stating:
This 13 year old well built boy has superior mental resources and functions only
slightly below his capacity level in spite of chronic truancy from school which
brought him into Youth House. No finding of neurological impairment or psychotic
mental changes could be made. Lee has to be diagnosed as "personality pattern
disturbance with schizoid features and passive--aggressive tendencies." Lee has
to be seen as an emotionally, quite disturbed youngster who suffers under the
impact of really existing emotional isolation and deprivation, lack of
affection, absence of family life and rejection by a self involved and
conflicted mother.58
Dr. Hartogs recommended that Oswald be placed on probation on condition that he
seek help and guidance through a child guidance clinic. There, he suggested, Lee
should be treated by a male psychiatrist who could substitute for the lack of a
father figure. He also recommended that Mrs. Oswald seek "psychotherapeutic
guidance through contact with a family agency." The possibility of commitment
was to be considered only if the probation plan was not successful. 59
Lee's withdrawal was also noted by Mrs. Siegel, who described him as a
"seriously detached, withdrawn youngster." 60 She also noted that there was "a
rather pleasant, appealing quality about this emotionally starved, affectionless
youngster which grows as one speaks to him." 61 She thought that he had detached
himself from the world around him because "no one in it ever met any of his
needs for love." 62 She observed that since Lee's mother worked all day, he made
his own meals and spent all his time alone because he didn't make friends with
the boys in the neighborhood. She thought that he "withdrew into a completely
solitary and detached existence where he did as he wanted and he didn't have to
live by any rules or come into contact with people." 63 Mrs. Siegel concluded
that Lee "just felt that his mother never gave a damn for him. He always felt
like a burden that she simply just had to tolerate." 64 Lee confirmed some of
those observations by saying that he felt almost as if there were a veil between
him and other people through which they could not reach him, but that he
preferred the veil to remain intact. He admitted to fantasies about being
powerful and sometimes hurting and killing people, but refused to elaborate on
them. He took the position that such matters were his own business. 65
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A psychological human figure-drawing test corroborated the interviewer's
findings that Lee was insecure and had limited social contacts. Irving Sokolow,
a Youth House psychologist reported that:
The Human Figure Drawings are empty, poor characterizations of persons
approximately the same age as the subject. They reflect a considerable amount of
impoverishment in the social and emotional areas. He appears to be a somewhat
insecure youngster exhibiting much inclination for warm and satisfying
relationships to others. There is some indication that he may relate to men more
easily than to women in view of the more mature conceptualisation. He appears
slightly withdrawn and in view of the lack of detail within the drawings this
may assume a more significant characteristic. He exhibits some difficulty in
relationship to the maternal figure suggesting more anxiety in this area than in
any other.66
Lee scored an IQ of 118 on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
According to Sokolow, this indicated a "present intellectual functioning in the
upper range of bright normal intelligence." 67 Sokolow said that although Lee
was "presumably disinterested in school subjects he operates on a much higher
than average level." 68 On the Monroe Silent Reading Test, Lee's score indicated
no retardation in reading speed and comprehension; he had better than average
ability in arithmetical reasoning for his age group. 69
Lee told Carro, his probation officer, that he liked to be by himself because he
had too much difficulty in making friends. 70 The reports of Carro and Mrs.
Siegel also indicate an ambivalent attitude toward authority on Oswald's part.
Carro reported that Lee was disruptive in class after he returned to school on a
regular basis in the fall of 1953. He had refused to salute the flag and was
doing very little, if any, work. It appears that he did not want to do any of
the things which the authorities suggested in their efforts to bring him out of
the shell into which he appeared to be retreating.71 He told Mrs. Siegel that he
would run away if sent to a boarding school. On the other hand he also told her
that he wished his mother had been more firm with him in her attempts to get him
to return to school. 72
The reports of the New York authorities indicate that Lee's mother gave him very
little affection and did not serve as any sort of substitute for a father.
Furthermore she did not appear to understand her own relationship to Lee's
psychological problems. After her interview with Mrs. Oswald, Mrs. Siegel
described her as a smartly dressed, gray haired woman, very self-possessed and
alert and superficially affable," but essentially a "defensive, rigid,
self-involved person who had real difficulty in accepting and relating to
people" and who had "little understanding" of Lee's behavior and of the
"protective shell he has drawn around himself." 73 Dr. Hartogs reported that
Mrs. Oswald did not understand that Lee's withdrawal was a form of "violent but
silent protest against his neglect by her and represents his reac-
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tion to a complete absence of any real family life." 74 Carro reported that when
questioned about his mother Lee said, "well I've got to live with her. I guess I
love her." 75 It may also be significant that, as reported by John Pic, "Lee
slept with my mother until I joined the service in 1950. This would make him
approximately 10, well, almost 11 years old." 76
The factors in Lee Oswald's personality which were noted by those who had
contact with him in New York indicate that he had great difficulty in adapting
himself to conditions in that city. His usual reaction to the problems which he
encountered there was simply withdrawal. Those factors indicated a severe
inability to enter into relationships with other people. In view of his
experiences when he visited his relatives in New Orleans in the spring of 1950,
and his other solitary habits, Lee had apparently been experiencing similar
problems before going to New York, and as will be shown below, this failure to
adapt to. his environment was a dominant trait in his later life.
It would be incorrect, however, to believe that those aspects of Lee's
personality which were observed in New York could have led anyone to predict the
outburst of violence which finally occurred. Carro was the only one of Oswald's
three principal observers who recommended that he be placed in a boy's home or
similar institution. 77 But Carro was quite specific that his recommendation was
based primarily on the adverse factors in Lee's environment--his lack of
friends, the apparent unavailability of any agency assistance and the
ineffectualness of his mother--and not on any particular mental disturbance, in
the boy himself.78 Carro testified that:
There was nothing that would lead me to believe when I saw him at the age of 12
that them would be seeds of destruction for somebody. I couldn't in all honesty
sincerely say such a thing. 79
Mrs. Siegel concluded her report with the statement that:
Despite his withdrawal, he gives the impression that he is not so difficult to
reach as he appears and patient, prolonged effort in a sustained relationship
with one therapist might bring results. There are indications that he has
suffered serious personality damage but if he can receive help quickly this
might be repaired to some extent.80
Lee Oswald never received that help. Few social agencies even in New York were
equipped to provide the kind of intensive treatment that he needed, and when one
of the city's clinics did find room to handle him, for some reason the record
does not show, advantage was never taken of the chance afforded to Oswald. When
Lee became a disciplinary problem upon his return to school in the fall of 1953,
and when his mother failed to cooperate in any way with school authorities,
authorities were finally forced to consider placement in a home for boys. Such a
placement was postponed, however, perhaps in part at
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least because Lee's behavior suddenly improved. Before the court took any
action, the Oswalds left New York 81 in January of 1954, and returned to New
Orleans where Lee finished the ninth grade before he left school to work for a
year. 82 Then in October of 1956, he joined the Marines. 83
Return to New Orleans and Joining the Marine Corps
Page 383
Return to New Orleans and Joining the Marine Corps
After his return to New Orleans Oswald was teased at school because of the
northern accent which he had acquired.84 He concluded that school had nothing to
offer him. 85 His mother exercised little control over him and thought he could
decide for himself whether to go on in school.86 Neighbors and others who knew
him at that time recall an introverted boy who read a great deal.87 He took
walks and visited museums, and sometimes rode a rented bicycle in the park on
Saturday mornings.88 Mrs. Murret believes that he talked at length with a girl
on the telephone, but no one remembers that he had any dates. 89 A friend,
Edward Voebel, testified that "he was more bashful about girls than anything
else." 90
Several witnesses testified that Lee Oswald was not aggressive. 91 He was,
however, involved in some fights. Once a group of white boys beat him up for
sitting in the Negro section of a bus, which he apparently did simply out of
ignorance. 92 Another time, he fought with two brothers who claimed that he had
picked on the younger of them, 3 years Oswald's junior. Two days later, "some
big guy, probably from a high school--he looked like a tremendous football
player" accosted Oswald on the way home from school and punched him in the
mouth, making his lip bleed and loosening a tooth. Voebel took Oswald back to
the school to attend to his wounds, and their "mild friendship" stemmed from
that incident.93 Voebel also recalled that Oswald once outlined a plan to cut
the glass in the window of a store on Rampart Street and steal a pistol, but he
was not sure then that Oswald meant to carry out the plan, and in fact they
never did. Voebel said that Oswald "wouldn't start any fights, but if you wanted
to start one with him, he was going to make sure that he ended it, or you were
going to really have one, because he wasn't going to take anything from
anybody." 94 In a space for the names of "close friends" on the ninth grade
personal history record, Oswald first wrote "Edward Vogel," an obvious
misspelling of Voebel's name, and "Arthor Abear," most likely Arthur Hebert, a
classmate who has said that he did not know Oswald well. Oswald erased those
names, however, and indicated that he had no close friends.95
It has been suggested that this misspelling of names, apparently on a phonetic
basis, was caused by a reading- spelling disability from which Oswald appeared
to suffer.96 Other evidence of the existence of such a disability is provided by
the many other misspellings that appear in Oswald's writings, portions of which
are quoted below.
Sometime during this period, and under circumstances to be discussed more fully
below, Oswald started to read Communist litera-
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ture, which he obtained from the public library.97 One of his fellow employees,
Palmer McBride, stated that Oswald said he would like to kill President
Eisenhower because he was exploiting the working class. 98 Oswald praised
Khrushchev and suggested that he and McBride join the Communist Party "to take
advantage of their social functions." 99 Oswald also became interested in the
New Orleans Amateur Astronomy Association, an organization of high school
students. The association's then president, William E. Wulf, testified that he
remembered an occasion when Oswald
* * * started expounding the Communist doctrine and saying that he was highly
interested in communism, that communism was the only way of life for the worker,
et cetera, and then came out with a statement that he was looking for a
Communist cell in town to join but he couldn't find any. He was a little
dismayed at this, and he said that he couldn't find any that would show any
interest in him as a Communist, and subsequently, after this conversation, my
father came in and we were kind of arguing back and forth about the situation,
and my father came in the room, heard what we were arguing on communism, and
that this boy was loud-mouthed, boisterous, and my father asked him to leave the
house and politely put him out of the house, and that is the last I have seen or
spoken with Oswald. 100
Despite this apparent interest in communism, Oswald tried to join the Marines
when he was 16 years old.101 This was 1 year before his actual enlistment and
just a little over 2.5 years after he left New York. He wrote a note in his
mother's name to school authorities in New Orleans saying that he was leaving
school because he and his mother were moving to San Diego. In fact, he had quit
school in an attempt to obtain his mother's assistance to join the Marines.102
While he apparently was able to induce his mother to make a false statement
about his age he was nevertheless unable to convince the proper authorities that
he was really 17 years old.103 There is evidence that Oswald was greatly
influenced in his decision to join the Marines by the fact that his brother
Robert had done so approximately 3 years before. 104 Robert Oswald had given his
Marine Corps manual to his brother Lee, who studied it during the year following
his unsuccessful attempt to enlist until "He knew it by heart." 105 According to
Marguerite Oswald, "Lee lived for the time that he would become 17 years old to
join the Marines--that whole year." 106 In John Pic's view, Oswald was motivated
to join the Marines in large part by a desire "to get from out and under * * *
the yoke of oppression from my mother." 107
Oswald's inability or lack of desire to enter into meaningful relationships with
other people continued during this period in New Orleans (1954-56). 108 It
probably contributed greatly to the general dissatisfaction which he exhibited
with his environment, a dissatisfaction which seemed to find expression at this
particular point in his
Page 385
intense desire to join the Marines and get away from his Surroundings and his
mother. His study of Communist literature, which might appear to be inconsistent
with his desire to join the Marines, could have been another manifestation of
Oswald's rejection of his environment.109
His difficulty in relating to other people and his general dissatisfaction with
the world around him continued while he was in the Marine Corps. Kerry Thornley,
a marine associate, who, shortly after Oswald's defection, wrote an as yet
unpublished novel based in considerable part on Oswald's life, testified that
"definitely the Marine Corps was not what he had expected it to be when he
joined." He said that Oswald "seemed to guard against developing real close
friendships." 110 Daniel Powers, another marine who was stationed with Oswald
for part of his marine career, testified that Oswald seemed "always [to be]
striving for a relationship, but whenever he did * * * his general personality
would alienate the group against him." m Other marines also testified that
Oswald had few friends and kept very much to himself. 112
While there is nothing in Oswald's military records to indicate that he was
mentally unstable or otherwise psychologically unfit for duty in the Marine
Corps, 113 he did not adjust well to conditions which he found in that service.
114 He did not rise above the rank of private first class, even though he had
passed a qualifying examination for the rank of corporal.115 His Marine career
was not helped by his attitude that he was a man of great ability and
intelligence and that many of his superiors in the Marine Corps were not
sufficiently competent to give him orders.116 While Oswald did not seem to
object to authority in the abstract, he did think that he should be the one to
exercise it. John E. Donovan, one of his former officers, testified that Oswald
thought "that authority, particularly the Marine Corps, ought to be able to
recognize talent such as his own, without a given magic college degree, and put
them in positions of prominence? 117 Oswald manifested this feeling about
authority by baiting his officers. He led them into discussions of foreign
affairs about which they often knew less than he did, since he had apparently
devoted considerable time to a study of such matters.118 When the officers were
unable to discuss foreign affairs satisfactorily with him, Oswald regarded them
as unfit to exercise command over him.119 Nelson Delgado, one of Oswald's fellow
Marines, testified that Oswald tried to "cut up anybody that was high ranking"
in those arguments "and make himself come out top dog.". 120 Oswald probably
engaged his superiors in arguments on a subject that he had studied in an
attempt to attract attention to himself and to support his exaggerated idea of
his own abilities.
Thornley also testified that he thought that Oswald's extreme personal
sloppiness in the Marine Corps "fitted into a general personality pattern of
his: to do whatever was not wanted of him, a recalcitrant trend in his
personality." 121 Oswald "seemed to be a person who would go out of his way to
get into trouble" 122 and then used the "special treatment" he received as an
example of the way in which
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he was being picked on and "as a means of getting or attempting to get
sympathy." 123 In Thornley's view, Oswald labored under a persecution complex
which he strove to maintain and '"felt the Marine Corps kept a pretty close
watch on him because of his 'subversive' activities." Thornley added: "I think
it was kind of necessary to him to believe that he was being picked on. It
wasn't anything extreme. I wouldn't go as far as to call it, call him a
paranoid, but a definite tendency there was in that direction, I think." 124
Powers considered Oswald to be meek and easily led,125 an "individual that you
would brainwash, and quite easy * * * [but] I think once he believed in
something * * * he stood in his beliefs." 126 Powers also testified that Oswald
was reserved and seemed to be "somewhat the frail, little puppy in the litter."
127 He had the nickname "Ozzie Rabbit." 128
Oswald read a good deal, said Powers, but "he would never be reading any of the
shoot-em-up westerns or anything like that. Normally, it would be a good type of
literature; and the one that I recall was 'Leaves of Grass,' by Wait Whitman."
129 According to Powers, Oswald said: "All the Marine Corps did was to teach you
to kill' and after you got out of the Marines you might be good gangsters." 130
Powers believed that when Oswald arrived in Japan he acquired a girlfriend,
"finally attaining a male status or image in his own eyes." 131 That apparently
caused Oswald to become more self-confident, aggressive and even somewhat
pugnacious, although Powers "wouldn't say that this guy is a troublemaker." 132
Powers said "now he was Oswald the man rather than Oswald the rabbit." 133
Oswald once told Powers that he didn't care if he returned to the United States
at all. 134
While in Japan, Oswald's new found apparent self confidence and pugnaciousness
led to an incident in which he spilled a drink on one of his sergeants and
abusively challenged him to right.135 At the court-martial hearing which
followed, Oswald admitted that he had been rather drunk when the incident
occurred. He testified that he had felt the sergeant had a grudge against him
and that he had unsuccessfully sought a transfer from the sergeant's unit. He
said that he had simply wanted to discuss the question with the sergeant and the
drink had been spilled accidentally. The hearing officer agreed with the latter
claim but found Oswald guilty of wrongfully using provoking words and sentenced
him to 28 days, canceling the suspension of a 20-day sentence that Oswald had
received in an earlier court-martial for possessing an unauthorized pistol with
which he had accidentally shot himself.136
At his own request, Oswald was transferred from active duty to the Marine Corps
Reserve under honorable conditions in September of 1959, 3 months prior to his
regularly scheduled separation date, 137 ostensibly to care for his mother who
had been injured in an accident at her work.138 He was undesirably discharged
from the Marine Corps Reserve, to which he had been assigned on inactive status
following his transfer from active duty, after it was learned that he had
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defected to the Soviet Union.139 In an attempt to have this discharge reversed,
Oswald wrote to then Secretary of the Navy Connally on January 30, 1962, stating
that he would "employ all means to right this gross mistake or injustice."
Governor Connally had just resigned to run for Governor of Texas, so he advised
Oswald that he had forwarded the letter to his successor.141 It is thus clear
that Oswald knew that Governor Connally was never directly concerned with his
discharge and he must have known that President Kennedy had had nothing to do
with it. In that connection, it does not appear that Oswald ever expressed any
dissatisfaction of any kind with either the President or Governor Connally.142
Marina Oswald testified that she "had never heard anything bad about Kennedy
from Lee. And he never had anything against him." 143 Mrs. Oswald said that her
husband did not say anything about Governor Connally after his return to the
United States. She testified: "But while we were in Russia he spoke well of him.
* * * Lee said that when he would return to the United States he would vote for
him [for Governor]." 144 Oswald must have already learned that the Governor
could not help him with his discharge because he was no longer Secretary of the
Navy, at the time he made that remark.
Even though Oswald apparently did not express any hostility against the
President or Governor Connally, he continued to be concerned about his
undesirable discharge.145 It is clear that he thought he had been unjustly
treated. Probably his complaint was due to the fact that his discharge was not
related to anything he had done while on active duty and also because he had not
received any notice of the original discharge proceedings, since his whereabouts
were not known.146 He continued his efforts to reverse the discharge by
petitioning the Navy Discharge Review Board, which finally declined to modify
the discharge and so advised him in a letter dated July 1963.147
Governor Connally's connection with the discharge, although indirect, caused the
Commission to consider whether he might have been Oswald's real target. In that
connection, it should be noted that Marina Oswald testified on September 6,
1964, that she thought her husband "was shooting at Connally rather than
President Kennedy." In support of her conclusion Mrs. Oswald noted her husband's
undesirable discharge and that she could not think of any reason why Oswald
would want to kill President Kennedy.148 It should be noted, however, that at
the time Oswald fired the shots at the Presidential limousine the Governor
occupied the seat in front of the President, and it would have been almost
impossible for Oswald to have hit the Governor without hitting the President
first. Oswald could have shot the Governor as the car approached the Depository
or as it was making the turn onto Elm Street. Once it had started down Elm
Street toward the Triple Underpass, however, the President almost completely
blocked Oswald's view of the Governor prior to the time the first shot struck
the President.150 Furthermore, Oswald would have had other and more favorable
opportunities to strike at the Governor than on this occasion
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when, as a member of the President's party, he had more protection than usual.
It would appear, therefore, that to the extent Oswald's undesirable discharge
affected his motivation, it was more in terms of a general hostility against the
government and its representatives rather than a grudge against any particular
person.
Interest in Marxism
Page 388
Interest in Marxism
As indicated above, Oswald started to read Communist literature after he and his
mother left New York and moved to New Orleans.151 He told Aline Mosby, a
reporter who interviewed him after he arrived in Moscow:
I'm a Marxist, * * * I became interested about the age of 15. From an
ideological viewpoint. An old lady handed me a pamphlet about saving the
Rosenbergs. * * * I looked at that paper and I still remember it for some
reason, I don't know why.152
Oswald studied Marxism after he joined the Marines and his sympathies in that
direction and for the Soviet Union appear to have been widely known, at least in
the unit to which he was assigned after his return from the Far East. His
interest in Russia led some of his associates to call him "comrade" 153 or
"Oswaldskovitch." 154 He always wanted to play the red pieces in chess because,
as he said in an apparently humorous context, he preferred the "Red Army." 155
He studied the Russian language,156 read a Russian language newspaper 157 and
seemed interested in what was going on in the Soviet Union.158 Thornley, who
thought Oswald had an "irrevocable conviction" that his Marxist beliefs were
correct, testified:
I think you could sit down and argue with him for a number of years * * * and I
don't think you could have changed his mind on that unless you knew why he
believed it in the first place. I certainly don't. I don't think with any kind
of formal argument you could have shaken that conviction. And that is why I say
irrevocable. It was just--never getting back to looking at things from any other
way once he had become a Marxist, whenever that was.159
Thornley also testified about an incident which grew out of a combination of
Oswald's known Marxist sympathies and George Orwell's book "1984," one of
Oswald's favorite books which Thornley read at Oswald's suggestion. Shortly
after Thornley finished reading that book the Marine unit to which both men were
assigned was required to take part in a Saturday morning parade in honor of some
retiring noncommissioned officers, an event which they both approached with
little enthusiasm. While waiting for the parade to start they talked briefly
about "1984" even though Oswald seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. After a
brief period of silence Os-
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wald remarked on the stupidity of the parade and on how angry it made him, to
which Thornley replied: "Well, comes the revolution you will change all that."
Thornley testified:
At which time he looked at me like a betrayed Caesar and screamed, screamed
definitely, "Not you, too, Thornley." And I remember his voice cracked as he
said this. He was definitely disturbed at what I had said and I didn't really
think I had said that much. * * * I never said anything to him again and he
never said anything to me again.160
Thornley said that he had made his remark only in the context of "1984" and had
not intended any criticism of Oswald's political views which is the way in
which, Thornley thought, Oswald took his remarks.161
Lieutenant Donovan testified that Oswald thought that "there were many grave
injustices concerning the affairs in the international situation." He recalled
that Oswald had a specific interest in Latin America, particularly Cuba, and
expressed opposition to the Batista regime and sympathy for Castro, an attitude
which, Donovan said, was "not * * * unpopular" at that time. Donovan testified
that he never heard Oswald express a desire personally to take part in the
elimination of injustices anywhere in the world and that he "never heard him in
any way, shape or form confess that he was a Communist, or that he ever thought
about being a Communist." 162 Delgado testified that Oswald was "a complete
believer that our way of government was not quite right" and believed that our
Government did not have "too much to offer," but was not in favor of "the
Communist way of life." Delgado and Oswald talked more about Cuba than Russia,
and sometimes imagined themselves as leaders in the Cuban Army or Government,
who might "lead an expedition to some of these other islands and free them too."
163
Thornley also believed that Oswald's Marxist beliefs led to an extraordinary
view of history under which:
He looked upon the eyes of future people as some kind of tribunal, and he wanted
to be on the winning side so that 10,000 years from-now people would look in the
history books and say, "Well, this man was ahead of his time." * * * The eyes of
the future became * * the eyes of God. * * * He was concerned with his image in
history and I do think that is why he chose * * * the particular method [of
defecting] he chose and did it in the way he did. It got him in the newspapers.
It did broadcast his name out.164
Thornley thought that Oswald not only wanted a place in history but also wanted
to live comfortably in the present. He testified that if Oswald could not have
that "degree of physical comfort that he expected or sought, I think he would
then throw himself entirely on the other thing he also wanted, which was the
image in history. * * *
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I think he wanted both if he could have them. If he didn't, he wanted to die
with the knowledge that, or with the idea that he was somebody." 165
Oswald's interest in Marxism led some people to avoid him, even though as his
wife suggested, that interest may have been motivated by a desire to gain
attention.166 He used his Marxist. and associated activities as excuses for his
difficulties in getting along in the world, which were usually caused by
entirely different factors. His use of those excuses to present himself to the
world as a person who was being unfairly treated is shown most clearly by his
employment relations after his return from the Soviet Union. Of course, he made
his real problems worse to the extent that his use of those excuses prevented
him from discovering the real reasons for and attempting to overcome his
difficulties. Of greater importance, Oswald's commitment to Marxism contributed
to the decisions which led him to defect to the Soviet Union in 1959, and later
to engage in activities on behalf of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in the
summer of 1963, and to attempt to go to Cuba late in September of that year.
Defection to the Soviet Union
Page 390
Defection to the Soviet Union
After Oswald left the Marine Corps in September of 1959, ostensibly to care for
his mother, he almost immediately left for the Soviet Union where he attempted
to renounce his citizenship. At the age of 19, Oswald thus committed an act
which was the most striking indication he had yet given of his willingness to
act on his beliefs in quite extraordinary ways.
While his defection resulted in part from Oswald's commitment to Marxism, it
appears that personal and psychological factors were also involved. On August
17, 1963, Oswald told Mr. William Stuckey, who had arranged a radio debate on
Oswald's activities on behalf of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, that while he
had begun to read Marx and Engels at the age of 15,
the conclusive thing that made him decide that Marxism was the answer was his
service in Japan. He said living conditions over there convinced him something
was wrong with the system, and that possibly Marxism was the answer. He said it
was in Japan that he made up his mind to go to Russia and see for himself how a
revolutionary society operates, a Marxist society.167
On the other hand, at least one person who knew Oswald after his return thought
that his defection had a more personal and psychological basis.168 The validity
of the latter observation is borne out by some of the things Oswald wrote in
connection with his defection indicating that his motivation was at least in
part a personal one. On November 26, 1959, shortly after he arrived in the
Soviet Union, and probably before Soviet authorities had given him permission to
stay indefinitely, he wrote to his brother Robert that the Soviet Union
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was a country which "I have always considered * * * to be my own" and that he
went there "only to find freedom. * * * I could never have been personally happy
in the U.S." 169 He wrote in another letter that he would "never return to the
United States which is a country I hate." 170 His idea that he was to find
"freedom" in the Soviet Union was to be rudely shattered.
Whatever Oswald's reasons for going to the Soviet Union might have been,
however, there can be little doubt that his desire to go was quite strong. In
addition to studying the Russian language while he was in the Marines, Oswald
had managed to save enough money to cover the expenses of his forthcoming trip.
While there is no proof that he saved $1,500, as he claimed, it would have taken
considerable discipline to save whatever amount was required to finance his
defection out of the salary of a low ranking enlisted man.171
The extent of Oswald's desire to go to the Soviet Union and of his initial
commitment to that country can best be understood, however, in the context of
his concomitant hatred of the United States, which was most clearly expressed in
his November 26, 1959, letter to his brother Robert. Addressing himself to the
question of why "I and my fellow workers and communist's would like to see the
present capitalist government of the U.S. overthrown" Oswald stated that that
government supported an economic system "which exploits all its workers" and
under which "art, culture and the sprit of man are subjected to commercial
enterpraising, [and] religion and education are used as a tool to surpress what
would otherwise be a population questioning their government's unfair economic
system and plans for war." 172
He complained in his letter about segregation, unemployment, automation, and the
use of military forces to suppress other populations. Asking his brother why he
supported the American Government and what ideals he put forward, Oswald wrote:
Ask me and I will tell you I fight for communism. * * * I will not say your
grandchildren will live under communism, look for yourself at history, look at a
world map! America is a dicing country, I do not wish to be a part of it, nor do
I ever again wish to be used as a tool in its military aggressions.
This should answer your question, and also give you a glimpse of my way of
thinking.
So you speak of advantages. Do you think that is why I am here? For personal,
material advantages? Happiness is not based on oneself, it does not consist of a
small home, of taking and getting, Happiness is taking part in the struggle,
where there is no borderline between one's own personal world, and the world in
general. I never believed I would find more material advantages at this stage of
development in the Soviet Union than I might of had in the U.S.
* * * * *
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I have been a pro-communist for years and yet I have never met a communist,
instead I kept silent and observed, and what I observed plus my Marxist learning
brought me here to the Soviet Union. I have always considered this country to be
my own.173
Responding to Robert's statement that he had not "renounced" him, Oswald told
his brother "on what terms I want this arrangement." He advised Robert that:
1. In the event of war I would kill any american who put a uniform on in defense
of the american government-- any american.
2. That in my own mind I have no attachment's of any kind in the U.S.
3. That I want to, and I shall, live a normal happy and peaceful life here in
the Soviet Union for the rest of my life.
4. that my mother and you are (in spite of what the newspaper said) not objects
of affection, but only examples of workers in the U. S.
Despite this commitment to the Soviet Union Oswald met disappointments there
just as he had in the past. At the outset the Soviets told him that he could not
remain. It seems that Oswald immediately attempted suicide--a striking
indication of how much he desired to remain in the Soviet Union.175 It shows how
willing he was to act dramatically and decisively when he faced an emotional
crisis with few readily available alternatives at hand. He was shocked to find
that the Soviet Union did not accept him with open arms. The entry in his
self-styled "Historic Diary" for October 21, 1959, reports:
I am shocked ! ! My dreams! * * * I have waited for 2 year to be accepted. My
fondes dreams are shattered because of a petty official, * * * I decide to end
it. Soak fist in cold water to numb the pain, Than slash my leftwrist. Than
plaug wrist into bathtub of hot water. * * * Somewhere, a violin plays, as I
watch my life whirl away. I think to myself "How easy to Die" and "A Sweet
Death, (to violins) * * * 176
Oswald was discovered in time to thwart his attempt at suicide. 177 He was taken
to a hospital in Moscow where he was kept until October 28, 1959.178
Still intent, however, on staying in the Soviet Union, Oswald went on October
31, to the American Embassy to renounce his U.S. citizenship. Mr. Richard E.
Snyder, then Second Secretary and senior consular official at the Embassy,
testified that Oswald was extremely sure of himself and seemed "to know what his
mission was. He took charge, in a sense, of the conversation right from the
beginning." He presented the following signed note:
I Lee Harvey Oswald do hereby request that my present citizenship in the United
States of America, be revoked.
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I have entered the Soviet Union for the express purpose of applying for
citizenship in the Soviet Union, through the means of naturalization.
My request for citizenship is now pending before the Surprem Soviet of the
U.S.S.R..
I take these steps for political reasons. My request for the revoking of my
American citizenship is made only after the longest and most serious
considerations.
I affirm that my allegiance is to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.180
(See Commission Exhibit 913, p. 261.)
As his "principal reason" for renouncing his citizenship Oswald stated: "I am a
Marxist." 181 He also alluded to hardships endured by his mother as a worker,
referring to them as experiences that he did not intend to have himself,182 even
though he stated that he had never held a civilian job.183 He said that his
Marine service in Okinawa and elsewhere had given him "a chance to observe
'American imperialism.'" but he also displayed some sensitivity at not having
reached a higher rank in the Marine Corps.184 He stated that he had volunteered
to give Soviet officials any information that he had concerning Marine Corps
operations,185 and intimated that he might know something of special
interest.186 Oswald's "Historic Diary" describes the event in part as follows:
I leave Embassy, elated at this showdown, returning to my hotel I feel now my
enorgies are not spent in vain. I'm sure Russians will except me after this sign
of my faith in them.187
The Soviet authorities finally permitted Oswald to remain in their country.188
No evidence has been found that they used him for any particular propaganda or
other political or informational purposes. They sent him to Minsk to work in a
radio and television factory as a metal worker.189 The Soviet authorities denied
Oswald permission to attend a university in Moscow,190 but they gave him a
monthly allowance of 700 rubles a month (old exchange rate)191 in addition to
his factory salary of approximately equal amount192 and considerably better
living quarters than those accorded to Soviet citizens of equal age and
station.193 The subsidy, apparently similar to those sometimes given to
foreigners allowed to remain in the Soviet Union, together with his salary, gave
Oswald an income which he said approximated that of the director of the factory
in which he worked.194
Even though he received more money and better living quarters than other
Russians doing similar work, he envied his wife's uncle, a colonel in the MVD,
because of the larger apartment in which he lived. Reminiscent of his attitude
toward his superiors in the Marine Corps, Oswald apparently resented the
exercise of authority over him and the better treatment afforded to Communist
Party officials.195 After he returned to the United States he took the position
that the Communist Party officials in the Soviet Union were opportunists who
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were betraying their positions for personal gain. He is reported to have
expressed the conclusion that they had "fat stinking politicians over there just
like we have over here." 196
Oswald apparently continued to have personal difficulties while he was in Minsk.
Although Marina Oswald told the Commission that her husband had good personal
relationships in the Soviet Union,197 Katherine Ford, one of the members of the
Russian community in Dallas with which the Oswalds became acquainted upon their
arrival in the United States, stated that Mrs. Oswald told her everybody in
Russia "hated him." 198 Jeanne De Mohrenschildt, another member of that group,
said that Oswald told her that he had returned because "I didn't find what I was
looking for." 199 George De Mohrenschildt thought that Oswald must have become
disgusted with life in the Soviet Union as the novelty of the presence of an
American wore off and he began to be less the center of attention.200
The best description of Oswald's state of mind, however, is set forth in his own
"Historic Diary." Under the entry for May 1, 1960, he noted that one of his
acquaintances "relats many things I do not know about the U.S.S.R.. I begin to
feel uneasy inside, its true!" 201 Under the entry for August-September of that
year he wrote:
As my Russian improves I become increasingly conscious of just what sort of a
society I live in. Mass gymnastics, complusory afterwork meeting, usually
political information meeting. Complusory attendance at lectures and the sending
of the entire shop collective (except me) to pick potatoes on a Sunday, at a
state collective farm: A "patroict duty" to bring in the harvest. The opions of
the workers (unvoiced) are that its a great pain in the neck: they don't seem to
be esspicialy enthusiastic about any of the "collective" duties a natural
feeling. I am increasingly aware of the presence, in all thing, of Lebizen, shop
party secretary, fat, fortyish, and jovial on the outside. He is a no-nonsense
party regular.202
Finally, the entry of January 4-31 of 1961:
I am stating to reconsider my disire about staying the work is drab the money I
get has nowhere to be spent. No night clubs or bowling allys no places of
recreation acept the trade union dances I have have had enough.203
Shortly thereafter, less than 18 months after his defection, about 6 weeks
before he met Marina Prusakova, Oswald opened negotiations with the U.S. Embassy
in Moscow looking toward his return to the United States.204
Return to the United States
Page 394
Return to the United States
In view of the intensity of his earlier commitment to the Soviet Union, a great
change must have occurred in Oswald's thinking to
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induce him to return to the United States. The psychological effects of that
change must have been highly unsettling. It should be remembered that he was not
yet 20 years old when he went to the Soviet Union with such high hopes and not
quite 23 when he returned bitterly disappointed. His attempt to renounce his
citizenship had been an open expression of hostility against the United States
and a profound rejection of his early life. The dramatic break with society in
America now had to be undone. His return to the United States publicly testified
to the utter failure of what had been the most important act of his life.
Marina Oswald confirmed the fact that her husband was experiencing psychological
difficulties at the time of his return. She said that "immediately after coming
to the United States Lee changed. I did not know him as such a man in Russia."
205 She added that while he helped her as he had done before, he became more of
a recluse, that "[he] was very irritable, sometimes for a trifle" and that "Lee
was very unrestrained and very explosive" during the period from November 19,
1962 to March of 1963.206
After the assassination she wrote that:
In general, our family life began to deteriorate after we arrived in America.
Lee was always hot-tempered, and now this trait of character more and more
prevented us from living together in harmony. Lee became very irritable, and
sometimes some completely trivial thing would drive him into a rage. I myself do
not have a particularly quiet disposition, but I had to change my character a
great deal in order to maintain a more or less peaceful family life.207
Marina Oswald's judgment of her husband's state of mind may be substantiated by
comparing material which he wrote in the Soviet Union with what he wrote while
on the way back to the United States and after his return. While in the Soviet
Union he wrote his longest and clearest piece of work, "The Collective." This
was a fairly coherent description of life in that country, basically centered
around the radio and television factory in which he worked.208 While it was
apparently intended for publication in the United States, and is in many
respects critical of certain aspects of life in the Soviet Union, it appears to
be the work of a fairly well organized person. Oswald prefaced his manuscript
with a short autobiographical sketch which reads in part as follows:
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in Oct 1939 in New Orleans La. the son of a Insuraen
Salesmen whose early death left a far mean streak of indepence brought on by
negleck. entering the US Marine corp at 17 this streak of independence was
strengthed by exotic journeys to Japan the Philipines and the scores of odd
Islands in the Pacific immianly after serving out his 3 years
395
Page 396
PHOTOGRAPHS OF LEE HARVEY
OSWALD TAKEN IN MINSK
COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2891
COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2892*
PHOTOGRAPH OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD
TAKEN AFTER HIS RETURN FROM THE SOVIET UNION
(COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2788)
396
Page 397
in the USMC he abonded his american life to seek a new life in the USSR. full of
optimism and hope he stood in red square in the fall of 1959 vowing to see his
chosen course through, after, however, two years and alot of growing up I
decided to return to the USA. * * * 209
"The Collective" contrasts sharply with material which Oswald seems to have
written after he left the Soviet Union,210 which appears to be more an
expression of his own psychological condition than of a reasoned analysis. The
latter material expresses great hostility to both communism and capitalism. He
wrote, that to a person knowing both of those systems, "their can be no
mediation between those systems as they exist to-day and that person. He must be
opposed to their basic foundations and representatives" 211
and yet it is imature to take the sort of attitude which says "a curse on both
your houses!" their are two great represenative of power in the world, simply
expressed, the left and right, and their offspring factions and concers.
any practical attempt at one alternative must have as its nuclus the
triditionall ideological best of both systems, and yet be utterly opposed to
both systems.212
Such an alternative was to be opposed both to capitalism and communism because:
No man, having known, having lived, under the Russian Communist and American
capitalist system, could possibly make a choice between them, there is no
choice, one offers oppresstion the other poverty. Both offer imperilistic
injustice, tinted with two brands of slavery.213
Oswald actually did attempt to formulate such an alternative 214 which he
planned to "put forward" himself.215 He thought the new alternative would have
its best chance to be accepted after "conflict between the two world systems
leaves the world country without defense or foundation of government,"216 after
which the survivors would "seek a alturnative opposed to those systems which
have brough them misery." 217 Oswald realized that "their thinking and education
will be steeped in the traiditions of those systems [and] they would never
except a 'new order' complete beyond their understanding." 218 As a result he
thought it would be "neccary to oppose the old systems but at the same time
support their cherised trations." 219
Expanding on his ideas on how his alternative to communism and capitalism might
be introduced, he wrote of a "readily foreseeable * * * economic, political or
military crisis, internal or external, [which] will bring about the final
destrution of the capitalist. system," 220 and indicated that "preparation in a
special party could safeguard an inde-
Page 398
pendant course of action after the debacle," 221 which would achieve the goal,
which was:
The emplacement of a separate, democratic, pure communist sociaty * * * but one
with union-communes, democratic socializing of production and without regard to
the twisting apart of Marxism Marxist Communism by other powers.222
While "[r]esoufualniss and patient working towards the aforesaid goal's are
prefered rather than loud and useless manifestation's of protest," 223 Oswald
went on to note:
But these prefered tactics now, may prove to be too limited in the near future,
they should not be confused with slowness, indesision or fear, only the
intellectualy fearless could even be remotly attracted too our doctrine, and yet
this doctrine requirers the uptmost utmost restraint, a state of being in itself
majustic in power.224
Oswald's decided rejection of both capitalism and communism seemed to place him
in a situation in which he could not live with satisfaction either in the United
States or in the Soviet Union. The discussion above has already set forth
examples of his expression of hatred for the United States. He also expressed
hatred of the Soviet Union and of the Communist Party, U.S.A., even though he
later referred to the latter as "trusted long time fighters for progress." 225
He wrote:
The Communist Party of the United States has betrayed itself ! it has turned
itself into the tradional lever of a foreign power to overthrow the goverment of
the United States; not in the name of freedow or high ideals, but in servile
conformity to the wishes of the Soviet Union and in anticipation of Soviet
Russia's complete domination of the American continent.226
******
There can be no sympathy for those who have turned the idea of communism into a
vill curse to western man.
The Soviets have committed crimes unsurpassed even by their early day capitalist
counterparts, the imprisonment of their own peoples, with the mass extermination
so typical of Stalin, and the individual surpresstion and regimentation under
Krushehev.
The deportations, the purposefull curtailment of diet in the consumer slighted
population of Russia, the murder of history, the prositution of art and
culture.227
A suggestion that Oswald hated more than just capitalism and communism is
provided by the following, which was apparently written either on the ship
coming back, or after his return from the Soviet Union:
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Page 399
I have often wondered why it is that the communist, anarchist capitatist and
even the fasist and anarchist elements in american, allways profess patrotistism
toward the land and the people, if not the goverment; although their ideals
movements must surly lead to the bitter destruction of all and everything.
I am quite sure these people must hate not only the goverment but our the peop
culture, traditions, heritage and very people itself, and yet they stand up and
piously pronouce themselfs patriots, displaying their war medles, that they
gained in conflicts long past between themselfs.
I wonder what would happen it somebody was to stand up and say he was utterly
opposed not only to the goverments, but to the people, too the entire land and
complete foundations of his socically.228
Oswald demonstrated his thinking in connection with his return to the United
States by preparing two sets of identical questions of the type which he might
have thought he would be asked at. a press conference when he returned. With
either great ambivalence, or cold calculation he prepared completely different
answers to the same questions. Judged by his other statements and writings,
however, he appears to have indicated his true feelings in the set of answers
first presented and to have stated in the second what he thought would be least
harmful to him as he resumed life in the United States. For example, in response
to his questions about his decision to go to the Soviet Union, his first draft
answered "as a mark of dicuss and protest against american political policies in
foreign countrys, my personal sign of discontent' and horror at the misguided
line of resoning of the U.S. Goverment." 229 His second answer was that he "went
as a citizen of the U.S. (as a tourist) residing in a forieng conutry which I
have a perfect fight to do. I went there to see the land, the people and how
their system works."
To the question of "Are you a communits?" he first answered "Yes, basically,
allthough I hate the USSR and socialist system I still think marxism can work
under different circumstances." 231 His second answer to this question was, "No
of course not, I have never even know a communist, outside of the ones in the
USSR but you can't help that." 282 His first set of questions and answers
indicated his belief that there were no outstanding differences between the
Soviet Union and the United States, "except in the US, the living standard is a
little higher. freedoms are about the same, medical aid and the educational
system in the USSR is better than in the USA." In the second simulated
transcript which ended with the statement "Newspapers, thank you sir; you are a
real patriot ! !" he apparently concluded that the United States offered
"freedom of speech travel outspoken opposition to unpopular policies freedom to
believe in god," while the Soviet Union did not.234
399
Page 400
Despite the hatred that Oswald expressed toward the Soviet Union after his
residence there, he continued to be interested in that country after he returned
to the United States. Soon after his arrival he wrote to the Soviet Embassy in
Washington requesting information on how to subscribe to Russian newspapers and
magazines and asked for "any periodicals or bulletins which you may put out for
the beneifit of your citizens living, for a time, in the U.S.A.." 235 Oswald
subsequently did subscribe to several Soviet journals. 236 While Marina Oswald
tried to obtain permission to return to the Soviet Union she testified that she
did so at her husband's insistence.237
In July of 1963, Oswald also requested the Soviet Union to provide a visa for
his return to that country.238 In August of 1968, he gave the New Orleans police
as a reason for refusing to permit his family to learn English, that ~'he hated
America and he did not want them to become 'Americanized' and that his plans
were to go back to Russia." 239 Even though his primary purpose probably was to
get to Cuba, he sought an immediate grant of visa on his trip to Mexico City in
late September of 1963.240 He also inquired about visas for himself and his wife
in a letter which he wrote to the Soviet Embassy in Washington on November 9,
1963.241
Personal Relations
Page 400
Personal Relations
Apart from his relatives, Oswald had no friends or close associates in Texas
when he returned there in June of 1962, and he did not establish any dose
friendships or associations, although it appears that he came to respect George
De Mohrenschildt.242 Somewhat of a nonconformist,243 De Mohrenschildt was a
peripheral member of the so-called Russian community, with which Oswald made
contact through Mr. Peter Gregory, a Russian-speaking petroleum engineer whom
Oswald met as a result of his contact with the Texas Employment Commission
office in Fort Worth.244 Some of the members of that group saw a good deal of
the Oswalds through the fall of 1963, and attempted to help Mrs. Oswald
particularly, in various ways.245 In general, Oswald did not like the member's
of the Russian community.246 In fact, his relations with some of them,
particularly George Bouhe, became quite hostile.247 Part of the problem resulted
from the fact that, as Jeanne De Mohrenschildt testified, Oswald was "very, very
disagreeable and disappointed." 248 He also expressed considerable resentment at
the help given to his wife by her Russian-American friends. Jeanne De
Mohrenschildt said:
Marina had a hundred dresses given to her * * * [and] he objected to that lavish
help, because Marina was throwing it into his face.
He was offensive with the people. And I can understand why, * * because that
hurt him. He could never give her what the
400
Page 401
people were showering on her. * * * no matter how hard he worked--and he worked
very hard.249
The relations between Oswald and his wife became such that Bouhe wanted to
"liberate" her from Oswald.250 While the exact sequence of events is not clear
because of conflicting testimony, it appears that De Mohrenschildt and his wife
actually went to Oswald's apartment early in November of 1962 and helped to move
the personal effects of Marina Oswald and the baby. Even though it appears that
they may have left Oswald a few days before, it seems that he resisted the move
as best he could. He even threatened to tear up his wife's dresses and break all
the baby things. According to De Mohrenschildt, Oswald submitted to the
inevitable, presumably because he was "small, you know, and he was rather a puny
individual." 251 De Mohrenschildt said that the whole affair made him nervous
since he was "interfering in other people's affairs, after all." 252
Oswald attempted to get his wife to come back and, over Bouhe's protest, De
Mohrenschildt finally told him where she was. De Mohrenschildt admitted that:
if somebody did that to me, a lousy trick like that, to take my wife away, and
all the furniture, I would be mad as hell, too. I am surprised that he didn't do
something worse.253
After about a 2-week separation, Marina Oswald returned to her husband.254 Bouhe
thoroughly disapproved of this and as a result almost all communication between
the Oswalds and members of the Russian community ceased. Contacts with De
Mohrenschildt and his wife did continue and they saw the Oswalds occasionally
until the spring of 1963.255
Shortly after his return from the Soviet Union, Oswald severed all relations
with his mother; he did not see his brother Robert from Thanksgiving of 1962
until November 23, 1963.256 At the time of his defection, Oswald had said that
neither his brother, Robert, nor his mother were objects of his affection, "but
only examples of workers in the U.S." He also indicated to officials at the
American Embassy in Moscow that his defection was motivated at least in part by
so-called exploitation of his mother by the capitalist system.257 Consistent
with this attitude he first told his wife that he did not have a mother, but
later admitted that he did but that "he didn't love her very much." 258
When they arrived from the Soviet Union, Oswald and his family lived at first
with his brother Robert. The latter testified that they "were just together
again," as if his brother "had not been to Russia." He also said that he and his
family got along well with Marina Oswald and enjoyed showing her American
things.259 After about a month with his brother, Oswald and his family lived for
a brief period with his mother at her urging, but Oswald soon decided
to move out.260
401
Page 402
Marguerite Oswald visited her son and his family at the first apartment which he
rented after his return, and tried to help them get settled there. After she had
bought some clothes for Marina Oswald and a highchair for the baby, Oswald
emphatically told her to stop. As Marguerite Oswald testified, "he strongly put
me in my place about buying things for his wife that he himself could not buy."
261 Oswald objected to his mother visiting the apartment and became quite
incensed with his wife when she would open the door for her in spite of his
instructions to the contrary.262 Oswald moved to Dallas on about October 8,
1962, without telling his mother where he was going. He never saw or
communicated with her in any way again until she came to see him after the
assassination.263
Even though Oswald cut off relations with his mother, he attempted for the first
time to learn something about his family background when he went to New Orleans
in April of 1963. He visited some of his father's elderly relatives and the
cemetery where his father was buried in an effort to develop the facts of his
genealogy.264 While it does not appear that he established any new relationships
as a re-suit of his investigation, he did obtain a large picture of his father
from one of the elderly relatives with whom he spoke.265 Oswald's interest in
such things presents a sharp contrast with his attitude at the time of his
defection, when he evidenced no interest in his father and hardly mentioned him,
even when questioned.266
Employment
Page 402
Employment
Oswald's defection, his interest in the Soviet Union, and his activities on
behalf of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee not only caused him difficulties in
his employment relations, but they also provided him with excuses for employment
failures which were largely of his own making. Oswald experienced some
difficulty finding employment. Perhaps this was partially because of his lack of
any specific skill or training.267 Some of his acquaintances, feeling that
Oswald tried to impress people with the fact that he had lived and worked in
Russia, were led to the belief that his employment difficulties were caused by
his telling prospective employers that he had last been employed in Minsk.268
While he might have expected difficulty from such an approach, in fact the
evidence indicates that Oswald usually told his prospective employers and
employment counselors that he had recently been discharged from the Marine
Corps.269
Oswald obtained a job in July of 1962 as a sheet metal worker with a company in
Fort Worth. His performance for that company was satisfactory.270 Even though he
told his wife that he had been fired, he voluntarily left on October 8, 1962,
and moved to Dallas.271
On October 9, 1962 he went to the Dallas office of the Texas Employment
Commission where he expressed a reluctance to work in the industrial field.272
He indicated an interest in writing. An employment counselor testified, on the
basis of a general aptitude test Oswald had taken, that he had some aptitude in
that area, "because the verbal score
402
Page 403
is high and the clerical score is high." 273 While that counselor found that he
was qualified to handle many different types of jobs, because of his need for
immediate employment she attempted to obtain for him any job that was available
at the time. Oswald made qualifying marks in 19 of 23 categories included on the
general aptitude examination and scored 127 on the verbal test, as compared with
50 percent of the people taking it who score less than 100. The counselor
testified that there was some indication that Oswald was capable of doing
college work and noted that Oswald's verbal and clerical potential was
"outstanding." 274 Employment Commission records concerning Oswald stated:
"Well-groomed & spoken, business suit., alert replies--Expresses self extremely
well." 275 Oswald said that he hoped eventually to develop qualifications for
employment as a junior executive through a work-study program at a local
college. He indicated, however, that he would have to delay that program because
of his immediate financial needs and responsibilities.276
On October 11, 1962, the Employment Commission referred Oswald to a commercial
advertising photography firm in Dallas,277 where he was employed as a trainee
starting October 12, 1962.278 Even though Oswald indicated that he liked
photographic work,279 his employer found that he was not an efficient worker. He
was not able to produce photographic work which adhered with sufficient
precision to the job specifications and as a result too much of his work had to
be redone.280 He also had difficulty in working with the other employees. This
was at least in part because of the close physical confines in which some of the
work had to be done.281 He did not seem to be able to make the accommodations
necessary when people work under such conditions and as a result became involved
in conflicts, some of which were fairly heated, with his fellow employees.282
In February or March of 1963, it began to appear that Oswald was having.
considerable difficulty doing accurate work and in getting along with the other
employees. It appears that his discharge was hastened by the fact that he
brought a Russian language newspaper to work.283 It is not possible to tell
whether Oswald did this to pro.- vide an excuse for his eventual discharge, or
whether he brought the Russian language newspaper with him one day after his
other difficulties became clear. It is possible that his immediate supervisor
noticed the newspaper at that time because his attention had otherwise been
drawn more directly to Oswald. In any event, Oswald was discharged on April 6,
1963, ostensibly because of his inefficiency and difficult personality. His
supervisor admitted, however, that while he did not fire Oswald because of the
newspaper incident or even weigh it heavily in his decision, "it didn't do his
case any good." 284
Upon moving to New Orleans on April 24, 1963, Oswald's employ-merit problems
became more difficult. He left his wife and child at the home of a friend, Mrs.
Ruth Paine, of Irving, Tex.285 In New Orleans he obtained work as a greaser and
oiler of coffee processing machines for the William B. Reily Co., beginning May
10, 1963.286
403
Page 404
After securing this job and an apartment, Oswald asked his wife to join him.
Mrs. Paine brought Oswald's family to New Orleans.287 Refusing to admit that he
could only get work as a greaser, Oswald told his wife and Mrs. Paine that he
was working as a commercial photographer.288 He lost his job on July 19, 1963,
because his work was not satisfactory 289 and because he spent too much time
loitering in the garage next door, where he read rifle and hunting magazines.290
Oswald apparently concluded that his Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities
were not related to his discharge.291 The correct-ness of that conclusion is
supported by the fact that he does not seem to have been publicly identified
with that organization until August 9, 1963, almost a month after he lost his
job.292
His Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities, however, made it more difficult for
him to obtain other employment. A placement interviewer of the Louisiana
Department of Labor who had previously interviewed Oswald, saw him on television
and heard a radio debate in which he engaged on August 21, 1963. He consulted
with his supervisor and "it was determined that we should not undertake to
furnish employment references for him." 293 Ironically, he failed to get a job
in another photographic firm after his return to Dallas in October of 1963,
because the president of the photographic firm for which he had previously
worked told the prospective employer that Oswald was "kinda peculiar sometimes
and that he had some knowledge of the Russian language," and that he "may be a
damn Communist. I can't tell you. If I was you, I wouldn't hire him." 294 The
plant superintendent of the new firm testified that, one of the employees of the
old firm "implied that Oswald's fellow employees did not like him because he was
propagandizing and had been seen reading a foreign newspaper." As a result
Oswald was not hired.295 He subsequently found a job with the Texas School Book
Depository for which he performed his duties satisfactorily.296
Attack on General Walker
Page 404
Attack on General Walker
The Commission has concluded that on April 10, 1963, Oswald shot at Maj. Gen.
Edwin A. Walker (Resigned, U.S. Army), demonstrating once again his propensity
to act dramatically and, in this instance violently, in furtherance of his
beliefs. The shooting occurred 2 weeks before Oswald moved to New Orleans and a
few days after he had been discharged by the photographic firm. As indicated in
chapter IV, Oswald had been planning his attack on General Walker for at least
1297 and perhaps as much as 2 months.298 He outlined his plans in a notebook and
studied them at considerable length before his attack.299 He also studied Dallas
bus schedules to prepare for his later use of buses to travel to and from
General Walker's house.300 Sometime after March 27, but according to Marina
Oswald, prior to April 10, 1963,301 Oswald posed for two pictures with his
recently acquired rifle and pistol, a copy of the March 24, 1963, issue of the
Worker, and the March 11, 1963, issue of the
404
Page 405
Militant.302 He told his wife that he wanted to send the pictures to the
Militant and he also asked her to keep one of the pictures for his daughter,
June.303
Following his unsuccessful attack on Walker, Oswald returned home. He had left a
note for his wife telling her what to do in case he were apprehended, as well as
his notebook and the pictures of himself holding the rifle.304 She testified
that she was agitated because she had found the note in Oswald's room, where she
had gone, contrary to his instructions, after she became, worried about his
absence.305 She indicated that she had no advance knowledge of Oswald's plans,
that she became quite angry when Oswald told her what he had done, and that she
made him promise never to repeat such a performance. She said that she kept the
note to use against him "if something like that should be repeated again." 306
When asked if Oswald requested the note back she testified that:
He forgot about it. But apparently after he thought that what he had written in
his book might be proof against him, and he destroyed it. [the book] 307
She later gave the following testimony [*indicates that the witness answered
without using the interpreter]:
Q. After he brought the rifle home, then, he showed you the book?
*A. Yes.
Q. And you said it was not a good idea to keep this book ?
*A. Yes.
Q. And then he burned the book ?
*A. Yes.
Q. Did you ask him why he had not destroyed the book before he actually went to
shoot General Walker ?.
A. It never came to me, myself, to ask him that question.308
Marina Oswald's testimony indicates that her husband was not particularly
concerned about his continued possession of the most incriminating sort of
evidence.309 If he had been successful and had been apprehended even for routine
questioning, his apartment would undoubtedly have been searched, and his role
would have been made clear by the evidence which he had left behind. Leaving the
note and picture as he did would seem to indicate that he had considered the
possibility of capture. Possibly he might have wanted to be caught, and wanted
his involvement made clear if he was in fact apprehended. Even after his wife
told him to destroy the notebook he removed at least some of the pictures which
had been pasted in it and saved them among his effects, where they were found
after the assassination.310 His behavior was entirely consistent with his wife's
testimony that:
Page 406
I asked him what for he was making all these entries in the book and he answered
that he wanted to leave a complete record so that all the details would be in
it.
I am guessing that perhaps he did it to appear to be a brave man in case he were
arrested, but that is my supposition. * * * 311
The attempt on General Walker's life deserves close attention in any
consideration of Oswald's possible motive for the assassination and the trail of
evidence he left behind him on that occasion. While there are differences
between the two events as far as Oswald's actions and planning are concerned,
there are also similarities that should be considered. The items which Oswald
left at home when he made his attack on Walker suggest a strong concern for his
place in history. If the attack had succeeded and Oswald had been caught, the
pictures showing him with his rifle and his Communist and Socialist Worker's
Party newspapers would probably have appeared on the front pages of newspapers
or magazines all over the country, as, in fact, one of them did appear after the
assassination.312 The circumstances of the attack on Walker coupled with other
indications that Oswald was concerned about his place in history 313 and with
the circumstances surrounding the assassination, have led the Commission to
believe that such concern is an important factor to consider in assessing
possible motivation for the assassination.
In any event, the Walker incident indicates that in spite of the belief among
those who knew him that he was apparently not dangerous,314 Oswald did not lack
the determination and other traits required to carry out a carefully planned
killing of another human being and was willing to consummate such a purpose if
he thought there was sufficient reason to do so. Some idea of what he thought
was sufficient reason for such an act may be found in the nature of the motive
that he stated for his attack on General Walker. Marina Oswald indicated that
her husband had compared General Walker to Adolph Hitler. She testified that
Oswald said that General Walker "was a very bad man, that he was a fascist, that
he was the leader of a fascist organization, and when I said that even though
all of that might be true, just the same he had no right to take his life, he
said if someone had killed Hitler in time it would have saved many lives." 315
Political Activities
Page 406
Political Activities
Oswald's political activities after his return to the United States center
around his interest in Cuba and in the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Although,
as indicated above, the Commission has been unable to find any credible evidence
that he was involved in any conspiracy, his political activities do provide
insight into certain aspects of Oswald's character and into his possible
motivation for the assassination. While it appears that he may have distributed
Page 407
Fair Play for Cuba Committee materials on one uneventful occasion in Dallas
sometime during the period April 6-24, 1963,316 Oswald's first public
identification with that cause was in New Orleans. There, in late May and early
June of 1963, under the name Lee Osborne, he had printed a handbill headed in
large letters "Hands Off Cuba," an application form for, and a membership card
in, the New Orleans branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.317 He first
distributed his handbills and other material uneventfully in the vicinity of the
U.S.S. Wasp, which was berthed at the Dumaine Street wharf in New Orleans, on
June 16, 1963.318 He distributed literature in downtown New Orleans on August 9,
1963, and was arrested because of a dispute with three anti-Castro Cuban exiles,
and again on August 16, 1963.319 Following his arrest, he was interviewed by the
police, and at his own request, by an agent of the FBI.320 On August 17, 1963,
he appeared briefly on a radio program a and on August 21, 1963, he debated over
radio station WDSU, New Orleans, with Carlos Bringuier, one of the Cuban exiles
who bad been arrested with him on August 9.322 Bringuier claimed that on August
5, 1963, Oswald had attempted to infiltrate an anti-Castro organization with
which he was associated.323
While Oswald publicly engaged in the activities described above, his
"organization" was a product of his imagination.324 The imaginary president of
the nonexistent chapter was named A. J. Hidell,325 the name that Oswald used
when he purchased the assassination weapon.326 Marina Oswald said she signed
that name, apparently chosen because it rhymed with "Fidel," 327 to her
husband's membership card in the New Orleans chapter. She testified that he
threatened to beat her if she did not do so.328 The chapter had never been
chartered by the national FPCC organization.329 It appears to have been a
solitary operation on Oswald's part in spite of his misstatements to the New
Orleans police that it had 35 members, 5 of which were usually present at
meetings which were held once a month.330
Oswald's Fair Play for Cuba activities may be viewed as a very shrewd political
operation in which one man single handedly created publicity for his cause or
for himself. It is also evidence of Oswald's reluctance to describe events
accurately and of his need to present himself to others as well as to himself in
a light more favorable than was justified by reality. This is suggested by his
misleading and sometime untruthful statements in his letters to Mr. V. T. Lee,
then national director of FPCC. In one of those letters, dated August 1. 1963,
Oswald wrote that an office which he had previously claimed to have rented for
FPCC activities had been "promply closed 3 days later for some obsure reasons by
the renters, they said something about remodeling ect., I'm sure you
understand." 331 He wrote that "thousands of circulars were distrubed" 332 and
that he continued to receive inquiries through his post office box which he
endeavored "to keep ansewering to the best of my ability." 333 In his letter to
V. T. Lee, he stated that he was then alone in his efforts on behalf of FPCC,
but he attributed his lack of support to an attack by Cuban
407
Page 408
exiles in a street demonstration and being "officialy cautioned" by the police,
events which "robbed me of what support I had leaving me alone." 334
In spite of those claims, the Commission has not been able to uncover any
evidence that anyone ever attacked any street demonstration in which Oswald was
involved, except for the Bringuier incident mentioned above, which occurred 8
days after Oswald wrote the above letter to V. T. Lee.335 Bringuier, who seemed
to be familiar with many anti-Castro activities in New Orleans, was not aware of
any such incident.336 Police reports also fail to reflect any activity on
Oswald's part prior to August 9, 1963, except for the uneventful distribution of
literature at the Dumaine Street wharf in June.337 Furthermore, the general
tenor of Oswald's next letter to V. T. Lee, in which he supported his report on
the Bringuier incident with a copy of the charges made against him and a
newspaper clipping reporting the event, suggests that his previous story of an
attack by Cuban exiles was at least greatly exaggerated.338 While the legend
"FPCC 544 Camp St. NEW ORLEANS, LA." was stamped on some literature that Oswald
had in his possession at the time of his arrest in New Orleans, extensive
investigation was not able to connect Oswald with that address, although it did
develop the fact that an anti-Castro organization had maintained offices there
for a period ending early in 1962.339 The Commission has not been able to find
any other indication that Oswald had rented an office in New Orleans. In view of
the limited amount of public activity on Oswald's part before August 9, 1963,
there also seems to be no basis for his claim that he had distributed
"thousands" of circulars, especially since he had claimed to have printed only
2,000 and actually had only 1,000 printed. In addition, there is no evidence
that he received any substantial amount of materials from the national
headquarters.340
In another letter to V. T. Lee, dated August 17, 1963, Oswald wrote that he had
appeared on Mr. William Stuckey's 15-minute television program over WDSU-TV
called "Latin American Focus" as a result of which he was "flooded with callers
and invitations to debate's ect. as well as people interested in joining the
F.P.C.C. New Orleans branch." 341 WDSU has no program of any kind called "Latin
American Focus." 342 Stuckey had a radio program called "Latin Listening Post,"
on which Oswald was heard for less than 5 minutes on August 17, 1963.343 It
appears that Oswald had only one caller in response to all of his FPCC
activities, an agent of Bringuier's attempting to learn more about the true
nature of the alleged FPCC "organization" in New Orleans.344
Oswald's statements suggest that he hoped to be flooded with callers and
invitations to debate. This would have made him a real center of attention as he
must have been when he first arrived in the Soviet Union and as he was to some
extent when he returned to the United States. The limited notoriety that Oswald
received as a result of the street fracas and in the subsequent radio debate was
apparently not enough to satisfy him. He exaggerated in his letters to V. T. Lee
in an appar-
408
Page 409
OSWALD DISTRIBUTING FAIR PLAY FOR CUBA HANDBILLS IN NEW ORLEANS, AUGUST 16, 1963
--INSETS SHOW SAMPLES OF HIS HANDBILLS ON WHICH HE HAD STAMPED HIS NAME AND THE
NAME OF
"A J HIDELL"
COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2966 B
COMMISSION EXHIBIT 2966 A
HANDS OFF CUBA!
NEW ORLEANS CHARTER MEMBER BRANCH
Free Literature, Lectures LOCATION:
CUBA!
NEW ORLEANS CHARTER MEMBER BRANCH
Free Literature Lectures LOCATION:
EVERYONE WELCOME!
GARNER DEPOSITION EXHIBIT 1
730-900 0-64--28
Page 410
ent attempt to make himself and his activities appear far more important than
they really were.
His attempt to express himself through his Fair Play for Cuba activities,
however, was greatly impeded by the fact that the radio debate over WDSU on
August 21, 1963, brought out the history of his defection to the Soviet
Union.345 The basic facts of the event were uncovered independently by William
Stuckey, who arranged the debate, and Edward Butler, executive director of the
Information Council of the Americas, who also appeared on the program.346 Oswald
was confronted with those facts at the beginning of the debate and was so thrown
on the defensive by this that he was forced to state that Fair Play for Cuba was
"not at all Communist controlled regardless of the fact that I had the
experience of living in Russia."
Stuckey testified that uncovering Oswald's defection was very important:
I think that we finished him on that program. * * * because we had publicly
linked the Fair Play for Cuba Committee with a fellow who had lived in Russia
for 3 years and who was an admitted Marxist.
The interesting thing, or rather the danger involved, was the fact that Oswald
seemed like such a nice, bright boy and was extremely believable before this. We
thought the fellow could probably get quite a few members if he was really
indeed serious about getting members. We figured after this broadcast of August
21, why, that was no longer possible.348
In spite of the fact that Oswald had been surprised and was on the defensive
throughout the debate, according to Stuckey: "Mr. Oswald handled himself very
well, as usual." 349 Stuckey thought Oswald "appeared to be a very logical,
intelligent fellow," and "was arrested by his cleancutness." 350 He did not
think Oswald looked like the "type" that he would have expected to find
associating with a group such as the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.351 Stuckey
thought that Oswald acted very much as would a young attorney.352
Following the disclosure of his defection, Oswald sought advice from the
Communist Party, U.S.A., concerning his Fair Play for Cuba activity.358 He had
previously sent, apparently unsolicited, to the Party newspaper, the Worker,
samples of his photographic work, offering to contribute that sort of service
without charge.354 The Worker replied: "Your kind offer is most welcomed and
from time to time we shall call on you." 355 He later wrote to another official
of the Worker, seeking employment, and mentioning the praise he had received for
submitting his photographic work.356 He presented Arnold Johnson, Gus Hall, and
Benjamin J. Davis honorary membership cards in his nonexistent New Orleans
chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, and advised them of some of his
activities on behalf of the organization.357 Arnold Johnson, director of the in-
410
Page 411
formation and lecture bureau of the Communist Party, U.S.A., replied stating:
It is good to know that movements in support of fair play for Cuba has developed
in New Orleans as well as in other cities. We do not have any organizational
ties with the Committee, and .yet. there is much material that we issue from
time to time that is important for anybody who is concerned about developments
in Cuba.358
Marina Oswald said that such correspondence from people he considered important
meant much to Oswald. After he had begun his Cuban activity in New Orleans "he
received a letter from somebody in New York, some Communist--probably from New
York--I am not sure from where--from some Communist leader and he was very
happy, he felt that this was a great man that he had received the letter from."
359 Since he seemed to feel that no one else understood his political views, the
letter was of great value to him for it "was proof * * * that there were people
who' understood his activity." 360
He anticipated that the full disclosure of his defection would hinder him in
"the struggle for progress and freedom in the United States" 361 into which
Oswald, in his own words, had "thrown" himself. He sought advice from the
central committee of the Communist Party, U.S.A., in a letter dated August 28,
1963, about whether he could "continue to fight, handicapped as it were, by my
past record * * * [and] compete with anti-progressive forces, above-ground or
weather in your opinion I should always remain in the background, i.e.
underground." 362 Stating that he had used his "position" with what he claimed
to be the local branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee to "foster communist
ideals," Oswald wrote that he felt that he might have compromised the FPCC and
expressed concern lest "Our opponents could use my background of residence in
the U.S.S.R. against any cause which I join, by association, they could say the
organization of which I am a member, is Russian controled, ect." 363 In reply
Arnold Johnson advised Oswald that, while as an American citizen he had a right
to participate in such organizations as he wished, "there are a number of
organizations, including possibly Fair Play, which are of a very broad
character, and often it is advisable for some people to remain in the
background, not underground." 364
By August of 1963, after a short 3 months in New Orleans, the city in which he
had been born and had lived most of his early life, Oswald had fallen on
difficult times. He had not liked his job as a greaser of coffee processing
machinery and he held it for only a little over 2 months.365 He had not found
another job. His wife was expecting their second child in October and there was
concern about the cost which would be involved.366 His brief foray on behalf of
the Fair Play for Cuba Committee had failed to win any support. While he had
drawn some attention to himself and had actually
411
Page 412
appeared on two radio programs, he had been attacked by Cuban exiles and
arrested, an event which his wife thought upset him and as a result of which "he
became less active, he cooled off a little." 367 More seriously, the facts of
his defection had become known, leaving him open to almost unanswerable attack
by those who opposed his views. It would not have been possible to have followed
Arnold Johnson's advice to remain in the background, since there was no
background to the New Orleans FPCC "organization," which consisted solely of
Oswald. Furthermore, he had apparently not received any letters from the
national headquarters of FPCC since May 29, 1963,368 even though he had written
four detailed letters since that time to Mr. V. T. Lee 369 and had also kept the
national headquarters informed of each of his changes of mailing address.370
Those events no doubt had their effects on Oswald.
Interest in Cuba
Page 412
Interest in Cuba
By August of 1968, Oswald had for some time been considering the possibility of
leaving the United States again. On June 24, 1963, he applied for a new passport
371 and in late June or early July he told his wife that he wanted to return to
the Soviet Union with her. She said that he was extremely upset, very unhappy,
and that he actually wept when he told her that.372 He said that nothing kept
him in the United States, that he would not lose anything if he returned to the
Soviet Union, that he wanted to be with her and that it would be better to have
less and not have to be concerned about tomorrow.373
As a result of that conversation, Marina Oswald wrote the Soviet Embassy in
Washington concerning a request she had first made on February 17, 1963, for
permission for herself and June to return to the Soviet Union.374 While that
first request, made according to Marina Oswald at her husband's insistence,
specifically stated that Oswald was to remain in the United States, she wrote in
her letter of July 1963, that things are improving due to the fact that my
husband expresses a sincere wish to return together with me to the USSR." 375
Unknown to his wife, however, Oswald apparently enclosed a note with her letter
of July in which he requested the Embassy to rush his wife's entrance visa
because of the impending birth of the second child but stated that: "As for my
return entrance visa please consider it separtably." 376
Thus while Oswald's real intentions, assuming that they were known to himself,
are not clear, he may not have intended to go to the Soviet Union directly, if
at all.377 It appears that he really wanted to go to Cuba. In his wife's words:
I only know that his basic desire was to get to Cuba by any means, and that all
the rest of it was window dressing for that purpose.378
412
Page 413
Marina Oswald testified that her husband engaged in Fair Play for Cuba Committee
activities "primarily for purposes of self-advertising. He wanted to be
arrested. I think he wanted to get into the newspapers, so that he would be
known." 379 According to Marina Oswald, he thought that would help him when he
got to Cuba.380 He asked his wife to help him to hijack an airplane to get
there, but gave up that scheme when she refused.381
During this period Oswald may have practiced opening and closing the bolt on his
rifle in a screened porch in his apartment.382 In September he began to review
Spanish.333 He approved arrangements for his family to return to Irving, Tex.,
to live with Mrs. Ruth Paine.384 On September 20, 1963, Mrs. Paine and her two
children arrived in New Orleans from a trip to the East Coast 385 and left for
Irving with Marina Oswald and June and most of the Oswalds' effects 3 days
later.386 While Marina Oswald knew of her husband's plan to go to Mexico and
thence to Cuba if possible,387 Mrs. Paine was told that Oswald was going to
Houston and possibly to Philadelphia to look for work.388
Oswald left for Mexico City on September 25, 1963, and arrived on September 27,
1963. He went almost directly. to the Cuban Embassy and applied for a visa to
Cuba in transit to Russia.389 Representing himself as the head of the New
Orleans branch of the "organization called 'Fair Play for Cuba,' he stated his
desire that he should be accepted as a 'friend' of the Cuban Revolution." 390 He
apparently based his claim for a visa in transit to Russia on his previous
residence, his work permit for that country, and several unidentified letters in
the Russian language. The Cubans would not, however, give him a visa until he
had received one from the Soviets, which involved a delay of several months.
When faced with that situation Oswald became greatly agitated, and although he
later unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a Soviet visa at the Soviet Embassy in
Mexico City, he insisted that he was entitled to the Cuban visa because of his
background, partisanship, and personal activities on behalf of the Cuban
movement. He engaged in an angry argument with the consul who finally told him
that "as far as he was concerned he would not give him a visa" and that. "a
person like him [Oswald] in place of aiding the Cuban Revolution, was doing it
harm." 391
Oswald must have been thoroughly disillusioned when he left Mexico City on
October 2, 1963. In spite of his former residence in the Soviet Union and his
Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities he had been rebuffed by the officials of
both Cuba and the Soviet Union it. Mexico City. Now there appeared to be no
chance to get to Cuba, where he had thought he might find his communist ideal.
The U.S. Government would not permit travel there and as far as the perform-
ante of the Cubans themselves was concerned, he was "disappointed at not being
able to get to Cuba, and he didn't have any great desire to do so any more
because he had run into, as he himself said--into bureaucracy and red tape." 392
413
Page 414
Oswald's attempt to go to Cuba was another act which expressed his hostility
toward the United States and its institutions as well as a concomitant
attachment to a country in which he must have thought were embodied the
political principles to which he had been committed for so long. It should be
noted that his interest in Cuba seems to halve increased along with the sense of
frustration which must have developed as he experienced successive failures in
his jobs, in his political activity, and in his personal relationships. In
retrospect his attempt to go to Cuba or return to the Soviet. Union may well
have been Oswald's last escape hatch, his last gambit to extricate himself from
the mediocrity and defeat which plagued him throughout most of his life.
Oswald's activities with regard to Cuba raise serious questions as to how much
he might have been motivated in the assassination by a desire to aid the Castro
regime, which President Kennedy so out-spokenly criticized. For example, the
Dallas Times Herald of November 19, 1963, prominently reported President Kennedy
as having "all but invited the Cuban people today to overthrow Fidel Castro's
Communist regime and promised prompt U.S. aid if they do." 393 The Castro regime
severely attacked President Kennedy in connection with the Bay of Pigs affair,
the Cuban missile crisis, the ban on travel to Cuba, the economic embargo
against that country, and the general policy of the United States with regard to
Cuba. An examination of the Militant, to which Oswald subscribed,394 for the
3-month period prior to the assassination reflects an extremely critical
attitude toward President Kennedy and his administration concerning Cuban policy
in general as well as on the issues of automation and civil rights, issues which
appeared to concern Oswald a great deal.395 The Militant also reflected a
critical attitude toward President Kennedy's attempts to reduce tensions between
the United States and the Soviet Union. It also dealt with the fear of the
Castro regime that such a policy might result in its abandonment by the Soviet
Union.
The October 7, 1963, issue of the Militant reported Castro as saying Cuba could
not accept a situation where at the same time the United States was trying to
ease world tensions it also. "was increasing its efforts to 'tighten the noose'
around Cuba." 396 Castro's opposition to President Kennedy's attempt to reduce
world tensions was also reported in the October 1, 1963, issue of the Worker, to
which Oswald also subscribed.397 In this connection it should be noted that in
speaking of the Worker, Oswald told Michael Paine, apparently in all
seriousness, that "you could tell what they wanted you to do * * * by reading
between the lines, reading the thing and doing a little reading between the
lines.." 398
The general conflict of views between the United States and Cuba was, of course,
reflected in other media to such an extent that there can be no doubt that
Oswald was aware generally of the critical attitude that Castro expressed about
President Kennedy. Oswald was asked during the New Orleans radio debate in which
he engaged on August 21, 1963, whether or not he agreed with Castro that
President
Page 415
Kennedy was a "ruffian and a thief." He replied that he "would not agree with
that particular wording." 399 It should also be noted, however, that one witness
testified that shortly before the assassination Oswald had expressed approval of
President Kennedy's active role in the area of civil rights.400
Although Oswald could possibly have been motivated in part by his sympathy for
the Castro government, it should be remembered that his wife testified that he
was disappointed with his failure to get to Cuba and had lost his desire to do
so because of the bureaucracy and red tape which he had encountered.401 His
unhappy experience with the Cuban consul seems thus to have reduced his
enthusiasm for the Castro regime and his desire to go to Cuba.
While some of Castro's more severe criticisms of President Kennedy might have
led Oswald to believe that he would be well received in Cuba after he had
assassinated the American President, it does not appear that. he had any plans
to go there. Oswald was carrying only $13.87 at the time of his arrest, although
he had left, apparently by design, $170 in a wallet in his wife's room in
Irving.402 If there was no conspiracy which would help him escape, the
possibility of which has been considered in chapter VI, it is unlikely that a
reasoning person would plan to attempt to travel from Dallas, Tex., to Cuba with
$13.87 when considerably greater resources were available to him. The fact that
Oswald left behind the funds which might have enabled him to reach Cuba suggests
the absence of any plan to try to flee there and raises serious questions as to
whether or not he ever expected to escape.
Possible Influence of Anti-Kennedy Sentiment in Dallas
Page 415
Possible Influence of Anti-Kennedy Sentiment in Dallas
It has been suggested that one of the motivating influences operating on Lee
Oswald was the atmosphere in the city of Dallas, especially an atmosphere of
extreme opposition to President Kennedy that was present in some parts of the
Dallas community and which received publicity there prior to the
assassination.403 Some of that feeling was expressed in the incident involving
then vice-presidential candidate Johnson during the 1960 campaign, in the
treatment of Ambassador Adlai Stevenson late in October of 1963 and in the
extreme anti-Kennedy newspaper advertisement and handbills that appeared in
Dallas at the time of the President's visit there.404
The Commission has found no evidence that the extreme views expressed toward
President Kennedy by some rightwing groups centered in Dallas or any other
general atmosphere of hate or rightwing extremism which may have existed in the
city of Dallas had any connection with Oswald's actions on November 22, 1963.
There is, of course, no way to judge what the effect of the general political
ferment present in that city might have been, even though Oswald was aware of
it. His awareness is shown by a letter that he wrote to Arnold Johnson of the
Communist Party U.S.A., which Johnson said he did not receive until after the
assassination. The letter said in part:
415
Page 416
On October 23rd, I had attened a ultra-right meeting headed by General Edwin A.
Walker, who lives in Dallas.
This meeting preceded by one day the attack on A. E. Stevenson at the United
Nations Day meeting at which he spoke
As you can see, political friction between "left" and "right" is very great
here.
Could you advise me as to the general view we have on the American Civil
Liberties Union ? 405
In any event, the Commission has been unable to find any credible evidence that
Oswald had direct contact or association with any of the personalities or groups
epitomizing or representing the so-called rightwing, even though he did, as he
told Johnson, attend a meeting at which General Walker spoke to approximately
1,300 persons.406 Oswald's writings and his reading habits indicate that he had
an extreme dislike of the rightwing, an attitude most clearly reflected by his
attempt to shoot General Walker.
Relationship With Wife
Page 416
Relationship With Wife
The relations between Lee and Marina Oswald are of great importance in any
attempt to understand Oswald's possible motivation. During the period from
Oswald's return from Mexico to the assassination, he and his wife spent every
weekend but one together at the Irving, Tex., home of Mrs. Ruth Paine, who was
then separated from her husband. The sole exception was the weekend of November
16-17, 1963, the weekend before the assassination, when his wife asked Oswald
not to come to Irving. During the week, Oswald lived in a roominghouse in
Dallas, but he usually called his wife on the telephone twice a day.407 She
testified that after his return from Mexico Oswald "changed for the better. He
began to treat me better. * * * He helped me more--although he always did help.
But he was more attentive." 408 Marina Oswald attributed that to their living
apart and to the imminent birth of their second child. She testified that Oswald
"was very happy" about the birth of the child.409
While those considerations no doubt had an effect on Oswald's attitude toward
his family it would seem that the need for support and sympathy after his recent
rebuffs in Mexico City might also have been important to him. It would not have
been the first time that Oswald sought closer ties with his family in time of
adversity.410
His past relationships with his wife had been stormy, however, and it did not
seem that she respected him very much. They had been married after a courtship
of only about 6 weeks, a part of which Oswald spent in the hospital. Oswald's
diary reports that he married his wife shortly after his proposal of marriage to
another girl had been rejected. He stated that the other girl rejected him
partly because he was an American, a fact that he said she had exploited. He
stated that "In spite of fact I married Marina to hurt Ella [the girl that had
rejected him] I found myself in love with Marina." 411
416
Page 417
Many of the people with whom the Oswalds became acquainted after their arrival
in the United States thought that Marina Oswald had married her husband
primarily in the hope that she would be able to leave the Soviet Union. Marina
Oswald has denied this.412
Marina Oswald expressed one aspect of her husband's attitude toward her when she
testified that:
* * * Lee wanted me to go to Russia, and I told him that if he wanted me to go
then that meant that he didn't love me, and that in that. case what was the idea
of coming to the United States in the first place. Lee would say that it would
be better for me if I went to Russia. I did not. know why. I did not know what
he had in mind. He said he loved me but that it would be better for me if I went
to Russia, and what he had in mind I don't know.413
On the other hand, Oswald objected to the invitation that his wife had received
to live with Mrs. Ruth Paine, which Mrs. Paine had made in part to give her an
alternative to returning to the Soviet Union.414 Marina Oswald wrote to Mrs.
Paine that: "Many times
[Oswald] has recalled this matter to me and said that I am just waiting for an
opportunity to hurt him. It has been the cause of many of our arguments." 415
Oswald claimed that his wife preferred others to him.416 He said this about
members of the Russian-speaking group in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, whom she
said he tried to forbid her from seeing,417 and also about Mrs. Paine.418 He
specifically made that claim when his wife refused to come to live with him in
Dallas as he asked her to do on the evening of November 21, 1963.419
The instability of their relations was probably a function of the personalities
of both people. Oswald was overbearing in relations with his wife. He apparently
attempted to be "the Commander" by dictating many of the details of their
married life.420 While Marina Oswald said that her husband wanted her to learn
English,421 he made no attempt to help her and there are other indications that.
he did not. want her to learn that language. Oswald apparently wished to
continue practicing his own Russian with her.422 Lieutenant Martello of the New
Orleans police testified that Oswald stated that he did not speak English in his
family because he did not want them to become Americanized.423 Marina Oswald's
inability to speak English also made it more difficult, for her to have an
independent existence in this country. Oswald struck his wife on occasion,424
did not want her to drink, smoke or wear cosmetics 425 and generally treated her
with lack of respect in the presence of others.426
The difficulties which Oswald's problems would have caused him in any
relationship were probably not reduced by his wife's conduct. Katherine Ford,
with whom Marina Oswald stayed during her separation from her husband in
November of 1962, thought that Marina Oswald was immature in her thinking and
partly responsible for the difficulties that the Oswalds were having at that
time.427 Mrs. Ford
417
Page 418
said that Marina Oswald admitted that she provoked Oswald on occasion.428 There
can be little doubt that some provocation existed. Oswald once struck his wife
because of a letter which she wrote to a former boy friend in Russia. In the
letter Marina Oswald stated that her husband had changed a great deal and that
she was very lonely in the United States. She was "sorry that I had not married
him [the Russian boy friend] instead, that it would have been much easier for
me." 429 The letter fell into Oswald's hands when it was returned to his post
office box because of insufficient postage, which apparently resulted from an
increase in postal rates of which his wife had been unaware.430 Oswald read the
letter, but refused to believe that it was sincere, even though his wife
insisted to him that it was. As a result Oswald struck her, as to which she
testified: "Generally, I think that was right, for such things that is the right
thing to do. There was some grounds for it.431
Although she denied it in some of her testimony before the Commission,432 it
appears that Marina Oswald also complained that her husband was not able to
provide more material things for her.433 On that issue George De Mohrenschildt,
who was probably as close to the Oswalds as anyone else during their first stay
in Dallas, said that:
She was annoying him all the time--"Why don't you make some money ?" * * * Poor
guy was going out of his mind. * * *
We told her she should not annoy him--poor guy, he is doing his best, "Don't
annoy him so much." 434
The De Mohrenschildts also testified that "right in front" of Oswald Marina
Oswald complained about Oswald's inadequacy as a husband.435 Mrs. Oswald told
another of her friends that Oswald was very cold to her, that they very seldom
had sexual relations and that Oswald "was not a man." 436 She also told Mrs.
Paine that she was not satisfied with her sexual relations with Oswald.437
Marina Oswald also ridiculed her husband's political views, thereby tearing down
his view of his own importance. He was very much interested in autobiographical
works of outstanding statesmen of the United States, to whom his wife thought he
compared himself.438 She said he was different from other people in "At, least
his imagination, his fantasy, which was quite unfounded, as to the fact that he
was an outstanding man." 439 She said that she "always tried to point out to him
that he was a man like any others who were around us. But he simply could not
understand that?' 440 Jeanne De Mohrenschildt, however, thought that Marina
Oswald "said things that will hurt men's pride." 441 She said that if she ever
spoke to her husband the way Marina Oswald spoke to her husband, "we would not
last long." 442 Mrs. De Mohrenschildt thought that Oswald, whom she compared to
"a puppy dog that everybody kicked," 443 had a lot of good qualities, in spite
of the fact that "Nobody said anything good about him." 444 She had "the
impression that he was just pushed, pushed, pushed, and she [Marina Oswald] was
probably nagging, nag-
418
Page 419
ging, nagging." 445 She thought that he might not have become involved in the
assassination if people had been kinder to him.446
In spite of these difficulties, however, and in the face of the economic
problems that were always with them, things apparently went quite smoothly from
the time Oswald returned from Mexico until the weekend of November 16-17,
1963.447 Mrs. Paine was planning a birthday party for one of her children on
that weekend and her husband, Michael, was to be at the house. Marina Oswald
said that she knew her husband did not like Michael Paine and so she asked him
not to come out that weekend, even though he wanted to do so. She testified that
she told him "that he shouldn't come every week, that perhaps it is not
convenient for Ruth that the whole family be there, live there." She testified
that he responded: "As you wish. If you don't want me to come, I won't." 448
Ruth Paine testified that she heard Marina Oswald tell Oswald about the birthday
party.449
On Sunday, November 17, 1963, Ruth Paine and Marina Oswald decided to call
Oswald 450 at the place where he was living, unbeknownst to them, under the name
of O. H. Lee.451 They asked for Lee Oswald who was not called to the telephone
because he was known by the other name.452 When Oswald called the next day his
wife became very angry about his use of the alias.453 He said that he used it
because "he did not want his landlady to know his real name because she might
read in the paper of the fact that he had been in Russia and that he had been
questioned." 454 Oswald also said that he did not want the FBI to know where he
lived "Because their visits were not very pleasant for him and he thought that
he loses jobs because the FBI visits the place of his employment." 455 While the
facts of his defection had become known in New Orleans as a result of his radio
debate with Bringuier,456 it would appear to be unlikely that his landlady in
Dallas would see anything in the newspaper about his defection, unless he
engaged in activities similar to those which had led to the disclosure of his
defection in New Orleans. Furthermore, even though it appears that at times
Oswald was really upset by visits of the FBI, it does not appear that he ever
lost his job because of its activities, although he may well not have been aware
of that fact.457
While Oswald's concern about the FBI had some basis in fact, in that FBI agents
had interviewed him in the past and had renewed their interest to some extent
.after his Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities had become known, he
exaggerated their concern for him. Marina Oswald thought he did so in order to
emphasize his importance.458 For example, in his letter of November 9, 1963, to
the Soviet Embassy in Washington, he asked about the entrance visas for which he
and his wife had previously applied. He absolved the Soviet Embassy in Mexico
City of any blame for his difficulties there. He advised the Washington Embassy
that the FBI was "not now" interested in his Fair Play for Cuba Committee
activities, but noted that the FBI "has visited us here in Dallas, Texas, on
November 1. Agent James P. Hasty warned me that if I engaged in F.P.C.C.
activities in Texas
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the F.B.I. will again take an 'interrest' in me." 459 Neither Hosty nor any
other agent of the FBI spoke to Oswald on any subject from August 10, 1963, to
the time of the assassination.460 The claimed warning was one more of Oswald's
fabrications. Hosty had come to the Paine residence on November 1 and 5, 1963,
but did not issue any such warning or suggest that Marina Oswald defect from the
Soviet Union and remain in the United States under FBI protection, as Oswald
went on to say.461 In Oswald's imagination "I and my wife strongly protested
these tactics by the notorious F.B.I." 462 In fact, his wife testified that she
only said that she would prefer not to receive any more visits from the Bureau
because of the "very exciting and disturbing effect" they had upon her
husband,463 who was not even present at that time.464
The arguments he used to justify his use of the alias suggest that Oswald may
have come to think that the whole world was becoming involved in an increasingly
complex conspiracy against him. He may have felt he could never tell when the
FBI was going to appear on the scene or who else was going to find out about his
defection and use it against him as had been done in New Orleans.465 On the
other hand, the concern he expressed about the FBI may have been just another
story to support the objective he sought in his letter.
Those arguments, however, were not persuasive to Marina Oswald, to whom "it was
nothing terrible if people were to find out that he had been in Russia." 466 She
asked Oswald: "After all, when will all your foolishness come to an end? All of
these comedies. First one thing and then another. And now this fictitious name."
467 She said: "On Monday [November 18, 1963] he called several times, but after
I hung up on him and didn't want to talk to him he did not call again. He then
arrived on Thursday [November 21, 1963]." 468
The events of that evening can best be appreciated through Marina Oswald's
testimony:
Q. Did your husband give any reason for coming home on Thursday?
A. He said that he was lonely because he hadn't come the pre-
ceding weekend, and he wanted to make his peace with me.
Q. Did you say anything to him then?
A. He tried to talk to me but I would not answer him, and he was very upset.
Q. Were you upset with him?
A. I was angry, of course. He was not angry--he was upset. I was angry. He tried
very hard to please me. He spent quite a bit of time putting away diapers and
played with the children on the street.
Q. How did you indicate to him that you were angry with him? A. By not talking
to him.
Q. And how did he show that he was upset?
A. He was upset over the fact that I would not answer him. He tried to start a
conversation with me several times, but I
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would not answer. And he said that he didn't want me to be angry at him because
this upsets him.
On that. day, he suggested that we rent an apartment in Dallas. He said that he
was tired of living alone and perhaps the reason for my being so angry was the
fact that we were not living together. That if I want to he would rent an
apartment in Dallas tomorrow--that he didn't want me to remain with Ruth any
longer, but wanted me to live with him in Dallas.
He repeated this not once but several times, but I refused. And he said that
once again I was preferring my friends to him, and that I didn't need him.
Q. What did you say to that?
A. I said it would be better if I remained with Ruth until the holidays, he
would come, and we would all meet together. That this was better because while
he was living alone and I stayed with Ruth, we were spending less money. And I
told him to buy me a washing machine, because two children it became too
difficult to wash by hand.
Q. What did he say to that?
A. He said he would buy me a washing machine.
Q. What did you say to that?
A. Thank you. That it would be better if he bought something for himself--that I
would manage.469
That night Oswald went to bed before his wife retired. She did not speak to him
when she joined him there, although she thought that he was still awake. The
next morning he left for work before anyone else arose.470° For the first time
he left his wedding ring in a cup on the dresser in his room.471 He also left
$170 in a wallet in one of the dresser drawers. He took with him $13.87 472 and
the long brown package that Frazier and Mrs. Randle saw him carry and which he
was to take to the School Book Depository.473
The Unanswered Questions
Page 421
The Unanswered Questions
No one will ever know what passed through Oswald's mind during the week before
November 22, 1963. Instead of returning to Irving on November 15 for his
customary weekend visit, he remained in Dallas at his wife's suggestion because
of the birthday party. He had argued with her over the use of an alias and had
not called her after that argument, although he usually telephoned once or twice
a day. Then on Thursday morning, November 21, he asked Frazier for a ride to
Irving that night, stating falsely that he wanted to pick up some curtain rods
to put in an apartment.474
He must have planned his attack at the very latest prior to Thursday morning
when he spoke to Frazier. There is, of course, no way to determine the degree to
which he was committed to his plan at that time. While there is no way to tell
when he first began to think specifically of assassinating the President it
should be noted that mention of
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the Trade Mart as the expected site of the Presidential luncheon appeared in The
Dallas Times Herald on November 15, 1963.475 The next day that paper announced
the final approval of the Trade Mart as the luncheon site and stated that the
motorcade "apparently will loop through the downtown area, probably on Main
Street, en route from Dallas Love Field" on its way to the Trade Mart on
Stemmons Freeway. 476 Anyone who was familiar with that area of Dallas would
have known that the motorcade would probably pass the Texas School Book
Depository .to get from Main Street onto the Stemmons Freeway. That fact was
made precisely clear in subsequent news stories on November 19, 20, and 22. 477
On November 15, 1963, the same day that his wife told him not to come to Irving,
Oswald could have assumed that the Presidential motorcade would pass in front of
his place of work. Whether he thought about assassinating the President over the
weekend can never be known, but it is reasonably certain that over the weekend
he did think about his wife's request that he not come to Irving, which was
prompted by the birthday party being held at the Paine home. Oswald had a highly
exaggerated sense of his own importance, but he had failed at almost everything
he had ever tried to do. He had great difficulty in establishing meaningful
relations with other people. Except for his family he was completely alone. Even
though he had searched--in the Marine Corps, in his ideal of communism, in the
Soviet Union and in his attempt to get to Cuba--he had never found anything to
which he felt he could really belong.
After he returned from his trip to Mexico where his application to go to Cuba
had been sharply rejected, it must have appeared to him that he was unable to
command even the attention of his family. He could not keep them with him in
Dallas, where at least he could see his children whom, several witnesses
testified, he seemed to love.478 His family lived with Mrs. Paine, ostensibly
because Oswald could not afford to keep an apartment in Dallas, but it was also,
at least in part, because his wife did not want to live there with him.479 Now
it appeared that he was not welcome at the Paine home, where he had spent every
previous weekend since his return from Mexico and his wife was once again
calling into question his judgment, this time concerning his use of an alias.
The conversation on Monday, November 18, 1963, ended when Marina Oswald hung up
and refused to talk to him. Although he may long before have decided on the
course he was to follow and may have told his wife the things he did on the
evening of November 21, 1963, merely to disarm her and to provide a
justification of sorts, both she and Mrs. Paine thought he had come home to make
up after the fight on Monday. 480 Thoughts of his personal difficulties must
have been at least partly on his mind when he went to Irving on Thursday night
and told his wife that he was lonely, that he wanted to make peace with her and
bring his family to Dallas where they could live with him again.
Page 423
The Commission does not believe that the relations between Oswald and his wife
caused him to assassinate the President. It is unlikely that the motivation was
that. simple. The feelings of hostility and aggression which seem to have played
such an important, part in Oswald's life were part of his character long before
he met his wife and such a favorable opportunity to strike at a figure as great
as the President would probably never have come to him again.
Oswald's behavior after the assassination throws little light on his motives.
The fact that he took so little money with him when he left Irving in the
morning indicates that he did not expect to get very far from Dallas on his own
and suggests the possibility, as did his note to his wife just. prior to the
attempt on General Walker, that he did not expect to escape at all. On the other
hand, he could have traveled some distance with the money he did have and he did
return to his room where he obtained his revolver. He then killed Patrolman
Tippit when that police officer apparently tried to question him after he had
left his roominghouse and he vigorously resisted arrest when he was finally
apprehended in the Texas Theatre. Although it is not fully corroborated by
others who were present, two officers have testified that at the time of his
arrest Oswald said something to the effect that "it's all over now." 481
Oswald was overbearing and arrogant throughout much of the time between his
arrest and his own death.482 He consistently refused to admit involvement in the
assassination or in the killing of Patrolman Tippit.483 While he did become
enraged at at least one point. in his interrogation, the testimony of the
officers present indicates that he handled himself with considerable composure
during his questioning. He admitted nothing that would damage him but discussed
other matters quite freely. 484 His denials under questioning, which have no
probative value in view of the many readily demonstrable lies he told at that
time 485 and in the face of the overwhelming evidence against him which has been
set forth above, only served to prolong the period during which he was the
center of the attention of the entire world.
Conclusion
Page 423
Conclusion
Many factors were undoubtedly involved in Oswald's motivation for the
assassination, and the Commission does not believe that it can ascribe to him
any one motive or group of motives. It is apparent, however, that Oswald was
moved by an overriding hostility to his environment. He does not appear to have
been able to establish meaningful relationships with other people. He was
perpetually discontented with the world around him. Long before the
assassination he expressed his hatred for American society and acted in protest
against it.. Oswald's search for what he conceived to be the perfect society was
doomed from the start. He sought for himself a place in history--a role as the
"great man" who would be recognized as having been in advance of his times. His
commitment to Marxism and communism appears to have been another important
factor in his motivation. He
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also had demonstrated a capacity to act decisively and without regard to the
consequences when such action would further his aims of the moment. Out of these
and the many other factors which may have molded the character of Lee Harvey
Oswald there emerged a man capable of assassinating President Kennedy.
Chapter VIII The Protection of the President
Page 425
CHAPTER VIII
The Protection of the President
IN THE 100 years since 1865 four Presidents of the United States have been
assassinated--Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F.
Kennedy. During this same period there were three other attacks on the life of a
President, a President-elect, and a candidate for the Presidency, which narrowly
failed: on Theodore Roosevelt while campaigning in October of 1912; on
President-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when visiting Miami on February 15,
1933; and on President Harry S. Truman on November 1, 1950, when his temporary
residence, Blair House, was attacked by Puerto Rican Nationalists.1 One out of
every five Presidents since 1865 has been assassinated; there have been attempts
on the lives of one out of every three.
Prompted by these dismaying statistics, the Commission has inquired into the
problems and methods of Presidential protection in effect at the time of
President Kennedy's assassination. This study has led the Commission to conclude
that the public interest might be served by any contribution it can make to the
improvement of protective arrangements. The Commission has not undertaken a
comprehensive examination of all facets of this subject; rather, it has devoted
its time and resources to those broader aspects of Presidential protection to
which the events of last November called attention.
In this part of its inquiry the Commission has had full access to a major study
of all phases of protective activities prepared by the Secret Service for the
Secretary of the Treasury following the assassination. As a result of this
study, the Secretary of the Treasury has prepared a planning document. dated
August, 27, 1964, which recommends additional personnel and facilities to enable
the Secret Service to expand its protection capabilities. The Secretary of the
Treasury submitted this planning document on August 81, 1964, to the Bureau of
the Budget for review and approval. This planning document has been made a part
of the Commission's published record; the underlying staff and consultants'
reports reviewed by the Commission have not, since a disclosure of such detailed
information relating to protective measures might undermine present methods of
protecting the President. However, all information considered by
Page 426
the Commission which pertains to the protective function as it was carried out
in Dallas has been published as part of this report.
The protection of the President of the United States is an immensely difficult
and complex task. It is unlikely that measures can be devised to eliminate
entirely the multitude of diverse dangers that may arise, particularly when the
President is traveling in this country or abroad. The protective task is further
complicated by the reluctance of Presidents to take security precautions which
might interfere with the performance of their duties, or their desire to have
frequent and easy access to the people. The adequacy of existing procedures can
fairly be assessed only after full consideration of the difficulty of the
protective assignment, with particular attention to the diverse roles which the
President is expected to fill. After reviewing this aspect of the matter this
chapter will set. forth the Commission's conclusions regarding certain
protective measures in force at the time of the Dallas trip and propose
recommendations for improvements.
The Nature of the Protective Assignment
Page 426
THE NATURE OF THE PROTECTIVE ASSIGNMENT
The President is Head of State, Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, and leader
of a political party. As the ceremonial head of the Government the President
must discharge a wide range of public duties, not only in Washington but
throughout the land. In this role he appears to the American people, in the
words of William Howard Taft, as "the personal embodiment and representative of
their dignity and majesty."2 As Chief Executive, the President controls the
exercise of the vast., almost incalculable powers of the executive branch of the
Federal Government. As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, he must maintain
ultimate authority over the development and disposition of our military power.
Finally, in accordance with George Washington's maxim that. Americans have a
government "of accommodation as well as a government of laws," 3 it is the
President's right and duty to be the active leader of his party, as when he
seeks to be reelected or to maintain his party in power.
In all of these roles the President must go to the people. Exposure of the
President to public view through travel among the people of this country is a
great and historic tradition of American life. Desired by both the President and
the public, it is an indispensable means of communication between the two. More
often than not, Presidential journeys have served more than one purpose at' the
same time: ceremonial, administrative, political.
From George Washington to John F. Kennedy, such journeys have been a normal part
of the President's activities. To promote nation-wide acceptance of his
administration Washington made grand tours that, served also to excite interest
in the Presidency.4 In recent years, Presidential journeys have been frequent
and extensive, partly be-
Page 427
cause of the greater speed and comfort of travel and partly because of the
greater demands made on the President. It is now possible for Presidents to
travel the length and breadth of a land far larger than the United States in
1789 in less time than it took George Washington to travel from New York to
Mount Vernon or Thomas Jefferson from Washington to Monticello. During his
Presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt made almost 400 journeys ,and traveled more
than 350,000 miles. 5 Since 1945, Roosevelt's successors have ranged the world,
and their foreign journeys have come to be accepted as normal rather than
extraordinary.
John F. Kennedy's journey to Texas in November 1963 was in this tradition. His
friend and Special Assistant Kenneth O'Donnell, who accompanied him on his last
visit to Dallas, stated the President's views of his responsibilities with
simplicity and clarity:
The President's views of his responsibilities as President of the United States
were that he meet the people, that he go out to their homes and see them, and
allow them to see him, and discuss, if possible, the views of the world as he
sees it, the problems of the country as he sees them. And he felt that leaving
Washington for the President of the United States was a most necessary--not only
for the people, but for the President himself, that he expose himself to the
actual basic problems that were disturbing the American people. It helped him in
his job here, he was able to come back here with a fresh view of many things. I
think he felt very strongly that the President ought to get out of Washington,
and go meet the people on a regular basis. 6
Whatever their purposes Presidential journeys have greatly enlarged and
complicated the task of protecting the President. The Secret Service and the
Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies which cooperate with it, have
been confronted in recent years with increasingly difficult problems, created by
the greater exposure of the President during his travels and the greater
diversity of the audiences he must face in a world torn by conflicting
ideologies.
If the sole goal were to protect the life of the President, it could be
accomplished with reasonable assurance despite the multiple roles he must play.
But his very position as representative of the people prevents him from
effectively shielding himself from the people. He cannot and will not take the
precautions of a dictator or a sovereign. Under our system, measures must be
sought to afford security without impeding the President's performance of his
many functions. The protection of the President must be thorough but
inconspicuous to avoid even the suggestion of a garrison state. The rights of
private individuals must not be infringed. If the protective job is well done,
its performance will be evident only in the unexceptional fact of its success.
The men in charge of protecting the President, confronted by complex problems
and limited as they are in the measures they may
Page 428
employ, must depend upon the utmost cooperation and understanding from the
public and the President.
The problem and the reasonable approach to its solution were ably stated in a
memorandum prepared by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover for the President soon after
the assassination:
The degree of security that can be afforded the President of the United States
is dependent to a considerable extent upon the degree of contact with the
general public desired by the President. Absolute security is neither practical
nor possible. An approach to complete security would require the President to
operate in a sort of vacuum, isolated from the general public and behind
impregnable barriers. His travel would be in secret; his public appearances
would be behind bulletproof glass.
A more practical approach necessitates compromise. Any travel, any contact with
the general public, involves a calculated risk on the part of the President and
the men responsible for his protection. Such risks can be lessened when the
President recognizes the security problem, has confidence in the dedicated
Secret Service men who are ready to lay down their lives for him and accepts the
necessary security precautions which they recommend. Many Presidents have been
understandably impatient with the security precautions which many years of
experience dictate because these precautions reduce the President's privacy and
the access to him of the people of the country. Nevertheless the procedures and
advice should be accepted if the President wishes to have any security.7
Evaluation of Presidential Protection at the Time of the Assassination of
President Kennedy
Page 428
EVALUATION OF PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION AT THE TIME OF THE ASSASSINATION OF
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
The history of Presidential protection shows growing recognition over the years
that the job must be done by able, dedicated, thoroughly professional personnel,
using the best technical equipment that can be devised.8 The assassination of
President Kennedy demands an examination of the protective measures employed to
safe guard him and an inquiry whether improvements can be made which will reduce
the risk of another such tragedy. This section considers first the means used to
locate potential sources of danger to the President in time to take appropriate
precautions. In this connection the information available to Federal agencies
about Lee Harvey Oswald is set out and the reasons why this information was not
furnished to the Secret Service appraised. Second, the adequacy of other advance
preparations for the security of the President, during his visit to Dallas,
largely measures taken by the Secret Service, is considered. Finally, the
performance of those charged with the immediate responsibility of protecting the
President on November 22 is reviewed.
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Page 429
Intelligence Functions Relating to Presidential Protection at the
Time of the Dallas Trip
A basic element of Presidential protection is the identification and elimination
of possible sources of danger to the President before the danger becomes actual.
The Secret Service has attempted to perform this function through the activities
of its Protective Research Section and requests to other agencies, Federal and
local, for useful information. The Commission has concluded that at the time of
the assassination the arrangements relied upon by the Secret Service to perform
this function were seriously deficient.
Adequacy of preventive intelligence operations of the Secret Service.--The main
job of the Protective Research Section (PRS) is to collect, process, and
evaluate information about persons or groups who may be a danger to the
President. In addition to this function, PRS is responsible for such tasks as
obtaining clearance of some categories of White House employees and all
tradesmen who service the White House, the security processing of gifts sent to
the President, and technical inspections against covert listening devices.9 At
the time of the assassination PRS was a very small group, comprised of 12
specialists and 3 clerks.10
Many persons call themselves to the attention of PRS by attempting to visit, the
President for bizarre reasons or by writing or in some other way attempting to
communicate with him in a threatening or abusive manner or with undue
persistence. Robert I. Bouck, special agent in charge of PRS, estimated that
most of the material received by his office originated in this fashion or from
the occasional investigations initiated by the Secret Service, while the balance
was furnished to PRS by other Federal agencies, with primary source being the
FBI.11 The total volume of information received by PRS has risen steadily. In
1943 PRS received approximately 9,000 items of information; in 1953 this had
increased to more than 17,000 items; in 1963 the total exceeded 32,000 items.12
Since many items may pertain to a single case, these figures do not show the
caseload. In the period from November 1961 to November 1963, PRS received items
in 8,709 cases.13
Before the assassination of President Kennedy, PRS expressed its interest in
receiving information on suspects in very general terms. For example, PRS
instructed the White House mailroom, a source of much PRS data, to refer all
communications on identified existing cases and, in addition, any communication
"that in any way indicates anyone may have possible intention of harming the
President." 14 Slightly more specific criteria were established for PRS
personnel processing White House mail referred by the White House mailroom, but
again the standards were very general.15 These instructions to PRS personnel
appear to be the only instance where an effort was made to reduce the criteria
to writing. 16 When requested to provide a specific statement of the standards
employed by PRS in deciding what information to seek and retain, the Secret
Service responded:
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The criteria in effect prior to November 22, 1963, for determining whether to
accept material for the PRS general files were broad and flexible. All material
is and was desired, accepted, and filed if it indicated or tended to indicate
that the safety of the President is or might be in danger, either at the present
or in the future. * * * There are many actions, situations, and incidents that
may indicate such potential danger. Some are specific, such as threats; danger
may be implied from others, such as membership or activity in an organization
which believes in assassination as a political weapon. All material received by
PRS was separately screened and a determination made as to whether the
information might indicate possible harm to the President. If the material was
evaluated as indicating some potential danger to the President--no matter how
small--it was indexed in the general PRS files under the name of the individual
or group of individuals to whom that material related. 17
The general files of PRS consist of folders on individuals, card indexed by
name. The files are manually maintained, without use of any automatic
data-processing techniques. 18 At the time of the assassination, the active PRS
general files. contained approximately 50,000 cases accumulated over a 20-year
period,19 some of which included more than one individual. A case file was
established if the information available suggested that the subject might be a
danger to the President. Many of these cases were not investigated by PRS. The
case file served merely as a repository for information until enough had
accumulated to warrant an investigation.20 During the period November 1961 to
November 1963, PRS investigated 34 newly established or reactivated cases
concerning residents of Texas.21 Most of these cases involved persons who used
threatening language in communications to or about the President. An additional
115 cases concerning Texas residents were established but not investigated.22
When PRS learns of an individual whose conduct warrants scrutiny, it requests an
investigation by the closest Secret Service field office,23 of which there are
65 throughout the country. If the field office determines that the case should
be subject to continuing review, PRS establishes a file which requires a checkup
at least, every 6 months.24 This might involve a personal interview or
interviews with members of the person's household. 25 Wherever possible, the
Secret. Service arranges for the family and friends of the individual, and local
law enforcement officials, to advise the field office if the subject displays
signs of increased danger or plans to leave his home area. At the time of the
assassination there were approximately 400 persons throughout the country who
were subject to periodic review. 26
If PRS concludes after investigation that an individual presents a significant
danger to the life of the President, his name is placed in a "trip index file"
which is maintained on a geographical field office basis. 27 At the time of the
assassination the names of about 100 persons were in this index, all of whom
were included in the group of
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400 being reviewed regularly. 28 PRS also maintains an album of photographs and
descriptions of about 12 to 15 individuals who are regarded as clear risks to
the President and who do not have a fixed place of residence. 29 Members of the
White House detail of the Secret Service have copies of this album.30
Individuals who are regarded as dangerous to the President and who are in penal
or hospital custody are listed only in the general files of PRS, but there is a
system for the immediate notification of the Secret Service by the confining
institution when a subject is released or escapes. 31 PRS attempts to eliminate
serious risks by hospitalization or, where necessary, the prosecution of persons
who have committed an offense such as threatening the President. 32 In June 1964
PRS had arrangements to be notified about the release or escape of approximately
1,000 persons. 33
In summary, at the time of the assassination PRS had received, over a 20-year
period, basic information on some 50,000 cases; it had arrangements to be
notified about release from confinement in roughly 1,000 cases; it had
established periodic regular review of the status of 400 individuals; it
regarded approximately 100 of these 400 cases as serious risks and 12 to 15 of
these cases as highly dangerous risks. Members of the White House detail were
expected to familiarize themselves with the descriptions and photographs of the
highest risk cases. The cases subject to periodic review and the 100 or so cases
in the higher risk category were filed on a geographic basis, and could
conveniently be reviewed by a Secret Service agent preparing for a Presidential
trip to a particular part of the country. These were the files reviewed by PRS
on November 8, 1963, at the request of Special Agent Lawson, advance agent for
President Kennedy's trip to Dallas.34 The general files of PRS were not indexed
by geographic location and were of little use in preparing for a Presidential
visit to a specific locality.
Secret Service requests to other agencies for intelligence information were no
more specific than the broad and general instructions its own agents and the
White House mailroom. The head of PRS testified that the Secret Service
requested other agencies to provide "any and all information that they may come
in contact with that would indicate danger to the President." 35 These requests
were
communicated in writing by the Secret Service; rather, the Service depended on
the personal liaison maintained by PRS with the headquarters of the Federal
intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI, and at the working level with
personnel of the field offices of the various agencies.36 The Service frequently
participated in the training programs of other law enforcement agencies, and
agents from other agencies attended the regular Secret. Service training
schools. Presidential protection was an important topic in these training
programs. 37
In the absence of more specific instructions, other Federal agencies interpreted
the Secret Service's informal requests to re]ate principally to overt threats to
harm the President or other specific manifestations of hostility. For example,
at the time of the assassination, the FBI
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Handbook, which is in the possession of every Bureau special agent, provided:
Threats against the President of the U.S., members of his immediate family, the
President-elect, and the Vice-President
Investigation of threats against the President of the United States, members of
his immediate family, the President-Elect, and the Vice-President is within the
exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Secret Service. Any information indicating
the possibility of an attempt against the person or safety of the President,
members of the immediate family of the President, the President-Elect or the
Vice-President must be referred immediately by the most expeditious means of
communication to the nearest office of the U.S. Secret Service. Advise the
Bureau at the same time by teletype of the information so furnished to the
Secret Service and the fact that it has been so disseminated. The above action
should be taken without delay in order to attempt to verify the information and
no evaluation of the information should be at tempted. When the threat is in the
form of a written communication, give a copy to. local Secret Service and
forward the original to the Bureau where it will be made available to Secret
Service headquarters in Washington. The referral of the copy to local Secret,
Service should not delay the immediate referral of the information by the
fastest available means of communication to Secret Service locally.38
The State Department advised the Secret Service of all crank and threat letter
mail or crank visitors and furnished reports concerning any assassination or
attempted assassination of a ruler or other major official anywhere in the
world. 39 The several military intelligence agencies reported crank mail and
similar threats involving the President. 40 According to Special Agent in Charge
Bouck, the Secret Service had no standard procedure for the systematic review of
its requests for and receipt of information from other Federal agencies. 41
The Commission believes that the facilities and procedures of the Protective
Research Section of the Secret Service prior to November 22, 1963, were
inadequate. Its efforts appear to have been too largely directed at the "crank"
threat. Although the Service recognized that its advance preventive measures
must encompass more than these most obvious dangers, it made little effort to
identify factors in the activities of an individual or an organized group, other
than specific threats, which suggested a source of danger against which timely
precautions could be taken. Except for its special "trip index" file of 400
names, none of the cases in the PRS general files was available for systematic
review on a geographic basis when the President planned a particular trip.
As reported in chapter II, when the special file was reviewed on November 8, it
contained the names of no persons from the entire
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Dallas-Fort Worth area, notwithstanding the fact that Ambassador Stevenson had
been abused by pickets in Dallas less than a month before. Bouck explained the
failure to try to identify the individuals involved in the Stevenson incident
after it occurred on the ground that. PRS required a more direct indication of a
threat to the President, and that there was no such indication until the
President's scheduled visit to that area became known. 42 Such an approach
seriously undermines the precautionary nature of PRS work; if the presence in
Dallas of the Stevenson pickets might have created a danger for the President on
a visit to that city, PRS should have investigated and been prepared to guard
against it.
Other agencies occasionally provided information to the Secret Service
concerning potentially dangerous political groups. This was done in the ease of
the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico, for example, but only after members of the
group had resorted to political violence. 43 However, the vague requests for
information which the Secret Service made to Federal intelligence and law
enforcement agencies were not well designed to elicit information from them
about persons other than those who were obvious threats to the President. The
requests shifted the responsibility for evaluating difficult cases from the
Service, the agency most responsible for performing that task, to the other
agencies. No specific guidance was provided. Although the CIA had on file
requests from the Treasury Department for information on the counterfeiting of
U.S. currency and certain smuggling matters,44 it had no written specification
of intelligence information collected by CIA abroad which was desired by the
Secret Service in advance of Presidential trips outside the United States.
Information known about Lee Harvey Oswald prior to the assassination.--No
information concerning Lee Harvey Oswald appeared in PRS files before the
President's trip to Dallas. Oswald was known to other Federal agencies with
which the Secret Service maintained intelligence liaison. The FBI had been
interested in him, to some degree at least, since the time of his defection in
October 1959. It had interviewed him twice shortly after his return to the
United States, again a year later at his request and was investigating him at
the time of the assassination. The Commission has taken the testimony of Bureau
agents who interviewed Oswald after his return from the ,Soviet Union and prior
to November 22, 1963, the agent who was assigned his case at the time of the
assassination, the Director of the FBI, and the Assistant to the Director in
charge of all investigative activities under the Director and Associate
Director.45 In addition, the Director and Deputy Director for Plans of the CIA
testified concerning that Agency's limited knowledge of Oswald before the
assassination. 46 Finally, the Commission has reviewed the complete files on
Oswald, as they existed at the time of the assassination, of the Department of
State, the Office of Naval Intelligence, the FBI and the CIA. The information
known to the FBI is summarized below.
Page 434
From defection to return to Fort Worth.--The FBI opened a file on Oswald in
October 1959,47 when news reports appeared of his defection to the Soviet
Union.48 The file was opened "for the purpose of correlating information
inasmuch as he was considered a possible security risk in the event he returned
to this country." 49 Oswald's defection was also the occasion for the opening of
files by the Department of State, CIA, and the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Until April 1960, FBI activity consisted of placing in Oswald's file in
formation regarding his relations with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and background
data relating largely to his prior military service, provided by other agencies.
In April 1960, Mrs. Marguerite Oswald and Robert Oswald were interviewed in the
course of a routine FBI investigation of transfers of small sums of money from
Mrs. Oswald to her son in Russia. 50
During the next. 2 years the FBI continued to accumulate information, and kept
itself informed on Oswald's status by periodic reviews of State Department and
Office of Naval Intelligence files. In this way, it learned that when Oswald had
arrived in the Soviet Union he had attempted to renounce his U.S. citizenship
and applied for Soviet citizenship, had described himself as a Marxist, had said
he would give the Soviet Union any useful information he had acquired as a
marine radar technician and had displayed an arrogant and aggressive attitude at
the U.S. Embassy; it learned also that Oswald had been discharged from the
Marine Corps Reserve as undesirable in August 1960.51 In June 1962, the Bureau
was advised by the Department of State of Oswald's plan to return to the United
States. The Bureau made arrangements to be advised by immigration authorities of
his return, and instructed the Dallas office to interview him when he got back
to determine whether he had been recruited by a Soviet intelligence service. 52
Oswald's file at the Department of State Passport Office was reviewed in June
1962. It revealed his letter of January 30, 1962, to Secretary of the Navy
Connally, in which he protested his discharge and declared that he would use
"all means" to correct it. The file reflected the Department's determination
that Oswald had not expatriated himself.53
From return to Fort Worth to move to New Orleans.--Oswald was first interviewed
by FBI Agents John W. Fain and B. Tom Carter on June 26, 1962, in Fort Worth.54
Agent Fain reported to headquarters that Oswald was impatient and arrogant, and
unwilling to answer questions regarding his motive for going to the Soviet
Union. Oswald "denied that he bad ever denounced his U.S. citizenship, and * * *
that he had ever applied for Soviet citizenship specifically." 55 Oswald was,
however, willing to discuss his contacts with Soviet authorities. He denied
having any involvement with Soviet intelligence agencies and promised to advise
the FBI if he heard from them.56
Agent Fain was not satisfied by this interview and arranged to see Oswald again
on August 16, 1962.57 According to Fain's contemporaneous memorandum and his
present recollection, while Oswald remained somewhat evasive at this interview,
he was not antagonistic
Page 435
and seemed generally to be settling down.58 (Marina Oswald, however, recalled
that her husband was upset by this interview.)59 Oswald again agreed to advise
the FBI if he were approached under suspicious circumstances; however, he
deprecated the possibility of this happening, particularly since his employment
did not involve any sensitive information. 60 Having concluded that Oswald was
not a security risk or potentially dangerous or violent, Fain determined that
nothing further remained to be done at that time and recommended that the case
be placed in a closed status.61 This is an administrative classification
indicating that no further work has been scheduled. It does not preclude the
agent in charge of the case from reopening it if he feels that further work
should be done.62
From August 1962 until March 1963, the FBI continued to accumulate information
regarding Oswald but engaged in no active investigation. Agent Fain retired from
the FBI in October 1962, and the closed Oswald case was not reassigned.63
However, pursuant to a regular Bureau practice of interviewing certain
immigrants from Iron Curtain countries, Fain had been assigned to see Marina
Oswald at an appropriate time.64 This assignment was given to Agent James P.
Hosty, Jr. of the Dallas office upon Fain's retirement. In March 1963, while
attempting to locate Marina Oswald, Agent Hosty was told by Mrs. M. F. Tobias, a
former landlady of the Oswalds at 602 Elsbeth Street in Dallas, that other
tenants had complained because Oswald was drinking to excess and beating his
wife.65 This information led Hosty to review Oswald's file, from which he
learned that Oswald had become a subscriber to the Worker, a Communist Party
publication. Hosty decided that the Lee Harvey Oswald case should be reopened
because of the alleged personal difficulties and the contact with the Worker,
and his recommendation was accepted.66 He decided, however, not to interview
Marina Oswald at that time, and merely determined that the Oswalds were living
at 214 Neely Street in Dallas. 67
On April 21, 1963, the FBI field office in New York was advised that Oswald was
in contact with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New York, and that he had
written to the committee stating that he had distributed its pamphlets on the
streets of Dallas.68 This information did not reach Agent Hosty in Dallas until
June.69 Hosty considered the information to be "stale" by that time, and did not
attempt to verify Oswald's reported statement. 70 Under a general Bureau request
to be on the alert. for activities of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee Hosty had
inquired earlier and found no evidence that it was functioning in the Dallas
area.71
In New Orleans.--In the middle of May of 1963, Agent Hosty checked Oswald's last
known residence and found that he had moved.72 Oswald was tentatively located in
New Orleans in June, and Hosty asked the New Orleans FBI office to determine
Oswald's address and what he was doing.73 The New Orleans office investigated
and located Oswald, learning his address and former place of employment on
August 5, 1963. 74 A confidential informant advised the FBI that Oswald
435
Page 436
was not known to be engaged in Communist Party activities in New Orleans. 75
On June 24, Oswald applied in New Orleans for a passport, stating that he
planned to depart by ship for an extended tour of Western European countries,
the Soviet Union, Finland, and Poland. The Passport Office of the Department of
State in Washington had no listing for Oswald requiring special treatment, and
his application was approved on the following day. 76 The FBI had not asked to
be informed of any effort by Oswald to obtain a passport, as it might have under
existing procedures, and did not know of his application. 77 According to the
Bureau,
We did not request the State Department to include Oswald on a list which would
have resulted in advising us of any application for a passport inasmuch as the
facts relating to Oswald's activities at that time did not warrant such action.
Our investigation of Oswald had disclosed no evidence that Oswald was acting
under the instructions or on behalf of any foreign government or instrumentality
thereof.78
On August 9, 1963, Oswald was arrested and jailed by the New Orleans Police
Department for disturbing the peace, in connection with a street fight which
broke out when he was accosted by anti-Castro Cubans while distributing leaflets
on behalf of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. On the next day, he asked the New
Orleans police to arrange for him to be interviewed by the FBI. The police
called the local FBI office and an agent, John L. Quigley, was sent to the
police station. 79 Agent Quigley did not know of Oswald's prior FBI record when
he interviewed him, inasmuch as the police had not given Oswald's name to the
Bureau when they called the office. 80
Quigley recalled that Oswald was receptive when questioned about his general
background but less than completely truthful or cooperative when interrogated
about the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Quigley testified:
When I began asking him specific details with respect to his activities in the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans as to where meetings were held, who
was involved, what occurred, he was reticent to furnish information, reluctant
and actually as far as I was concerned, was completely evasive on them. 81
In Quigley's judgment, Oswald "was probably making a self-serving statement in
attempting to explain to me why he was distributing this literature, and for no
other reason, and when I got to questioning him further then he felt that his
purpose had been served and he wouldn't say anything further." 82
During the interview Quigley obtained background information from Oswald which
was inconsistent with information already in the Bureau's possession. When
Quigley returned to his office, he learned
436
Page 437
that another Bureau agent, Milton R. Kaack, had been conducting a background
investigation of Oswald at the request of Agent Hosty in Dallas. Quigley advised
Knack of his interview and gave him a detailed memorandum. 83 Knack was aware of
the facts known to the FBI and recognized Oswald's false statements.84 For
example, Oswald claimed that his wife's maiden name was Prossa and that they had
been married in Fort Worth and lived there until coming to New Orleans.85 He had
told the New Orleans arresting officers that he had been born in Cuba.86
Several days later, the Bureau received additional evidence that Oswald had lied
to Agent Quigley. On August 22, it learned that Oswald had appeared on a radio
discussion program on August 21. 87 William Stuckey, who had appeared on the
radio program with Oswald, told the Bureau on August 30 that Oswald had told him
that he had worked and been married in the Soviet Union.88 Neither these
discrepancies nor the fact that Oswald had initiated the FBI interview was
considered sufficiently unusual to necessitate another interview. 89 Alan H.
Belmont, Assistant to the Director of the FBI, stated the Bureau's reasoning in
this way:
Our interest in this man at this point was to determine whether his activities
constituted a threat to the internal security of the country. It was apparent
that he had made a self-serving statement to Agent Quigley. It became a matter
of record in our files as a part of the case, and if we determined that the
course of the investigation required us to clarify or face him down with this
information, we would do it at the appropriate time.
In other words, he committed no violation of the law by telling us something
that wasn't true, and unless this required further investigation at that time,
we would handle it in due course, in accord with the whole context of the
investigation. 90
On August 21, 1963, Bureau headquarters instructed the New Orleans and Dallas
field offices to conduct an additional investigation of Oswald in view of the
activities which had led to his arrest. 91 FBI informants in the New Orleans
area, familiar with pro-Castro or Communist Party activity there, advised the
Bureau that Oswald was unknown in such circles. 92
In Dallas.--In early September 1963 the FBI transferred the principal
responsibility for the Oswald case from the Dallas office to the New Orleans
office.93 Soon after, on October 1, 1963, the FBI was advised by the rental
agent for the Oswalds' apartment in New Or]cans that they had moved again.94
According to the information received by the Bureau they had vacated their
apartment, and Marina Oswald had departed with their child in a station wagon
with Texas registration. 95 On October 3, Hosty reopened the case in Dallas to
assist the New Orleans office.96 He checked in Oswald's old neighborhood and
throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area but was unable to locate Oswald. 97
Page 438
The next word about Oswald's location was a communication from the CIA to the
FBI on October 10, advising that an individual tentatively identified as Oswald
had been in touch with the Soviet. Embassy in Mexico City in early October of
1963. 98 The Bureau had had no earlier information suggesting that Oswald had
left. the United States. The possible contact with the Soviet Embassy in Mexico
intensified the FBI's interest in learning Oswald's whereabouts. 99 The FBI
representative in Mexico City arranged to follow up this information with the
CIA and to verify Oswald's entry into Mexico.100 The CIA message was sent also
to the Department of State where it was reviewed by personnel of the Passport
Office, who knew from Oswald's file that he had sought and obtained a passport
on June 25, 1963.101 The Department of State did not advise either the CIA or
the FBI of these facts.102
On October 25, the New Orleans office of the FBI learned that in September
Oswald had given a forwarding address of 2515 West Fifth Street, Irving, Tex.103
After receiving this information on October 29, Agent Hosty attempted to locate
Oswald. On the same day Hosty interviewed neighbors on Fifth Street and learned
that the address was that of Mrs. Ruth Paine.104 He conducted a limited
background investigation of the Paines, intending to interview Mrs. Paine and
ask her particularly about Oswald's whereabouts.105
Having determined that Mrs. Paine was a responsible and reliable citizen, Hosty
interviewed her on November 1. The interview lasted about 20-25 minutes.106 In
response to Hosty's inquiries, Mrs. Paine
* * * readily admitted that Mrs. Marina Oswald and Lee Oswald's two children
were staying with her. She said that Lee Oswald was living somewhere in Dallas.
She didn't know where. She said it was in the Oak Cliff area but she didn't have
his address.
I asked her if she knew where he worked. After a moment's hesitation, she told
me that he worked at the Texas School Book Depository near the downtown area of
Dallas. She didn't have the exact address, and it is my recollection that we
went to the phone book and looked it up, found it to be 411 Elm Street.107
Mrs. Paine told Hosty also that Oswald was living alone in Dallas because she
did not want him staying at her house, although she was willing to let Oswald
visit his wife and children.108 According to Hosty, Mrs. Paine indicated that
she thought she could find out where Oswald was living and would let him
know.109 At this point in the interview, Hosty gave Mrs. Paine his name and
office telephone number on a piece of paper.110 At the end of the interview,
Marina Oswald came into the room. When he observed that she seemed "quite
alarmed" about the visit, Hosty assured her, through Mrs. Paine as interpreter,
that the FBI would not ham or harass her.111
On November 4, Hosty telephoned the Texas School Book Depository and learned
that Oswald was working there and that he had given
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as his address Mrs. Paine's residence in Irving.112 Hosty took the necessary
steps to have the Dallas office of the FBI, rather than the New Orleans office,
reestablished as the office with principal responsibility.113 On November 5,
Hosty was traveling near Mrs. Paine's home and took the occasion to stop by to
ask whether she had any further information. Mrs. Paine had nothing to add to
what she had already told him, except that during a visit that past weekend,
Oswald had said that he was a "Trotskyite Communist," and that she found this
and similar statements illogical and somewhat amusing.114 On this occasion Hosty
was at the Paine residence for only a few minutes.115
During neither interview did Hosty learn Oswald's address or telephone number in
Dallas. Mrs. Paine testified that she learned Oswald's telephone number at the
Beckley Street roominghouse in the middle of October shortly after Oswald rented
the room on October 14. As discussed in chapter VI, she failed to report this to
Agent Hosty because she thought the FBI was in possession of a great deal of
information and certainly would find it very easy to learn where Oswald was
living.116
Hosty did nothing further in connection with the Oswald case until after the
assassination. On November 1, 1963, he had received a copy of the report of the
New Orleans office which contained Agent Quigley's memorandum of the interview
in the New Orleans jail on August 10,117 and realized immediately that Oswald
had given false biographic information.118 Hosty knew that he would eventually
have to investigate this, and "was quite interested in determining the nature of
his contact with the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City." 119 When asked what his
next step would have been, Hosty replied:
Well, as I had previously stated, I have between 25 and 40 cases assigned to me
at any one time. I had other matters to take care of. I had now established that
Lee Oswald was not employed in a sensitive industry. I can now afford to wait
until New Orleans forwarded the necessary papers to me to show me I now had all
the information. It was then my plan to interview Marina Oswald in detail
concerning both herself and her husband's background.
Q. Had you planned any steps beyond that point ?
A. No. I would have to wait until I had talked to Marina to see what I could
determine, and from there I could make my plans.
Q. Did you take any action on this ease between November 5 and November 22 ?
A. No, sir.120
The official Bureau files confirm Hosty's statement that from November 5 until
the assassination, no active investigation was conducted.121 On November 18 the
FBI learned that Oswald recently had been in communication with the Soviet
Embassy in Washington and so advised the Dallas office in the ordinary course of
business.
Page 440
Hosty received this information on the afternoon of November 22, 1963.122
Nonreferral of Oswald to the Secret Service.--The Commission has considered
carefully the question whether the FBI, in view of all the information
concerning Oswald in its files, should have alerted the Secret Service to
Oswald's presence in Dallas prior to President Kennedy's visit. The Secret
Service and the FBI differ as to whether Oswald fell within the category of
"threats against the President" which should be referred to the Service.
Robert I Bouck, special agent in charge of the Protective Research Section,
testified that the information available to the Federal Government about Oswald
before the assassination would, if known to PRS, have made Oswald a subject of
concern to the Secret Service.123 Bouck pointed to a number of characteristics
besides Oswald's defection the cumulative effect of which would have been to
alert the Secret Service to potential danger:
I would think his continued association with the Russian Embassy after his
return, his association with the Castro groups would have been of concern to us,
a knowledge that he had, I believe, been courtmartialed for illegal possession
of a gun, of a hand gun in the Marines, that he had owned a weapon and did a
good deal of hunting or use of it, perhaps in Russia, plus a number of items
about his disposition and unreliability of character, I think all of those, if
we had had them altogether, would have added up to pointing out a pretty bad
individual, and I think that, together, had we known that he had a vantage point
would have seemed somewhat serious to us, even though I must admit, that none of
these in themselves would be--would meet our specific criteria, none of them
alone.
But, it is when you begin adding them up to some degree that you begin to get
criteria that, are meaningful.124
Mr. Bouck pointed out, however, that he had no reason to believe that any one
Federal agency had access to all this information, including the significant
fact that Oswald was employed in a building which overlooked the motorcade
route.125
Agent Hosty testified that he was fully aware of the pending Presidential visit
to Dallas. He recalled that the special agent in charge of the Dallas office of
the FBI, J. Gordon Shanklin, had discussed the President's visit on several
occasions, including the regular biweekly conference on the morning of November
22:
Mr. Shanklin advised us, among other things, that in view of the President's
visit to Dallas, that if anyone had any indication of any possibility of any
acts of violence or any demonstrations against the President, or Vice President,
to immediately notify the Secret Service and confirm it in writing. He had made
the
Page 441
same statement about a week prior at another special conference which we had
held. I don't recall the exact date. It was about a week prior.126
In fact, Hosty participated in transmitting to the Secret Service two pieces of
information pertaining to the visit.127 Hosty testified that he did not know
until the evening of Thursday, November 21, that there was to be a motorcade,
however, and never realized that the motorcade would pass the Texas School Book
Depository Building. He testified that he did not read the newspaper story
describing the motorcade route in detail, since he was interested only in the
fact that the motorcade was coming up Main Street, "where maybe I could watch it
if I had a chance." 128
Even if he had recalled that Oswald's place of employment was on the President's
route, Hosty testified that he would not have cited him to the Secret Service as
a potential threat to the President.129 Hosty interpreted his instructions as
requiring "some indication that the person planned to take some action against
the safety of the President of the United States or the Vice President." 130 In
his opinion, none of the information in the FBI files-- Oswald's defection, his
Fair Play for Cuba activities in New Orleans, his lies to Agent Quigley, his
recent visit to Mexico City--indicated that Oswald was capable of violence.131
Hosty's initial reaction on hearing that Oswald was a suspect in the
assassination, was "shock, complete surprise," because he had no reason to
believe that Oswald "was capable or potentially an assassin of the President of
the United States." 132
Shortly after Oswald was apprehended and identified, Hosty's superior sent him
to observe the interrogation of Oswald.133 Hosty parked his car in the basement
of police headquarters and there met an acquaintance, Lt. Jack Revill of the
Dallas police force. The two men disagree about the conversation which took
place between them. They agree that Hosty told Revill that the FBI had known
about Oswald and, in particular, of his presence in Dallas and his employment at
the Texas School Book Depository Building.134 Rev-ill testified that Hosty said
also that the FBI had information that Oswald was "capable of committing this
assassination." 135 According to Revill, Hosty indicated that he was going to
tell this to Lieutenant Wells of the homicide and robbery bureau.136 Revill
promptly made a memorandum of this conversation in which the quoted statement
appears.137 His secretary testified that she prepared such a report for him that
afternoon 138 and Chief of Police Jesse E. Curry and District Attorney Henry M.
Wade both testified that they saw it later that day.139
Hosty has unequivocally denied, first by affidavit and then in his testimony
before the Commission, that he ever said that Oswald was capable of violence, or
that he had any information suggesting this.140 The only witness to the
conversation was Dallas Police Detective V. J. Brian, who was accompanying
Revill. Brian did not hear Hosty make any statement concerning Oswald's capacity
to be an
441
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Page 442
assassin but he did not hear the entire conversation because of the commotion at
police headquarters and because he was not within hearing distance at all
times.141
Hosty's interpretation of the prevailing FBI instructions on referrals to the
Secret Service was defended before the Commission by his superiors. After
summarizing the Bureau's investigative interest in Oswald prior to the
assassination, J. Edgar Hoover concluded that "There was nothing up to the time
of the assassination that gave any indication that this man was a dangerous
character who might do harm to the President or to the Vice President." 142
Director Hoover emphasized that the first indication of Oswald's capacity for
violence was his attempt on General Walker's life, which did not become known to
the FBI until after the assassinat.ion.143 Both Director Hoover and his
assistant, Alan H. Belmont, stressed also the decision by the Department of
State that Oswald should be permitted to return to the United States.144 Neither
believed that the Bureau investigation of him up to November 22 revealed any
information which would have justified referral to the Secret Service. According
to Belmont, when Oswald returned from the Soviet Union,
* ** he indicated that he had learned his lesson, was disenchanted with Russia,
and had a renewed concept--I am paraphrasing, a renewed concept--of the American
free society.
We talked to him twice. He likewise indicated he was disenchanted with Russia.
We satisfied ourselves that we had met our requirement, namely to find out
whether he had been recruited by Soviet intelligence. The case was closed.
We again exhibited interest on the basis of these contacts with The Worker, Fair
Play for Cuba Committee, which are relatively inconsequential.
His activities for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans, we knew,
were not of real consequence as he was not connected with any organized activity
there.
The interview with him in jail is not significant from the standpoint of whether
he had a propensity for violence.
Q. This is the Quigley interview you are talking about ?
A. Yes; it was a self-serving interview.
The visits with the Soviet Embassy were evidently for the purpose of securing a
visa, and he had told us during one of the interviews that he would probably
take his wife back to Soviet Russia some time in the future. He had come back to
Dallas. Hosty had established that he had a job, he was working, and had told
Mrs. Paine that when he got the money he was going to take an apartment, when
the baby was old enough, he was going to take an apartment, and the family would
live together.
He gave evidence of settling down. Nowhere during the course of this
investigation or the information that came to us from other agencies was there
any indication of a potential for violence on his part.
442
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Consequenty, there was no basis for Hosty to go to Secret Service and advise
them of Oswald's presence. * * * 145
As reflected in this testimony, the officials of the FBI believed that there was
no data in its files which gave warning that Oswald was a source of danger to
President Kennedy. While he had expressed hostility at times toward the State
Department, the Marine Corps, and the FBI as agents of the Government,146 so far
as the FBI knew he had not shown any potential for violence. Prior to November
22, 1963, no law enforcement agency had any information to connect Oswald with
the attempted shooting of General Walker. It was against this background and
consistent with the criteria followed by the FBI prior to November 22 that
agents of the FBI in Dallas did not consider Oswald's presence in the Texas
School Book Depository Building overlooking the motorcade route as a source of
danger to the President and did not inform the Secret Service of his employment
in the Depository Building.
The Commission believes, however, that the FBI took an unduly restrictive view
of its responsibilities in preventive intelligence work, prior to the
assassination. The Commission appreciates the large volume of eases handled by
the FBI (636,371 investigative matters during fiscal year 1963).147 There were
no Secret Service criteria which specifically required the referral of Oswald's
ease to the Secret Service; nor was there any requirement to report the names of
defectors. However, there was much material in the hands of the FBI about
Oswald: the knowledge of his defection, his arrogance and hostility to the
United States, his pro-Castro tendencies, his lies when interrogated by the FBI,
his trip to Mexico where he was in contact with Soviet authorities, his presence
in the School Book Depository job and its location along the route of the
motorcade. All this does seem to amount to enough to have induced an alert
agency, such as the FBI, possessed of this information to list Oswald as a
potential threat to the safety of the President. This conclusion may be tinged
with hindsight, but it stated primarily to direct the thought of those
responsible for the future safety of our Presidents to the need for a more
imaginative and less narrow interpretation of their responsibilities.
It is the conclusion of the Commission that, even in the absence of Secret
Service criteria which specifically required the referral of such a case as
Oswald's to the Secret Service, a more alert and carefully considered treatment
of the Oswald case by the Bureau might have brought about such a referral. Had
such a review been undertaken by the FBI, there might conceivably have been
additional investigation of the Oswald case between November 5 and November 22.
Agent Hosty testified that several matters brought to his attention in late
October and early November, including the visit to the Soviet Embassy in Mexico
City, required further attention. Under proper procedures knowledge of the
pending Presidential visit might have prompted Hosty to have made more vigorous
efforts to locate
Page 444
Oswald's roominghouse address in Dallas and to interview him regarding these
unresolved matters.
The formal FBI instructions to it's agents outlining the information to be
referred to the Secret Service were too narrow at the time of the assassination.
While the Secret Service bears the principal responsibility for this failure,
the FBI instructions did not reflect fully the Secret Service's need for
information regarding potential threats. The handbook referred thus to "the
possibility of an attempt against the person or safety of the President." 148 It
is clear from Hosty's testimony that this was construed, at least by him, as
requiring evidence of a plan or conspiracy to injure the President.149 Efforts
made by the Bureau since the assassination, on the other hand, reflect keen
awareness of the necessity of communicating a much wider range of intelligence
information to the Service.150
Most important, notwithstanding that both agencies have professed to the
Commission that the liaison between them was close and fully sufficient,151 the
Commission does not believe that the liaison between the FBI and the Secret
Service prior to the assassination was as effective as it should have been. The
FBI Manual of Instructions provided:
Liaison With Other Government Agencies
To insure adequate and effective liaison arrangements, each SAC should
specifically designate an Agent (or Agents) to be responsible for developing and
maintaining liaison with other Federal Agencies. This liaison should take into
consideration FBI-agency community of interests, location of agency head
quarters, and the responsiveness of agency representatives. In each instance,
liaison contacts should be developed to include a close friendly relationship,
mutual understanding of FBI and agency jurisdictions, and an indicated
willingness by the agency representative to coordinate activities and to discuss
problems of mutual interest. Each field office should determine those Federal
agencies which are represented locally and with which liaison should be
conducted.152
The testimony reveals that liaison responsibilities in connection with the
President's visit were discussed twice officially by the special agent in charge
of the FBI office in Dallas. As discussed in chapter II, some limited
information was made available to the Secret Service.153 But there was no fully
adequate liaison between the two agencies. Indeed, the Commission believes that
the liaison between all Federal agencies responsible for Presidential protection
should be improved.
Other Protective Measures and Aspects of Secret Service
Performance
The President's trip to Dallas called into play many standard operating
procedures of the Secret Service in addition to its preventive
Page 445
intelligence operations. Examination of these procedures shows that in most
respects they were well conceived and ably executed by the personnel of the
Service. Against the background of the critical events of November 22, however,
certain shortcomings and lapses from the high standards which the Commission
believes should prevail in the field of Presidential protection are evident.
Advance preparations.--The advance preparations in Dallas by Agent Winston G.
Lawson of the White House detail have been described' in chapter II. With the
assistance of Agent in Charge Sorrels of the Dallas field office of the Secret
Service, Lawson was responsible for working out a great many arrangements for
the President's trip. The Service prefers to have two agents perform advance
preparations. In the case of Dallas, because President Kennedy had scheduled
visits to five Texas cities and had also scheduled visits to other parts of the
country immediately before the Texas trip, there were not enough men available
to permit two agents to be assigned to all the advance work. Consequently,
Agent. Lawson did the advance work alone from November 13 to November 18, when
he was joined by Agent David B. Grant, who had just. completed advance work on
the President's trip to Tampa.
The Commission concludes that the most significant advance arrangements for the
President's trip were soundly planned. In particular, the Commission believes
that the motorcade route selected by Agent Lawson, upon the advice of Agent in
Charge Sorrels and with the concurrence of the Dallas police, was entirely
appropriate, in view of the known desires of the President. There were far safer
routes via freeways directly to the Trade Mart, but these routes would not have
been in accordance with the White House staff instructions given the Secret
Service for a desirable motorcade route.154 Much of Lawson's time was taken with
establishing adequate security over the motorcade route and at the two places
where the President would stop, Love Field and the Trade Mart. The Commission
concludes that the arrangements worked out at the Trade Mart by these Secret
Service agents with the cooperation of the Dallas police and other local law
enforcement agents, were carefully executed. Since the President was to be at
the Trade Mart longer than at any other location in Dallas and in view of the
security hazards presented by the building, the Secret Service correctly gave
particular attention in the advance preparations to those arrangements. The
Commission also regards the security arrangements worked out by Lawson and
Sorrels at Love Field as entirely adequate.
The Commission believes, however, that the Secret Service has inadequately
defined the responsibilities of its advance agents, who have been given broad
discretion to determine what matters require attention in making advance
preparations and to decide what action to take. Agent Lawson was not given
written instructions concerning the Dallas trip or advice about any peculiar
problems which it might involve; all instructions from higher authority were
communicated to him orally. He did not have a checklist of the tasks he was
expected to
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accomplish, either by his own efforts or with the cooperation of local
authorities.155 The only systematic supervision of the activities of the advance
agent has been that provided by a requirement that he file interim and final
reports on each advance assignment. The interim report must be in the hands of
the agent supervising the protective group traveling with the President long
enough before his departure to apprise him of any particular problems
encountered and the responsive action taken.156 Agent Lawson's interim report
was received by Agent Kellerman on November 20, the day before departure on the
Texas trip.157
The Secret Service has advised the Commission that no unusual precautions were
taken for the Dallas trip, and that "the precautions taken for the President's
trip were the usual safeguards employed on trips of this kind in the United
States during the previous year."158
Special Agent in Charge Sorrels testified that the advance preparations followed
on this occasion were "pretty much the same" as those followed in 1936 during a
trip to Dallas by President Roosevelt, which was Sorrels' first important
assignment in connection with Presidential work.159
In view of the constant change in the nature of threats to the President and the
diversity of the dangers which may arise in the various cities within the United
States, the Commission believes that standard procedures in use for many years
and applied in all parts of the country may not be sufficient. There is, for
example, no Secret- Service arrangement for evaluating before a trip particular
difficulties that might be anticipated, which would bring to bear the judgment
and experience of members of the White House detail other than the advance
agent. Constant reevaluation of procedures, with attention to special problems
and the development of instructions specific to
particular trips, would be a desirable innovation.
Liaison with local law enforcement authorities.-- In the description
of the important aspects of the advance preparations, there have been references
to the numerous discussions between Secret Service representatives and the
Dallas Police Department. The wholehearted support of these local authorities
was indispensable to the Service in carrying out its duties. The Service had 28
agents participating in the Dallas visit.160 Agent Lawson's advance planning
called for the deployment of almost 600 members of the Dallas Police Department,
Fire Department, County Sheriff's Department, and the Texas Department of Public
Safety.161 Despite this dependence on local authorities, which would be
substantially the same on a visit by the President to any large city, the Secret
Service did not at the time of the assassination have any established procedure
governing its relationships with them.162 It had no prepared checklist of
matters to be covered with local police on such visits to metropolitan areas and
no written description of the role the local police were expected to perform.
Discussions with the Dallas authorities and requests made of them were entirely
informal.
Page 447
The Commission believes that a more formal statement of assigned
responsibilities, supplemented in each ease to reflect the peculiar conditions
of each Presidential trip, is essential. This would help to eliminate varying
interpretations of Secret Service instructions by different local law
enforcement representatives. For example, while the Secret Service
representatives in Dallas asked the police to station guards at each overpass to
keep "unauthorized personnel" off, this term was not defined. At some overpasses
all persons were excluded, while on the overpass overlooking the assassination
scene railroad and yard terminal workmen were permitted to remain under police
supervision, as discussed in chapter III.163 Assistant Chief Batchelor of the
Dallas police noted the absence of any formal statement by the Secret Service of
specific work assigned to the police and suggested the desirability of such a
statement.164 Agent Lawson agreed that. such a procedure would assist him and
other agents in fulfilling their responsibilities as advance agents.165
Check of buildings along route of motorcade.--Agent Lawson did not arrange for a
prior inspection of buildings along the motorcade route, either by police or by
custodians of the buildings, since it was not the usual practice of the Secret
Service to do so.166 The Chief of the Service has provided the Commission a
detailed explanation of this policy:
Except for inauguration or other parades involving foreign dignitaries
accompanied by the President in Washington, it has not been the practice of the
Secret Service to make surveys or checks of buildings along the route of a
Presidential motorcade. For the inauguration and certain other parades in
Washington where the traditional route is known to the public long in advance of
the event, buildings along the route can be checked by teams of law enforcement
officers, and armed guards are posted along the route as appropriate. But on
out- of-town trips where the route is decided on and made public only a few days
in advance, buildings are not checked either by Secret Service agents or by any
other law enforcement officers at the request of the Secret Service. With the
number of men available to the Secret Service and the time available, surveys of
hundreds of buildings and thousands of windows is not practical.
In Dallas the route selected necessarily involved passing through the principal
downtown section between tall buildings. While certain streets thought to be too
narrow could be avoided and other choices made, it was not practical to select a
route where the President could not be seen from roofs or windows of buildings.
At the two places in Dallas where the President would remain for a period of
time, Love Field and the Trade Mart, arrangements were made for building and
roof security by posting police officers where appropriate. Similar arrangements
for a motorcade of ten miles, including many blocks of tall commercial buildings
is not practical. Nor is it practical to prevent
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people from entering such buildings, or to limit access in every building to
those employed or having business there. Even if it were possible with a vastly
larger force of security officers to do so, many observers have felt that such a
procedure would not be consistent with the nature and purpose of the motorcade
to let the people see their President and to welcome him to their city.
In accordance with its regular procedures, no survey or other check was made by
the Secret Service, or by any other law enforcement agency at its request, of
the Texas School Book Depository Building or those employed there prior to the
time the President was shot.167
This justification of the Secret Service's standing policy is not persuasive.
The danger from a concealed sniper on the Dallas trip was of concern to those
who had considered the problem. President Kennedy himself had mentioned it that
morning.168 as had Agent Sorrels when he and Agent Lawson were fixing the
motorcade route.169 Admittedly, protective measures cannot ordinarily be taken
with regard to all buildings along a motorcade route. Levels of risk can be
determined, however, as has been confirmed by building surveys made since the
assassination for the Department of the Treasury.170 An attempt to cover only
the most obvious points of possible ambush along the route in Dallas might well
have included the Texas School Book Depository Building.
Instead of such advance precautions, the Secret Service depended in part on the
efforts of local law enforcement personnel stationed along the route. In
addition, Secret Service agents riding in the motorcade were trained to scan
buildings as part of their general observation of the crowd of spectators.171
These substitute measures were of limited value. Agent Lawson was unable to
state whether he had actually instructed the Dallas police to scan windows of
buildings lining the motorcade route, although it was his usual practice to do
so.172 If such instructions were in fact given, they were not effectively
carried out. Television films taken of parts of the motorcade by a Dallas
television station show the foot patrolmen facing the passing motorcade, and not
the adjacent crowds and buildings, as the procession passed.173
Three officers from the Dallas Police Department were assigned to the
intersection of Elm and Houston during the morning of November 22 prior to the
motorcade.174 All received their instructions early in the morning from Capt. P.
W. Lawrence of the traffic division.175 According to Captain Lawrence:
I then told the officers that their primary duty was traffic and crowd control
and that they should be alert for any persons who might attempt to throw
anything and although it was not a violation of the law to carry a placard, that
they were not to tolerate any actions such as the Stevenson incident and arrest
any person who might attempt to throw anything or try to get at the Presi-
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dent and his party; paying particular attention to the crowd for any unusual
activity. I stressed the fact that this was our President and he should be shown
every respect due his position and that it was our duty to see that this was
done.176
Captain Lawrence was not instructed to have his men watch buildings along the
motorcade route and did not mention the observation of buildings to them.177 The
three officers confirm that their primary concern was crowd and traffic control,
and that they had no opportunity to scan the windows of the Depository or any
other building in the vicinity of Elm and Houston when the motorcade was
passing. They had, however, occasionally observed the windows of buildings in
the area before the motorcade arrived, in accordance with their own
understanding of their function.178
As the motorcade approached Elm Street there were several Secret Service agents
in it who shared the responsibility of scanning the windows of nearby buildings.
Agent Sorrels, riding in the lead car, did observe the Texas School Book
Depository Building as he passed by, at least for a sufficient number of seconds
to gain a "general impression" of the lack of any unusual activity.179 He was
handicapped, however, by the fact. that he was riding in a closed car whose roof
at times obscured his view.180 Lawson, also in the lead car, did not scan any
buildings since an important part of his job was to look backward at the
President's car.181 Lawson stated that he "was looking back a good deal of the
time, watching his car, watching the sides, watching the crowds, giving advice
or asking advice from the Chief. and also looking ahead to the known hazards
like overpasses, under-passes, railroads, et cetera." 182 Agent Roy H.
Kellerman, riding in the front seat of the Presidential car, stated that he
scanned the Depository Building, but not sufficiently to be alerted by anything
in the windows or on the roof.183 The agents in the followup car also were
expected to scan adjacent buildings. However, the Commission does not believe
that agents stationed in a car behind the Presidential car, who must concentrate
primarily on the possibility of threats from crowds along the route, provide a
significant safeguard against dangers in nearby buildings.
Conduct of Secret Service agents in Fort Worth on November 22.--In the early
morning hours on November 22, 1963, in Fort Worth, there occurred a breach of
discipline by some members of the Secret Service who were officially traveling
with the President. After the President had retired at his hotel, nine agents
who were off duty went to the nearby Fort Worth Press Club at midnight or
slightly thereafter, expecting to obtain food; they had had little opportunity
to eat during the day.184 No food was available at the Press Club. All of the
agents stayed for a drink of beer, or in several cases, a mixed drink. According
to their affidavits, the drinking in no ease amounted to more than three glasses
of beer or 11/2 mixed drinks, and others who were present say that no agent was
inebriated or acted improperly. The statements of the agents involved are
supported by
Page 450
statements of members of the Fort Worth press who accompanied or observed them
and by a Secret Service investigation.185
According to their statements, the agents remained at the Press Club for periods
varying from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, and the last agent left the Press
Club by 2 a.m.186 Two of the nine agents returned to their rooms. The seven
others proceeded to an establishment called the Cellar Coffee House, described
by some as a beatnik place arid by its manager as "a unique show place with
continuous light entertainment all night [serving] only coffee, fruit juices and
no hard liquors or beer." 187 There is no indication that any of the agents who
visited the Cellar Coffee House had any intoxicating drink at. that
establishment.188 Most of the agents were there from about 1:30 or 1:45 a.m. to
about 2:45 or 3 a.m.; one agent was there from 2 until
5 a.m.189
The lobby of the hotel and the areas adjacent to the quarters of the President
were guarded during the night by members of the midnight to 8 a.m. shift of the
White House detail. These agents were each relieved for a half hour break during
the night.190 Three members of this shift separately took this opportunity to
visit the Cellar Coffee House.191 Only one stayed as long as a half hour, and
none had any beverage there.191 Chief Rowley testified that agents on duty in
such a situation usually stay within the building during their relief, but that
their visits to the Cellar were "neither consistent nor inconsistent" with their
duty.193
Each of the agents who visited the Press Club or the Cellar Coffee House (apart
from the three members of the midnight shift) had duty assignments beginning no
later than 8 a.m. that morning. President Kennedy was scheduled to speak across
the street from his hotel in Fort Worth at 8:30 a.m.,194 and then at a
breakfast, after which the entourage would proceed to Dallas. In Dallas, one of
the nine agents was assigned to assist in security measures at Love Field, and
four had protective assignments at the Trade Mart. The remaining four had key
responsibilities as members of the complement of the followup car in the
motorcade. Three of these agents occupied positions on the running boards of the
car, and the fourth was seated in the car.195
The supervisor of each of the off-duty agents who visited the Press Club or the
Cellar Coffee House advised, in the course of the Secret Service investigation
of these events, that each agent reported for duty on time, with full possession
of his mental and physical capabilities and entirely ready for the performance
of his assigned duties.196 Chief Rowley testified that, as a result of the
investigation he ordered, he was satisfied that each of the agents performed his
duties in an entirely satisfactory manner. and that their conduct the night
before did not impede their actions on duty or in the slightest way prevent them
from taking any action that might have averted the tragedy.197 However, Chief
Rowley did not condone the action of the off-duty agents, particularly since it
violated a regulation of the Secret Service, which provides:
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Liquor, use of.--a. Employees are strictly enjoined to refrain from the use of
intoxicating liquor during the hours they are officially employed at their post
of duty, or when they may reasonably expect that they may be called upon to
perform an official duty. During entire periods of travel status, the special
agent is officially employed and should not use liquor, until the completion of
all of his official duties for the day, after which time a very moderate use of
liquor will not be considered a violation. However, all members of the White
House Detail and special agents cooperating with them on Presidential and
similar protective assignments are considered to be subject to call for official
duty at any time while in travel status. Therefore, the use of intoxicating
liquor of any kind, including beer and wine, by members of the White House
Detail and special agents cooperating with them, or by special agents on similar
assignments, while they are in a travel status, is prohibited. 198
The regulations provide further that "violation or slight disregard" of these
provisions "will be cause for removal from the Service." 199
Chief Rowley testified that under ordinary circumstances he would have taken
disciplinary action against those agents who had been drinking in clear
violation of the regulation. However, he felt that any disciplinary action might
have given rise to an inference that the violation of the regulation had
contributed to the tragic events of November 22. Since he was convinced that
this was not the case, he believed that it would be unfair to the agents and
their families to take explicit disciplinary measures. He felt that each agent
recognized the seriousness of the infraction and that there was no danger of a
repetition. 200
The Commission recognizes that the responsibilities of members of the White
House detail of the Secret Service are arduous.. They work long, hard hours,
under very great strain, and must travel frequently. It might seem harsh to
circumscribe their opportunities for relaxation. Yet their role of protecting
the President is so important to the well-being of the country that it is
reasonable to expect them to meet very high standards of personal conduct, so
that nothing can interfere with their bringing to their task the finest
qualities and maximum resources of mind and body. This is the salutary goal to
which the Secret Service regulation is directed, when it absolutely forbids
drinking by any agent accompanying the President on a trip. Nor is this goal
served when agents remain out until early morning hours, and lose the
opportunity to get a reasonable amount of sleep. It is conceivable that those
men who had little sleep, and who had consumed alcoholic beverages, even in
limited quantities, might have been more alert in the Dallas motorcade if they
had retired promptly in Fort Worth. However, there is no evidence that these men
failed to take any action in Dallas within their power that would have averted
the tragedy. As will be seen, the instantaneous and heroic
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response to the assassination of some of the agents concerned was in the finest
tradition of Government service.
The motorcade in Dallas.--Rigorous security precautions had been arranged at
Love Field with the local law enforcement authorities by Agents Sorrels and
Lawson. These precautions included reserving a ceremonial area for the
Presidential party, stationing police on the rooftops of all buildings
overlooking the reception area, and detailing police in civilian clothes to be
scattered throughout the sizable crowd.201 When President and Mrs. Kennedy shook
hands with members of the public along the fences surrounding the reception
area, they were closely guarded by Secret Service agents who responded to the
unplanned event with dispatch.202
As described in chapter II, the President directed that his car stop on two
occasions during the motorcade so that he could greet members of the public.203
At these stops, agents from the Presidential follow-up car stood between the
President and the public, and on one occasion Agent Kellerman left the front
seat of the President's car to take a similar position. The Commission regards
such impromptu stops as presenting an unnecessary danger, but finds that the
Secret Service agents did all that could have been done to take protective
measures.
The Presidential limousine.--The limousine used by President Kennedy in Dallas
was a convertible with a detachable, rigid plastic "bubble" top which was
neither bulletproof nor bullet resistant.204 The last Presidential vehicle with
any protection against small-arms fire left the White House in 1953. It was not
theft replaced because the state of the art did not permit the development of a
bulletproof top of sufficiently light weight to permit its removal on those
occasions when the President wished to ride in an open car. The Secret Service
believed that it was very doubtful that any President would ride regularly in a
vehicle with a fixed top, even though transparent.205 Since the assassination,
the Secret Service, with the assistance of other Federal agencies and of private
industry, has developed a vehicle for the better protection of the President.206
Access to passenger compartment of Presidential car.--On occasion the Secret
Service has been permitted to have an agent riding in the passenger compartment
with the President. Presidents have made it clear, however, that they did not
favor this or any other arrangement which interferes with the privacy of the
President and his guests. The Secret Service has therefore suggested this
practice only on extraordinary occasions.207 Without attempting to prescribe or
recommend specific measures which should be employed for the future protection
of Presidents, the Commission does believe that there are aspects of the
protective measures employed in the motorcade at Dallas which deserve special
comment.
The Presidential vehicle in use in Dallas, described in chapter II, had no
special design or equipment which would have permitted the Secret Service agent
riding in the driver's compartment to move into the passenger section without
hindrance or delay. Had the vehicle been so designed it is possible that an
agent riding in the front seat
Page 453
could have reached the President in time to protect him from the second and
fatal shot to hit the President. However, such access to the President was
interfered with both by the metal bar some 15 inches above the back of the front
seat and by the passengers in the jump seats. In contrast, the Vice Presidential
vehicle, although not specially designed for that purpose, had no passenger in a
jump. seat between Agent Youngblood and Vice President Johnson to interfere with
Agent Youngblood's ability to take a protective position in the passenger
compartment before the third shot was fired. 208
The assassination suggests that it would have been of prime importance in the
protection of the President if the Presidential car permitted immediate access
to the President by a Secret Service agent at the first sign of danger. At that
time the agents on the framing boards of the followup ear were expected to
perform such a function. However, these agents could not reach the President's
car when it was traveling at an appreciable rate of speed. Even if the car is
traveling more slowly, the delay involved in reaching the President may be
crucial. It. is clear that. at the time of the shots in Dallas, Agent Clinton J.
Hill leaped to the President's rescue as quickly as humanly possible. Even so,
analysis of the motion picture films taken by amateur photographer Zapruder
reveals that Hill first placed his hand on the Presidential ear at frame 343, 30
frames and therefore approximately 1.6 seconds after the President was shot in
the head. 209 About 3.7 seconds after the President received this wound, Hill
had both feet on the ear and was climbing aboard to assist President and Mrs.
Kennedy.210
Planning [or motorcade contingencies.--In response to inquiry by the Commission
regarding the instructions to agents in a motorcade of emergency procedures to
be taken in a contingency such as that which actually occurred, the Secret
Service responded:
The Secret Service has consistently followed two general principles in
emergencies involving the President. All agents are so instructed. The first
duty of the agents in the motorcade is to attempt to cover the President as
closely as possible and practicable and to shield him by attempting to place
themselves between the President and any source of danger. Secondly, agents are
instructed to remove the President as quickly as possible from known or
impending danger. Agents are instructed that it is not their responsibility to
investigate or evaluate a present danger, but to consider any untoward
circumstances as serious and to afford the President maximum protection at all
times. No responsibility rests upon those agents near the President for the
identification or arrest of any assassin or an attacker. Their primary
responsibility is to stay with and protect the President.
Beyond these two principles the Secret Service believes a derailed contingency
or emergency plan is not feasible because the variations possible preclude
effective planning. A number of steps are taken, however, to permit appropriate
steps to be taken
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in an emergency. For instance, the lead car always is manned by Secret Service
agents familiar with the area and with local law enforcement officials; the
radio net in use in motorcades is elaborate and permits a number of different
means of communication with various local points. A doctor is in the
motorcade.211
This basic approach to the problem of planning for emergencies is sound. Any
effort to prepare detailed contingency plans might well have the undesirable
effect of inhibiting quick and imaginative responses. If the advance preparation
is thorough, and the protective devices and techniques employed are sound, those
in command should be able to direct the response appropriate to the emergency.
The Commission finds that the Secret Service agents in the motorcade who were
immediately responsible for the President's safety reacted promptly at the time
the shots were fired. Their actions demonstrate that the President and the
Nation can expect courage and devotion to duty from the agents of the Secret
Service.
Recommendations
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The Commission's review of the provisions for Presidential protection at the
time of President Kennedy's trip to Dallas demonstrates the need for substantial
improvements. Since the assassination, the Secret Service and the Department of
the Treasury have properly taken the initiative in reexamining major aspects of
Presidential protection. Many changes have already been made and others are
contemplated, some of them in response to the Commission's questions and
informal suggestions.
Assassination a Federal Crime
There was no Federal criminal jurisdiction over the assassination of President
Kennedy. Had there been reason to believe that the assassination was the result
of a conspiracy, Federal jurisdiction could have been asserted; it has long been
a Federal crime to conspire to injure any Federal officer, on account of, or
while he is engaged in, the lawful discharge of the duties of his office.212
Murder of the President has never been covered by Federal law, however, so that
once it became reasonably clear that the killing was the act of a single person,
the State of Texas had exclusive jurisdiction.
It is anomalous that Congress has legislated in other ways touching upon the
safety of the Chief Executive or other Federal officers, without making an
attack on the President a crime. Threatening harm to the President is a Federal
.offense, 213 as is advocacy of the overthrow of the Government by the
assassination of any of its officers.214 The murder of Federal judges, U.S.
attorneys and marshals, and a number of other specifically designated Federal
law enforcement. officers is a Federal crime.215 Equally anomalous are statutory
provisions which
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specifically authorize the Secret Service to protect the President, without
authorizing it to arrest anyone who harms him. The same provisions authorize the
Service to arrest without warrant persons committing certain offenses, including
counterfeiting and certain frauds involving Federal checks or securities.216 The
Commission agrees with the Secret Service 217 that it should be authorized to
make arrests without warrant for all offenses within its jurisdiction, as are
FBI agents and Federal marshals.218
There have been a number of efforts to make assassination a Federal crime,
particularly after the assassination of President McKinley and the attempt on
the life of President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.219 In 1902 bills passed both
Houses of Congress but failed of enactment when the Senate refused to accept the
conference report.220 A number of bills were introduced immediately following
the assassination of President Kennedy.221
The Commission recommends to the Congress that it adopt legislation which would:
Punish the murder or manslaughter of, attempt or conspiracy to murder, kidnaping
of and assault upon
the President, Vice President, or other officer next in the order of succession
to the Office of President, the President- elect and the Vice-President-elect,
whether or not the act is committed while the victim is in the performance of
his official duties or on account of such performance.
Such a statute would cover the President and Vice President or, in the absence
of a Vice President, the person next in order of succession. During the period
between election and inauguration, the President-elect and Vice-President-elect
would also be covered. Restricting the coverage in this way would avoid
unnecessary controversy over the inclusion or exclusion of other officials who
are in the order of succession or who hold important governmental posts. In
addition, the restriction would probably eliminate a need for the requirement
which has been urged as necessary for the exercise of Federal power, that the
hostile act occur while the victim is engaged in or because of the performance
of official duties.222 The governmental consequences of assassination of one of
the specified officials give the United States ample power to act for its own
protection.223 The activities of the victim at the time an assassination occurs
and the motive for the assassination bear no relationship to the injury to the
United States which follows from the act. This point was ably made in the 1902
debate by Senator George F. Hoar, the sponsor of the Senate bill:
* * * what this bill means to punish is the crime of interruption of the
Government of the United States and the destruction of its security by striking
down the life of the person who is actually in the exercise of the executive
power, or of such persons as have been
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constitutionally and lawfully provided to succeed thereto in case of a vacancy.
It is important to this country that the interruption shall not take place for
an hour * * * 224
Enactment of this statute would mean that the investigation of any of the acts
covered and of the possibility of a further attempt would be conducted by
Federal law enforcement officials, in particular, the FBI with the assistance of
the Secret Service.225 At present, Federal agencies participate only upon the
sufferance of the local authorities. While the police work of the Dallas
authorities in the early identification and apprehension of Oswald was both
efficient and prompt, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who strongly supports such
legislation, testified that the absence of clear Federal jurisdiction over the
assassination of President Kennedy led to embarrassment and confusion in the
subsequent investigation by Federal and local authorities.226 In addition, the
proposed legislation will insure that any suspects who are arrested will be
Federal prisoners, subject to Federal protection from vigilante justice and
other threats. 227
Committee of Cabinet Officers
As our Government has become more complex, agencies other than the Secret
Service have become involved in phases of the overall problem of protecting our
national leaders. The FBI is the major domestic investigating agency of the
United States, while the CIA has the primary responsibility for collecting
intelligence overseas to supplement information acquired by the Department of
State. The Secret Service must rely in large part upon the investigating
capacity and experience of these and other agencies for much of its information
regarding possible dangers to the President. The Commission believes that it is
necessary to improve the cooperation among these agencies and to emphasize that
the task of Presidential protection is one of broad national concern.
The Commission suggests that consideration might be given to assigning to a
Cabinet-level committee or the National Security Council (which is responsible
for advising the President respecting the coordination of departmental policies
relating to the national security) 228 the responsibility to review and oversee
the protective activities of the Secret Service and the other Federal agencies
that assist in safeguarding the President. The Committee should include the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, and, if the Council is used,
arrangements should be made for the attendance of the Secretary of the Treasury
and the Attorney General at any meetings which are concerned with Presidential
protection.229 The Council already includes, in addition to the President and
Vice President, the Secretaries of State and Defense and has a competent staff.
The foremost assignment of the Committee would be to insure that the maximum
resources of the Federal Government are fully engaged
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in the job of protecting the President, by defining responsibilities clearly and
overseeing their execution. Major needs of personnel or other resources might be
met more easily on its recommendation than they have been in the past.
The Committee would be able to provide guidance in defining the general nature
of domestic and foreign dangers to Presidential security. As improvements are
recommended for the advance detection of potential threats to the President, it
could act as a final review board. The expert assistance and resources which it
could draw upon would be particularly desirable in this complex and sensitive
area.
This arrangement would provide a continuing high-level contact for agencies that
may wish to consult respecting particular protective measures. For various
reasons the Secret Service has functioned largely as an informal part of the
White House staff, with the result that it has been unable, as a practical
matter, to exercise sufficient influence over the security precautions which
surround Presidential activities. A Cabinet-level committee which is actively
concerned with these problems would be able to discuss these matters more
effectively with the President.
Responsibilities for Presidential Protection
The assignment of the responsibility of protecting the President to an agency of
the Department of the Treasury was largely an historical accident.230 The Secret
Service was organized as a division of the Department of the Treasury in 1865,
to deal with counterfeiting. In 1894, while investigating a plot to assassinate
President Cleveland, the Service assigned a small protective detail of agents to
the White House. Secret Service men accompanied the President and his family to
their vacation home in Massachusetts and special details protected him in
Washington, on trips, and at special functions. These informal and part-time
arrangements led to more systematic protection in 1902, after the assassination
of President McKinley; the Secret Service, then the only Federal investigative
agency, assumed full-time responsibility for the safety of the President. Since
that time, the Secret Service has had and exercised responsibility for the
physical protection of the President and also for the preventive investigation
of potential threats against the President.
Although the Secret Service has had the primary responsibility for the
protection of the President, the FBI, which was established within the
Department of Justice in 1908, has had in recent years an increasingly important
role to play. In the appropriations of the FBI there has recurred annually an
item for the "protection of the person of the President of the United States,"
which first appeared in the appropriation of the Department of Justice in 1910
under the heading "Miscellaneous Objects."231 Although the FBI is not charged
with the physical protection of the President, it does have an assignment, as do
other Government agencies, in the field of preventive investigation in regard to
the President's security. As discussed above, the Bureau has
730-900 0-64--31
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attempted to meet its responsibilities in this field by spelling out in its
Handbook the procedures which its agents are to follow in connection with
information received "indicating the possibility of an attempt against the
person or safety of the President" or other protected persons.
With two Federal agencies operating in the same general field of preventive
investigation, questions inevitably arise as to the scope of each agency's
authority and responsibility. As the testimony of J. Edgar Hoover and other
Bureau officials revealed, the FBI did not believe that its directive required
the Bureau to notify the Secret Service of the substantial information about Lee
Harvey Oswald which the FBI had accumulated before the President reached Dallas.
On the other hand, the Secret Service had no knowledge whatever of Oswald, his
background, or his employment at the Book Depository, and Robert I. Bouck, who
was in charge of the Protective Research Section of the Secret Service, believed
that the accumulation of the facts known to the FBI should have constituted a
sufficient basis to warn the Secret Service of the Oswald risk.
The Commission believes that both the FBI and the Secret Service have too
narrowly construed their respective responsibilities. The Commission has the
impression that too much emphasis is placed by both on the investigation of
specific threats by individuals and not enough on dangers from other sources. In
addition, the Commission has concluded that the Secret Service particularly
tends to be the passive recipient of information regarding such threats and that
its Protective Research Section is not adequately staffed or equipped to conduct
the wider investigative work that is required today for the security of the
President.
During the period the Commission was giving thought to this situation, the
Commission received a number of proposals designed to improve current
arrangements for protecting the President. These proposals included suggestions
to locate exclusive responsibility for all phases of the work in one or another
Government agency, to clarify the division of authority between the agencies
involved, and to retain the existing system but expand both the scope and the
operations of the existing agencies, particularly those of the Secret Service
and the FBI.
It has been pointed out that the FBI, as our chief investigative agency, is
properly manned and equipped to carry on extensive information gathering
functions within the United States. It was also suggested that it would take a
substantial period of time for the Secret Service to build up the experience and
skills necessary to meet the problem. Consequently the suggestion has been made,
on the one hand, that all preventive investigative functions relating to the
security of the President should be transferred to the FBI, leaving with the
Secret Service only the responsibility for the physical protection of the
President, that is, the guarding function alone.
On the other hand, it is urged that all features of the protection of the
President and his family should be committed to an elite and independent corps.
It is also contended that the agents should be intimately
Page 459
associated with the life of the Presidential family in all its ramifications and
alert to every danger that might befall it, and ready at any instant to hazard
great danger to themselves in the performance of their tremendous
responsibility. It is suggested that an organization shorn of its power to
investigate all the possibilities of danger to the 'President and becoming
merely the recipient of information gathered by others would become limited
solely to acts of physical alertness and personal courage incident to its
responsibilities. So circumscribed, it could not maintain the esprit de corps or
the necessary alertness for this unique and challenging responsibility.
While in accordance with its mandate this Commission has necessarily examined
into the functioning of the various Federal agencies concerned with the tragic
trip of President Kennedy to Dallas and while it has arrived at certain
conclusions in respect thereto, it seems clear that it was not within the
Commission's responsibility to make specific recommendations as to the long-
range organization of the President's protection, except as conclusions flowing
directly from its examination of the President's assassination can be drawn. The
Commission was not asked to apply itself as did the Hoover Commission in 1949,
for examples to a determination of the optimum organization of the President's
protection. It would have been necessary for the Commission to take considerable
testimony, much of it extraneous to the facts of the assassination of President
Kennedy, to put it in a position to reach final conclusions in this respect.
There are always dangers of divided responsibility, duplication, and confusion
of
authority where more than one agency is operating in the same field; but on the
other hand the protection of the President is in a real sense a Government-wide
responsibility which must necessarily
assumed by the Department of State the FBI, the CIA, and the military
intelligence agencies as well as the Secret Service. Moreover, a number of
imponderable questions have to be weighed if any change in the intimate
association now established between the Secret Service and the President and his
family is contemplated.
These considerations have induced the Commission to believe that the
determination of whether or not there should be a relocation of responsibilities
and functions should be left to the Executive and the Congress, perhaps upon
recommendations based on further studies by the Cabinet-level committee
recommended above or the National Security Council.
Pending any such determination, however, this Commission is convinced of the
necessity of better coordination and direction of the activities of all existing
agencies of Government which are in a position to and do, furnish information
and services related to the security of the President. The Commission feels the
Secret Service and the FBI, as well as the State Department and the CIA when the
President travels abroad, could .improve their existing capacities and
procedures so as to lessen the chances of assassination. Without, therefore,
coming to final conclusions respecting the long-range organization of the
President's security, the Commission believes
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that the facts of the assassination of President Kennedy point to certain
measures which, while assuming no radical relocation of responsibilities, can
and should be recommended by this Commission in the interest of the more
efficient protection of the President. These, recommendations are reviewed
below.
General Supervision of the Secret Service
The intimacy of the Secret Service's relationship to the White House and the
dissimilarity of its protective functions to most activities of the Department
of the Treasury have made it difficult for the Treasury to maintain close and
continuing supervision. The Commission believes that the recommended
Cabinet-level committee will help to correct many of the major deficiencies of
supervision disclosed by the Commission's investigation. Other measures should
be taken as well to improve the overall operation of the Secret Service.
Daily supervision of the operations of the Secret Service within the Department
of the Treasury should be improved. The Chief of the Service now reports to the
Secretary of the Treasury through an Assistant Secretary whose duties also
include the direct supervision of the Bureau of the Mint and the Department's
Employment Policy Program, and who also represents the Secretary of the Treasury
on various committees and groups.232 The incumbent has no technical
qualifications in the area of Presidential protection.233 The Commission
recommends that the Secretary of the Treasury appoint a special assistant with
the responsibility of supervising the Service. This special assistant should be
required to have sufficient stature and experience in law enforcement,
intelligence, or allied fields to be able to provide effective continuing
supervision, and to keep the Secretary fully informed regarding all significant
developments relating to Presidential protection.
This report has already pointed out several respects in which the Commission
believes that the Secret Service has operated with insufficient planning or
control. Actions by the Service since the assassination indicate its awareness
of the necessity for substantial improvement in its administration. A formal and
thorough description of the responsibilities of the advance agent is now in
preparation by the Service.234 Work is going forward toward the preparation of
formal understandings of the respective roles of the Secret Service and other
agencies with which it collaborates or from which it derives assistance and
support. The Commission urges that the Service continue this effort to overhaul
and define its procedures. While manuals and memoranda are no guarantee of
effective operations, no sizable organization can achieve efficiency without the
careful analysis and demarcation of responsibility that is reflected in definite
and comprehensive operating procedures.
The Commission also recommends that the Secret Service consciously set about the
task of inculcating and maintaining the highest standard of excellence and
esprit, for all of its personnel. This
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involves tight and unswerving discipline as well as the promotion of an
outstanding degree of dedication and loyalty to duty. The Commission emphasizes
that it finds no causal connection between the assassination and the breach of
regulations which occurred on the night of November 21 at Fort Worth.
Nevertheless, such a breach, in which so many agents participated, is not
consistent with the standards which the responsibilities of the Secret Service
require it to meet.
Preventive Intelligence
In attempting to identify those individuals who might prove a danger to the
President, the Secret Service has largely been the passive recipient of
threatening communications to the President and reports from other agencies
which independently evaluate their information for potential sources of danger.
This was the consequence of the Service's lack of an adequate investigative
staff, its inability to process large amounts of data, and its failure to
provide specific descriptions of the kind of information it sought.235
The Secret Service has embarked upon a complete overhaul of its research
activities.236 The staff of the Protective Research Section (PRS) has been
augmented, and a Secret Service inspector has been put in charge of this
operation. With the assistance of the President 's Office of Science and
Technology, and of the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of
Defense, it has obtained the services of outside consultants, such as the Rand
Corp., International Business Machines Corp., and a panel of psychiatric and
psychological experts. It has received assistance also from data processing
experts at the CIA and from a specialist in psychiatric prognostication at
Walter Reed Hospital.237 As a result of these studies, the planning document
submitted by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Bureau of the Budget on August
.31, 1964, makes several significant recommendations in this field.238 Based on
the Commission's investigation, the
following minimum goals for improvements are indicated:
Broader and more selective criteria.--Since the assassination, both
the Secret Service and the FBI have recognized that the PRS files can no longer
be limited largely to persons communicating actual threats to the President. On
December 26, 1963, the FBI circulated additional instructions to all its agents,
specifying criteria for information to be furnished to the Secret Service in
addition to that covered by the former standard, which was the possibility of an
attempt against the person or safety of the President. The new instructions
require FBI agents to report immediately information concerning:
Subversives, ultrarightists, racists and fascists (a) possessing emotional
instability or irrational behavior, (b) who have made threats of bodily harm
against officials or employees of Federal, state or local government or
officials of a foreign government, (c) who express or have expressed strong or
violent anti-U.S. sentiments and who have been involved in bombing or
bomb-making
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or whose past conduct indicates tendencies toward violence, and (d) whose prior
acts or statements depict propensity for violence and hatred against organized
government.239
Alan II. Belmont, Assistant to the Director of the FBI, testified that this
revision was initiated by the FBI itself.240 The volume of references to the
Secret Service has increased substantially since the new instructions went into
effect; more than 5,000 names were referred to the Secret Service in the first 4
months of 1964.241 According to Chief Rowley, by mid-June 1964, the Secret
Service had received from the FBI some 9,000 reports on members of the Communist
Party.242 The FBI now transmits information on all defectors, 243 a category
which would, of course, have included Oswald.
Both Director Hoover and Belmont expressed to the Commission the great concern
of the FBI, which is shared by the Secret Service, that referrals to the Secret
Service under the new criteria might, if not properly handled, result in some
degree of interference with the personal liberty of those involved.244 They
emphasized the necessity that the information now being furnished be handled
with judgment and care. The Commission shares this concern. The problem is
aggravated by the necessity that the Service obtain the assistance of local law
enforcement officials in evaluating the information which it receives and in
taking preventive steps.
In June 1964, the Secret Service sent to a number of Federal law enforcement and
intelligence agencies guidelines for an experimental program to develop more
detailed criteria. 245 The suggestions of Federal agencies for revision of these
guidelines were solicited. The new tentative criteria are useful in making clear
that the interest of the Secret Service goes beyond information on individuals
or groups threatening to cause harm or embarrassment to the President.246
Information is requested also concerning individuals or groups who have
demonstrated an interest in the President or "other high government officials in
the nature of a complaint coupled with an expressed or implied determination to
use a means, other than legal or peaceful, to satisfy any grievance, real or
imagined. 247 Under these criteria, whether the case should be referred to the
Secret Service depends on the existence of a previous history of mental
instability, propensity toward violent action, or some similar characteristic,
coupled with some evaluation of the capability of the individual or group to
further the intention to satisfy a grievance by unlawful means.248
While these tentative criteria are a step in the right direction, they seem
unduly restrictive in continuing to require some manifestation of animus against
a Government official. It is questionable whether such criteria would have
resulted in the referral of Oswald to the Secret Service. Chief Rowley believed
that they would, because of Oswald's demonstrated hostility toward the Secretary
of the Navy in his letter of January 30, 1962.249
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I shall employ all means to right this gross mistake or injustice to a bon-fed
U.S. citizen and ex-service man. The U.S. government has no charges or
complaints against me. I ask you to look into this case and take the necessary
steps to repair the damage done to me and my family.250
Even with the advantage of hindsight, this letter does not appear to express or
imply Oswald's "determination to use a means, other than legal or peaceful, to
satisfy [his] grievance" within the meaning of the new criteria.251
It is apparent that a good deal of further consideration and experimentation
will be required before adequate criteria can be framed. The Commission
recognizes that no set of meaningful criteria will yield the names of all
potential assassins. Charles J. Gad, Leon F. Czolgosz, John Schrank, and
Guiseppe Zangara--four assassins or would-be assassins--were all men who acted
alone in their criminal acts against our leaders.252 None had a serious record
of prior violence. Each of them was a failure in his work and in his relations
with others, a victim of delusions and fancies which led to the conviction that
society and its leaders had combined to thwart him. It will require every
available resource of our Government to devise a practical system which has any
reasonable possibility of revealing such
malcontents.
Liaison with other agencies regarding intelligence.--The Secret
Service's liaison with the agencies that supply information to it has been too
casual. Since the assassination, the Service has recognized that these
relationships must be far more formal and each agency given clear understanding
of the assistance which the Secret Service expects.258
Once the Secret Service has formulated its new standards for collection of
information, it should enter into written agreements with each Federal agency
and the leading State and local agencies that might be a source of such
information. Such agreements should describe in detail the information which is
sought, the manner in which it will be provided to the Secret Service, and the
respective responsibilities for any further investigation that may be required.
This is especially necessary with regard to the FBI and CIA, which carry the
major responsibility for supplying information about potential threats,
particularly those arising from organized groups, within their special
jurisdiction. Since these agencies are already obliged constantly to evaluate
the activities of such groups, they should be responsible for advising the
Secret Service if information develops indicating the existence of an
assassination plot and for reporting such events as a change in leadership or
dogma which indicate that the group may present a danger to the President.
Detailed formal agreements embodying these arrangements should be worked out
between the Secret Service and both of these agencies.
It should be made clear that the Secret Service will in no way seek to duplicate
the intelligence and investigative capabilities of the
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agencies now operating in this field but will continue to use the data developed
by these agencies to carry out its special duties. Once experience has been
gained in implementing such agreements with the Federal and leading State and
local agencies, the Secret Service, through its field offices, should negotiate
similar arrangements with such other State and local law enforcement agencies as
may provide meaningful assistance. Much useful information will come to the
attention of local law enforcement agencies in the regular course of their
activities, and this source should not be neglected by undue concentration on
relationships with other Federal agencies. Finally, these agreements with
Federal and local authorities will be of little value unless a system is
established for the frequent formal review of activities thereunder.
In this regard the Commission notes with approval several recent measures taken
and proposed by the Secret Service to improve its liaison arrangements. In his
testimony Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon informed the Commission
that an interagency committee has been established to develop more effective
criteria. According to Secretary Dillon, the Committee will include
representatives of the President's Office of Science and Technology, Department
of Defense, CIA, FBI, and the Secret Service.254 In addition, the Department of
the Treasury has requested five additional agents for its Protective Research
Section to serve as liaison officers with law enforcement and intelligence
agencies.255 On the basis of the Department's review during the past several
months, Secretary Dillon testified that the use of such liaison officers is the
only effective way to insure that adequate liaison is maintained.256 As a
beginning step to improve liaison with local law enforcement officials, the
Secret Service on August 26, 1964, directed its field representatives to send a
form request for intelligence information to all local, county, and State law
enforcement agencies in their districts.257 Each of these efforts appears sound,
and the Commission recommends that these and the other measures suggested by the
Commission be pursued vigorously by Secret Service.
Automatic data processing.--Unless the Secret Service is able to deal rapidly
and accurately with a growing body of data, the increased information supplied
by other agencies will be wasted. PRS must develop the capacity to classify its
subjects on a more sophisticated basis than the present geographic breakdown.
Its present manual filing system is obsolete; it makes no use of the recent
developments in automatic data processing which are widely used in the business
world and in other Government offices.
The Secret Service and the Department of the Treasury now recognize this
critical need. In the planning document currently under review by the Bureau of
the Budget, the Department recommends that it be permitted to hire five
qualified persons "to plan and develop a workable and efficient automated file
and retrieval system."258 Also the Department requests the sum of $100,000 to
conduct a detailed feasibility study; this money would be used to compensate
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consultants, to lease standard equipment or to purchase specially designed pilot
equipment.259 On the basis of such a feasibility study, the Department hopes to
design a practical system which will fully meet the needs of the Protective
Research Section of the Secret Service.
The Commission recommends that prompt and favorable consideration be given to
this request. The Commission further recommends that the Secret Service
coordinate its planning as closely as possible with all of the Federal agencies
from which it receives information. The Secret Service should not and does not
plan to develop its own intelligence gathering facilities to duplicate the
existing facilities of other Federal agencies. In planning its data processing
techniques, the Secret Service should attempt to develop a system compatible
with those of the agencies from which most of its data will come.*
Protective Research participation in advance arrangements.--Since the
assassination, Secret Service procedures have been changed to require that a
member of PRS accompany each advance survey team to establish liaison with local
intelligence gathering agencies and to provide for the immediate evaluation of
information received from them.260 This PRS agent will also be responsible for
establishing an informal local liaison committee to make certain that all
protective intelligence activities are coordinated. Based on its experience
during this period, the Secret Service now recommends that additional personnel
be made available to PRS so that these arrangements can be made permanent
without adversely affecting the operations of the Service's field offices.261
The Commission regards this as a most. useful innovation and urges that the
practice be continued.
Liaison With Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Advice by the Secret Service to local police in metropolitan areas relating to
the assistance expected in connection with a Presidential visit has hitherto
been handled on an informal basis.262 The Service should consider preparing
formal explanations of the cooperation anticipated during a Presidential visit
to a city, in formats that can be communicated to each level of local
authorities. Thus, the local chief of police could be given a master plan,
prepared for the occasion, of all protective measures to be taken during the
visit; each patrolman might be given a prepared booklet of instructions
explaining what is expected of him.
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The Secret Service has expressed concern that written instructions might come
into the hands of local newspapers, to the prejudice of the precautions
described.263 However, the instructions must be communicated to the local police
in any event and can be leaked to the press whether or not they are in writing.
More importantly, the lack of carefully prepared and carefully transmitted
instructions for typical visits to cities can lead to lapses in protection, such
as the confusion in Dallas about whether members of the public were permitted on
overpasses.264 Such instructions will not fit all circumstances, of course, and
should not be relied upon to the detriment of the imaginative application of
judgment in special cases.
Inspection of Buildings
Since the assassination of President Kennedy, the Secret Service has been
experimenting with new techniques in the inspection of buildings along a
motorcade route.265 According to Secretary Dillon, the studies indicate that
there is some utility in attempting to designate certain buildings as involving
a higher risk than others.266 The Commission strongly encourages these efforts
to improve protection along a motorcade route. The Secret. Service should
utilize the personnel of other Federal law enforcement offices in the locality
to assure adequate manpower for this task, as it is now doing. 267 Lack of
adequate resources is an unacceptable excuse for failing to improve advance
precautions in this crucial area of Presidential protection.
Secret Service Personnel and Facilities
Testimony and other evidence before the Commission suggest that the Secret
Service is trying to accomplish its job with too few people and without adequate
modern equipment. Although Chief Rowley does not complain about the pay scale
for Secret Service agents, salaries are below those of the FBI and leading
municipal police forces.268 The assistant to the Director of the FBI testified
that the caseload of each FBI agent averaged 20-25, and he felt that this was
high.269 Chief Rowley testified that the present workload of each Secret Service
agent averages 110.1 cases.270 While these statistics relate to the activities
of Secret Service agents stationed in field offices and not the White House
detail, field agents supplement those on the detail, particularly when the
President is traveling. Although the Commission does not know whether the cases
involved are entirely comparable, these figures suggest that the agents of the
Secret Service are substantially overworked.
In its budget request for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1964, the Secret
Service sought funds for 25 new positions, primarily in field offices. 271 This
increase has been approved by the Congress. 272 Chief Rowley explained that this
would not provide enough additional manpower to take all the measures which he
considers required. However, the 1964-65 budget request was submitted in
November 1963 and
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requests for additional personnel were not made because of the studies then
being conducted.273
The Secret Service has now presented its recommendations to the Bureau of the
Budget.274 The plan proposed by the Service would take approximately 20 months
to implement and require expenditures of approximately $3 million during that
period. The plan provides for an additional 205 agents for the Secret Service.
Seventeen of this number are proposed for the Protective Research Section; 145
are proposed for the field offices to handle the increased volume of security
investigations and be available to protect the President or Vice President when
they travel; 18 agents are proposed for a rotating pool which will go through an
intensive training cycle and also be available to supplement the White House
detail in case of unexpected need; and 25 additional agents are recommended to
provide the Vice President full protection.
The Commission urges that the Bureau of the Budget review these recommendations
with the Secret Service and authorize a request for the necessary supplemental
appropriation, as soon as it. can be justified. The Congress has often stressed
that it will support any reasonable request for funds for the protection of the
President.275
Manpower and Technical Assistance From Other Agencies
Before the assassination the Secret Service infrequently requested other Federal
law enforcement agencies to provide personnel to assist in its protection
functions.276 Since the assassination, the Service has experimented with the use
of agents borrowed for short periods from such agencies. It has used other
Treasury law enforcement agents on special experiments in building and route
surveys in places to which the President frequently travels.277 It has also used
other Federal law enforcement agents during Presidential visits to cities in
which such agents are stationed. Thus, in the 4 months following the
assassination, the FBI, on 16 separate occasions, supplied a total of 139 agents
to assist in protection work during a Presidential visit,278 which represents a
departure from its prior practice.279 From February 11 through June 30, 1964,
the Service had the advantage of 9,500 hours of work by other enforcement
agencies.280
The FBI has indicated that it is willing to continue to make such assistance
available, even though it agrees with the Secret Service that it is preferable
for the Service to have enough agents to handle all protective demands.281 The
Commission endorses these efforts to supplement the Service's own personnel by
obtaining, for short periods of time, the assistance of trained Federal law
enforcement officers. In view of the ever-increasing mobility of American
Presidents, it seems unlikely that the Service could or should increase its own
staff to a size which would permit it to provide adequate protective manpower
for all situations. The Commission recommends that the agencies involved
determine how much periodic assistance they can provide, and that each such
agency and the Secret Service enter into a formal
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agreement defining such arrangements. It may eventually be desirable to codify
the practice in an Executive order. The Secret Service will be better able to
plan its own long-range personnel requirements if it knows with reasonable
certainty the amount of assistance that it can expect from other agencies.
The occasional use of personnel from other Federal agencies to assist in
protecting the President has a further advantage. It symbolizes the reality that
the job of protecting the President has not been and cannot be exclusively the
responsibility of the Secret Service. The Secret. Service in the past has
sometimes guarded its right to be ac knowledged as the sole protector of the
Chief Executive. This no longer appears to be the case.282 Protecting the
President is a difficult and complex task which requires full us of the best
resources of many parts of our Government. Recognition that the responsibility
must be shared increases the likelihood that it will be met.
Much of the Secret Service work requires the development and use of highly
sophisticated equipment, some of which must be specially designed to fit unique
requirements. Even before the assassination, and to a far greater extent
thereafter, the Secret Service has been receiving full cooperation in scientific
research and technological development from many Government agencies including
the Department of Defense and the President's Office of Science and
Technology.283
Even if the manpower and technological resources of the Secret Service are
adequately augmented, it will continue to rely in many respects upon the greater
resources of the Office of Science and Technology and other agencies. The
Commission recommends that the present arrangements with the Office of Science
and Technology and the other Federal agencies that have been so helpful to the
Secret Service be placed on a permanent and formal basis. The exchange of
letters dated August 31, 1964, between Secretary Dillon and Donald F. Hornig,
Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, is a useful
effort in the right direction.284 The Service should negotiate a memorandum of
understanding with each agency that has been assisting it and from which it can
expect to need help in the future. The essential terms of such memoranda might
well be embodied in an Executive order.
Conclusion
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CONCLUSION
This Commission can recommend no procedures for the future protection of our
Presidents which will guarantee security. The demands on the President in the
execution of His responsibilities in today's world are so varied and complex and
the traditions of the office in a democracy such as ours are so deepseated as to
preclude absolute security.
The Commission has, however, from its examination of the facts of President
Kennedy's assassination made certain recommendations
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which it believes would, if adopted, materially improve upon the procedures in
effect at the time of President Kennedy's assassination and result in a
substantial lessening of the danger.
As has been pointed out, the Commission has not resolved all the proposals which
could be made. The Commission nevertheless is confident that, with the active
cooperation of the responsible agencies and with the understanding of the people
of the United States in their demands upon their President, the recommendations
we have here suggested would greatly advance the security of the office without
any impairment of our fundamental liberties.
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Appendix I
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APPENDIX I
IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 30, 1963
Office of the White House Press Secretary
------------------------------------------------
THE WHITE HOUSE
EXECUTIVE ORDER
NO. 11130
APPOINTING A COMMISSION TO REPORT UPON THE
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President of the United States, I
hereby appoint a Commission to ascertain, evaluate and report upon the facts
relating to the assassination of the late President John Kennedy and the
subsequent violent death of the man charged with the assassination. The
Commission shall consist of --
The Chief Justice of the United States, Chairman;
Senator Richard B. Russell:
Senator John Sherman Cooper;
Congressman Hale Boggs;
Congressman Gerald R Ford;
The Honorable Allen W. Dulles;
The Honorable John J. McCloy.
The purpose of the Commission are to examine the evidence developed by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation and any additional evidence that may hereafter
come to light or be uncovered by federal or state authorities; to make such
further investigation as the Commission finds desirable; to evaluate all the
facts and circumstances surrounding such assassination, including the subsequent
violent death of the man charged with the assassination, and to report to me its
findings and conclusions.
The Commission is empowered to prescribe its own procedures and to employ such
assistants as it deems necessary.
Necessary expenses of the Commission may he paid from the "Emergency Fund for
the President".
All Executive departments and agencies are directed to furnish the Commission
with such facilities, services and cooperation as it may request from time to
time.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 29. 1963.
# # #
Appendix II
Page 472
APPENDIX II
IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 1963
Office of the White House Press Secretary
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WHITE HOUSE
The President today announced that he is appointing a Special Commission to
study and report upon all facts and circumstances relating to the assassination
of the late President, John F. Kennedy, and the subsequent violent death of the
man charged with the assassination.
The President stated that the Majority and Minority Leadership of the Senate and
the House of Representatives have been consulted with respect to the proposed
Special Commission.
The members of the Special Commission are:
Chief Justice Earl Warren, Chairman
Senator Richard Russell (Georgia)
Senator John Sherman Cooper (Kentucky)
Representative Hate Boggs (Louisiana)
Representative Gerald Ford (Michigan)
Hon. Allen W. Dulles of Washington
Hon. John J. McCloy of New York
The President stated that the Special Commission is to be instructed to evaluate
all available information concerning the subject of the inquiry. The Federal
Bureau of Investigation, pursuant to an earlier directive of the President, is
making complete investigation of the facts. An inquiry is also scheduled by a
Texas Court of Inquiry convened by the Attorney General of Texas under Texas
law.
The Special Commission will have before it all evidence uncovered by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and all information available to any agency of the
Federal Government. The Attorney General of Texas has also offered his
cooperation. All Federal agencies and offices are being directed to furnish
services and cooperation to the Special Commission. The Commission will also be
empowered to conduct any further investigation that it deems desirable.
The President is instructing the Special Commission to satisfy itself that the
truth is known as far as it can be discovered, and to report its finales and
conclusions to him, to the American people, and to the world.
# # # # #
Appendix III
Page 473
APPENDIX: III
Public Law 88-202
88th Congress, S. J. Res. 137
December 13, 1963
Joint Resolution
Authorizing the Commission established to report upon the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses
and the production of evidence.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in
Congress assembled, That (a) for the purposes of this joint resolution, the term
"Commission"
means the Commission appointed by the President by Executive Order 11130, dated
November
29, 1963.
(b) The Commission, or any member of the Commission when so authorized by the
Commission, shall have power to issue subpenas requiring the attendance and
testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence that relates to any
matter under investigation by the Commission. The Commission, or any member of
the Commission or any agent or agency designated by the Commission for such
purpose, may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive
evidence. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of such evidence may
be required from any place within the United States at any designated place of
hearing.
(c) In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpena issued to any person under
subsection (b), any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which
the inquiry is carried on or within the jurisdiction of which said person guilty
of contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon
application by the Commission shall have jurisdiction to issue to such person an
order requiring such person to appear before the Commission, its member, agent,
or agency, there to produce evidence if so ordered, or there to give testimony
touching the matter under investigation or in question; and any failure to obey
such order of the court may be punished by said court as a contempt thereof.
(d) Process and papers of the commission, its members, agent, or agency, may be
served either upon the witness in person or by registered mail or by telegraph
or by leaving a copy thereof at the residence or principal office or place of
business of the person required to be served. The verified return by the
individual so serving the same, setting forth the manner of such service, shall
be proof of the same, and the return post office receipt or telegraph receipt
therefor when registered and mailed or telegraphed as aforesaid shall be proof
of service of the same. Witnesses summoned before the commission, its members,
agent, or agency, shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid
witnesses in the courts of the United States, and witnesses whose depositions
are taken and the persons taking the same shall severally be entitled to the
same fees ar are paid for like services in the courts of the United States.
(e) No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing
books, records, correspondence, documents, or other evidence in obedience to a
subpena, on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend
to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture; but no individual
shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture (except demotion
or removal fro office) for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing
concerning which he is compelled, after having claimed his privilege
730-900 O-64--32
Page 474
Pub. Law 88-202 -2- December 13, 1963
against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, except that such
individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for
perjury committed in so testifying.
(f) All process of any court to which application may be make under this Act may
be served in the judicial district therein the person required to be served
resides or may be found.
Approved December 13, 1963.
______________________________________________
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 109 (1963):
Dec. 9: Passed Senate.
Dec. 10: Considered and passed House.
Appendix IV
Page 475
APPENDIX IV
Biographical Information and Acknowledgments
Members of Commission
Page 475
MEMBERS OF COMMISSION
The Honorable Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States, was born in Los
Angeles, Calif., on March 19, 1891. He graduated from the University of
California with B.L. and J.D. degrees, and was admitted to the California bar in
1914. Chief Justice Warren was attorney general of California from 1939 to 1943.
From 1943 to 1953 he was Governor of California and in September 1953 was
appointed by President Eisenhower to be the Chief Justice of the United States.
The Honorable Richard B. Russell was born in Winder, Ca., on November 2, 1897.
He received his B.L. degree from the University of Georgia in 1918 and his LL.B.
from Mercer University in 1957. Senator Russell commenced the practice of law in
Winder, Ca., in 1918, became county attorney for Barrow County, Ca., and was a
member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1921 to 1931. He was
Governor of Georgia from 1931 to 1933, was elected to the U.S. Senate in January
1933 to fill a vacancy, and has been Senator from Georgia continuously since
that date.
The Honorable John Sherman Cooper was born in Somerset, Ky., on August 23, 1901.
He attended Centre College, Kentucky, received his A.B. degree from Yale College
in 1923, and attended Harvard Law School from 1923 to 1925. Senator Cooper has
been a member of the House of Representatives of the Kentucky General Assembly,
a county judge and circuit judge in Kentucky, and is now a member of the U.S.
Senate, where he has served, though not continuously, for 12 years. He was a
delegate to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Sessions of the General Assembly of
the United Nations, an advisor to the Secretary of State in 1950 at meetings of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Ambassador to India and Nepal in
1955-56. He served in the 3d U.S. Army in World War II in Europe, and after the
war headed the reorganization of the German judicial system in Bavaria.
The Honorable Hale Boggs was born in Long Beach, Miss., on February 15, 1914. He
graduated from Tulane University with a B.A. degree in 1935 and received his
LL.B. in 1937. He was admitted to the Louisiana bar in 1937 and practiced law in
New Orleans. Representative Boggs was elected to the 77th Congress of the United
States and in World War II was an officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve and of the
Maritime Service. He has been a Member of Congress since 1946 when he was
elected to represent the Second District, State of Louisiana, in the 80th
Congress, and he is currently the majority whip for the Democratic Party in the
House of Representatives.
Page 476
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford was born in Omaha, Nebr., on July 14, 1913. He
graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. degree in 1935 and from
Yale University Law School with an LL.B. degree in 1941. Representative Ford was
admitted to the Michigan bar in 1941. He was first elected to Congress in 1948
and has been reelected to each succeeding Congress. He served 47 months in the
U.S. Navy during World War II. Representative Ford was elected in January 1963
the chairman of the House Republican Conference.
The Honorable Allen W. Dulles was born in Watertown, N.Y., on April 7, 1893. He
received his B.A. degree from Princeton in 1914, his M.A. in 1916, his LL.B.
from George Washington University in 1926, and LL.D. degrees. Mr. Dulles entered
the diplomatic service of the United States in 1916 and resigned in 1926 to take
up law practice in New York City. In 1953 Mr. Dulles was appointed Director of
Central Intelligence and served in that capacity until 1961.
The Honorable John J. McCloy was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 31, 1895.
He received an A.B. degree, cum laude, from Amherst College in 1916; LL.B. from
Harvard, and LL.D. from Amherst College.. He was admitted to the New York bar in
1921 and is now a member of the firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. He was
Assistant Secretary of War from April 1941 to November 1945. Mr. McCloy was
President of the World Bank from 1947 to 1949 and U.S. Military Governor and
High Commissioner for Germany from 1949 to 1952. He has been coordinator of U.S.
disarmament activities since 1961.
General Counsel
Page 476
GENERAL COUNSEL
J. Lee Rankin was born in Hartington, Nebr., on July 8, 1907. He received his
A.B. degree from the University of Nebraska in 1928 and his LL.B. in 1930 from
the University of Nebraska Law School. He was admitted to the Nebraska bar in
1930 and practiced law in Lincoln, Nebr., until January 1953 when he was
appointed by President Eisenhower to be the assistant attorney general in charge
of the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice. In August 1956
President Eisenhower appointed Mr. Rankin to be the Solicitor General of the
United States. Since January 1961 Mr. Rankin has been in private practice in New
York City. He accepted the appointment as General Counsel for the President's
Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy on December 8, 1963.
Assistant Counsel
Page 476
ASSISTANT COUNSEL
Francis W. H. Adams was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on June 26, 1904. He
graduated from Williams College with an A.B. degree, and received his LL.B.
degree from Fordham Law School in 1928. Mr. Adams has acted as chief assistant
U.S. attorney in New York, special
476
Page 477
assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, and as an arbitrator for the War Labor
Board. In 1954 and 1955 he served as police commissioner of New York City. Mr.
Adams is a member of the New York and Washington law firm of Satterlee, Warfield
& Stephens.
Joseph A. Ball was born in Stuart, Iowa, on December 16, 1902. He received his
B.A. degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebr., and his LL.B. degree from
the University of Southern California in 1927. Mr. Ball teaches criminal law and
procedure at the University of Southern California. He is a member of the U.S.
Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Mr. Ball is a member of the firm of Ball, Hunt & Hart, Long Beach and Santa Ana,
Calif.
David W. Belin was born in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 1928. He is a graduate
of the University of Michigan, where he earned three degrees with high
distinction: A.B. (1951), M. Bus. Adm. (1953), and J.D. (1954). At the
University of Michigan he was associate editor of the Michigan Law Review. He is
a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Order of the Coif. He is a member of the law
firm of Herrick, Langdon, Sandblom & Belin, Des Moines, Iowa.
William T. Coleman, Jr., was born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., on July 7,
1920. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1941 with an A.B.
degree, summa cum laude, received his LL.B. in 1946, magna cum laude, from
Harvard Law School and served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. From 1947
to 1948 he served as law clerk to Judge Herbert F. Goodrich, U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit, and during the 1948-49 term of the U.S. Supreme
Court, as law clerk to Justice Felix Frankfurter. Mr. Coleman has served as a
special counsel for the city of Philadelphia and has been a consultant with the
U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency since January 1963. He is a member of
the law firm of Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish, Kohn & Dilks, Philadelphia, Pa.
Melvin A. Eisenberg was born in New York City on December 3, 1934. He was
graduated from Columbia College, A.B., summa cum laude, in 1956, and from
Harvard Law School, LL.B., summa cure laude, in 1959. Mr. Eisenberg is a member
of Phi Beta Kappa, and served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He is
associated with the law firm of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler in New
York City.
Burt W. Griffin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 19, 1932. He received his
B.A. degree, cure laude, from Amherst College in 1954, and LL.B. from Yale
University Law School in 1959. He was note and comment editor of the Yale Law
Journal. During 1959-60 Mr. Griffin served as law clerk to Judge George T.
Washington of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
From 1960 to 1962 Mr. Griffin was an assistant U.S. attorney for the northern
district of Ohio, and since 1962 he has been associated with the firm of
MacDonald, Hopkins & Hardy, Cleveland, Ohio.
Leon D. Hubert, Jr., was born in New Orleans, La., July 1, 1911. He received his
A.B. degree from Tulane University in 1932, and
Page 478
LL.B. from Tulane in 1934. He was associate editor of the Tulane Law Review, and
a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Order of the Coif. Mr. Hubert was assistant
U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Louisiana, 1934-46, and a professor of
law at Tulane University, 1942--60. He has worked with the Louisiana State Law
Institute on the revision of statutes and on the codes of civil and criminal
procedure. Mr. Hubert is a member of the law firm of Hubert, Baldwin & Zibilich,
New Orleans, La.
Albert E. Jenner, Jr., was born in Chicago, Ilk, on, June 20, 1907. He received
his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1930. He is a member of the
Order of the Coil. In 1956 and 1957 Mr. Jenner served as a special assistant
attorney general of Illinois in the investigation of fraud in the office of the
auditor of public accounts of the State of Illinois. Mr. Jenner is a
Commissioner on Uniform State Laws, a member of the U.S. Judicial Conference
Advisory Committee on Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and vice chairman of the
Joint Committee for the Effective Administration of Justice. He is a former
professor of law at the Northwestern University School of Law. Mr. Jenner is a
member of the law firm of Raymond, Mayer, Jenner & Block, Chicago, Ill.
Wesley J. Liebeler was born in Langdon, N. Dak., on May 9, 1931. He received his
B.A. degree from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., in 1953 and graduated, cum
laude, from the University of Chicago Law School in 1957. He was a managing
editor of the University of Chicago Law Review and is a member of the Order of
the Coil. Mr. Liebeler is associated with the law firm of Carter, Ledyard &
Milburn, New York City.
Norman Redlich was born in New York City on November 12, 1925. He received his
B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Williams College in 1947, his LL.B., cure
laude, from Yale Law School in 1950, and LL.M. (Taxation) in 1955 from the New
York University School of Law. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Order of
the Coil, and was executive editor of the Yale Law Journal. Mr. Redlich is
Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law, and is editor in
chief of the Tax Law Review, New York University.
W. David Slawson was born in. Grand Rapids, Mich., on June 2, 1931. He received
his A.B. degree, summa cure laude, from Amherst College in 1953, and M.A. from
Princeton University in 1954. Mr. Slawson received his LL.B., magna cum laude,
from Harvard University in 1959. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was a note
editor of the Harvard Law Review. Mr. Slawson is a member of the law firm of
Davis, Graham & Stubbs, Denver, Colo.
Arlen Specter was born in Wichita, Kans., on February 12, 1930. He received his
B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951, where he was a member
of Phi Beta Kappa, and received his LL.B.. from Yale Law School in 1956. He was
an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Mr. Specter was an associate of the law firm
of Dechert, Price & Rhoads in Philadelphia from 1956 to 1959, and from 1959 to
1964 he was an assistant in the Philadelphia district attorney's
478
Page 479
office. Mr. Specter is a member of the firm of Specter & Katz, Philadelphia, Pa.
Samuel A. Stern was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on January 21, 1929. He graduated
with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with an A.B. in 1949. In 1952 he
received his LL.B., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, and was
developments editor of the Harvard Law Review. Mr. Stern served as law clerk to
Chief Judge Calvert Magruder, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit,
during 1954-55 and was law clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren during 1955-56. He
is a member of the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Picketing, Washington, D.C.
Howard P. Willens was born in Oak Park, Ill., on May 27, 1931. He received his
B.A. degree, with high distinction, from the University of Michigan in 1953 and
his LL.B. from Yale Law School in 1956. Mr. Willens is a member of Phi Beta
Kappa and was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He was associated with the law
firm of Kirkland, Ellis, Hodson, Chaffetz & Masters, Washington, D.C., until
1961, when he was appointed Second Assistant in the Criminal Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice.
Staff Members
Page 479
STAFF MEMBERS
Philip Barson was born in Philadelphia, Pa, on May 2, 1912. He received his
Bachelor of Science of Commerce, from Temple University, Philadelphia, in 1934.
Mr. Barson has been employed by the Internal Revenue Service, Intelligence
Division, Philadelphia, since September 1948, first as a special agent and since
1961 has been group supervisor. Mr. Barson is a certified public accountant from
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Edward A. Conroy was born in Albany, N.Y., on March 20, 1920. He attended
Brooklyn Polytechnical Institute and Benjamin Franklin University, Washington,
D.C. Mr. Conroy joined the Internal Revenue Service as a revenue officer in
1946. After acting as executive assistant to the assistant regional inspector,
Boston, Mass., Mr. Conroy became senior inspector in the Planning and Programing
Branch of the Internal Security Division, Inspection, of the Internal Revenue
Service. He currently occupies that position.
John Hart Ely was born in New York City on December 3, 1938. He graduated, summa
cum laude, from Princeton University in 1960, and from Yale Law School, magna
cum laude, in 1963. He was note and comment editor of the Yale Law Journal. He
is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and the Order of the Coif. During the 1964- 65
term Mr. Ely will serve as law clerk to Chief Justice Warren.
Alfred Goldberg was born in Baltimore, Md., on December 23, 1918. He received
his A.B. degree from Western Maryland College in 1938, and his Ph.D. from the
Johns Hopkins University in 1950. After 4 years' service with the U.S. Army, Dr.
Goldberg became historian with the U.S. Air Force Historical Division and later
Chief
479
Page 480
of the Current History Branch. In 1962-63 he was a visiting American fellow,
King's College, University of London, and since his return has been senior
historian, U.S. Air Force Historical Division. Dr. Goldberg is the author or
editor of several publications on historical subjects and is a contributor to
Encyclopedia Britannica and the World Book.
Murray J. Laulicht was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 12, 1940. He received his
B.A. in 1961 from Yeshiva College, and received his LL.B. degree, summa cum
laude, from Columbia University School of Law in 1964. He was notes and comments
editor of the Columbia Law Review. During 1964-65 Mr. Laulicht will clerk for
Senior Judge Harold R. Medina of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit.
Arthur K. Marmor was born in New York City on December 5, 1915. He received a
B.S.S. degree from the College of the City of New York in 1937 and an A.M.
degree from Columbia University in 1940. He served in the U.S. Army in World War
II. Mr. Marmor has been historian for the Departments of Interior, Army, and Air
Force, and Chief, Editorial Services Branch, Department of State. He has also
taught for the American University and the University of Maryland. Mr. Marmor
has contributed to numerous Government publications and has been in charge of
the editing of historical and legal volumes. At present he is a historian for
the Department of the Air Force.
Richard M. Mosk was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on May 18, 1989. He graduated
from Stanford University, with great distinction, in 1960 and from Harvard Law
School, cum laude, in 1963. Mr. Mosk is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. During the
1964-65 term of the California Supreme Court Mr. Mosk will clerk for Justice
Mathew Tobriner.
John J. O'Brien was born in Somerville, Mass., on September 11, 1919. Mr.
O'Brien received his B.B.A. degree in law and business, cum laude, from
Northeastern University, Boston, Mass. He re-received his M.A. degree in the
field of governmental administration from George Washington University,
Washington, D.C., and in 1941 joined the Bureau of Internal Revenue. After
service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Mr. O'Brien resumed his work as an Internal
Revenue Service investigator, and is currently the Assistant Chief of the
Inspection Services Investigations Branch, in the National Office of Internal
Revenue.
Stuart R. Pollak was born in San Pedro, Calif., on August 24, 1937. He received
his B.A. degree from Stanford University, with great distinction, in 1959, and
was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Pollak obtained his LL.B., magna cum laude,
from Harvard Law School in 1962, where he was book review and legislation editor
of the Harvard Law Review. During the 1963-64 term Mr. Pollak was law clerk to
Justices Stanley Reed and Harold Burton. Mr. Pollak is a staff assistant in the
Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
480
Page 481
Alfredda Scobey was born in Kankakee, III. She received her A.B. degree from
American University, Washington, D.C., in 1933, studied law at John Marshall Law
School, Atlanta, Ga., and was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1945. Miss Scobey
did graduate study at the National University of Mexico, at Duke University, and
at Emory University, Atlanta. She practiced law from 1945 to 1949 in Atlanta and
since 1949 has been a law assistant in the Court of Appeals, Georgia.
Charles N. Shaffer, Jr., was born in New York City on June 8, 1932. He attended
Fordham College in 1951 and received his LL.B. from the Fordham University
School of Law in 1957. From 1958 to 1959 Mr. Shaffer was associated with the law
firm of Chadburn, Parke, White-side & Wolff, New York City. He was assistant
U.S. attorney in the southern district of New York from 1959 to 1961 when he was
appointed Special Trial Attorney in the Criminal and Tax Divisions of the U.S.
Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
Lloyd L. Weinreb was born in New York City on October 9, 1936. He received B.A.
degrees from Dartmouth College, summa cure laude, in 1957, and from the
University of Oxford in 1959. He received his LL.B., magna cum laude, from
Harvard Law School in 1962. He was case editor of the Harvard Law Review. During
the 1963-64 term Mr. Weinreb was law clerk to Justice John M. Harlan. Mr.
Weinreb is a staff assistant in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of
Justice.
Acknowledgments
During the taking of testimony in various parts of the United States, the
Commission was greatly assisted by the offices of numerous U.S. attorneys of the
Department of Justice. The Commission would like to acknowledge its gratitude
for this assistance and thank in particular Harold Barefoot Sanders, Jr., U.S.
attorney for the northern district of Texas, and his conscientious assistant,
Martha Joe Stroud.
In addition the Commission wishes to thank the following lawyers, secretaries,
and clerks for their unstinting efforts on behalf of the Commission:
Sheila Adams Paul Dodyk
Stephen R. Barnett Charlee Dianne Duke
Thomas D. Barr Julia T. Eide
Miriam A. Bottum Josephine M. Farrar
Stephen G. Breyer William T. Finley, Jr.
Patrick O. Burns Dennis M. Flannery
Charlene Chardwell James C. Gaither
Anne M. Clark Stephen R. Goldstein
Jonathan M. Clark Patricia E. Gormley
George C. Cochran Jeanne C. Hauer
Betty Jean Compton Beverly A. Heckman
Francine Davis Sadie M. Hennigan
Viola C. Davis Lela B. Hewlett
481
Page 482
Elaine Johnson James H. Pipkin, Jr.
Vivian Johnson S. Paul Posner
Pearl G. Kamber Douglas Prather
Sharon Kegarise Monroe Price
Adele W. Lippard Lucille Ann Robinson
David T. Luhm Suzanne Rolston
Ella M. McCall Mary Ann Rowcotsky
Louise S. McKenzie Carolyn A. Schweinsberg
Michael W. Maupin Ruth D. Shirley
Jean H. Millard Ray Shurtleff
Seresa Mintor Helen Tarko
Maurice Moore Jane M. Vida
Mary L. Norton Jay Vogelson
Vaughnie Perry Anne V. Welsh
Jane W. Peter Margaret C. Yager
Edward R. Pierpoint
482
Appendix V
Page 483
APPENDIX V
List of Witnesses
The following is a list of the 552 witnesses whose testimony has been presented
to the Commission. Witnesses who appeared before members of the Commission have
a "C" following their names; those questioned during depositions by members of
the Commission's legal staff are indicated by a "D"; and those who supplied
affidavits and statements are similarly identified with "A" and "S". The brief
descriptions of the witnesses pertain either to the time of their testimony or
to the time of the events concerning which they testified.
Witness Description Testimony
Ables, Don R.D Jail Clerk, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 239.
partment.
Abt, John J.D New York City attorney Vol. X, p. 116.
Adamcik, John P.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 202.
partment.
Adams, R. L.AD Placement interviewer, Texas Vol. X, p. 136.
Employment Commission. Vol. XI, p. 480.
Adams, Victoria Elizabeth D. Employee, Texas School Book Vol. VI, p. 386.
Depository (TSBD).
Akin, Gene Coleman D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 63.
Alba, Adrian Thomas D Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. X, p. 219.
New Orleans.
Allen, Mrs. J. U.A Secretary, Chainberlin-Hunt Vol. XI, p. 472.
Academy.
Altgens, James W.D Witness at assassination Vol. VII, p. 515.
scene.
Anderson, Eugene D.D Marine Corps markmanship Vol. XI, p. 301.
expert.
Andrews, Dean Adams, Jr.D. New Orleans attorney Vol. XI, p. 325.
Applin, George Jefferson, Jr.D. Witness of Oswald arrest Vol. VII, p. 85.
Arce, Danny G.D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 363.
Archer, Don Ray D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 395.
partment.
Armstrong, Andrew, Jr.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XIII, p. 302.
Arnett, Charles Oliver D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 128.
partment.
Aycox, James Thomas D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XV, p. 203.
Baker, Marrion L.A c Member, Dallas Police Depart- Vol. III, p. 242.
ment. Vol. VII, p. 592.
Baker, Mrs. (Rachley) Employee, TSBD Vol. VII, p. 507
Donald.D
Baker, T. L.c Member, Dallas Police Depart- Vol. IV, p. 248.
ment.
Ballen, Samuel B.D Acquaintance of the Oswalds in Vol. IX, p. 45.
Texas.
Barbe, Emmett Charles, Jr.A. Employee, William B. Reily Vol. XI, p. 473.
Co.
Bargas, Tommy D Superintendent, Leslie Weld- Vol. X. p. 160
ing Co.
Page 484
Witness Description Testimony
Barnes, W. E.v Member, Dallas Police Depart- Vol. VII, p. 270
ment.
Barnett, W. E.D do Vol. VII, p. 539.
Barnhorst, Colin D Desk Clerk, YMCA, in Dallas Vol. X, p. 284.
Bashour, Fouad A.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 61.
Batchelor, Charles D Assistant Chief, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 1.
Department. Vol. XV, p. 114.
Bates, Pauline Virginia D Pub1ic stenographer, Fort Vol. VIII p. 330.
Worth.
Baxter, Charles Rufus D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 39.
Beaty, Buford Lee D Member, Dallas Police Depart- Vol. XII, p. 158.
ment.
Beavers, William Robert D Psychiatrist, Dallas Vol. XIV, p. 570.
Beers, Ira J. "Jack", Jr.D Newspaper photographer, Vol. XIII, p. 102.
Dallas.
Bellocchio, Frank D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XIV, p. 466.
Belmont, Alan H.C Assistant to the Director, Vol. V, p. 1.
Federal Bureau of Investi-
gation ( FBI ).
Benavides, Domingo D Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. VI, p. 444.
Tippit crime scene.
Beaten, Nelson D Television reporter, CBS Vol. XV, p. 456.
Bieberdorf, Fred A.D First aid attendant, Dallas Vol. XIII, p. 83.
Health Department.
Biggio, William S.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XIV, p. 48.
partment.
Blalock, VanceD Observed Oswald in New Or- Vol. X, p. 81.
leans.
Bledsoe, Mary E.D Oswald's former landlady in Vol. VI, p. 400.
Dallas.
Bogard, Albert Guy D Automobile salesman, Dallas.. Vol. X, p. 352.
Bookhout, James W.D Agent, FBI Vol. VII, p. 308.
Boone, Eugene c Deputy Sheriff, Dallas County. Vol. III, p. 291.
Boswell, J. Thornton c Doctor, Bethesda Naval Hospital Vol. II, p. 376.
Betelho, James Anthony A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 315.
Marine Corps.
Bouck, Robert Inman c Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. IV, p. 294.
Boudreaux, Anne D Acquaintance of Oswald dur- Vol. VIII, p. 35.
ing his youth.
Bouhe, George A.D Acquantance of the Oswalds Vol. VIII, p. 355.
in Texas.
Bowers, Lee E., Jr.D Employee, Union Terminal Co. Vol. VI, p. 284.
Bowron, Diana Hamilton D Nurse, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 134.
Boyd, Elmer L.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 119.
partment.
Branch, John Henry D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XV, p. 473.
Brennan, Howard LeslieAC... Witness at assassination Vol. III, pp. 140,
scene. 184, 211
Vol. XI, p. 206.
Brewer, E. D.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VI, p. 302.
partment.
Brewer, Johnny Calvin D Witness of Oswald arrest Vol. VII, p. 1.
Brian, V. J.C Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. V, p. 47
partment.
Bringuier, Carlos D Cuban attorney, now a resi- Vol. X, p. 32.
dent of New Orleans.
Brock, Alvin R.D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. XII, p. 171.
Page 485
Witness Description Testimony
Brock, MaryA Witness in the vicinity of Vol. VII, p. 593.
the Tippit crime scene.
Brock, Robert A do Vol. VII, p. 593.
Brooks, Donald E.D Employment counselor, Texas Vol. X, p. 143.
Employment Commission.
Brown, C. W.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 246.
partment.
Brown, Earle V.D do Vol. VI, p. 321.
Brown, Peter Megargee A Counsel for Community Serv- Vol. XI, p. 470.
ice Society, New York.
Burcham, John W.A Chief of Unemployment Insur- Vol. XI, p. 473.
ance, Texas Employment
Commission.
Burns, DorisD Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 397.
Burroughs, Warren H.D Employee, Texas Theatre Vol. VII, p. 14.
Cabell, Earle D Mayor of Dallas Vol. VII, p. 476.
Cabell, Mrs. Earle D Wife of Mayor Cabell Vol. VII, p. 485.
Cadigan, James C.CD Questioned document expert, Vol. IV, p. 89.
FBI. Vol. VII, p. 418.
Call, Richard Dennis A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 322.
the Marine Corps.
Callaway, Ted C Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. III, p. 351.
Tippit crime scene.
Camarata, Donald PeterA Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 316.
the Marine Corps.
Carlin, Bruce Ray D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XIII, p. 201.
Carlin, Karen Bennett n do Vol. XIII, p. 205.
Vol. XIV, p. 641.
Carr, Waggoner C Attorney general of State of Vol. V, p. 258.
Texas.
Carrico, Charles James C D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. III, p. 357.
Vol VI, p. 641.
Carro, John D Probation officer, New York Vol. VIII, p. 202.
City, 1952-54.
Carroll, Bob K.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 17
partment.
Carswell, Robert C Special assistant to Secretary Vol. IV, p. 299.
of the Treasury. Vol. V, p. 486.
Carter, Clifton C.A Assistant to President John- Vol. VII, p. 474.
son.
Cason, Frances D Telephone clerk, Dallas Po- Vol. XIII, p. 89.
lice Department.
Cason, Jack CharlesA President, TSBD Vol. VII, p. 379.
Caster, Warren D Assistant manager, South- Vol. VII, p. 386
western Publishing Co.,
TSBD.
Chayes, Abram C Legal Adrift, Department of Vol. V, pp. 307.
State. 327.
Cheek, Bertha D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XIII, p. 382.
Church, George B., Jr.A Passenger with Oswald on SS Vol. XI, p. 115.
Marion Lykes.
Church, Mrs. George B., Jr.A do Vol. XI, p. 116.
Clardy, Barnard S.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 403.
partment.
Clark, Max E.D Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. VIII, p. 343.
in Texas.
Page 486
Witness Description Testimony
Clark, Richard L.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 235.
partment.
Clark, William Kemp D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 18.
Clements, Manning C.n Agent, FBI Vol. VI, p. 318.
Cole, AlwynCD Questioned document exam- Vol. IV, p. 358.
iner, Treasury Department. Vol. XV, p.703.
Combest, B. H.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 176.
partment.
Connally, John Bowden, Jr.C.. Governor of Texas Vol. IV, p. 129.
Connally, Mrs. John Bowden, Wife of the Governor of Vol. IV, p. 146.
Jr.c Texas.
Connor, Peter Francis A . Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 317.
the Marine Corps.
Conway, Hiram P.D . Fort Worth neighbor of the Vol. VIII, p. 84.
Oswalds in 0swald's youth.
Corporon, John A Official of New Orleans radio Vol. XI, p. 471.
station.
Couch, Malcolm O.D TV news cameraman, Dallas. Vol. VI, p. 153.
Coulter, Harris C State Department inter- Vol. V, p. 408.
preter.
Cox, Roland A.D Reserve force, Dallas Police Vol. w, p. 153.
Department
Crafard, Curtis LaVerne D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XIII, p. 402.
Vol. XIV, p. 1.
Craig, Roger D.D Witness at assassination Vol. VI, p. 260.
scene.
Crawford, James N.D do Vol. VI, p. 171.
Creel, Robert J.A Employee, Louisiana Depart- Vol. XI, p. 477.
ment of Labor, New Or-
leans.
Crowe, William D., Jr. Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XV, p. 186.
(a.k.a. Bill DeMar).D
Crowley, James D.A Specialist in intelligence mat- Vol. XI, p. 482.
ters, Department of State.
Croy, Kenneth HudsonD Reserve force, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 186.
Department.
Crull, Elgin E.D City Manager of Dallas Vol. XV, p. 138.
Cunningham, Cortlandt A C Firearms identification ex- Vol. II, p. 251.
pert, FBI. Vol. III, p. 451.
Vol. VII, p. 591.
Cunningham, Helen P.A D Employment Counselor, Tex- Vol. X, p. 117.
as Employment Commission Vol. XI, p. 477.
Curry, Jesse Edward ACD Chief, Dallas Police Depart- Vol. IV, p. 150.
ment. Vol. XII, p. 25.
Vol. XV, p. 124, 641
Curtis, Don Teel D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 57.
Cutchshaw, Wilbur JayD Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 206.
partment.
Daniels, John L.D Employee, Dallas parking lot. Vol. XIII, p. 296.
Daniels, Napoleon J.D Former member, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 225.
Department.
Davis, Barbara Jeanette C Witness in the vicinty of the Vol. III, p. 342.
Tippit crime scene.
Davis, Floyd Guy D Operator, Sports Drome Rifle Vol. X, p. 356.
Range
Davis, Virginia (Mrs. Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. VI, p. 454
Charles) .D Tippit crime scene.
Page 487
Witness Description Testimony
Davis, Virginia LouiseD Wife of Floyd Guy Davis Vol. X, p. 363.
Day, J. C.AC Lieutenant, Dallas Police De- Vol. IV, p. 249.
partment. Vol. VII, P. 401.
Dean, Patricia Trevore CD. Member, Dallas Police De- Vol V, p. 254
partment. Vol. XII, p. 415.
Decker, J. E. (Bill)D Sheriff, Dallas County Vol. XII, p. 42.
Delgado, Nelson D Aquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 228.
Marine Corps.
DeMar, William (see Crowe,
William D., Jr.).
De Mohrenschildt, George S.D Aquaintance of Oswalds Vol. IX, p. 166.
in Texas
De Mohrenschildt, Jeanne D do Vol. IX, p. 285.
Dhority, C. N.AD Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, pp. 149,
partment. 380
Dietrich, Edward C.D Guard, Armored Motor Service. Vol. XV, p. 269.
Dillard, Tom C.D Photographer-Journalist, Dallas Vol. VI, p. 162.
Dillon, C. Douglas c Secretary of the Treasury Vol. V, p. 573.
Dobbs, Farrell AD International Secretary, Socialist Vol. X, p. 109.
Workers Party. Vol. XI, p. 208.
Donabedian, George D Captain, U.S. Navy Vol. VIII, p. 311.
Donovan, John E.D Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 289.
the Marine Corps.
Dougherty, Jack Edwin D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 373.
Dowe, Kenneth Lawry D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. XV, p. 430.
Dulany, Richard B.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 113.
Duncan, William Glenn, Jr.D.. Employee, radio station, Dal- Vol. XV, p. 482.
las.
Dymitruk, Lydia D Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol.IX, p. 60.
in Texas.
Dziemian, Arthur J.C Wound ballistics expert, U.S. Vol. V, p. 90.
Army.
Eberhardt, A. M.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XIII, p. 181.
partment.
Edwards, Robert Edwin D Employee, Dallas City Court- Vol. VI, p. 200.
house.
Euins, Amos Lee C Witness at assassination Vol. II. p. 201.
scene.
Evans, Julian d Husband of Myrtle Evans Vol. VIII, p. 66.
Evans, Myrtle D Acquaintance of Marguerite Vol. VIII, p. 45.
Oswald in Oswald's youth.
Evans, Sidney, Jr.D Resident of Ruby's apartment Vol. XIII, p. 195
house.
Fain, John W.C Agent, FBI Vol. IV, p. 403.
Fehrenbach, George Wil- Resident of Ashland, Oreg Vol. XV, p. 289.
liam.D
Feldsott, LouisA President, Crescent Fire- Vol. XI, p. 205.
arms, Inc.
Fenley, Robert Gene D Reporter, Dallas Vol. XI, p. 314.
Finck, Pierre A.C Doctor, Bethesda Naval Hos- Vol. II, p. 377.
pital.
Fischer, Ronald B.D Auditor, City of Dallas Vol. VI, p. 191.
Fleming, Harold J.D Employee, Armored Motor Vol. XV, p. 159.
Service, Inc.
Page 488
Witness Description Testimony
Folsom, Allison G., Jr.D Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps Vol. VIII, p. 303.
Ford, Declan P.C Husband of Katherine N.
Ford and acquaintance of
the Oswalds in Texas.
Ford, Katherine N.c Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. II, p. 322.
in Texas.
Foster, J. W.D . Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. VI, p. 248.
Frazier, Buell Wesley Cd Employee, TSBD and neighbor Vol. II, p. 210.
of the Paines in Irving, Tex. Vol. VII, p. 531.
Frazier, Robert A.AC Firearms Identification Expert Vol. III, p. 390.
FBI Vol. V, p. 58
Frazier, W. B.D Captain, Dallas Police Department Vol. XII, p. 52.
Fritz, John Will ACD do Vol. IV, p. 202.
Vol. VII, p. 403.
Vol. XV, p. 145.
Fuqua, Harold R.D Parking attendant in base- Vol. XIII, p. 141.
ment of city hall.
Gallagher, John F.D Agent, FBI Vol. XV, p. 746.
Gangl, Theodore Frank A Employee, Padgett Printing Vol. XI, p. 478.
Corp.
Garner, Jesse J.A Neighbor of the Oswalds in Vol. X, p. 276.
New Orleans.
Garner, Mrs. Jesse D Landlady of Oswald in New Orleans Vol. X, p. 264.
Gauthier, Leo J.C Inspector, FBI Vol. V, p. 135.
George, M. Waldo A Landlord of Oswalds in Dallas Vol. XI, p. 155.
Geraci, Philip, III D Resident of New Orleans who Vol. X, p. 74
met Oswald.
Gibson, Mrs. Donald D Acquaintance of the Oswalds in Texas Vol. XI, p. 123.
Gibson, John D Witness to Oswald arrest Vol. VII, p. 70.
Giesecke, Adolph H., Jr.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 72.
Givens, Charles Douglas D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 345.
Glover, Everett D.D Acquaintance of the Oswalds in Texas Vol. X, p. 1.
Goin, Donald Edward D Armored car operator Vol. XV, p. 168.
Goldstein, David A Owner, Dave's House of Guns Vol. VII, p. 594.
Goodson, Clyde Franklin D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. XV, p. 596.
Graef, John G.D Oswald's supervisor, Jaggars- Vol. X, p. 174.
Chiles-Stovall, Dallas.
Graf, Allen D.A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 317.
Marine Corps.
Grant, Eva D Sister of Jack Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 429.
Vol. w, p. 321.
Graves, Gene A Secretary, Leslie Welding Co. Vol. XI, p. 479.
Graves, L. C.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 251.
partment. Vol. XIII, p. 1.
Gravitis, Dorothy D Acquaintance of Mrs. Paine Vol. IX, p. 131.
in Dallas.
Gray, VirginiaA Employee, Duke University Vol. XI, p. 209.
Library.
Greener, Charles W.D Proprietor, Irving Sports Vol. XI, p. 245.
Shop.
Greer, William Robert c Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. II, p. 112.
488
Page 489
Witness Description Testimony
Gregory, Charles F. CD Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. IV, p. 117.
Vol. VI, p. 95.
Gregory, Paul RoderickD Son of Peter Paul Gregory Vol. IX, p. 141.
and acquaintance of the Os-
walds in Texas.
Gregory, Peter Paul C Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. II, p. 337.
in Texas.
Guinyard, SamD Witness in the vicinity of Vol. VII, p. 395.
Tippit crime scene.
Hall, C. Ray D Agent, FBI Vol. XV, p. 62.
Hall, Elena A.D Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. VIII, p. 391.
in Texas.
Hall, John Raymond D Husband of Elena A. Hall and Vol. VIII, p. 406.
acquaintance of the Oswalds.
Hall, Marvin E. "Bert" D Employee, Armored Motor Vol. XV, p. 174.
Service, Dallas.
Hallmark, Garnett Claud D... Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. XV, p. 488.
Hamblen, C. A.D Employee, Western Union Vol. XI, p. 311.
Telegraph Co.
Hankal, Robert L.D Director, television station, Vol. XIII, p. 112.
Dallas.
Hanson, Timothy M., Jr.D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. XV, p. 438.
Hardin, Michael D City ambulance driver Vol. XIII, p. 94.
Hargis, Bobby W.D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. VI, p. 293.
Harkness, D. V.D do Vol. VI, p. 308.
Harrison, William J.D do Vol. XII, p. 234.
Hartogs, Renatus D Psychiatrist, New York City.. Vol. VIII, p. 214.
Hawkins, Ray D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 91.
partment.
Haygood, Clyde A.D do Vol. VI, p. 296.
Heindel, John Rene A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 318.
Marine Corps.
Helmick, Wanda Yvonne or Employee of Ralph Paul, an Vol. XV, p. 396.
Wanda Sweat.D acquaintance of Jack Ruby.
Helms, Richard M.CA Deputy Director for Plans, Vol V, p. 120.
Central Intelligence Vol. XI, p. 469.
Agency.
Henchliffe, Margaret M.D Nurse, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 139.
Henslee, Gerald D.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VI, p. 325.
partment.
Herndon, Bell P.D Polygraph operator, FBI Vol. XIV, p. 579.
Hicks, J. B.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 286.
partment.
Hill, Clinton J.C Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. II, p. 132.
Hill, Gerald Lynn D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 43.
partment.
Hill, Jean Lollis D Witness - at assassination Vol. VI, p. 205.
Scene,
Hine, Geneva L.D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 393.
Hodge, Alfred Douglas D Owner,Buckhorn Trading Vol. XV, p. 494.
Post.
Holland, S. M.D Witness at assassination Vol. VI, p. 239.
scene,
Holly, Harold B., Jr.D Reserve force, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 261.
Department
489
730-900 O-64--3
Page 490
Witness Description
Holmes, Harry D.D U.S. Post Office inspector Vol. VII, p. 289,
525
Hoover, J. Edgar c Director, FBI Vol. V, p. 97.
Hosty, James, P. Jr.C Agent, FBI Vol. IV, p. 440.
Howlett, John Joe AD Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. VII, p. 592.
Vol. IX, p. 425.
Hudson, Emmett J.D Witness at assassination scene. Vol. VII, p. 558.
Huffaker, Robert S., Jr.D Newsman, Dallas Vol. XIII, p. 116.
Hulen, Richard Leroy D Employee of Dallas YMCA Vol. X, p. 277.
Hulse, C. E.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XIII, p. 99.
partment.
Humes, James J.C Doctor, Bethesda Naval Hos- Vol. II, p. 347.
pital.
Hunley, Bobb A Employee, Louisiana Depart- Vol. XI, p. 476.
ment of Labor, New Orleans.
Hunt, Jackie H.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 76.
Hunter, GertrudeD Witness concerning alleged Vol. XI, pp. 253,
encounter with Oswald. 275.
Hutchison, Leonard Edwin D.. Owner of grocery store in Vol. X, p. 327.
Irving.
Hutson, Thomas Alexander D. Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 26.
partment.
Isaacs, Martin D Employee, Special Services Vol. VIII, p. 324.
Welfare Center, New York.
Jackson, Robert Hill c News photographer, Dallas... Vol. II, p. 155.
Jackson, Theodore D Attendant at Dallas parking Vol. XIII, p. 299.
lot.
James, Virginia H.D International Relations Offi- Vol. XI, p. 180.
cer, 0ffice of Soviet Affairs,
State Department.
Jarman, James, Jr.C Employee, TSBD Vol. III, p. 198.
Jenkins, Marion T.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 45.
Jenkins, Ronald Lee D News editor, radio station, Vol. w, p. 600.
Dallas.
Jimison, R. J.D Orderly, Parkland Hospital... Vol. VI, p. 125.
Johnson, Arnold Samuel D Director of Information and Vol. X, p. 95.
Lecture Bureau, Commu-
nist Party, U.S.A.
Johnson, Arthur Carl D Owner of roominghouse in Vol. X, p. 301.
Dallas where Oswald resided.
Johnson, Mrs. Arthur Carl D.. Wife of A. C. Johnson Vol. X, p. 292.
Johnson, Joseph Weldon, Jr.D. Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XV, p. 218.
Johnson, Lyndon B.s President of the United States. Vol. V, p. 561
Johnson, Mrs. Lyndon B.s Wife of the President of the Vol. V, p. 564
United States.
Johnson, MarvinD Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. VII, p. 100.
Johnson, Prisci1la Mary Newspaper reporter who in- Vol. XI, p. 442.
Post D terviewed Oswald in Russia.
Johnson, Speedy D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. XV, p. 607.
Johnston, David L.D Justice of the peace, Dallas. Vol. XV, p. 503.
Jones, O. A.D Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 58.
partment.
Jones, Ronald C.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. XII, p. 51.
Kaiser, Frankie D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 341.
Kaminsky, Eileen D Jack Ruby's sister Vol. XV, p. 275.
Kantor, SethD Reporter, Vol. XV, p. 71
490
Page 491
Witness Description Testimony
Kaufman, Stanley M.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XV, p. 513.
Kellerman, Roy H.C Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. II, p. 61.
Kelley, Thomas J.AC Inspector, U.S. Secret Service Vol. V, pp. 129,
175.
Vol. VII, pp. 403,
590.
Kelly, Edward D Porter, Dallas City Hall Vol. XIII, p. 146.
Kennedy, Mrs. John F.C Widow of President John Vol. V, p. 178.
Fitzgerald Kennedy.
Killion, Charles L.A Firearms identification ex- Vol. VII, p. 591.
pert, FBI.
King, Glen D.D Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. XV, p. 51.
partment
Klause, Robert G.C Printer of handbill attacking Vol. V, p. 535.
President Kennedy.
Kleinlerer, Alexander A Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. XI, p. 118.
in Texas.
Kleinman, Abraham D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby.. Vol. XV, p. 383.
Kline, William A Agent, U.S. Customs Vol. XV, p. 640.
Knight, Frances G.c Director, Passport Office, De- Vol. V, p. 371.
partment of State.
Knight, Russell ( see Moore ).
Kramer, Monica A Tourist in Minsk in 1961 Vol. XI, p. 212.
Kravitz, Herbert B.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XV, p. 231.
Kriss, Harry M.D Reserve force, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 266.
Department.
Krystinik, Raymond Frank- Fellow employee of Michael Vol. IX, p. 461.
lin.D R. Paine in Texas.
Lane, Doyle E.D Clerk, Western Union Tele- Vol. XII, p. 221.
graph Co.
Lane, Mark R.C Attorney, New York City Vol. II, p. 32.
Vol. IV, p. 546.
Latona, Sebastian F.c Fingerprint export, FBI Vol. IV, p. 1.
Lawrence, Perdue W.D Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 577.
Lawson, Winston G. (accom- Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. IV, p. 317.
panied by Fred B. Smith).C
Leavelle, James R.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 260.
partment. Vol. VIII, p. 14.
LeBlanc, Charles Joseph D. Maintenance man, William B. Vol. X, p. 213.
Reily Co.
Lee, Ivan D.A Agent, FBI Vol. XI, p. 481.
Lee, Vincent T. DA Official, Fair Play for Cuba Vol. X, p. 86.
Committee. Vol. XI, p. 208.
Lehrer, James D Reporter, Dallas Vol. XI, p. 464.
Leslie, Helen D Member of Russian-speaking Vol. IX, p. 160.
community in Dallas.
Lewis, Aubrey Lee D Employee, Western Union Vol. IX, p. 318.
Telegraph Co.
Lewis, Erwin Donald A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII p. 323.
Marine Corps.
Lewis, L. J.A Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. w, p. 703.
Tippit crime scene.
Light, Frederick W., Jr.C Wound ballistics expert, U.S. Army. Vol. V, p. 94.
Litchfield, Wilbyrn Waldon Acquaintance of Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 95.
(Robert), II.D
Lord, Billy Joe A Passenger with Oswald on SS Vol. XI, p. 117.
Marion Lykes.
Page 492
Witness Description Testimony
Lovelady, Billy Nolan D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 336.
Lowcry, Roy Lee D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. XII, p. 271.
Lujan, Daniel Gutierrez D Appeared in lineup with Vol. VII, p. 243.
Oswald.
Lux, J. Philip A Employee, H. L. Green Co Vol. XI, p. 206
McClelland, Robert N.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital... Vol. VI, p. 30.
McCone, John Alex C Director, Central Intelligence Vol. V, p. 120.
Agency.
McCullough, John G.D Reporter, Philadelphia Vol. XV, p. 373.
McCurdy, Danny Patrick D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. w, p. 529.
McDonald, M. N.C Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. III, p. 295.
partment.
McFarland, John Bryan A Passenger on bus with Os- Vol. XI, p. 214.
wald to Mexico City in 1963.
McFarland, Meryl A do Vol. XI, p. 214.
McKinzie, Louis D Porter, Dallas City Hall Vol. XIII, p. 147.
McMillon, Thomas Donald D.. Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XIII, p. 37.
partment.
McVickar, John A.C Foreign Service officer sta- Vol. V, pp. 299,
tioned at American Em- 318.
bassy in Soviet Union in
1959-61.
McWatters, Cecil J.C Busdriver, Dallas Vol. II, p. 262.
Malley, James R.A Inspector, FBI Vol. XI, p. 468.
Mallory, Katherine A Tourist in Minsk in 1961 Vol. XI, p. 210.
Mamantov, Ilya A.D Member of Russian-speaking Vol. IX, p. 102.
community in Dallas.
Mandella, Arthur C (accom- Fingerprint expert, New York Vol. IV, p. 48.
panied by Joseph A.. City Police Department.
Mooney ).
Markham, Helen Louise CD... Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. III, p. 305.
Tippit crime scene. Vol. VII, p. 499.
Martello, Francis L.AD Lieutenant, New Orleans Po- Vol. X, p. 51.
lice Department. Vol. XI, p. 471.
Martin, B. J.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VI, p. 289.
partment.
Martin, Frank M.D Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 277.
partment.
Martin, James Herbert c Former business manager for Vol. I, p. 469.
Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald. Vol. II, p. 1.
Maxey, Billy Joe D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 285.
partment.
Mayo, Logan W.D Reserve force, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 291.
Department.
Meller, Anna N.D Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. VIII, p. 379.
in Texas.
Meyers, Lawrence V.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. w, p. 620.
Michaelis, Heinz W.D Manager, Seaport Traders, Inc. Vol. VII, p. 372.
Miller, Austin L.D Witness at assassination scene. Vol. VI, p. 223.
Miller, Dave L.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. w, p. 450.
Miller, Louis D.D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. XII, p. 297.
Mitchell, Mary Ann D Witness at assassination scene. Vol. VI, p. 175.
Molina, Joe R.D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 368.
Montgomery, L. D.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 96.
partment. Vol. XIII, p. 21.
492
Page 493
Witness Description Testimony
Mooney, Luke C Deputy Sheriff, Dallas County. Vol. III, p. 281
Moore, Henry M.D Member, Dallas Police Department. Vol. VII, p. 212.
Moore, Russell Lee (Knight)D. Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XV, p. 251.
Mumford, Pamela D Passenger on bus with Oswald Vol. XI, p. 215.
to Mexico City in 1963
Murphy, Joe E.D Member, Dallas Police Department. Vol. VI, p. 256.
Murphy, Paul Edward A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 319.
Marine Corps.
Murray, David Christie, Jr.A. do Vol. VIII, p. 319.
Murret, Charles (Dutz) D . Uncle of Lee Harvey Oswald, Vol. VIII, p. 180.
New Orleans.
Murret, John Martial (Boo- Cousin of Lee Harvey Oswald, Vol. VIII, p. 188.
gie) .D Murret, Lillian AD and aunt of Lee Harvey Oswald, Vol. XI, p. 472.
New Orleans
Murret, Marilyn Dorothea D.. Cousin of Lee Harvey Oswald, Vol. VIII, p. 154.
New Orleans
Naman, Rita A . Tourist in Minsk in 1961 Vol. XI, p. 213.
Nelson, Doris Mac D Nurse, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 143.
Newman, William J.D Reserve force, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 314.
Department.
Newnam, JohnD Advertising department em- Vol. XV, p. 534.
ployee, Dallas newspaper.
Nichols, Alice Reaves D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. XIV, p. 110.
Nichols, H. Louis D Former president, Dallas bar Vol. VII, p. 325.
association.
Nicol, Joseph D.C Firearms identification ex- Vol. III, p. 496.
pert, Bureau of Criminal
Identification and Invest-
gation, Illinois Department
of Public Safety.
Norman, Harold c Employee, TSBD Vol. III, p. 186.
Norton, Robert L.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XV, p. 546.
O'Brien, Lawrence F.D Assistant to President Kennedy Vol. VII, p. 457.
Odio, Sylvia D Former citizen of Cuba now Vol. XI, p. 367.
residing in Dallas.
O'Donnell, Kenneth D Assistant to President Kennedy Vol. VII, p. 440.
Odum, Bardwell D.A Agent, FBI Vol. XI, p. 468.
Ofstein, Dennis Hyman D Employee, Jaggers-Chiles- Vol. X, p. 194.
Stovall, Dallas.
Olds, Gregory Lee D President, Dallas Chapter, Vol. VII, p. 322.
American Civil Liberties
Union.
Oliver, Revilo P.D Member of the council of the Vol. XV, p. 709.
John Birch Society.
Olivier, Alfred G.C Wound ballistics expert, U. S. Vol. V, p. 74.
Army.
Olsen, Harry N.D Former member, Dallas Police Vol. XIV, p. 640.
Department.
Olsen, Kay Helen D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 624
Osborne, Mack A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 321.
Marine Corps.
493
Page 494
Witness Testimony Description
O'Sullivan, Frederick S.n Acquaintance of Oswald at Vol. VIII, p. 27.
Beauregard Junior High
School, New Orleans
Oswald, Margtuerite C Mother of Lee Harvey Oswald Vol. I, p. 126.
Oswald, Marina CD Widow of Lee Harvey Oswald Vol. I, p. 1.
Vol. V. pp. 387,
410, 588.
Vol. XI, p. 275.
Oswald, Robert Edward Lee C Brother of Lee Harvey Oswald Vol. I, p. 264
Owens, Calvin Bud D Member, Dallas Police De-
partment.
Paine. Michael R.CD Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. II, p. 384.
in Texas. Vol. IX, p. 434.
Vol. XI, p. 398.
Paine, Ruth Hyde ACD Wife of Michael R. Paine and Vol. II, p. 430.
acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. III, p. 1.
in Texas. Vol. IX, p. 331.
Vol. XI, pp. 153, 389.
Palmer, Thomas Stewart D. Acquaintance of Jack Ruby.. Vol. XV, p. 206.
Pappas, Icarus M.D Reporter, radio station, New Vol. XV, p. 360.
York City.
Patterson, B. M.A Witness in the vicinity of Vol. 15, p. 744.
the Tippit crime scene.
Patterson, Bobby G.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 334.
partment.
Patterson, Robert Carl D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XIV, p. 126.
Paul, Ralph D do Vol. XIV, p. 134.
Vol. XV, p. 664.
Pena, Orest D Owner, Habana Bar, New Orleans Vol. XI, p. 346.
Pena. Ruperto D Brother of Orest Pena Vol. XI, p. 364.
Perry, Malcolm O. CD Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. III, p. 366.
Vol. VI, p. 7.
Perry, W. E.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 232.
partment.
Peterman, Viola D Neighbor of Oswald family in Vol. VIII, p. 38.
New Orleans.
Peters, Paul C.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 68.
Peterson, Joseph Alexander D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 615
Phenix, George R.D Television cameraman and Vol XIII, p. 123.
reporter, Dallas.
Pic, Edward John, Jr.AD First husband of Marguerite Vol. VIII, p. 196.
Oswald. Vol. XI, p. 82.
Pic, John Edward D Half brother of Lee Harvey Vol. XI, p. 1.
Oswald.
Pierce, Edward E.D Employee, Dallas City Hall. Vol. XIII, p. 156.
Pierce, Rio S.D Lieutenant, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 76.
partment Vol. XII, p.337.
Pinkston, Nat A.D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, 334.
Piper, Eddie D do Vo1. VI, 382.
Vo1. VII, 388.
Pitts, Elnora D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XIII, p. 228.
Pizzo, FrankD Assistant manager of auto Vol. X, p. 340.
agency, Dallas.
Poe. J. M.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 66.
partment.
Postal, Julia D Cashier, Texas Theatre Vol. VII,
p. 8.
494
Page 495
Witness Description Testimony
Potts, Walter E.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 195.
partment.
Powell, Nancy M. (a.k.a. Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. w, p. 404.
Tammie True).D
Powers, Daniel Patrick D Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 266.
Marine Corps.
Powers, David F.A Assistant to President Kennedy. Vol. VII, p. 472.
Price, Charles Jack D Administrator, Parkland Hos- Vol. VI, p. 148.
pital.
Price, Malcolm It., Jr.D Patron, Sports Drome Rifle Vol. X, p. 369.
Range.
Priddy, Hall Jr.D Relief dispatcher, O'Neil Fu- Vol. XIII, p. 239.
neral Home in Dallas.
Pryor, Roy A.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. w, p. 554.
Pugh, OranA. Agent, U.S. Customs Vol. w, p. 640.
Pullman, Edward J.D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. w, p. 222.
Putnam, James A.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 74.
partment. Vol. XII, p. 341.
Quigley, John L.C Agent, FBI Vol. IV, p. 431.
Rachal, John R.A Employee, Louisiana Depart- Vol. XI, p. 474.
meat of Labor, New
Orleans.
Rackley, George W. Sr.D Employee, Coordinated RR. Co. Vol. VI, p. 273.
Raigorodsky, Paul M.D Member of Russian-speaking Vol. IX, p. 1.
community in Dallas.
Randle, Linnie Mac C Buell Wesley Frazier's sister Vol. II, p. 245.
and neighbor of Ruth Paine.
Ray, Natalie (Mrs. Thomas Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. IX, p. 27.
M.) .D in Texas.
Ray, Thomas M.D Husband of Natalie Ray and Vol. IX, p. 38.
acquaintance of the Os-
walds in Texas.
Ray, Valentine A. (Mrs. Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. VIII, p. 415.
Frank H. ) .D in Texas.
Rea, Billy A.D Advertising staff, Dallas Vol. XV, p. 571.
newspaper.
Reeves, Huey D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. XIII, p. 243.
Reid, Mrs. Robert A.c Employee, TSBD Vol. III, p. 270.
Reilly, Frank E.D Witness at assassination Vol. VI, p. 227.
scene.
Revill, Jack CD Lieutenant, Dallas Police De- Vol. V, p. 33.
partment. Vol. XII, p. 73.
Reynolds, Warren Allen D Witness in the vicinity of the
Tippit crime scene. Vol. XI, p. 434.
Rheinstein, FredericD Producer-director, NBC Vol. XV, p. 354.
Rich, Nancy Perrin D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Vol. XIV, p. 330.
Richey, Marjorie R.D do Vol. XV, p. 192.
Richey, Warren E.D TV engineer, Fort Worth Vol. XIII, p. 255.
Riggs, Alfreadia D Porter, City Hall Vol. XIII, p. 166.
Riggs, Chester Allen, Jr.A Landlord of the Oswalds in Vol. X, p. 229.
Fort Worth.
Ritchie, James L.D Passport Officer, Department Vol. XI, p. 191.
of State.
Roberts, Earlene AD Housekeeper at Oswald's Vol. VI, p. 434.
roominghouse in Dallas. Vol. VII, p. 439.
495
Page 496
Witness Description Testimony
Robertson, Mary Jane D Employee, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 404.
partment.
Robertson, Victor F., Jr.D Reporter, Dallas Vol. XV, p. 347.
Rodriguez, Evaristo D Bartender at Habana Bar, Vol. XI, p. 339.
New Orleans.
Rogers, Eric D Neighbor of the Oswalds in Vol. XI, p. 460.
New Orleans.
Romack, James E.D Witness at assassination scene. Vol. VI, p. 277.
Rose, Guy F.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 227.
partment.
Ross, Henrietta M.D Technician, Parkland Hos- Vol. VI, p. 123.
pital.
Rossi, Joseph D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby... Vol. XV, p. 235.
Roussel, Henry J., Jr.A Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 320.
Marine Corps.
Rowland, Arnold LouisC Witness at assassination Vol. II, p. 165.
scene.
Rowland, Barbara (Mrs. Ar- . do Vol. VI, p. 177.
nold L. ) .D
Rowley, James J.C Chief, U.S. Secret Service Vol. V, p. 449.
Rubenstein, Hyman D Brother of Jack Ruby Vol. XV p. 1.
Ruby, Earl D do Vol. XIV, p. 364.
Ruby, Jack CD Convicted slayer of Oswald. Vol. V, p. 181.
Vol. XIV, p. 504.
Ruby, Sam D Brother of Jack Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 488.
Rusk, Dean C Secretary of State Vol. V, p. 333.
Russell, Harold A Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. VII, p. 594.
Tippit crime scene.
Ryder, Dial D.D Employee, Irving Sports Shop. Vol. XI, p. 224.
Salyer, Kenneth E.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 80.
Saunders, Richard L.D Advertising staff, Dallas newspaper. Vol. XV, p. 577.
Sawyer, J. Herbert D Inspector, Dallas Police De- Vol. VI, p. 315.
partment.
Sawyer, Mildred D Neighbor and acquaintance of Vol VIII, p. 31.
Oswald as a youth in New
Orleans.
Schmidt, Hunter, Jr.D City editor, Dallas Vol. XI, p. 240.
Scibor, Mitchell J.D Employee, Klein's Sports Goods. Vol. VII, p. 370.
Scoggins, William W.C Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. III, p. 322.
Tippit crime scene.
Seeley, Carroll Hamilton, Jr.D. Assistant Chief, Legal Divi- Vol. XI, p. 193.
sion, Passport Office, De-
partment of State.
Semingsen, W. W.D Employee, Western Union Vol. X, p. 405.
Telegraph Co.
Senator, George D Roommate of Jack Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 164.
Servance, John OlridgeD Head porter, City Hall and Vol. XIII, p. 175.
Municipal Building.
Shaneyfelt, Lyndal L.CD Photography expert, FBI Vol. IV, p. 279.
Vol. V, p. 138, 176.
Vol. VII, p. 410.
Shasteen, Clifton M.D Owner of barbershop in Irv- Vol. X, p. 309.
ing, Tex.
Shaw, Robert Roeder CD Doctor, Parkland Hospital. Vol. IV, p. 101.
Vol. VI, p. 83.
496
Page 497
Witness Description Testimony
Shelley, William H.D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 327.
Vol. VII, p. 390.
Shields, Edward D Employee, TSBD Vol. VII, p. 393.
Shires, George T.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 104.
Siegel, Evelyn Grace Strick- Social worker, New York City. Vol. VIII, p. 224.
man D
Simmons, Ronald C Weapons evaluation expert, Vol. III, p. 441.
U.S. Army Weapons Sys-
tem Division.
Sims, Richard M.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 158.
partment.
Skelton, Royce G.D Witness at assassination Vol. VI, p. 236.
scene.
Slack, Garland Glenwill D Patron, Sports Drome Rifle Vol. X, p. 378.
Range.
Slack, Willie B.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 347.
partment.
Slaughter, Malcolm R.D Resident in Jack Ruby's Vol. XIII, p. 261.
apartment building.
Smart, Vernon S.D Lieutenant, Dallas Police Vol. XIII, p. 266.
Department.
Smith, Bennierita D Acquaintance of Oswald at Vol. VIII, p. 21.
Beauregard Junior High
School in New Orleans.
Smith, Edgar Leon, Jr.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 565.
partment.
Smith, Glenn Emmett D Service station attendant in Vol. X, p. 399.
Dallas.
Smith, Hilda L.A Employee, Louisiana Depart- Vol. XI, p. 474.
ment of Labor, New Orleans
Smith, Joe Marshall D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 531.
partment.
Smith, John Allison D TV technician, Fort Worth.. Vol. XIII, p. 277.
Smith, William Arthur D Witness in the vicinity of the Vol. VII, p. 82.
Tippit crime scene.
Snyder, Richard Edward C... Foreign Service officer, sta- Vol. V, p. 260.
tioned in the Embassy in
the Soviet Union, 1959-61.
Solomon, James Maurice D.. Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 87.
partment.
Sorrels, Forrest V.DA Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. VII, pp. 332,
592.
Vol. XIII, p. 55.
Standifer, Roy E.D Member, Dallas Police Do- Vol. XV p. 614.
partment.
Standridge, Ruth Jeanette D.. Head nurse of operating Vol. VI, p. 115.
rooms, Parkland Hospital.
Staples, Albert F.A Dentist at Baylor University Vol. XI, p. 210.
College of Dentistry.
Statman, Irving D Assistant District Director of Vol. X, p. 149.
Dallas District, Texas Em-
ployment Commission.
Steele, Charles Hall, Jr.D Resident of New Orleans who Vol. X, p. 62.
assisted Oswald in distribu-
tion of handbills.
Steele, Charles Hall, Sr.D Father of Charles Hall Steele, Jr. Vol. X, p. 71.
497
Page 498
Witness Description Testimony
Steele, Don Francis D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 353.
partment.
Stevenson, M. W.D Deputy Chief, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 91.
Department. Vol. XV, p. 133
Stombaugh, Paul Morgan CA. Hair and fiber expert, FBI... Vol. IV, p. 56.
Vol. XV, p. 702.
Stovall, Richard S.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 186.
partment.
Stovall, Robert L.D President, Jaggars-Chiles- Vol. X. p. 167.
Stovall, Dallas, Tex.
Strong, Jesse M.D Employee, Western Union Vol. XIII. p. 284.
Telegraph Co.
Stuckey, William Kirk D Radio program director, New Vol. XI, p. 156.
Orleans.
Studebaker, Robert Lee n Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 137.
partment.
Surrey, Robert Alan C Publisher of handbill attack- Vol. V, p. 420.
ing President Kennedy.
Tague, James Thomas D Witness at assassination scene. Vol. VII, p. 552.
Talbert, Cecil E.D Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 108.
partment. Vol. XV, p. 182.
Tasker, Harry T.D Taxicab driver in Dallas Vol. XV, p. 679.
Taylor, Gary E.DA Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. IX, p. 73.
in Texas. Vol. XI, p. 470.
Thompson, Llewellyn E.C Former U.S. Ambassador to Vol. V, p. 567.
Russia.
Thornley, Kerry Wendell D Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. XI, p. 82.
Marines.
Tice, Wilma May D Resident of Dallas Vol. XV, p. 388.
Tobias, Mahlon F., Sr.D Manager of apartment house Vol. X, p. 251.
where the Oswalds resided,
Dallas.
Tobias, Mrs. Mahlon F.D Wife of M. F. Tobias, Sr Vol. X, p. 231.
Tomlinson, Darrell C.D Senior engineer, Parkland Vol. VI, p. 128.
Hospital
Tormey, James J.D Executive secretary, Hall- Vol. X, p. 107.
Davis Defense Commission.
Truly, Roy Sansom ACD Superintendent, TSBD Vol. III, p. 212.
Vol. VII, pp. 380,
591.
Turner, F. M.n Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 217.
partment.
Turner, Jimmy D TV director, Fort Worth Vol. XIII, p. 130.
Twiford, Horace Elroy A Member, Socialist Labor Vol. XI, p. 179.
Party, Houston, Tex.
Twiford, Estelle A Wife of Horace Elroy Twiford Vol. XI, p. 179.
Underwood. James R.D Assistant news director Vol. VI, p. 167.
TV and radio, Dallas.
Vaughn, Roy Eugene D Member, Dallas Police Department Vol. XII, p. 357.
Vinson, Philip Eugene D Reporter, Fort Worth Vol. VIII, p. 75.
Voebel, Edward D Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 1.
Beauregard Junior High
School, New Orleans.
Voshinin, Igor VladimirD Member of Russian-speaking Vol. VIII, p. 448.
community in Dallas.
Voshinin, Mrs. Igor Vladimir.D Acquaintance of the Oswalds Vol. VIII, p. 425.
in Texas.
498
Page 499
Witness Description Testimony
Wade, Henry c District attorney, Dallas Vol. V, p. 213.
County.
Waldman, William J.D Vice President, Klein's Sport- Vol. VII, p. 360.
ing Goods, Inc.
Waldo, Thayer D Reporter, Forth Worth Vol. XV, p. 585.
Walker, C. T.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 34.
partment.
Walker, Maj. Gen. Edwin Resident of Dallas and object Vol. XI, .p. 404.
A. D of shooting in April 1963.
Walker, Ira N., Jr.D Broadcast technician, Fort Vol. XIII, p. 289.
Worth.
Wall, Breck (a.k.a. Billy Ray Acquaintance of Ruby Vol. XIV, p. 599.
Wilson).D
Walthers, Eddy Raymond D Deputy sheriff, Dallas County. Vol. VII, p. 544.
Warner, Roger C.A Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. XV, p. 619.
Waterman, Bernice C Adjudicator, Passport Office, Vol. V, p. 346.
Department of State.
Watherwax, Arthur Wil- Printer, Dallas newspaper Vol. XV, p. 564.
liam.D
Watson, James C.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 372.
partment.
Weinstock, Louis A General manager, the Worker. Vol. XI, p. 297.
Weissman, Bernard CD Codraftsman and signer of Vol. V, p. 487.
November 22, 1963, full- Vol. XI, p. 428.
page advertisement.
Weitzman, Seymour D Deputy constable, Dallas Vol. VII, p. 105.
County.
West, Troy Eugene D Employee, TSBD Vol. VI, p. 356.
Westbrook, W. R.D Captain, Dallas Police De- Vol. VII, p. 109.
partment.
Wester, Jane Carolyn D Nurse, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 120.
Whaley, William Wayne CD.. Taxicab driver in Dallas Vol. II, pp. 253, 292
Vol. VI, p. 428.
White, J. C.D Member, Dallas Police De- Vol. VI, p. 253.
partment.
White, Martin G.D Doctor, Parkland Hospital Vol. VI, p. 82.
Whitworth, Edith D Manager, used furniture Vol. XI, p. 262.
store, Irving, Tex.
Wiggins, Woodrow D Lieutenant, Dallas Police De- Vol. XII, p. 388
partment.
Wilcox, Laurance R.D District manager, Western Vol. X, p. 414.
Union Telegraph Co.
Williams, Bonnie Ray C Employee, TSBD Vol. III, p. 161.
Willis, Linda Kay D Daughter of Phillip L. Willis Vol. VII, p. 498.
Willis, Phillip L.D Witness at assassination scene Vol. VII, p. 492.
Wilson, Billy Ray (see Wall,
Breck ).
Wittmus. Ronald G.A Fingerprint expert, FBI Vol. VII, p. 590.
Wood, Homer D Patron, Sports Drome Rifle Range Vol. X, p. 385.
Wood, Sterling Charles D Son of Dr. Homer Wood Vol. X, p. 390.
Wood, Theresa D Wife of Dr. Homer Wood Vol. X, p. 398.
Worley, Gano E.D Reserve Force, Dallas Police Vol. XII, p. 378.
Department.
Worrell, James Richard, Jr.c.. Witness at assassination scene. Vol. II, p. 190.
Wright, Norman Earl D Acquaintance of Jack Ruby Vol. XV, p. 244.
499
Page 500
Witness Description Testimony
Wulf, William E.D Acquaintance of Oswald in Vol. VIII, p. 15.
his youth.
Yarborough, Ralph W.A U.S. Senator from Texas Vol. VII, p. 439.
Yeargan, Albert C. Jr.A Employee, H. C. Green, Dallas. Vol. XI, p. 207.
Youngblood, Rufus Wayne c Agent, U.S. Secret Service Vol. II, p. 144.
Zahm, James A.D Marine Corps expert on Vol. XI, p. 306.
marksmanship.
Zapruder, Abraham D Witness at assassination scene. Vol. VII, p. 569.
500
Appendix VI
Page 501
APPENDIX VI
Commission Procedures for the Taking of Testimony
Resolution Governing Questioning of Witnesses By Members of the Commission Staff
Page 501
RESOLUTION GOVERNING QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES
BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION STAFF
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 11130, November 29, 1963, which authorizes this
Commission "to prescribe its own procedures," it is therefore
Resolved, That the following are hereby adopted as the rules of this Commission
for the questioning of witnesses by members of the Commission staff.
I. Sworn Depositions
A. Individual members of the staff are hereby authorized to administer oaths and
affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence in the form of sworn
depositions on any matter under investigation by the Commission.
B. Such sworn depositions may be taken only from witnesses designated in writing
for questioning in this manner by the Commission, by a member of the Commission,
or by the General Counsel of the Commission.
C. A stenographic verbatim transcript shall be made of all sworn depositions.
Copies of the witness' testimony shall be available for inspection by the
witness or his counsel. When approved by the Commission, said copies may be
purchased by the witness or his counsel at regularly prescribed rates from the
official reporter.
D. Process and papers of the Commission issued under Paragraph (d) of Joint
Resolution S.J. 137, 88th Congress, let session, shall be returnable no less
than three days from the date on which such process or papers are issued, and
shall state the time, place, and general subject matter of the deposition. In
lieu of such process and papers, the Commission may request the presence of
witnesses and production of evidence for the purpose of sworn depositions by
written notice mailed no less than three days from the date of the deposition.
E. The period of notice specified in Paragraph D may be waived by a witness.
F. A witness at a sworn deposition shall have the right to be accompanied by
counsel of his own choosing, who shall have the right to advise the witness of
his rights under the laws and Constitution of the United States, and the state
wherein the deposition shall occur, and to make brief objections to questions.
Page 502
At the conclusion of the witness' testimony, counsel shall have the right to
clarify the testimony of the witness by questioning the witness.
G. At the opening of any deposition a member of the Commission's staff shall
read into the record a statement setting forth the nature of the Commission's
inquiry and the purpose for which the witness has been asked to testify or
produce evidence.
H. Any witness who refuses to answer a question shall state the grounds for so
doing. At the conclusion of any deposition in which the witness refuses to
answer a question the transcript shall be submitted to the General Counsel for
review and consideration whether the witness should be called to testify before
the Commission.
II. Sworn Affidavits
A. Members of the Commission staff are hereby authorized to obtain sworn
affidavits from those witnesses who have been designated in writing by the
Commission, a member of the Commission, or the general counsel of the Commission
as witnesses whose testimony will be obtained in this manner.
B. A copy of the affidavit shall be provided the affiant or his counsel.
RESOLUTION
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 11130, November 99, 1963, which authorizes this
Commission "to prescribe its own procedures," it is therefore
Resolved, That the following are hereby adopted as the rules of this Commission
in connection with hearings conducted for the purpose of the taking of testimony
or the production of evidence.
1. One or more members of the Commission shall be present at all hearings. If
more than one Commissioner is present, the Chairman of the Commission shall
designate the order in which the Commissioners shall preside.
2. Any member of the Commission or any agent or agency designated by the
Commission for such purpose, may administer oaths and affirmations, examine
witnesses, and receive evidence.
3. Process and papers of the Commission issued under Paragraph (d) of Joint
Resolution S-J. 137, 88th Congress, 1st session, shall be returnable no less
than three days from the date on which such process or papers are issued, and
shall state the time, place, and general subject matter of the hearing. In lieu
of such process and papers, the Commission may request the presence of witness
and the production of evidence by written notice mailed no less than 3 days from
the date of the hearing.
4. The period of notice specified in paragraph three (3) may be waived by a
witness.
5. At the opening of any hearing at which testimony is to be received a member
of the Commission shall read into the record a state-
502
Page 503
ment setting forth the nature of the Commission's inquiry and the purpose for
which the witness has been asked to testify or produce evidence. A copy of this
statement shall be given to each witness prior to his testifying.
6. A witness shall have the right to be accompanied by counsel, of his own
choosing, who shall have the right to advise the witness of his rights under the
laws and Constitution of the United States and to testimony, counsel shall have
the right to clarify the testimony of the witness by questioning the witness.
7. Every witness who testifies at a hearing shall have the right to make an oral
statement and to file a sworn statement which shall be made part of the
transcript of such hearing, but such oral or written statement shall be relevant
to the subject of the hearing.
8. Rulings on objections or other procedural questions shall be made by the
presiding member of the Commission.
9. A stenographic verbatim transcript shall be made of all testimony received by
the Commission. Copies of such transcript shall be available for inspection or
purchase by the witness or his counsel at regularly prescribed rates from the
official reporter. A witness or his counsel shall be permitted to purchase or
inspect only the transcript of his testimony before the Commission.
503
Appendix VII
Page 504
APPENDIX VII
A Brief History of Presidential Protection
In the course of the history of the United States four Presidents have been
assassinated, within less than 100 years, beginning with Abraham Lincoln in
1865. Attempts were also made on the lives of two other Presidents, one
President-elect, and one ex-President. Still other Presidents were the objects
of plots that were never carried out. The actual attempts occurred as follows:
Andrew Jackson Jan. 30, 1835.
Abraham Lincoln Apr. 14, 1865. Died Apt. 15, 1865.
James A. Garfield July 2, 1881. Died Sept. 19, 1881.
William McKinley. Sept. 6, 1901. Died Sept. 14, 1901.
Theodore Roosevelt Oct. 14, 1912. Wounded; recovered.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Feb. 15, 1933.
Harry S. Truman Nov. 1, 1950.
John F. Kennedy. Nov. 22, 1963. Died that day.
Attempts have thus been made on the lives of one of every five American
Presidents. One of every nine Presidents has been killed. Since 1865, there have
been attempts on the lives of one of every four Presidents and the successful
assassination of one of every five. During the last three decades, three attacks
were made.
It was only after William McKinley was shot that systematic and continuous
protection of the President was instituted. Protection before McKinley was
intermittent and spasmodic. The problem had existed from the days of the early
Presidents, but no action was taken until three tragic events had occurred. In
considering the effectiveness of present day protection arrangements, it is
worthwhile to examine the development of Presidential protection over the years,
to understand both the high degree of continuing danger and the anomalous
reluctance to take the necessary precautions.
Before the Civil War
Page 504
BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR
In the early days of the Republic, there was remarkably little concern about the
safety of Presidents and few measures were taken to protect them. They were at
times the objects of abuse and the recipients of threatening letters as more
recent Presidents have been, but they did not take the threats seriously and
moved about freely without protective escorts. On his inauguration day, Thomas
Jefferson walked from his boarding house to-the Capitol, unaccompanied by any
guard, to take the oath of office. There was no police authority in Washing-
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ton itself until 1805 when the mayor appointed a high constable and 40 deputy
constables.1
John Quincy Adams received many threatening letters and on one occasion was
threatened in person in the White House by a court-martialed Army sergeant. In
spite of this incident, the President asked for no protection and continued to
indulge his fondness for solitary walks and early morning swims in the Potomac.2
Among pre-Civil War Presidents, Andrew Jackson aroused particularly strong
feelings. He received many threatening letters which, with a fine contempt, he
would endorse and send to the Washington Globe for publication. On one occasion
in May 1833, Jackson was assaulted by a former Navy lieutenant, Robert B.
Randolph, but refused to prosecute him. This is not regarded as an attempt at
assassination, since Randolph apparently did not intend serious injury. 3
Less than 2 years later, on the morning of January 10, 1835, as Jackson emerged
from the east portico of the Capitol, he was costed by a would-be assassin,
Richard Lawrence, an English-born house painter. Lawrence fired his two pistols
at the President, but they both misfired. Lawrence was quickly overpowered and
held for trial. A jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity. He was
confined in jails and mental hospitals for the rest of his life.4
The attack on Jackson did not inspire any action to provide protection for the
Chief Executive. Jackson's immediate successor, Martin Van Buren, often walked
to church alone and rode horseback alone in the woods not far from the White
House. In August 1842, after an intoxicated painter had thrown rocks at
President John Tyler, who was walking on the grounds to the south of the White
House, Congress passed an act to establish an auxiliary watch for the protection
of public and private property in Washington. The force was to consist of a
captain and 15 men. This act was apparently aimed more at the protection of the
White House, which had been defaced on occasion, than of the President. 5
Lincoln
Page 505
LINCOLN
Even before he took the oath of office, Abraham Lincoln was thought to be the
object of plots and conspiracies to kidnap or kill him. Extremist opponents
apparently contemplated desperate measures to prevent his inauguration, and
there is some evidence that they plotted to attack him while he was passing
through Baltimore on his way to Washington.6
For the inauguration, the Army took precautions unprecedented up to that time
and perhaps more elaborate than any precautions taken since. Soldiers occupied
strategic points throughout the city, along the procession route, and at the
Capitol, while armed men in plain clothes mingled with the crowds. Lincoln
himself, in a carriage with President Buchanan, was surrounded on all sides by
such
730-900 0-64--34
Page 506
dense masses of soldiers that he was almost completely hidden from the view of
the crowds. The precautions at the Capitol during the ceremony were almost as
thorough and equally successful.7
Lincoln lived in peril during all his years in office. The volume of threatening
letters remained high throughout the war, but little attention was paid to them.
The few letters that were investigated yielded no results.8 He was reluctant to
surround himself with guards and often rejected protection or sought to slip
away from it. This has been characteristic of almost all American Presidents.
They have regarded protection as a necessary affliction at best and contrary to
their normal instincts for either personal privacy or freedom to meet the
people. In Lincoln these instincts were especially strong, and he suffered with
impatience the efforts of his friends, the police, and the military to safeguard
him. 9
The protection of the President during the war varied greatly, depending on
Lincoln's susceptibility to warnings. Frequently, military units were assigned
to guard the White House and to accompany the President on his travels.
Lincoln's friend, Ward H. Lamon, on becoming marshal of the District of Columbia
in 1861, took personal charge of protecting the President and provided guards
for the purpose, but he became so exasperated at the President's lack of
cooperation that he tendered his resignation. Lincoln did not accept it.
Finally, late in the war, in November 1864, four Washington policemen were
detailed to the White House to act as personal bodyguards to the President.
Lincoln tolerated them reluctantly and insisted they remain as inconspicuous as
possible. 10
In the closing days of the war, rumors of attempts on Lincoln's life persisted.
The well-known actor, John Wilkes Booth, a fanatical Confederate sympathizer,
plotted with others for months to kidnap the President. The fall of the
Confederacy apparently hardened his determination to kill Lincoln.11 Booth's
opportunity came on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, when he learned that the
President would be attending a play at Ford's Theater that night.. The
President's bodyguard for the evening was Patrolman John F. Parker of the
Washington Police, a man who proved himself unfit for protective duty. He was
supposed to remain on guard in the corridor outside of the Presidential box
during the entire performance of the play, but he soon wandered off to watch the
play and then even went outside the theater to have a drink at a nearby saloon.
Parker's dereliction of duty left the President totally unprotected. 12 Shortly
after 10 o'clock on that evening, Booth found his way up to the Presidential box
and shot the President in the head. The President's wound was a mortal one; he
died the next morning, April 15. 13
A detachment of troops captured Booth on April 26 at a farm near Bowling Green,
Va.; he received a bullet wound and died a few hours later. At a trial in June,
a military tribunal sentenced four of Booth's associates to death and four
others to terms of imprisonment.14
Lincoln's assassination revealed the total inadequacy of Presidential
protection. A congressional committee conducted an extensive in-
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vestigation of the assassination, but with traditional reluctance, called for no
action to provide better protection for the President in the future. Nor did
requests for protective measures come from the President or from Government
departments. This lack of concern for the protection of the President may have
derived also from the tendency of the time to regard Lincoln's assassination as
part of a unique crisis that was not likely to happen to a future Chief
Executive. 15
The Need for Protection Further Demonstrated
Page 507
THE NEED FOR PROTECTION FURTHER DEMONSTRATED
For a short time after the war, soldiers assigned by the War Department
continued to protect the White House and its grounds. Metropolitan Washington
policemen assisted on special occasions to maintain order and prevent the
congregation of crowds. The permanent Metropolitan Police guard was reduced to
three and assigned entirely to protection at the White House. There was no
special group of trained officers to protect the person of the President.
Presidents after Lincoln continued to move about in Washington virtually
unattended, as their predecessors had done before the Civil War, and, as before,
such protection as they got at the White House came from the doormen, who were
not especially trained for guard duty.16
This lack of personal protection for the President came again tragically to the
attention of the country with the shooting of President James A. Garfield in
1881. The President's assassin, Charles J. Guiteau, was a self-styled "lawyer,
theologian, and politician" who had convinced himself that his unsolicited
efforts to help elect Garfield in 1880 entitled him to appointment as a consul
in Europe. Bitterly disappointed that the President ignored his repeated written
requests for appointment to office and obsessed with a kind of megalomania, he
resolved to kill Garfield.
At that time Guiteau was 38 years old and had an unusually checkered career
behind him. He had been an itinerant and genera]]y unsuccessful lecturer and
evangelist, a lawyer, and a would-be politician. While it is true he resented
Garfield's failure to appoint him consul in Paris as a reward for his wholly
illusory contribution to the Garfield campaign, and he verbally attacked
Garfield for his lack of support for the so-called Stalwart wing of the
Republican Party, these may not have supplied the total motivation for his
crime. At his trial he testified that the "Deity" had commanded him to remove
the President. There is no evidence that he confided his assassination plans to
anyone or that he had any close friends or confidants. He made his attack on the
President under circumstances where escape after the shooting was inconceivable.
There were some hereditary mental problems in his family and Guiteau apparently
believed in divine inspiration. 17
Guiteau later testified that he had had three opportunities to attack the
President prior to the actual shooting. On all of these occasions,
Page 508
within a brief period of 3 weeks, the President was unguarded. Guiteau finally
realized his intent on the morning of July 2, 1881. As Garfield was walking to a
train in the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, Guiteau
stepped up and shot him in the back. Garfield did not die from the effects of
the wound until September 19, 1881. Although there was evidence of serious
abnormality in Guiteau, he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to be
hanged. The execution took place on June 30, 1882.18
At least one newspaper, the New York Tribune, predicted that the assault on
Garfield would lead to the President becoming "the slave of his office, the
prisoner of forms and restrictions," in sharp and unwelcome contrast to the
splendidly simple life he had been able to live before.
The bullet of the assassin who lurked in the Washington railway station to take
the life of President Garfield shattered the simple Republican manner of life
which the custom of nearly a century has prescribed for the Chief Magistrate of
the United States. Our Presidents have been the first citizens of the
Republic-nothing more. With a measure of power in their hands far greater than
is wielded by the ruler of any limited monarchy in Europe, they have never
surrounded themselves with the forms and safeguards of courts. The White House
has been a business office to everybody. Its occupant has always been more
accessible than the heads of great commercial establishments. When the passions
of the war were at fever heat, Mr. Lincoln used to have a small guard of cavalry
when he rode out to his summer residence at the Soldier's Home; but at no other
time in our history has it been thought needful for a President to have any
special protection against violence when inside or outside the White House.
Presidents have driven about Washington like other people and travelled over the
country as unguarded and unconstrained as any private citizen. 19
The prediction of the Tribune did not come to pass. Although the Nation was
shocked by this deed, its representatives took no steps to provide the President
with personal protection. The President continued to move about Washington,
sometimes completely alone, and to travel without special protection. There is a
story that President Chester A. Arthur, Garfield's successor, once went to a
ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on a public conveyance that he hailed in
front of the White House. 20
During Grover Cleveland's second administration (1893-97) the number of
threatening letters addressed to the President increased markedly, and Mrs.
Cleveland persuaded the President to increase the number of White House
policemen to 27 from the 3 who had constituted the force since the Civil War. In
1894, the Secret Service began to provide protection, on an informal basis. 21
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Page 509
The Secret Service was organized as a division of the Department of the Treasury
in 1865, to deal with counterfeiting.22 Its jurisdiction was extended to other
fiscal crimes against the United States in later appropriations acts,23 but its
early work in assisting in protecting the President was an unofficial, stopgap
response to a need for a trained organization, with investigative capabilities,
to perform this task. In 1894, while investigating a plot .by a group of
gamblers in Colorado to assassinate President Cleveland, the Secret Service
assigned a small detail of operatives to the White House to help protect him.
Secret Service men accompanied the President and his family to their vacation
home in Massachusetts; special details protected the President in Washington, on
trips, and at special functions.24 For a time, two agents rode in a buggy behind
President Cleveland's carriage, but this practice attracted so much attention in
the opposition newspapers that it was soon discontinued at the President's
insistence.25 These initially informal and part-time arrangements eventually led
to the organization of permanent systematic protection for the President and his
family.
During the Spanish-American War the Secret Service stationed a detail at the
White House to provide continuous protection for President McKinley. The special
wartime protective measures were relaxed after the war, but Secret Service
guards remained on duty at the White House at least part of the time. 26
Between 1894 and 1900, anarchists murdered the President of France, the Premier
of Spain, the Empress of Austria, and the King of Italy. At the turn of the
century the Secret Service thought that the strong police action taken against
the anarchists in Europe was compelling them to flee and that many were coming
to the United States. Concerned about the protection of the President, the
Secret Service increased the number of guards and directed that a guard
accompany him on all of his trips. 27
Unlike Lincoln and Garfield, President McKinley was being guarded when he was
shot by Leon F. Czolgosz, an American-born 28-year-old factory worker and
farmhand. On September 6, 1901, the President was holding a brief reception for
the public in the Temple of Music at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo.
Long lines of people passed between two rows of policemen and soldiers to reach
the President and shake his hand. In the immediate vicinity of the President
were four Buffalo detectives, four soldiers, and three Secret Service agents.
Two of the Secret Service men were facing the President at a distance of 3 feet.
One of them stated later that it was normally his custom to stand at the side of
the President on such ,occasions, but that he had been requested not to do so at
this time in order to permit McKinley's secretary and the president of the
exposition to stand on either side of McKinley. Czolgosz joined the line
concealed a pistol under a handkerchief, and when he stood in front of the
President shot twice through the handkerchief. McKinley fell critically
wounded.28
Page 510
Czolgosz, a self-styled anarchist, did not believe 'in rulers of any kind. There
is evidence that the organized anarchists in the U.S.A. did not accept or trust
him. He was not admitted as a member to any of the secret anarchist societies.
No co-plotters were ever discovered, and there is no evidence that he had
confided in anyone. A calm inquiry made by two eminent alienists about a year
after Czolgosz was executed found that Czolgosz had for some time been suffering
from delusions. One was that he was an anarchist; another was that it was his
duty to assassinate the President. 29
The assassin said he had no grudge against the President personally but did not
believe in the republican form of government or in rulers of any kind. In his
written confession he included the words, "'I don't believe one man should have
so much service and another man should have none.'" As he was strapped to the
chair to be electrocuted, he said: "'I killed the President because he was the
enemy of the good people--the good working people. I am not sorry for my crime.'
"30
McKinley lingered on for 8 days before he died of blood poisoning early on the
morning of September 14. Czolgosz, who had been captured immediately, was
swiftly tried, convicted, and condemned to death. Although it seemed to some
contemporaries that Czolgosz was incompetent, the defense made no effort to
plead insanity. Czolgosz was executed 45 days after the President's death.
Investigations by the Buffalo police and the Secret Service revealed no
accomplices and no plot of any kind.31
Development of Presidential Protection
Page 510
DEVELOPMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION
This third assassination of a President in a little more than a generation--it
was only 36 years since Lincoln had been killed--shook the nation and aroused it
to a greater awareness of the uniqueness of the Presidency and the grim hazards
that surrounded an incumbent of that Office. The first congressional session
after the assassination of McKinley gave more attention to legislation
concerning attacks on the President than had any previous Congress but did not
pass any measures for the protection of the President.32 Nevertheless, in 1902
the Secret Service, which was then the only Federal general investigative agency
of any consequence, assumed full-time responsibility for the safety of the
President. Protection of the President now became one of its major permanent
functions, and it assigned two men to its original full-time White House detail.
Additional agents were provided when the President traveled or went on
vacation.33
Theodore Roosevelt, who was the first President to experience the extensive
system of protection that has surrounded the President ever since, voiced an
opinion of Presidential protection that was probably shared in part by most of
his successors. In a letter to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge in 1906, from his
summer home, he wrote:
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Page 511
The Secret Service men are a very small but very necessary thorn in the flesh.
Of course, they would not be the least use preventing any assault upon my life.
I do not believe there is any danger of such an assault, and if there were, as
Lincoln said, "though it would be safer for a President to live in a cage, it
would interfere with his business." But it is only the Secret Service men who
render life endurable, as you would realize if you saw the procession of
carriages that pass through the place, the procession of people on foot who try
to get into the place, not to speak of the multitude of cranks and others who
are stopped in the village.34
Roosevelt, who had succeeded to the Presidency because of an assassin's bullet,
himself became the object of an assassination attempt a few years after he left
office and when he was no longer under Secret Service protection. During the
Presidential campaign of 1912, just as he was about to make a political speech
in Milwaukee on October 14, he was shot and wounded in the breast by John N.
Schrank, a 36-year-old German-born ex-tavern keeper. A folded manuscript of his
long speech and the metal case for his eyeglasses in the breast pocket of
Roosevelt's coat were all that prevented the assassination.35
Schrank had had a vision in 1901, induced possibly by McKinley's assassination,
which took on meaning for him after Roosevelt, 11 years later, started to
campaign for the Presidency. In this vision the ghost of McKinley appeared to
him and told him not to let a murderer (i.e., Roosevelt, who according to the
vision had murdered McKinley) become President. It was then that he determined
upon the assassination. At the bidding of McKinley's ghost, he felt he had no
choice but to kill Theodore Roosevelt. After his attempt on Roosevelt, Schrank
was found to be insane and was committed to mental hospitals in Wisconsin for
the rest of his life.36
The establishment and extension of the Secret Service authority for protection
was a prolonged process. Although the Secret Service undertook to provide
full-time protection for the President beginning in 1902, it received neither
funds for the purpose nor sanction from the Congress until 1906 when the Sundry
Civil Expenses Act for 1907 included funds for protection of the President by
the Secret Service.37 Following the election of William Howard Taft in 1908, the
Secret Service began providing protection for the President-elect. This practice
received statutory authorization in 1913, and in the same year, Congress
authorized permanent protection of the President.38 It remained necessary to
renew the authority annually in the Appropriations Acts until 1951.
As in the Civil and Spanish-American Wars, the coming of war in 1917 caused
increased concern for the safety of the President. Congress enacted a law, since
referred to as the threat statute, making it a crime to threaten the President
by mail or in any other manner.39 In 1917 Congress also authorized protection
for the President's immediate family by the Secret Service.40
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Page 512
As the scope of the Presidency expanded during the 20th century, the Secret
Service found the problems of protection becoming more numerous. In 1906, for
the first time in history, a President traveled outside the United States while
in office. When Theodore Roosevelt visited Panama in that year, he was
accompanied and protected by Secret Service men.41 In 1918-19 Woodrow Wilson
broadened the precedent of Presidential foreign travel when he traveled to
Europe with a Secret Service escort of 10 men to attend the Versailles Peace
Conference.42
The attempt on the life of President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 further
demonstrated the broad scope and complexity of the protection problems facing
the Secret Service. Giuseppe Zangara was a bricklayer and stonemason with a
professed hatred of capitalists and Presidents. He seemed to be obsessed with
the desire to kill a President. After his arrest he confessed that he had first
planned to go to Washington to kill President Herbert Hoover, but as the cold
climate of the North was bad for his stomach trouble, he was loath to leave
Miami, where he was staying. When he read in the paper that President-elect
Roosevelt would be in Miami, he resolved to kill him.43
On the night of February 15, 1933, at, a political rally in Miami's Bayfront
Park, the President-elect sat on the top of the rear seat of his automobile with
a small microphone in his hand as he made a short informal talk. Fortunately for
him, however, he slid down into the seat just before Zangara could get near
enough to take aim. The assassin's arm may have been jogged just as he shot; the
five rounds he directed at Roosevelt went awry. However, he mortally wounded
Mayor Anton Cermak, of Chicago, and hit four other persons; the President-elect,
by a miracle, escaped. Zangara, of course, never had any chance of escaping.44
Zangara was electrocuted on March 20, 1933, only 33 days after his attempt on
Roosevelt. No evidence of accomplices or conspiracy came to light, but there was
some sensational newspaper speculation, wholly undocumented, that Zangara may
have been hired by Chicago gangsters to kill Cermak.45
The force provided since the Civil War by the Washington Metropolitan Police for
the protection of the White House had grown to 54 men by 1922.46 In that year
Congress enacted legislation creating the White House Police Force as a separate
organization under the direct control of the President.47 This force was
actually supervised by the President's military aide until 1930, when Congress
placed supervision under the Chief of the Secret Service.48 Although Congress
transferred control and supervision of the force to the Secretary of the
Treasury in 1962,49 the Secretary delegated supervision to the Chief of the
Secret Service.50
The White House detail of the Secret Service grew in size slowly from the
original 2 men assigned in 1902. In 1914 it still numbered only 5, but during
World War I it was increased to 10 men. Additional men were added when the
President traveled. After the
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war the size of the detail grew until it reached 16 agents and 2 supervisors by
1939. World War II created new and greater protection problems, especially those
arising from the President's trips abroad to the Grand Strategy Conferences in
such places as Casablanca, Quebec, Tehran, Cairo, and Yalta. To meet the
increased demands, the White House detail was increased to 37 men early in the
war.51
The volume of mail received by the White House had always been large, but it
reached huge proportions under Franklin D. Roosevelt. Presidents had always
received threatening letters but never in such quantities. To deal with this
growing problem, the Secret Service established in 1940 the Protective Research
Section to analyze and make available to those charged with protecting the
President, information from White House mail and other sources concerning people
potentially capable of violence to the President. The Protective Research
Section undoubtedly permitted the Secret Service to anticipate and forestall
many incidents that might have been embarrassing or harmful to the President.52
Although there was no advance warning of the attempt on Harry S. Truman's life
on November 1, 1950, the protective measures taken by the Secret Service
availed, and the assassins never succeeded in firing directly at the President.
The assassins--Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola, Puerto Rican Nationalists
living in New York-- tried to force their way into Blair House, at the time the
President's residence while the white House was being repaired. Blair House was
guarded by white House policemen and Secret Service agents. In the ensuing gun
battle, Torresola and one White House policeman were killed, and Collazo and two
White House policemen were wounded. Had the assassins succeeded in entering the
front door of Blair House, they Would probably have been cut down immediately by
another Secret Service agent inside who kept the doorway covered with a
submachine gun from his vantage point at the foot of the main stairs. In all,
some 27 shots were fired in less than 3 minutes.53
Collazo was brought to trial in 1951 and sentenced to death, but President
Truman commuted the sentence to life imprisonment on July 24, 1952. Although
there was a great deal of evidence linking Collazo and Torresola to the
Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico and its leader, Pedro Albizu Campos, the
Government could not establish that the attack on the President was part of a
larger Nationalist conspiracy.54
The attack on President Truman led to the enactment in 1951 of legislation that
permanently authorized the Secret Service to protect the President, his
immediate family, the .President-elect, and the Vice President, the last upon
his request. Protection of the Vice President by the Secret Service had begun in
January 1945 when Harry S. Truman occupied the office.55
In 1962 Congress further enlarged the list of Government officers to be
safeguarded, authorizing protection of the Vice President (or the officer next
in order of succession to the Presidency) without requiring his request
therefor; of the Vice President-elect; and of a
513
Page 514
former President, at his request, for a reasonable period after his departure
from office. The Secret Service considered this "reasonable period" to be 6
months.56
Amendments to the threat statute of 1917, passed in 1955 and 1962, made it a
crime to threaten to harm the President- elect, the Vice Presidents or other
officers next in succession to either office. The President's immediate family
was not included in the threat statute.57
Congressional concern regarding the uses to which the President might put the
Secret Service--first under Theodore Roosevelt and subsequently under Woodrow
Wilson--caused Congress to place tight restrictions on the functions of the
Service and the uses of its funds. 58 The restrictions probably prevented the
Secret Service from developing into a general investigative agency, leaving the
field open for some other agency when the need arose. The other agency proved to
be the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) s established within the Department
of Justice in 1908. 57
The FBI grew rapidly in the 1920's, and especially in the 1930's and after,
establishing itself as the largest, best equipped, and best known of all U.S.
Government investigative agencies. In the appropriations of the FBI there
recurred annually an item for the "protection of the person of the President of
the United States," that had first appeared in the appropriation of the
Department of Justice in 1910 under the heading "Miscellaneous Objects." 60 But
there is no evidence that the Justice Department ever exercised any direct
responsibility for the protection of the President. Although it had no
prescribed protection functions, according to its Director, J. Edgar Hoover, the
FBI did provide protection to Vice President Charles Curtis at his request, when
he was serving under Herbert Hoover from 1929 to 1933. Over the years the FBI
contribution to Presidential protection was confined chiefly to the referral to.
the Secret Service of the names of people who might be potentially dangerous to
the President.61
In recent years the Secret Service has remained a small and specialized bureau,
restricted to very limited functions prescribed by Congress. In 1949, a task
force of the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the
Government (Hoover Commission), recommended nonfiscal functions be removed from
the Treasury Department. 62 The recommendation called for transfer of the White
House detail, White House Police Force, and Treasury Guard Force from the Secret
Service to the Department. of Justice. The final report of the Commission on the
Treasury Department omitted this recommendation, leaving the protective function
with the Secret Service.63 At a meeting of the Commission, ex-President Hoover,
in a reference to the proposed transfer, expressed the opinion that "the
President will object to having a 'private eye' looking after these fellows and
would rather continue with the service." 64
In 1963 the Secret Service was one of several investigative agencies in the
Treasury Department. Its major functions were to combat counterfeiting and to
protect the President, his family, and other
514
Page 515
designated persons. 65 The Chief of the Secret Service administered its
activities through four divisions: Investigation, Inspection, Administrative,
and Security, and 65 field offices throughout the country, each under a special
agent in charge who reported directly to Washington. The Security Division
supervised the White House detail, the White House Police, and the Treasury
Guard Force. During fiscal year 1963 (July 1, 1962-June 30, 1963) the Secret
Service had an average strength of 513, of whom 351 were special agents. Average
strength of the White House Police during the year was 179.66
515
Appendix VIII
Page 516
APPENDIX VIII
Medical Reports From Doctors at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Tex.
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392
516
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 518
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392 Continued
518
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PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ADMISSION NOTE
519
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ADMISSION NOTE
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392--Continued
Page 521
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Page 522
ADMISSION NOTE
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392--Continued
522
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392--Continued
523
Page 524
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
524
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COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 526
PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ADMISSION NOTE
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
526
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ADMISSION NOTE
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392--Continued
Page 528
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392 Continued
528
Page 529
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL SCHOOL
DALLAS
November 22, 1963
1630
To: Mr. C. J. Price, Administrator Parkland Memorial Hospital
From: M. T. Jenkins, M.D., Professor and Chairman Department of Anesthesiology
Subject: Statement concerning resuscitative efforts for President John F.
Kennedy
Upon receiving a star alarm that this distinguished patient was being brought to
the emergency room at Parkland Memorial Hospital, I dispatched Doctors A. H.
Giesecke and Jackie H. Hunt with an anesthesia machine and resuscitative
equipment to the major surgical emergency room area, and I ran down the stairs.
On my arrival in the emergency operating room at approximately 1230 I found that
Doctors Carrico and/or Delaney had begun resuscitative efforts by introducing an
orotracheal tube, connecting it for controlled ventilation to a Bennett
intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus. Doctors Charles Baxter,
Malcolm Perry, and Robert McClelland arrived at the same time and began a
tracheostomy and started the insertion of a right chest tube, since there was
also obvious tracheal and chest damage. Doctors Paul Peters and Kemp Clark
arrived simultaneously and immediately thereafter assisted respectively wi~h the
insertion of the right chest tube and with manual closed chest cardiac
compression to assure circulation.
For better control of artificial ventilation, I exchanged the intermittent
positive pressure breathing apparatus for an anesthesia machine and continued
artificial ventilation. Doctors Gene Akin and A. H. Giesecke assisted with the
respiratory problems incident to changing from the orotracheal tube to a
tracheostomy tube and Doctors Hunt and Giesecke connected a cardioscope to
determine cardiac activity.
During the progress of these activities, the emergency room cart was elevated at
the feet in order to provide a Trendelenburg position, a venous cutdown was
performed on the right saphenous vein, and additional fluids were begun in a
vein in the left forearm while blood was ordered from the blood bank. All of
these activities were completed by approximately 1245, at which time external
cardiac massage was still being carried out effectively by Doctor Clark as
judged by a palpable peripheral pulse. Despite these measures there was no
electrocardiographic evidence of cardiac activity.
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 530
Mr. C. J. Price, Administrator
November 22, 1963
Page 2 - Statement concerning resuscitative
efforts for President John F. Kennedy
These described resuscitative activities were indicated as of first importance,
and after they were carried out attention was turned to all other evidences of
injury. There was a great laceration on the right side of the head (temporal and
occipital), causing a great defect in the skull plate so that there was
herniation and laceration of great areas of the brain, even to the extent that
the cerebellum had protruded from the wound. There were also fragmented sections
of brain on the drapes of the emergency room cart. With the institution of
adequate cardiac compression, there was a great flow of blood from the cranial
cavity, indicating that there was much vascular damage as well as brain tissue
damage.
It is my personal feeling that all methods of resuscitation were instituted
expeditiously and efficiently. However, this cranial and intracranial damage was
of such magnitude as to cause the irreversible damage. President Kennedy was
pronounced dead at 1300.
Sincerely,
M. T. Jenkins, M.D.
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 392 Continued
530
Page 531
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
531
Page 532
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 533
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 534
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 535
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 536
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Page 537
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 392--Continued
Appendix IX
Page 538
APPENDIX IX
Autopsy Report and Supplemental Report
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 387
588
Page 539
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 387--Continued
Page 540
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 387--Continued
540
Page 541
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 387--Continued
Page 542
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 387--Continued
542
Page 543
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 387--Continued
Page 544
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 391
Page 545
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 391 Continued
545
Page 546
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 391 Continued
546
Appendix X
Page 547
APPENDIX X
Expert Testimony
Firearms and Firearms Identification
Page 547
FIREARMS AND FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION
Three experts gave testimony concerning firearms and firearms identification:
Robert A. Frazier and Cortlandt Cunningham of the FBI, and Joseph D. Nicol,
superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation of the
State of Illinois. Frazier has been in the field of firearms identification for
23 years, following a l-year course of specialized training in the FBI
Laboratory. Cunningham has been in the field for 5 years, having also completed
the FBI course. Nicol has been in the firearms identification field since 1941,
having begun his training in the Chicago police crime laboratory. Each has made
many thousands of firearms identification examinations.1 Frazier testified on
the rifle, the rifle cartridge cases, and the rifle bullets; Cunningham on the
revolver, the revolver cartridge cases, the revolver bullets, and the paraffin
test; and Nicol on all the bullets and cartridge cases and the paraffin test. 2
Nicol's conclusions were identical to those of Frazier and Cunningham, except as
noted.
General Principles
A cartridge, or round of ammunition, is composed of a primer, a cartridge case,
powder, and a bullet. The primer, a metal cup containing a. detonable mixture,
fits into the base of the cartridge case, which is loaded with the powder. The
bullet, which usually consists of lead or of a lead core encased in a higher
strength metal jacket, fits into the neck of the cartridge case. To tire the
bullet, the cartridge is placed in the chamber of a firearm, immediately behind
the firearm's barrel. The base of the cartridge rests against a solid support
called the breech face or, in the case of a bolt-operated weapon, the bolt face.
When the trigger is pulled, a firing pin strikes a swift, hard blow into the
primer, detonating the priming mixture. The flames from the resulting explosion
ignite the powder, causing a rapid combustion whose force propels the bullet
forward through the barrel.
The barrels of modern firearms are "rifled," that is, several spiral grooves are
cut into the barrel from end to end. The purpose of the rifling is to set the
bullet spinning around its axis, giving it a stability in flight that it would
otherwise lack. the weapons of a given make and model are alike in their rifling
characteristics; that is, number of grooves, number of lands (the raised portion
of the barrel between the grooves) and twist of the rifling. when a bullet is
fired through a barrel, it is engraved with these rifling characteristics. For
example, all S. & W..38/200 British Service Revolvers have five grooves and
Page 548
five lands, which twist to the right, and bullets fired through such a revolver
will have five groove and ]and impressions, right twist.
In addition to rifling charaeteristics, every weapon bears distinctive
microscopic characteristics on its components, including its barrel, firing pin,
and breech face. While a weapon's rifling characteristics are common to all
other weapons of its make and model ( and sometimes even to weapons of a
different make or model), a weapon's microscopic characteristics are
distinctive, and differ from those of every other weapon, regardless of make and
model. Such markings are initially caused during manufacture since the action of
manufacturing tools differs microscopically from weapon to weapon, and since the
tools change microscopically while being operated. As a weapon is used, further
distinctive microscopic markings are introduced by the effects of wear, fouling,
and cleaning. As Frazier testified:
Q. Can you explain how you are able to come to a conclusion that a cartridge
case was fired in a particular weapon to the exclusion of all other weapons ?
Mr. FRAZIER. Yes, sir; during the manufacture of a weapon, there are certain
things done to the mechanism of it, which are by machine or by filing, by
grinding, which form the parts of the weapon into their final shape. These
machining and grinding and filing operations will mark the metal with very fine
scratches or turning marks and grinding marks in such a way that there will be
developed on the surface of the metal a characteristic pattern. This pattern,
because it is made by these accidental machine-type operations, will be
characteristic of that particular weapon, and will not be reproduced on separate
weapons. It may be a combination of marks that--the face of the bolt. may be
milled, then it may be in part filed to smooth off the corners, and then, as a
final operation, it may be polished, or otherwise adjusted during the hand
fitting operation, so that it does have its particular pattern of microscopic
marks.
The bolt face of the 139 rifle I have photographed and enlarged in this
photograph [Commission Exhibit No. 558] to show the types of marks I was
referring to.
The marks produced during manufacture are the marks seen on the bolt face;
filing marks, machining marks of the various types, even forging marks or
casting marks if the bolt happens to be forged or east. And then variations
which occur in these marks during the life of the weapon are very important in
identification, because many of the machining marks can be flattened out, can be
changed, by merely a grain of sand between the face of the cartridge ease and
the bolt at the time a shot is fired, which will itself scratch and dent the
bolt face. So the bolt face will pick up a characteristic pattern of marks which
are peculiar to it.
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Page 549
* * * [T] he marks which are placed on any bolt face are accidental in nature.
That is, they are not placed there intentionally in the first place. They are
residual to some machining operation, such as a milling machine, in which each
cutter of the milling tool cuts away a portion of the metal; then the next tooth
comes along and cuts away a little more, and so on, until the final surface
bears the combination of the various teeth of the milling cutter. In following
that operation, then, the surface is additionally scratched--until you have
numerous- -we call them microscopic characteristics, a characteristic being a
mark which is peculiar to a certain place on the bolt face, and of a certain
shape, it is of a certain size, it has a certain contour, it may be just a
little dimple in the metal, or a spot. of rust at, one time on the face of the
bolt, or have occurred from some accidental means such as dropping the bolt, or
repeated use having flattened or smoothed off the surface of the metal.
* * * [A]s the blade of a milling machine travels around a surface, it takes off
actually a dust--it is not actually a piece of metal--it scrapes a little steel
off in the form of a dust---or a very fine powder or chip--that tooth leaves a
certain pattern of marks--that edge. That milling cutter may have a dozen of
these edges on its surface, and each one takes a little more. Gradually you wear
the metal down, you tear it out actually until you are at the proper depth.
Those little pieces of metal, as they are traveling around, can also scratch the
face of the bolt--unless they are washed away. So that you may have accidental
marks from that source, just in the machining operation.
Now, there are two types of marks produced in a cutting operation. One, from the
nicks along the cutting edge of the tool, which are produced by a circular
operating tool--which produce very fine scratches in a circular pattern. Each
time the tool goes around, it erases those marks that were there before. And
when the tool is finally lifted out, you have a series of marks which go around
the surface which has been machined, and you will find that that pattern of
marks, as this tool goes around, will change. In one area, it. will be one set
of marks--and as you visually examine the surface of the metal, these very fine
marks will extend for a short distance, then disappear, and a new mark of a new
type will begin and extend for a short distance. The entire surface, then, will
have a---be composed of a series of circles, but the individual marks seen in
the microscope will not be circular, will not form complete circles around the
face of the bolt.
Q. Have you had occasion to examine two consecutive bolt faces from a factory?
A. Oh, yes.
Page 550
Q. And what did you find on that examination ?
A. There would be no similarity in the individual microscopic
characteristics between the two bolt faces.
Q. There actually was none ?
A. No there was none.3
* * * * * *
Q. How are you able to conclude that a given bullet was fired in a given weapon
to the exclusion of all other weapons, Mr. Frazier?
A. That is based again upon the microscopic marks left on the fired bullets and
those marks in turn are based upon the barrel from which the bullets are fired.
The marks in the barrel originate during manufacture. They originate through use
of the gun, through accidental marks resulting from cleaning, excessive
cleaning, of the weapon, or faulty cleaning.
They result from corrosion in the barrel due to the hot gases and possibly
corrosive primer mixtures in the cartridges used, and primarily again they
result from wear, that is, an eroding of the barrel through friction due to the
firing of cartridges, bullets through it.
In this particular barrel the manufacturer's marks are caused by the drill which
drills out the barrel, leaving certain marks from the drilling tool. Then
portions of these marks are erased by a rifling tool which cuts the four spiral
grooves in the barrel and, in turn, leaves marks themselves, and in connection
with those marks of course, the drilling marks, being circular in shape, there
is a tearing away of the surface of the metal, so that a microscopically rough
surface is left.
Then removing part of those marks with a separate tool causes that barrel to
assume an individual characteristic, a character all of its own.
In other words, at that time you could identify a bullet fired from that barrel
as having been fired from the barrel to the exclusion of all other barrels,
because there is no system whatever to the drilling of the barrel. The only
system is in the rifling or in the cutting of the grooves, and in this case of
rifle barrels, even the cutters wear down as the barrels are made eventually of
course having to be discarded or resharpened.
Q. Have you examined consecutively manufactured barrels to determine whether
their microscopic characteristics are identical?
A. Yes, sir; I have three different sets of, you might say, paired barrels,
which have been manufactured on the same machine, one after the other, under
controlled conditions to make them as nearly alike as possible, and in each case
fired bullets from those barrels could not be identified with each other; in
fact, they looked nothing at all alike as far as individual microscopic
characteristics
550
Page 551
are concerned. Their rifling impressions of course would be identical, but the
individual marks there would be entirely different. 4
When a cartridge is fired, the microscopic characteristics of the weapon's
barrel are engraved into the bullet (along with its rifling characteristics),
and the microscopic characteristics of the firing pin and breech face are
engraved into the base of the cartridge case. By virtue of these microscopic
markings, an expert can frequently match a bullet or cartridge case to the
weapon in which it was fired. To make such an identification, the expert
compares the suspect bullet or cartridge case under a comparison microscope,
side by side with a test bullet or cartridge case which has been fired in the
weapon, to determine whether the pattern of the markings in the test and suspect
items are sufficiently similar to show that they were fired in the same weapon.
This is exemplified by Frazier's examination of Commission Exhibit No. 543, one
of the cartridge cases found in the Texas School Book Depository Building after
the assassination:
Q. Mr. Frazier, we were just beginning to discuss, before the recess, Commission
Exhibit 559, which is a picture, as you described it, of Exhibit No. 543 and a
test cartridge under a microscope * * * ?
Mr. Frazier. Yes, sir.
Q. Could you discuss, by using that picture, some of the markings which you have
seen under the microscope and on the basis of which you made your identification
?
A. Yes, sir. In the photograph I have drawn some small circles and numbered
them, those circles, correspondingly on each side of the photograph. The purpose
of the circles is not to point out all the similarities, but to call attention
to some of them and to help orient in locating a mark on one with a mark on the
opposite side of the photograph. In general the area shown is immediately
outside of the firing pin in the bolt of the 139 rifle, on the left side of the
photograph, and Commission Exhibit 543 on the right side.
The circles have been drawn around the dents or irregularly shaped ridges, small
bumps, and depressions on the surfs of the metal in six places on each side of
the photograph. It. is an examination of these marks, and all of the marks on
the face of the breech, microscopically which permits a conclusion to be
reached. The photograph itself actually is a substitute to show only the type of
marks found rather than their nature, that is, their height, their width, or
their relationship to each other, which is actually a mental, visual, comparison
on the two specimens themselves.
Q. Referring for a second to this mental, visual, comparison, Mr. Frazier, would
a person without firearms training--fire-arms-identification training--be able
to look under a microscope
551
Page 552
and make a determination for himself concerning whether a given cartridge case
had been fired in a given weapon.?
A. In that connection that person could look through the microscope. He may or
may not see these individual characteristics which are present, because he does
not know what to look for in the first place, and, secondly, they are of such a
nature that you have to mentally sort them out in your mind going back and forth
between one area and the other until you form a mental picture of them in a
comparison such as this.
If it was a different type of comparison, of parallel marks or something of that
nature, then he could see the marks, but in either instance, without having
compared hundreds and hundreds of specimens, he would not be able to make any
statement as to whether or not they were fired from the same rifle.
Q. Would you say that this is, then, a matter of expert interpretation rather
than a point-for-point comparison which a layman could make ?
A. I would say so; yes. I don't think a layman would recognize some of the
things on these cartridge cases and some shown in the photographs as actually
being significant or not. significant, because there will be things present
which have nothing whatsoever to do with the firing of the cartridge case in the
gun.
There may be a depression in the primer to begin with, and there are no marks
registered at that point as a result of the firing. Unless these things are
known to occur, someone may actually arrive at a different conclusion, because
of the absence of similar marks.
Q. Now having reference to the specific exhibit before you,
which is 559--
A. Yes.
Q. Are all the marks shown in both photographs identical ?
A. No.
Q. And could you go into detail on a mark which is not identical to explain why
you would get such a result?
A. Well, for instance, between what I have drawn here as circle 4 and circle 5,
there is a slanting line from the upper left to the lower right on C-6. This
line shows as a white line in the photograph.
On the other side there is a rough, very rough ridge which runs through there,
having an entirely different appearance from the relatively sharp line on C-6.
The significant part of that mark is the groove in between, rather than the
sharp edge of the mark, because the sharp corner could be affected by the
hardness of the metal or the irregular surface of the primer and the amount of
pressure exerted against it, pressing it back against the face of the bolt, at
the time the cartridges were fired. So that you would never expect all the marks
on one cartridge case to be identical with all the marks on the other cartridge
case.
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Page 553
In fact, you would expect many differences. But the comparison is made on the
overall pattern, contour, and nature of the marks that are present.
Q. Again there are dissimilar marks on these two pictures [of the firing-pin
depressions on the cartridge case Commission Exhibit No. 543, and a test
cartridge case], Mr. Frazier ?
A. Yes; there are, for the same reason, that metal does not flow the same in
every instance, and it will not be impressed to the same depth and to the same
amount, depending on the type of metal, the blow that is struck, and the
pressures involved.
Q. Is your identification made therefore on the basis of the presence of
similarities, as opposed to the absence of dissimilarities ?
A. No, that is not exactly right. The identification is made on the presence of
sufficient individual microscopic characteristics so that a very definite
pattern is formed and visualized on the two surfaces.
Dissimilarities may or may not be present, depending on whether there have been
changes to the firing pin through use or wear, whether the metal flows are the
same, and whether the pressures are the same or not.
So I don't think we can say that it is an absence of dissimilarities, but rather
the presence of similarities.5
A bullet or cartridge case cannot always be identified with the weapon in which
it was fired. In some cases, the bullet or cartridge case is too mutilated. In
other cases, the weapon's microscopic characteristics have changed between the
time the suspect item was fired and the time the test item was
fired--microscopic characteristics change drastically in a short period of time,
due to wear, or over a longer period of time, due to wear, corrosion, and
cleaning. Still again, the weapon may mark bullets inconsistently--for example,
because the bullets are smaller than the barrel, and travel through it
erratically. 6
The Rifle
The rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository shortly
after the assassination was a bolt-action, clip-fed, military rifle, 40.2 inches
long and 8 pounds in weight.7 Inscribed on the rifle were various markings,
including the words "CAL. 6.5," "MADE ITALY," "TERNI," and "ROCCA"; the numerals
"1940" and "40"; the serial number C2766; the letters "R-E," "PG," and "TNI";
the figure of a crown; and several other barely decipherable letters and
numbers.8 The rifle bore a very inexpensive Japanese four-power sight, stamped
"4 x 18 COATED," "ORDNANCE OPTICS INC.," "HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA," and "MADE IN
JAPAN'' 9 and a sling consisting of two leather straps, one of
730-900 0-64--37
Page 554
which had a broad patch, which apparently had been inserted on the rifle and cut
to length. 10 The sling was not a standard rifle sling, but appeared to be a
musical instrument strap or a sling from a carrying case or camera bag.11 A
basic purpose of a rifle sling is to enable the rifleman to steady his grip, by
wrapping the arm into the sling in a prescribed manner. The sling on the rifle
was too short to use in the normal way, but might have served to provide some
additional steadiness. 12
The rifle was identified as a 6.5-millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano Italian military
rifle, Model 91/38. 13 This identification was initially made by comparing the
rifle with standard reference works and by the markings inscribed on the rifle.
14 The caliber was independently determined by chambering a Mannlicher-Carcano
6.5 millimeter cartridge in the rifle for fit, and by making a sulfur cast of
the inside of the rifle's barrel which was measured with a micrometer. 15 (The
caliber of a weapon is the diameter of the interior of the barrel, measured
between opposite lands. The caliber of American weapons is expressed in inches;
thus a .30-caliber weapon has a barrel which is thirty one-hundredths or
three-tenths of an inch in diameter. The caliber of continental European weapons
is measured in millimeters. A 6.5-millimeter caliber weapon corresponds to an
American .257-caliber weapon, that is, its barrel diameter is about one-fourth
inch.) 16 The identification was later confirmed by a communication from SIFAR,
the Italian Armed Forces Intelligence Service. This communication also explained
the markings on the rifle, as follows: "CAL. 6.5" refers to the rifle's caliber;
"MADE ITALY" refers to its origin, and was inscribed at the request of the
American importer prior to shipment; "TERNI" means that the rifle was
manufactured and tested by the Terni Army Plant of Terni, Italy; the number
"C2766" is the serial number of the rifle, and the rifle in question is the only
one of its type bearing that serial number; the numerals "1940" and "40" refer
to the year of manufacture; and the other figures, numbers, and letters are
principally inspector's, designer's, or manufacturer's marks.17
The Model 91/38 rifle was one of the 1891 series of Italian military rifles,
incorporating features designed by Ritter von Mannlicher and M. Carcano. The
series originally consisted of 6.5-millimeter caliber rifles, but Model 38 of
the series, designed shortly before World War II, was a 7.35-millimeter caliber.
Early in World War II, however, the Italian Government, which encountered an
ammunition supply problem, began producing many of these rifles as
6.5-millimeter caliber rifles, known as the 6.5-millimeter Model 91/38. 18 The
91/38 has been imported into this country as surplus military equipment, has
been advertised quite widely, and is now fairly common in this country. 19
Like most bolt-action military rifles, the 91/38 is operated by turning up the
bolt handle, drawing the bolt to the rear, pushing the bolt forward, turning
down the bolt handle, and pulling the trigger. Bringing the bolt forward and
turning down the bolt handle compresses the spring which drives the firing pin,
and locks the bolt into
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Page 555
place. When the trigger is pulled, the cocked spring drives the firing pin
forward and the cartridge is fired. The face of the bolt boars a lip, called the
extractor, around a portion of its circumference. As the bolt is pushed forward,
this lip grasps the rim of the cartridge. As the bolt is pulled back, the
extractor brings the empty cartridge case with it, and as the cartridge case is
being brought back, it strikes a projection in the ejection port called the
ejector, which throws it out of the rifle. Meanwhile, a leaf spring beneath the
clip has raised the next cartridge into loading position. When the bolt is
brought forward, it pushes the fresh cartridge into the chamber. The trigger is
pulled, the cartridge is fired, the bolt handle is brought up, the bolt is
brought back, and the entire cycle starts again. As long as there is ammunition
in the clip, one need only work the bolt and pull the trigger to fire the rifle.
20
The clip itself is inserted into the rifle by drawing back the bolt, and pushing
the clip in from the top. The clip holds one to six cartridges.21 If six
cartridges are inserted into the clip and an additional cartridge is inserted
into the chamber, up to seven bullets can be fired before reloading.22 When the
rifle was found in the Texas School Book Depository Building it contained a clip
23 which bore the letters "SMI" (the manufacturer's markings) and the number
"952" (possibly a part number or the manufacturer's code number). 24 The rifle
probably was sold without a clip; however, the clip is commonly available.25
Rifle Cartridge and Cartridge Cases
When the rifle was found, one cartridge was in the chamber.26 The cartridge was
a 6.5-millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano cartridge, manufactured by the Western
Cartridge Co., at East Alton, Ill. This type of cartridge is loaded with a full
metal-jacketed, military type of bullet, weighing 160-161 grains. The bullet has
parallel sides and a round nose. It is just under 1.2 inches long, and just over
one-fourth inch in diameter.27 Its velocity is approximately 2,165 feet per
second.28 The cartridge is very dependable; in tests runs by the FBI and the
Infantry Weapons Evaluation Branch of the U.S. Army, the C2766 rifle was fired
with this Western Cartridge Co. ammunition over 100 times, with no misfires. (In
contrast, some of the other ammunition available on the market for this rifle is
undesirable or of very poor quality). 29 The cartridge is readily available for
purchase from mail-order houses, as well as a few gunshops; some 2 million
rounds have been placed on sale in the United States.30
The presence of the cartridge in the chamber did not necessarily mean that the
assassin considered firing another bullet, since he may have reloaded merely by
reflex.51
Apart from the cartridge in the rifle, three expended cartridge cases were found
in the southeast portion of the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository
Building, lying between the south
Page 556
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 558
Bolt face of the C2766 rifle.
556
Page 557
wall and a high stack of boxes which ran parallel to the wall. 32 The cartridge
cases were a short distance to the west of the southeast corner window in that
wall. 33 Based on a comparison with test cartridge cases fired from the C2766
rifle, the three cartridge cases were identified as having been fired from the
C2766 rifle.34 ( See Commission Exhibit No. 558, p. 556.) A test was run to
determine if the cartridge-case-ejection pattern of the rifle was consistent
with the assumption that the assassin had fired from the southeast window. 35 In
this test., 11 cartridges were fired from the rifle while it was depressed 45°
downward, and 8 cartridges were fired from the rifle while it was held
horizontally. The elevation of the ejected cartridge cases above the level of
the ejection port, and the points on the floor at which the ejection cartridge
cases initially landed, were then plotted. The results of these tests are
illustrated by the diagrams, Commission Exhibits Nos. 546 and 547. Briefly,
Commission Exhibit No. 547 shows that with the weapon depressed at a 45° angle,
the cartridge cases did not rise more than 2 inches above the ejection port;
with the weapon held horizontally, they did not rise more than 12 inches above
the ejection port. 36 Commission Exhibit/So. 546 shows that if a circle was
drawn around the initial landing points of the cartridge cases which were
ejected in the test while the rifle was held depressed at 45°, the center of the
circle would be located 86 inches and 80° to the right of the rifle's line of
sight; if a circle was drawn around the initial landing points of the cartridge
cases ejected while the rifle was held horizontally, the center of the circle
would be 80 inches and 90° to the right of the line of sight. In other words,
the cartridge cases were ejected to the right of and at roughly a right angle to
the rifle. 37 The cartridge cases showed considerable ricochet after their
initial landing, bouncing from 8 inches to 15 feet. 38 The location of the
cartridge cases was therefore consistent with the southeast window having been
used by the assassin, since if the assassin fired from that window the ejected
cartridge cases would have hit the pile of boxes at his back and ricocheted
between the boxes and the wall until they came to rest to the west of the
window.39
The Rifle Bullets
In addition to the three cartridge cases found in the Texas School Book
Depository Building, a nearly whole bullet was found on Governor Connally's
stretcher and two bullet fragments were found in the front of the President's
car. 40 The stretcher bullet weighed 158.6 grains, or several grains less than
the average Western Cartridge Co. 6.5-millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano bullet.41 It
was slightly flattened, but otherwise unmutilated. 42 The two bullet fragments
weighed 44.6 and 21.0 grains, respectively. 43 The heavier fragment was a
portion of a bullet's nose area, as shown by its rounded contour and the
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Page 558
character of the markings it bore. 44 The lighter fragment consisted of bullet's
base portion, as shown by its shape and by the presence of a cannelure. 45 The
two fragments were both mutilated, and it was not possible to determine from the
fragments themselves whether they comprised the base and nose of one bullet or
of two separate bullets. 46 However, each had sufficient unmutilated area to
provide the basis of an identification. 47 Based on a comparison with test
bullets fired from the C2766 rifle, the stretcher bullet and both bullet
fragments were identified as having been fired from the C2766 rifle. 48
The Revolver
The revolver taken from Oswald at the time of his arrest was a .38 Special S. &
W. Victory Model revolver. 49 It bore the serial No. V510210, and is the only
such revolver with that serial number, since S. & W. does not repeat, serial
numbers. 50 The revolver was originally made in the United States, but was
shipped to England, as shown by the English inspection or proof marks on the
chambers. 51 The revolver showed definite signs of use but was in good operating
condition. 52 The revolver was originally designed to fire a .38 S. & W.
cartridge, whose bullet is approximately 12 or 13 grains lighter than the .38
Special, and approximately .12 inches shorter, but has a somewhat larger
diameter. 53 In the United States, the .38 Special is considered to be a better
bullet than the .38 S. & W.,54 and the revolver was rechambered for a .38
Special prior to being sold in the United States. 55 The weapon was not
rebarreled, although the barrel was shortened by cutting off approximately 2 3/4
of its original 5 inches. 56 The shortening of the barrel had no functional
value, except to facilitate concealment. 57
The weapon is a conventional revolver, with a rotating cylinder holding one to
six cartridges. It is loaded by swinging out the cylinder and inserting
cartridges into the cylinder's chambers. If all six chambers are loaded, the
weapon can be fired six consecutive times without reloading. 58 To extract empty
cartridge cases, the cylinder is swung out and an ejector rod attached to the
cylinder is pushed, simultaneously ejecting all the cartridge cases (and
cartridges) in the cylinder. If both live cartridges and expended cartridge
cases are in the cylinder, before pushing the ejection rod one can tip the
cylinder and dump the live cartridges into his hand. 59 The cartridge cases will
not fall out, because they are lighter than the cartridges, and when fired they
will have expanded so as to tightly fit the chamber walls. 60
In a crouched stance a person can fire five shots with the revolver in 3-4
seconds with no trouble, and would need no training to hit a human body four
times in four or five shots at a range of 8 feet. 61 A person who had any
training with the weapon would not find its recoil noticeable. 62
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Page 559
Revolver Cartridges and Cartridge Cases
When Oswald was arrested six live cartridges were found in the revolver. 63
Three were Western .38 Specials, loaded with copper-coated lead bullets, and
three were Remington-Peters .38 Specials, loaded with lead bullets. 64 Five
additional live cartridges were found in Oswald's pocket, 65 all of which were
Western .38 Specials, loaded with copper-coated bullets. 66 The Western and
Remington-Peters .88 Special cartridges are virtually identical--the copper
coating on the Western bullets is not a full jacket, but only a gilding metal,
put on principally for sales appeal. 67
Four expended cartridge cases were found near the site of the Tippit killing. 68
Two of these cartridge cases were Remington-Peters .38 Specials and two were
Western .38 Specials. 69 Based on a comparison with test cartridge cases fired
in the V510210 revolver, the four cartridge cases were identified as having been
fired in the V510210 revolver. 70
Revolver Bullets
Four bullets were recovered from the body of Officer Tippit. 71 In Nicol's
opinion one of the four bullets could be positively identified with test bullets
fired from V510210 revolver, and the other three could have been fired from that
revolver. 72 In Cunningham's opinion all four bullets could have been fired from
the V510210 revolver, but none could be positively identified to the revolver 73
--that is, in his opinion the bullets bore the revolver's rifling
characteristics, but no conclusion could be drawn on the basis of microscopic
characteristics. 74 Cunningham did not conclude that the bullets had not been
fired from the revolver, since he found that consecutive bullets fired in the
revolver by the FBI could not even be identified with each other under the
microscope. 75 The apparent reasons for this was that while the revolver had
been rechambered for a .38 Special cartridge, it had not been rebarreled for a
.38 Special bullet. The barrel was therefore slightly oversized for a .38
Special bullet, which has a smaller diameter than a .38 S. & W. bullet. This
would cause the passage of a .38 Special bullet through the barrel to be
erratic, resulting in inconsistent microscopic markings. 76
Based on the number of grooves, groove widths, groove spacing, and knurling on
the four recovered bullets, three were copper-coated lead bullets of
Western-Winchester manufacture (Western and Winchester are divisions of the same
company), and the fourth was a lead bullet of Remington-Peters manufacture. 77
This contrasts with the four recovered cartridge cases, which consisted of two
Remington-Peters and two Westerns. There are several possible explanations for
this variance: (1) the killer fired five cartridges, three of which were
Western-Winchester and two of which were Remington-Peters; one Remington-Peters
bullet missed Tippit; and a Western-Winchester cartridge case and the
Remington-Peters bullet that missed were simply not found. (2) The killer fired
only four cartridges, three
Page 560
of which were Western-Winchester and one of which was Remington-Peters; prior to
the shooting the killer had an expended Remington-Peters cartridge case in his
revolver, which was ejected with the three Western- Winchester and one
Remington-Peters cases; and one of the Western-Winchester cases was not found.
(3) The killer was using hand-loaded ammunition, that is, ammunition which is
made with used cartridge cases to save money; thus he might have loaded one make
of bullet into another make of cartridge case. 78 This third possibility is
extremely unlikely, because when a cartridge is fired the cartridge case
expands, and before it can be reused it must be resized. There was, however, no
evidence that any of the four recovered cartridge cases had been resized. 79
The Struggle for the Revolver
Officer McDonald of the Dallas police, who arrested Oswald, stated that he had
struggled with Oswald for possession of the revolver and that in the course of
the struggle, "I heard the snap of the hammer, and the pistol crossed my left
cheek * * * the primer of one round was dented on misfire at the time of the
struggle. * * *" so However, none of the cartridges found in the revolver bore
the impression of the revolver's firing pin. 81 In addition, the revolver is so
constructed that, the firing pin cannot strike a cartridge unless the hammer
(which bears the firing pin) has first been drawn all the way back by a complete
trigger pull. 82 Had the hammer gone all the way back and then hit the
cartridge, it is unlikely that the cartridge would have mis-fired. 83 It would
be possible for a person to interject his finger between the hammer and the
cartridge, but the spring driving the hammer is a very strong one and the impact
of the firing pin into a finger would be clearly felt. 84 However, the cylinder
and the trigger are interconnected and the trigger cannot be fully pulled back
if the cylinder is grasped. 85 Therefore, if Oswald had pulled on the trigger
while McDonald was firmly grasping the cylinder, the revolver would not have
fired, and if the gun was grabbed away at the same time the trigger would have
snapped back with an audible sound. 86
The Paraffin Test
During the course of the interrogation of Lee Harvey Oswald following the
assassination a paraffin test was performed by the Dallas police on both of his
hands and his right cheek. The paraffin cast of Oswald's hands reacted
positively to the test. The cast of the right cheek showed no reaction. 87
To perform the paraffin test, layers of warm liquid paraffin, inter-leaved with
layers of gauze for reinforcement, are brushed or poured on the suspect's skin.
The warm sticky paraffin opens the skin's pores and picks up any dirt and
foreign material present at the surface. When the paraffin cools and hardens it
forms a cast, which is taken off and processed with diphenylamine or diphenyl-
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benzidine, chemicals which turn blue in the presence of nitrates. Since
gunpowder residues contain nitrates, the theory behind the test. is that if a
cast reacts positively, i.e., if blue dots appear, it provides evidence that the
suspect recently fired a weapon. 88 In fact, however, the test is completely
unreliable in determining either whether a person has recently fired a weapon or
whether he has not. 89 On the one hand, diphenylamine and diphenylbenzidine will
react positively not only with nitrates from gunpowder residues, but nitrates
from other sources and most oxidizing agents, including dichromates,
per-manganates, hypochlorates, periodates, and some oxides. Thus, contact with
tobacco, Clorox, urine, cosmetics, kitchen matches, pharmaceuticals,
fertilizers, or soils, among other things, may result in a positive reaction to
the paraffin test. Also, the mere handling of a weapon may leave nitrates on the
skin. 90 A positive reaction is, therefore, valueless in determining whether a
suspect has recently fired a weapon. Conversely, a person who has recently fired
a weapon may not show a positive reaction to the paraffin test, particularly if
the weapon was a rifle. A revolver is so constructed that there is a space
between the cylinder, which bears the chambers, and the barrel. When a revolver
is fired, nitrate-bearing gases escape through this space and may leave residues
on the. hand. 91 In a rifle, however, there is no gap between the chamber and
the barrel, and one would therefore not expect nitrates to be deposited upon a
person's hands or cheeks as a result of his firing a rifle. As Cunningham
testified:
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. * * * I personally wouldn't expect to find any residues on a
person's right cheek after firing a rifle due to the fact that by the very
principles and the manufacture and the action, the cartridge itself is sealed
into the chamber by the bolt being closed behind it, and upon firing the case,
the cartridge case expands into the chamber filling it up and sealing it off
from the gases, so none will come back in your face, and so by its very nature,
I would not expect to find residue on the right. cheek of a shooter. 92
The unreliability of the paraffin test has been demonstrated by experiments run
by the FBI. In one experiment, conducted prior to the assassination, paraffin
tests were performed on 17 men who had just fired 5 shots with a .38-caliber
revolver. Eight men tested negative in both hands, three men tested positive on
the idle hand and negative on the firing hand, two men tested positive on the
firing hand and negative on the idle hand, and four men tested positive on both
their firing and idle hands. 93 In a second experiment, paraffin tests were per
formed on 29 persons, 9 of whom had just fired a revolver or an automatic, and
20 of whom had not fired a weapon. All 29 persons tested positive on either or
both hands. 94 In a third experiment, performed after the assassination, an
agent of the FBI, using the C2766 rifle, fired
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Page 562
three rounds of Western 6.5-millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano ammunition in rapid
succession. A paraffin test was then performed on both of his hands and his
right cheek. Both of his hands and his cheek tested negative. 95
The paraffin casts of Oswald's hands and right cheek were also examined by
neutron-activation analyses at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Barium and
antimony were found to be present on both surfaces of all the casts and also in
residues from the rifle cartridge cases and the revolver cartridge cases. 96
Since barium and antimony were present in both the rifle and the revolver
cartridge cases, their presence on the casts were not evidence that Oswald had
fired the rifle. Moreover, the presence on the inside surface of the cheek cast
of a lesser amount of barium, and only a slightly greater amount of antimony,
than was found on the outside surface of the cast rendered it impossible to
attach significance to the presence of these elements on the inside surface.
Since the outside surface had not been in contact with Oswald's cheek, the
barium and antimony found there had come from a source other than Oswald.
Furthermore, while there was more barium and antimony present on the casts than
would normally be found on the hands of a person who had not fired a weapon or
handled a fired weapon, it is also true that barium and antimony may be present
in many common items; for example, barium may be present in grease, ceramics,
glass, paint, printing ink, paper, rubber, plastics, leather, cloth,
pyrotechnics, oilcloth and linoleum, storage batteries, matches and cosmetics;
antimony is present in matches, type metal, lead alloys, paints and lacquers,
pigments for oil and water colors, flameproof textiles, storage batteries,
pyrotechnics, rubber, pharmaceutical preparations and calico; and both barium
and antimony are present in printed paper and cloth, paint, storage batteries,
rubber, matches, pyrotechnics, and possibly other items. However, the barium and
antimony present in these items are usually not present in a form which would
lead to their adhering to the skin of a person who had handled such items. 97
The Walker Bullet
On April 10, 1963, a bullet was recovered from General Walker's home, following
an attempt on his life. 98 The bullet, which was severely mutilated, weighed
148.25 grains. 99 This bullet had the rifling characteristics of the C2766 rifle
and all its remaining physical characteristics were the same as the Western 6.5
millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano bullet. However, while the bullet could have been
fired from the C2766 rifle, it was severely multilated and in Frazier's opinion
could not be identified as having been fired or not fired from that rifle. 100
Nicol agreed that a positive identification could not be made, but concluded
there was "a fair probability" that the bullet had been fired from the same
rifle as the test bullets. 101
562
Fingerprints and Palmprints
Page 563
FINGERPRINTS AND PALMPRINTS
Two experts gave testimony concerning fingerprints and palmprints: Sebestian
Latona 102 and Arthur Mandella. 103 Latona is the supervisor of the Latent
Fingerprint Section of the Identification Division of the FBI. He has been with
that Division over 32 years, having begun as a student fingerprint classifier
and worked up to his present position. Mandella is a detective and fingerprint
instructor with the police department of the city of New York. He has been in
the fingerprint field for 19 years. Both have made a vast number of fingerprint
examinations and have testified in Federal, State, and military courts. 104
Their conclusions were identical, except as noted.
General Principles 105
Fingerprints and palmprints are made by the ridges which cover the surface of
the fingers and palms. These ridges first appear 2 or 3 months before birth, and
remain unchanged until death. Commission Exhibit No. 634-A (p. 564) illustrates
several common characteristics or "points" formed by the ridges; a clear
fingerprint impression will contain anywhere from 85 to 125 such points. While
many of the common points appear in almost every print, no two prints have the
same points in the same relationship to each other.
A print taken by a law-enforcement agency is known as an "inked print," and is
carefully taken so that all the characteristics of the print are reproduced on
the fingerprint card; a print which is left accidental]y, such as a print left
at the scene of a crime, is known as a latent print. To make an identification
of a latent print, the expert compares the points in the latent print with the
points in an inked print. If a point appearing in a latent print does not appear
in the inked print, or vice versa, the export concludes that the two prints were
not made by the same finger or palm. An identification is made only if there are
no inconsistencies between the inked and latent prints, and the points of
similarity and their relative positions are sufficiently distinctive, and
sufficient in number, to satisfy the expert that an identity exists. 106
There is some disagreement concerning whether a minimum number of points is
necessary for an identification. Some foreign law-enforcement agencies require a
minimum number of 16 points. However, in the United States, in which there has
been a great deal of experience with fingerprints, export opinion holds there is
no minimum number of points, and that each print must be evaluated on its own
merits. 107
Palmprints are as distinctive as fingerprints, but are not as popularly known.
Possibly this is because law enforcement agencies usually record only
fingerprints for their identification files, since fingerprints can be much more
readily classified and filed than palm-prints. Also, latent fingerprint
impressions are probably more common than latent palmprint impressions, because
persons generally touch objects with their fingers rather than their palms.
However,
Page 564
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 634-A
564
Page 565
palmprints will frequently be found on heavy objects, since the palms as well as
the fingers are employed in handling such objects. 108
A latent print is the result of perspiration exuded by the sweat pores in the
ridges. This perspiration is composed of water, protein or fatty materials, and
sodium chloride (salt). A latent print can be developed-- made visible--in
several ways. Sometimes a latent print can be developed merely by the use of
correct lighting. A second method is to brush the print very lightly with a
powder, which adheres to its outline. Once a print is powdered it. can be
photographed, lifted, or both. (In lifting, an adhesive substance, such as
scotch tape, is placed over a powdered print. When the adhesive is lifted the
powder clings to its surface. The adhesive is then mounted.) However, powder is
usually effective only on objects which have a hard, smooth, nonabsorbent
surface, such as glass, tile, and various types of highly polished metals and is
usually not effective on absorbent materials, such as paper or unfinished wood
or metal, which absorb perspiration so that there is nothing on the material's
surface to which the powder can adhere. Prints on absorbent materials can
sometimes be developed by iodine fumes, which may react with fatty or protein
materials which have been absorbed into the object, or by a silver nitrate
solution, which may react with sodium chloride which has been absorbed into the
object. 109
Not every contact of a. finger or palm leaves a latent print. For example, if
the surface is not susceptible to a latent print, if the finger or palm had no
perspiration, or if the perspiration was mostly water and had evaporated, no
print will be found. 110
Objects in the Texas School Book Depository Building
A number of objects found in the Texas School Book Depository Building following
the assassination were processed for latent fingerprints by the FBI--in some
cases, after they had been processed by the Dallas police. These objects
included the homemade wrapping paper bag found near the southeast corner window;
the C9766 rifle; three small cartons which were stacked near that window (which
were marked "Box A," "Box B," and "Box C"), 111 and a fourth carton resting on
the floor nearby (marked "Box D"); 112 the three 6.5- millimeter cartridge cases
found near the window; and the cartridge found in the rifle. The results were as
follows:
The paper bag. --The FBI developed a palmprint and a fingerprint on the paper
bag by silver nitrate. These were compared with the fingerprints and palmprints
of Lee Harvey Oswald taken by the Dallas police, and were found to have been
made by the right palm and the left index finger of Lee Harvey Oswald. 113
The C2766 rifle. --The wood and metal of the rifle was absorbent, and not
conducive to recording a good print. 114 However, the Dallas police developed by
powder some faint ridge formations on the metal magazine housing in front of the
trigger and also developed by powder and lifted a latent palmprint from the
underside
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Page 566
of the barrel. 115 The faint ridge formations were insufficient for purposes of
effecting an identification, 116 but the latent palmprint was identified as the
right palm of Lee Harvey Oswald. 117
The cartons.--Using the silver nitrate method, the FBI developed nine
identifiable latent fingerprints and four identifiable latent palm-prints on Box
A, 118 seven identifiable fingerprints and two identifiable palmprints on Box B,
119 and two identifiable fingerprints and one identifiable palmprint on Box C.
120 One of the fingerprints on Box A was identified as the right index
fingerprint of Lee Harvey Oswald, 121 and one of the palmprints on Box A was
identified as the left palm-print of Lee Harvey Oswald. 122 All the remaining
prints on Box A were the palmprints of R. L. Studebaker, a. Dallas police
officer, and Forest L. Lucy, an FBI clerk, who shipped the cartons from Dallas
to the FBI Laboratory in Washington, D.C. and fingerprints of Detective
Studebaker. All but one of the fingerprints on Box B belonged to Studebaker and
Lucy and one palmprint was that of Studebaker. The fingerprints on Box C were
those of Studebaker and Lucy and the palmprint was Studebaker's. 123 One
palmprint on Box B was unidentified. 124
The FBI developed two fingerprints on Box D by silver nitrate, and the Dallas
police developed a palmprint on Box D by powder. 125 The fingerprints belonged
to Lucy. The palmprint was identified as the right palmprint of Lee Harvey
Oswald. 126 While the age of a print cannot, be generally determined, 127 this
palmprint must have been relatively fresh, because the carton was constructed of
cardboard, an absorbent material, and if a long period had elapsed between the
time the print was made and the time it was powdered, the perspiration would
have been absorbed into the cardboard, and the print could not have been
developed by powder. 128 Tests run by the FBI show that usually a latent
impression on such cardboard cannot be developed by powder more than 24 hours
after it is made. 129 Latona felt that the maximum age of the palmprint on Box D
at the time of development (which was shortly after the assassination), would
have been 3 days; Mandella felt that the maximum time would have been a day and
a half. 131
The three cartridge cases and the cartridge case found in the No prints were
developed on the cartridge found in the rifle or on the three expended cartridge
cases. 132
Questioned Documents
Page 566
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
Two experts gave testimony concerning questioned documents: Alwyn Cole 133 and
James C. Cadigan. 134 Cole apprenticed as a questioned document examiner for 6
years, from 1929 to 1935, and has been examiner of questioned documents for the
U.S. Treasury Department since then. Cadigan has been a questioned document
examiner with the FBI for 23.5 years, following a specialized course of training
and instruction. Both have testified many times in Federal and States courts.
135 Their conclusions were identical, except as noted.
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Both experts examined and testified on the following questioned documents: (1)
The mail order to Klein's Sporting Goods of Chicago, in response to which
Klein's sent the C2766 rifle; the accompanying money order; and the envelope in
which the mail order and the money order were sent--all of which bore the name
"A. Hidell" and the address "P.O. Box 2915, Dallas, Texas"; 136 (2) the mail
order to Seaport Traders, Inc., of Los Angeles, bearing the same name and
address, in response to which the Seaport Traders sent the V510210 revolver; 137
(3) part of an application for Post Office Box 2915, Dallas, Tex., opened
October 9, 1962 and closed May 14, 1963, and two change-of-address orders
relating to that box, dated October 10, 1962 and May 12, 1963--all signed "Lee
H. Oswald," and part of an application for Post Office Box 30061, New Orleans,
La., naming "A. J. Hidell" as a party entitled to receive mail through the box,
signed "L. H. Oswald"; 138 (4) a spurious selective service system notice of
classification and a spurious certificate of service in the U.S. Marine Corps,
found in Oswald's wallet after his arrest, both in the name "Alek James Hidell";
139 (5) a spurious smallpox vaccination certificate, found among Oswald's
belongings at his room at 1026 North Beckley, purportedly issued to Lee Oswald
by "Dr. A. J. Hideel, P.O. Box 30016, New Orleans, La."; 140 and (6) a- card,
found in Oswald's wallet after his arrest reading "Fair Play for Cuba Committee
New Orleans Chapter," dated June 15, 1963," bearing the name "L. H. Oswald" and
the signature "Lee H. Oswald," and signed "A. J. Hidell" as chapter president.
141 Cadigan also examined (7) the unsigned note, Commission Exhibit No. 1,
written almost entirely in Russian, which Marina testified Oswald had ]eft for
her prior to his attempt on the life of General Walker; 142 and (8) the homemade
paper bag found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository following
the assassination. 143
General principles. 144 --The area of questioned document examination
encompasses many types of inquiries, the most familiar of which is the
identification of handwriting. Handwriting identification is based upon the
principle that every person's handwriting is distinctive. As Cole testified:
Q. Mr. Cole, could you explain the basis on which you were able to make an
identification of a questioned writing as being authored by the person who wrote
a standard writing ?
Mr. COLE. This is based upon the principle that every handwriting is
distinctive, that since the mental and physical equipment for producing
handwriting is different in every individual, each person produces his own
distinctive writing habits. Of course, everyone learns to write in the beginning
by an endeavor to repeat ideal letter forms but, practically no one is able to
reproduce these forms exactly. Even though a person might have some initial
success during the active period of instruction, he soon departs from these and
develops his own habits. It may be said that habit in handwriting is that which
makes handwriting pos-
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sible. Habit is that which makes handwriting efficient. If it were not for the
development. of habit, one would be obliged to draw or sketch.
Some habit would be included even in those effort.8. But the production of
handwriting rapidly and fluently always involves a recording of personal writing
habit. This has been confirmed by observation of a very large number of
specimens over a long period of time, and it has further been demonstrated by,
on my part, having a formal responsibility for rendering decisions about the
identification of handwriting based upon an agreement of handwriting habit in
situations where there would be a rigorous testing of the correctness of these
decision by field investigators, for example, of the law-enforcement agencies,
and a demonstration that these results were confirmed by other evidence.
This is the basis for identification of handwriting. 145
The same principles are generally applicable to hand printing, 146 and in the
balance of this section the term "handwriting" will be used to refer to both
cursive or script writing and hand printing.
Not every letter in a questioned handwriting can be used as the basis of an
identification. Most people learn to write letters in a standard or "copybook"
form: a handwriting is distinctive only insofar as it departs significantly from
such forms. 147 Correspondingly, not every variation indicates
nonidentification; no two acts are precisely alike and variations may be found
within a single document. Like similarities, variations are significant only if
they are distinctive. 148 Moreover, since any single distinctive characteristic
may not be unique to one person, in order to make an identification the expert
must find a sufficient number of corresponding distinctive characteristics and
a. general absence of distinctive differences. 149
The possibility that one person could imitate the handwriting of another and
successfully deceive an expert document examiner is very remote. A forger leaves
two types of clue. First, he can seldom perfectly simulate the letter forms of
the victim; concentrating on the reproduction of one detail, he is likely not to
see others. Thus, the forger may successfully imitate the general form of a
letter. but get proportions or letter connections wrong. In addition, the forger
draws rather than writes. Forged writing is therefore distinguished by defects
in the quality of its line, such as tremor, waver, patching, retouching,
noncontinuous lines, and pen lifts in awkward and unusual places. 150
To make a handwriting identification, the handwriting in the document under
examination (the questioned document) is compared against the handwriting in
documents known to have been prepared by a suspect (the known or standard
documents). This is exemplified by Cole's examination of Commission Exhibit No.
773, the photograph of the mail order for the rifle and the envelope in which it
was sent:
Q. Now, Mr. Cole, returning to 778, the questioned document, can you tell the
Commission how you formed the conclusion
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Page 569
that it was prepared by the author of the standards, that is, what steps you
followed in your examination and comparison, what things you considered, what
instruments or equipment you used, and so forth?
Mr. Cole. I made first a careful study of the writing on Commission Exhibit 773
without reference to the standard writing, in an effort to determine whether or
not this writing contained what I would regard as a basis for identification,
contained a record of writing habit, and as that--as a result of that part of my
examination, I concluded that this is a natural handwriting. By that I mean that
it was made at a fair speed, that it doesn't show any evidence of an unnatural
movement, poor line quality, tremor~ waver, retouching, or the like. I regard it
as being made in a fluent and fairly rapid manner which would record the normal
writing habits of the person who made it.
I then made a separate examination of the standards, of all of the standard
writings, to determine whether that record gave a record of writing habit which
could be used for identification purposes, and I concluded that it, too, was a
natural handwriting and gave a good record of writing habit.
I then brought the standard writings together with the questioned writing for a
detailed and orderly comparison, considering details of letter forms,
proportion, pen pressure, letter connections, and other details of handwriting
habit * * *. 151
The standards used by Cole and Cadigan consisted of a wide variety of documents
known to be in the handwriting of Lee Harvey Oswald, including indorsements on
his payroll checks, applications for employment, for a passport, for membership
in the American Civil Liberties Union, and for a library card, and letters to
the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Marine Corps, the State
Department, and the American Embassy in Russia. 152
The Mail Order for the C2766 Rifle, the Related Envelope,
and the Money Order
The mail order and envelope for the C2766 rifle were photographed by Klein's on
microfilm, and then destroyed. 153 To identify the handwriting an enlarged
photograph was made which showed the handwriting characteristics with sufficient
clarity to form the basis of an identification. 154 Based on a comparison with
the standards, the handwriting on the purchase order and the envelope were
identified as Lee Harvey Oswald's. 155 The money order, which was retained by
the post office after having been cashed by Klein's, 156 was also identified as
being in Oswald's handwriting. 157 These identifications were made on the basis
of numerous characteristics in which the writing in both the questioned and
standard documents departed from conventional letter forms. 158 For example, in
the return address on the envelope, the left side of the "A" in "A. Hidell" was
made by a down-
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730-900 0-64--38
Page 570
stroke followed by an upstroke which almost exactly traced the down-stroke, the
"i" showed an elongation of the approach stroke and an exaggerated slant to the
right, and the second "1" was somewhat larger than the first; the "B" in "Box"
had an upper lobe smaller than the lower lobe; the "D" in "Dallas" exhibited a
distinctive construction of the looped form at the top of a letter, and the "s"
was flattened and forced over on its side; and the "x" in "Texas" was made in
the form of a "u" with a cross bar. These characteristics were also present in
the standards.159 In addition, these items, as well as other questioned
documents, resembled the standards in their use of certain erroneous
combinations of capital and lowercase letters.160 For example, in the mail
order, "Texas" was printed with a capital "T," "X," "A," and "S," but a
lowercase "e"; a similar mixture of capital and lowercase letters in "Texas" was
found in the standards.161
The writing on the purchase order and envelope showed no significant evidence of
disguise (subject to the qualification that the use of hand printing on the mail
order, rather than handwriting, may have been used for that purpose).162
However, it is not unusual for a person using an alias not to disguise his
writing. For example, Cole, who is document examiner for the Treasury
Department, has frequently examined forgeries evidencing no attempt at
disguise.163
Mail Order for the V510210 Revolver
Based on a comparison with the standards, the handwriting on the mail order 164
for the V510210 revolver was also identified as Lee Harvey Oswald's.165
Post Office Box Applications and Change-of-Address Card
A post office box application consists of three parts: The first contains
directions for use. The second provides applicant's name, address, signature
space, box number, date of opening and closing. The third part provides
instruction space concerning delivery of mail and names of persons entitled to
use the box.166 Under post office regulations 167 the second part was retained
by the Dallas Post. Office for box 2915; it destroyed the third part after the
box was closed. Based on the standards, the signature "Lee H. Oswald," and other
handwriting on the application, was identified as that of Lee Harvey Oswald.168
The postal clerk appeared to have filled in the balance.169
The Fort Worth and Dallas post offices retained two change-of-address orders
signed '"Lee H. Oswald": One to "Postmaster, Fort Worth, Tex.," dated October
10, 1962, to send mail to "Oswald, Lee H" at 2703 Mercedes Av., Fort Worth,
Texas" and forward to "Box 2915, Dallas, Texas"; the other to "Postmaster,
Dallas, Texas" dated May 12, 1963, requested mail for post office box 2915 be
forwarded to "Lee Oswald" at "4907 Magazine St.., "New Orleans, La." 170 Based
on a comparison with the standards, the handwriting on these orders was
identified as that of Lee Harvey Oswald.171
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Page 571
The New Orleans post office retained the third part of the application for post
office box 30061, New Orleans, La., dated June 11, 1963, and signed "L. H.
Oswald." 172 Inserted in the space for names of persons entitled to receive mail
through the box were written the names "A. J. Hidell" and "Marina Oswald." On
the basis of a comparison with the standards, the writing and the signature on
the card was identified as the handwriting of Lee Harvey Oswald.173
The Spurious Selective Service System Notice of Classification and
U.S. Marine Corps Certificate of Service
When Oswald was arrested he had in his possession a Selective Service System
notice of classification and a certificate of service in the U.S. Marine Corps
in the name of "Alek James Hidell," and a Selective Service System notice of
classification, a Selective Service System registration certificate, and a
certificate of service in the U.S. Marine Corps in his own name.174 (See Cadigan
Exhibits Nos. 19 and 21, p. 573.) The Hidell cards where photographic
counterfeits.175 After Oswald's arrest a group of retouched negatives were found
in Mr. Paine's garage at 2515 West Fifth Street, Irving, Tex.,176 among which
were retouched negatives of the Oswald cards.177 A comparison of these retouched
negatives with the Hidell and Oswald cards showed that the Hidell cards had been
counterfeited by photographing the Oswald cards, retouching the resulting
negatives, and producing photographic prints from the retouched negatives.
The Hidell Notice of Classification
Face side.--The face of the Hidell notice-of classification 178 was produced
from the face of the Oswald notice of classification 179 by a two-step process.
First, the counterfeiter photographed the Oswald notice, making a basic
intermediate negative.180 He then opaqued out of this intermediate negative all
of the information typed or handwritten onto the Oswald notice, including the
name "Lee Harvey Oswald," the selective service No., "41-114- 39-532," the
signature of the official of the local board, and the mailing date. In addition,
he made another intermediate negative of the lowermost third of the Oswald
notice, which contained a printed legend setting forth various instructions
relating to draft board procedures.181 This negative reproduced the printed
material exactly, but reduced it in size.182 The two intermediate negatives were
combined to produce a third negative, substantially identical to the basic
intermediate negative except that, by virtue of the reduction in the size of the
printed legend, a square space had been created in the lower left-hand
corner.183 The counterfeiter then made a photographic print of this third
negative, which contained blanks wherever typed or handwritten material had
appeared on the original Oswald notice and a new space in the lower left-hand
corner. Finally new material was inserted into the blanks on
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Page 572
the Hidell notice where typed or handwritten material had appeared on the Oswald
notice.184 Thus the name "ALEK JAMES HIDELL," the selective service No.
"42-224-39-532," and the mailing date "Feb. 5, 1962," were typed into the
appropriate blanks on the Hidell notice. Two typewriters were used in this
typing, as shown by differences in the design of the typed figure "4," 185 and
by differences in the strength of the typed impression.186 Probably the
counterfeiter switched typewriters when he discovered that the ribbon of his
first typewriter was not inked heavily enough to leave a clear impression (a
problem which would have been aggravated by the fact that the glossy
photographic paper used to make the Hidell notice did not provide a good surface
for typewriting).187 The face of the notice also bore many uninked indentations,
which could only be made out under strong side lighting.188 These indentations
were apparently made with the typewriter set at stencil--that is, set so that
the typewriter key struck the notice directly, rather than striking it through
the inked typewriter ribbon.189 This may have been done as a dry-run practice,
to enable the counterfeiter to determine how to properly center and aline the
inserted material.190 A sidelight photograph showed that the names "ALEK,"
"JAMES," .and "HIDELL" had each been typed in stencil at least twice before
being typed in with the ribbon.191 A capital letter "O" had been stenciled prior
to one of the stenciled "ALEK's." 192 A serial number and a date of mailing had
also been typed in stencil.193
In addition to the typed material, a signature, "Alek J. Hidell," was written in
ink in the blank provided for the registrant's signature, and another, somewhat
illegible signature, apparently reading "Good Hoffer," was written in ink in the
blank provided for the signature of an official of the local board.194 This name
differed from the name written in ink on the Oswald notice, which appeared to
consist of a first name beginning with an "E" or a "G" and the surname
"Schiffen." 195 However, the legibility of the name on the Oswald notice was
also quite poor, and the counterfeiter might have been attempting to duplicate
it. A possible reason for deleting the original name and substituting another is
that if the name had not been deleted it would have been reproduced on the
Hidell notice as a photographic reproduction, which would look less authentic
than a pen- and-ink signature.196
Based on a comparison with the handwriting in the standards, the signature "Alek
J. Hidell" on the Hidell notice was identified as being in the handwriting of
Lee Harvey Oswald.197 The signature "Good Hoffer" could not be positively
identified, being almost illegible; however, it was not inconsistent with
Oswald's handwriting.198
To complete the face of the Hidell notice a picture of Lee Harvey Oswald was
inserted into the space in the lower left-hand corner which had been created by
reducing the size of the printed legend at the bottom.199
In creating the face of the Hidell notice, the counterfeiter ]eft traces which
enabled the experts to link together the Hidell notice, the retouched negatives,
and the Oswald notice. To retouch the nega-
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Page 573
Face and reverse sides of the Oswald Notice of Classification.
CADIGAN EXHIBIT No. 19
Face and reverse sides of the Oswald Selective Service System Registration
Certificate and the Oswald Certificate of Service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
CADIGAN EXHIBIT No. 21
Page 574
Face and reverse sides of the Hidell Selective Service System Notice of
Classification..
Face and reverse sides of the Hidell Certificate of Service in the U.S. Marine
Corps.
CADIGAN EXHIBITS NOS. 15 AND 16
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Page 575
tives the counterfeiter simply painted a red opaque substance on one side of the
negative over the material he wished to delete. When the negative was printed,
the opaquing prevented light from passing through, so that the print showed
blanks wherever the negative had been opaqued. However, the original material
was still clearly visible on the negative itself.200 In addition, at several
points the typed or handwritten material in the Oswald notice had overlapped the
printed material. For example, the signature of the official of the local board
overlapped the letters "re" in the printed word "President," "l" and a" in the
printed word "local," and "viola" in the printed word "violation." When this
signature was opaqued out, the portions of the printed material which had been
overlapped by the signature were either removed or mutilated. The consequent
distortions were ap parent on both the retouched negative and the Hidell notice
itself. Similarly, the selective service number typed on the Oswald notice
overlapped the margins of the boxes into which it was typed. Although the
counterfeiter opaqued out the numerals themselves, the margins of the boxes
remained thickened at the points where they had been overlapped by the numerals.
These thickened margins were apparent on both the retouched negative and the
Hidell notice.201
Reverse side.--The reverse side of the Hidell notice, which was pasted
back-to-back to the face, was actually a form of the reverse side of a Selective
Service System registration certificate. Essentially, it was counterfeited the
same way as the face of the notice: a photograph was made of the reverse side of
the Oswald registration certificate, the material which had been typed or
stamped on the Oswald registration certificate was opaqued out of the resulting
negative, and a photographic print was made from the retouched negative. This is
shown by the negative, in which the opaqued-out information is still visible,
and by defects in the printed material on the Hidell notice at point where
typed-in material had overlapped printed material on the Oswald registration
certificate.202
As the final step, new information was typed on the print in the blanks which
resulted from the retouching operation.203 Thus "GR" was substituted for "Blue"
under color of eyes; "BROWN" was substituted for "Brn" under color of hair;
"FAIR" was substituted for "Med." under complexion; "5" [ft.] "9" [in.] was
substituted for "5" [ft.] "11" [in.] under height; and "155" was substituted for
"150" under weight. The name and address of the local board on the Oswald
registration certificate were opaqued out, but substantially the same name and
address were typed back onto the Hidell notice.204 As in the signature of the
local board official on the face of the notice, a possible reason for deleting
the original draft board name and the address and substituting substantially
similar material in its place is that if the original material had not been
deleted it would have reproduced as a photographic reproduction, which would
look much less authentic than typed-in material.205
A limited number of typed uninked indentations are also present. Thus the
indented letters "CT" appear before the letter "GR" (under
Page 576
color of eyes) and the indented letters "EY" follow "GR." An indented "9"
appears above the visible "9" for the inch figure of height, and an indented "i"
appears before the weight, "155." Much of the typed material on the reverse side
of the Hidell notice was not very legible under ordinary lighting, since it was
typed with a typewriter which left a very weakly inked impression.206 In fact,
it is difficult to tell whether some of the material, particularly the word
"Brown" under color of hair, was put in by stencil or by ribbon.
The Hidell Certificate of Service
The face and reverse side of the Hidell certificate of service were produced
from the face and reverse side of the Oswald certificate of service 207 by
photographing the Oswald certificate, retouching the resulting negatives to
eliminate typed and handwritten material, and making a photographic print from
the retouched negative.208 As in the case of the notice of classification, this
is shown by the negative itself, in which the opaqued-out information is still
visible, and by defects in the printed material on the Hidell certificate at
points where handwritten material had crossed over printed material on the
Oswald certificate. Thus, in the Oswald certificate the upper portion of the
name "Lee" in Oswald's signature crosses the letter "u" in the printed word
"signature." The consequent mutilation of the printed letter "u" can be seen on
the Hidell certificate. Similarly, the ending stroke in the letter "y" in the
name "Harvey" in Oswald's signature crosses the letter "n" in the printed word
"certifying." This stroke was not removed at all, and can be seen as a stroke
across the "n" in the Hidell certificate.209 As the final step in producing the
Hidell certificate, new material was typed into the blanks on the photographic
print. On the face, the words "ALEK JAMES HIDELL" were typed into the blank
where "LEE HARVEY OSWALD 1653280" had appeared. A sidelight photograph shows
that these words had been typed in stencil at least twice before being typed in
with the ribbon apparently to determine proper centering and alinement.210 In
producing the reverse side of the Hidell certificate, the signature "Lee Harvey
Oswald," and the dates "24 October 1956" and "11 September 1959," showing the
beginning and end of the period of active service, had been opaqued out. No
signature was inserted into resulting blank signature space. However, just below
the word "of" in the printed line "signature of individual," there are two
vertical indentations which fill about three-fourths of the height of the
signature blank, and a diagonal indentation which slants from approximately the
base of the left vertical to approximately the midpoint of the right
vertical--the total effect being of a printed capital letter "H." Also, just
below the second and third "i's" in the printed word "individual" are two more
vertical indentations, which could be the vertical strokes of "d's" or "l's"--
although the circular portion of the letter "d" is not present.211 These
indentations could have been made by any sharp instrument, such as a ballpoint
pen which was not
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Page 577
delivering ink, a stylus of the type used in preparing mimeograph forms, or even
a toothpick.212 The indentations are brought out rather clearly in a sidelight
photograph, but can also be seen on the card itself if the card is held so that
light strikes it at an angle.213
Into the space for the beginning of active service was typed the date "OCT. 13
1958." The space for the end of active service contains several light-impression
and stencil typewriting operations. It was apparently intended to read "OCT. 12
1961," but because of the lightness of the impression and the many stenciled
characters, the date is barely legible.214 Interestingly, one of the stenciled
impressions in the blank for end of active service reads "24 October 1959," as
determined under a microscope, while a stenciled impression in the blank for
beginning of active service reads "24 October 1957." 215
The counterfeiting of the Hidell cards did not require great skill, but probably
required an elementary knowledge of photography, particularly of the
photographic techniques used in a printing plant.216 A moderate amount of
practice with the technique would be required--perhaps half a dozen attempts.
Practicing retouching on the balance of the negatives found at the Paine garage
would have been sufficient.217 The retouching of the negatives could have been
accomplished without any special equipment. However, the preparation of the
negative, apart. from retouching, would probably have required a very accurate
camera, such as would be found in a photographic laboratory or printing
plant.218
The Vaccination Certificate
A government-printed form entitled "International Certificates of Vaccination or
Revaccination against Smallpox" 219 was found among Oswald's belongings at his
room at 1026 Beckley Avenue, Dallas.220 The form purported to certify that "LEE
OSWALD" had been vaccinated against smallpox on "JUNE 8, 1963" by "DR. A. J.
HIDEEL, P.O. BOX 30016, NEW ORLEANS, LA." The card was signed "Lee H. Oswald"
and "A. J. Hideel," and the name and address "Lee H. Oswald, New Orleans, La."
were hand printed on the front of the card. All of this material, except the
signatures and the hand printing, had been stamped onto the card. The Hideel
name and address consisted of a three-line stamp--"DR. A. J. HIDEEL/P.O. BOX
30016/NEW ORLEANS, LA." A circular, stamped, illegible impression resembling a
seal appeared under a column entitled "Approved stamp."221
On the basis of a comparison with the standards, Cole identified all of the
handwriting on the vaccination certificate, including the signature "A. J.
Hideel," as the writing of Lee Harvey Oswald.222 Cadigan identified all of the
writing as Oswald's except for the "A. J. Hideel" signature, which in his
opinion was too distorted to either identify or nonidentify as Oswald's
handwriting.223 The stamped material on the certificate was compared with a.
rubber stamping kit which be-
Page 578
longed to Oswald.224 In this kit was a rubber stamp with three lines of print
assembled :"L. H. OSWALD/4907 MAGAZINE ST/NEW ORLEANS, LA." 225 Cole found a
perfect agreement in measurement and design between the letters stamped on the
certificate and the letters he examined from Oswald's rubber stamping kit.
However, he was unable to determine whether the characteristics of Oswald's
rubber stamping kit were distinctive, and therefore, while he concluded that
Oswald's rubber stamping kit could have made the rubber stamp impressions on the
certificate, he was unable to say that it was the only kit which could have made
the impressions.226 On the basis of the comparison between the words "NEW
ORLEANS, LA." set up in the rubber stamp in Oswald's kit, and the words "NEW
ORLEANS, LA." on the certificate, Cadigan concluded that these words had been
stamped on the certificate with Oswald's rubber stamp. However, he could draw no
conclusion as to the remaining stamped material, which was not directly
comparable to the remaining lines set up on Oswald's rubber stamp.227
On close examination, the circular impression resembling a seal consisted of the
words "BRUSH IN CAN," printed in reverse.228 Apparently, the impression was made
with the top of a container of solvent or cleaning fluid which bore these words
in raised lettering. In the center of the impression was a mottled pattern which
was similar to the blank areas on a date stamp found in Oswald's rubber stamping
kit.229
The Fair Play for Cuba Committee Card
The Fair Play for Cuba Committee card had two signatures: "L. H. Oswald" and "A.
J. Hidell." Based on the standards, both Cole and Cadigan identified "L. H.
Oswald" as the signature of Lee Harvey Oswald,230 but both were unable to
identify the "A. J. Hidell" signature.231 Cadigan noted differences between the
Hidell signature and Oswald's handwriting, indicating the possibility that
someone other than Oswald had authored the signature.232 Cole believed that the
signature was somewhat beyond Oswald's abilities as a penman.233 On the basis of
a short English interlinear translation written by Marina Oswald, Cole felt that
she might have been the author of the signature,234 but the translation did not
present enough of her handwriting to make possible a positive identification.235
In subsequent testimony before the Commission, Marina stated that she was indeed
the author of the Hidell signature on the card.236 Cadigan confirmed this
testimony by obtaining further samples of Marina Oswald's handwriting and
comparing these samples with the signature on the card.237
The Unsigned Russian-Language Note
Cadigan's examination confirmed Marina's testimony that the handwriting in the
unsigned note, Commission Exhibit No. 1, was that of
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Page 579
Lee Harvey Oswald.238 Since the note was written almost entirely in the Russian
language, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet (as opposed to the Latin alphabet
used in the English language), in making his examination Cadigan employed not
only Oswald's English language standards, but. also letters written by Oswald in
the Russian language.239
The Homemade Wrapping Paper Bag
In the absence of watermarks or other distinctive characteristics, it is
impossible to determine whether two samples of paper came from the same
manufacturer.240 The homemade paper bag found on the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository following the assassination was made out of heavy brown
paper and glue-bearing brown paper tape, neither of which contained watermarks
or other distinctive characteristics.241 However, Cadigan compared the
questioned paper and tape in the paper bag with known paper and tape samples
obtained from the shipping department of the Texas School Book Depository on
November 22, 1963, to see if the questioned items could have come from the
shipping room.242 The questioned and known items were examined visually by
normal, incidental, and transmitted natural and electric light, and under
ultraviolet light; 243 examined microscopically for surface, paper structure,
color, and imperfections; 244 examined for their felting pattern, which is the
pattern of light and dark areas caused by the manner in which the fibers become
felted at the beginning stages of paper manufacture; 245 measured for thickness
with a micrometer sensitive to one one-thousandth of an inch,246 subjected to a
fiber analysis to determine the type of fibers of which they were composed, and
whether the fibers were bleached or unbleached; 247 and examined
spectrographically to determine what metallic ions were present.248 The
questioned and known items were identical in all the properties measured by
these tests.249 (The width of the type on the paper sack was 3 inches, while the
width of the sample tape was 2.975, or twenty-five thousandths of an inch
smaller; however, this was not a significant difference).250 In contrast, a
paper sample obtained from the Texas School Book Depository shipping room on
December 1, 1963, was readily distinguishable from the questioned paper.251
Examination of the tape revealed other significant factors indicating that it
could have come from the Texas School Book Depository shipping room. There were
several strips of tape on the bag.252 All but two of the ends of these strips
were irregularly torn; the remaining two ends had machine-cut edges. This
indicated that the person who made the bag had drawn a long strip of tape from a
dispensing machine and had torn it by hand into several smaller strips.253
Confirmation that the tape had been drawn from a dispensing machine was supplied
by the fact that a series of small markings in the form of half-inch lines ran
down the center of the tape like ties on a railroad track. Such lines are made
by a ridged wheel in .a tape dispenser which is constructed so that when a hand
lever is pulled, the wheel, which is
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Page 580
connected to the lever, pulls the tape from its roll and dispenses it. Such
dispensers are usually found only in commercial establishments. A dispenser of
this type was located in the Texas School Book Depository shipping room. The
length of the lines and the number of lines per inch on the tape from the paper
bag was identical to the length of the lines and the number of lines per inch on
the tape obtained from the dispenser in the Texas School Book Depository
shipping room.254
Wound Ballistics Experiments
Page 580
WOUND BALLISTICS EXPERIMENTS
Purpose of the Tests
During the course of the Commission's inquiry, questions arose as to whether the
wounds inflicted on President Kennedy and Governor Connally could have been
caused by the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository Building and Western Cartridge Co. bullets and fragments
of the type found on the Governor's stretcher and in the Presidential limousine.
In analyzing the trajectory of the bullets after they struck their victims,
further questions were posed on the bullet's velocity and penetration power
after exiting from the person who was initially struck. To answer these and
related questions, the Commission requested that a series of tests be conducted
on substances resembling the wounded portions of the bodies of President Kennedy
and Governor Connally under conditions which simulated the events of the
assassination.
The Testers and Their Qualifications
In response to the Commission's request, an extensive series of tests were
conducted by the Wound Ballistics Branch of the U.S. Army Chemical Research and
Development Laboratories at Edgewood Arsenal, Md. Scientists working at that
branch are engaged in full-time efforts to investigate the wound ballistics of
missiles in order to test their effects on substances which simulate live human
bodies.255 The tests for the Commission were performed by Dr. Alfred G. Olivier
under the general supervision of Dr. Arthur J. Dziemian with consultation from
Dr. Frederick W. Light, Jr.256 Dr. Olivier received His doctorate in veterinary
medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1953. Since 1957 he has been
engaged in research on wound ballistics at Edgewood Arsenal and is now chief of
the Wound Ballistics Branch.257 His supervisor, Dr. Dziemian, who is chief of
the Bio-physics Division at Edgewood Arsenal, holds a Ph.D. degree from
Princeton in 1939, was a national research fellow in physiology at the
University of Pennsylvania and was a fellow in anatomy at. Johns Hopkins
University Medical School.258 Since 1947, Dr. Dziemian has been continuously
engaged in wound ballistics work at Edgewood Arsenal.259 In 1930, Dr. Light was
awarded an M.D. degree from
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Page 581
Johns Hopkins Medical School and in 1948 received his Ph.D. from t, he same
institution.260 After serving a residency in pathology, he worked as a
pathologist until 1940 when he returned to Johns Hopkins University to study
mathematics. Since 1951, Dr. Light has been engaged in the study of the
pathology of wounding at Edgewood Arsenal.261 All three of these distinquished
scientists testified before the Commission.
General Testing Conditions
The Commission made available to the Edgewood Arsenal scientists all the
relevant facts relating to the wounds which were inflicted on President Kennedy
and Governor Connally including the autopsy report on the President, and the
reports and X-rays from Parkland Hospital.262 In addition, Drs. Olivier and
Light had an opportunity to discuss in detail the Governor's wounds with the
Governor's surgeons, Drs. Robert R. Shaw and Charles F. Gregory.263 The Zapruder
films of the assassination were viewed with Governor and Mrs. Connally to give
the Edgewood scientists their version.264 The Commission also provided the
Edgewood scientists with all known data on the source of the shots, the rifle
and bullets used, and the distances involved. For purposes of the experiments,
the Commission turned over to the Edgewood testers the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle
found on the sixth floor of the Depository Building.265 From information
provided by the Commission, the Edgewood scientists obtained Western bullets of
the type used by the assassin.266
Tests on Penetration Power and Bullet Stability
Comparisons were made of the penetrating power of Western bullets fired from the
assassination rifle with other bullets.267 From the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle,
the Western bullet was fired through two gelatin blocks totaling 72.5
centimeters in length. 268 As evidenced by Commission Exhibit No. 844, which is
a photograph from a high-speed motion picture, the Western bullets passed
through 1.5 blocks in a straight line before their trajectory curved.269 After
coming out of the second gelatin block, a number of the bullets buried
themselves in a mound of earth.270
Under similar circumstances, a bullet described as the NATO round M-80 was fired
from a M-14 rifle.271 The penetrating power of the latter is depicted in
Commission Exhibit No. 845 which shows that bullet possesses much less
penetrating power with a quicker tumbling action. Those characteristics cause an
early release of energy which brings the bullet to a stop at shorter
distances.272 A further test was made with a 257 Winchester Roberts soft-nosed
hunting bullet as depicted in Commission Exhibit No. 846. That bullet became
deformed almost immediately upon entering the block of gelatin and released its
energy very rapidly.278 From these tests, it was concluded that the Western
bullet fired from the Mannlicher-Carcano had "terrific penetrating ability" and
would retain substantial veloc-
Page 582
ity after passing through objects such as the portions of the human
body . 274
Tests Simulating President Kennedy's Neck Wound
After reviewing the autopsy report on President Kennedy, the Edgewood scientists
simulated the portion of the President's neck through which the bullet passed.
It was determined that the bullet traveled through 13.5 to 14.5 centimeters of
tissue in the President's neck.275 That substance was simulated by constructing
three blocks: one with a 20-percent gelatin composition, a second from one
animal meat and a third from another animal meat.276 Those substances duplicated
as closely as possible the portion of the President's neck through which the
bullet passed.277 At the time the tests were conducted, it was estimated that
the President, was struck at a range of approximately 180 feet, and the onsite
tests which were conducted later at Dallas established that the President was
shot through the neck at a range of 174.9 feet to 190.8 feet. 278 At a range of
180 feet, the Western bullets were fired from the assassination weapon, which
has a muzzle velocity of approximately 2,160 feet per second, through those
substances which were placed beside a break-type screen for measuring
velocity.279 The average entrance velocity at 180 feet. was 1,904 feet per
second.280
To reconstruct the assassination situation as closely as possible both sides of
the substances were covered with material and clipped animal skin to duplicate
human skin.281 The average exit velocity was 1,779 feet from the gelatin, 1,798
feet from the first animal meat and 1,772 feet from the second animal meat.282
Commission Exhibit No. 847 depicts one of the animal meats compressed to 13.5 to
14.5 centimeters to approximate the President's neck and Commission Exhibit No.
848 shows the analogous arrangement for the gelatin.283 The photograph marked
Commission Exhibit No. 849 shows the bullet passing through the gelatin in a
straight line evidencing very stable characteristics.284
Commission Exhibit No. 850 depicts the pieces of clipped animal skin placed on
the points of entry and exit showing that the holes of entrance are round while
the holes of exit are "a little more elongated." 285 From these tests, it was
concluded that the bullet lost little of its velocity in penetrating the
President's neck so that there would have been substantial impact on the
interior of the Presidential limousine or anyone else struck by the exiting
bullet. In addition, these tests indicated that the bullet, had retained most of
its stability in penetrating the President's neck so that the exit hole would be
only Slightly different from the appearance of the entry hole.286
Tests Simulating Governor Connally's Chest Wounds
To most closely approximate the Governor's chest injuries, the Edgewood
scientists shot an animal with the assassination weapon
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using the Western bullets at a distance of 210 feet.287 The onsite tests later
determined that the Governor was wounded at a distance of 176.9 feet to 190.8
feet from the sixth-floor window at the southeast corner of the Depository
Building.288 The average striking velocity of 11 shots at 210 feet was 1,929
feet per second and the average exit velocity was 1,664 feet per second.289
One of the shots produced an injury on the animal's rib very similar to that
inflicted on Governor Connally. 290 For purposes of comparison with the
Governor's wound, the Edgewood scientists studied the Park]and Hospital report
and X-rays, and they also discussed these wounds with Dr. Shaw, the Governor's
chest surgeon.291 The similar animal injury passed along the animal's eighth
left rib causing a fracture which removed a portion of the rib in a manner very
similar to the wound sustained by the Governor. 292 The X-ray of that wound on
the animal is reproduced as Commission Exhibit No. 852. 293 A comparison with
the Governor's chest wound, shown in X-ray marked as Commission Exhibit No. 681,
shows the remarkable similarity between those two wounds.294
The bullet which produced the wound depicted in Commission Exhibits Nos. 851 and
852 was marked as Commission Exhibit No. 853 and possessed characteristics very
similar to the bullet marked as Commission Exhibit No. 399 found on Governor
Connally's stretcher and believed to have been the bullet which caused his chest
wound.295 Those bullets, identified as Commission Exhibits Nos. 399 and 853,
were flattened in similar fashion.296 In addition, the lead core was extruded
from the rear in the same fashion on both bullets.297 One noticeable difference
was that the bullet identified as Commission Exhibit No. 853, which penetrated
the animal, was somewhat more fiat than Commission Exhibit No. 399 which
indicated that Commission Exhibit No. 853 was probably traveling at somewhat
greater speed than the bullet which penetrated the Governor's chest.298 After
the bullet passed through the animal, it left an imprint on the velocity screen
immediately behind the animal which was almost the length of the bullet
indicating that the bullet was traveling sideways or end over end.299 Taking
into consideration the extra girth on the Governor, the reduction in the
velocity of the bullet passing through his body was estimated at 400 feet.300
The conclusions from the animal shots are significant when taken in conjunction
with the experiments performed simulating the injuries to the Governor's wrist.
Tests Simulating Governor Connally's Wrist Wounds
Following procedures identical to those employed in simulating the chest wound,
the wound ballistics experts from Edgewood Arsenal reproduced, as closely as
possible, the Governor's wrist wound. Again the scientists examined the reports
and X-rays from Parkland Hospital and discussed the Governor's wrist wound with
the attending orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Charles F. Gregory.301 Bone structures
were then shot with Western bullets fired from the assassination
Page 584
weapon at a distance of 210 feet.302 The most similar bone-structure shot was
analyzed in testimony before the Commission. An X-ray designated as Commission
Exhibit No. 854 and a photograph of that X-ray which appears as Commission
Exhibit No. 855 show a fracture at a location which is very similar to the
Governor's wrist wound depicted in X-rays marked as Commission Exhibits Nos. 690
and 691.303
The average striking velocity of the shots was 1,858 feet per second. 304 The
average exit velocity was 1,786 feet per second for the 7 out of 10 shots from
bone structures which could be measured.305 These tests demonstrated that
Governor Connally's wrist was not struck by a pristine bullet, which is a
missile that strikes an object before hitting anything else.306 This conclusion
was based on the following factors: (1) Greater damage was inflicted on the bone
structure than that which was suffered by the Governor's wrist; 307 and (2) the
bone structure had a smaller entry wound and a larger exit wound which is
characteristic of a pristine bullet as distinguished from the Governor's wrist
which had a larger wound of entry indicating a bullet which was tumbling with
substantial reduction in velocity.308 In addition, if the bullet found on the
Governor's stretcher (Commission Exhibit No. 399) inflicted the wound on the
Governor's wrist, then it could not have passed through the Governor's wrist had
it been a pristine bullet, for the nose would have been considerably flattened,
as was the bullet which struck the bone structure, identified as Commission
Exhibit No. 856.309
Conclusions From Simulating the Neck, Chest, and Wrist Wounds
Both Drs. Olivier and Dziemian expressed the Opinion that one bullet caused all
the wounds on Governor Connally.310 The wound to the Governor's wrist was
explained by circumstances where the bullet passed through the Governor's chest,
lost substantial velocity in doing so, tumbled through the wrist, and then
slightly penetrated the Governor's left thigh.311 Thus, the results of the wound
ballistics tests support the conclusions of Governor Connally's doctors that all
his wounds were caused by one bullet.312
In addition, the wound ballistics tests indicated that it was most probable that
the same bullet passed through the President's neck and then proceeded to
inflict all the wounds on the Governor. That conclusion was reached by Drs.
Olivier and Dziemian based on the medical evidence on the wounds of the
President and the Governor and the tests they performed.313 It was their opinion
that the wound on the Governor's wrist would have been more extensive had the
bullet which inflicted that injury merely passed through the Governor's chest
exiting at a velocity of approximately 1,500 feet per second.
Page 585
Thus, the Governor's wrist wound indicated that the bullet passed through the
President's neck, began to yaw in the air between the President and the
Governor, and then lost substantially more velocity than 400 feet per second in
passing through the Governor's chest.314 A bullet which was yawing on entering
into the Governor's back would lose substantially more velocity in passing
through his body than a pristine bullet.315 In addition, the greater flattening
of the bullet. that struck the animal's rib (Commission Exhibit No. 853) than
the bullet which presumably struck the Governor's rib (Commission Exhibit No.
399) indicates that the animal bullet was traveling at a greater velocity.316
That suggests that the bullet which entered the Governor's chest had already
lost velocity by passing through the President's neck.317 Moreover, the large
wound on the Governor's back would be explained by a bullet which was yawing
although that type of wound might also be accounted for by a tangential
striking.318
Dr. Frederick W. Light, Jr., the third of the wound ballistics experts,
testified that the anatomical findings alone were insufficient for him to
formulate a firm opinion on whether the same bullet did or did not pass through
the President's neck first before inflicting all the wounds on Governor
Connally.319 Based on the other circumstances, such as the relative positions in
the automobile of the President and the Governor, Dr. Light concluded that it
was probable that the same bullet traversed the President's neck and inflicted
all the wounds on Governor Connally.320
Tests Simulating President Kennedy's Head Wounds
Additional tests were performed on inert. skulls filled with a 20 percent
gelatin substance and then coated with additional gelatin to approximate the
soft tissues overlying the skull.321 The skull was then draped with simulated
hair as depicted in Commission Exhibit No. 860.322 Using the Mannlicher-Carcano
rifle and the Western bullets, 10 shots were fired at the reconstructed skulls
from a distance of 270 feet which was the estimated distance at the time those
tests were conducted.323 It was later determined through the onsite tests that
President Kennedy was struck in the back of the head at a distance of 265.3 feet
from the assassination weapon.324
The general results of these tests were illustrated by the findings on one skull
which was struck at a point most nearly approximating the wound of entry on
President Kennedy's head.325 The whole skull, depicted in Commission Exhibit No.
860, was struck 2.9 centimeters to the right and almost horizontal to the
occipital protuberance or slightly above it, which was virtually the precise
point of entry on the President's head as described by the autopsy surgeons.326
That bullet blew out the right side of the reconstructed skull in a manner very
similar to the head wounds of the President.327 The consequences on that skull
are depicted in Commission Exhibits Nos. 861 and 862, which illustrate the
testimony of Dr. Alfred G. Olivier, who supervised the experiments.328 Based on
his review of the autopsy report,
730-900 O-64--39
Page 586
Dr. Olivier concluded that the damage to the reconstructed skull was very
similar to the wound inflicted on the President.329
Two fragments from the bullet which struck the test skull closely resembled the
two fragments found in the front seat of the Presidential limousine. The
fragment designated as Commission Exhibit No. 567 is a mutilated piece of lead
and copper very similar to a mutilated piece of copper recovered from the bullet
which struck the skull depicted in Commission Exhibit No. 860. The other
fragment, designated as Commission Exhibit No. 569 which was found in the front
seat of the Presidential limousine, is the copper end of the bullet.330
Commission Exhibit No. 569 is very similar to a copper fragment of the end of
the bullet which struck the test skull.331 The fragments from the test bullet
are designated as Commission Exhibit No. 857 and are depicted in a photograph
identified as Commission Exhibit No. 858.332 A group of small lead particles,
recovered from the test bullet, are also very similar to the particles recovered
under the left. jump seat and in the President's head. The particles from the
test bullet are a part of Commission Exhibit No. 857 and are depicted in
photograph designated as Commission Exhibit No. 859. 333 That skull was depicted
as Commission Exhibit No. 862.334
As a result of these tests, Dr. Olivier concluded that the Western bullet fired
from the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle at a distance of 270 feet would make the same
type of wound found on the President's head.335 Prior to the tests, Dr. Olivier
had some doubt that such a stable bullet would cause a massive head wound like
that inflicted on the President.336 He had thought it more likely that such a
striking bullet would make small entrance and exit holes.337 The tests, however,
showed that the bones of the skull were sufficient to deform the end of the
bullet causing it to expend a great deal of energy and thereby blow out the side
of the skull.338 These tests further confirmed the autopsy surgeons' opinions
that the President's head wound was not caused by a dumdum bullet. 339 Because
of the test results, Dr. Olivier concluded that the fragments found on and under
the front seat of the President's car most probably came from the bullet which
struck the President's head.340 It was further concluded that the damage done to
Governor Connally's wrist could not have resulted from a fragment from the
bullet which struck President Kennedy's head.341
Hairs and Fibers
Page 586
HAIRS AND FIBERS
Testimony on hairs and fibers was given by Paul M. Stombaugh 342 of the FBI.
Stombaugh has been a specialist in hairs and fibers since 1960, when he began a
1-year period of specialized training in this field. He has made thousands of
hair and fiber examinations, and has testified in Federal and State courts in
approximately 28 States.343 Stombaugh examined and gave testimony on the
following objects: (1) The green and brown blanket found in the Paine's garage,
Commission Exhibit No. 140; (2) the homemade paper bag found on the sixth floor
586
Page 587
DIAGRAM OF A HAIR
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 666
587
Page 588
of the Texas School Book Depository following the assassination, Commission
Exhibit No. 142; (3) the shirt worn by Oswald on November 22, 1963, Commission
Exhibit No. 150; and (4) the C2766 rifle, Commission Exhibit No. 139.
General Principles
Hairs.--As shown in Commission Exhibit No. 666 (p. 587), a hair consists of a
central shaft of air cells, known as the medulla; a cortex containing pigment
granules (which give the hair its color) and cortical fusi (air spaces); and a
cuticle and an outer layer of scales. Unlike fingerprints, hairs are not unique.
However, human hairs can be distinguished from animal hairs by various
characteristics, including color, texture, length, medullary structure and
shape, shape of pigment, root size, and scale size. In addition, hairs of the
Caucasian, Negroid, and Mongoloid human races can be distinguished from each
other by color, texture., size and degree of fluctuation of diameter, thickness
of cuticle, shape and distribution of pigment, and shape of cross-section.
Moreover, even though individual hairs are not unique, the expert usually can
distinguish the hairs of different individuals. Thus, Stombaugh, who had made
approximately 1,000 comparison examinations of Caucasian hairs and 500
comparison examinations of Negroid hairs, had never found a case in which he was
unable to differentiate the hairs of two different Caucasian individuals, and
had found only several cases in which he could not distinguish, with absolute
certainty, between the hairs of two different Negroid individuals. 344
Fibers.--Like hairs, the various types of natural and artificial fibers can be
distinguished from each other under the microscope. Like hairs too, individual
fibers are not unique, but the expert usually can distinguish fibers from
different fabrics. A major identifying characteristic of most fibers is color,
and under the microscope many different shades of each color can be
differentiated--for example, 50-100 shades of green or blue, and 25-30 shades of
black. The microscopic appearance of three types of fibers---cotton, wool, and
viscose-is illustrated in Commission Exhibit No. 665 (p. 589). Two of these,
cotton and viscose, were the subject of testimony by Stombaugh. Cotton is a
natural fiber. Under the microscope, it resembles a twisted soda straw, and the
degree of twist is an additional identifying characteristic of cotton. Cotton
may be mercerized or (more commonly) unmercerized. Viscose is an artificial
fiber. A delustering agent is usually added to viscose to cut down its luster,
and under the microscope this agent appears as millions of tiny spots on the
outside of the fiber. The major identifying characteristics of viscose, apart
from color, are diameter--hundreds of variations being possible -- and size and
distribution of delustering agent, if any. 345
The blanket.--Stombaugh received the blanket, Commission Exhibit No. 140, in the
FBI Laboratory at 7:30 a.m., on November 23, 1963.346 Examination showed that it
was composed of brown and green fibers, of which approximately 1-2 percent were
woolen, 20-35 percent
588
Page 589
COMMISSION EXHIBIT No. 665
589
Page 590
were cotton, and the remainder were delustered viscose.347 The viscose fibers in
the blanket were of 10-15 different diameters, and also varied slightly in shade
and in the size and distribution of the delustering agent. (The apparent cause
of those variations was that the viscose in the blanket consisted of scrap
viscose.) 348 The cotton also varied in shade, about seven to eight different
shades of green cotton being present, but was uniform in twist.349
When received by Stombaugh, the blanket was folded into approximately the shape
of a narrow right triangle.350 A safety pin was inserted in one end of the
blanket, and also at this end, loosely wrapped around the blanket, was a
string.351 On the basis of creases in the blanket in this area it appeared that
the string had been tied around the blanket rather tightly at one time while
something was inside the blanket.352 Other creases and folds were also present,
as illustrated in Commission Exhibit No. 663.353 Among these was a crease or
hump approximately 10 inches long.354 This crease must have been caused by a
hard protruding object approximately 10 inches long which had been tightly
wrapped in the blanket, causing the yarn to stretch so that the hump was present
even when the object had been extracted.355 The hump was approximately the same
length and shape as the telescopic sight on the C2766 rifle, and its position
with respect to the ends of the blanket was such (based on the manner in which
the blanket was folded when Stombaugh received it) that had the rifle been in
the blanket the telescopic sight could have made the hump.356
The string wrapped around the blanket was made of ordinary white cotton.357 It
had been tied into a granny knot (a very common knot tied right over right,
right over right) and the dangling ends had been further tied into a bow knot
(the knot used on shoelaces).358
After receiving the blanket, Stombaugh scraped it to remove the foreign textile
fibers and hairs that were present.359 He found numerous foreign textile fibers
of various types and colors, .and a number of limb, pubic, and head hairs, all
of which had originated from persons of the Caucasian race, and had fallen out
naturally, as was shown by the shape of their roots.360 Several of the limb and
pubic hairs matched samples of Oswald's limb and pubic hairs obtained by the
Dallas police in all observable characteristics, including certain relatively
unusual characteristics.361 For example, in both Oswald's pubic hairs and some
of the blanket pubic hairs, the color was a medium brown, which remained
constant to the tip, where it changed to a very light brown and then became
transparent, due to lack of color pigments; the diameters were identical, and
rather narrow for pubic hairs; the hairs were very smooth, lacking the
knobbiness characteristic of pubic hairs, and the upper two-thirds were
extremely smooth for pubic hairs; the tips of the hairs were sharp, which is
unusual for pubic hairs; the cuticle was very thin for pubic hairs; the scales
displayed only a very small protrusion; the pigmentation was very fine, equally
dispersed, and occasionally chained together, and displayed only very slight
gapping; cortical fusi were for the most part absent; the medulla was either
fairly continuous or completely absent; and the
590
Page 591
root area was rather clear of pigment, and contained only a fair amount of
cortical fusi, which was unusual.362 Similarly, in both Oswald's limb hairs and
some of the limb hairs from the blanket the co]or was light brown through its
entire length; the diameter was very fine and did not noticeably fluctuate; the
tips were very sharp, which is unusual; the scales were of medium size, with
very slight protrusion; there was a very slight gapping of the pigmentation near
the cuticle; there was an unusual amount of cortical fusi, equally distributed
through the hair shaft; and the medulla was discontinuous, granular, very
bulbous, and very uneven.363
Other limb, pubic, and head hairs on the blanket did not come from Oswald.364
The paper bag.--Stombaugh received the paper bag, Commission Exhibit No. 142, at
7:30 a.m. on November 23, 1963.365 No foreign material was found on the outside
of the bag except traces of fingerprint powder and several white cotton fibers,
which were of no significance, since white cotton is the most common textile,
and at any rate the fibers may have come from Stombaugh's white cotton
gloves.366 Inside the bag were a tiny wood fragment which was too minute for
comparison purposes, and may have come from the woodpulp from which the paper
was made; a particle of a waxy substance, like candle wax; and a single brown
delustered viscose fiber and several light-green cotton fibers.367
The fibers found inside the bag were compared with brown viscose and green
cotton fibers taken from the blanket.. The brown viscose fiber found in the bag
matched some of the brown viscose fibers from the blanket in all observable
characteristics, i.e., shade, diameter, and size and distribution of delustering
agent. 368 The green cotton fibers found in the bag were, like those from the
blanket, of varying shades, but of a uniform twist. Each green cotton fiber from
the bag matched some of the green cotton fibers from the blanket. in all
observable characteristics, i.e., shade and degree of twist. Like the blanket
cotton fibers, the cotton fibers found in the bag were unmercerized. 369
The shirt.--Stombaugh received the shirt, Commission Exhibit No. 150, at 7:30
a.m. on November 23, 1963.370 Examination showed that it was composed of
gray-black, dark blue, and orange-yellow cotton fibers.371 The orange-yellow and
gray-black cotton fibers were of a uniform shade, and the dark-blue fibers were
of three different shades.372 All the fibers were mercerized and of
substantially uniform degree of twist.373
The C2766 rifle.-- The rifle, Commission Exhibit No. 139, was received in the
FBI Laboratory on the morning of November 1963, and examined for foreign
material at that time.374 Stombaugh noticed immediately that the rifle had been
dusted for fingerprints, "and at the time I noted to myself that I doubted very
much if there would be any fibers adhering to the outside of this gun--I
possibly might. find some in a crevice some place--because when the latent
fingerprint man dusted this gun, apparently in Dallas, they use a little brush
to dust with they would have dusted any
591
Page 592
fibers off the gun at the same time * * * "375 In fact, most of the fibers
Stombaugh found were either adhering to greasy, oily deposits or were jammed
down into crevices, and were so dirty, old, and fragmented that he could not
even determine what type of fibers they were.376 However, Stombaugh found that a
tiny tuft of fibers had caught on a jagged edge on the rifle's metal butt plate
where it met the end of the wooden stock, and had adhered to this edge, so that
when the rifle had been dusted for fingerprints the brush had folded the tuft
into a crevice between the butt plate and the stock, where it remained.377
Stombaugh described these fibers as "fresh," 378 by which he meant that "they
were clean, they had good color to them, there was no grease on them and they
were not fragmented." 379 However, it was not possible to determine how long the
fibers had been on the rifle, in the absence of information as to how frequently
the rifle had been used.380 Examination showed that the tuft was composed of six
or seven orange-yellow, gray-black, and dark-blue cotton fibers. These fibers
were compared with fibers from the shirt, Commission Exhibit No. 150, which was
also composed of orange- yellow, gray-black, and dark-blue cotton fibers. The
orange-yellow and gray-black tuft fibers matched the comparable shirt fibers in
all observable characteristics, i.e., shade and twist. The three dark-blue
fibers matched two of the three shades of the dark-blue shirt fibers, and also
matched the dark-blue shirt. fibers in degree of twist.381 Based on these facts,
Stombaugh concluded that the tuft of fibers found .on the rifle "could easily"
have come from the shirt, and that "there is no doubt in my mind that these
fibers could have come from this shirt. There is no way, however, to eliminate
the possibility of the fibers having come from another identical shirt." 382
Photographs
Page 592
PHOTOGRAPHS
Two photographs of Lee Harvey Oswald holding a rifle were found among Oswald's
possessions in Mrs. Ruth Paine's garage at 2515 West Fifth Street, Irving,
Tex.383 In one, Commission Exhibit No. 133-A, Oswald is holding the rifle
generally in front of his body; in the other, Commission Exhibit. No. 133-B, he
is holding the rifle to his right. Also found at Mrs. Paine's garage were a
negative of 133-B and several photographs of the rear of General Walker's
house.384 An Imperial reflex camera,385 which Marina Oswald testified she used
to take 133-A and 133-B, was subsequently produced by Robert Oswald, Lee Harvey
Oswald's brother.386 Testimony concerning the photographs, the negative, and the
camera was given by Lyndal D. Shaneyfelt of the FBI.387 Shaneyfelt has been
connected with photographic work since 1937. He has made 100-300 photographic
examinations, and has testified frequently on the subject in court.388
Photographs 133-A and 133-B.--The background and lighting in 133-A and 133-B are
virtually identical; the only apparent difference between the two photographs is
the pose. However, in 188-A the rifle
592
Page 593
is held in a position showing many more of its characteristics than are shown in
133-B.389 In order to bring out the details in the rifle pictured in 133-A,
Shaneyfelt rephotographed 133-A and prepared prints of varying densities from
the new negative.390 He also took two new photographs of the C2766 rifle itself:
one shows the rifle in approximately the same position as the rifle pictured in
133-A. The other shows a man holding the rifle simulating the pose in 133-A.391
Shaneyfelt compared the actual rifle, the photograph 133-A, his rephotographs of
133-A, and the two new photographs to determine whether the rifle pictured in
133-A was the C2766 rifle. He found it to be the same in all appearances, noted
no differences, and found a notch in the stock of the C2766 which also appeared
very faintly in 133-A. However, he did not find enough peculiarities to
positively identify the rifle in 133-A as the C2766 rifle, as distinguished from
other rifles of the same configuration.392
The rifle's position in 133-B is such that less of its characteristics were
visible than in 183-A; essentially, 133-B show's only the bottom of the rifle.
However, the characteristics of the rifle visible in 133-B are also similar to
the observable characteristics of the C2766 rifle, except that while the C2766
rifle was equipped with a homemade leather sling when it was found after the
assassination, the rifle in 133-B seems to be equipped with a homemade rope
sling.393 The portion of the sling visible in 133-A is too small to establish
whether it is rope or leather, but it has the appearance of rope, and its
configuration is consistent with the rope sling pictured in 133-B.394
The negative.--Shaneyfelt's examination of the negative, Commission Exhibit No.
749, showed that the photograph, 133-B, had been printed directly or indirectly
from the negative. lt was Shaneyfelt's opinion that 188-B had been directly from
the negative, but he could not absolutely eliminate the possibility of an
internegative, that is, the possibility that a print had been produced from the
negative 749, a photograph had been taken of that print, and 133-B had been
produced from the new negative, rather than from the original negative.395 "I
think this is highly unlikely, because if this were the result of a copied
negative, there would normally be evidence that I could detect, such as a loss
of detail and imperfections that show up due to the added process." 396 In any
event, any "intermediate" print would have been virtually indistinguishable from
133-B, so that Shaneyfelt's testimony conclusively established that either 133-B
or a virtually indistinguishable print had been produced from the negative 749.
The camera.--The Imperial camera, Commission Exhibit No. 750, was a relatively
inexpensive, fixed- focus, one-shutter-speed, box-type camera, made in the
United States.397 Shaneyfelt compared this camera with the negative, Commission
Exhibit No. 749, to determine whether this negative had been taken with the
camera.398 To make this determination, Shaneyfelt compared the margins of the
image on Commission Exhibit No. 749 with the margins of the image on a negative
Page 594
COMMISSION EXHIBIT NO. 751
Oswald's Imperial Reflex camera, with the back removed to show the camera's
film-
plane aperture.
594
Page 595
he himself had taken with the camera. Microscopic examination shows that the
margins of a negative's image, although apparently straight, are actually
irregular. The irregularities usually do not show on a finished print, because
they are blocked out to give the print a neat border.399 The cause of these
irregularities can be best understood by examination of Commission Exhibit No.
751 (p. 594), a photograph of the Imperial camera with the back removed to show
the camera's film-plane aperture. When the camera's shutter is opened, light
exposes that portion of the film which is not blocked off by this aperture. The
edges of the aperture, therefore, define the edges of the image which will
appear on the developed negative. In effect, the edge of the image is a
shadowgraph of the edge of the aperture. As Shaneyfelt testified:
* * * the basis of the examination was a close microscopic study of the negative
made in the camera to study the shadowgraph that. is made of the edge of the
aperture.
As the film is placed across the aperture of the camera, and the shutter is
opened, light comes through and exposes the film only in the opening within the
edges. Where the film is out over the edges of the aperture it is not exposed,
and your result is an exposed negative with a- clear edge, and on the negative
then, the edges of that exposure of the photograph, are actually shadow-graphs
of the edges of the aperture.400
The basis of the identification is that the microscopic characteristics of every
film-plane aperture, like those of a rifle barrel, are distinctive, for much the
same reason; that is, when the camera is manufactured, certain handwork is done
which differs microscopically from camera to camera, and further differences
accrue as the camera is used. As Shaneyfelt testified:
Q. Mr. Shaneyfelt, what is the basis of your statement, the theoretical basis of
your statement, that every camera with this type of back aperture arrangement is
unique in the characteristics of the shadowgraph it makes on the negative ?
Mr. SHANEYFELT. It is because of the minute variations that even two cameras
from the same mold will have. Additional handwork on cameras, or filing the
edges where a little bit of plastic or a little bit of metal stays on, make
individual characteristics apart from those that would be general
characteristics on all of them from the same mold.
In addition, as the film moves across the camera and it is used for a
considerable length of time, dirt and debris tend to accumulate a little--or if
the aperture is painted, little lumps in the paint will make little bumps along
that edge that would make that then individually different from every other
camera.
Q. Is this similar then to toolmark identification ?
Mr. SHANEYFELT. Very similar; yes.401
Page 596
Based on his examination of the shadowgraph on the negative, Commission Exhibit
No. 749, Shaneyfelt determined that it had been taken with the Imperial
camera.402
Three edges of the shadowgraph of the film-plane aperture were also visible on
one of the photographs of General Walker's house, not having been blocked out in
the making of the print. On the basis of these three margins, Shaneyfelt
determined that this photograph had also been taken with Oswald's Imperial
Reflex camera. Shaneyfelt could not determine whether 133-A had been
photographed with the Imperial camera, because the negative of 133-A had not
been found, and the print itself did not show a shadowgraph area.403
During his interrogations Oswald had been shown 133-A, and had claimed it was a.
composite--that the face in the picture was his, but the body was not.404
Shaneyfelt examined 133-A and 133-B to. determine if they were composite
pictures. He concluded that they were not:
* * * it is my opinion that they are not composites. Again with very, very minor
reservation, because I cannot entirely eliminate an extremely expert composite.
I have examined many composite photographs, and there is always an
inconsistency, either in lighting of the portion that is added, or the
configuration indicating a different lens used for the part that was added to
the original photograph, things many times that you can't point to and say this
is a. characteristic, or that is a characteristic, but they have definite
variations that are not consistent throughout the picture.
I found no such characteristics in this picture.
In addition, with a composite it is always necessary to make a print that you
then make a pasteup of. In this instance paste the face in, and rephotograph it,
and then retouch out the area where the head was cut out, which would leave a
characteristic that would be retouched out on the negative and then that would
be printed.
Normally, this retouching can be seen under magnification in the resulting
composite--points can be seen where the edge of the head had been added and it
hadn't been entirely retouched out.
This can nearly always be detected under magnification. I found no such
characteristics in these pictures.
Q. Did you use the technique of magnification in your analysis ?
A. Yes.405
Furthermore, the negative, Commission Exhibit No. 749, showed absolutely no
doctoring or composition.406 Since the negative was made in Oswald's Imperial
camera, Commission Exhibit No. 750, a composite of 133-B could have been made
only by putting two pictures together and rephotographing them in the Imperial
camera--all without leaving a discernible trace. This, to Shaneyfelt, was "in
the realm of the impossible":
596
Page 597
In addition, in this instance regarding 133-B which I have just stated, I have
identified as being photographed or exposed in the camera which is Exhibit 750,
for this to be a composite, they would have had to make a picture of the
background with an individual standing there, and then substitute the face, and
retouch it and then possibly rephotograph it and retouch that negative, and make
a print, and then photo graph it with this camera, which is Commission Exhibit
750, in order to have this negative which we have identified with the camera,
and is Commission Exhibit 749.
This to me is beyond reasonable doubt, it just doesn't seem that it would be at
all possible, in this particular photograph.407
Q. You have the negative of this? [Referring to Exhibit
133B.]
A. We have the negative of 133B.
Q. You have the negative of 133B. That negative in itself shows no doctoring or
composition at all?
A. It shows absolutely no doctoring or composition.
Q. So that the only composition that could have been made would have been in
this process which you have described of picture on picture and negative and
then photographing?
A. And then finally rephotographing with this camera. Q. Rephotographing with
this camera, this very camera ?
A. That is correct, and this then, to me, becomes in the realm of the
impossible.408
Following the assassination, photographs similar to 133-A appeared in a number
of newspapers and magazines.409 At least some of these photographs, as
reproduced, differed both from 133-A and from each other in minor details.410
Shaneyfelt examined several of these reproductions and concluded that in each
case the individual publisher had taken a reproduction of 133-A and retouched it
in various ways, apparently for clarifying purposes, thus accounting for the
differences between the reproductions and 133-A, and the differences between the
reproductions themselves.411 Subsequently one of the publishers involved
submitted the original photographs which it had retouched. Shaneyfelt's
examination of this photograph confirmed his original conclusion.412 The
remaining publishers either confirmed that they had retouched the photographs
they had used, or failed to contradict Shaneyfelt's testimony after having been
given an opportunity to do so.413
597
Appendix XI
Page 598
APPENDIX XI
Reports Relating to the Interrogation of Lee Harvey
Oswald at the Dallas Police Department
As discussed in chapters IV and V, Lee Harvey Oswald was interrogated for a
total of approximately 12 hours between 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 1963,
and 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 24, 1963. There were no stenographic or tape
recordings of. these interviews. Several of the investigators present at one or
more of the interrogation sessions, prior to testifying before the Commission,
had prepared memoranda setting forth their recollections of the questioning of
Oswald and his responses. The following are the most important of these reports.
598
Page 599
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Page 600
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 601
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 602
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 603
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 604
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 605
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 606
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 607
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 608
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 609
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 610
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 611
REPORT OF CAPT. J. W. FRITZ, DALLAS POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Continued
Page 612
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Page 613
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 614
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 615
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 616
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 617
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 618
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 619
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 620
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 621
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 622
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 623
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 624
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 625
REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Continued
Page 626
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Page 627
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Continued
Page 628
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Continued
Page 629
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Continued
Page 630
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Continued
Page 631
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Continued
Page 632
REPORTS OF INSPECTOR THOMAS J. KELLEY,
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Continued
Page 633
REPORT OF U.S. POSTAL INSPECTOR H. D. HOLMES
Page 634
REPORT OF U.S. POSTAL INSPECTOR H. D. HOLMES
Continued
Page 635
REPORT OF U.S. POSTAL INSPECTOR H. D. HOLMES
Continued
Page 636
REPORT OF U.S. POSTAL INSPECTOR H. D. HOLMES
Continued
Appendix XII
Page 637
APPENDIX XII
Speculations and Rumors
Myths have traditionally surrounded the dramatic assassinations of history. The
rumors and theories about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln that are still
being publicized were for the most part first bruited within months of his
death. Wherever there is any element of mystery in such dramatic events
misconceptions often result from sensational speculations.
Lacking the testimony of Lee Harvey Oswald, it has been necessary to reconstruct
painstakingly all of the facts that led the Commission to the conclusion that
Oswald assassinated President Kennedy, acting alone and without advice or
assistance. The Commission has found no credible evidence that he was a member
of a foreign or domestic conspiracy of any kind. Nor was there any evidence that
he was involved with any criminal or underworld elements or that he had any
association with his slayer, Jack Ruby, except as his victim. The evidence on
these issues has been set forth in great detail in this report.
In addition the Commission has inquired into the various hypotheses, rumors, and
speculations that have arisen from the tragic developments of November 22-24,
1963. It is recognized that the public judgment of these events has been
influenced, at least to some extent, by these conjectures.
Many questions have been raised about the facts out of genuine puzzlement or
because of misinformation which attended some of the early reporting of the
fast-crowding events of these 3 days. Most of the speculation and attempted
reconstruction of these events by the public centered on these basic questions:
Was Lee Harvey Oswald really the assassin of the President; why did he do it;
did he have any accomplices; and why did Ruby shoot Oswald? Many of the theories
and hypotheses advanced have rested on premises which the Commission feels
deserve critical examination.
Many people who witnessed the assassination and the killing of Oswald or were
present in the area were a major source of diverse and often contradictory
information. As is easily understood under such circumstances, all of the
witnesses did not see and hear the same thing or interpret what they saw and
heard the same way and many changed their stories as they repeated them.
Moreover, they were interviewed at different times after the event by different
people and often under circumstances which made accurate reporting extremely
difficult.
Even the occupants of the cars in the Presidential motorcade were not entirely
in agreement in their accounts because they, too, saw and heard what happened
from different positions. Moreover, those closest to the assassination were
subjected to a physical and emotional
637
Page 638
strain that tended to affect their recollections of what they thought they saw
or heard. Consequently, the presentation of the news from Dallas included much
misinformation. This, to some extent, was unavoidable, but the widespread and
repetitive dissemination of every scrap of information about the President's
assassination and its aftermath has helped to build up a large number of
erroneous conclusions. The manner in which local authorities released
information about. the investigation, sometimes before it could be verified in
all detail, has further contributed to the fund of ill-founded theories.
Typographical mistakes in the press and failure to transcribe sound accurately
from tapes resulted in errors, some of which have remained uncorrected in print
at the time of the publication of this report.
Much of the speculation that has persisted in one form or another since November
22-24 came from people who usually spoke in good faith. Some of the errors have
resulted simply from a lack of complete knowledge at the time of the event. In
this category are the statements attributed to doctors at Parkland Memorial
Hospital who attended the dying President and described his wounds to the press
afterward. It remained for the autopsy in Washington, completed early the next
morning, to ascertain the full facts concerning the wounds. The correction of
earlier assertions of fact on the basis of later and fuller analysis or
investigation is a normal part of the process of accumulation of evidence. But.
it is not often that the process is conducted in such an intense glare of
worldwide publicity, and later corrections have difficulty overtaking the
original sensational reports.
There is still another category of speculation and rumor that complicated and
broadened the work of the Commission. Numerous people claimed to have seen
Oswald or Ruby at various times and places in the United States or abroad.
Others insisted that during the days following the assassination, they had
detected significant actions on television that- were witnessed by no one else.
Still others assumed from a widely published picture that Oswald was standing on
the steps of the entrance to the Texas School Book Depository at the time the
President was shot. Throughout the country people reported overheard remarks,
conversations, threats, prophesies, and opinions that seemed to them to have a
possible bearing on the assassination. More than a few informants initially told
their speculations or professed firsthand information to newspaper and
television reporters. Later, many of them changed or retracted their stories in
telling them to official investigators.
The U.S. investigative agencies expended much valuable time and effort inquiring
into these leads. Investigations of a vast number of rumors and speculations
reached into almost every part of the United States and to most of the other
continents of the world.
The Commission's work was also handicapped by those witnesses and other persons
connected with the investigation who sold for publication evidence pertinent. to
the investigation. These persons sold pictures and documents and even
recollections, sometimes before the
638
Page 639
Commission had an opportunity to receive their evidence. Some of the evidence
thus published was changed from its original form and gave misleading
impressions to the public. The piecemeal release of this evidence, sometimes in
distorted or exaggerated form, and often out of context, provided the basis for
new speculations and rumors or served to reinforce already current ones. The
practice was frequently harmful to the work of the Commission and a disservice
to the public.
This appendix is intended to clarify the most widespread factual
misunderstandings. False or inaccurate speculations concerning the assassination
and related events are set forth below together with brief summary statements of
what the Commission has found to be the true facts. The citation following each
Commission finding is either to that portion of the report in which the subject
is discussed more fully, to the evidence in the record supporting the finding,
or to both. For complete answers to these speculations, the sources cited in the
footnotes should be consulted. The speculations are considered under the
following headings:
1. The source of the shots.
2. The identity of the assassin.
3. Oswald's movements between 12:33 and 1:15 p.m. on November 22, 1963.
4. The murder of Patrolman Tippit.
5. Oswald after his arrest.
6. Oswald in the Soviet Union. 7. Oswald's trip to Mexico City.
8. Oswald and U.S. Government agencies.
9. Conspiratorial relationships. 10. Miscellaneous charges.
The Source of the Shots
Page 639
THE SOURCE OF THE SHOTS
There have been speculations that some or all of the shots aimed at President
Kennedy and Governor Connally came from the railroad overpass as the
Presidential automobile approached it, or from somewhere other than the Texas
School Book Depository Building. Related speculations maintain that the shots
came from both the railroad overpass and the Texas School Book Depository
Building. These are supported by a number of assertions that have been carefully
examined by the Commission in the course of its investigation and rejected as
being without foundation. They are set forth below, together with the results of
the Commission's investigation.
Speculation.--The shots that killed the President came from the railroad
overpass above the triple underpass.
Commission finding.--The shots that entered the neck and head of the President
and wounded Governor Connally came from behind and above. There is no evidence
that any shots were fired at the Presi-
Page 640
dent from anywhere other than the Texas School Book Depository Building.1
Speculation--The railroad overpass was left unguarded on November 22.
Commission finding.--On November 22 the railroad overpass was guarded by two
Dallas policemen, Patrolmen J. W. Foster and J. C. White, who have testified
that they permitted only railroad personnel on the overpass.2
Speculation.--There are witnesses who alleged that the shots came from the
overpass.
Commission finding.-- he Commission does not have knowledge of any witnesses who
saw shots fired from the overpass. Statements or depositions from the 2
policemen and 13 railroad employees who were on the overpass all affirm that no
shots were fired from the overpass. Most of these witnesses who discussed the
source of the shots stated that they came from the direction of Elm and Houston
Streets. 3 Speculation.--A rifle cartridge was recovered on the overpass.
Commission finding.--No cartridge of any kind was found on the overpass nor has
any witness come forward to claim having found one.4
Speculation.---A witness to the assassination said that she saw a man run behind
the concrete wall of the overpass and disappear.
Commission finding.--Mrs. Jean L. Hill stated that after the firing stopped she
saw a white man wearing a brown overcoat and a hat running west away from the
Depository Building in the direction of the railroad tracks. There are no other
witnesses who claim to have seen a man running toward the railroad tracks.
Examination of all available films of the area following the shooting,
reexamination of interviews with individuals in the vicinity of the shooting,
and interviews with members of the Dallas Police Department. and the Dallas
County sheriff's office failed to corroborate Mrs. Hill's recollection or to
reveal the identity of the man described by Mrs. Hill. 5
Speculation.--Immediately after the shooting a motorcycle policeman was seen
racing up the grassy embankment to the right of the shooting scene pursuing a
couple seeking to flee from the overpass.
Commission finding.--There are no witnesses who have ever stated this and there
is no evidence to support the claim. A motorcycle policeman, Clyde A. Haygood,
dismounted in the street and ran up the incline. He stated that he saw no one
running from the railroad yards adjacent to the overpass. Subsequently, at 12:37
p.m., Haygood reported that the shots had come from the Texas School Book
Depository Building. 6
Speculation.---More than three shots, perhaps as many as five or six, were fired
at the President and Governor Connally.
Commission finding.--The weight of the evidence indicates that three shots were
fired, of which two struck President Kennedy. There is persuasive evidence from
the experts that one of these two bullets also struck Governor Connally. Some
witnesses claimed that they
Page 641
heard more than three shots but, as fully described in chapter III, the great
majority heard only three shots. 7
Speculation.--At least four or five bullets have been found.
Commission finding.--After the assassination, metal remains of bullets were
recovered. These included an almost whole bullet of 158.6 grains, fragments
weighing 44.6 grains and 21.0 grains, and other fragments too small to be
identified. These metal remains indicate that at least two shots were fired. The
Commission believes that three shots were fired. 8
Speculation.--A bullet was found on the stretcher used for President Kennedy at
Parkland Hospital.
Commission finding.--No bullet was found on the stretcher used by President
Kennedy. An almost whole bullet was found when it rolled off the stretcher used
by Governor Connally. 9
Speculation.--A bullet was found in the grass near the scene of the
assassination shortly afterward by a deputy sheriff of Dallas County, E. R.
Walthers.
Commission finding.--Walthers has denied that he found a bullet at any time or
that he told anyone that he had found one. With another deputy sheriff he made a
diligent search for such a bullet 2 or 3 days after the assassination. 10
Speculation.--The Presidential car stopped momentarily or almost came to a
complete halt after the first shot. This is evidence that the driver had the
impression that the first shot came from the front and therefore hesitated to
drive closer to the overpass.
Commission finding.--The Presidential car did not stop or almost come to a
complete halt after the firing of the first shot or any other shots. The driver,
Special Agent William R. Greer, has testified that he accelerated the car after
what was probably the second shot. Motion pictures of the scene show that the
ear slowed down momentarily after the shot that struck the President in the head
and then speeded up rapidly. 11
Speculation.--The Presidential ear had a small round bullet hole in the front
windshield. This is evidence that a shot or shots were fired at the President
from the front of the car.
Commission finding.--The windshield was not penetrated by any bullet. A small
residue of lead was found on the inside surface of the windshield; on the
outside of the windshield was a very small pattern of cracks immediately in
front of the lead residue on the inside. The bullet from which this lead residue
came was probably one of those that struck the President and therefore came from
overhead and to the rear. Experts established that the abrasion in the
windshield came from impact on the inside of the glassy
Speculation.--The throat wound sustained by the President was the result of a
shot fired from the front according to doctors at Parkland Hospital.
Commission finding.--Doctors at Parkland Hospital originally believed that the
throat wound could have been either an entry or exit wound, but they made no
examination to determine entry and exit
Page 642
wounds. Subsequently, when the evidence of the autopsy became available, the
doctors at Parkland agreed that it was an exit wound.13
Speculation.--It is inconceivable that the doctors at Parkland Hospital did not
turn the President over on his face and notice the bullet hole in the back of
his neck.
Commission finding.--Doctors at Parkland Hospital have testified that the
President remained on his back while he was at Parkland Hospital for treatment
and that they did not turn him over at any time; they were busy trying to save
his life. Consequently, they were never aware of the hole in the back of his
neck until they were notified of it later.14
Speculation.--The first shot struck the President in the throat as the car was
proceeding along Houston Street toward the Texas School Book Depository. The car
then made a left turn on to Elm Street and proceeded for some distance before
additional shots were fired at the President.
Commission finding.--Before the autopsy findings made it clear that the shots
were fired from the rear, there was speculation that the first shot may have
been fired before the Presidential car turned on to Elm Street. As this report
demonstrates, all of the shots that struck the President were fired from the
rear and in a time period inconsistent with the theory that the first shot
struck him while his car was coming down Houston Street. Motion pictures taken
at the time show that the first shot struck the President after the car had
turned onto Elm Street and was proceeding away from the Depository. 15
The Assassin
Page 642
THE ASSASSIN
Speculations tending to support the theory that Oswald could not have
assassinated President Kennedy are based on a wide variety of assertions. Among
these are statements that Oswald could not have been acquainted with the
motorcade route before he came to work on November 22, that he may well have
carried curtain rods rather than a rifle in a brown paper package he brought
with him, that there may have been other people in the building who could have
fired the rifle, that Oswald could not have fired the shots in the time
available to him, that he was not a good enough marksman to have scored the hits
with the rifle, that there were other people in the lunchroom of the Depository
Building when he was confronted by Patrolman M. L. Baker, and that there are no
eyewitnesses who could identify Oswald as having been in the window. Each of
these speculations is dealt with below in the light of the testimony and
evidence considered by the Commission.
Speculation.--Oswald could not have known the motorcade route before he arrived
at work on November 22.
Commission finding.--The motorcade route was published in beth Dallas papers on
November 19 and was therefore available at least 72 hours before Oswald reported
for work on November
Page 643
Speculation.--The route as shown in the newspaper took the motorcade through the
Triple Underpass via Main Street, a block away from the Depository. Therefore,
Oswald could not have known that the motorcade would pass directly by the Texas
School Book Depository Building.
Commission finding.--The motorcade route as published showed the motorcade
turning right off Main Street onto Houston for one block and then left on Elm to
the access road to the Stemmons Freeway. This route was clearly indicated in
published descriptions and maps of the motorcade route. There was no mention of
continuing on Main Street through the Triple Underpass.17
Speculation.--The motorcade route was changed on November 22 after the map had
been printed. The motorcade was shifted from Main Street over to Elm Street to
bring it by the Texas School Book Depository Building.
Commission finding.--The motorcade route was decided upon on November 18 and
published in the Dallas newspapers on November 19. It was not changed in any way
thereafter. The route called for the motorcade to turn off Main Street at
Houston, go up to Elm, and then turn left on Elm Street. 18
Speculation.--The normal and logical route would have been straight down Main
Street through the Triple Underpass to the Stemmons Freeway. It is possible to
drive from Main onto the access road to the Stemmons Freeway from a point beyond
the underpass.
Commission finding.--The normal, direct, and only permissible route to the
Stemmons Freeway from Main Street is via Houston and Elm Streets. Any attempt to
turn onto the access road to the Stemmons Freeway from Main Street beyond the
Triple Underpass would have been extremely difficult because of a concrete strip
dividing Elm and Main Streets. Such an attempt would have required making an
S-turn beyond the strip at a very tight angle, thereby slowing the Presidential
car almost to a stop.19
Speculation.--Oswald may well have carried curtain rods to work on November 22
in the brown paper package he was observed to bring into the building because he
lived in a room where he needed them.
Commission finding.--According to Oswald's landlady at 1026 North Beckley
Avenue, Mrs. A. C. Johnson, the room had venetian blinds, curtain rods, and
curtains while Oswald was living there. The curtain rods in the Paine garage
that belonged to Mrs. Paine were still there after Oswald went to work on
November 22. Mrs. Paine and Marina Oswald testified that Oswald had not spoken
to them about curtain rods. After the assassination the empty package was found
near the window from which the shots were fired, but no curtain rods were found.
20
Speculation.--Oswald spent the morning of November 22 in the company of other
workers in the building and remained with them until they went downstairs to
watch the President go by, no later probably than 12:15.
643
Page 644
Commission finding.--Oswald did not spend the morning in the company of other
workers in the building, and before the assassination he was last seen in the
building on the sixth floor at about 11:55 a.m. by Charles Givens, another
employee.21
Speculation.--It is probable that the chicken lunch, remains of which were found
on the sixth floor, was eaten by an accomplice of Oswald who had hidden on the
sixth floor overnight.
Commission finding.--The chicken lunch had been eaten shortly after noon on
November 22 by Bonnie Ray Williams, an employee of the Texas School Book
Depository, who after eating his lunch went to the fifth floor where he was when
the shots were fired. Oswald did not eat the chicken lunch, nor did he drink
from the soft drink bottle found near the chicken lunch.22
Speculation.--Laboratory tests showed remains of the chicken lunch found on the
sixth floor were 2 days old.
Commission finding.--The chicken lunch remains had been left there shortly after
noon on November 22 by Bonnie Ray Williams. 23
Speculation.--An amateur 8-millimeter photograph taken at 12:20 p.m., 10 minutes
before the assassination of President Kennedy, showed two silhouettes at the
sixth-floor window of the Depository.
Commission finding.--film taken by an amateur photographer, Robert J. E. Hughes,
just before the assassination, shows a shadow in the southeast corner window of
the sixth floor. This has been determined after examination by the FBI and the
U.S. Navy Photographic Interpretation Center to be the shadow from the cartons
near the window.24
Speculation.--A picture published widely in newspapers and magazines after the
assassination showed Lee Harvey Oswald standing on the front steps of the Texas
School Book Depository Building shortly before the President's motorcade passed
by.
Commission finding.--The man on the front steps of the building, thought or
alleged by some to be Lee Harvey Oswald, is actually Billy Lovelady, an employee
of the Texas School Book Depository, who somewhat resembles Oswald. Lovelady has
identified himself in the picture, and other employees of the Depository
standing with him, as shown in the picture, have verified that he was the man in
the picture and that Oswald was not there. 25
Speculation.--The post office box in Dallas to which Oswald had the rifle mailed
was kept under both his name and that of A. Hidell.
Commission finding.--It is not known whether Oswald's application listed the
name A. Hidell as one entitled to receive mail at the box. In accordance with
U.S. Post Office regulations, the portion of the application listing the names
of persons other than the applicant entitled to receive mail was discarded after
the box was closed on May 14, 1963. During the summer of 1963, Oswald rented a
post office box in New Orleans, listing the name "Hidell" in addition to his own
name and that of his wife. Hidell was a favorite alias used by Oswald on a
number of occasions. Diligent search has failed to re-
Page 645
veal any person in Dallas or New Orleans by that name. It was merely a creation
for his own purposes.26
Speculation.--The President's car was going at a speed estimated at from 12 to
20 miles per hour, thus presenting a target comparable to the most difficult
that a soldier would encounter under battlefield conditions.
* Commission finding.--During the period between the time that the first and
second shots struck the President, the Presidential car was traveling at an
avenge speed of approximately 11.2 miles per hour. Expert witnesses testified
that the target is regarded as a favorable one because the car was going away
from the marksman in a straight line. 27
Speculation.--Oswald could not have fired three shots from the
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle in 5.5 seconds.
Commission finding.--According to expert witnesses, exacting tests conducted for
the Commission demonstrated that it was possible to fire three shots from the
rifle within 5.5 seconds. It should be noted that the first loaded shell was
already in the chamber ready for firing; Oswald had only to pull the trigger to
fire the first shot and to work the bolt twice in order to fire the second and
third shots. They testified that if the second shot missed, Oswald had between
4.8 and 5.6 seconds to fire the three shots. If either the first or third shot
missed, Oswald had in excess of 7 seconds to fire the three shots. 28
Speculation.--Oswald did not have the marksmanship ability demonstrated by the
rifleman who fired the shots.
Commission finding.--Oswald qualified as a sharpshooter and a marksman with the
M-1 rifle in the Marine Corps. Marina Oswald testified that in New Orleans her
husband practiced operating the belt of the rifle. Moreover, experts stated that
the scope was a substantial aid for rapid, accurate firing. The Commission
concluded that Oswald had the capability with a rifle to commit assassination.29
Speculation.--The name of the rifle used in the assassination appeared on the
rifle. Therefore, the searchers who found the rifle on the sixth floor of the
Texas School Book Depository should have been able to identify it correctly by
name.
Commission finding.--An examination of the rifle does not reveal any
manufacturer's name. An inscription on the rifle shows that it was made in
Italy. The rifle was identified by Captain Fritz and Lieutenant Day, who were
the first to actually handle it.30
Speculation.--The rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book
Depository was identified as a 7.65 Mauser by the man who found it, Deputy
Constable Seymour Weitzman.
Commission finding.--Weitzman, the original source of the speculation that the
rifle was a Mauser, and Deputy Sheriff Eugene Boone found the weapon. Weitzman
did not handle the rifle and did not examine it at close range. He had little
more than a glimpse of it and thought it was a Mauser, a German bolt-type rifle
similar in appearance to the Mannlicher-Carcano. Police laboratory technicians
Page 646
subsequently arrived and correctly identified the weapon as a 6.5 Italian
rifle.31
Speculation.--There is evidence that a second rifle was discovered on the roof
of the Texas School Book Depository or on the overpass.
Commission finding--No second rifle was found in either of these places or in
any other place. The shots that struck President Kennedy and Governor Connally
came from the rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book
Depository. 32
Speculation.--It is possible that there was a second Mannlicher-Carcano rifle
involved in the assassination. The Irving Sports Shop mounted a scope on a rifle
3 weeks before the assassination.
Commission finding.--Dial D. Ryder, an employee of the Irving Sports Shop, has
stated that he found on his workbench on November 23 an undated work tag with
the name "Oswald" on it, indicating that sometime during the first 2 weeks of
November three holes had been bored in a rifle and a telescopic sight mounted on
it and bore-sighted. However, Ryder and his employer, Charles W. Greener, had no
recollection of Oswald, of his Mannlicher-Carcano rifle, of the transaction
allegedly represented by the repair tag, or of any person for whom such a repair
was supposedly made. The rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book
Depository had two holes in it bored for the installation of a scope prior to
shipment to Oswald in March 1968. The Commission concluded that it is doubtful
whether the tag produced by Ryder was authentic. All of the evidence developed
proves that Oswald owned only the one rifle--the Mannlicher-Carcano--and that he
did not bring it or a second rifle to the Irving Sports Shop.33
Speculation.--Ammunition for the rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository had not been manufactured since the end of World War II.
The ammunition used by Oswald must,. therefore, have been at least 90 years old,
making it extremely unreliable.
Commission finding.--The ammunition used in the rifle was American ammunition
recently made by the Western Cartridge Co., which manufactures such ammunition
currently. In tests with the same kind of ammunition, experts fired Oswald's
Mannlicher-Carcano rifle more than 100 times without any misfires.34
Speculation.--The assertion that Oswald's palmprint appeared on the rifle is
false. The FBI told newsmen in an off-the-record briefing session that there was
no palmprint on the rifle.
Commission finding.--The FBI confirmed that the palmprint lifted by the Dallas
police from the rifle found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book
Depository Building was Oswald's palmprint. The FBI informed the Commission that
no FBI agent made statements of any type to the press concerning the existence
or nonexistence of this print. 35
Speculation.--If Oswald had been gloveless, he would have left fingerprints on
the rifle because he would not have had time to wipe the prints off the rifle
after he had fired it.
Page 647
Commission finding.--An FBI fingerprint expert testified that the poor quality
of the metal and wooden parts would cause them to absorb moisture from the skin,
thereby making a clear print unlikely. There is no evidence that Oswald wore
gloves or that he wiped prints off the rifle. Latent fingerprints were found on
the rifle but they were too incomplete to be identified.36
Speculation.--Gordon Shanklin, the special agent in charge of the Dallas office
of the FBI, stated that the paraffin test of Oswald's face and hands was
positive and proved that he had fired a rifle.
Commission finding.--The paraffin tests were conducted by members of the Dallas
Police Department and the technical examinations by members of the Dallas
City-County Criminal Investigation Laboratory. The FBI has notified the
Commission that neither Shanklin nor any other representative of the FBI ever
made such a statement. The Commission has found no evidence that Special Agent
Shanklin ever made this statement publicly. 37
Speculation.--Marina Oswald stated that she did not know that her husband owned
a rifle nor did she know that he owned a pistol.
Commission finding.--There is no evidence that Marina Oswald ever told this to
any authorities. On the afternoon of November 22, she told the police that her
husband owned a rifle and that he kept it in the garage of the Paine house in
Irving. Later, at Dallas police headquarters, she said that she could not
identify as her husband's the rifle shown her by policemen. When Marina Oswald
appeared before the Commission she was shown the Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5 rifle
found on the sixth floor of the Depository and identified it as the "fateful
rifle of Lee Oswald." 38
Speculation.--The picture of Oswald taken by his wife in March or April 1963 and
showing him with a rifle and a pistol was "doctored" when it appeared in
magazines and newspapers in February 1964. The rifle held by Oswald in these
pictures is not the same rifle that was found on the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository Building.
Commission finding.--Life magazine, Newsweek, and the New York Times notified
the Commission that they had retouched this picture. In doing so, they
inadvertently altered details of the configuration of the rifle. The original
prints of this picture have been examined by the Commission and by photographic
experts who have identified the rifle as a Mannlicher-Carcano 6.5, the same kind
as the one found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. FBI
experts testified that the picture was taken with Oswald's camera.39
Speculation.--The rifle picture of Oswald was a composite one with Oswald's face
pasted on somebody else's body.
Commission finding.--Marina Oswald has testified that she took this picture with
a camera owned by her husband and subsequently identified as Oswald's Imperial
Reflex camera. She identified the man in the picture as her husband. Experts
also state the picture was not a composite. 40
647
Page 648
Speculation.--After firing the shots, Oswald could not have disposed of the
rifle and descended the stairs to the lunchroom in time to get a drink from a
soft drink machine and be there when Patrolman Baker came in.
Commission finding.---A series of time tests made by investigators and by Roy S.
Truly and Patrolman M. L. Baker at the request of the Commission, show that it
was possible for Oswald to have placed the rifle behind a box and descended to
the lunchroom on the second floor before Patrolman Baker and Truly got up there.
Oswald did not have a soft drink bottle in his hand at the time he was
confronted by Baker and he was not standing by the soft, drink machine. He was
just entering the lunchroom; Baker caught a glimpse of him through the glass
panel in the door leading to the lunchroom vestibule. 41
Speculation.--There were other people present in the lunchroom at the time that
Baker and Truly saw Oswald there.
Commission finding.--Baker and Truly have both stated that there was no one in
the lunchroom other than Oswald at the time that they entered. No other witness
to this incident has been found. 42
Speculation.--Police were sealing off all exits from the building by the time
Oswald got to the second floor.
Commission finding.--Police may have begun to take up positions at the exits to
the building as early as 12:33, but it is unlikely that they had blocked them
off completely until 12:37 p.m. at the earliest. Oswald was seen in an office,
walking toward an exit leading to the front stairway, at about 12:33 p.m. Oswald
probably had at least 7 minutes in which to get out of the building without
being stopped. 43
Oswald's Movements Between 12:33 and 1:15 P.M.
Page 648
OSWALD'S MOVEMENTS BETWEEN 12:33 AND 1:15 P.M.
One of the major theses urged in support of the theory that Oswald did not
murder Patrolman Tippit was that his known movements after he left the Texas
School Book Depository would not have permitted him to have arrived at 10th
Street and Patton Avenue in time to encounter Tippit by 1:16 p.m. Careful
reenactments by investigative agencies and by members of the Commission staff of
Oswald's movements from the time he left the Texas School Book Depository until
he encountered Tippit verified that Oswald could reach his roominghouse at 1026
North Beckley Avenue at approximately i p.m. or earlier. The housekeeper at the
roominghouse testified that Oswald spent only a few minutes at the house,
leaving as hurriedly as he had arrived. During police interrogation after his
arrest, Oswald admitted to riding both bus and taxi in returning to his
roominghouse after the assassination of the President. From 1026 North Beckley
Avenue, Oswald could easily have walked the nine tenths of a mile to 10th Street
and Patton Avenue where he encountered Tippit.
648
Page 649
Speculation.--A detailed and remarkably dear description of Oswald was sent over
the police radio in Dallas at 12:36 p.m., November 22, 1963.
Commission finding.--The radio logs of the Dallas Police Department and the
Dallas County Sheriff's Office show that no description of a suspect in the
assassination of the President was broadcast before 12 :45 p.m. on that day. No
reference to Oswald by name was broad-east before he was arrested. The
description of the suspect that was broadcast was similar to that of Oswald, but
it lacked some important specific details such as color of hair and eyes. The
information for the initial broadcasts most probably came from Howard Brennan,
who saw Oswald in the window when he was firing the rifle. 44
Speculation.--Oswald did not have time for all of the movements imputed to him
between his departure from the Texas School Book Depository and his encounter
with Tippit.
Commission finding.--Time tests of all of Oswald's movements establish that
these movements could have been accomplished in the time available to him. 45
Speculation.--Oswald was stopped by police as he left the building and was
permitted to pass after he told them he worked in the building.
Commission finding.---The Commission has found no witness who saw Oswald leave
the building. This speculation is probably a mis-interpretation of the fact that
he was stopped in the lunchroom by Patrolman Baker before he left the building
and was allowed to proceed after Truly, the Depository superintendent,
identified him as an employee there. Police did not seal off the building until
at least several minutes after Oswald could have left. 46
Speculation.--The log of the cabdriver who took Oswald to North Beckley Avenue,
William W. Whaley, shows that Oswald entered his cab at 12:30 p.m. Since this
occurred at some distance from the point of the President's assassination,
Oswald could not have shot the President.
Commission finding.--Whaley's log does show 12:30 p.m., but he has testified
that he was not accurate in logging the time that passengers entered his cab,
that he usually logged them at 15-minute intervals, and that it was undoubtedly
some time later than 12:30 when Oswald entered his cab. Sometimes he did not
make entries in his logbook until three or four trips later. The bus transfer in
Oswald's possession was issued after 12:36 p.m. The Commission has determined
that Oswald probably entered Whaley's cab at about 12:47 or 12:48 p.m.47
Speculation.--The distance from the Greyhound terminal in Dallas, where Oswald
entered the cab, to North Beckley Avenue, where he probably left the cab, is
something over 3 miles--normally a 10-minute cab drive. Given the traffic jam
that existed at the time, it is doubtful that Whaley could have made the trip in
less than 15 minutes. One estimate has placed the time at 24 minutes from the
Greyhound terminal to Oswald's roominghouse.
Commission finding.--The distance from the Greyhound bus terminal at Jackson and
Lamar Streets to the 500 block of North Beckley
649
730-900 0-64---43
Page 650
is 2.5 miles. Oswald actually got out in the 700 block of North Beck-ley. The
distance was, therefore, less than 2.5 miles. Whaley has testified to the
Commission that the trip took 6 minutes. Test runs made by members of the
Commission staff under traffic conditions somewhat similar to those that existed
on November 22, took approximately 5 minutes and 30 seconds. To walk from
Beckley and Neely, which is the 700 block of Beckley, where Oswald probably left
the cab, to 1026 North Beckley, took Commission staff members 5 minutes and 45
seconds.48
Speculation--Oswald was on his way to Jack Ruby's apartment when he was stopped
by Patrolman Tippit.
Commission finding.--There is no evidence that Oswald and Ruby knew each other
or had any relationship through a third party or parties. There is no evidence
that Oswald knew where Ruby lived. Accordingly, there is neither evidence nor
reason to believe that Oswald was on his way to Ruby's apartment when he was
stopped by Tippit.49
Murder of Tippit
Page 650
MURDER OF TIPPIT
Speculations on the murder of Tippit centered about assertions that he was
elsewhere than he was supposed to be when he was shot, that he knew the man who
shot him, and that the description of the murderer given by one of the
eyewitnesses did not fit Oswald's description.
The Commission found that Tippit was unquestionably patrolling in an area to
which he had been directed by police headquarters. There was no evidence to
support the speculation that Tippit and Oswald knew each other or had ever seen
each other before. The description of the murderer imputed to one of the
witnesses was denied by her and had no support from any other eyewitness.
Speculation.--Tippit was driving alone in his police car even though standing
orders for police in Dallas were that radio cars of the type Tippit was driving
must have two policemen in them.
Commission finding.--Dallas police officials stated that department policy
required about 80 percent of the patrolmen on the day shift, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
to work alone. Tippit was one of the patrolmen assigned to work alone that
day.50
Speculation.---Tippit was violating an order he had received the day before not
to leave the sector to which he had been assigned. This sector was supposed to
be in downtown Dallas at the time he stopped Oswald.
Commission finding.--A review of Tippit's file in the Dallas Police Department
and the department's radio log revealed that following the shooting of the
President, Tippit was directed to move into and remain in the central Oak Cliff
area available for any emergency.51
Speculation.--The police had been withdrawn from the area in which Tippit found
Oswald.
650
Page 651
Commission finding.--Other police cars were operating in the Oak Cliff area at
the same time as Tippit. They participated in the subsequent search for and
apprehension of Tippit's slayer.52
Speculation.--Tippit violated a procedure governing radio cars when he failed to
notify headquarters that he was stopping to question a suspect.
Commission finding.--The Dallas Police Department had no requirement or
regulation for police officers to notify headquarters when stopping to question
a suspect. Therefore, Tippit did not violate any police radio procedure in
failing to notify the radio dispatcher that he was stopping Oswald.53
Speculation.--Tippit could not have recognized Oswald from the description sent
out over the police radio.
Commission finding.--There is no certain way of knowing whether Tippit
recognized Oswald from the description put out by the police radio. The Dallas
Police Department radio log shows that the police radio dispatcher at 1:29 p.m.
noted a similarity between the broadcast descriptions of the President's
assassin and Tippit's slayer. It is conceivable, even probable, that Tippit
stopped Oswald because of the description broadcast by the police radio.54
Speculation.--Tippit and his killer knew each other.
Commission finding.--Investigation has revealed no evidence that Oswald and
Tippit were acquainted, had ever seen each other, or had any mutual
acquaintances. Witnesses to the shooting observed no signs of recognition
between the two men.55
Speculation.--Mrs. Helen Markham, a witness to the slaying of Tippit, put the
time at just after 1:06 p.m. This would have made it impossible for Oswald to
have committed the killing since he would not have had time to arrive at the
shooting scene by that time.
Commission finding.--The shooting of Tippit has been established at
approximately 1:15 or 1:16 p.m. on the basis of a call to police headquarters on
Tippit's car radio by another witness to the assassination, Domingo Benavides.
In her various statements and in her testimony, Mrs. Markham was uncertain and
inconsistent in her recollection of the exact time of the slaying.56
Speculation.--Mrs. Helen Markham is the only witness to the killing of Tippit.
Commission finding.--Other witnesses to the killing of Tippit include Domingo
Benavides, who used Tippit's car radio to notify the police dispatcher of the
killing at 1:16 p.m., and William Scoggins, a cabdriver parked at the corner of
10th Street and Patton Avenue. Barbara Jeanette Davis and Virginia Davis saw a
man with a pistol in his hand walk across their lawn immediately after they
heard the sound of the shots that. killed Tippit. The man emptied the shells
from his pistol and turned the corner from 10th Street onto Patton Avenue. All
of these witnesses, except Benavides, subsequently picked Oswald out of a lineup
as the slayer. Benavides did not feel that he could make a positive
identification and never attended a lineup for the purpose.57
651
Page 652
Speculation.--Mrs. Markham said that the man she saw shooting Tippit was about
30, short, with bushy hair, and wearing a white coat. Since Oswald does not fit
this description he could not be the killer.
Commission finding.--In evaluating Helen Markham's testimony the Commission is
aware of allegations that she described the killer of Patrolman Tippit as short,
stocky, and with bushy hair,-which would not be a correct description of Oswald.
It has also been alleged that Mrs. Markham identified Oswald in the lineup
because of his clothing rather than his appearance. When Oswald appeared in the
lineup at which Mrs. Markham was present, he was not wearing the jacket which he
wore at the time of the shooting, and Mrs. Markham has testified that her
identification was based "mostly from his face." 58 Moreover, Mrs. Markham has
denied that she ever described the man who killed Tippit as short, stocky, and
with bushy hair. The Commission reviewed the transcript of a telephone
conversation in which Mrs. Markham was alleged to have made such a description.
In the transcription Mrs. Markham reaffirmed her positive identification of
Oswald and denied having described the killer as short, stocky, and bushy
haired.59
Speculation.--Another witness to the slaying of Patrolman Tippit, an
unidentified woman, was interviewed by the FBI but was never called as a witness
by the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. This
witness is alleged to have stated that she saw two men involved in the shooting
and that they ran off in opposite directions afterward.
Commission finding.--The only woman among the witnesses to the slaying of Tippit
known to the Commission is Helen Markham. The FBI never interviewed any other
woman who claimed to have seen the shooting and never received any information
concerning the existence of such a witness. Two women, Barbara Jeanette Davis
and Virginia Davis is, saw the killer immediately after the shooting as he
crossed the lawn at the corner of Patton Avenue and 10th Street, but they did
not witness the shooting itself. They were both inter viewed by the FBI and
appeared before the Commission. The Commission has no evidence that there was
any witness to the slaying other than those identified in chapter IV.60
Speculation.--No witness saw Oswald between the time he was supposed to have
reloaded his gun near the scene of the slaying and his appearance at the
shoestore on Jefferson Boulevard.
Commission finding.--Six witnesses identified Oswald as the man they saw in
flight after the murder of Tippit. The killer was seen, gun in hand, by Ted
Callaway and Sam Guinyard in the block of Patton Avenue between 10th Street and
Jefferson Boulevard after the shooting of Tippit. They saw him run to Jefferson
and turn right. On the evening of November 22, Callaway and Guinyard picked
Oswald out of a police lineup as the man they saw with the gun. Two other men,
Warren Reynolds and Pat Patterson, saw a man with a pistol in his hand running
south on Patton Avenue. They followed him for a block on Jefferson Boulevard and
then lost sight
652
Page 653
of him. Both men subsequently identified pictures of Oswald as the man they saw
with the gun. Harold Russell also saw a man with a gun running south on Patton
Avenue and later identified him from pictures as Oswald. Mrs. Mary Brock saw a
man she later identified as Oswald walk at a fast pace into the parking lot
behind the service station at the corner of Jefferson and Crawford, where
Oswald's jacket was found shortly after.61
Speculation.--When Oswald left his roominghouse at about 1 p.m. on November 22
he had on a zipper- type tan plaid jacket.
Commission finding.--The jacket that Oswald was wearing at the time of the
slaying of Tippit was a light- gray jacket. According to Marina Oswald, her
husband owned only two jackets--one blue and the other light gray. The
housekeeper at 1026 North Beckley Avenue, Mrs. Earlene Roberts, was not certain
about the color of the jacket that Oswald was wearing when he left the house.62
Speculation.--Oswald wore an olive-brown plain jacket which is visible in all
the pictures of him after his arrest.
Commission finding.--At the time of his arrest, Oswald was not wearing a jacket.
The jacket that was subsequently recovered in a parking lot and identified as
Oswald's was a light-gray one. There are no witnesses who have stated that
Oswald was wearing an olive-brown jacket immediately before or after his arrest.
The Commission has seen no pictures of Oswald taken subsequent to his arrest
that show him in such a jacket. Pictures taken shortly after his arrest show him
in the shirt that Mrs. Bledsoe described him as wearing when she saw him on the
bus at approximately 1:40 p.m.63
Speculation.--Oswald's landlady, Mrs. A. C. Johnson, said that Oswald never had
a gun in the room.
Commission finding.--In her testimony before the Commission, Mrs. Johnson said
that he "never brought that rifle in my house. * * * He could have had this
pistol, I don't know, because they found the scabbard." 64 As shown in chapter
IV, Oswald kept his rifle in the Paine garage in Irving while he was living in
Dallas during October and November. The pistol was small and easily concealed.65
Speculation.--There was absolutely no place to hide a gun in Oswald's room at
1026 North Beckley Avenue.
Commission finding.--In the search of Oswald's room after his apprehension
police found a pistol holster. Oswald's landlady, Mrs. A. C. Johnson, stated
that she had not seen the holster before. There is no reason to believe that
Oswald could not have had both a pistol and the holster hidden in the room.
Oswald's pistol was a small one with the barrel cut down to 2.25 inches. It
could have been concealed in a pocket of his clothes.66
Speculation.--Oswald did not pick up the revolver from his room at 1 p.m.
Commission finding.--There is reason to believe that Oswald did pick up the
revolver from his room, probably concealing it beneath his jacket. This
likelihood is reinforced by the finding of the pistol holster in the room after
the assassination, since this indicates that
653
Page 654
Oswald did not store the pistol at the home of Mrs. Paine where he spent the
night before the assassination.67
Speculation--No one saw Oswald enter the Texas Theatre. Commission finding.--A
nearby shoe store manager, Johnny C. Brewer, and the theatre cashier, Julia
Postal, saw Oswald enter the lobby of the theatre from where he went on into the
theatre proper.68
Speculation.--Not a single one of the people in the Texas Theatre at the time of
Oswald's arrest has come forward or been brought forward to give an eyewitness
account of the arrest.
Commission finding.--Johnny C. Brewer, the shoe store manager, and two patrons
of the theatre--John Gibson and George Jefferson Applin, Jr.--were present in
the theatre and testified before the Commission on the circumstances of Oswald's
arrest at the Texas Theatre. Only 6 or 7 people were seated on the main floor of
the theatre.69
Speculation.--There is no independent witness aside from the police who
testified that Oswald was carrying a gun when arrested by the police.
Commission finding.--Johnny Brewer testified before the Commission that he saw
Oswald pull a gun and that he saw it taken away from him by a policeman.70
Oswald After His Arrest
Page 654
OSWALD AFTER HIS ARREST
The Commission found that assertions that the Dallas police treated Oswald
brutally and denied him his constitutional rights to legal counsel had no
foundation in fact. Insinuations that Dallas police officials and District
Attorney Henry M. Wade fabricated or altered evidence to establish the guilt of
Oswald were baseless. It is true that police officials and the district attorney
made errors in giving evidential information to the press, but these were dearly
the result of misapprehensions or ignorance rather than intent, and at the worst
represent bad judgment. At least one imputed fabrication of fact, further
embellished by repetition, never really occurred. Sinister connotations were
evoked by the attribution to the district attorney of the statement that a
taxicab driver named Darryl Click drove Oswald from downtown Dallas to the area
of his roominghouse in Oak Cliff. It has been correctly ascertained that no such
taxicab driver existed in Dallas. On the other hand, the district attorney, who
was quoted in a newspaper transcript as making the statement, never made the
statement nor did any one else. Audio tapes of the district attorney's press
conference make clear that the person who transcribed the conference rendered a
reference to the "Oak Cliff" area of Dallas as a person, "Darryl Click". This
error in transcription is the sole source for the existence of a "Darryl Click"
as a taxicab driver.
Speculation.--Oswald was the victim of police brutality.
Commission finding.--Oswald resisted arrest in the Texas Theatre and drew a gun.
He received a slight cut over his right eye and a
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Page 655
bruise under his left eye in the course of his struggles. During the time he was
in police custody, he was neither ill-treated nor abused.71
Speculation.--Oswald was never formally charged with the assassination of the
President; he was charged only with the shooting of Patrolman J. D. Tippit.
Commission finding.--Oswald was arraigned for the murder of President Kennedy
before Justice of the Peace David Johnston on the fourth floor of the Police
Department building at 1:35 a.m., November 23. Previously, he had been arraigned
before Johnston for the murder of Tippit at 7:10 p. m., November 22.72
Speculation.--The police questioned Oswald extensively about the Tippit murder
on the first day of his detention. They did not question him about the
assassination of President Kennedy.
Commission finding.--Dallas police officials stated that they questioned Oswald
repeatedly on November 22 about the assassination of President Kennedy and his
relationship to it. At the first interrogation, Captain Fritz asked Oswald to
account for himself at the time the President was shot. FBI agents who were
present also stated that he was questioned about the assassination of the
President.73
Speculation.--Oswald's attempts to get legal counsel were deliberately thwarted
by the police and he was cut off from outside calls that would have permitted
him to obtain a lawyer.
Commission finding.--On November 23, Oswald was visited by the president of the
Dallas Bar Association, H. Louis Nichols, who offered him help in getting a
lawyer; Oswald refused the offer. Oswald was told by the police that he could
use the telephone when he wished, and he did make telephone calls. He attempted
to call attorney John Abt in New York but was unsuccessful in reaching him. Mrs.
Paine testified that at Oswald's request she tried without success to reach Abt.
Oswald was also visited by his wife, mother, and brother, to any of whom he
could have turned for help in getting counsel.74
Oswald in the Soviet Union
Page 655
OSWALD IN THE SOVIET UNION
Oswald's residence in the Soviet Union for more than 2.5 years aroused
speculation after his arrest that he was an agent of the Soviet Union or in some
way affiliated with it. This speculation was supported by assertions that he had
received exceptionally favored treatment from the Soviet Government in securing
permission to enter and leave the country, especially the latter, because his
Russian wife and child were permitted to leave with him. The careful analysis of
these speculations in chapter VI of this report led to the Commission's
conclusion that there is no credible evidence that Oswald was an agent of the
Soviet Government and that he did not receive unusually favorable treatment in
entering or leaving the Soviet Union or in returning to the United States.
655
Page 656
Speculation.--A young private in the Marine Corps in the 1950's could not study
Marxism, learn Russian, and read Soviet newspapers without any adverse
repercussions in his unit.
Commission finding.---Although Oswald's interest in the Soviet Union was well
known, his interest in Marxism was apparently known to only a few of his fellow
marines. While stationed in California. he studied Russian. In February 1959,
while still in the Marines, he took an official test on his proficiency in
Russian and was rated "Poor." In California at about this time he probably read
a Russian-language newspaper. The reactions of his fellow Marines who were aware
of his interests in Marxism and the Soviet Union were apparently not
antagonistic and did not deter him from pursuing these interests.75
Speculation.--Oswald learned Russian during his service in the Marines as part
of his military training.
Commission finding.--Oswald never received any training from the Marine Corps in
the Russian language. His studies of Russian were entirely on his own time and
at his own initiative.76
Speculation.--Oswald could not have saved $1,600 from his Marine pay for his
trip to Russia in 1959.
Commission finding.--In November 1959, Oswald told an American reporter in
Moscow, Aline Mosby, that he had saved $1,500 (not $1,-600) while in the
Marines. It is entirely consistent with Oswald's known frugality that he could
have saved the money from the $3,452.20 in pay he received while he was in the
Marines. Moreover, despite his statement to Aline Mosby, he may not actually
have saved $1,500, for it was possible for him to have made the trip to Russia
in 1959 for considerably less than that amount.77
Speculation.--It is probable that Oswald had prior contacts with Soviet agents
before he entered Russia in 1959 because his application for a visa was
processed and approved immediately on receipt.
Commission finding.--There is no evidence that Oswald was in touch with Soviet
agents before his visit to Russia. The time that it took for him to receive his
visa in Helsinki for entrance to the Soviet Union was shorter than the average
but not beyond the normal range for the granting of such visas. Had Oswald been
recruited as a Russian agent while he was still in the Marines, it is most
improbable that he would have been encouraged to defect. He would have been of
greater value to Russian intelligence as a Marine radar operator than as a
defector.78
Speculation.--Soviet suspicion of Oswald is indicated by the fact that he was
sent off to work in a radio plant in Minsk as an unskilled hand at the lowest
rate of pay although he qualified as a trained radar and electronics technician.
Commission finding.--The Soviet Government probably was suspicious of Oswald, as
it would be of any American who appeared in Moscow and said he wanted to live in
the Soviet Union. Under the circumstances it is to be expected that he would be
placed in a position that would not involve national security. Moreover, Oswald
had been a radar operator, not a technician, in the Marines. His total income in
Russia was higher than normal because his pay was sup-
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Page 657
plemented for about a year by payments from the Soviet "Red Cross," an official
agency of the Soviet Government. Oswald believed that these payments really came
from the MVD. It is a policy of the Soviet Government to subsidize defectors
from Western nations who settle in the Soviet Union, in order that their
standard of living may not be too much lower than their previous standard in
their own country.79
Speculation.--Oswald was trained by the Russians in a special school for
assassins at Minsk.
Commission finding.--Commission investigations revealed no evidence to support
this claim or the existence of such a school in Minsk during the time Oswald was
there. Oswald belonged to a hunting club near Minsk, but there is no evidence
that this was other than an ordinary hunting club.80
Speculation.--Marina Oswald's father was an important part of the Soviet
intelligence apparatus.
Commission finding.--Marina Oswald's father died while she was still an infant.
This reference is presumably to her uncle, Ilya Prusakov, who was an executive
in the lumber industry, which position carried with it the rank of lieutenant
colonel or colonel in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Since 1953 the MVD
has not been concerned with internal security or other police functions.81
Speculation.--It was most exceptional that Oswald was able to bring his wife and
child out of the Soviet Union with him.
Commission finding .--There is no reason to believe that the Oswalds received
unusually favorable treatment in being permitted or assisted to leave the Soviet
Union together. Other American citizens have brought their Russian wives out of
the Soviet Union, both before and after Oswald.82
Speculation.--Oswald never would have been permitted to return to the United
States if Soviet intelligence had not planned to use him in some way against the
United States.
Commission finding.--There is no evidence that Oswald had any working
relationship with the Soviet Government or Soviet intelligence. The Russians
have permitted other American defectors to return to the United States.83
Speculation.--Since the exit visa for Marina Oswald was granted so promptly the
Soviet authorities must have wanted Marina to accompany her husband.
Commission finding.--Marina Oswald's exit visa application was not acted upon
with unusual rapidity. It took at least 5.5 months from the time the Oswalds
applied until they were notified of permission in December 1961. There have been
many instances where visas were granted more quickly to other Soviet wives of
American citizens.84
Speculation.--Soviet authorities gave Oswald notice a month and a half in
advance that they had granted him an exit visa, an unprecedented act for the
Soviet Government.
657
Page 658
Commission finding.--The Oswalds were notified on December 25, 1961, that their
requests for exit visas had been granted by Soviet authorities. Marina Oswald
picked up her visa, valid until December 1, 1962, on January 11, 1962, 17 days
after receiving notice that it was available. Oswald did not pick up his visa
until May 22. The Soviets did not give the Oswalds any advance notice; the visas
could have been picked up immediately had the Oswalds so desired. Because his
exit visa had a 45-day expiration time after date of issuance, Lee Oswald
delayed picking it up until he knew when he was leaving. He could not arrange a
departure date until he received permission from the Department of State in May
to return to the United States.85
Oswald's Trip to Mexico City
Page 658
OSWALD'S TRIP TO MEXICO CITY
Oswald's trip to Mexico City in late September and early October 1963, less than
2 months before he assassinated President Kennedy, has provoked speculation that
it was related in some way to a conspiracy to murder the President. Rumors
include assertions that he made a clandestine flight from Mexico to Cuba and
back and that he received a large sum of money--usually estimated at
$5,000--which he brought back to Dallas with him. The Commission has no credible
evidence that Oswald went to Mexico pursuant to a plan to assassinate President
Kennedy, that he received any instructions related to such an action while
there, or that he received large sums of money from any source in Mexico.
Speculation.--Oswald could not have received an American passport in June 1963
within 24 hours without special intervention on his behalf.
Commission finding.--Oswald's passport application was processed routinely by
the Department of State. No person or agency intervened specially on his behalf
to speed the issuance of the passport. The passports of 24 other persons, on the
same list sent to Washington from New Orleans, were authorized at the same time.
The Passport Office of the Department of State had no instructions to delay
issuance of or to deny a passport to Oswald.86
Speculation.--The Walter-McCarran Act specifically requires anyone who has
attempted to renounce his U.S. citizenship to file an affidavit stating why he
should receive a U.S. passport. Therefore, Oswald should have been required to
file such an affidavit before receiving his passport in June 1963.
Commission finding.--The Internal Security Act of 1950 (Walter-McCarran Act)
contains no reference to an affidavit being required of a U.S. citizen who has
attempted to expatriate himself.87
Speculation.--Oswald did not have money for his trip to Mexico in September
1963.
Commission finding.--An analysis of Oswald's finances by the Commission
indicates that he had sufficient money to make the trip to and from Mexico City.
There is no evidence that he received any
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Page 659
assistance in financing his trip to Mexico. The total cost of his 7-day trip has
been reliably estimated at less than $85. 88
Speculation.--Oswald was accompanied on his trip to Mexico City by a man and two
women.
Commission finding.--Investigation has revealed that Oswald traveled alone on
the bus. Fellow passengers on the bus between Houston and Mexico City have
stated that he appeared to be traveling alone and that they had not previously
known him.89
Speculation.--While in Mexico, Oswald made a clandestine flight to Havana and
back.
Commission finding.--The Commission has found no evidence that Oswald made any
flight to Cuba while he was in Mexico. He never received permission from the
Cuban Government to enter Cuba nor from the Mexican Government to leave Mexico
bound for Cuba. A confidential check of the Cuban airline in Mexico City
indicates that Oswald never appeared at its office there.90
Speculation.--Oswald came back from Mexico City with $5,000.
Commission finding.--No evidence has ever been supplied or obtained to support
this allegation. Oswald's actions in Mexico City and after his return to Dallas
lend no support to this speculation.91
Speculation.--On November 27, 1963, in a speech at the University of Havana,
Fidel Castro, under the influence of liquor, said "The first time that Oswald
was in Cuba * * *" Castro therefore had knowledge that Oswald had made
surreptitious visits to Cuba.
Commission finding.--Castro's speeches are monitored directly by the U.S.
Information Agency as he delivers them. A tape of this speech reveals that it
did not contain the alleged slip of the tongue. Castro did refer to Oswald's
visit to the "Cuban Embassy" in Mexico which he immediately corrected to "Cuban
consulate." The Commission has found no evidence that Oswald had made
surreptitious visits to Cuba.92
Oswald and U.S. Government Agencies
Page 659
OSWALD AND U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Rumors and speculations that Oswald was in some way associated with or used by
agencies of the U.S. Government grew out of his Russian period and his
investigation by the FBI after his return to the United States. Insinuations
were made that Oswald had been a CIA agent or had some relationship with the CIA
and that this explained the supposed ease with which he received passports and
visas. Speculation that he had some working relationship with the FBI was based
on an entry in Oswald's notebook giving the name and telephone number of an
agent from the FBI office in Dallas. The Directors of the CIA and the FBI have
testified before the Commission that Oswald was never in the employ of their
agencies in any capacity. The Commission has concluded on the basis of its own
investigations of the files of Federal agencies that Oswald was not and had
never been an agent of any agency of the U.S. Government (aside
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Page 660
from his service in the Marines) and was not and had never been used by any U.S.
Government agency for any purpose. The FBI was interested in him as a former
defector and it maintained a file on him.
Speculation.--Oswald was an informant of either the FBI or the CIA. He was
recruited by an agency of the U.S. Government and sent to Russia in 1959.
Commission finding.--Mrs. Marguerite Oswald frequently expressed the opinion
that her son was such an agent, but she stated before the Commission that "I
cannot prove Lee is an agent." 93 The Directors of the CIA and of the FBI
testified before the Commission that Oswald was never employed by either agency
or used by either agency in any capacity. Investigation by the Commission has
revealed no evidence that Oswald was ever employed by either the FBI or CIA in
any capacity.94
Speculation.--Oswald told Pauline Bates, a public stenographer in Fort Worth,
Tex., in June 1962, that he had become a "secret agent" of the U.S. Government
and that he was soon going back to Russia "for Washington."
Commission finding.--Miss Bates denied a newspaper story reporting that Oswald
had told her that he was working for the U.S. Department of State. She stated
that she had assumed incorrectly that he was working with the Department of
State when he told her that the State Department had told him in 1959 that he
would be on his own while in the Soviet Union.95
Speculation.--The FBI tried to recruit Oswald. An FBI agent's name, telephone
number, and automobile license number were found among Oswald's papers.
Commission finding.--FBI officials have testified that they had never tried to
recruit Oswald to act on behalf of the FBI in any capacity. The Commission's
investigation corroborates this testimony. An FBI agent, James P. Hosty, Jr.,
had given his name and telephone number to Mrs. Ruth Paine so that she could
call and give him Oswald's address in Dallas when she learned it. Mrs. Paine and
Marina Oswald have stated that Mrs. Paine gave Oswald a slip of paper with the
agent's name and telephone number on it. Marina Oswald had taken down the
license number of Hosty's car on one of his visits and given it to her
husband.96
Speculation.--Dallas police must have known where Oswald was living in the city
because Mrs. Paine had given the address of Oswald's room on North Beckley
Avenue to the FBI some time before the assassination.
Commission finding.--Mrs. Paine had never given the address of Oswald's
roominghouse to the FBI, nor had she known the address prior to the
assassination. Therefore, the Dallas police could not have learned the address
from the FBI which did not know the address before the assassination. The Dallas
Police did not know that Oswald was in the city before the assassination.97
Speculation.--It has been FBI policy for 20 years to inform employers of
Communists or suspected Communists employed by them.
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Page 661
It is a mystery, therefore, how Oswald retained his job at the Texas School Book
Depository.
Commission finding.--The FBI advised the Commission that it has never been its
policy to inform employers that they have Communists or suspected Communists
working for them and that the FBI does not disseminate internal security
information to anyone outside the executive branch of the U.S. Government. FBI
agents had no contacts with Texas School Book Depository officials until after
the assassination.98
Speculation.--Municipal and Federal police had observed Oswald closely for some
time but had not regarded him as a potential killer.
Commission finding.--The Dallas police had not been aware of Oswald's presence
in the city before the assassination. The FBI knew the Oswald was in Dallas from
an interview with Mrs. Paine, but no FBI agents had interviewed him there before
the assassination. The FBI had not regarded him as a potential killer.99
Speculation.--The FBI probably knew that Oswald had the rifle before the
President's murder because it was most unlikely that it could have traced the
ownership of the rifle within 1 day if it had not already had information on the
rifle.
Commission finding.--The FBI successfully traced the purchase of the rifle by
Oswald within 24 hours of the assassination. It had had no previous information
about the rifle.100
Speculation.--The FBI interviewed Oswald 10 days before the assassination.
Commission finding.--The last FBI interview with Oswald, before the
assassination, took place in New Orleans in August 1963, when he asked to see an
FBI agent after his arrest by police for disturbing the peace, the outcome of
his distribution of Fair Play for Cuba handbills. Neither Special Agent Hosty
nor any other FBI agent saw or talked with Oswald between his return to Dallas,
on October 3, and November 22. Hosty did interview Mrs. Paine at her home about
Oswald on November 1 and 5, 1963. He also saw Marina Oswald briefly on November
1 at Mrs. Paine's house, but he did. not interview her.101.
Conspiratorial Relationships
Page 661
CONSPIRATORIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Rumors concerning accomplices and plots linked Oswald and Ruby with each other,
or with others, including Patrolman J. D. Tippit, Gen. Edwin A. Walker, and
Bernard Weissman of the nonexistent American Factfinding Committee, in a
conspiratorial relationship. The Commission made intensive inquiry into the
backgrounds and relationships of Oswald and Ruby to determine whether they knew
each other or were involved in a plot of any kind with each other or others. It
was unable to find any credible evidence to support the rumors linking Oswald
and Ruby directly or through others. The Commission concluded that they were not
involved in a conspiratorial relationship with each other or with any third
parties.
661
Page 662
Speculation.---Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, and Patrolman J. D. Tippit lived
within a few blocks of each other.
Commission finding.--Oswald's room was 1.3 miles from Ruby's apartment and
Tippit lived 7 miles away from Ruby. Tippit's residence was about 7 miles from
Oswald's room.102
Speculation.--Since Oswald did not have the money to repay the $435.61 he had
received from the Department of State to cover part of the expenses of his
return from Russia, he must have received help from some other source. Ruby lent
Oswald money to pay back the loan and lent him small amounts of money
thereafter.
Commission finding.--The Commission has no credible evidence that Oswald
received any money from Ruby or anyone else to repay his State Department loan,
nor that he received small amounts of money from Ruby at any time. An exhaustive
analysis of Oswald's income and expenditures, made for the Commission by an
Internal Revenue Service expert, reveals that Oswald had sufficient funds to
make the State Department repayments from his earnings.103
Speculation.--Just before Oswald was shot by Ruby, he looked directly at Ruby in
apparent recognition of him.
Commission finding.--The Commission has been unable to establish as a fact any
kind of relationship between Ruby and Oswald other than that Oswald was Ruby's
victim. The Commission has examined television tapes and motion picture films of
the shooting and has been unable to discern any facial expression that could be
interpreted to signify recognition of Ruby or anyone else in the basement of the
building.104
Speculation.--The Dallas police suspected Oswald and Ruby of being involved in
an attack on General Walker and planned to arrest the two when the FBI
intervened, at the request of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and asked the
police not to do so for reasons of state.
Commission finding.--This allegation appeared in the November 29, 1963, issue
(actually printed on November 25 or 26) of a German weekly newspaper, Deutsche
National Zeiting und Soldaten Zeitung, published in Munich. The allegation later
appeared in the National Enquirer of May 17, 1964. The Commission has been
reliably informed that the statement was fabricated by an editor of the
newspaper. No evidence in support of this statement has ever been advanced or
uncovered. In their investigation of the attack on General Walker, the Dallas
police uncovered no suspects and planned no arrests. The FBI had no knowledge
that Oswald was responsible for the attack until Marina Oswald revealed the
information on December 3, 1963.105
Speculation.--Ruby and Oswald were seen together at the Carousel Club.
Commission finding.--All assertions that Oswald was seen in the company of Ruby
or of anyone else at the Carousel Club have been investigated. None of them
merits any credence.106
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Page 663
Speculation.--Oswald and General Walker were probably acquainted with each other
since Oswald's notebook contained Walker's name and telephone number.
Commission finding.--Although Oswald's notebook contained Walker's name and
telephone number there was no evidence that the two knew each other. It is
probable that this information was inserted at the time that Oswald was planning
his attack on Walker. General Walker stated that he did not know of Oswald
before the assassination.107
Speculation.--Patrolman J. D. Tippit, Bernard Weissman, and Jack Ruby met by
prearrangement on November 14, 1963, at the Carousel Club.
Commission finding.--Investigation has revealed no evidence to support this
assertion. Nor is there credible evidence that any of the three men knew each
other.108
Speculation.--Ruby's sister, Mrs. Eva Grant, said that Ruby and Tippit were
"like two brothers."
Commission finding.--Mrs. Grant has denied ever making this state-merit or any
statement like it, saying it was untrue and without foundation. Ruby was
acquainted with another Dallas policeman named Tippit, but this was O. M. Tippit
of the special services bureau of the department, not the Tippit who was
killed.109
Speculation.--Jack Ruby was one of the most notorious of Dallas gangsters.
Commission finding.--There is no credible evidence that Jack Ruby was active in
the criminal underworld. Investigation disclosed no one in either Chicago or
Dallas who had any knowledge that Ruby was associated with organized criminal
activity.110
Speculation.--The shooting in Dallas on January 23, 1964, of Warren A. Reynolds,
who witnessed the flight of Patrolman Tippit's slayer on November 22 and
followed him for a short distance, may have been connected in some way with the
assassination of President Kennedy and the slaying of Patrolman Tippit. A man
arrested for the attempt on Reynolds, Darrell Wayne Garner, was released as a
result, in part, of testimony by Betty (Nancy Jane Mooney) MacDonald, who had
allegedly worked at one time as a stripper at Jack Ruby's Carousel Club.
Commission finding.--This rumor, originally publicized by a newspaper columnist
on February 23, 1964, was apparently based on the alleged connection between
Betty MacDonald and the Carousel Club. Investigation revealed no evidence that
she had ever worked at the Carousel Club. Employees of the club had no
recollection that she bad ever worked there. Betty MacDonald was arrested and
charged with disturbing the peace on February 13, 1964. After being placed in a
cell at the Dallas city jail, she hanged herself. The Commission has found no
evidence that the shooting of Warren Reynolds was in any way related to the
assassination of President Kennedy or the murder of Patrolman Tippit.111
663
Other Rumors and Speculations
Page 664
OTHER RUMORS AND SPECULATIONS
Many rumors and speculations difficult to place in the categories treated above
also required consideration or investigation by the Commission. In some way or
other, much of this miscellany was related to theories of conspiracy involving
Oswald. The rest pertained to peripheral aspects that were of sufficient import
to merit attention. The Commission's findings are set forth below.
Speculation.--Oswald was responsible in some way for the death of Marine Pvt.
Martin D. Schrand.
Commission finding.--This rumor was mentioned by at least one of Oswald's fellow
Marines. Private Schrand was fatally wounded by a discharge from a riot-type
shotgun while he was on guard duty on January 5, 1958, near the carrier pier,
U.S. Naval Air Station, Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines. The official
Marine investigation in 1958 found that Schrand's death was the result of an
accidental discharge of his gun and that no other person or persons were
involved in the incident. The rumor that Oswald was involved in Schrand's death
in some way may have had its origin in two circumstances: (1) Oswald was
stationed at Cubi Point at the time of Schrand's death; (2) on October 27, 1957,
while stationed in Japan, Oswald accidentally shot himself in the left elbow
with a .22 derringer that he owned. the Commission has found no evidence that
Oswald had any connection with the fatal shooting of Private Schrand.112
Speculation.--The Texas School Book Depository is owned and operated by the city
of Dallas, and Oswald was therefore a municipal employee. Accordingly, he could
have secured his job. at the Depository only if someone in an official capacity
vouched for him.
Commission finding.--The Texas School Book Depository is a private corporation
unconnected with the city of Dallas. Oswald therefore was not a municipal
employee. He obtained his position at the Depository with the assistance of Mrs.
Ruth Paine, who learned of a possible opening from a neighbor and arranged an
interview for him with Superintendent Roy S. Truly at the Depository.113
Speculation.--Prior to the assassination Dallas police searched other buildings
in the area of the Texas School Book Depository but not the School Book
Depository itself.
Commission finding--The Dallas police and the Secret Service both notified the
Commission that, other than the Trade Mart, they had searched no buildings along
the route of the President's motorcade or elsewhere in Dallas in connection with
the President's visit. It was not Secret Service practice to search buildings
along the routes of motorcades.114
Speculation.--Sheriff E. J. Decker of Dallas County came on the police radio at
12:25 p.m. with orders to calm trouble at the Texas School Book Depository.
Commission finding.--The final edition of the Dallas Times-Herald of November 22
(p. 1, col. 1) reported that "Sheriff Decker came on the air at 12:25 p.m." and
stated: "'I don't know what's happened. Take
664
Page 665
every available man from the jail and the office and go to the railroad yards
off Elm near the triple underpass?" The article in the Times-Herald did not
mention the time that the President was shot. The radio log of the Dallas County
Sheriff's Office shows that Sheriff Decker came on the air at 40 seconds after
12:30 p.m. and stated: "Stand by me. All units and officers vicinity of station
report to the railroad track area, just north of Elm- -Report to the railroad
track area, just north of Elm." The radio log does not show any messages by
Sheriff Decker between 12:20 p.m. and 40 seconds after 12:30 p.m.115
Speculation.--Police precautions in Dallas on November 22 included surveillance
of many people, among them some who did no more than speak in favor of school
integration.
Commission finding.--The Dallas Police Department notified the Commission that
on November 22 it had no one raider surveillance as a precaution in connection
with President Kennedy's visit except at the Trade Mart.. The Commission
received no evidence that the Dallas police had under surveillance people who
spoke in favor of school integration.116
Speculation.--Oswald was seen at shooting ranges in the Dallas area practicing
firing with a rifle.
Commission finding.--Marina Oswald stated that on one occasion in March or April
1963, her husband told her that he was going to practice firing with the rifle.
Witnesses have testified that they saw Oswald at shooting ranges in the Dallas
area during October and November 1963. Investigation has failed to confirm that
the man seen by these witnesses was Oswald.117
Speculation.--Oswald could drive a car and was seen in cars at various places.
Commission finding.--Oswald did not have a driver's license. Marina Oswald and
Ruth Paine have testified that he could not drive a car, and there is no
confirmed evidence to establish his presence at any location as the driver of a
car. Mrs. Paine did give Oswald some driving lessons and he did drive short
distances on these occasions.118
Speculation.--Oswald received money by Western Union telegraph from time to time
for several months before the assassination of President Kennedy.
Commission finding.--An employee in the Western Union main office in Dallas, C.
A. Hamblen, made statements that he remembered seeing Oswald there on some
occasions collecting money that had been tele graphed to him. In his testimony
before the Commission, Hamblen was unable to state whether or not the person he
had seen was Lee Harvey Oswald. Western Union officials searched their records
in Dallas and other cities for the period from June through November 1963 but
found no money orders payable to Lee Oswald or to tiny of his known aliases. A
Western Union official concluded that the allegation was "a figment of Mr.
Hamblen's imagination." 119 The Commission has found no evidence to contradict
this conclusion.120
730-900 0-64--44
665
Page 666
Speculation.--On his way back from Mexico City in October 1963, Oswald stopped
in Alice, Tex., to apply for a job at the local radio station.
Commission finding.--This rumor apparently originated with the manager of radio
station KOPY, Alice, who stated that Oswald visited his office on the afternoon
of October 4 for about 25 minutes. According to the manager, Oswald was driving
a battered 1953 model car and had his wife and a small child in the car with
him. Oswald traveled from Mexico City to Dallas by bus, arriving in Dallas on
the afternoon of October 3. The bus did not pass through Alice. On October 4,
Oswald applied for two jobs in Dallas and then spent the afternoon and night
with his wife and child at the Paine residence in Irving. Investigation has
revealed that Oswald did not own a car and there is no convincing evidence that
he could drive a car. Accordingly, Oswald could not have been in Alice on
October 4. There is no evidence that he stopped in Alice to look for a job on
any occasion.121
Speculation.--Oswald or accomplices had made arrangements for his getaway by
airplane from an airfield in the Dallas area.
Commission finding.--Investigation of such claims revealed that they had not the
slightest substance. The Commission found no evidence that Oswald had any
prearranged plan for escape after the assassination.122
Speculation.--One hundred and fifty dollars was found in the dresser of Oswald's
room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue after the assassination.
Commission finding.--No money was found in Oswald's room after the
assassination. Oswald left $170 in the room occupied by his wife at the Paine
residence in Irving. At the time of Iris arrest Oswald had $13.87 on his
person.123
Speculation.-- After Oswald's arrest, the police found in his room seven metal
file boxes filled with the names of Castro sympathizers.
Commission finding.--The Dallas police inventories of Oswald's property taken
from his room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue do not include any file boxes. A
number of small file boxes listed in the inventory as having been taken from the
Paine residence in Irving contained letters, pictures, books and literature,
most of which belonged to Ruth Paine, not to Oswald. No lists of names of Castro
sympathizers were found among these effects.124
Speculation.--Oswald's letters vary so greatly in quality (spelling, grammar,
sentence structure) that he must have had help in preparing the better
constructed letters or someone else wrote them for him.
Commission finding.--There is no evidence that anyone in the United States
helped Oswald with his better written letters or that anyone else wrote his
letters for him. His wife stated that he would write many drafts of his more
important letters. His mother indicated that he would work hard over the drafts
of some of his letters. It is clear that he did take greater pains with some of
his letters than with others and that the contrasts in quality were accordingly
substantial.
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Page 667
It is also clear that even his better written letters contained some distinctive
elements of spelling, grammar, and punctuation that were common to his poorer
efforts. Oswald wrote in his diary that he received help from his Intourist
Guide, Rima Shirokova, in the preparation of his letter of October 16, 1959, to
the Supreme Soviet.125
Speculation.--A Negro janitor who was a witness to the shooting and was supposed
to be able to identify Oswald as the killer was held in protective custody by
the Dallas police until he could appear before the President's Commission on the
Assassination of President Kennedy.
Commission finding.--Investigation revealed that this story had no foundation in
fact. No such witness was kept in protective custody by the Dallas police for
appearance before the Commission. The story had its origin in a newspaper
account based on hearsay.126
Speculation.--The Secret Service incarcerated Marina Oswald immediately after
the assassination.
Commission finding.--Marina Oswald was given protection by the Secret Service
for a period of time after the assassination. She had freedom to communicate
with others at anytime she desired, to go where she pleased, or to terminate the
protection at any time.127
Speculation.--Mrs. Marguerite Oswald was shown a photograph of Jack Ruby by an
FBI agent the night before Ruby killed her son.
Commssion finding.--On the night of November 23, 1963, Special Agent Bardwell D.
Odum of the FBI showed Mrs. Marguerite Oswald a picture of a man to determine
whether the man was known to her. Mrs. Oswald stated subsequently that. the
picture was of Jack Ruby. The Commission has examined a copy of the photograph
and determined that it was not a picture of Jack Ruby.128
Speculation.--The son of the only witness to the Tippit slaying was arrested
after talking to some private investigators and soon plunged to his death from
an unbarred jail window.
Commission finding.--According to Mrs. Helen Markham, one of the witnesses to.
the Tippit slaying, Mrs. Marguerite Oswald and two men who claimed to be
reporters from Philadelphia sought to interview her on June 27, 1964. Mrs.
Markham did not wish to be interviewed and put them off. Afterward, Mrs.
Markham's son, William Edward Markham, talked with Mrs. Oswald and the men about
the Oswald matter and the shooting of Patrolman Tippit. William Edward Markham
had been in Norfolk, Va., at the time of the assassination and had not returned
to Dallas until May 7, 1964. He had no personal knowledge of the shooting of
Patrolman Tippit. On June 30, 1964, another of Mrs. Markham's sons, James Alfred
Markham, was arrested at Mrs. Markham's apartment by Dallas Police on a charge
of burglary. While trying to escape, he fell from the bathroom of the apartment
to a concrete driveway about 20 feet below. He was taken to Parkland Memorial
Hospital, treated for injuries, and after 6½ hours was taken to jail. As of July
31, 1964, he was in Dallas County Jail awaiting trial. There was also a warrant
outstanding against him for parole violation's. 129
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Page 668
Speculation.--The headquarters detachment of the U.S. Army, under orders from
[Secretary of Defense Robert S.] McNamara's office, began to rehearse for the
funeral more than a week before the assassination.
Commission finding.--This assertion is based on an interview with U.S. Army
Capt. Richard C. Cloy that appeared in the Jackson, Miss., Clarion-Ledger of
February 21, 1964. The newspaper quotes Captain Cloy, who was a member of the
Army unit charged with conducting funeral-ceremonials in honor of deceased
Chiefs of State, as having said that, "we were in a state of readiness and had
just finished a funeral rehearsal because there was grave concern for President
Hoover's health. But we never expected that our practice was preparing us for
President Kennedy." 130
Speculation.---The ship in which Oswald went to Europe in 1959 stopped in Havana
on the way.
Commission finding.--Oswald boarded the SS Marion Lykes in New Orleans and it
sailed on September 20, 1959. It docked in Le Havre France, on October 8 with
only one previous stop--at another French port, La Pallice.131
668
Appendix XIII
Page 669
APPENDIX XIII
Biography of Lee Harvey Oswald
Early Years
Page 669
EARLY YEARS
Marguerite Claverie, the mother of Lee Harvey Oswald, was born in New Orleans in
1907,1 into a family of French and German extraction. 2 Her mother died a few
years after Marguerite was born. leaving her and five other young children in
the care of their father, a streetcar conductor.3 Although Marguerite describes
herself as "a child of one parent," she recalls being %he of the most popular
young ladies in the [grammar] school," and thinks of her childhood as a "very
full happy" one.4 Her older sister, Mrs. Lillian Murret, remembers Marguerite as
"a very pretty child, a very beautiful girl," 5 as does a former acquaintance,
Clem H. Sehrt, who knew the Claveries.6 The family was poor but, according to
Mrs. Murret, was a "happy family * * * singing all the time."7 Marguerite had 1
year of high school.8 Shortly before she was 17, she went to work as a
receptionist for a law firm in New Orleans?
In August 1929, while she was still working at the law firm, Marguerite married
Edward John Pic, Jr.,10 a quiet man of her own age, who worked as a clerk for T.
Smith & Son. a New Orleans stevedoring company.11 The marriage was not a
success, and by the summer of 1931 she and Pic were separated.12 Marguerite was
then 3 months pregnant; she told her family that Pic did not want any children
and refused to support her.13 Pic ascribed the separation simply to their
inability to get along together.14 A boy was born on January 17, 1932, whom
Marguerite named John Edward Pic.15 Pic saw his son occasionally until he was
about 1 year old; after that, he did not see the boy again 16 but contributed to
his support until he was 18 years old.17
During her separation from her first husband, Marguerite saw a great deal of
Robert Edward Lee Oswald, an insurance premium collector,18 who also was married
but was separated from his wife.19 In 1933, Marguerite was divorced from Pic20
and, Oswald's wife also having obtained a divorce,12 they were married in a
Lutheran church on July 20.22 Marguerite has described the period of her
marriage to Oswald as "the only happy part" of her life.23 A son was born on
April 7, 1934, who was named for his father; 24 Oswald wanted to adopt John Pic,
but his mother objected on the ground that John's father might cut off the
support payments.25 In 1938, the Oswalds purchased a new house on Alvar Street
for $3,900,26 in what John remembered as "a rather nice neighborhood." 27 The
house was across the street from the William Frantz School,28 which first John
and
Page 670
later both he and Robert, Jr., attended. 29 On August 19, 1939, little more than
a year after the Oswalds bought the Alvar Street house, Robert Oswald died
suddenly of a heart attack. 30
Two months later, on October 18, 1939, a second son was born.31 He was named Lee
after his father; Harvey was his paternal grandmother's maiden name. 32 For a
while after her husband's death, Mrs. Oswald remained in the Alvar Street house
without working; she probably lived on life insurance proceeds. 33 Sometime in
1940, she rented the house to Dr. Bruno F. Mancuso the doctor who had delivered
Lee.34 (Dr. Mancuso continued to rent the house until 1944,35 when Marguerite
obtained a judgment of possession against him.36 She sold the house for $6,500
to the First Homestead and Savings Association, which resold it to Dr.
Mancuso.)37 She herself moved to a rented house at 1242 Congress Street, where
she lived for about half a year.38 For part of this period after Oswald's death,
the two older boys were placed in the Infant Jesus College, a Catholic boarding
school in Algiers, La., a suburb of New Orleans. 39 Neither they nor their
mother liked this arrangement, 40 which John thought was intended to save
money;41 it lasted for less than a year, after which the boys returned to the
school Frantz and then transferred to the George Washington Elementary School.
42
On March 5, 1941, Mrs. Oswald purchased a frame 43 house at 1010 Bartholomew
Street, for $1,300.44 According to John's recollection, the neighborhood was not
as pleasant as Alvar Street; the house had a backyard, and the family kept a dog
named "Sunshine." 45 A neighbor, Mrs. Viola Peterman, recalls that Mrs. Oswald
kept to herself but appeared to be "a good mother to her children." 46 She
opened a shop in the front room, where she sold things like sewing"'supplies and
small groceries.47 Oswald's Notion Shop, as it was called, failed to make
money,49 and on January 16, 1942, Mrs. Oswald sold the house back to the Third
District Home Association, from which she had purchased it, for a profit of
$800.50
Probably in contemplation of the sale of the house, Mrs. Oswald applied in
December 1941 to the Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Orphan Asylum Association
for the admission of her two older sons to the orphan asylum, known as the
Bethlehem Children's Home; she stated on the application that she could
contribute $20 per month to their maintenance and would supply shoes and
clothing.51 She had inquired also about Lee, who was too young to be admitted.
52 John and Robert were accepted and entered the home on January 3, 1942. 53
Mrs. Oswald moved to an apartment at 831 Pauline Street,54 and returned to work.
In December 1942, she listed her occupation as "telephone operator"; 55 this may
be the job she held at the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., a company for which she
worked at some point during this period. 56 She left Lee for much of this time
with his aunt, Mrs. Murret, who thought him a good looking, friendly child, but
could not devote a great deal of attention to him because she had five children
of her own. 57 In the late spring of 1942, Lee was watched for several weeks by
Mrs. Thomas Roach, who lived with her husband in the
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same house as the Oswalds.58 Lee evidently did not get along with Mrs. Roach who
told the next occupant of the house that Lee was a bad, unmanageable child who
threw his toy gun at her.59 Apparently referring to the Roaches, Mrs. Oswald
testified that she had once hired a couple to care for Lee; the couple neglected
him, so she "put them out" and cared for Lee herself until Mrs. Murret was able
to help her again. 60 Soon after the incident with the Roaches, Mrs. Oswald
moved again,61 this time to 111 Sherwood Forest Drive, near the Murrets. 62
Mrs. Murret took care of Lee for several months longer. Near Lee's third
birthday, Mrs. Oswald again inquired about his admission into the Bethlehem
Children's Home, 63 perhaps because a disagreement with her sister made it
impossible to leave him with her any longer.64 He was admitted on December 26.65
On his application, Mrs. Oswald agreed to contribute $10 per month and to supply
shoes and clothing, as for the other boys. 66
Lee remained in the home for about 13 months, but according to John's testimony,
left on several occasions to spend short periods of time with his mother or the
Murrets. 67 John and Robert have pleasant memories of the home,68 which
apparently gave the children a good deal of freedom.69 Robert described it as
nondenominational but having "a Christian atmosphere"; "it might have been just
a Protestant home." 70 Mrs. Oswald visited them regularly, 71 and they
occasionally left the home to visit her or the Murrets.72
In July 1943, Mrs. Oswald was hired to manage a small hosiery store.73 This is
probably the store to which she referred in her testimony as the "Princess
Hosiery Shop on Canal Street," at which, she testified, she was left by herself
and "in 6 days' time * * * hired four girls." 74 Her employer remembers her as a
neat, attractive, and hardworking woman, an aggressive person who would make a
good manager. 75 She was not good with figures, however, and after several
months he discharged her. 76 At about this same time, she met Edwin A. Ekdahl,
an electrical engineer older than herself, who was originally from Boston but
was then working in the area. 77 They saw each other often. Ekdahl met the boys
78 and, according to John's testimony, on at least one occasion, they all spent
a weekend at a summer resort area in Covington, La. 79
By January 1944, Mrs. Oswald and Ekdahl had decided to marry.80 She withdrew Lee
from the Children's Home 81 and moved with him to Dallas, where Ekdahl expected
to be located. 82 They planned to postpone the marriage until the end of the
school year so that the older boys could complete the year at the home before
they left it.83 In the meantime, she would care for Ekdahl,84 who was recovering
from a serious illness, probably a heart attack. 85 Mrs. Oswald has testified
that when she arrived in Dallas, she decided that she did not want to marry
Ekdahl after all.86 Using part of the proceeds from the sale of the Alvar Street
house,87 she purchased a house at 4801 Victor Street,88 a portion of which she
rented. 89 In June, John and Robert left the Children's Home and joined their
mother in
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Dallas.90 They entered the nearby Davy Crockett Elementary School the following
September.91
Ekdahl visited Mrs. Oswald on weekends and stayed at Victor Street. 92 By the
following year she had resolved her doubts about marrying him, influenced in
part by his substantial income 93 and perhaps by the visit some time earlier of
his sister, who favored the marriage because of his ill health.94 Explaining
that she expected to travel a great deal, Mrs. Oswald tried unsuccessfully to
return the older boys to the home in February 1945.95 She and Ekdahl were
married in May.96 After a brief honeymoon, they returned to Victor Street.97
Ekdahl got along well with the boys, on whom he lavished much attention.98 John
testified that Ekdahl treated them as if they were his own children and that Lee
seemed to find in Ekdahl "the father he never had"; John recalled that on one
occasion he told Lee that Ekdahl and his mother had become reconciled after a
separation, and that "this seemed to really elate Lee, this made him really
happy that they were getting back together." 99
Because Ekdahl's business required him to make frequent trips, in September,
John and Robert were placed in the Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy at Port
Gibson, Miss.;100 their mother paid the tuition herself, using the proceeds from
the sale of the Alvar Street property. 101 They remained at the academy for the
next 3 years, returning home only for or vacations. 102 Lee accompanied his
parents on their travels.103 Mrs. Myrtle Evans, who had known both Marguerite
and Ekdahl before their marriage,104 testified that Marguerite insisted on
keeping Lee with her; Mrs. Evans thought that Marguerite was "too close" to Lee
and "spoiled him to death," which hurt her marriage to Ekdahl.105
Sometime in the fall after John and Robert were at boarding school, the Ekdahls
moved to Benbrook, a suburb of Fort Worth, where they lived on Granbury Road,
106 in a house of stone or brick, set on a large plot of land.107 Records of the
Benbrook Common School show Lee's admission into the first grade on October 31;
his birth date is incorrectly given as July 9, 1939, his mother presumably
having given that date to satisfy the age requirement. 108 On February 8, 1946,
he was admitted to the Harris Hospital in Fort Worth with "acute
mastoiditis."109 A mastoidectomy was performed without complications, and Lee
left the hospital in 4 days.110 (In 1955, Lee indicated on a school form that he
had an "abnormal ear drum in left ear," 111 presumably a reference to the
mastoidectomy; but when he entered the Marines year later, physical examination
disclosed no physical defects.)
The Ekdahls' marriage quickly broke down. Before they had been married a year,
Marguerite suspected Ekdahl of infidelity.113 She thought him stingy, 114 and
there were frequent arguments about his insistence that she account for her
expenditures and his refusal to share his money with her.115 In the summer of
1946, she left Ekdahl, picked up John and Robert at Chamberlain-Hunt, and moved
with the boys to Covington, La., 116 where they lived for at least part of the
time
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at 311 Vermont Street.117 Mrs. Evans described them at Covington, possibly
during this summer, as "really a happy family"; Lee seemed like a normal boy but
"kept to himself" and seemed not "to want to be with any other children." 118
The separation continued after the two boys returned to boarding school, and in
September Lee was enrolled in the Covington Elementary School.119 His record at
Benbrook had been satisfactory he was present on 82 school days and absent on
15, and received all A's and B's 120--but he had not completed the work of the
first grade, in which he was enrolled for a second time.121
Lee received no grades at the Covington School, from which he was withdrawn on
January 23, 1947,122 because his parents, now reconciled, were moving to Fort
Worth, where they lived at 1505 Eighth Avenue.123 Four days later, he enrolled
in the Clayton Public School; he was still in the first grade, which he
completed in May with B's in every subject except physical education and health,
in which he received A's. 124 In the fall, he entered the second grade in the
same school but, relations between his parents having deteriorated again, was
withdrawn before any grades were recorded.125
After the move to Fort Worth, the Ekdahls continued to argue frequently;
according to John, "they would have a fight about every other day and he would
leave and come back." 126 That summer, Marguerite obtained what she regarded as
proof that Ekdahl was having some sort of affair. According to her testimony, a
neighbor told her that Ekdahl had been living on Eighth Avenue with another
woman while she was in Covington.127 Then, at a time when Ekdahl was supposed to
be out of town,128 she went with John and several of his friends to an apartment
in Fort Worth; one of the boys posed as a telegram carrier, and when the door
opened she pushed her way into the apartment and found Ekdahl in his shirt
sleeves in the company of a woman in a negligee.129
Despite this apparent confirmation of her suspicions, Marguerite continued to
live with Ekdahl until January 1948.130 In January, according to Ekdahl's
allegations in the subsequent divorce proceedings, she "directed * * * [him] to
leave the home immediately and never to return," which he did.131 Ekdahl filed
suit for divorce in March.132 The complaint alleged that Marguerite constantly
nagged Ekdahl and argued "with reference to money matters," accused him of
infidelity, threw things at him, and finally ordered him out of the house; that
these acts were unprovoked by Ekdahl's conduct toward her; that her acts
endangered his already impaired health; and that her "excesses, harsh and cruel
treatment and outrages" toward him made it impossible for them to live
together.133 She denied all these allegations. 134 After a trial, at which John
testified and, he thought, Lee was called to the stand but was excused without
testifying,135 the jury found on special issues that Marguerite was "guilty of
excesses, cruel treatment, or outrages" unprovoked by Ekdahl's conduct.
June 24, the court granted the divorce and approved an agreement between the
parties disposing of their property between them and
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awarding Marguerite $1,500; at her request, the divorce restored to Marguerite
her former name, Marguerite C. Oswald.137
While the divorce suit was pending, Marguerite moved from Eighth Avenue to a
house on 3300 Willing Street, next to railroad tracks.138 The boys found her
there in May when they returned from the military academy; for John, the move
signified that they "were back down in the lower class again." 139 Lee's
withdrawal from the Clayton School on March 18, 1948, 140 probably coincided
with the move to Willing Street. He entered the Clark Elementary School on the
following day, and in June completed the second grade with a record mostly of
B's and A's.141 Philip Vinson, a classmate at the Clayton School has described
Lee at, that time as "a quiet type of kids" who "didn't make a lot of noise."
142 Lee was "stocky and well built," which made other boys look up to him and
regard him as the leader of one of their schoolyard "gangs." 143 Vinson thought
that Lee was not a bully and got along with his classmates, but had the
impression that he rarely played with them or brought them home after school.144
Shortly after the divorce, Mrs. Oswald purchased a small house in Benbrook, on
what is now San Saba Street; 145 John has testified that it had a single
bedroom, in which Lee slept with his mother, and a screened porch where John and
Robert slept.146 Mrs. Oswald worked at a department store in Fort Worth, and
left the three boys home alone.147 A neighbor, Mrs. W. H. Bell, has stated that
Lee seemed to enjoy being by himself and to resent discipline; 148 another
neighbor, Otis R. Carlton, stated that he once saw Lee chase John with a knife
and throw it at him, an incident which, Carlton said, their mother passed off as
a "little scuffle." 149 At the end of the summer, Carlton purchased the
property. He stated that he appraised it at $2,750 at Mrs. Oswald's request; she
then insisted that he had made an offer to purchase at that price, which he
finally agreed to do.150
After the house was sold, the family returned to Fort Worth, a move necessitated
by Mrs. Oswald's, and now John's, employment.151 Mrs. Oswald bought a
two-bedroom, frame house at 7408 Ewing, from which Robert and Lee could walk to
school.152 John, who was then 16, obtained a job as a shoe stockboy at
Everybody's Department Store; he testified that he wanted to finish high school
at the military academy, but that his mother advised him to leave school and
help to support the family.153 He gave her $15 per week out of his salary of
$25.154 Robert returned to school.155
Lee entered the third grade at the Arlington Heights Elementary School.156 He
remained at Arlington Heights for the entire school year, completing the third
grade with a satisfactory record, which included A's in social studies,
citizenship, elementary science, art, and music, and a D in spelling. 157 In
September 1949, he transferred to the Ridglea West Elementary School, where he
remained for the next 3 years.158 Lee's record at Ridglea is not remarkable in
any respect. In the fourth and fifth grades, he received mostly B's; in the
sixth grade, B's and C's predominate.159 He received D's in
Page 675
both the fifth and sixth grades in spelling and arithmetic; in the fourth and
sixth grades, C's are recorded for Spanish,160 which may account for his
rudimentary familiarity with that language later on. 161 In the fourth grade his
IQ was recorded at 103; on achievement tests in each of the 3 years, he twice
did best in reading and twice did worst in spelling.162
Lee is generally characterized as an unexceptional but rather solitary boy
during these years. His mother worked in a variety of jobs,163 and, according to
her own testimony, told Lee not to contact her at work except in an emergency.
164 He ordinarily returned home alone directly after school, in obedience to his
mother's instructions.165 A fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Clyde I. Livingston,
described him as a lonely boy, quiet and shy, who did not easily form
friendships with other students.166 But Richard W. Garrett has stated that he
was a classmate of Lee in the fourth or fifth grade and found him easy to get
along with; he recalled playing with Lee often at school and sometimes walking
home together with him.167 Mrs. Livingston recalled that at Christmas 1949, Lee
gave her a puppy and afterward came to her home to see the puppy and talk to her
and her family.168
Lee's relationship with his brothers was good but limited by the difference in
their ages.169 He still had a dog,170 but there were few children of his age in
the neighborhood, and he appears to have been by himself after school most of
the time. 171 He read a lot,172 had a stamp collection, and played chess and
Monopoly with his brothers.173 Mrs. Murret remembered that on a visit to her
home in New Orleans, Lee refused to play with other children or even to leave
the house; he preferred to stay indoors and read (mostly "funnybooks") or listen
to the radio. 174 After several weeks with the Murrets, Lee wrote to his mother
and asked her to come for him.175 Hiram Conway, a neighbor on Ewing Street,
thought Lee was an intelligent child, who picked things up easily; although he
did not recall many specific incidents to support his impressions, Conway
regarded Lee as "a bad kid," who was "quick to anger" and "mean when he was
angry, just ornery." 176 John's general picture of Lee in these years is that of
"a normal healthy robust boy who would get in fights and still have his serious
moments." 177
John returned to high school in January 1949, but continued to work part time.
178 Early in 1950, he entered the Coast Guard.179 Robert left school soon after
John's departure and went to work full time, contributing most of his earnings
to the support of his family. 180 He returned to school in 1951-52, and after
completing his junior year in high school, joined the Marines in July 1952. 181
In August, Mrs. Oswald and Lee moved to New York, where John was living with his
wife and a very young baby in an apartment at 325 East 92d Street; the
apartment- belonged to John's mother-in-law, who was temporarily away.182 Mrs.
Oswald has explained that with Robert gone she did not want Lee to be alone
while she worked and that she went to New. York City "not as a venture," but
because she "had family" there.183
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The visit began well. John testified of his meeting with Lee: "We met in the
street and I was real glad to see him and he was real glad to see me. We were
real good friends." 184 He took about a week of leave and showed Lee the city;
he remembered trips to the Museum of Natural History and Polk's Hobby Shop, and
a ride on the Staten Island ferry.185 But when it became obvious that his mother
intended to stay, the atmosphere changed. Mrs. Oswald did not get along with
John's wife, with whom she quarreled frequently.186 There was difficulty about
her failure to contribute anything towards her own and Lee's support.187
According to John, his wife liked Lee and would have been glad to have him alone
stay with them but felt that his mother set Lee against her; they never
suggested that Lee remain with them since they knew that it would not work
out.188 The visit ended when Lee threatened Mrs. Pic with a pocket knife during
a quarrel,189 and she asked Mrs. Oswald to leave.190 John testified that during
this same quarrel Lee hit his mother, who appeared to have lost all control over
him.191 The incident permanently destroyed the good relationship between Lee and
his brother.192
Mrs. Oswald and Lee moved uptown to a one-room basement apartment 193 in the
Bronx, at 1455 Sheridan Avenue.194 While they were still at the Pica, he had
been enrolled at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School on Watson Avenue.195 He
was withdrawn on September 26, after several weeks of irregular attendance, and
4 days later enrolled in the seventh grade of Public School 117, a junior high
school.196 Mrs. Oswald found a job at one of the Lerner Shops, a chain of dress
shops for which she had worked briefly in Fort Worth several years before.197 In
January, they moved again, to 825 East 179th Street,198 and a few weeks later,
she left the employ of Lerner Shops.199 In April, she was working at Martin's
Department Store in Brooklyn, where she earned $45 per week;200 in May, she went
to work for a chain of hosiery shops, with which she remained until December.201
Lee was registered at Public School 117 until January 16, 1953,202 although the
move to 179th Street, which took him out of that school district, probably took
place before that date.203 He had been at Public School 117 for 64 schooldays,
out of which he had been present on 15 full and 2 half days;204 he had received
failing grades in most of his courses.205
Lee's truancy increased after he moved; he was now located in the school
district of Public School 44 but refused to go to school there.206 On one
occasion that spring, an attendance officer located Lee at the Bronx Zoo; the
officer testified that Lee was clean and well dressed, but was surly and
referred to the officer as a "damned Yankee." 207 Several truancy hearings were
held in January, at the first of which at least, both Mrs. Oswald and Lee
evidently failed to appear.208 At a hearing on January 27, by which time it was
known that Lee was living in the Public School 44 district, it was decided to
commence judicial proceedings if his truancy continued.209 Meanwhile, on January
16, his mother called the Community Service Society, to which she had
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been referred by the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, and asked for an
appointment to discuss the problem.210 She mentioned that a truancy hearing had
been held and said that Lee would not attend school despite the threat of
official action; she thought that his behavior was due to difficulty in
adjusting to his new environment.211 An appointment was scheduled for January
30, but she failed to appear, and the case was closed.212 Sometime in February,
the Pies visited the Oswalds. John testified that his mother told him about
Lee's truancy and asked how she could get Lee to accept psychiatric aid. Nothing
came of these discussions.213
On March 12, the attendance officer in charge of Lee's case filed a petition in
court which alleged that Lee had been "excessively absent from school" between
October and January, that he had refused to register at Public School 44 or to
attend school there, and that he was "beyond the control of his mother insofar
as school attendance is concerned? 214 On the same day, Mrs. Oswald appeared in
court alone and informed the presiding judge that Lee refused to appear in
court.215 Evidently impressed by the proceedings, however, Lee did register at
Public School 44 on March 23.216 Nevertheless, on April 16, Justice Delany
declared him a truant, and remanded him to Youth House until May 7 for
psychiatric study.217
In accordance with the regular procedures at Youth House, Lee took a series of
tests and was interviewed by a staff social worker and a probation officer, both
of whom interviewed Mrs. Oswald as well.218 Their findings, discussed more fully
in chapter VII of the Commission's report, indicated that Lee was a withdrawn,
socially maladjusted boy, whose mother did not interest herself sufficiently in
his welfare and had failed to establish a close relationship with him.219 Mrs.
Oswald visited Lee at Youth House and came away with a highly unfavorable
impression; she regarded it as unfit for her son.220 On the basis of all the
test results and reports and his own interview with Lee, Dr. Renatus Hartogs,
the chief staff psychiatrist, recommended that Lee be placed on probation with a
requirement that he seek help from a child guidance clinic, and that his mother
be urged to contact a family agency for help; he recommended that Lee not be
placed in an institution unless treatment during probation was unsuccessful.221
Lee returned to court on May 7. He and his mother appeared before Justice
McClancy, who discussed the Youth House reports with them.222 He released Lee on
parole until September 24, and requested that a referral be made to the
Community Service Society for treatment.223 The probation officer called the
society on the same day but was told that. it would probably not be able to take
the case because of its already full case load and the intensive treatment which
Lee was likely to require; 224 it confirmed this position 1 week later and dosed
the case on May 31.225 An application was made to the Salvation Army also, which
turned it down because it could not provide the needed services.226
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During the few weeks of school which remained, Lee attended school regularly,
and completed the seventh grade with low but passing marks in all his academic
subjects.227 (He received a failing mark in a home economics course.)228 His
conduct was generally satisfactory and he was rated outstanding in "Social-
Participation"; the record indicates that. he belonged to a model airplane club
and had a special interest in horseback riding.229 Robert Oswald visited New
York that summer, while he was on leave from the Marines.230 Lee did not appear
to him to be unhappy or to be acting abnormally, nor did Robert observe that
relations between Lee and his mother were strained.231 Lee's truancy the
previous fall and winter was apparently discussed only in passing, when Mrs.
Oswald mentioned that Lee had had to appear before a judge.232
On September 14, Lee entered the eighth grade at. Public School 44.233 His
parole was due to end 10 days later. On September 24, however, Mrs. Oswald
telephoned the probation officer and advised that she could not appear in court;
she added that there was no need for her to do so, since Lee was attending
school regularly and was now well adjusted.234 The parole was extended until
October 99, before which date the school was to submit a progress report.235 The
report was highly unfavorable. Although Lee was attending school regularly, his
conduct was unsatisfactory; teachers reported that he refused to salute the
flag, did little work, and seemed to spend most of his time "sailing paper
planes around the room." 236 On October 29, Mrs. Oswald again telephoned to say
that she would be unable to appear. Justice Sicher continued Lee's parole until
November 19 and directed the probation officer to make a referral to the
Berkshire Industrial Farm or Children's Village.237
Before the next hearing, Mrs. Oswald discussed Lee's behavior with the school
authorities, who indicated to the probation officer that Lee's behavior improved
considerably after her visit to the school.238 He did, in fact, receive passing
grades in most of his subjects in the first marking period. His report also
contains notations by his teach-era that he was "quick-tempered," "constantly
losing control," and "getting into battles with others.239 Both Lee and his
mother appeared in court on November 19. Despite Mrs. Oswald's request that Lee
be discharged, Justice Sicher stated his belief that Lee needed treatment, and
continued his parole until January 28, 1954; the probation officer was directed
to contact the Big Brothers counseling service in the meantime.240
At the request of the probation officer, the Big Brothers office contacted Mrs.
Oswald in December, and on January 4 a caseworker visited her and Lee at
home.241 The caseworker reported that he was cordially received but was told by
Mrs. Oswald that continued counseling was unnecessary; she pointed out to him
that Lee now belonged to the West Side YMCA, which he attended every Saturday.
The caseworker reported, however, that Lee was plainly "displeased with the idea
of being forced to join various 'Y' organizations about which he cared little."
Mrs. Oswald declared her intention to return to New
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Orleans and was advised to obtain Lee's release from the court's jurisdiction
before she left.242 On the following day, she called the probation officer, who
was away on vacation, and was advised by his office again not to take Lee out of
the jurisdiction without the court's consent.243 The same advice was repeated to
her by the Big Brothers caseworker on January 6.244 Through all these contacts,
Mrs. Oswald had evidenced reluctance to bring Lee into court, prompted probably
by fear that he would be retained in some sort of custody as he had been at the
time of the commitment to Youth House.245 Without further communication to the
court, Mrs. Oswald and Lee returned to New Orleans sometime before January
10.246 On March 11, the court dismissed the case.247
In New Orleans, Lee and his mother stayed with the Murrets at 757 French Street
while they looked for an apartment.248 Lee enrolled in the eighth grade at
Beauregard Junior High School on January 13 249 and completed the school year
without apparent difficulty.250 He entered the ninth grade in September and
again received mediocre but acceptable marks.251 In October 1954, Lee took a
series of achievement tests, on which he did well in reading and vocabulary,
badly in mathematics.252 At the end of the school year, on June 2, 1955, he
filled out a "personal history." He indicated that the subjects which he liked
best were civics, science, and mathematics; those he liked least were English
and art. His vocational preferences were listed as biology and mechanical
drawing; his plans after high school, however, were noted as "military service"
and "undecided." He said that reading and outdoor sports were his recreational
activities and that he liked football in particular. In response to the question
whether he had "any close friends in this school," he wrote,"no." 253
Lee is remembered by those who knew him in New Orleans as a quiet., solitary boy
who made few friends.254 He was briefly a member of the Civil Air Patrol,255 and
considered joining an organization of high school students interested in
astronomy; 256 occasionally, he played pool or darts with his friend, Edward
Voebel.257 Beyond this, he seems to have had few contacts with other people. He
read a lot, starting at some point to read Communist literature which he found
at the public library; 258 he walked or rode a bicycle, sometimes visiting a
museum.259 Except in his relations with his mother, he was not unusually
argumentative or belligerent, but he seems not to have avoided fights if they
came; they did come fairly frequently, perhaps in part because of his aloofness
from his fellows and the traces of a northern accent in his speech.260 His only
close friendship, with Voebel, arose when Voebel helped him tend his wounds
after a right.261 Friends of Mrs. Oswald thought that he was demanding and
insolent toward her and that she had no control over him.262
While Lee was in the eighth and ninth grades, Mrs. Oswald worked first at Burt's
Shoestore 263 and then at the Dolly Shoe Co.264 One of her employers at Dolly,
where she worked as a cashier and salesclerk, remembered her as a pleasant
person and a good worker.265 At her request, the company hired Lee to work part
time; he worked there,
Page 680
mostly on Saturdays, for about 10 weeks in 1955.266 On the "personal history"
record which he filled out in school, he stated that he had been ,a "retail
shoesaleman"; 267 but his employer recalled that they had tried to train him as
a salesman without success and that he had in fact, been a stockboy.268
After a short period with the Murrets, Mrs. Oswald and Lee had moved to an
apartment. owned by Myrtle Evans at 1454 Saint Mary Street, which she and Mrs.
Murret helped to furnish; later they moved to a less expensive apartment in the
same building, the address of which was 1452 Saint Mary Street.269 Relations
between Mrs. Oswald and Mrs. Evans became strained,270 and in the spring of 1955
the Oswalds moved to a new apartment at 126 Exchange Place in the French
Quarter.271 Although Lee gave the Exchange Place address on a school form at the
end of the ninth grade,272 the school authorities had apparently not been
advised of these moves earlier, because Mrs. Oswald did not want Lee to be
transferred from Beauregard, which she considered a good school.273 During the
summer of 1955, Robert left the Marine Corps and spent a week with his mother
and Lee in New Orleans before moving to Fort Worth; he found Lee unchanged.274
That fall, Lee entered the 10th grade at Warren Easton High School.275 He had
been there for about a month when he presented to the school authorities a note
written by himself to which he had signed his mother's name. It was dated
October 7, 1955, and read:
To whom it may concern,
Becaus we are moving to San Diego in the middle of this month Lee must quit
school now. Also, please send by him any papers such as his birth certificate
that you may have. Thank you.
Sincirely
Mrs. M. Oswald 276
He dropped out of school a few days later, shortly before his 16th birthday.277
After his birthday, he tried to enlist in the Marines, using a false affidavit
from his mother that he was 17.278 (Some years before, John Pic had joined the
Marine Corps Reserve by means of his mother's false affidavit that he was 17.)
279 The attempt failed, and, according to his mother's testimony, Lee spent the
next year reading and memorizing the "Marine Manual," which he had obtained from
Robert and "living to when he is age 17 to join the Marines."
He worked for the rest of the school year. Between November 10 and January 14,
he was a messenger boy for Gerald F. Tujague, Inc., a shipping company, where he
earned $130 per month.281 His employer remembers him as a quiet, withdrawn
person.282 In January he worked briefly as an office boy for J. R. Michels,
Inc.283 For several months thereafter, he was a messenger for the Pfisterer
Dental Laboratory.284 His military record subsequently described his prior
civilian jobs as follows:
680
Page 681
Performed various clerical duties such as distributing mail, delivering messages
& answering telephone. Helped file records & operated ditto, letter opening &
sealing machines.285
Anticipating that Lee would join the Marines as soon as he was 17, Mrs. Oswald
moved in July 1956 to Fort Worth,286 where she took an apartment at 4936
Collinswood for herself, Lee, and Robert.287 In September, Lee enrolled in the
10th grade at the Arlington Heights High School 288 but attended classes for
only a few weeks. He dropped out of school on September 28 .289 A few days
later, he wrote the following letter to the Socialist Party of America:
October 3, 1956
Dear Sirs;
I am sixteen years of age and would like more information about your youth
League, I would like to know if there is a branch in my area, how to join, ect.,
I am a Marxist, and have been studying socialist principles for well over
fifteen months I am very interested in your Y.P.S.L.
Sincerely
/s/ Lee Oswald 290
Accompanying the letter was an advertisement coupon, on which he had checked the
box requesting information about the Socialist Party.291
Lee became 17 on October 18. He enlisted in the Marines on October 24.292
Marines
Page 681
MARINES
On October 26, 1956, Lee Harvey Oswald reported for duty at the Marine Corps
Recruit Depot in San Diego, Calif., where he was assigned to the Second Recruit
Training Battalion.293 He Was 68 inches tall and weighed 135 pounds; he had no
physical defects.294 On October 30, he took a series of aptitude tests, on which
he scored significantly above the Marine Corps average in reading and vocabulary
and significantly below the average in tests in arithmetic and pattern analysis.
His composite general classification score was 105, 2 points below the Corps
average. He scored near the bottom of the lowest group in a radio code test.295
His preference of duty was recorded as Aircraft Maintenance and Repair, the duty
assignment for which he was recommended.296
While he was at San Diego, Oswald was trained in the use of the M-1 rifle.297
His practice scores were not very good,298 but when his company fired for record
on December 21, he scored 212, 2 points above the score necessary to qualify as
a "sharpshooter" on a marksman/sharpshooter/expert scale.299 He did not do
nearly as well when
730-900 O-64--45
Page 682
he fired for record again shortly before he left the Marines.300 He practiced
also with a riot gun and a .45- caliber pistol when he was in the Marines but no
scores were recorded.301
Oswald was given a 4.4 rating in both "conduct" and "proficiency" at the Recruit
Depot, the highest possible rating being 5.0 and an average rating of 4.0 being
required for an honorable discharge.302 On January 18, 1957, he reported to Camp
Pendleton, Calif., for further training and was assigned to "A" Company of the
First Battalion, Second Infantry Training Regiment.303 He was at Pendleton for a
little more than 5 weeks, at the end of which he was rated 4.2 in conduct and
4.0 in proficiency.304 Allen R. Felde, a fellow recruit who was with Oswald at
San Diego and Pendleton, has stated that Oswald was generally unpopular and that
his company was avoided by the other men.305 When his squad was given its first
weekend leave from Pendleton, all eight men took a cab to Tijuana, Mexico.
Oswald left the others and did not rejoin them until it was time to return to
camp. Felde said that this practice was repeated on other trips to Los Angeles;
Oswald accompanied the men on the bus to and from camp but did not stay with
them in the city.306 On February 27, he went on leave for 2 weeks,307 during
which he may have visited his mother in Fort Worth.308
On March 18, he reported to the Naval Air Technical Training Center at the Naval
Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla.309 For the next 6 weeks he attended an
Aviation Fundamental School, in which he received basic instruction in his
specialty, including such subjects as basic radar theory, map reading, and air
traffic control procedures.310 This course, as well as his next training
assignment at Keesler Air Force Base, required Oswald to deal with confidential
material.311 He was granted final clearance up to the "confidential" level on
May 3, "after [a] careful check of local records had disclosed no derogatory
data." 312 He completed the course on the same day, ranking 46th in a class of
54 students.313 On the previous day, he had been promoted to private, first
class, effective May 1.314 At Jacksonville, he received ratings of 4.7 in
conduct and 4.5 in proficiency, the highest ratings he ever attained.315
Oswald left for Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., on the day his course
was completed; 316 he traveled, probably by overnight train, in a group of six
marines led by Pfc. Daniel P. Powers, the senior marine in charge.317 At
Keesler, he attended the Aircraft Control and Warning Operator Course, which
included instruction in aircraft surveillance and the use of radar.318 Powers
was not sure whether he had met Oswald before the trip to Biloxi 319 but
remembers him there as "a somewhat younger individual less matured than the
other boys," who "was normally outside the particular group of marines that were
in this attachment to Keesler." 320 (Oswald was in fact 3 years younger than
Powers.) 321 Powers testified that Oswald had the nickname "Ozzie Rabbit." 322
Oswald generally stayed to himself, often read-
Page 683
ing; he did not play cards or work out in the gym with the others.323 He spent
his weekends alone, away from the base; Powers thought he left Biloxi and
perhaps went "home" to New Orleans, less than 100 miles away.324 He finished the
course seventh in a class of 30 marines on June 17,325 and on June 25, was given
an MOS (military occupational specialty) of Aviation Electronics Operator.326 On
June 20, he went on leave,327 possibly visiting his mother.328 His ratings at
Keesler were 4.2 in conduct. and 4.5 in proficiency,329 which Powers thought was
"pretty good." 330
On July 9, Oswald reported at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, Calif.,
near Santa Ana.331 He was classified as a replacement trainee and attached to
the Fourth Replacement Battalion.332 Six weeks later, on August 22, he departed
from San Diego for Yokosuka, Japan, on board the U.S.S. Bexar.333 Powers
testified that while on board, Oswald taught him to play chess, which they
played frequently, sometimes for more than 4 hours a day.334 Like most of the
men on board, Oswald read a lot from the books which were available. Powers
thought he read "a good type of literature," remembering in particular Whitman's
"Leaves of Grass." 335
The Bexar docked at Yokosuka on September 12.336 Oswald was assigned to Marine
Air Control Squadron No. 1 (MACS-1), Marine Air Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft
Wing, based at Atsugi, about 20 miles west of Tokyo.337 Oswald was a radar
operator in MACS-1, which had less than 100 men.338 Its function was to direct
aircraft to their targets by radar, communicating with the pilots by radio.339
The squadron had also the duty of scouting for incoming foreign aircraft, such
as straying Russian or Chinese planes, which would be intercepted by American
planes.340
On October 27, when Oswald opened his locker to remove some gear, a derringer
.22 caliber pistol fell to the floor and discharged; the bullet hit him in the
left elbow.341 Paul Edward Murphy, a fellow marine who was in the next cubicle,
heard the shot, rushed in, and found Oswald sitting on the locker looking at his
arm; without emotion, Oswald said to Murphy, "I believe I shot myself." 342 He
was in the naval hospital at Yokosuka until November 15.343
The Judge Advocate General concluded that Oswald had "displayed a certain degree
of carelessness or negligence" by storing a loaded revolver in his locker, but
that his injury was incurred "in the line of duty" and was not the result %f his
own misconduct." 344 He was, however, charged with possession of an unregistered
privately owned weapon in violation of general orders. A court-martial followed
on April 11, 1958, when Oswald's unit returned from maneuvers, and on April 29
he was sentenced to be confined at hard labor for 20 days, to forfeit $25 per
month for 2 months, and to be reduced to the grade of private.345 The
confinement was suspended for 6 months, after which that portion of the sentence
was to be remitted.346
Five days after Oswald left the hospital, MACS-1 embarked aboard the Terrell
County, LST 1157, for maneuvers in the Philippine Islands
Page 684
area.347 According to Powers' recollection, the squadron was expected to return
to Atsugi after maneuvers were completed, but an international crisis developed;
since another operation was scheduled for a few months later, the squadron
debarked at Cubi Point (Subic Bay) in the Philippines and set up a temporary
installation.348 While he was in the Philippines, Oswald passed a test of
eligibility for the rank of corporal; 349 in a semiannual evaluation, however,
he was given his lowest ratings thus far: 4.0 in conduct and 3.9 in
proficiency.350 The unit participated in exercises at Corregidor, from which it
sailed for Atsugi on March 7, 1958, aboard the U.S.S. Wexford County, LST
1168.351 The Wexford County reached Atsugi 11 days later.352
Oswald was court-martialed a second time on June 27, for using "provoking words"
to a noncommissioned officer (a sergeant) on June 20, at the Bluebird Cafe in
Yamato, and assaulting the officer by pouring a drink on him.353 The findings
were that Oswald spilled the drink accidentally, but when the sergeant shoved
him away, Oswald invited the sergeant outside in insulting language.354 Oswald
admitted that he was rather drunk and had invited the sergeant outside but did
not recall insulting him.355 He was sentenced to be confined at hard labor for
28 days and to forfeit $55; 356 in addition, suspension of the previous sentence
of confinement was withdrawn.357 He was in confinement until August 13.358
Meanwhile, a previously granted extension of oversea duty was canceled,359 and
he was given ratings of 1.9 in conduct and 3.4 in proficiency.360
On September 14, Oswald sailed with his unit for the South China Sea area; the
unit was at Ping Tung, North Taiwan on September 30, and returned to Atsugi on
October 5.361 On October 6, he was transferred out of MACS-1 and put on general
duty, in anticipation of his return to the United States.362 He spent several
days thereafter in the Atsugi Station Hospital.363 On October 31, he received
his last oversea ratings: 4.0 in both conduct and proficiency.364
Oswald appears generally to have been regarded by his fellows overseas as an
intelligent person who followed orders and did his work well, but who complained
frequently.365 He did not associate much with other marines and continued to
read a great deal.366 Paul Murphy testified that Oswald could speak "a little
Russian" while he was overseas.367 Powers believed that Oswald became more
assertive in Japan and thought that he might have had a Japanese girl friend.368
He departed from Yokosuka on board the USNS Barbet on November 2, and arrived in
San Francisco 13 days later.369 On November 19, he took 30 days' leave.370
On December 22, Oswald was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron No. 9
(MACS-9) at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, where he had been briefly
before he went overseas.371 He was one of about seven enlisted men and three
officers who formed a "radar crew," engaged primarily in aircraft
surveillance.372 This work probably gave him access to certain kinds of
classified material, some of which, such as aircraft call signs and radio
frequencies, was
684
Page 685
changed after his defection to Russia.373 For part of his time at El Toro,
Oswald may have been assigned to clerical or janitorial tasks on the base.374
Some of his associates believed rumors,375 incorrect according to official
records,376 that he had lost his clearance to work on radar crews; one recalled
hearing that Oswald had once had clearance above the "confidential" level and
had lost it because he "had poured beer over a staff NCO's head in an enlisted
club in Japan, and had been put in the brig." 377
The officer in command of the radar crew, Lt. John E. Donovan, found him
"competent in all functions," and observed that he handled himself calmly and
well in emergency situations.378 Donovan thought Oswald was not a leader but
that he performed competently on occasions when, as the senior man present, he
served as crew chief.379 This estimate was generally shared by his fellows, most
of whom thought that he performed his assigned duties adequately but was
deficient in disciplinary matters and such things as barracks inspection.380 One
of them recalled that after a number of bad inspections, the other members of
Oswald's quonset hut complained about him and secured his transfer to another
hut.381 He was thought to be an intelligent person, somewhat better educated and
more intellectually oriented than other men on the base.382 A few of the men
thought it more accurate to describe him as someone who wanted to appear
intelligent.383 He had a pronounced interest in world affairs, in which he
appears to have been better informed than some of the officers, whose lack of
knowledge amused and sometimes irritated him; he evidently enjoyed drawing
others, especially officers, into conversations in which he could display his
own superior knowledge.384
It seems clear from the various recollections of those who knew him at El Toro
that by the time Oswald returned to the United States, he no longer had any
spirit for the Marines; the attitudes which had prompted his enlistment as soon
as he was eligible were entirely gone, and his attention had turned away from
the Marines to what he might do after his discharge. While no one was able to
predict his attempt to defect to Russia within a month after he left the
Marines, the testimony of those who knew him at El Toro in contrast to that of
his associates in Japan, leaves no doubt that his thoughts were occupied
increasingly with Russia and the Russian way of life. He had studied the Russian
language enough by February 25, 1959, to request that he be given a foreign
language qualification test; his rating was "poor" in all parts of the test.385
Most of the marines who knew him were aware that he was studying Russian; 386
one of them, Henry J. Roussel, Jr., arranged a date between Lee and his aunt,
Rosaleen Quinn, an airline stewardess who was also studying Russian.387 (Miss
Quinn thought that Oswald spoke Russian well in view of his lack of formal
training; she found the evening uninteresting.388 Donovan, with whom she had a
date later, testified that she told him that Oswald was "kind of an oddball.")
389 He read, and perhaps subscribed to, a newspaper, possibly printed in
Russian, which his associates connected with his Russian bent.390
685
Page 686
Most of those who knew him were able to recount anecdotes which suggest that he
was anxious to publicize his liking for things Russian, sometimes in good humor
and sometimes seriously. Some of his fellows called him "Oswaldskovich,"
apparently to his pleasure.391 He is said to have had his name written in
Russian on one of his jackets;392 to have played records of Russian songs "so
loud that one could hear them outside the barracks"; 393 frequently to have made
remarks in Russian 394 or used expressions like "da" or "nyet," 395 or addressed
others (and been addressed) as "Comrade";396 to have come over and said
jokingly, "You called ?" when one of the marines played a particular record of
Russian music.397
Connected with this Russophilia was an interest in and acceptance of Russian
political views and, to a lesser extent, Communist ideology. Less obvious to his
fellows generally,398 it nevertheless led him into serious discussions with some
of them. Donovan, who was a graduate of the School of Foreign Service of
Georgetown University,399 thought Oswald was "truly interested in international
fairs" 400 and "very well versed, at least on the superficial facts of a given
foreign situation." 401 He recalled that Oswald had a particular interest in
Latin America 402 and had a good deal of information about Cuba in
particular.403 Oswald expressed sympathy for Castro but, according to Donovan,
"what he said about Castro was not an unpopular belief at that time." 404
Donovan believed that Oswald subscribed to the Russian newspaper--which Donovan
thought was a Communist newspaper--not only in order to read Russian but also
because he thought it "presented a very different and perhaps equally just side
of the international affairs in comparison with the United States newspapers."
405 Donovan was clear, on the other hand, that he never heard Oswald "in any
way, shape or form confess that he was a Communist, or that he ever thought
about being a Communist." 406
Private Kerry Thornley described himself as a close acquaintance, but not a.
good friend, of Oswald, whom he met in the spring of 1959; he later wrote an
unpublished novel in which he drew heavily on his impressions of Oswald.408
Thornley generally corroborates Donovan's testimony but thought Oswald
definitely believed that "the Marxist morality was the most rational morality to
follow" and communism, "the best system in the world." 409 Thornley thought this
belief was "theoretical," a "dispassionate appraisal" which did not indicate
"any active commitment to the Communist ends"; he described Oswald as "idle in
his admiration for communism." 410 He recalled discussions about Marxism in
which Oswald criticized capitalism and praised the Soviet economic system.411
Thornley testified that his association with Oswald ended when, in response to
Oswald's criticism of a parade in which they both had to march, he said "Well,
comes the revolution you will damage all that." Oswald, he said, looked at him
"like a betrayed Caesar" and walked away.412 Thornley attributed Oswald's
decision to go to Russia to a growing disillusionment with the United States,
especially its role in the Far East, and a conviction that communism
Page 687
would eventually prevail.413 He was surprised by the decision but expected
Oswald to adjust to Russian life and remain in Russia permanently
Another marine, Nelson Delgado, met Oswald soon after the latter arrived at El
Toro.415 They were about the same age and had similar interests; Oswald enjoyed
trying to speak Spanish with Delgado, who spoke it fluently.416 Delgado regarded
him as a "complete believer that our way of government was not quite right," but
did not think he was a Communist.417 Their discussions were concerned more with
Cuba than Russia.418 They both favored the Castro government and
talked--"dreaming," Delgado said--about joining the Cuban Army or Government and
perhaps leading expeditions to other Caribbean islands to "free them too." 419
Oswald told Delgado that he was in touch with Cuban diplomatic. officials in
this count; which Delgado at first, took to be "one of his * * * lies," 420 but
later believed.421
Oswald's interest in Russia and developing ideological attachment to theoretical
communism apparently dominated his stay at El Toro. He was still withdrawn from
most of his fellows, although his special interests appear to have made him
stand out more there than he had at other posts and to have given him a source
for conversation which he had hitherto lacked.422 According to several of the
witnesses, names like "Ozzie Rabbit" still clung to him; 423 others recalled no
nickname or only shortened versions of his real name.424 His reading acquired
direction; books like "Das Kapital" and Orwell's "Animal Farm" and "1984" are
mentioned in the testimony concerning this period.
played chess; 426 according to one of his opponents he chose the red pieces,
expressing a preference for the "Red Army." 427 He listened to classical
music.428 For a short time, he played on the squadron football team.429
According to Donovan, who coached the team, Oswald was not very good; he lacked
team spirit and often tried to call the plays, which was not his job.430 Delgado
thought Oswald was a mediocre player.431 Donovan did not know whether Oswald
quit or was thrown off the team.432 He spent most of his weekends alone, as he
had at Keesler, and did not leave the post as often as the other men.433 Delgado
once rode with him on the train to Los Angeles but separated from him there;
Oswald returned to the base after one night.434 Delgado recalls that. on another
weekend Oswald accepted his invitation to go to Tijuana; they stayed there for
one night.435
At the end of January 1959 and at the end of July, Oswald was given his
semiannual ratings, scoring 4.0 in conduct both times, and 4.0 and 4.2 in
proficiency.436 (The July ratings were repeated in September, when he was
transferred from MACS-9 in preparation for his discharge.)437 On March 9, he was
promoted as of March 1, to the rank of private, first class, for the second
time.438 He took a series of high school level general educational development
tests on March 23 and received an overall rating of "satisfactory." His best
scores, in the 76th and 79th U.S. percentiles, were in English composition and
physical sciences; his worst was English literature, in which he placed in the
34th percentile.439
687
Page 688
In the spring, Oswald applied to Albert Schweitzer College in Churwalden,
Switzerland, for admission to the spring term in 1960; the application is dated
March 19.440 Schweitzer is a small school, which specializes in courses in
religion, ethics, science, and literature. He claimed a proficiency in Russian
equal to 1 year of schooling
and that he had completed high school by correspondence with an average grade of
85 percent.442 He listed philosophy, psychology, ideology, football, baseball,
tennis and stamp-collecting as special interests, and writing short stories "on
contemporary American life" as his vocational interest.443 Jack London, Charles
Darwin, and Norman Vincent Peale were listed as favorite authors.444 He claimed
membership in the YMCA and the "A.Y.H. Association," and said that he had
participated in a "student body movement in school" for the control of juvenile
delinquency.445 Asked to give a general statement of his reasons for wanting to
attend the college, he wrote:
In order to aquire a fuller understanding of that subject which interest me
most, Philosophy. To meet with Europeans who can broaden my scope of
understanding. To receive formal Education by Instructers of high standing and
character. To broaden my knowlege of German and to live in a healty climate and
Good moral atmosphere.446
On the basis of these representations, Oswald's application was ap-proved by the
college.447 He enclosed a registration fee of $25 in a letter dated June 19, in
which he said that he was "looking forward to a fine stay." 448 Few of the other
marines seem to have known about this application. He told Delgado, however,
that he planned to attend a Swiss school to study psychology, and Delgado knew
that some
application had been made.449 Another marine, Richard Call, also knew something
of his plans.450
Oswald was obligated to serve on active duty until December 7, 1959 (the date
having been adjusted to compensate for the period of confinement).451 On August
17, he submitted a request for a dependency discharge, on the ground that his
mother needed his support.452 The request was accompanied by an affidavit of
Mrs. Oswald and corroborating affidavits from an attorney, a doctor, and two
friends, attesting that she had been injured at work in December 1958, and was
unable to support herself.453 Oswald had previously made a voluntary allotment
of part of his salary to his mother, under which arrangement she received $40 in
August, and had submitted an application for a "Q" allotment (dependency
allowance) in her behalf of $91.30; one payment of the "Q" allotment, for the
month of August, was made in September.454 On August 28, the Wing Hardship or
Dependency Discharge Board recommended that Oswald's request for a discharge be
approved; 455 approval followed shortly.456 On September 4, he was transferred
from MACS-9 to the H. & H. Squadron,457 and on September 11, he was released
from active duty and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve, in which he was
expected to
688
Page 689
serve until December 8, 1962.458 He was assigned to the Marine Air Reserve
Training Command at the Naval Air Station in Glenview, Ill.459
Almost exactly 1 year later, on September 13, 1960, Oswald was given an
"undesirable discharge" from the Marine Corps Reserve,460 based on:
reliable information which indicated that he had renounced his U.S. citizenship
with the intentions of becoming a permanent citizen of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics. Further, that petitioner brought discredit to the Marine
Corps through adverse newspaper publicity, which was generated by the foregoing
action, and had thereby, in the opinion of his commanding officer, proved
himself unfit for retention in the naval service.461
Soviet Union
Page 689
SOVIET UNION
On September 4, the day on which he was transferred out of MACS-9 in preparation
for his discharge, Oswald had applied for a passport, at, the Superior Court. of
Santa Ana, Calif. His application stated that he planned to leave the United
States on September 21 to attend the Albert Schweitzer College and the
University of Turku in Finland, and to travel in Cuba, the Dominican Republic,
England, France Germany, and Russia.462 The passport was routinely issued 6 days
later.463
Oswald went directly home after his discharge, and arrived in Fort Worth by
September 14.464 He told his mother that he intended to get a job on a ship or
possibly in the "export-import business." 465 If he stayed in Fort Worth, he
said, he would be able to earn only about $30 per week; on a ship, he would earn
"big money" and be able to send substantial amounts home.466 Three days after he
arrived in Fort Worth, he left for New Orleans.467 While he was in Fort Worth he
had registered his dependency discharge and entry into the Marine Reserve at the
Fort Worth Selective Service Board,468 and visited his brother Robert and his
family.469 He also gave his mother $100.470
On September 17, Oswald spoke with a representative of Travel Consultants, Inc.,
a New Orleans travel bureau; he filled out a "Passenger Immigration
Questionnaire," on which he gave his occupation as "shipping export agent" and
said that he would be abroad for 2 months on a pleasure trip. He booked passage
from New Orleans to Le Havre, France, on a freighter, the SS Marion Lykes,
scheduled to sail on September 18, for which he paid $220.75.471 On the evening
of September 17, he registered at the Liberty Hotel.472
The Marion Lykes did not sail until the early morning of September 20.473 Before
its departure, Oswald wrote his mother a letter, which was her last news of him
until she read stories of his defection in Fort Worth newspapers:
689
Page 690
Dear Mother:
Well, I 'have booked passage on a ship to Europe, I would of had to sooner or
later and I think it's best I go now. Just remember above all else that my
values are very different from Robert's or your's. It is difficult to tell you
how I feel, Just remember this is what I must do. I did not tell you about my
plans because you could harly be expected to understand.
I did not see aunt Lilian while I was here. I will write again as soon as I
land.
Lee 474
The Marion Lykes carried only four passengers.475 Oswald shared his cabin with
Billy Joe Lord, a young man who had just graduated from high school and was
going to France to continue his education. Lord testified that he and Oswald did
not discuss politics but did have a few amicable religious arguments, in which
Oswald defended atheism. Oswald was "standoffish," but told Lord generally about
his background, mentioning that his mother worked in a drug-store in Fort Worth
and that he was bitter about the low wages which she received. He told Lord that
he intended to travel in Europe and possibly to attend school in Sweden or
Switzerland if he had sufficient funds.476 The other two passengers were Lt.
Col. and Mrs. George B. Church, Jr., who also found Oswald unfriendly and had
little contact with him. Oswald told them that he had not liked the Marine Corps
and that he planned to study in Switzerland; they observed some "bitterness"
about his mother's difficulties, but did not discuss this with him. No one on
board suspected that he intended to defect to Russia.477
Oswald disembarked at Le Havre on October 8. He left for England that same day,
and arrived on October 9.478 He told English customs officials in Southampton
that he had $700 and planned to remain in the United Kingdom for i week before
proceeding to a school in Switzerland. But on the same day, he flew to Helsinki,
Finland, where he registered at the Torni Hotel; on the following day, he moved
to the Klaus Kurki Hotel.479
Oswald probably applied for a visa at the Russian consulate on October 12, his
first business day in Helsinki.480 The visa was issued on October 14. It was
valid until October 20 and permitted him to take one trip of not more than 6
days to the Soviet Union.481 He also purchased 10 Soviet "tourist vouchers"
which cost $30 apiece.482 He left Helsinki by train on the following day,
crossed the Finnish-Russian border at Vainikkala, and arrived in Moscow on
October 16.483
He was met at the Moscow railroad station by a representative of "Intourist,"
the state tourist agency, and taken to the Hotel Berlin, where he registered as
a student.484 On the same day he met the Intourist guide assigned to him during
his stay in Russia, a young woman named Rima Shirokova. They went sightseeing
the next day. Almost immediately he told her that he wanted to leave
Page 691
the United States and become a citizen of the Soviet Union. According to
Oswald's "Historic Diary," she later told him that she had reported his
statement to Intourist headquarters, which in turn had notified the "Passport
and Visa Office" (probably the Visa and Registration Department of the Ministry
of Internal Affairs, the MVD 485). She was instructed to help Oswald prepare a
letter to the Supreme Soviet requesting that he be granted citizenship. Oswald
mailed such a letter that same day.486 (The "Historic Diary" is Oswald's
handwritten account of his life in Russia.487 The earlier entries were written
after the events which they describe; later, in Minsk, he probably kept a
contemporaneous record of his experiences. 488 The Commission has used the
diary, which Oswald may have written with future readers in mind, only as
Oswald's record of his private life and personal impressions as he sought to
present them and has relied wherever possible on official documents,
correspondence, and the testimony of witnesses.)
The diary records that when Oswald told Rima Shirokova that he intended to
defect she was "flabbergassted," but agreed to help.489 She was "politly
sympathetic but uneasy" when he told her that he wanted to defect because he was
"a Communist, ect." 490 As an Intourist guide, Rima toured parts of Moscow with
Oswald in the next few days. His primary concern, however, appeared to be his
effort to become a Soviet citizen, and she also aided him in his dealings with
the Soviet Government.491 He thought that Rima felt sorry for him and tried to
be a friend because he was "someth. new." 492 On his 20th birthday, 2 days after
he arrived in Russia, she gave him Dostoevski's "The Idiot," 493 in which she
had written: "Dear Lee, Great congratulations! Let all your dreams come true!
18.X 1959" 494
On October 19, Oswald was probably interviewed in his hotel room by a man named
Lev Setyayev, who said that he was a reporter for Radio Moscow seeking
statements from American tourists about their impressions of Moscow,495 but who
was probably also acting for the KGB.496 Two years later, Oswald told officials
at the American Embassy that he had made a few routine comments to Setyayev of
no political signifiance. The interview with Setyayev may, however, have been
the occasion for an attempt by the KGB, in accordance with regular practice, to
assess Oswald or even to elicit compromising statements from him; the interview
was apparently never broadcast.497 (As discussed in ch. VI of this report, the
Commission is aware that many of the Soviet officials with whom Oswald came into
contact were employees of the KGB, the agency which has primary jurisdiction for
the treatment of defectors.)
On the following day, Rima Shirokova told him that the "Pass. and Visa Dept."
wanted to see him,498 and on the morning of October 21, he was interviewed by an
official concerning his application for citizenship. The official offered little
information and no encouragement; he told Oswald only that he would check to see
if the visa could
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be extended. Oswald returned to the Hotel Berlin.499 That afternoon, he was
notified that his visa had expired and that he had to leave Moscow within 2
hours.500
Oswald responded to the unfavorable decision by cutting himself above his left,
wrist, in an apparent. suicide attempt. Rima Shirokova found him unconscious in
his hotel room and had him taken to the Botkinskaya Hospital. His diary states:
"Poor Rimmea stays by my side as interrpator (my Russian is still very bad) far
into the night, I tell her 'Go home' (my mood is bad) but she stays, she is 'my
friend.'" 501
For 3 days Oswald was confined in the psychiatric ward of the hospital. He was
examined by a psychiatrist, who concluded that he was not dangerous to other
people and could be transferred to the "somatic" department. Hospital records
containing the results of the examination 502 state that Oswald came to Russia
in order to apply for citizenship, and that "in order to postpone his departure
he inflicted the injury upon himself." 503 They note that Oswald understood some
Russian and, presumably based on information which he provided, that he had
"graduated from a technical high school in radio technology and radio
electronics." 504 The record states: "He claims he regrets his action. After
recovering he intends to return to his homeland." 505
Oswald resented being in the psychiatric ward and told Rima Shirokova that he
wanted a transfer.506 She visited him at the hospital frequently and his diary
records that "only at this moment" did he "notice [that] she is preety." 507
Another entry for the hospital period says: "Afternoon I am visited by Roza
Agafonova of the hotel tourist office, who askes about my health, very
beautiful, excelant Eng., very merry and kind, she makes me very glad to be
alive." 508 These entries reflect an attitude gentler and friendlier than his
attitude before the suicide attempt, when he seemed to be coldly concerned only
with his status in Russia. Once Oswald was out of the psychiatric ward, he found
the hospital more pleasant. The new ward, which he shared with 11 other
patients, was "airy," and the food was good. His only complaint, according to
his diary, was that an "elderly American" patient was distrustful of him because
he had not registered at the American Embassy and because he was evasive about
the reasons for his presence in Moscow and confinement in the hospital.509
He was released from the hospital on October 28,510 and, accompanied by Rima
Shirokova, was driven to the Hotel Berlin in an Intourist car. After he said
goodby to Lyudmila Dmitrieva, head of the In-tourist office at the Berlin, and
to Roza Agafonova, another Intourist employee at the hotel, he checked out of
the Berlin and registered at the Metropole, 511 a large hotel under the same
administration as the Berlin.512 The Government had undoubtedly directed him to
make the change. His visa had expired while he was in the hospital, and his
presence in Russia was technically illegal; he had received no word that the
decision that he must leave had been reversed. Later that day, however, Rima
told him that the "Pass and Registration Office" wished
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to talk to him about his future.513 According to the diary, when Oswald appeared
at the office he was asked whether he still wanted to become a Soviet citizen
and he replied that he did; he provided his Marine Corps discharge papers for
identification. He was told that he could not expect a decision soon, and was
dismissed. During this interview, Oswald was apparently questioned about the
interview which preceded his hospitalization, which led him to conclude that
there had been no communication between the two sets of officials.514 That
evening he met Rima, on whom he vented his frustration at being put off by the
authorities.515
Oswald ate only once on the following day; he stayed near the telephone, fully
dressed and ready to leave immediately if he were summoned. He remained in his
room for 3 days, which seemed to him "like three years," 516 until October 31,
when he decided to act. He met Rima Shirokova at noon and told her that he was
impatient, but did not say what he planned to do; she cautioned him to stay in
his room "and eat well." 517 She left him after a short while and, a few minutes
later, he took a taxi to the American Embassy, where he asked to see the consul.
(See Commission Exhibits Nos. 24, 912, 913, pp. 264, 263, 261.) When the
receptionist asked him first to sign the tourist register, he laid his passport.
on the desk and said that he had come to "dissolve his American citizenship."
Richard E. Snyder, the Second Secretary and senior consular official,518 was
summoned, and he invited Oswald into his office.519
Oswald's meeting with Snyder, at which Snyder's assistant, John A. McVickar, was
also present, is more fully discussed in appendix w to the Commission's report.
Oswald declared that he wanted to renounce his American citizenship; he
denounced the United States and praised the Government of the Soviet Union. Over
Oswald's objections, Snyder sought to learn something of Oswald's motives and
background and to forestall immediate action. Oswald told him that he had
already offered to tell a Soviet official what he had learned as a radar
operator in the Marines. The interview ended when Snyder told Oswald that he
could renounce his citizenship on the following Monday, 2 days later, if he
would appear personally to do so. During the interview, Oswald handed to Snyder
a note 520 which suggests that he had studied and sought to comply with section
349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which provides for loss of American
citizenship.521 The note contains paragraphs which read like inartistic attempts
to cast off citizenship in three of the ways specified by the statute. The
attempts failed but there is no reason to doubt that they were sincere. Snyder
has testified that he believed that Oswald would immediately have formally
renounced his citizenship had he been permitted to do so.522
The interview lasted for less than an hour. Oswald returned to his hotel angry
about. the delay but "elated" by the "showdown" and sure that he would be
permitted to remain after his "sign of * * * faith" in the Russians.523 Soon
after he returned to the hotel, he was
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approached by A. I. Goldberg, a reporter for the Associated Press, whom the
Embassy had told about Oswald's actions. Oswald refused to speak to him.524 He
answered a few questions for two other reporters, R. J. Korengold and Miss Aline
Mosby, but again refused to be interviewed.525 Thereafter, the news services
made repeated unsuccessful attempts to interview him, which he thought was an
indirect form of pressure from the Embassy to return to the United States.526
On the day after Oswald's meeting with Snyder, his family read in the newspapers
about his appearance at the Embassy and tried to contact him. Mrs. Oswald
testified that she was shocked at her son's decision to defect but, respected
his motives for doing so; later she suspected that he had been forcibly removed
to Russia.527 She placed a telephone call to him,528 but he either refused to
speak to her 529 or cut her off very quickly.530 So too, on November 2, he
rejected the Embassy's efforts to deliver or read on the telephone a telegram
from his brother Robert.531 A call from Robert was either canceled before it was
completed or was refused.532 Robert's telegram, along with a message asking
Oswald to contact, him immediately, which Robert had asked the State Department
to deliver,533 was finally sent to Oswald from the Embassy by registered
mail.534
A few days later, the Embassy received a letter from Oswald dated November 3
which requested that his citizenship be revoked.535 The letter stated that he
had appeared at the Embassy '"for the purpose of signing the formal papers to
this effect" and protested against the "conduct of the official" who had refused
him "this legal right." Oswald noted that his application for Soviet citizenship
was pending and said that if it were granted he would ask the Soviet Government
"to lodge a formal protest" on his behalf.536 The Embassy replied on November 9
that Oswald could renounce his citizenship by appearing at the Embassy and
executing the necessary papers.537
Oswald's diary describes the period from November 2 to November 15, during which
he continued to isolate himself, as "days of utter loneliness." 538 On November
8, he wrote to his brother:
Dear Robert
Well, what shall we talk about, the weather perhaps? Certainly you do not wish
me to speak of my decision to remain in the Soviet Union and apply for
citizenship here, since I'm afraid you would not be able to comprehend my my
reasons. You really dent know anything about me. Do you know for instance that I
have waited to do this for well over a year, do you know that I * * * [phrase in
Russian] speak a fair amount of Russian which I have been studing for many
months.
I have been told that I will not have to leave the Soviet Union if I do not care
to. this than is my decision. I will not leave this country, the Soviet Union,
under any conditions, I will never return to the United States which is a
country I hate.
Someday, perhaps soon, and than again perhaps in a few years, I will become a
citizen of the Soviet Union, but it is a very legal
Page 695
process, in any event, I will not have to leave the Soviet Union and I will
never * * * [word missing].
I recived your telegram and was glad to hear from you, only one word bothered
me, the word "mistake." I assume you mean that I have made a "mistake" it is not
for you to tell me that you cannot understand my reasons for this very action.
I will not speak to anyone from the United States over the telephone since it
may be taped by the Americans.
If you wish to corespond with me you can write to the below address, but I
really don't, see what we could take about if you want to send me money, that I
can us, but I do not expect to be able to send it back.
LEE 589
Oswald's statement that he had been told that he could remain in Russia was not
true. According to his diary, he was not told until later that he could remain
even temporarily in Russia,540 and only in January was he told the he could
remain indefinitely.541 The Embassy tried to deliver a typed copy of a telegram
from his brother John on November 9; Oswald refused to answer the knock on his
door, and the message was then sent to him by registered mail.542
Toward the end of this waiting period, probably on November 13, Aline Mosby
succeeded in interviewing Oswald.543 A reporter for United Press International,
she had called him on the telephone and was told to come right over, Oswald's
explanation being that he thought she might "understand and be friendly" because
she was a woman.544 She was the first person who was not a Soviet citizen to
whom he granted an interview since his meeting with Snyder at the Embassy on
October 31. Miss Mosby found him polite but stiff; she said that be seemed full
of confidence, often showing a "small smile, more like a smirk," and that he
talked almost "non-stop." Oswald said to her that he had been told that he could
remain in the Soviet Union and that job possibilities were being explored; they
thought it probably would be best, he said, to continue his education. He
admitted that his Russian was bad but was confident that it would improve
rapidly. He based his dislike for the United States on his observations of
racial prejudice and the contrast between "the luxuries of Park Avenue and
workers' lives on the East Side," and mentioned his mother's poverty; he said
that if he had remained in the United States he too would have become either a
capitalist or a worker. "One way or another." he said, "I'd lose in the United
States. In my own mind, even if I'd be exploiting other workers. That's why I
chose Marxist ideology."
Oswald told his interviewer that he had been interested in Communist theory
since he was 15, when "an old lady" in New York handed him "a pamphlet about
saving the Rosenbergs." But when Mosby asked if he were a member of the
Communist Party he said that he had never met a Communist and that he "might
bare seen" one only once, when he saw that "old lady." He told her that while
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he was in the Marine Corps he had seen American imperialism in action, and had
saved $1,500 in secret preparation for his defection to Russia. His only
apparent regrets concerned his family: his mother, whom he had not told of his
plans, and his brother, who might lose his job as a result of the publicity.545
The interview lasted for about 2 hours. According to Oswald's own account, he
exacted a promise from Miss Mosby that she would show him the story before
publication but she broke the promise; he found the published story to contain
distortions of his words.546 Miss Mosby's notes indicate that he called her to
complain of the distortions, saying in particular that his family had not been
"poverty-stricken" and that his defection was not prompted by personal hardship
but that was "a matter only of ideology."
According to the diary, Oswald was told in mid-November that he could remain
temporarily in Russia "until some solution was found with what to do" with him.
548 Armed with this "comforting news," 549 he granted a second interview, again
to a woman, on November 16.550 Miss Priscilla Johnson of the North American
Newspaper Alliance knocked on the door of his room at the Metropole, and Oswald
agreed to come to her room at the hotel that evening. This interview lasted
about 5 hours, from 9 p.m. until about 2 in the morning. During the interview he
frequently mentioned the fact that he would be able to remain in Russia, which
gave him great pleasure, but he also showed disappointment about the
difficulties standing in the way of his request for Soviet citizenship. He
repeated most of the information he had given Aline Mosby and again denied
having been a member of the Communist Party or even ever having seen a Communist
in the United States. When Miss Johnson asked him to specify some of the
socialist writers whose works he had read during the past 5 years, he could name
only Marx and Engels; the only title he could recall was "Das Kapital." They
talked for a long while about Communist economic theory, which Miss Johnson
thought was "his language"; she became convinced that his knowledge of the
subject was very superficial.551 He commented that the Russians treated his
defection as a "legal formality," neither encouraging nor discouraging it.552
When she suggested that if he really wished to renounce his American citizenship
he could do so by returning to the Embassy, he said that he would "never set
foot in the Embassy again," since he was sure that he would be given the "same
run-around" as before. He seemed to Miss Johnson to be avoiding effective
renunciation, consciously or unconsciously, in order to preserve his right to
reenter the United States.553
For the rest of the year, Oswald seldom left his hotel room where he had
arranged to take his meals, except perhaps for a few trips to museums. He spent
most of his time studying Russian,
hours a day" his diary records. The routine was broken only by another interview
at the passport office; occasional visits from Rima Shirokova; lessons in
Russian from her and other Intourist guides; and a New Year's visit from Roza
Agafonova, who gave
Page 697
him a small "Boratin" clown as a New Year's present.554 He replied to a letter
from Robert in a letter quoted at length in chapter VII of this report which
contains his most bitter statements against the United States.555 Robert
received a third letter on December 17, in which Oswald said that he would not
write again and did not wish Robert to write to him. The letter concluded:
I am starting a new life and I do not wish to have anything to do with the old
life.
I hope you and your family will always be in good health.
Lee 556
His mother mailed him a personal check for $20 dated December 18. It was
returned to her on January 5 with the notation that he could not "use this
check, of course"; he asked her to send him $20 in cash and added that he had
little money and needed "the rest," presumably a reference to the $100 he had
given her in September. Mrs. Oswald later sent him a money order for about
$25.557
On January 4, Oswald was summoned to the Soviet Passport Office and given
Identity Document for Stateless Persons No. 811479.558 He was told that he was
being sent to Minsk,559 an industrial city located about 450 miles southwest of
Moscow and with a population in 1959 of about 510,000.560 His disappointment
that he had not been granted Soviet citizenship was balanced by relief that the
uncertainty was ended; he told Rima Shirokova that he was happy.561 On the
following day, he went to a Government agency which the Russians call the "Red
Cross"; it gave him 5,000 rubles (about 500 new rubles, or $500 at the official
exchange rate).562 He used 2,200 rubles to pay his hotel bill and 150 rubles to
purchase a railroad ticket to
Minsk. 563
Oswald arrived in Minsk on January 7. He was met at the station by two "Red
Cross" workers who took him to the Hotel Minsk. Two Intourist employees, both of
whom spoke excellent English, were waiting for him.564 One of them, a young
woman named Roza Kuznetsova, became his dose friend and attended his 21st
birthday party in October 1960.565 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2609, p. 271. )
On the following day, Oswald met the "Mayor," who welcomed him to Minsk,
promised him a rent-free apartment, and warned him against "uncultured persons"
who sometimes insulted foreigners.566
Oswald reported for work at the Belorussian Radio and Television Factory on
January 13.567 Two days earlier he had visited the factory and met Alexander
Ziger, a Polish Jew who had emigrated to Argentina in 1938 and went to Russia in
1955. Ziger was a department head at the factory; he spoke English, and he and
iris family became good friends of Oswald and corresponded with him after Iris
return to the United States.568 The factory, a major producer of electronic
parts and systems, employed about 5,000 persons.569 Oswald's union card
described him as a "metal worker"; 570 Marina testified that he fashioned parts
on a lathe.571 As Oswald later described it, the shop in
730-900 0-64--46
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which he worked, called the "experimental shop," 572 employed 58 workers and 5
foremen. It was located in the middle part of the factory area in a 2-story
building made of red brick. The workday began
at 8 o'clock sharp. Work was assigned according to "pay levels," which were
numbered from one to five plus a top "master" level. A worker could ask to be
tested for a higher level at any time.573
Oswald had hoped to continue his education in Russia, and was disappointed by
his assignment to a factory.574 His salary varied from 700 to perhaps as high as
900 rubles per month ($70-$90) Although high compared with the salaries of
certain professional groups in Russia, which in some areas have not grown
proportionately with the wages of factory workers,576 his salary was normal for
his type of work.577 It was supplemented, however, by 700 rubles per month,
which he received from the "Red Cross," and, .according to Oswald, his total
income was about equal to that of the director of the factory.578 In August he
applied for membership in the union; he became a dues-paying member in
September.580
Undoubtedly more noteworthy to most Russians than his extra income was the
attractive apartment which Oswald was given in March 1959. It was a small flat
with a balcony overlooking the river,581 for which he paid only 60 rubles a
month.582 (See Commission Exhibit No. 2606, p. 271.) Oswald describes it in his
diary as "a Russian-dream." 583 Had Oswald been a Russian worker, he would
probably have had to wait for several years for a comparable apartment, and
would have been given one even then only if he had a family.584 The "Red Cross"
subsidy and the apartment were typical of the favorable treatment which the
Soviet Union has given defectors.585
Oswald's diary records that he enjoyed his first months in Minsk. His work at
the factory was easy and his coworkers were friendly and curious about life in
the United States; he declined an invitation to speak at a mass meeting. He took
Roza Kuznetsova, his interpreter and language teacher,586 to the theater, a
movie, or an opera almost every night, until he moved into his apartment and
temporarily lost contact with her. He wrote in his diary, "I'm living big and am
very satisfied." 587 In March or April, he met Pavel Golovachev, a co-worker at
the factory, whom Oswald described as intelligent and friendly and an excellent
radio technician. (See Commission Exhibit No. 2609, p. 271.) Oswald helped
Golovachev with English.588 They became friends,589 and corresponded after
Oswald returned to the United States until at least as late as September
1963.590
The spring and summer passed easily and uneventfully. There were picnics and
drives in the country, which Oswald described as "green beauty." 591 On June 18,
he obtained a hunting license and soon afterward purchased a 16-gage
single-barrel shotgun. His hunting license identifies him as "Aleksy Harvey
Oswald." (He was called "Alec" by his Russian friends, because "Lee" sounded
foreign to them and was difficult for them to pronounce.)592 He joined a local
chapter of the Belorussian Society of Hunters and Fishermen, a bunting club
sponsored by his factory, and hunted for small game in the
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farm regions around Minsk about half a dozen times in the summer and fall. The
hunters spent the night in small villages and often left their bag with the
villagers; Oswald described the peasant life which he saw as crude and poor.593
Sometime in June, he met. Ella German, a worker at the factory, of whom he later
said he "perhaps fell in love with her the first minute" he saw her.594 (See
Commission Exhibit No. 2609, p. 271.)
At the same time, however, the first signs of disillusionment with his Russian
life appeared. He noted in his diary that he felt "uneasy inside" after a friend
took him aside at a party and advised him to return to the United States.595
Another entry compared life in Minsk with military life:
I have become habituatated to a small care which is where I dine in the evening.
The food is generaly poor and always eactly the same, menue in any care, at any
point in the city. The food is cheap and I don't really care about quiality
after three years in the U.S.M.C.596
In an entry for August-September, he wrote that he was becoming "increasingly
concious of just what sort of a sociaty" he lived in.597
He spent New Year's Day at the home of Ella German and her family. They ate and
drank in a friendly atmosphere, and he was "drunk and happy" when he returned
home. During the walk back to his apartment he decided to ask Ella to marry him.
On the following night, after he had brought her home from the movies, he
proposed on her doorstep. She rejected him, saying that she did not love him and
that she was afraid to marry an American. She said that the Polish intervention
in the 1920's had led to the arrest of all people in the Soviet Union of Polish
origin and she feared that something similar might happen to Americans some day.
Oswald was "too stunned to think," and concluded that she had gone out with him
only because she was envied by the other girls for having an American as an
escort.598 But in one of the entries in the diary he appears to have attributed
her failure to love him to "a state of fear which was always in the Soviet
Union." 599 His affection for Ella German apparently continued for some time;
600 he had his last formal date with her in February and remained on friendly
terms with her as long as he was in Russia.601
After he returned to the United States, Oswald often commented on Russian life.
He discussed the Soviet systems of public education and medical care.603 He
observed to one acquaintance that everyone in Russia was trained to do
something,604 and discussed with another the system of regular wage and salary
increases.605 His most frequent criticisms concerned the contrast between the
lives of ordinary workers and the lives of Communist Party members. He told an
acquaintance in Dallas that the working class in the Soviet Union made just
about enough to buy clothing and food and that only party members could afford
luxuries.606 On another occasion, he remarked
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that if he had had as much money as some of the "managers," he could have
visited the Black Sea resorts.607 He complained about the lack of freedom in
Russia; sos the lack of opportunity to travel ;609 inadequate housing; 610 and
the chronic scarcity of food products.611 To one acquaintance, he observed that
the party members were all "opportunists," who "shouted the loudest and made the
most noise," but who were interested only in their own welfare.612
He expressed similar views in a manuscript which he worked on in Russia 613 and
probably intended to publish; soon after he returned to the United States, he
hired a stenographer to prepare a typed draft from his notes.614 Oswald
described the manuscript, which amounted to 50 typed pages, as "a look into the
lives of work-a-day average Russians."615
The manuscript describes the factory in which Oswald worked and suggests that
political considerations of which Oswald disapproved dominated its operation. He
attributed the lack of unemployment to the shortage of labor-saving machinery
and the heavy load of bureaucracy, which kept "tons of paper work" flowing in
and out of the factory and required a high foreman-worker ratio.616 In addition,
he wrote, there was "a small army of examiners, committees, and supply checkers
and the quality-control board."
He described life in Russia, including life at the factory, as centered around
the "Kollective." The head of the Kollective in his shop, Comrade Lebizen, saw
to it that everyone maintained shop discipline, attended party meetings, and
received all the new propaganda as it came out. He hung the walls of the shop
with signs and slogans of the Communist Party. Meetings of the Kollective were
"so numerous as to be staggering." In a single month, there were scheduled one
meeting of the professional union, four political information meetings, two
young Communist meetings, one meeting of the production committee to discuss
ways of improving work, two Communist Party meetings, four meetings of the
"School of Communist Labor," and one sports meeting. All but one of them were
compulsory for Communist Party members and all but three were compulsory for
everyone.618 (Marina Oswald testified that her husband did not attend the
courses in Marxism and Leninism given in the factory for party members and those
who wished to become party members.)619 They were scheduled so as not to
interfere with work, and lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours. Oswald said
that no one liked the meetings, which were accepted "philosophically"; at the
political meetings especially, everyone paid strict attention, and party members
were posted in the audience to watch for the slightest sign that one's attention
might relax, even for a moment.620
Oswald wrote that the "spontaneous" demonstrations on Soviet holidays or for
distinguished visitors were almost as well organized as the Kollectivist
meetings at the factory.621 He noted that elections were supervised to ensure
that everyone voted, and that they voted for the candidates of the Communist
Party. The manuscript touches on other aspects of Soviet life--as the housing
shortage and the corrup-
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tion which it evoked, the "rest-homes" where workers had their vacations,
television and the omnipresent radio, and Russian reading habits.622 This
writing also may include only what Oswald thought might be acceptable.
On January 4, 1961, I year after he had been issued his "stateless" residence
permit, Oswald was summoned to the passport office in Minsk and asked if he
still wanted to become a Soviet citizen. He replied that he did not, but asked
that his residence permit be extended for another year.623 The entry in his
diary for January 4-31 reads: "I am stating to reconsider my disire about
staying. The work is drab. The money I get has nowhere to be spent. No
nightclubs or bowling allys, no places of recreation acept the trade union
dances. I have had enough." 624
The American Embassy in Moscow had not heard from Oswald after it received his
letter of November 3, 1959.625 On February 13, 1961, it received an undated
letter from him which had been mailed in Minsk about a week earlier. He asked
for the return of his passport and stated that he wanted to return to the United
States if he could "come to some agreement [with the American Government]
concerning the dropping of any legal proceedings" against him. He noted that he
had not become a Soviet citizen and was living in Russia with "nonpermanent type
papers for a foreigner," and said that he did not appear personally because he
could not leave Minsk without permission. The letter concluded: "I hope that in
recalling the responsibility I have to America that you remember yours in doing
everything you can to help me, since I am an American citizen." 626 In this
letter, Oswald referred to a previous letter which he said had gone unanswered;
there is evidence that such a letter was never sent.627
The Second Secretary, Richard Snyder, answered on February 28 that Oswald would
have to appear at the Embassy personally to discuss his return to the United
States.628 In the meantime, Oswald's mother, who in January had inquired at the
Department of State about his whereabouts,629 had been notified of his
letter.630 A second letter from Oswald, posted on March 5, reached the Embassy
on March 20; it reiterated that he was unable to leave Minsk without permission
and asked that "preliminary inquiries * * * be put in the form of
questionnaire" and sent to him.631 His diary entry for this period records his
"state of expectation about going back to the U.S.," and adds that a friend had
approved his plans but warned him not to discuss them with others.632 (The
Soviet authorities had undoubtedly intercepted and read the correspondence
between Oswald and the Embassy and knew of his plans.633 Soon after the
correspondence began, his monthly payments from the "Red Cross" were cut
off.)634 Having informed Washington,635 the Embassy wrote to Oswald on March 24,
stating again that he would have to come to Moscow.636 Later, the Department of
State decided that Oswald's passport should be returned to him only if he
appeared at the Embassy for it and the Embassy was satisfied, after exploring
the matter with him, that. he had not renounced his citizenship.637
701
Page 702
Sometime in the second week of March, Miss Katherine Mallory, who was on tour in
Minsk with the University of Michigan symphonic band, found herself surrounded
by curious Russian citizens. A young man who identified himself as a Texan and
former marine stepped out of the crowd and asked if she needed an interpreter;
he interpreted for her for the next 15 or 20 minutes. Later he told her that he
despised the United States and hoped to stay in Minsk for the rest of his life.
Miss Mallory is unable to swear that her interpreter was Oswald, but is
personally convinced that it was he.638
A few days later, probably on March 17, Oswald attended a trade union dance with
a friend, Erik Titovyets, at the Palace of Culture for Professional Workers in
Minsk.639 The dance followed a lecture by a Russian woman who had recently
returned from a trip to the United States.640 Marina Nikolayevna Prusakova
arrived too late to hear the lecture 641 but was at the dance. Oswald noticed
her and asked Yuriy Merezhinskiy, the son of the lecturer and a. friend of both
Oswald and Marina, to introduce him to her. Oswald asked her to dance. According
to the diary, they liked each other immediately and he obtained her telephone
number before she left.642 Marina testified that she told Oswald that she might
see him at another dance, but did not give him her telephone number.643 Oswald
was smitten.644
Marina Prusakova was 19 years old when she met Oswald. (See Commission Exhibit
No. 1395, p. 270.) She was born on July 17, 1941, at Severodvinsk (formerly
Molotovsk),Arkhangel Oblast', Russia.645 A few years later, her mother, Klavdiya
Vasilievna Prusakova, married Aleksandr Ivanovich Medvedev, who became the only
father Marina knew.646 While she was still a young girl, Marina went to
Arkhangel'sk, Arkhangel Oblast', to live with her maternal grandparents, Tatyana
Yakovlevna Prusakova and Vasiliy Prusakov. Her grandfather died when Marina was
about 4 years old; she continued to live with her grandmother for some time.647
When she was not more than 7, she moved to Zguritva, Moldavian SSR (formerly
called Bessarabia) to live with her mother and stepfather, who was an electrical
worker.648 In 1952, the family moved to Leningrad,649 where her stepfather
obtained a job in a power station.650 Marina testified that neither he nor her
mother was a member of the Communist Party.651
In Leningrad, Marina attended the Three Hundred and Seventy-Fourth Women's
School. After she had completed the seventh grade at the school in 1955,652 she
entered the Pharmacy Teknikum for special training, which she had requested on
the ground that her mother was ill and Marina might need to have a specialty in
order to support herself. While she was st the Teknikum, she joined the Trade
Union for Medical Workers 653 and, in her last year there, worked part time in
the Central Pharmacy in Leningrad. She graduated from the Teknikum with a
diploma in pharmacy in June 1959.
Marina's mother had died in 1957, during Marina's second year at the Teknikum;
she continued to live with her stepfather, but had little contact with him. She
testified that she did not get along with
Page 703
her stepfather, whom she displeased by her fresh conduct; she said that she was
not easily disciplined 654 and was a source of concern to him.655 Because of the
friction between them, Marina regarded her childhood as an unhappy one.
After her graduation, Marina was assigned to a job preparing and packing orders
in a pharmaceutical warehouse in Leningrad; as a new employee she had the right
to leave this job within 3 days after the assignment,656 and she did so after
the first day. She took no job for the next 2 months, at the end of which she
went to live in Minsk with an aunt and uncle, the Prusakova, who had no
children. She had known them since she was a child and there was a mutual
affection between her and them.657 Her uncle, a member of the Communist
Party,658 was assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and headed the local
bureau concerned with lumber. The Prusakova had one of the best apartments in a
building reserved for MVD employees.659
Marina was 18 when she arrived in Minsk. She had had boyfriends in Leningrad but
was not interested in marriage. In October 1960 she started work in the drug
section of the Third Clinical Hospital where she earned about 450 rubles per
month ;660 at about the same time she became a member of the local Komsomol, the
Communist youth organization.661 Her friends were mostly students, whose social
life consisted of meeting in cafes to sip coffee, read newspapers, gossip, and
carry on discussions. The group of friends "ran together," and Marina did not
attach herself to a particular boyfriend. She enjoyed this life, which she had
been leading for about 7 months when she met Oswald at the dance at the Palace
of Culture in March 1961.662
When Marina met Oswald, she thought he was from one of the Russian-speaking
Baltic countries because he spoke with an accent; later that same evening she
]earned that he was an American.663 She met him again at another dance a week
later. 664 They danced together most of the evening, at the end of which he
walked home with her. They arranged to meet again the following week. 665 Before
the scheduled time, Oswald called to say that he was in the hospital and that
Marina should visit him there. 666 Medical records furnished to the Commission
by the Russian Government show that Oswald was admitted to the Clinical
Hospital--Ear, Nose, and Throat Division, on Thursday, March 30, 1961.667 Marina
visited him often,668 taking advantage of her uniform to visit him outside
regular visiting hours, which were only on Sunday. 669 On Easter Sunday, the
first Sunday after his admission to the hospital, she brought him an Easter
egg.670 On a subsequent visit, he asked her to be his fiancee, and she agreed to
consider it.671 He left the hospital on April 11.672
During these visits, Marina apparently discussed with Oswald his reasons for
coming to Russia and his current status. According to her later account, he told
her that he had surrendered his American documents to the Embassy in Moscow and
had told American officials that he did not intend to return to the United
States. He did not say definitely that he was no longer an American citizen, but
said in answer
Page 704
to a question about his citizenship that he could not return to the United
States.673
Oswald visited Marina regularly at her aunt and uncle's apartment; they were
apparently not disturbed by the fact that, he was an American and did not
disapprove of her seeing him. He continued to ask her to marry him and,
according to her recollection, she accepted his proposal on April 20; 674
Oswald's diary puts the date 5 days earlier.675 Marina testified that. she
believed that Oswald could not return to, the United States when she agreed to
marry him, and that she had not married him in hope of going to the United
States.676
After filing notice of their intent to marry at the registrar, obtaining the
special consent necessary for an alien to marry a citizen, and waiting the usual
10 days, they were married on April 30.677 The diary entry for the wedding day
reads:
two of Marinas girl friends act as bridesmaids. We are married. At her aunts
home we have a dinner reception for about 20 friends and neboribos who wish us
happiness (in spite of my origin and accept [accent?] which was in general
rather disquiting to any Russian since for are very rare in the soviet Union
even tourist. After an evening of eating and drinking in which * * * [Marina's
uncle] started a fright [fight?] and the fuse blow on an overloaded circite we
take our leave and walk the 1-5 minutes to our home. We lived near each other,
at midnight we were home.678
They both took 3 days off from their jobs, which they spent in Minsk.679
Oswald wrote in his diary for May 1, 1 day after the wedding: "In spite of fact
I married Marina to hurt Ella I found myself in love with Marina." 680 The next
entry, marked simply "May," reads in part:
The trasistion of changing full love from Ella to Marina was very painfull esp.
as I saw Ella almost every day at the factory but as the days & weeks went by I
adjusted more and more [to] my wife mentaly * * * She is maddly in love with me
from the very start. Boat rides on Lake Minsk walks through the parks evening at
home or at Aunt Valia's place mark May." 681
And in June: "A continuence of May, except that; we draw closer and closer, and
I think very little now of Ella." 682
Sometime within the first month or two after they were married Oswald told his
wife that he was anxious to return to the United States. The diary says that he
told her "in the last days" of June and that she was "slightly startled" but
encouraged him to do as he wished.683 Marina's recollection is that she learned
of his plan between May and July. Embassy records show that Oswald notified the
Embassy in a letter received on May 25 that he was married and his wife would
Page 705
seek to accompany him to the United States.684 At about this time, the Oswalds
began to make inquiries in Soviet offices about exit visas. 685
While these preparations were being made, the Oswalds apparently enjoyed their
new life.686 They ate most of their meals in cares or at restaurants where they
worked.687 For amusement, they went boating, attended the opera, concerts, the
circus, and films; occasionally, they gathered with a group of friends for a
cooperative meal at someone's apartment.688 His Russian improved, but he
retained an accent and never learned to speak grammatically or to write well.689
He read the English language edition of the Daily Worker and books, also in
English, on Marxism and Leninism; he also read some Russian newspapers.690
Before he married Marina (and presumably before February, when he had begun his
efforts to return to the United States) Oswald had applied for admission to the
Patrice Lumumba Friendship University in Moscow. He received a letter dated May
3 apologizing for the delay in responding to his application and turning it down
on the ground that the university had been established exclusively for students
from the underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 691 Oswald
expressed his disappointment at having been turned down to Marina.692
Oswald reopened his correspondence with his family on May 5, with a friendly
letter to his brother Robert. He said nothing about, his contacts with the
American Embassy, but mentioned that he had married, and that he had a job as a
"metal-smith" and was living well. He asked his brother for their mother's
address, and encouraged him to come to Minsk for a visit.693 Robert answered the
letter quickly. On May 31, Oswald wrote again and expressed his pleasure at
having heard from Robert after so long. Apparently in response to an offer to
send him whatever he needed, Oswald wrote that he needed nothing and thanked
Robert for the thought; he suggested, however, that Marina might like a small
wedding present. At the end of the letter he said that he did not know whether
he would ever return to the United States; he said that before he could return
he would have to obtain the permission of the Soviet Union for him and Marina to
leave and insure that no charges would be lodged against him in the United
States. In this letter, he mentioned that he was in touch with the Embassy in
Moscow.694 At about this time, Oswald wrote also to his mother. 695
On May 25, the Embassy received a letter mailed in Minsk about 10 days before,
in which Oswald asked for assurances that he would not be prosecuted if he
returned to the United States, and informed the Embassy that he had married a
Russian woman who would want to accompany him.696 The Embassy communicated this
development to Washington 697 and did not answer Oswald immediately. In
addition, he had had no word since March concerning the return of his passport..
Impatient for action,698 he appeared without warning at the Embassy on July 8;
it was a Saturday and the offices were closed.699 He used the house telephone to
reach Snyder, who came
705
Page 706
to the office, talked with him briefly, and suggested that he return on the
following Monday.700 Oswald called Marina and asked her join him in Moscow. She
arrived on Sunday, July 9, 701 a room at the Hotel Berlin,702 where he had
stayed when he first arrived in Russia.
Oswald returned to the Embassy on Monday. Marina waited outside during his
interview with Snyder,703 who asked to see Oswald's Soviet papers and questioned
him closely about his life in Russia and possible expatriating acts. Oswald
stated that he was not a citizen of the Soviet Union and had never formally
applied for citizenship, that he had never taken an oath of allegiance to the
Soviet Union, and that he was not a member of the factory trade union
organization. He said that he had never given Soviet officials any confidential
information that he had learned in the Marines, had never been asked to give
such information, and "doubted" that he would have done so had he been asked.704
Some of Oswald's statements during this interview were undoubtedly false. He had
almost certainly applied for citizenship in the Soviet Union 705 and, at least
for a time, been disappointed when it was denied.706 He possessed a membership
card in the union organization.707 In addition, his assertion to Snyder that he
had never been questioned by Soviet authorities concerning his life in the
United States is simply unbelievable.
Oswald showed anxiety, already displayed in his letters, that he might be
prosecuted and imprisoned if he returned to. the United States. Snyder told him
informally that he did not know any grounds on which he would be prosecuted but
that he could give no assurances in this regard.708 Snyder testified that Oswald
seemed to have matured while he was in Russia and did not show the bravado and
arrogance which characterized his first contacts with the Embassy. Oswald told
him that he had "learned a hard lesson the hard way" and had acquired a new
appreciation of the United States and the meaning of freedom.709
Since Oswald's passport would expire on September 10, 1961,710 before which date
he probably would not be able to obtain Russian exit papers, he filled out an
application for its renewal.711 On a questionnaire attached to the
application,712 he reiterated his oral statements that he had obtained only a
residence permit in the Soviet Union and was still an American national. On the
basis of Oswald's written and oral statements, Snyder concluded that he had not
expatriated himself and returned his passport, stamped valid only for direct
travel to the United States,713 to him. Accompanied by his wife,714 Oswald came
to the Embassy again on the following day,715 to initiate procedures for her
admission to the United States as an immigrant; they had a routine interview
with McVickar, Snyder's assistant.716 Three days later, they returned to
Minsk.717
On the same day, Oswald wrote to his brother. He told Robert that he had his
passport again and that he and Marina were doing everything possible to leave
the Soviet Union. Apparently referring to his initial reappearance at the
Embassy in quest of his passport, he
706
Page 707
wrote: "I could write a book about how many feeling have come and gone since
that day." The letter closed with an affectionate greeting to his brother and
his family.718 The letter's tone of firm purpose to return to the United States
in the face of heavy odds reflected Oswald's attitude thereafter.
As soon as they returned to Minsk, the Oswalds began to work with local
authorities for permission to leave the country.719 His diary entry for July 16
through August 20 reads,
We have found out which blanks and certificates are nessceary to apply for a
exit visa. They number about 20 papers; birth certificates, affidavit, photos,
ect. On Aug 20th we give the papers out they say it will be 3.5 months before we
know wheather they let us go or not. In the meantime Marina has had to stade 4
differant meeting at the place of work held by her boss's at the direction of
"someone" by phone. The Young Comm. leauge headquttes also called about her and
she had to go see them for 1½ hours. The purpose (expressed) is to disuade her
from going to the U.S.A. Net effect: Make her more stubborn about wanting to go.
Marina is pregnet. We only hope that the visas come through soon.720
In a letter dated July 15, he reported their efforts to the Embassy, and said
that he would keep it informed "as to the overall picture." The letter mentioned
that Marina was having difficulties at work because of her decision to leave but
added that such "tactics" were "quite useless" and that Marina had "stood up
well, without getting into trouble." 721 For August 21 through September 1, the
diary reads:
I make repeated trips to the passport & visa office, also to Ministry of For.
Affairs in Minsk, also Min. of Internal Affairs, all of which have a say in the
granting of a visa. I extrackted promises of quick attention to us.722
For September through October 18, "No word from Min. ('They'11 call us.')." 723
Marina testified that when the news of her visit to the American Embassy in July
reached Minsk, she was dropped from membership in "Komsomol," the Communist
Youth Organization, 724 and that "meetings were arranged" at which "members of
the various organizations" attempted to dissuade her from leaving the Soviet
Union.725 Her aunt and uncle did not speak to her for "a long time." 726 Paul
Gregory, to whom Marina taught Russian in the United States, testified that she
once referred to this period of her life in Minsk as "a very horrible time." 727
Oswald wrote to the Embassy again on October 4, to request that the U.S.
Government officially intervene to facilitate his and his wife's applications
for exit visas.728 He stated that there had been "systematic and concerted
attempts to intimidate [Marina] * * * into with-
707
Page 708
drawing her application for a visa" which had resulted in her being hospitalized
for a 5-day period on September 22 for "nervous exhaustion." 729 Marina has
denied that she was hospitalized for a nervous disorder 730 and he made no
mention of it in his diary or letters to his family; he probably lied to the
Embassy. The Embassy replied to his letter on October 12, saying that it had no
way of influencing Soviet conduct on such matters and that its experience had
been that action on applications for exit visas was "seldom taken rapidly." 731
In October 1961 Marina took her annual vacation. 732 She and Oswald agreed that
she should get a "change of scenery," 733 and she spent about 3 weeks with an
aunt in Khar'kov. It is possible that they were not getting along well together
during this period. 734 A dairy entry after her return indicates that they were
having some quarrels and that she was wavering in her decision to go to the
United States, which Oswald attributed to anxiety about their applications for
visas and the fact that she was pregnant; he in turn dreaded the approach of the
"hard Russian winter." 735 He noted in his dairy that he was lonely while she
was gone, but that he and his friend "Erich," presumably Erik Titovyets, went to
some dances and other public amusements.736 On his 22nd birthday he went alone
to see his favorite opera, "The Queen of Spades." 737 Marina sent him a gold and
silver cup, inscribed "To my dear husband on his birthday, 18/x/61" and other
gifts, for which he wrote to thank her.738 She returned on November 12, in
Oswald's words, "radient, with several jars of preserses for me from her aunt."
739
Sometime after Marina's return Oswald applied for an interview with Col. Nicolay
Aksenov, an official in the local MVD, in an effort to expedite their
application for exit visas; he was told by the colonel's subordinates that they
were competent to handle the matter. Oswald then insisted that Marina seek an
interview; she agreed reluctantly. The interview was granted; 740 Marina thought
that this might have been due to the fact that her uncle was also a high-ranking
official in the Minsk MVD, but she did not believe that he would personally have
presumed on his official position to obtain special treatment.741 Colonel
Aksenov questioned her about her reasons for wanting to go to the United States
and, noticing that she was pregnant, suggested that she at least delay her
departure so that her child could be born in Russia, but did not otherwise try
to discourage her. He finally told her that there were many others seeking visas
and that she and her husband would have to wait their turn.742
Throughout this period, Oswald continued to correspond with his mother and
brother. His letters contained the usual chatter among members of a family and
occasional references to the progress of the visa applications.743 He wrote to
the Embassy on November 1, saying that if, as he anticipated, his residence
permit were renewed in January for another year, it would be over his protest.
744 On November 13 the Embassy replied, telling Oswald that retention of his
Soviet passport, which was of the kind issued to persons considered to be
stateless, or an extension of it, would not. prejudice his claim to Ameri-
708
Page 709
can citizenship. The letter added that he could discuss the renewal of his
American passport whenever he appeared in person at the Embassy to do so.745
Late in December, Oswald wrote a letter to Senator John G. Tower of Texas, which
was received in Washington near the end of January. He stated that he was an
American citizen and that the Soviet Government refused to permit him and his
wife to leave the Soviet Union. He asked Senator Tower to raise "the question of
holding by the Soviet Union of a citizen of the U.S., against his will and
expressed desires." The letter was referred to the State Department and no
further action concerning it was taken.746 On December 25, Marina was called to
the Soviet Passport Office and told that exit visas would be granted to her and
her husband; she was surprised, having doubted that she would ever be permitted
to leave. Oswald wrote to the Embassy on December 27 that they would be given
visas and asked that his passport be extended without another trip to Moscow; he
added, however, that he would come to Moscow if this would expedite the
processing of his application. In his diary, he wrote, "It's great (I think ?)."
747 Before the year ended, Marina went on maternity leave from her job.748 They
spent New Year's Eve at a dinner party given by the Zigers.749
Oswald wrote to his mother on January 2, 1962, and told her that he and his wife
expected to arrive in the United States sometime around March. He asked her to
contact the local Red Cross and request that it put his case before the
International Rescue Committee or some other group which aids immigrants to the
United States. He told her that he would need about $800 and that she should
insist on a gift rather than a loan; he told her not to send any of her own
money.750 Despite his instructions, she requested a loan from the Red Cross.751
On January 13, Oswald wrote to the International Rescue Committee himself; he
asked for $800 with which to purchase two tickets from Moscow to Texas.752 He
wrote to the Committee again on January 26, this time asking for $1,000.753
In the meantime, letters of Oswald 754 and the American Embassy,755 both dated
January 5, crossed in the mail. The Embassy's letter suggested that since there
might be difficulties in obtaining an American visa for Marina, he consider
returning alone and bringing her over later. He replied on the 16th that he
would not leave Russia without her.756 In his letter, Oswald requested that the
U.S. Government loan him the money for his and Marina's airplane tickets or
arrange a loan from another source. The Embassy replied on January 15 that
Marina had not yet obtained an American visa. and that no evidence had yet been
submitted that. she would not become a public charge in the United States.757 It
suggested that Oswald's mother or some other close relative file an affidavit of
support in Marina's behalf. Before receiving this letter, Oswald wrote out such
a document himself 758 and mailed it to the Embassy.759
On January 28, after receiving the Embassy's letter, he wrote that his own
affidavit should be sufficient, since he had been away from
709
Page 710
the United States for more than 2 years and could not be expected to obtain an
affidavit from someone else.760 But on the same day, he wrote to his mother
asking that she file an affidavit of support with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.761 On January 24, the Embassy acknowledged receipt of
his affidavit, but again suggested that he obtain one from someone else.762
Late in January, Oswald received a letter from his mother telling him that he
had been given a dishonorable discharge from the Marines.763 (The discharge had
actually been "undesirable," a less derogatory characterization.) 764 This
apparently revived his fear of prosecution, and on January 30, he wrote to his
brother for more information.765 On the same day he wrote also to John B.
Connally, Jr., then Governor of Texas, who Oswald believed was still Secretary
of Navy. The letter read:
I wish to call your attention to a case about which you may have personal
knowlege since you are a resident of Ft. Worth as I am.
In November 1959 an event was well publicated in the Ft. Worth newspapers
concerning a person who had gone to the Soviet Union to reside for a short time,
(much in the same way E. Hemingway resided in Paris.)
This person in answers to questions put to him by reporteds in Moscow criticized
certain facets of american life. The story was blown up into another "turncoat"
sensation, with the result that the Navy department gave this person a belated
dishonourable discharge, although he had received an honourable discharge after
three years service on Sept. 11, 1959 at El Toro, Marine corps base in
California.
These are the basic facts of my case.
I have and allways had the full sanction of the U.S. Embassy, Moscow USSR. and
hence the U.S. goverment. In as much as I am returning to the U.S.A. in this
year with the aid of the U.S. Embassy, bring with me my family (since I married
in the USSR) I shall employ all means to right this gross mistake or injustice
to a boni-fied U.S. citizen and ex--service man. The U.S. government has no
charges or complaints against me. I ask you to look into this case. and take the
neccessary steps to repair the damage done to me. and my family. For information
I would direct you to consult the American Embassy, Chikovski St. 19/21, Moscow,
USSR.766
Connally referred the letter to the Department. of the Navy,767 which sent
Oswald a letter stating that the Department contemplated no change in the
undesirable discharge. 768 On March 22, Oswald wrote to the Department insisting
that his discharge be given a further, full review.769 The Department promptly
replied that it had no authority to hear and review petitions of this sort and
referred Oswald to the Navy Discharge Review Board.770 Oswald filled out
710
Page 711
the enclosed application for review in Minsk but did not mail it until he
returned to the United States.771
The Department of State had notified Oswald's mother that it would need $900 to
make the travel arrangements for her son and daughter-in-law.772 On February 1,
Oswald sent his mother a brief letter rejecting her suggestion that she try to
raise money by telling the newspapers about his financial plight.773 Five days
later, the Embassy Oswald wrote to his mother again on February 9, reminding her
to file an affidavit of support and asking that she send him clippings from the
Fort Worth newspapers about his defection to Russia, a request which he later
repeated to his brother. He told her that he wanted to know what had been
written about him, so that he could be "forewarned."
Oswald took Marina to the hospital on the morning of February 15. A baby girl
was born at about 10 a.m.776 He had gone on to the factory where news of the
birth awaited him on his arrival.777 In accordance with regular hospital
practice,778 he did not see the baby until Marina left the hospital.779 He was
excited by the child,780 who was named "June Lee" in accordance with the Russian
custom and law that a child's second name must be the father's first name or a
variation of it. He had wanted to name his child "June Marina," and protested
the
plication of the law to her, since he had a United States passport. His diary
contains the wry comment, "Po- Russki." 781 His coworkers at the factory gave
the Oswalds "one summer blanket, 6 light diapers, 4 warm diapers, 2 chemises, 3
very good warm chemises, 4 very nice suits and two toys" for the baby.782 Marina
came home on February 23.783
There was less urgency about the departure for the United States after June Lee
was born.784 Oswald wrote to his mother,785 and brother,786 that he would
probably not arrive for several months. The Embassy received a letter on March
3, in which Oswald applied for a loan of $800; 787 the Embassy replied that it
was authorized to loan him only $500.788 It had in the meantime decided that his
own affidavit of support for Marina would be sufficient under the
circumstances.789 On March 15, he received notification from the Immigration and
Naturalization Service that Marina's application for a visa had been
approved.790 By March 28, he had received an affidavit of support in Marina's
behalf from his mother's employer, Byron K. Phillips, 791 which he filed
although it was no longer necessary to do so.792 A few days before, Marina,
still on maternity leave, had quit her job. 793 Discussions with the Embassy to
complete financial and travel arrangements continued in April and May.794 In a
letter to Robert on April 12, Oswald wrote that only "the American side" was
holding up their departure, but added that the winter being over, he didn't
"really * * * want to leave until the beginning of fall, since the spring and
summer * * * [in Russia] are so nice." 795
Page 712
On May 10, the Embassy wrote that everything was in order and suggested that
Oswald come to the Embassy with his family to sign the final papers.796 At his
request,797 he was discharged from the factory on about May 18.798 His work had
apparently never been very good. Marina testified that he was rather lazy and
resented having to take orders.799 This estimate is confirmed by a report of the
plant director and personnel department chief, filed on December 11, 1961, which
was apparently a routine assessment of his work. The report noted that he did
not, "display the initiative for increasing his skill" in his job, that he was
"over-sensitive * * * to remarks from the foremen, and * * * careless in his
work"; Oswald took "no part in the social life of the shop" and kept "very much
to himself." 800
Oswald picked up his Soviet, exit visa on May 22; 801 at about this time, he
also had an interview with an official of the MVD to obtain final clearance for
his departure. 802 He wrote to Robert that
and his family would leave for Moscow on the following day and depart for
England 10 to 14 days later. He expected to cross the Atlantic by ship, probably
docking in New Orleans. Returning to a point which he had made in an earlier
letter to his mother, he commented that he knew from the newspaper clippings
what Robert had said about him when he left for Russia; he thought that Robert
had talked too much at that time, and asked that Robert say nothing to the
newspapers now. 803
The Oswalds arrived in Moscow by May 24 804 and on that date filled out various
documents at the American Embassy; 805 Marina was given her American visa.806
Final arrangements for their emigration were made with Soviet officials. 807 On
June 1, Oswald signed a promissory note at the Embassy for a repatriation loan
of $435.71.808 He and his family boarded a train for Holland,809 which passed
through Minsk that night.810 They crossed the Soviet frontier at Brest on June
2. Two days later, they departed from Holland on the SS Maasdam. 811 Onboard
ship, the Oswalds stayed by themselves; Marina testified that she did not often
go on deck because she was poorly dressed and Oswald was ashamed of her.812
Probably while he was on board the Maasdam Oswald wrote some notes on ship
stationery, which appear to be a summary of what he thought he had learned by
living under both the capitalist and Communist systems. The notes reflect his
unhappy and deepening feeling of disillusionment with both the Soviet Union and
the United States. Oswald observed that although reform groups may oppose the
government in power, they always declare that they are for their people and
their country, and he asked what "would happen if somebody was to stand up and
say he was utterly opposed not, only to the governments, but to the people, too
the entire land and complete foundations" of his society. He condemned existing
political groups and proposed the formation of a third choice between communism
and capitalism. neither of which was acceptable to him. "I have lived," he said,
%rider both systems I have sought the answers and although it would
Page 713
be very easy to dupe myself into believing one system is better than the other,
I know they are not." In these notes, he acknowledged that his "Red Cross"
subsidy had been paid by the Soviet Government rather than the international
organization, and said, "I shall never sell myself intentionlly, or
unintentionlly to anyone again."
(Commission Exhibit No. 25, p. 273.) It was probably also onboard ship that
Oswald wrote two sets of answers to questions which he anticipated about his
decision to go to Russia. and later to return to the United States. Although the
sets of answers are somewhat similar, but the tone of one is apologetic, while
the other suggests that Oswald went to Russia to study the Soviet system, but
remained a loyal American and owed no apologies.814
The Maasdam landed at Hoboken, N.J., on June 13.815 The Oswalds were met by Spas
T. Raikin, a representative of the Traveler's Aid Society, which had been
contacted by the Department of State; Raikin had the impression that Oswald was
trying to avoid meeting anyone. He told Raikin that he had only $63 and had no
plans either for that night or for travel to Fort Worth, and accepted the
society's help, according to Raikin, "with confidence and appreciation."816 They
passed through the immigration office without incident,817 and Raikin helped
them through customs.818
The society referred the Oswalds to the New York City Department of Welfare,
which helped them find a room at the Times Square Hotel.819 Oswald told both
Raikin and representatives of the welfare department that he had been a marine
stationed at the American Embassy in Moscow, had married a Russian girl,
renounced his citizenship, and worked in Minsk; he soon found out, he said, that
the Russian propaganda was inaccurate but had not been able to obtain an exit
visa for his wife and child for more than 2 years. He said also that he had paid
the travel expenses himself.820
The welfare department called Robert Oswald's home in Fort Worth. His wife
answered and said that they would help. She contacted her husband who sent $200
immediately.821 Oswald refused to accept the money and insisted that the
department itself should pay the fare to Texas; he threatened that they would go
as far as they could on $63 and rely on local authorities to get them the rest
of the way. In the end he accepted the money.822 On the afternoon of June 14,
the Oswalds left New York by plane for Fort Worth.823
Fort Worth, Dallas, New Orleans
Page 713
FORT WORTH, DALLAS, NEW ORLEANS
Oswald had originally indicated that he and his family would stay with his
mother in Vernon, Tex.824 His decision to stay with Robert Oswald in Fort Worth
apparently had been prompted by his brother's invitation in a letter to him in
Russia.825 Oswald listed only his brother as a relative on an "Intake Interview"
form which he prepared for the New York Department of Welfare.826
730-900 0-64--47
Page 714
Robert took his wife and children to Love Field, the Dallas airport, to meet Lee
and Marina and their baby, June Lee.827 He testified that the most noticeable
change in his brother's appearance was that he had become rather bald; he seemed
also to be somewhat thinner than he had been in 1959. Robert thought that his
brother had picked up "something of an accent" but, except. for these changes
was '"the same boy" whom he had known before.828 Lee commented on the absence of
newspaper reporters and seemed to Robert to be disappointed that none had
appeared.829 Later on, Lee was anxious to avoid publicity.830
Robert drove the Oswalds to his home at 7313 Davenport Street.831 For a few
days, Lee seemed tense,832 but the brothers got along well,833 and to Robert it
was "more or less * * * [as if Lee] had not been to Russia"; they were "just
together again." 834 They did not discuss politics, according to Robert because
of a "tacit agreement" between them.835 Lee indicated to his brother that he
hoped to have his undesirable discharge from the Marines corrected.836 Robert
and his wife "took to Marina and June," and enjoyed showing Marina "things that
she had never seen before." 837 Marina rested and took care of her baby, and
when she could, helped in the household.838 She testified that, apart from a
trip to the library, Lee spent about a week "merely talking." 839
On June 18, 4 days after he arrived in Fort Worth, Oswald went to the office of
Mrs. Pauline Virginia Bates, a public stenographer whose name he had found in
the telephone directory,840 and asked her to type a manuscript from the "scraps
of paper," on which he had recorded his impressions of the Soviet Union.841
Intrigued by his tale that he had just returned from the Soviet Union and had
smuggled his notes out of that country, she agreed to type the notes for $1 per
page or $2 an hour, 50 cents less than her usual hourly rate.842 On that day and
the succeeding 2 days, Mrs. Bates spent 8 hours typing for Oswald while he
remained in her office helping her with the notes and translating portions of
them which were in Russian.843 At the end of each session he collected his notes
and as much of the manuscript as she had done and took them away with him.844 On
June 20, he gave Mrs. Bates $10 for the 10 completed pages; he told her that he
had no more money and refused to accept her offer to postpone pay-merit or
continue the work for nothing.845
Oswald told Mrs. Bates that there was an engineer in Fort Worth who wanted to
help him publish his notes.846 On June 19,847 he had called Peter Gregory, a
petroleum engineer who was born in Siberia and taught Russian at the Fort Worth
Public Library as a "civic enterprise." 848 He asked if Gregory could give him a
letter testifying to his ability to read and speak Russian, so that he could
obtain work as an interpreter or translator. Gregory suggested that Oswald come
to his office, where Gregory opened a Russian book at random and asked Oswald to
read from it. Oswald read well, and Gregory gave him the letter he wanted.849
Gregory and Oswald had lunch together and discussed Oswald's life in the Soviet
Union,850 but, according to Gregory's testimony, nothing was said about
publishing Oswald's
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Page 715
manuscript.851 About a week later, Gregory and his son Paul, a college student,
visited the Oswalds at Robert Oswald's home and arranged for Marina to give Paul
lessons in Russian during the Summer.852
On June 26, Oswald was interviewed by FBI agents in Fort Worth.853 One of the
agents who interviewed him described him as tense and "drawn up"; he said that
Oswald "exhibited an arrogant attitude * * * and [was] inclined to be just a
little insolent." 854 Oswald declined to say why he had gone to Russia, saying
that he refused to "relive the past." 855 He said that he had not attempted to
obtain Soviet citizenship, had not been approached by Soviet officials for
information about his experiences in the Marines, and had not offered them such
information. Marina's Soviet passport required her to notify the Soviet Embassy
in Washington of her address in this country, and Oswald told the agents that he
planned to contact the Embassy for this purpose within a few days.856 He
promised to notify the FBI if he were contacted by Soviet agents "under
suspicious circumstances or otherwise."857 Oswald told his brother about the
interview, saying that it had been "just fine." 858
Oswald and his family remained with Robert for about a month.859 While they were
there his mother moved to Fort Worth from Crow-ell, Tex.,860 and sometime in
July they moved into her apartment at 1501 West Seventh Street.861 Mrs. Oswald
testified that she had visited them at Robert's house in June 862 and moved to
Fort Worth because she thought that the house was too crowded and wanted to help
them.863 Mrs. Oswald described the period when her son and his family lived with
her as "a very happy month"; according to her testimony, she and her son and
daughter-in-law got along well. She mentioned that she not only helped Marina
keep house and care for the baby but also aided her son in his efforts to find
employment.864 Marina testified, however, that Lee did not get along well with
his mother and that he decided after several weeks that they should move to
their own apartment.855 He did not file a change-of-address card at the post
office when the family moved to West Seventh Street, as he did when they made
their next move,866 so he may have contemplated from the beginning that they
would stay with his mother for only a short while. Around the middle of
August,867 the Oswalds moved to a one-bedroom furnished apartment at 2703
Mercedes Street, for which they paid $59.50 in advance for 1 month's rent.868
In the third week in July, Oswald had obtained a job. as a sheet metal worker
with the Louv-R-Pak Division of the Leslie Welding Co.,869 a manufacturer of
louvers and ventilators,870 to which he had been referred by the Texas
Employment Commission.871 On his application for employment, filled out several
days before, he wrote falsely that he had had experience as a sheet metal worker
and machinist in the Marines and had been honorably discharged.872 He usually
worked 8 or 9 hours a day, for which he was paid $1.25 an hour.873 Marina
testified that Oswald did not like his work,874 but he was regarded as a good
employee 875 and remained with the company until October,
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Page 716
when he quit.876 On the job, he kept to himself and was considered
uncommunicative.877
Mrs. Oswald visited her son and his family at their apartment and tried to help
them get settled; she testified that she bought some clothes for Marina and a
highchair for the baby but that Oswald told her that he did not want her to buy
"things for his wife that he himself could not buy." 878 Finally, Oswald
apparently decided that he did not want his mother to visit the apartment
anymore and he became incensed when his wife permitted her to visit despite his
instructions.879 After he moved to Dallas in October, Oswald did not see his
mother or communicate with her in any way until she came to see him after the
assassination.880 Witnesses have described the Mer-cedes Street apartment as
"decrepit" and very poorly furnished; 881 there was no telephone service.882
Acquaintances observed that Marina and the baby were poorly clothed, that the
Oswalds had little food, and that at first there was not a bed for the baby.883
On August 16, the FBI again interviewed Oswald. This interview took place in the
back seat of a car in front of his home and covered substantially the same
material as the previous interview. Oswald again denied having made any deal
with representatives of the Soviet Union. He protested his undesirable discharge
from the Marines, and stated that his wife was registered at the Soviet Embassy.
He still refused to discuss why he had gone to the Soviet Union, but he was less
hostile than he had been during the previous interview.884 According to his
wife, however, he was very upset by the interest the FBI showed in him.885
The Oswalds became acquainted with a growing number of people of the
Russian-speaking community in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who were tied together
socially by a common origin, language, and religion. The group was not
restricted to people from Russia but was composed primarily of people from
Eastern European countries.886 The Oswalds' initial contact with this group was
through Peter Gregory. Marina gave conversational Russian lessons to Paul
Gregory 2 days a week during August and early September, for which she was paid
$35. Most of the lessons took place at the Mercedes Street apartment and Oswald
was generally present.887 In addition, Paul Gregory occasionally took the
Oswalds shopping; after they became friendly, he had a number of discussions
with Oswald, some of them politically oriented.888
Sometime around August 25, Peter Gregory invited the Oswalds and several members
of the Russian community to his house for dinner. One of the guests was George
Bouhe, a Dallas accountant. and a leader of the Russian community. He was very
interested in meeting and conversing with Marina, because she had spent much of
her life in Leningrad, which was his birthplace.889 Also present was Mrs. Anna
Meller, the Russian- born wife of a Dallas department store employee.890 Near
the end of August, the Oswalds met Declan Ford, a consulting geologist in the
Dallas area, and his Russian-born wife at Mrs. Meller's home. The Oswalds were
also introduced to Mrs.
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Page 717
Elena Hall, who was born in Tehran, Iran, of Russian parentage. She worked in a
dental laboratory and at this time was divorced from her former husband John
Hall, whom she subsequently remarried. In order to obtain dental aid for Marina,
George Bouhe had brought her to Mrs. Halls house.891 In early September, the
Oswalds met Alexander Kleinlerer, another member of the Russian group, who was
then courting Mrs. Hall.892 Mrs. Max Clark was introduced to Marina during this
period by George Bouhe and Anna Meller. Max Clark met the Oswalds at a later
time.893 At about the same time, they were visited by George De Mohrenschildt, a
petroleum engineer born in Russia.894 who had heard of them from one of the
Russian-speaking group.895 Later on, the Oswalds met his wife, Jeanne, and his
daughter and son-in-law, Gary and Alexandra Taylor.896
Most of the members of the Russian community were interested in the Oswalds not
only because they needed help, but also because they could provide the latest
information about what was happening in Russia.897 Some members of the group
were at first apprehensive about them because the apparent ease with which they
had left Russia seemed suspicious.898 Nevertheless, many of the group provided
small amounts of money, groceries, clothing, and furniture for the Oswalds;
George Bouhe, Anna Meller, and Elena Hall were the primary contributors,
although others provided help in the form of transportation and groceries.899
These acquaintances occasionally visited the Oswalds, and the Oswalds in turn
visited some of them in Dallas.900
It was evident that Oswald did not appreciate the help of the Russian
community.901 At least once he flew into a rage and shouted that he did not need
any of the things that people were giving to him.902 Some felt that he resented
the gifts because he could not give his wife what the others were providing;903
he apparently was critical of them also because he felt that they were overly
concerned with improving themselves economically.904
Oswald became increasingly unpopular with his Russian-speaking acquaintances,
partly because of his resentment of their assistance.905 Alexander Kleinlerer
stated that none of them cared for Oswald "because of his political philosophy,
his criticism of the United States, his apparent lack of interest in anyone but
himself and because of his treatment of Marina."906 Some of them believed that
Oswald was mentally disturbed.907 However, they felt sorry for Marina and the
child and continued to help.908
On a weekend afternoon early in October, the Oswalds were visited by his mother
and a number of people from the Russian community, including George Bouhe, Anna
Meller, the Halls, the De Mohrenschildts, and the Taylors.909 Oswald had
apparently decided to look for a new job, and discussed his lack of job
prospects and the fact that. his rent was overdue.910 He was advised to seek
employment in the Dallas area.911 Elena Hall invited Marina to move into her
house in Fort Worth until Oswald found a job in Dallas. She accepted the
proposal, and Mrs. Hall moved Marina. her daughter June, and the
Page 718
Oswalds' few household goods in a pickup truck belonging to the dental
laboratory where she was employed.912
Oswald worked at the Leslie Welding Co. on Monday, October 8, but failed to
appear on the following day. He was already in Dallas.913 He falsely told his
wife that he had been discharged,914 and told George Bouhe that the job had been
a temporary one.915 Sometime later, the company received an undated letter from
him stating that he had "moved permanently to Dallas," and asking that the wages
due him be forwarded to him at box 2915 in Dallas.916 He did not tell his mother
that he was leaving Fort Worth.917
While they were in Fort Worth, the Oswalds were having marital problems.918
Several people noted that Marina had a blackened eye when they visited her at
the Mercedes Street apartment.919 She told her mother- in-law and George Bouhe
that her husband had struck her, but said to Anna Meller that she had walked
into a door.920 It seems clear that Oswald had in fact hit her.921 People
observed friction between the Oswalds on various occasions,922 although their
disputes became more apparent later. Marina has written that this was a
difficult period for them and that her husband was "very irritable" and
sometimes some completely trivial thing would "drive him into a rage." 923
She testified that:
* * * immediately after coming to the United States Lee changed. I did not know
him as such a man in Russia. * * * He helped me as before, but he became a
little more of a recluse * * * He was very irritable, sometimes for a trifle * *
* 924
She has denied, however, that their separation was the result of quarrels
between them.925
Marina spent the first few weeks after Oswald's departure at Elena Hall's house
in Fort Worth, except for a brief stay at Gary Taylor's house in Dallas after
one of her appointments at the Baylor Dental Clinic.926 While she was in Dallas,
Mrs. De Mohrenschildt brought her to the clinic on October 8, October 10, and
October 15; 927 George Bouhe had given Mrs. De Mohrenschildt the money to cover
the expense of Marina's dental care.928
Even before Oswald went to Dallas, some of his acquaintances were helping him in
his effort to find a job. there.929 George De Mohrenschildt directed him to
Samuel B. Ballen, a Dallas financial consultant, but no employment resulted.930
George Bouhe recommended that Oswald go to the Texas Employment Commission in
Dallas; and Anna Meller had her husband ask Mrs. Helen Cunningham, a counselor
in the clerical and sales division of the Dallas office of the employment
commission, to help Oswald find a job.931 Oswald first came into the office of
the employment commission on October 9. He was reluctant to accept industrial
employment, and was placed in the clerical category and turned over to Mrs.
Cunningham for counseling. He
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Page 719
indicated that he had an interest in writing. The results of general aptitude
tests which he had taken at the Fort Worth employment office had been
transmitted to the Dallas office, and indicated that he had some aptitude in
this direction and for clerical work. It was noted on his application form that
he had "outstanding verbal-clerical potential." He demonstrated ability to
perform many skilled and semi-skilled jobs, and there was some indication that
he could do college work. Mrs. Cunningham gave him three special tests: for
general clerical work, work as an insurance claims examiner, and drafting work.
He scored high on all three. His application form indicated that he did not have
a driver's license, and noted: "well-groomed and spoken, business suit, alert
replies--expresses self extremely well." He told Mrs. Cunningham that he hoped
to develop qualifications for responsible junior executive employment by a
work-study program at a local college but that this must be delayed because of
his immediate financial needs and responsibilities.932
Mrs. Cunningham concluded that although Oswald would be classified for clerical
work, she should try to get him any available job, since he badly needed money.
He was referred to an architect for an opening as a messenger but was not hired.
On October 11, he was referred to Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall Co., a graphic arts
company, in response to a call from John Graef, head of the photographic
department of the company, who had told the employment commission that he needed
a photoprint trainee. Oswald was enthusiastic about his prospects and apparently
made a good impression; Graef picked him over several other applicants.933 On
the following day he began working in his new position as a trainee making
prints of advertising material. He worked a 40-hour week at approximately $1.35
per hour; his take-home pay varied from $49 to $74 a week.934 According to his
wife, "he liked his work very much." 935
Oswald moved into the YMCA on October 15, and stayed there until October 19,
paying $2.25 a night.936 He had used the Taylors' address and telephone number
as a place where he could be reached,937 but on October 9 had also rented post
office box 2915 under his own name at the main post office on Ervay Street.938
On October 10, he filed a change-of-address form indicating that mail for 2703
Mercedes Street should be forwarded to the box.939 Marina has written that
Oswald wrote her letters and telephoned her during the separation.940
On October 16, Mrs Hall brought Marina and June to Dallas to have June baptized.
Marina apparently did this surreptitiously, because her husband opposed baptism;
they did not contact him in Dallas, but left birthday gifts for him at the
Taylors. Oswald did not appear very disturbed when he found out about the
baptism.941
Two days later, Mrs. Hall had an automobile accident and went to the hospital,
where she remained until October 26; Marina remained in the Hall house. Mrs. Max
Clark and Alexander Kleinlerer, a friend of Mrs. Hall, checked up to make sure
that she was getting
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Page 720
along without too much trouble.942 After Oswald left the YMCA on October 19, he
moved to a room or apartment somewhere in Dallas,943 which has not been
located.944 It seems likely, however, that during that time he spent several
weekends with Marina at the Hall house.945
Four days after Mrs. Hall returned from the hospital, she left for New York to
visit friends. By the time she returned, Marina had moved to a three-room
apartment at 604 Elsbeth Street in Dallas, which Oswald had rented on Saturday,
November 3; 946 the landlady stated that he had looked at the apartment about a
week before. The monthly rent was $68, in addition to which he had to pay
several dollars a month for utilities. He paid the rent plus a $5 deposit on
November 3,947 but probably spent that night with Marina at the Hall house. On
Sunday the Taylors helped the Oswalds move their belongings to the Elsbeth
Street apartment with a rented trailer.948 Oswald had asked Kleinlerer to help
them move, and Kleinlerer also was present when they departed.949
Soon after the Oswalds were reunited, their marital difficulties started again.
While they were moving to Elsbeth Street, Kleinlerer noticed that Oswald slapped
his wife for not having the zipper on her dress completely closed.950 They
argued over his refusal to allow her to smoke.951 There was a quarrel also when
he told the landlady that Marina was from Czechoslovakia; he was angered when
Marina, who disapproved of this deception, told the landlady the truth.952
Although several people tried to help Marina improve her scanty knowledge of
English, Oswald discouraged this,953 perhaps because he wanted to keep up his
Russian.954 Some witnesses testified that she commented about his sexual
abilities.955 He apparently continued to beat her, and once she suggested to
George De Mohrenschildt that she should "get away" from Oswald. When De
Mohrenschildt criticized Oswald's conduct, Oswald replied, "It is my
business."956 Marina testified that when they moved into the Elsbeth Street
apartment, her husband became "nervous and irritable" and was very angry over
"trifles." 957 She said that it was sometimes her fault that he beat her,958 for
example when she wrote to an old boyfriend in Russia that she wished she had
married him; the letter was returned for postage due, and Oswald read it.959
Because of this quarreling, a few of their acquaintances felt that Marina would
be better off alone. George Bouhe offered to help her if she promised to leave
Oswald permanently.960 Finally, in early November, Marina, helped by the De
Mohrenschildts, moved into Anna Meller's house with the intention not to return
to Oswald. He was apparently quite upset and did not want Marina to leave
him.961
Oswald did not visit his wife at Anna Meller's house,962 and for a short time
did not even know where she was.963 According to Marina, he called her after she
moved and they met at De Mohrenschildt's house. He asked her to return home. She
insisted that he stop quarreling and that he change his ways. He said that he
could not change. Marina would not agree to return home with him and he left.964
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Marina was uncomfortable at the Meller house, where there was very little room.
She moved to Katherine Ford's house 965 where she apparently stayed from
November 11 to 17. She indicated that she had decided never to return to her
husband; 966 it was Mrs. Ford's impression that Marina was going to stay at
other people's houses until a permanent place could be found for her.967 When
Mr. Ford returned from a business trip on November 17, Marina and June moved to
the home of Mrs. Frank Ray, where they spent the day. Mrs. Ray, the wife of a
Dallas advertising man, was also of Russian origin. Since Mrs. Ray had no baby
bed, Marina returned to the Fords that evening. On the next day, however, Marina
moved her belongings to the Rays' house. That same day, Oswald called and asked
to visit his wife, whom he had called and written. Mr. Ray picked him up and
took him to Marina.968
Marina testified that at this meeting Oswald professed his love for her. She
stated: "I saw him cry * * * [he] begged me to come back, asked my forgiveness,
and promised that he would try to improve, if only I would come back." 969 On
another occasion she said: "* * * he cried and you know a woman's heart--I went
back to him. He said he didn't care to live if I did not return? 970 That same
day she decided to return to him. Mr. Ray packed her belongings and took her
back .to the Elsbeth Street apartment.971
Members of the Russian community who had taken care of Marina so that she would
not have to live with Oswald felt that their efforts had been in vain. George
Bouhe was so irritated that he never again tried to help either of the
Oswalds.972 Contacts between them and members of the Russian community
diminished markedly.973 Oswald did not care for most of these people and made
his feelings apparent.974 Even the De Mohrenschildts, whom he liked most, saw
much less of them.975 Lydia Dymitruk, another Russian born woman in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area, testified that she saw the Oswalds on only one occasion,
and did not care to see them again. She drove Marina and June, who had a high
fever, to the hospital; Oswald told the hospital that he was unemployed in order
to avoid paying for June's treatment and later left Mrs. Dymitruk without
thanking her.976 Mrs. Ford testified that Marina had told her that she
contemplated suicide during this period because Oswald was treating her badly
and she had no friends; she felt that she had "no way out." 977 Marina
acknowledged to the Commission that she had had such thoughts.978
In an effort to renew family ties, Robert Oswald wrote to Lee and John Pic on
November 17, inviting them and their families to Thanksgiving dinner. Lee
accepted the invitation. He and Marina traveled to Fort Worth by bus on
Thanksgiving Day, and John Pic and Robert met them at the station.979 Pic had
not seen his half- brother for 10 years. He observed, as many others have also
attested, that Lee seemed to be a good father and to take an active interest in
June.980 After dinner, Marina phoned Paul Gregory, who later drove the Oswalds
to his house for sandwiches and then took them to .the bus station for the
return trip to Dallas.981 Thereafter, Robert spoke to his
Page 722
brother once by telephone and received a post card and a letter from him, but he
eventually lost contact with Lee and did not see him again until after the
assassination.982
Despite his disillusionment with Soviet life, Oswald kept up his interest in
Russia. He wrote to the Soviet Embassy in Washington for information on how to
subscribe to Russian periodicals and for "any periodicals or bulletins which you
may put out for the benefit of your citizens living, for a time, in the U.S.A."
983 He subsequently subscribed to several Russian journals.984 In December 1962,
the Soviet Embassy received a card in Russian, signed "Marina and Lee Oswald,"
which conveyed New Year's greetings and wishes for "health, success and all of
the best" to the employees at the Embassy.985 The Oswalds continued to
correspond with acquaintances in Russia.986
Soon after his return to this country, Oswald had started to correspond with the
Communist Party, U.S.A., and the Socialist Workers Party. He subscribed to the
Worker in August 1962.987 He wrote for additional literature from these
organizations, and attempted to join the Socialist Workers Party, which,
however, had no branch in Texas.988 He sent samples of his photographic work to
the Socialist Workers Party, the Worker, and the Hall-Davis Defense Committee,
and offered to aid them in printing and photographic work in connection with
posters; these offers were not accepted.989
He continued to read a great deal on a variety of subjects.990 George Bouhe
testified that Oswald's fare consisted of books by Marx, Lenin, "and similar
things." 991 Marina said that he read books of a historical nature, including H.
G. Wells' two volume "Outline of History," and biographies of Hitler, Kennedy,
and Khrushchev.992
Despite the Oswalds' break with the Russian community, De Mohrenschildt, knowing
that they would be alone during the Christmas season, asked the Fords whether he
could bring the Oswalds to a party celebrating the Russian Christmas at the
Fords' home; the Fords assented. The party was attended by many members of the
Russian community.993 Oswald spoke at length with Yaeko Okui, a Japanese woman
who had been brought to the party by Lev Aronson, first cellist of the Dallas
Symphony Orchestra; 994 she told Federal investigators that she never saw Oswald
again.995 The Oswalds were not invited to three other Russian Christmas season
gatherings which occurred during the next few days.996
Marina visited the De Mohrenschildts several times after Christmas.997 They
invited both Lee and Marina to a small dinner party in February 1963; also
present were Everett Glover, a chemist employed in Dallas, and his roommate
Volkmar Schmidt.998 On February 22, Glover had a gathering at his house, one of
the purposes of which was to permit his friends, many of whom were studying
Russian, to meet the Oswalds.999 They were the objects of much attention.1000
Marina conversed at length with another guest named Ruth Paine, who had recently
separated from her husband, Michael Paine, a research engineer at the Bell
Helicopter plant in Fort Worth. Mrs. Paine, who was studying Russian, obtained
Marina's address 1001 and
722
Page 723
shortly thereafter wrote Marina asking to see her. Marina responded by inviting
Mrs. Paine to visit her.1002
The Oswalds moved out of their Elsbeth Street apartment on March 3, 1963, to an
upstairs apartment several blocks away at 214 West Neely Street. Oswald inquired
about the apartment in response to a "For Rent" sign; the rent was $60 per
month, not including utilities.1003 They moved without assistance, carrying
their belongings in their hands and in a baby stroller.1004 Marina preferred the
Neely Street apartment because it had a porch and was, she felt, more suitable
for June.1005
Aware of Oswald's difficulties in obtaining employment, George Bouhe had advised
him as early as October 1962 to attend a night school in Dallas.1006 On January
14, Oswald enrolled in a typing course in the night school of Crozier Technical
High School, and started attending on January 28. The class ran from 6:15 to
7:15 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesday, and Thursdays. Although Oswald reviewed a typing
textbook at home, he attended the course irregularly and stopped going
altogether on about March 28.1007
Ruth Paine and Marina started to exchange visits in March. Mrs. Paine invited
the Oswalds for dinner, and on April 20 she took them on a picnic. When Oswald
was not present, the two women frequently discussed their respective marital
problems, and Marina disclosed to Mrs. Paine that she was pregnant.1008 Marina
wrote of these meetings:
One day we were invited to a friend's house, where I met Ruth Paine, who was
studying Russian here in America and wanted to improve her conversational
knowledge. We began to see each other. Ruth would come to see me with her
children. This was very good for both me and for June. She was growing up alone
and becoming terribly wild, so the company of other children was good for her.
Sometimes we went out on picnics at a nearby lake. Lee loved to fish, and we
would look and rejoice if he caught a little fish. Several times we went to
visit Ruth who lived in Irving.1009
Using the name of A. J. Hidell, Oswald had ordered a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver
from Los Angeles on a form which he dated January 27. On March 12, he ordered a
rifle from Klein's Sporting Goods in Chicago under the name of A. Hidell.1010
Oswald used the name "Alek James Hidell" on identification cards which he
probably produced at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall. One of his fellow employees taught
him various photographic techniques, which he could have used to prepare not
only these cards, but also the samples of his work which he sent to various
organizations.1011
Both weapons were shipped on March 20.1012 Oswald kept the rifle in a small
storeroom at the Neely Street apartment. He spent long periods of time in the
storeroom, which he told Marina she was not to enter.1013 He told her that he
intended to use the rifle for hunt-
Page 724
ing 1014 and that he practiced with it. She saw him leave with it once, and
clean it several times.1015 He also posed for two pictures, taken by Marina in
the backyard of the Neely apartment, in which he held his rifle and copies of
the Worker and the Militant and the revolver was strapped to his belt. He gave
one of the pictures to his wife and asked her to keep it for June.1016
Over the weekend of March 9-10, Oswald photographed the alley which runs behind
the home of Gen. Edwin Walker, and probably at about the same time he
photographed the rear of Walker's home and a nearby railroad track and
right-of-way.1017 He prepared and studied a notebook in which he outlined a plan
to shoot General Walker, and he looked at bus schedules.1018 He went to the
Walker residence on the evening of April 6 or 7, planning to make his attack.
However, he changed his plans, hid his rifle nearby, and determined to act on
the following Wednesday, April 10, when a nearby church was planning a meeting
which, Oswald reasoned, would create a diversion that would help him escape.1019
On Wednesday, Oswald left a note for Marina telling her what to do if he were
apprehended. He retrieved his rifle and fired at Walker, but the bullet narrowly
missed Walker's head. Oswald secreted his rifle again and took the bus home.1020
When Oswald told Marina what he had done, she became angry and made him promise
never to repeat such an act. She testified that she kept his letter, intending
to give it to the authorities if he repeated his attempt. He told Marina that he
was sorry he had missed Walker and said that the shooting of Walker would have
been analogous to an assassination of Hitler.1021 Several days later, the De
Mohrenschildts visited the Oswalds, bringing an Easter present for June. During
the visit, Jeanne De Mohrenschildt saw the rifle and told her husband about it.
Without any knowledge of the truth, De Mohrenschildt jokingly intimated that
Oswald was the one who had shot at Walker. Oswald apparently concluded that
Marina had told De Mohrenschildt of his role in the attempt and was visibly
shaken.1022
On April 6, Oswald was dropped by Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall because, in his
supervisor's opinion, he could not do the work, although he was trying; in
addition, he did not get along with his fellow employees.1023 The fact that he
brought a Russian newspaper to work may also have been of some significance.1024
Marina testified that her husband, who had always worried about his job security
at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall,1025 was quite upset by the loss of his job since he
had liked the work.1026
Oswald again resorted to the Texas Employment Commission.1027 On April 8, he
informed the Commission that he was seeking employment but was referred to no
employers. He stated that he had been laid off at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall due to
lack of work." 1028 On April 12, he made a claim for unemployment benefits; 4
days later the commission mailed him a determination disapproving his claim
because of insufficient wage credits.1029
For a while after the Oswalds moved into the Neely Street apartment they got
along well,1030 but they soon began to quarrel.1031
Page 725
Oswald was apparently still preventing Marina from learning English,1032 and
there is some indication that he continued to beat her.1033 Since February, he
had been urging her to return to Russia.1034 Marina wrote several letters to the
Russian Embassy requesting a visa to return to Russia.; 1035 she testified,
however, that Oswald forced her to write them, and that she never wanted to
return to Russia.1036
When Ruth Paine visited the Oswalds at their apartment on April 24, she was
surprised to learn that Oswald was packed and ready to leave for New Orleans by
bus. He explained that he had been unable to find employment in or around
Dallas, and that Marina had suggested that he go to New Orleans since he had
been born there.1037 Marina has testified that the real reason behind her
suggestion was that she wanted to get him out of town because of the Walker
incident.1038 Mrs. Paine offered to drive Marina to New Orleans at a later date,
and also to have Marina and June stay with her rather than at the apartment in
the meantime. Oswald helped the women pack Mrs. Paine's car, and the two women
moved everything from the Neely Street apartment to the Paine house in
Irving.1039
When he arrived at the bus station in New Orleans, Oswald telephoned his aunt,
Lillian Murret, to ask if he could stay at her home at 757 French Street while
he looked for employment. She had been unaware that he had returned from Russia
or that he was married and had a child and was surprised to hear from him. She
said that she did not have room to accommodate three guests, but. that since he
was alone he was welcome.1040
Oswald had been born in New Orleans, and on his return showed great interest in
finding out what had happened to the other members of his father's family. He
visited the cemetery where his father was buried and called all the Oswalds in
the telephone book. By this method he located one relative, Mrs. Hazel Oswald of
Metairie, La.,
the widow of William Stout Oswald, his father's brother. He visited her at her
home; she gave him a picture of his father and told him that as far as she knew
the rest of the family was dead.1041
On April 26, Oswald began his search for employment. He went to the employment
office of the Louisiana Department of Labor and stated that he was qualified as
a commercial photographer, shipping clerk, or "darkroom man." The interviewer
noted on Oswald's application card: "Will travel on limited basis. Will
relocate. Min. $1.25 hr. Neat. Suit. Tie. Polite." 1042 Although the employment
commission made a few referrals, Oswald relied primarily upon newspaper
advertisements, and applied for a number of positions.1043 Mrs. Murret testified
that he would spend the day job hunting, return to her home for supper, watch
television, and go to bed.1044
On April 29, he filed a request for reconsideration of the employment
commission's disapproval of his unemployment compensation claim. His complaint
that he had not been credited for his employment at Jaggars- Chiles-Stovall was
ruled valid on May 8, and he was granted maximum benefits of $369, payable at
the rate of $33 per week. He filed interstate claims on May 7 and 15, and
received
Page 726
$33 in response to the latter; the former claim was filed before the expiration
of the prescribed wailing period.1045 Not only had Oswald in fact been working
since May 10, but he included on his claim sheet, as concerns with which he had
sought work, fictitious employers and employers whom he apparently had not
contacted.1046
Oswald wrote to Marina: "All is well. I am living with Aunt Lillian. She has
very kindly taken us in. I am now looking for work. When I find it I will write
you." 1047 And on May 3, he wrote to Marina and Ruth Paine: "Girls, I still have
not found work, but
receive money from the unemployment office in the amount 15 to 20 dollars. They
were mistaken in the Dallas office when they refused, but I straightened
everything out. Uncle 'Dyuz' offered me a loan of $200.00 if needed. Great, eh ?
!" 1018
On May 9, responding to a newspaper advertisement, Oswald completed an
application for employment with William B. Reily Co., Inc., at 640 Magazine
Street, an enterprise engaged in the roasting, grinding, canning, bagging, and
sale of coffee. On his application form, Oswald listed as references in addition
to John Murret, "Sgt. Robert Hidell" and "Lieut. J. Evans," both apparently
fictitious names.1049 His application was approved and he began work on May 10,
at the rate of $1.50 per hour. His task was the lubrication of the company's
machinery.1050 Oswald did not enjoy this work,1051 and told his wife and Mrs.
Paine that he was working in commercial photography.1052
Also on May 9, Oswald obtained an apartment at 4905 Magazine Street with the
help of Myrtle Evans, who had known him when he was a child. The rent was $65 a
month. Oswald moved in on May 10,1053 after telephoning Marina on the ninth and
asking her to come to New Orleans. Ruth Paine testified that the invitation
elated Marina: "Papa nas lubet"--"Daddy loves us," she repeated again and again.
Mrs. Paine drove Marina and June to New Orleans; they left Dallas on May 10,
spent the night in Shreveport, and arrived on the 11th. Mrs. Paine stayed with
the Oswalds for 8 days; the three of them, with June and Mrs. Paine's children,
toured the French Quarter. On May 14, Mrs. Paine left New Orleans to return to
her home.1054
The Murrets and the Oswalds exchanged visits from time to time; Marina testified
that the Murrets were very good to them.1055 Mrs. Murret's daughter, Marilyn,
took the Oswalds on an outing.1056 But, according to Marina's testimony, aside
from Ruth Paine and Ruth Kloepfer and her daughters, the Murrets were the only
social visitors the Oswalds had.1057 Ruth Kloepfer was a clerk of the Quaker
Meeting in New Orleans whom Ruth Paine had written in the hope that she might
know some Russian-speaking people who could visit Marina. Mrs. Kloepfer herself
visited the Oswalds but made no attempt to direct any Russian-speaking people to
them.1058
On July 19, Oswald was dismissed by Reily because of inefficiency and
inattention to his work. He had spent many of his working hours next door at the
Crescent City Garage, where he read gun magazines and discussed guns with one of
the owners, Adrian Alba.1059 On the
Page 727
following Monday, July 22, Oswald again visited the Louisiana employment office
to seek new employment and file a claim for unemployment compensation.
Thereafter, he collected unemployment compensation weekly and, although
apparently making some effort to obtain another job, again listed a number of
fictitious job applications on his unemployment compensation claim forms.1060 He
soon gave up his search for employment, and began to spend his days at home
reading.1061 He received another setback on July 25, when he was notified that
in response to the request for review which he had made in 1962, his undesirable
discharge from the Marine Corps had been affirmed.1062
During this period, Oswald began to evidence thoughts of returning to the Soviet
Union or going to Cuba. On June 24 he applied for a new passport., which he
received on the following day.1063 Apparently at Oswald's request,1064 Marina
wrote to the Russian Embassy, expressing a desire to return to Russia and
indicating that she would be accompanied by her husband. She explained that she
wanted to return because of family problems, including the impending birth of
her second child.1065 Accompanying her letter was a letter written by Oswald
dated July 1, in which he asked the Embassy to rush an entrance visa for his
wife and requested that his visa be considered separately.1066 Marina believed
that Oswald was really planning to go only to Cuba.1067 She testified that "his
basic desire was to get to Cuba by any means, and that all the rest of it was
window dressing for that purpose." 1068
During the early days of the New Orleans period, the Oswalds' marriage was more
harmonious than it had been previously. Marina wrote:
* * * our family life in New Orleans was more peaceful. Lee took great
satisfaction in showing me the city where he was born. We often went to the
beach, the zoo, and the park. Lee liked to go and hunt crabs. It is true, that
he was not very pleased with his job * * * We did not have very much money, and
the birth of a new child involved new expenses * * * As before, Lee spent a
great deal of time reading.1069
Marina testified, however, that after they had been in New Orleans for a while,
Oswald became depressed and that she once found him alone in the dark
crying.1070 She wrote to Ruth Paine that his "love" had ceased soon after Mrs.
Paine had left New Orleans.1071 Mrs. Paine testified, however, that she had
noticed friction between the Oswalds before she left.1072 On July 11, Mrs. Paine
wrote Marina that if Oswald did not wish to live with her any more and preferred
that she return to the Soviet Union, she could live at the Paines' house.
Although Mrs. Paine had long entertained this idea, this was the first time she
explicitly made the invitation. She renewed the invitation on July 12, and again
on July 14; she attempted to overcome any feeling which Marina might have that
she would be a burden by stating that
727
Page 728
Marina could help with the housework and help her learn Russian, and that she
would also provide a tax advantage.1073
Marina replied that she had previously raised the subject of a separation and
that it had led to arguments. She stated that she was happy and that for a
considerable period of time Oswald had been good to her. She attributed this
improved attitude to the fact that he was anticipating their second child.
Marina turned down Mrs. Paine's invitation but said that she would take
advantage of it if things became worse.1074 Mrs. Paine replied that she was
taking a trip north to visit her parents and would visit Marina in New Orleans
about September 18. She also suggested that Marina come to her house for the
birth of the baby.1075
On July 6, Eugene Murret, a cousin of Oswald who was studying to be a Jesuit
Priest in Mobile, Ala., wrote and asked if Oswald could come to Mobile and speak
at the Jesuit House of Studies about "contemporary Russia and the practice of
Communism there." Oswald accepted, and on July 27 he and his family, joined by
some of the Murrets, traveled to Mobile; Charles Murret paid the expenses.
Oswald spoke concerning his observations in Russia and conducted a question and
answer period; he impressed his listeners as articulate. He indicated that he
had become disillusioned during his stay in Russia, and that in his opinion the
best political system would be one which combined the best points of capitalism
and communism.1076 While he left his listeners with the impression that he was
an atheist, he avoided a direct discussion of religion. The group returned to
New Orleans on July 28.1077
In late May and early June, Oswald had apparently begun to formulate plans for
creating a New Orleans branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Using the
name "Lee Osborne" he ordered a number of printed circulars demanding "Hands off
Cuba" in large letters, and application forms and membership cards for the
proposed chapter.1078 On August 5, he visited a store managed by Carlos
Bringuier, a Cuban refugee and avid opponent of Castro and the New Orleans
delegate of the Cuban student directorate. Oswald indicated an interest in
joining the struggle against Castro. He told Bringuier that he had been a marine
and was trained in guerrilla warfare, and that he was willing not only to train
Cubans to fight Castro but also to join the fight himself. The next day Oswald
returned to the store and left his "Guidebook for Marines" for Bringuier.1079
On August 9, Bringuier saw Oswald passing out Fair Play for Cuba leaflets.
Bringuier and his companions became angry and a dispute resulted. Oswald and the
three Cuban exiles were arrested for disturbing the peace.1080 Oswald spent the
night in jail and was interviewed the next day by a lieutenant of the New
Orleans Police Department. At Oswald's request, an FBI agent also interviewed
him. Oswald maintained that he was a member of the New Orleans branch of the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee which, he claimed, had 35 members. He stated also
that he had been in touch with the president of that organization, A. J.
Hidell.1081 Oswald was in fact the
Page 729
only member of the "New Orleans branch," which had never been chartered by the
National Fair Play for Cuba Committee.1082 Later that day Oswald was released on
bail, and 2 days later he pleaded guilty to the charges against him and paid a
$10 fine. The charges against the Cuban exiles were dismissed.1083 Marina
testified that the arrest upset Lee and that he "became less active, he cooled
off a little" after it.1084
On August 16, Oswald, assisted by at ]east one other person who was a hired
helper, again passed out Fair Play for Cuba literature, this time in front of
the International Trade Mart. That night, television newscasts ran pictures of
Oswald's activities.1085 (This hindered Oswald's subsequent attempts to obtain
employment in New Orleans.) 1086 Bringuier sent one of his friends to Oswald's
home to pose as a Castro sympathizer and attempt to obtain information about
Oswald, but Oswald apparently saw through the ruse.1087
William Stuckey, a radio broadcaster with a program called "Latin Listening
Post," had long been looking for a member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee to
appear on his program. He learned about Oswald from Bringuier, and visited
Oswald on August 17. Later that day, Stuckey recorded an interview with Oswald
which
cut to about 5 minutes and played back on the show that evening.1088 Two days
later, Stuckey asked the news director of the station if he could run the entire
tape, but the director felt that a debate with a
local opponent of Castro would be of greater public interest. Consequently,
Stuckey arranged for a debate between Oswald and Bringuier on a 25-minute daily
public affairs program called "Conversation Carte Blanche," which took place on
August 21.1089 Oswald defended the Castro regime and discussed Marxism. He was
put on the defensive when his defection to Russia was brought up,1090 and
Stuckey later testified that he thought that the program had finished the Fair
Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans.1091 However, Stuckey also testified that
Oswald seemed to be a clean-cut and intelligent person who conducted himself
very well during the interviews and debates.1092
Oswald wrote several times to V. T. Lee, then national director of the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee, telling him, sometimes in exaggerated terms, of his
activities.1093 He wrote also to the Communist Party and asked whether, in view
of his prior defection, he should "continue to fight, handicapped as it were, by
* * * [his] past record, [and] compete with anti-progressive forces,
above-ground or * * should always remain in the background, i.e., underground."
The Party replied that "often it is advisable for some people to remain in the
background, not underground." 1095 And although Oswald wrote four letters to V.
T. Lee during the summer,1096 there is no evidence that Oswald heard from him
after May 29.
Ruth Paine arrived in New Orleans on September 20, and spent three nights with
the Oswalds. During this stay, Mrs. Paine found relations between them much
improved. Nonetheless, it was decided that Marina would go back with her to
Irving for the birth of the
729
730-900 0-64--48
Page 730
baby. Marina and Mrs. Paine toured Bourbon Street while Oswald stayed home and
did some packing for Marina's return to Texas.1097 On Sunday, September 22,
Oswald and Mrs. Paine finished loading the station wagon with the Oswalds'
household belongings.1098
Mexico City
Page 730
MEXICO CITY
Marina Oswald testified that sometime in August her husband first told her of
his plan to go to Mexico and from there to Cuba, where he planned to stay; he
had given up a plan to hijack an airplane and fly directly to Cuba, which plan
Marina consistently opposed.1099 On September 17, he obtained from the Mexican
consulate general in New Orleans a "Tourist Card," FM-8 No. 24085, good for one
journey into Mexico for no longer than 15 days. Typed in the blank, "Appelidos y
nombre" was "Lee, Harvey Oswald," "Fotogrofo"; the intended destination was
shown as Mexico City.1100 (The comma between "Lee" and "Harvey" seems to have
been an error.)1101 On the application Oswald stated that he was employed at
"640 Rampart"; he was in fact unemployed.1102 (See Commission Exhibits Nos.
2478, 2481, p. 300.)
Marina and June departed with Mrs. Ruth Paine for Irving on the morning of
September 23.1103 Before she left, Oswald told Marina that she should not tell
anyone about his impending trip to Mexico.1104 Marina kept this secret until
after the assassination.1105 On the previous day, Oswald's landlord had seen
Mrs. Paine's car being packed and had asked Oswald whose rent was about 15 days
overdue, whether he was leaving. Oswald told him that Marina was leaving
temporarily but that he would remain.1106 A neighbor testified that on the
evening of September 24, he saw Oswald, carrying two pieces of luggage,
hurriedly leave the Magazine Street apartment and board a bus.1107 Though
uncertain of the exact date, a city busdriver recalls that at the same time of
day and at the same location he picked up a man who was carrying two suitcases
of different sizes and helped him place them so that they would not disturb the
other passengers. The driver remembers that the man asked directions to the
Greyhound bus station. He discharged the passenger at an intersection where he
could board a Canal Street car and transfer to another bus which would go past
the Greyhound and Continental Trailways stations.1108 The landlord found
Oswald's apartment vacant on September 25.1109
Oswald appears to have taken with him a Spanish-English dictionary; 1110 his
address book; 1111 his 1963 passport and old passport; 1112 his correspondence
with the Communist Party and with the Soviet Embassy in Washington, some of
which was in Russian; 1113 proof of his marriage; 1114 newspaper clippings
concerning his arrest and his interest in the activities of the Fair Play for
Cuba Committee 1115 (activities which, Marina testified, he had
undertaken-because he thought that they would help him when he got to Cuba);
1116 evidence that he
730
Page 731
was the "Director" of the New Orleans chapter of the Committee; 1117 and various
other cards, such as a work card, which he had obtained in Russia.1118 He took
also several sheets of notepaper on which he had written a summary of important
events in his life which he presumably intended to call to the attention of
Cuban and Soviet officials in Mexico City to convince them to let him enter
Cuba. On these sheets he had recorded facts about his Marine service, including
the dates of his enlistment and discharge, the places where he had served, and
the diplomas that he had received from military school. Recorded also were notes
on his stay in the Soviet Union, his early interest in Communist literature, his
ability to speak Russian, his organization of the New Orleans chapter of the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee, his contact with police authorities in connection
with his work for the Committee, and his experience in "street agitation," as a
"radio speaker and lecturer," and as a photographer.1119 The two pieces of
luggage which Oswald took with him were a small, blue, zipper bag 1120 and a
large, olive-colored bag,1121 both made of cloth. He carried the smaller bag
with him throughout the trip, but, at least from Nuevo Laredo to Mexico City,
checked the larger one through to his destination.1122
Oswald remained in New Orleans until September 25. His precise whereabouts on
the night of September 24 are uncertain, but in view of his limited finances, he
probably returned to the apartment to sleep after checking his luggage at a bus
station or spent the night at an inexpensive hotel or roominghouse. Some time
after 5 a. m. on September 25, he collected a Texas unemployment compensation
check for $33 at his New Orleans post office box. He cashed the check between 8
a.m. and noon at a store about six blocks from his apartment on Magazine
Street.1123 This gave him about $200 for the trip to Mexico.1124
He left New Orleans by bus,1125 probably on Continental Trailways Bus No. 5121,
departing New Orleans at 12:20 p.m. on September 25, and scheduled to arrive in
Houston at 10:50 p.m.; that bus is the only one on which Oswald could have ]eft
New Orleans after noon on September 25 1126 and arrived in Houston before
midnight.1127 Sometime in the evening he called the home of Horace Elroy
Twiford, a member of the Socialist Labor Party who had received Oswald's name
from the party's headquarters in New York and sent him a copy of its official
publication, the "Weekly People." 1128 Mrs. Twiford, who answered the
telephone,1129 believes that the call was made locally, before 10 p.m. It may
have been made from Beaumont or some other stop on the route; however, in view
of the bus schedule, it probably was made in Houston later than Mrs. Twiford
remembered.1130 Oswald told Mrs. Twiford that he was a member of the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee and that he hoped to see her husband for a few hours that
evening before he flew to Mexico. He wanted also to find out how Twiford had
obtained his name and address. Mrs. Twiford told Oswald that her husband, a
merchant seaman, was at sea but. would be happy to see him at some other time;
she offered to take a message.
Page 732
Oswald said that he could not await her husband's return because he was flying
to Mexico.1131 The Twifords have stated that they had no other contact with
Oswald.1132
An employee of the U.S. Selective Service System has stated that an individual
calling himself "Harvey Oswald" appeared at her office in Austin, Tex.,
immediately after lunch on September 25, and discussed with her the possibility
of rectifying his undesirable discharge from the Marine Corps.1133 Despite the
employee's reputability and apparent sincerity, all of the information which she
furnished with respect to Oswald's appearance and conversation could have been
derived from news media, consciously or unconsciously, by the time she told the
FBI her story. Other persons in Austin who, according to the employee's
testimony, should also have observed Oswald failed to corroborate her
testimony.1134 No other evidence tending to show that Oswald was in Austin at
this time has been discovered.
The telephone call which Oswald made to the Twifords on the evening of September
25, indicates that he was either in Houston or on his way there when he made it,
since the purpose of the call was to make an appointment to see Twiford in
Houston that evening. Oswald could not have left New Orleans on September 25,
been in Austin 521 miles away by early afternoon, and returned 162 miles to
Houston by night unless he traveled by air; airline records contain no
indication that Oswald was on such flights.1135 It is very unlikely that he had
with him enough money beyond what he needed for the trip to Mexico City to take
such flights, and the poor state of his finances at this time plus his
well-established frugality make it extremely unlikely that he would have
considered it worthwhile to do so even if he could. There is no evidence that
Oswald was in such a hurry to reach Mexico that he would have felt it necessary
to travel by airplane rather than a less expensive means of travel. He took a
bus from Houston to Mexico City, lived very inexpensively there, and took a bus
back to Dallas; there is no apparent reason why he would have interrupted such
an inexpensive trip to fly to Austin and then to Houston. He told a passenger
whom he met on the next leg of his trip that he had come from New Orleans, and
made no reference to Austin.1136
On September 26, Oswald boarded Continental Trailways bus No. 5133 in Houston
and departed at, 2:35 a.m. for Laredo, Tex., via Corpus Christi and Alice.1137
Two British tourists, Dr. and Mrs. John B. McFarland, who boarded No. 5133 in
Houston, noticed Oswald when they awoke at about 6 a.m. Oswald told them that he
was going to Cuba via Mexico City, and they inferred from conversation with him
that he had left New Orleans early in the afternoon of September 25 and that he
was going to Cuba via Mexico City. He said also that he was secretary of the New
Orleans branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and that he hoped to see
Fidel Castro in Cuba. The bus was scheduled to arrive in Laredo at approximately
1:20 p.m.1138
732
Page 733
Oswald crossed the border from Laredo to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, between 1:30 and
2 p.m.1139 From Nuevo Laredo, he traveled to Mexico City aboard bus No. 516 of
the Flecha Roja Bus Line, which departed at 2:15 p.m. and was scheduled to
arrive in Mexico City at 9:45 a.m. on the following day; he held baggage claim
check No. 320435.1140 He was seen on the bus by the McFarlands and by two
Australian girls who boarded the bus on the evening of September 26 at
Monterrey.1141 He occupied the seat next to an elderly Englishman, who told the
girls that the young man sitting next to him apparently had been to Mexico
before.1142 The man next to Oswald was probably Albert Osborne, a native of the
British Isles who has worked as an itinerant preacher in the Southern United
States and Mexico for many years. Osborne denied that he sat beside Oswald; but
in view of his inconsistent and untrue responses to Federal investigators
concerning matters not directly related to Oswald, the Commission believes that
his denial cannot be credited. It appeared to the other passengers on the bus
that Osborne and Oswald had not previously met; extensive investigation has
revealed no other contact between them.1143
In the course of the 20-hour bus trip, Oswald initiated two conversations with
the Australian girls, during which he mentioned his visit to Russia and
recommended the Hotel Cuba in Mexico City as a %lean and cheap" hotel; he told
them, apparently falsely, that he had stayed there on previous occasions. He
said that when he had seen them board the bus with their heavy suitcases, he had
been under the impression that they were Mexican and had therefore asked the man
next to him how to say "How can I help you ?" in Spanish. From this they
inferred that Oswald did not speak Spanish, an impression which is shared by
every witness who met Oswald on his trip and is supported by notations which he
made on documents that he carried.1144 He got off the bus at every stop and ate
large meals, always eating by himself; the girls thought he ate so much because
he could not make himself understood in Spanish and had to order by pointing at
the menu.1145 The bus arrived in Mexico City 15 minutes late, at 10 a.m.1146
Oswald left the bus station by himself and had no known further contact with any
of the people with whom he had spoken on the
bus.1147
Oswald registered at the Hotel del Comercio within an hour of his arrival in
Mexico City. He stayed there throughout his visit.1148 The hotel, located not
far from the commercial heart of the city and within four blocks of the bus
station, is one of a group of hotels located near the intercity bus terminals
and has perhaps the best appearance of the group.1149 It is known by personnel
in other hotels that the owner of the Hotel del Comercio can understand and
speak a little English.1150 Oswald registered as "Lee, Harvey Oswald," and gave
his occupation as "photo." 1151 He had room 18 which cost $1.28 per day.1152
After he had registered, Oswald turned promptly to the task of obtaining
permission to enter Cuba. Mexican officials would not permit a U.S. citizen
without a Cuban visa to board a plane for Cuba
Page 734
even if he had an American passport, but would permit passage if he had a visa
even though the passport proscribed travel to Cuba.1153 Oswald had a 1963
American passport (stamped invalid for travel to Cuba)1154 but had neither a
regular Cuban visa nor an intransit visa which would permit a short stay in Cuba
on his way to Russia or some other country. His address book contained the
telephone number and address of a Cuban airline, but there is evidence that he
never visited its office.1155
He visited the Cuban Embassy on Friday, September 27 and spoke with Senora
Silvia Tirado de Duran, a Mexican citizen employed there. Senora Duran later
made a signed statement to the Mexican police that Oswald:
* * * applied for a visa to Cuba in transit to Russia and based his application
on his presentation of his passport in which it was recorded that, he had been
living in the latter country for a period of three years, his work permit from
that same country written in the Russian language and letters in the same
language, as well as proof of his being married to a woman of Russian
nationality and being the apparent Director in the city of New Orleans of the
organization called "Fair Play for Cuba" with the desire that he should be
accepted as a "friend" of the Cuban Revolution * * * 1156
He apparently also stated that he was a member of the Communist Party and
displayed documents which he claimed to be evidence of his membership.1157 He
said that he intended to go to Cuba on September 30 and to remain there for 2
weeks, or longer if possible, and then go on to Russia.1158 Senora Duran took
down the relevant date and filled out the appropriate application. Oswald left
the Embassy but was to return in the afternoon.1159
Then, or possibly even before his initial visit to the Cuban Embassy Oswald went
to the Soviet Embassy where he spoke with either Pavel Antonovich Yatskov or
Valeriy Vladimirovich Kostikov.1160 They are both consular officials serving
also as agents of the KGB.1161 Oswald later said that he had dealt with
"Kostin," 1162 undoubtedly a reference to Kostikov. He was unable to obtain a
Soviet visa then. Marina said that the officials at the Soviet Embassy "refused
to have anything to do with him." 1163
Oswald returned to the Cuban Embassy later that afternoon, this time bringing
with him passport photographs which he may have obtained in the United
States.1164 Senora Duran telephoned the Soviet Embassy to inquire about the
status of Oswald's Russian visa and was told that there would be a delay of
about 4 months.1165 Oswald became "highly agitated and angry," particularly when
he learned that he could not obtain an intransit visa to Cuba before he acquired
a Russian visa. Senora Duran called the Cuban consul, then Eusibio Azque, to
speak to him. The discussion between Oswald and Azque developed into a heated
argument, which ended when Azque told Oswald that in
784
Page 735
his opinion people like Oswald were harming the Cuban Revolution and that so far
as Azque was concerned, he would not give Oswald a visa.1166 Senora Duran wrote
her name and the phone number of the Embassy on a piece of paper which she gave
to Oswald in case he wished to contact her again. He copied this information
into his address book.1167 Senora Duran forwarded the Cuban visa application to
Havana ;1168 the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied on October 15 that
the visa could be issued only after Oswald had obtained a Russian visa.1169 (See
Commission Exhibit, No. 2564, p. 303.)
Oswald contacted the Russian and Cuba Embassies again during his stay in
Mexico.1170 He had no greater success than he had before. Marina testified that
when he returned to Texas, he was convinced that his trip had been a failure and
disappointed at having been unable to go to Cuba.1171 A month later, in a
painstakingly composed 1172 letter to the Soviet Embassy in Washington, Oswald
ascribed his failure to "a gross breach of regulations" on the part of the Cuban
Embassy. '"Of corse," he wrote, "the Soviet Embassy was not at fault, they were,
as I say unprepared."
The hotel maid said that Oswald generally was gone by the time she arrived at 9
a.m. The night watchman said he usually returned at about midnight,1174 which is
not unusual, in view of the late hour at which Mexico City's evening activities
begin. He ate several lunches at a small restaurant immediately adjacent to the
hotel, coming to the restaurant shortly after 2 p.m., and ordering food by
pointing to the menu, apparently with some consideration of cost; he spent
between 40 and 48 cents for each meal. He ate the soup of the day, rice, and
either meat or eggs, but refused dessert and coffee; the waitress concluded that
Oswald did not realize that the items which he refused were included in the
price of the lunch.1175 He was seen with no other person either at his hotel or
at the restaurant.1176 A hotel guest stated that on one occasion he sat down at
a table with Oswald because there was no empty table in the restaurant, but that
neither spoke to the other because of the language barrier.1177
Although the Soviet and Cuban Embassies are within two blocks of each other,
they are some distance from Oswald's hotel.1178 He must, therefore, have
traversed a substantial portion of the city on more than one occasion. Marina
testified that he told her that he had seen a bullfight,1179 which would
normally have been on Sunday afternoon, and that he had visited museums 1180 and
done some sightseeing.1181 He apparently also saw one or more motion pictures,
either American with Spanish subtitles or Mexican with English subtitles.1182
From notations in his Spanish-English dictionary and on his guide map of Mexico
City, it appears that Oswald intended to attend a jai alai game 1183 but he
almost certainly did not do so.1184
He purchased several postcards depicting bullfights and tourist attractions,
which he brought back to Marina.1185 She had told him be-
Page 736
fore he left that she would like Mexican silver bracelets as a souvenir, and he
brought her a silver bracelet inscribed with her name.1186 Marina suspected,
almost certainly correctly, that the bracelet, of Japanese origin, did not come
from Mexico.1187 No such jewelry is known to be sold in or around Mexico City,
because of a high duty 1188 but the bracelet is of a type commonly sold in
5-and-10-cent stores in Dallas.1189 Oswald did not buy the Mexican phonograph
records which Marina had requested, despite the notation, "records," which he
had placed in his dictionary.1190
On Monday, September 30, Oswald began to prepare for his return to the United
States. He appeared at the Agencia de Viages, Transportes Chihuahuenses,1191 and
purchased international exchange orders costing $20.30 for travel on a
Transportes del Norte bus from Mexico City to Laredo and by Greyhound bus
directly from Laredo to Dallas. The travel agency made a reservation for him on
Transportes del Notre bus No. 332, departing Mexico City at 8:30 a.m. on October
2. The seat, No. 12, was reserved in the name of the travel agency, which
recorded the reservation in the name of "H. O. Lee." 1192 The employee who made
the reservation testified that he probably wrote the name that way because he
was copying from Oswald's tourist card, which read "Lee, Harvey Oswald." 1193
(The manifest for Transportes Frontera bus No. 340, leaving Mexico City for
Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 1963, contains the
name "Oswld" [sic], which apparently was added to the manifest after the trip;
1194 in any event, Oswald did not take bus 340.) 1195
On October 1, Oswald paid his hotel bill through that night.1196 The hotel night
watchman remembers helping Oswald obtain a taxicab at about 6:30 or 7 on the
following morning.1197 Transportes del Norte bus No. 332 left as scheduled at
about 8:30 a.m.; at Monterrey the passengers were shifted to a relief bus, No.
373, scheduled to depart for Laredo at 10 p.m. that evening.1193 Fellow
passengers recall that Oswald was pulled off the bus by Mexican officials at the
border, because of some alleged irregularity in his Mexican tourist papers; one
passenger overheard him mumbling complaints about the Mexican immigration
officials when he returned to the bus.1199 They remember also that Oswald was
hurriedly "gulping" down a banana after the bus reached customs, perhaps because
he believed that he could not take fruit into the United States.1200 (Marina has
testified that her husband liked bananas and frequently ate them.)1201 One of
the passengers testified that Oswald annoyed him by keeping his overhead light
on to read after 10 p.m.1202 He may have conversed with an elderly woman on the
bus, but he was not traveling with her.1203
At about 1:35 a.m. on October 3, Oswald crossed the International Bridge from
Nuevo Laredo into Texas.1204 He traveled from Laredo to Dallas via San Antonio,
on Greyhound bus No. 1265, substantially following Interstate Route 35 for the
entire trip 1205 leaving Laredo at 3 a.m. and arriving in Dallas at about 2:20
p.m. on the same day.1206
736
Dallas
Page 737
DALLAS
Oswald did not contact his wife immediately when he returned to Dallas. He went
to the office of the employment commission, where he filed an unemployment
compensation claim 1207 and announced that he was again looking for work.1208 He
spent the night at the YMCA, where he registered as a serviceman in order to
avoid paying the membership fee.1209 On the following day, he applied for a job
as a typesetter trainee at the Padgett Printing Co. He made a favorable
impression on the department foreman, but the plant superintendent called
Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall and decided not to hire Oswald because of the unfavorable
responses which his inquiries produced.1210 Later that day, Oswald telephoned
Marina and asked her to have Mrs. Paine pick him up in Dallas. Marina refused,
and he hitchhiked out to the Paine home,1211 where he spent part or all of the
weekend.1210 Marina testified that although her husband "changed for the better"
and treated her better after his Mexican trip,1213 she did not want to live with
him because she was pregnant and thought it would be better "to be with a woman
who spoke English and Russian." 1214 On Monday, October 7, Mrs. Paine drove
Oswald to the bus station, and he returned to Dallas to look for a job and a
place to live.1215
Oswald thought that the YMCA was too expensive for him, and intended to rent a
room.1216 He inquired about a room at 1026 North Beckley, where he lived later,
but on October 7 there were no vacancies.1217 He next responded to a "For Rent"
sign at a rooming house at 621 Marsalis Street. He obtained a room, for which he
paid the weekly rent of $7 in advance, and moved in on the same day.1218 He
immediately resumed his job- hunting, relying partially on referrals by the
employment commission.1219 He spent much of the time when he was not looking for
work in his room.1220 He telephoned his wife daily.1221 She wrote: "Lee called
twice a day, was worried about my health and about June." 1222 On Friday, Oswald
told his landlady, Mrs. Mary Bledsoe, that he was going to Irving for the
weekend but would return the following week. She refused to rent the room to him
for another week because she didn't like him.1223
Oswald spent the weekend of October 12-13 at Mrs. Paine's home, during which
time she gave him a driving lesson.1224 He told her that he had received the
last of the unemployment checks due him, and that it had been smaller than the
previous ones. Mrs. Paine testified that Oswald was extremely discouraged
because his wife was expecting a baby, he had no job prospects in sight, and he
no longer had any source of income.1225
On Monday, Mrs. Paine drove Oswald into Dallas, since she had other business
there.1226 He picked up his bag from Mrs. Bledsoe's roominghouse 1227 and later
that day rented a room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue from Mrs. A. C. Johnson for
$8 a week. He registered as O. H. Lee and moved in immediately.1228 Oswald felt
that this room was more comfortable than the previous one, particularly
737
Page 738
because he had television and refrigerator privileges.1229 He apparently
continued to spend most of his evenings in his room.1230 He borrowed books from
the library 1231 and had subscriptions to various periodicals, including Time,
the Worker, the Militant, and some Russian periodicals.1232
On that Monday, Mrs. Paine mentioned the Oswalds' financial and employment
problems to neighbors whom she was visiting. Mrs. Linnie Mac Randle, who was
also present, remarked that she thought that her younger brother, Buell Wesley
Frazier, who worked at the Texas School Book Depository, had said that there was
a job opening there. Wen Marina heard of this, she asked Mrs. Paine to call the
Depository to see if there was an opening.1233 Mrs. Paine called Roy S. Truly,
superintendent of the Depository, who indicated that he would talk to Oswald if
he would apply in person.1234 When Oswald telephoned the Paine house on Monday
evening, Mrs. Paine told him about this possibility.1235 On the next day, Oswald
was interviewed by Truly and hired in a temporary capacity. He began work on
Wednesday, October 16. His duties were to fill book orders; his hours were 8
a.m. to 4:45 p.m., for which he received $1.25 an hour.1236
Both the Oswalds were elated with the new job,1237 although it apparently
required little skill or experience 1238 and he indicated that he still hoped to
obtain a better job.1239 He did a satisfactory job at the Depository,1240 but he
kept to himself and very few of his fellow employees got to know him.1241
During his first week at work, Oswald became acquainted with Frazier, with whom
he arranged to ride to Irving on weekends.1242 On Friday, October 18, Frazier
drove him from work to the Paine home; 1243 since it was his birthday, Marina
and Ruth Paine had arranged a small celebration.1244 On Sunday, he stayed with
June and the Paine children, while Mrs. Paine drove Marina to Parkland Hospital
where she gave birth to a second daughter, Rachel.1245 He went to work on
Monday, but that evening visited Marina in the hospital and spent the night in
Irving.1246 Marina wrote:
Monday evening Lee visited me in the hospital. He was very happy at the birth of
another daughter and even wept a little. He said that two daughters were better
for each other--two sisters. He stayed with me about two hours.1247
Oswald returned to Dallas the next morning.1248
Oswald wrote to Arnold Johnson of the Communist Party, U.S.A., that on the
evening of October 23, he had attended an "ultra right" meeting headed by Gen.
Edwin A. Walker.1249 Two evenings later, he accompanied Michael Paine to a
meeting of the American Civil Liberties Union, held at Southern Methodist
University.1250 At this meeting, a statement was made to the effect that members
of the John Birch Society should not be considered anti-Semitic; Oswald rose and
stated that at the meeting which he had attended 2 days earlier, he had heard a
number of anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic statements.
738
Page 739
Later in the evening, Oswald became involved in a discussion with several
people, including Frank Krystinik, who was employed with Paine at the Bell
Helicopter plant. During this conversation, Oswald expressed Marxist views and
declared that he was a Marxist, although denying that he was a Communist. He
admitted that the United States was superior to the Soviet Union in the area of
civil liberties and praised President Kennedy for his work in that
connection.1251 Krystinik testified that he got the impression that Oswald did
not fully understand the views he was expounding.1252
Throughout that week Oswald telephoned his wife to inquire about her health and
that of the baby. He spent the weekend at the Paine home, to which Marina and
Rachel had returned during the week.1253 On Friday, November 1, he obtained post
office box No. 6225 at the Terminal Annex Post Office Station. He indicated that
the box would also be used to receive mail for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee
and the American Civil Liberties Union.1254 Once again he spent the weekend in
Irving.1255
Throughout this period, the FBI had been aware of the whereabouts of the
Oswalds. There was a record in the Dallas office of the FBI that Oswald
subscribed to the Worker, engaged in Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities and
had traveled to Mexico.1256 An FBI agent visited the Paine home on November I
and, accompanied by another agent, again on November 5, and spoke briefly with
Mrs. Paine. On neither occasion was Oswald present.1257 Ruth Paine noted the
agent's name and telephone number and, in accordance with her husband's
instructions, Marina noted the license number of the agent's automobile, all of
which was subsequently reported to Oswald.1258 Both Mrs. Paine and Marina
testified that Oswald was troubled by the FBI's interest in him.1259 He declared
that the FBI was "trying to inhibit" his activities,1260 and wrote the Soviet
Embassy in Washington:
The Federal Bureu of Investigation is not now interested in my activities in the
progressive organization "Fair Play for Cuba Committee" of which I was secretary
in New Orleans (state Louisiana) since I no longer reside in that state.
However, the F.B.I. has visted us here in Dallas, Texas, on November 1st. Agent
James P. Hasty warned me that if I engaged in F.P.C.C. activities in Texas the
F.B.I. will again take an "interest" in me.
This agent also 'suggested' to Marina Nichilayeva that she could remain in the
United States under F.B.I. 'protection', that is, she could defect from the
Soviet Union, of couse, I and my wife strongly protested these tactics by the
notorious F.B.I.
Please inform us of the arrival of our Soviet entrance visa's as soon as they
come.1261 (See Commission Exhibit 15, p. 311.)
Marina testified that the statements, both by and to the FBI agents, to which
her husband referred in this letter, were in fact never made.1262
Page 740
The following Friday, November 8, Oswald as usual drove to the Paine house with
Frazier.1263 On Saturday Mrs. Paine took him to the Texas Drivers' License
Examining Station, but because it was an election day the station was closed.
Oswald stayed at the Paines through Monday, November 11, which was Veterans Day.
During the weekend, Mrs. Paine gave Oswald a second driving lesson.
Oswald did not go to Irving on the next weekend. His wife had asked him not to
come because Michael Paine, with whom Oswald did not get along, would be there
to celebrate his daughter's birthday. Also, she felt that because he had stayed
for 3 days the preceding weekend, he would abuse Mrs. Paine's hospitality if he
returned so soon. Oswald telephoned Marina on Saturday afternoon and said that
he had returned to the drivers' license examining station that morning but had
not waited because there was a long line.1265
On Sunday, November 17, at Marina's request, Ruth Paine telephoned Oswald at the
Beckley Avenue number, which he had given to Marina. When she asked for him, she
was told that no one by that name lived at the address, which greatly surprised
her. On the next day, Oswald telephoned his wife. When she indicated that she
had been upset by the fact that there had been no Lee Oswald at the number which
she had asked Mrs. Paine to call Oswald became angry; he said that he was using
a fictitious name and that she should not have called the Beckley Avenue
number.1266 He did not telephone on the following day, which was unusual.1267
On the morning of Thursday, November 21, Oswald asked Frazier to take him to
Irving when he went home that evening, saying that he wanted to pick up some
curtain rods.1268 His arrival was a surprise because he generally asked Mrs.
Paine's permission before arriving for a visit.1269 The women thought that he
had come to Irving because he felt badly about arguing with his wife about the
use of the fictitious name.1270 He said that he was lonely, because he had not
come the preceding weekend, and told Marina that. he "wanted to make his peace"
with her.1271 He spent the time before dinner on the lawn playing with his
daughter.1272 However, when he attempted to talk to his wife she would not
answer, which upset him. He asked her to live with him in Dallas, and she
refused.1273 After supper, Oswald watched television while the women cleaned the
house and prepared their children for bed.1274 He retired early in the evening
at about 9.1275
740
Appendix XIV
Page 741
APPENDIX XIV
Analysis of Lee Harvey Oswald's Finances
From June 13, 1962,
Through November 22, 1963
The following analysis of Lee Harvey Oswald's receipts and expenditures
for the period June 13, 1962, through November 22, 1963,
contains a complete record of all funds that he and his wife are re-
ported to have received and disbursed from all known sources. It also
contains an estimate for food, clothing, and incidental expenses, which
include telephone calls, money order and check cashing fees, postage,
local transportation costs, personal care goods and services, local news-
papers, and similar small items. Oswald's expenditures for food, cloth-
rag, and incidentals were estimated at $100 per month, except for those
months in which his wife and children resided with relatives or
acquaintances. The estimate reflects Oswald's frugal living habits
during this period, as described in chapter VI of this report. The
Commission has been advised by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
the U.S. Department of Labor that this estimate is a little higher than
would be normal for a family in Oswald's income class residing in the
southern region of the United States. (See Commission Exhibit
No. 1169.)
Lee Harvey Oswald Receipts and Expenditures
June 13, 1962, to Nov. 22, 1963
Expendi-
June 1962 Receipts tures Balance
On hand on arrival, New York City 1 $63. 00
Received from Robert Oswald 2 200. 00
Received from Marguerite Oswald 3 10. 00
Transportation in New York City 4 $10. 35
Plane fare, New York City to Dallas, including
luggage 5 201. 04
Hotel bill, New York City 6 15.21
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 7 5. 00
Public stenographer 8 10.00
Estimated repayment, Robert Oswald 9 30. 00
Total 273.00 271.60
Cash on hand, June 30, 1962 $1. 40
July 1962:
Net salary 10 46.82
Estimated repayment, Robert Oswald n 10. 00
Subscription for Time magazine 12 3. 87
Total 46. 82 13.87
Cash on hand, July 31, 1962 34. 35
741
Page 742
August 1962: Receipts
Net salary 13 $207.31
Repayment, State Department loan 14 $10. 00
Estimated repayment, Robert Oswald 15 50. 00
Rent and utilities 17 71.50
Subscription for the Worker 17 2. 00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 18 75. 00
Expendi-
tures Balance
Total 207.31 208. 50
Cash on hand, Aug. 31, 1962 $33. 16
September 1962:
Net salary 19 187. 59
Received from Paul Gregory 20 35.00
Rent and utilities 21 .................................
Repayment, State Department loan 22 .................
Estimated repayment, Robert Oswald 23 ...............
Subscription for the Russian humor magazine
"Krokodil" 24 .....................................
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses ........................................
71.50
9. 71
50.00
2.20
100. 00
Total ................................. 222.59 233.41
Cash on hand, Sept. 30, 1962 22. 34
October 1962:
Net salary 25 228. 22
Received from George Bouhe 26 5.00
Repayment, State Department loan 27 10. 00
Rent, room in YMCA 28 9.00
Post office box rental 29 4. 50
Estimated repayment, Robert Oswald 30 60. 00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 31 50. 00
Total 233. 22 133. 50
Cash on hand, Oct. 31, 1962 122.06
November 1962:
Net salary 32 315. 71
Rent 33 73.00
Rental of U-Haul Trailer 34 5.00
Repayment, State Department loan 35 10.00
Bus fare, Dallas to Fort Worth and return 36 4. 60
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 37 50. 00
Total 315. 71 142. 60
Cash on hand, Nov. 30, 1962 295. 17
742
Page 743
December 1962: Receipts
Net salary 38 $243. 13
Rent 39 $68. 00
Post office box rental 40 4.50
Repayment, State Department loan 41 190. 00
Subscription for the Militant 42 1.00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100. 00
Expendi-
tures Balance
Total 243.13 363.50
Cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1962 $174. 80
January 1963:
Net salary 43 247. 12
Rent and utilities 44 75. 13
Repayment, State Department loan 45 206.00
Deposit, Smith & Wesson revolver 46 10. 00
Fee paid Crozier Tech High School 47 9.00
Subscription for Ogonek, Agitator, Sovetskaya
Belorussiya 48 13. 20
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100. 00
Total 247.12 . 413.33
Cash on hand, Jan. 31, 1963 ......................................
8.59
February 1963:
Net salary 49 256. 95
Rent and utilities 50 71.64
Subscription for the Worker 51 7. 00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100. 00
Total 256. 95 178.64
Cash on hand, Feb. 28, 1963 ......................................
86.90
March 1963:
Net salary 52 327. 55
Rent and utilities 53 78. 76
Post office box rental 54 4.50
Cost of rifle 55 21.45
Subscription for Time magazine 56 3.82
Balance due on revolver and freight charge 57 21.22
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100. 00
Total 327. 55 229. 75
Cash on hand, Mar. 31, 1963 184. 70
743
Page 744
Expenditures
April 1963: Receipts Balance
Net salary 58 $108. 86
Income Tax refund 59 57.40
Rent and utilities 60 $62.97
Bus fare from Dallas to New Orleans 61 13. 85
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
62 100. 00
expenses ..........
Total 166. 26 176. 82
Cash on hand, Apr. 30, 1963 $174. 14
May 1963:
Net salary 63 107. 44
Unemployment compensation check 64 33. 00
Rent and utilities 65 75. 00
Subscription for the Militant 66 1. 00
Dues and printing--Fair Play for Cuba 67 9. 00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses68 100. 00
Total 140. 44 185. 00
Cash on hand, May 31, 1963 129. 58
June 1963:
Net salary 69 216. 00
Rent and utilities 70 67. 85
Post office box rental 71 4. 00
Printing--Fair Play for Cuba 72 15. 23
New alien registration card 73 5.00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100 .00
Total 216. 00 192. 08
Cash on hand, June 30, 1963 153. 50
July 1963:
Net salary 74 224. 97
Rent and utilities 76 72. 22
Printing--Fair Play for Cuba 76 3.50
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100. 00
Total 224. 97 175. 72
Cash on hand, July 31, 1963 202. 75
August 1963:
Unemployment compensation payments 77 165. 00
Rent and utilities 78 73. 54
Fine 79 10. 00
Distribution, Fair Play for Cuba circulars 80 2. 00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 100. 00
Total 165. 00 185. 54
Cash on hand, Aug. 31, 1963 182.21
744
Page 745
Expendi-
tures Balance
Sept. 1-24, 1963: Receipts
Unemployment compensation payments 81 $132. 00
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 82 $100. 00
Total 132. 00 100. 00
Cash on hand, Sept. 24, 1963 $214.21
Sept. 25-Oct. 2, 1963:
Mexican trip:
Estimated transportation cost 84 50. 55
Hotel plus estimated food cost as 18.70
Estimated cost of entertainment and mis-
cellaneous items 86 15. 20
Total 84. 45
Cash on hand, Oct. 2, 1963 87 129. 76
Oct. 3-31, 1963:
Unemployment compensation payments 88 39. 00
Net salary 89 104.41
Rent, rooms and YMCA 90 ...........................
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 91 ----
33. 25
75.00
Total 143.41 108. 25
Cash on hand, Oct. 31, 1963 164. 92
Nov. 1-22, 1963:
Net salary 92 104. 41
Room rent 93 24. 00
Post office box rental 94 3.00
American Civil Liberties Union dues 95 2. 00
Bus and taxi fares Nov. 22, 1963 96 1.23
Estimated cost of food, clothing, and incidental
expenses 97 75. 00
Total 104. 41 105. 23
Cash on hand, Nov. 22, 1963 164. 10
Grand total, June 13, 1962-Nov. 22, 1963 .... 3, 665.89 3, 501.79 164. 10
Contents of Oswald's wallet 170. 00
Cash taken from Oswald when arrested 13.87
Total 98 183. 87
730-900 0-64--49
Appendix XV
Page 746
APPENDIX XV
Transactions Between Lee Harvey Oswald and Marina
Oswald, and the U.S. Department of State and
the Immigration and Naturalization Service
of the U.S. Department of Justice
From September 4, 1959, when he applied for his first passport, until shortly
before the assassination, Lee Harvey Oswald had numerous dealings with the U.S.
Department of State in Washington and with the American Embassy in Moscow. In
connection with Marina Oswald's entry into the United States, the dealings also
extended to the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of
Justice. During the course of these dealings, the Department of State and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service were called upon to decide a series of
legal and administrative questions which arose under the laws of this country.
In order to determine whether Lee Harvey Oswald or his wife received any
treatment not accorded others in similar positions, the Commission has examined
the manner in which the transactions with the Oswalds were handled and the
manner in which the relevant legal questions were resolved. In light of the
facts then available and the applicable statutes, regulations, and practices in
force at the time, the Commission has found no indication that the treatment
accorded the Oswalds was illegal or different in any respect from the treatment
that other persons similarly situated would have received.
Issuance of Passport in 1959
Page 746
ISSUANCE OF PASSPORT IN 1959
On September 4, 1959, while on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, Oswald
applied for a passport. before a clerk of the superior court at Santa Ana,
Calif.1 On the application Oswald stated that he intended to leave the United
States for 4 months on approximately September 21, 1959, by ship from New
Orleans, La., and that the purposes of his trip would be to attend the Albert
Schweitzer College in Switzerland 2 and the University of Turku in Finland, and
to visit Cuba, the Dominican Republic, England, France, Switzerland, Ger many,
Finland and Russia as a tourist. With the application, Oswald submitted a
statement signed by a Marine officer that he was to be discharged from the Corps
on September 11, 1959.3 The passport, No. 1733242, was routinely issued on
September 10, 1959.4 At the time, the United States proscribed travel to none of
the countries named in Oswald's application.
746
Page 747
OSWALD'S ATTEMPTS TO RENOUNCE HIS U.S.
CITIZENSHIP
American officials in Moscow had no knowledge that Oswald was in Russia until
October 81, 1959,5 more than 2 weeks after he had arrived, since he failed to
register at the U.S. Embassy, as Americans traveling through Russia normally
did.6 However, on October 31, 1959, a Saturday, Oswald presented himself at the
American Embassy in Moscow.7 He placed his passport on the receptionist's desk
and informed her that he had come to "dissolve his American citizenship." s She
immediately summoned the consul, Richard E. Snyder, who invited Oswald into his
office.9 In the room with Snyder was his assistant, John A. McVickar, who
observed what ensued.10 Snyder recalled Oswald as "neatly and very presentably
dressed," 11 but he also remembered his arrogance. Oswald seemed to "know what
his mission was. He took charges in a sense, of the conversation right from the
beginning." 12
Oswald stated at once that he was there to renounce his citizenship 13 and that
"his allegiance was to the Soviet Union." 14 He said he had already applied for
Soviet citizenship.15 He said he knew the provisions of American law on loss of
citizenship and did not want to hear them reviewed by Snyder.16 Having taken his
passport back from the receptionist, Oswald put it on Snyder's desk.17 Snyder
noticed that Oswald had inked out the portion which would have shown his address
in the United States.18 Oswald also presented Snyder with a note 19 which he had
prepared in advance, which reads:
I Lee Harey Oswald do herby request that my present citizenship in the United
States of america, be revoked.
I have entered the Soviet Union for the express purpose of appling for
citizenship in the Soviet Union, through the means of naturalization.
My request for citizenship is now pending before Suprem Soviet of the U.S.S.R.
I take these steps for political reasons. My request for the revoking of my
American citizenship is made only after the longest and most serious
considerations.
I affirm that my allegiance is to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.20
Oswald told Snyder that he had not mentioned his intent to remain in the Soviet
Union to the Soviet Embassy in Helsinki at the time he had applied for his
tourist visa.21 Oswald's passport, upon which his Soviet visa was stamped, shows
that by the 31st of October he had already overstayed his visa, despite a 1-day
extension which he had received.22
Oswald gave as his "principal reason" for wanting to renounce his citizenship,
"I am a Marxist." 23 He stated that he admired the system and policies of the
Soviet Union and desired to serve the Soviet
Page 748
State, and that his intent to defect to the Soviet Union had been formed long
before he was discharged from the Marine Corps.24 Shortly after the interview,
Snyder observed that Oswald had "displayed all the airs of a new sophomore
partyliner." 25 At one point, Oswald alluded to hardships endured by his mother
as a "worker" and said he did not intend to let this happen to him.26 He stated
that his Marine service in Okinawa and elsewhere had given him a chance "to
observe American imperialism," and he displayed some resentment at not having
been given a. higher rank in the Marine Corps.27 Oswald stated to Snyder that he
had voluntarily told Soviet officials that he would make known to them all
information concerning the Marine Corps and his specialty therein, radar
operation, as he possessed.28
Snyder did not permit Oswald to renounce his citizenship at that time. He told
Oswald that his renunciation could not be effected on a Saturday, but that if he
would return on a day when the Embassy was open for business, the transaction
could then be completed.29 Snyder testified that his real reason for delaying
Oswald was that he believed, as a matter of sound professional practice, that no
one should be permitted to renounce his American citizenship precipitously; such
an act has extremely serious consequences, and, once accomplished, it is
irrevocable.30 Snyder noticed that Oswald was young, apparently not well
educated and obviously in a. highly emotional state.31 Snyder testified:
"particularly in the case of a minor, I could not imagine myself writing out the
renunciation form, and having him sign it, on the spot, without making him leave
my office and come back at some other time, even if it is only a few hours
intervening." 32 Snyder's decision was also influenced by his familiarity with a
recent unfavorable incident in which an American citizen by the name of Petrulli
had been allowed to renounce his citizenship hastily, without awareness that
Petrulli was mentally ill at the time.33 Snyder was able to persuade Oswald to
tell him his home address and the name of his mother, however, by saying that no
progress on his renunciation could be made without this information.34 The State
Department has advised that Snyder's treatment of Oswald "was in line * * * with
the general policy of the Department to discourage expatriation of American
citizens." 35
The same day, the Embassy sent a telegram to the Department of State, advising
that Oswald had appeared there in an attempt to renounce his American
citizenship, and setting out most of the details of the interview with Snyder.36
Copies were immediately furnished to the FBI 37 and the CIA.38 The telegram was
followed on November 2, 1959, by an Embassy report addresed to the Department of
State,39 which concluded:
* * * in view of the Petrulli case and other considerations, the Embassy
proposes to delay action on Oswald's request to execute an oath of renunciation
to the extent dictated by developments and subject to the Department's advice.40
Page 749
Copies of this memorandum were also furnished both Federal security agencies.41
After having received the telegram of October 31, 1959,42 but not the Embassy
Despatch of November 2, 1959, the State Department on November 2, 1959, sent a
telegram to the Moscow Embassy which read in part:
If Oswald insists on renouncing U.S. citizenship, Section 1999 Revised Statutes
precludes Embassy withholding right to do so regardless status his application
pending Soviet Government and final action taken Petrulli case.43
This telegram, like most of the communications from the Department regarding
Oswald, was prepared in the Passport Office and cleared by the Office of Eastern
European Affairs and the Office of Soviet Union Affairs.44
Oswald never returned to the Embassy.45 On November 6, 1959, the Embassy
received 46 a handwritten letter from Oswald on the stationery of the Metropole
Hotel, dated November 8, 1959, which read:
I, Lee Harvey Oswald, do hereby request that my present United States
citizenship be revoked.
I appeered in person, at the consulate office of the United States Embassy,
Moscow, on Oct. 31st, for the purpose of signing the formal papers to this
effect. This legal right I was refused at that time.
I wish to protest against this action, and against the conduct of the official
of the United States consular service who acted on behalf of the United States
government.
My application, requesting that I be considered for citizenship in the Soviet
Union is now pending before the Surprem Soviet of the U.S.S.R.. In the event of
acceptance, I will request my government to lodge a. formal protest regarding
this incident.47
The Embassy immediately informed the Department of the receipt of this letter
and advised that it intended to reply to Oswald by letter telling him that, if
he wished, he could appear at the Embassy on any normal business day and request
that the necessary expatriation documents be prepared.48 On the same day,
November 6, the Embassy sent Oswald a letter so advising him.49 From then until
November 30 the Embassy attempted to communicate with Oswald on several
occasions to deliver messages from his relatives in the United States urging him
to reconsider, but he refused to receive the messages or talk to anyone from the
Embassy.50 The messages were therefore sent to him by registered mail.51
On November 16, 1959, Priscilla Johnson, an American newspaper-woman stationed
in Moscow, interviewed Oswald at the Metropole
749
Page 750
Hotel.52 On November 17, 1959, she informed the Embassy of her interviews and
the information was recorded in a file memorandum.53 Oswald told Miss Johnson
that he was scheduled to leave Moscow within a few days. She thought that Oswald
"may have purposely not carried through his original intent to renounce
[citizenship] in order to leave a crack open." 54 The Embassy accordingly
informed the Department of State about 2 weeks later that Oswald had departed
from the Hotel Metropole within the last few days.55 According to his "Historic
Diary" 56 and other records available to the Commission,57 however, Oswald
probably did not in fact leave Moscow for Minsk until about January 4, 1960.
Miss Johnson's report of her interview with Oswald was the last information
about him which the U.S. Government was to receive until February 13, 1961 58
On March 6, 1960, Oswald's mother asked Representative James C. Wright, Jr., of
Texas to help her locate her son. The Congressman forwarded her inquiry to the
Department of States which in turn sent it to the Embassy.59 In response, the
Embassy in Moscow informed the Department on March 28, 1960, that they had had
no contact with Oswald since November 9, 1959.60 The Embassy went on to say that
it had no evidence that Oswald had expatriated himself "other than his announced
intention to do so." It believed, therefore, that since Oswald was presumably
still an American citizen, the American Government could properly make inquiry
concerning him through a note to the Soviet Foreign Office. The Embassy went on
to suggest, however, that it would be preferable if Oswald's mother wrote a
letter to her son which could then be forwarded by the Department to the Soviet
Government.61
The Department replied on May 10, 1960, that no action should be taken in the
case other than on a request voluntarily submitted by member of Oswald's
family.62 On June 22, a second communication was dispatched, asking whether the
Embassy had been able to contact Oswald.63 On July 6, 1960, the Embassy replied
that it had received no further communication with anyone on the subject of
Oswald and that in view of the Department's memorandum of May 10, 1960, intended
to take no further action in the matter.64 Mrs. Oswald apparently took no steps
to follow up on her original inquiry.
Under the procedures in effect in 1960, a "refusal sheet" was prepared in the
Department of State Passport Office whenever circumstances created the
possibility that a prospective applicant would not be entitled to receive an
American passport.65 The records section of the Passport Office, on the basis of
the refusal sheets would prepare what was known as a lookout card 66 and file it
in the lookout file in the Passport Office. Whenever anyone applied for a
passport from any city in the world, his application was immediately forwarded
to this office, and his name and date of birth checked against the lookout riley
If a lookout card was found, appropriate action, including the possible refusal
of a passport, was taken.68 Passport Office procedures
750
Page 751
also provided that. the lookout card would be removed from a prospective
applicant's file whenever facts warranted an unquestioned passport, grant. 69
On March 25, 1960, the Passport Office had made up a "refusal sheet" on Lee
Harvey Oswald, typed across which was the explanation that Oswald "may have been
naturalized in the Soviet Union or otherwise * * * expatriated himself." 70 An
Operations Memorandum stating the reasons for which the card had been prepared
was drawn up on March 28 and also put on file 71 and a copy sent to the Embassy.
It advised the Embassy to take no further action on the Oswald case unless it
came into possession of evidence upon which to base the preparation of a
certificate of loss of nationality. Included in the operations memorandum was
the following:
An appropriate notice has been placed in the lookout card section of the
Passport Office in the event that Mr. Oswald should apply for documentation at a
post outside the Soviet Union. 72
Despite these indications that a lookout card was prepared, the Department of
State on May 18, 1964, informed the Commission that "investigations, to date,
failed to reveal any other indication or evidence that a lookout card was ever
prepared, modified or removed." No such card was ever located, and certain file
entries indicate that such a card was never prepared. 73
The State Department has advised the Commission that as of October 1959 the
Department had "developed information which might reasonably have caused it to
prepare * * * a lookout card for Lee Harvey Oswald." 74 The Passport Office
employee who prepared the refusal sheet, for Oswald has suggested as a possible
explanation of the failure to prepare a lookout card that between the day she
prepared the refusal sheet and the time the records section would normally have
prepared the lookout card, Oswald's file was temporarily pulled from its place
because the Department received some additional correspondence from the Embassy.
When the file was returned, she suggested, it may have been assumed that the
card had already been prepared. 75
Had a lookout card been prepared on the ground of possible expatriation, it
would have been removed and destroyed after the decision was made in 1961 that
Oswald had not expatriated himself and thus prior to the time that he applied
for a second passport in June 1963. Hence, the Department's apparent failure to
prepare a lookout, card on Oswald had no effect on its future actions. As of
February 20, 1964, the Department issued additional regulations regarding the
manner in which the lookout file is to be handled. 76 On March 14, 1964, a
category was established for returned defectors, so that these persons
automatically have lookout cards in their files, and on July 27, 1964, the
Office of Security of the Department of State issued a procedural study of the
lookout-card system, with recommendations. 77
Return and Renewal of Oswald's 1959 Passport
Page 752
RETURN AND RENEWAL OF OSWALD'S 1959 PASSPORT
Negotiations Between Oswald and the Embassy
On February 1, 1961, as a result of a visit by Oswald's mother to the Department
of State on January 25, 1961,78 the Department sent a request to the Moscow
Embassy as follows:
The Embassy is requested to inform the [Soviet] Ministry of Foreign Affairs that
Mr. Oswald's mother is worried as to his present safety, and is anxious to hear
from him.79
The inquiry went to the Embassy by diplomatic pouch and was received in Moscow
on February 10 or 11.80 On February 13, before the Embassy had acted on the
Department's request,81 the Embassy received an undated letter from Oswald
postmarked Minsk, February 5. The letter stated:
Since I have not received a reply to my letter of December 1960, I am writing
again asking that you consider my request for the return of my American
passport.
I desire to return to the United States, that is if we could come to some
agreement concerning the dropping of any legal proceedings against me. If so,
than I would be free to ask the Russian authorities to allow me to leave. If I
could show them my American passport, I am of the opinion they would give me an
exit
They have at no time insisted that I take Russian citizenship. I am living here
with non-permanent type papers for a foreigner.
I cannot leave Minsk without permission, therefore I am writing rather than
calling in person.
I hope that in recalling the responsibility I have to america that you remember
your's in doing everything you can to help me since I am an american citizen.82
Despite Oswald's reference to his letter of December 1960, there is no
indication that he had written to the Embassy previously.83 Furthermore, his
diary refers to his February 1 letter as his "first request" concerning his
return to the United States.84
On February 28, 1961, the Embassy wrote Oswald that he would have to come to
Moscow to discuss the passport and expatriation matters.85 Then on March 20,
1961, a second letter from Oswald, dated March 12, was received by the Embassy.
It read:
In reply to your recent letter. I find it inconvenient to come to Moscow for the
sole purpose of an interview.
In my last letter I believe I stated that. I cannot leave the city of Minsk
without permission.
752
Page 753
I believe there exist in the United States also a law in regards to resident
foreigners from Socialist countries, traveling between cities.
I do not. think it would be appropriate for me to request to leave Minsk in
order to visit the American Embassy. In any event, the granting of permission is
a long drawn out affair, and I find that there is a hesitation on the part of
local officials to even start the process.
I have no intention of abusing my position here, and I am sure you would not
want me to.
I see no reasons for any preliminary inquires not to be put in the form of a
questionnaire and sent to me.
I understand that personal interviews undobtedly make to work of the Embassy
staff lighter, than written correspondence, however, in some cases other means
must be employed.86
After receiving the first letter postmarked February 5, the Embassy on February
28 forwarded a despatch to the Department informing it of Oswald's letter and
its reply to Oswald. At that time, the Embassy also inquired of the Department
whether Oswald would be subject to prosecution on any grounds if he should
return to the United States and, if so, whether Oswald should be so informed.
The Department was also asked whether there was any objection to returning
Oswald's 1959 passport to him by mail, since that might facilitate his
application for a Soviet exit visa.87 Upon receiving Oswald's March 20 letter,
the Embassy again consulted with Washington. The Embassy proposed that it write
Oswald repeating that he must come to Moscow if he wanted to discuss reentering
the United States and pointing out that the Soviet government did not object to
such visits by American citizens.88 Such a letter was mailed to Oswald on March
24.89
In the meantime, the State Department was considering the Embassy despatch of
February 28, 196170 Although a different, response was originally recommended by
a staff member in the Passport Office,91 the Department instructed the Embassy
on April 13 that for security reasons Oswald's passport should be given to him
only if he personally appeared at the Embassy and that even then he was to
receive the document only after a full investigation had been made and the
Embassy was satisfied that he had not, renounced his American citizenship. Also,
he was to present evidence that he had made arrangements to depart from the
Soviet Union to travel to the United States, and his passport was to be stamped
valid for direct return to the United States only. The Department also told the
Embassy that Oswald could not be advised whether or not he would be prosecuted
for any possible offenses should he return to the United States.92 Matters
remained in this posture for over a month. During the interim, Oswald met and
married Marina Nikolaevna Prusakova.93
On May 26, 1961, the Embassy sent a despatch to the Department 94 advising that
on May 25, 1961, it had received a letter from Oswald
Page 754
postmarked Moscow, May 16, 1961.95 In his latest letter Oswald said he wanted
"to make it clear"" that he was asking for full guarantees that he would not be
prosecuted "under any circumstances" should he return to the United States.
Oswald went on to say that if the Embassy could not give him these assurances,
he would "endeavor to use my relatives in the United States, to see about
getting something done in Washington" He also informed the Embassy that he was
married to a Russian woman who would want to accompany him back to his native
country, and he once again repeated his reluctance to come to Moscow. The
Embassy suggested that it reply to Oswald by repeating that the question of
citizenship could only be made on the basis of a personal interview, and by
advising Oswald of the requirements and procedures pertaining to his wife's
immigration. The despatch noted that Oswald's letter referred to his present
Soviet internal passport in which he claimed to be designated as "without
citizenship," and observed: "It would appear on this basis that Oswald has not
yet expatriated himself under Section 349(a)(1) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act." The Embassy inquired whether the Department considered Oswald
entitled "to the protection of the United States Government while he continues
to reside abroad under present circumstances in the absence of reasonable
evidence that he has committed an expatriating act?"
The Department answered the despatch under date of July 11, 1961. It said that
it was not entirely clear what the description "without citizenship" means,
i.e., "whether he is without Soviet citizenship or without any citizenship." The
instructions continued:
In any event in the absence of evidence showing that Mr. Oswald has definitely
lost United States citizenship he apparently maintains that technical status.
Whether he is entitled to the protection of the United States pending any
further developments concerning his precise status is a matter which will be
left to the Embassy's discretion in the event an emergency situation should
arise. In a situation of this kind, not of an emergency nature, the facts should
be submitted to the Department.
It is noted that the Embassy intends to seek the Department's prior advice
before granting Mr. Oswald documentation as a United States citizen upon any
application he may submit.
The Embassy's careful attention to the involved ease of Mr. Oswald is
appreciated * * * 96
However, on Saturday, July 8, 1961, before the Embassy had received the response
from Washington, Oswald appeared without warning at the Embassy in Moscow.
Snyder came down to meet Oswald after Oswald called him on the house telephone,
and after a brief talk, asked Oswald to return on Monday, July 10.97 Later that.
day Oswald telephoned his wife and told her to come to Moscow, which she did the
next day.98 Oswald returned alone to the American Embassy on Monday, where
Snyder questioned him about his life in Russia.
754
Page 755
According to a memorandum which Snyder prepared shortly afterwards:
Twenty months of the realities of life in the Soviet Union have clearly had a
maturing effect on Oswald. He stated frankly that he learned a hard lesson the
hard way and that he had been completely relieved about his illusions about the
Soviet Union * * * Much of the arrogance and bravado which characterized him on
his first visit to the Embassy appears to have left him.99
Oswald told Snyder that despite the statement he had given him in October 1959,
he had never applied for Soviet citizenship, but only for permission to reside
in the Soviet Union. He presented his Soviet internal passport, which described
him as without citizenship of any kind. Oswald said that he had been employed
since January 13, 1960, as a metal worker in the research shop in the
Byelorussian Radio and Television Factory in Minsk. He claimed that he had taken
no oath of allegiance of any kind, and that he had not been required to sign any
papers in connection with this employment. He added that he was not a member of
the factory trade union organization. Oswald said that he was earning 90 rubles
($90) a month and that he had saved about 200 rubles ($200) toward travel
expenses to the United States. He denied that he had made any derogatory
statements concerning the United States to radio, press, or TV in the Soviet
Union, and he denied that he had turned over any information to the Russians as
he had threatened to do in the 1959 interview with Snyder.100 .
During the course of the interview Oswald filled out an application for renewal
of his American passport.101 The renewal application was required since Oswald's
existing passport. would expire on September 10, 1961,102 and it was extremely
unlikely that he would be able to obtain the requisite Soviet departure
documents before that time. The renewal application contained a printed
statement which set forth, in the disjunctive, a series of acts which, if
committed by the applicant, would either automatically disqualify him from
receiving a passport on the ground that he had lost his American citizenship, or
would raise a question whether he might be so disqualified. The printed
statement was preceded by two phrases, "have," and, "have not," the first phrase
being printed directly above the second. One carbon copy of the application
indicates Oswald signed the document after the second phrase, "have not," had
been typed over, thereby apparently admitting that he had committed one or more
of the acts which would at least raise a question as to whether he had
expatriated himself. Snyder was not able to remember with certainty to which of
the acts listed on the statement Oswald's mark was intended to refer, but
believed it may have been to "swearing allegiance to a foreign state." 103 He
points out that the strikeout of "have not" may also have been a clerical
error.104 On the actual signed copy of the application kept in the
755
Page 756
files of the Moscow Embassy, which is not a carbon copy of the copy sent to the
Department, the strikeout is slightly above the "have;" therefore, since the
"have" is itself printed above the "have not," the strikeout may have been
intended to obliterate the "have." 105
In any event, Oswald filled out the supplementary questionnaire which was
required to be completed if the applicant admitted he had performed one or more
of the possibly expatriating acts. He signed the questionnaire under oath.106
Snyder testified that it was routine for any kind of "problem ease" to fill out
the supplementary questionnaire.107 The Passport Office employee who processed
the Oswald case in Washington testified that she routinely regarded the
questionnaire rather than the application itself as the controlling document for
expatriation purposes, so that she probably paid no attention to the
strikeout.108
The pertinent questions included on the questionnaire, with Oswald's answers,
read as follows:
2.(a) Are you known or considered in your community to be a national of the
country in which you are residing? No.
(Yes or No)
(b) If your answer to 2(a) is "No," explain why not. On my document for
residence
in the USSR my nationality is American.
3.(a) Have you ever sought or obtained registration as a national of a foreign
country, applied for or obtained a passport, certificate, card document or other
benefit therefrom in which you were described as a national of a country other
than the United States? No. (Yes or No)
(b) If your answer to 3(a) is "Yes," did you voluntarily seek or claim such
benefits? (Yes or No) If "No," please explain.
I retired a document for residence in the USSR but I am described as being
"Without citizenship."
4.(a) Have you ever informed any local or national official of a foreign state
that you
are a national of the United Stares?
No.***
(b) If your answer to 4(a) is "No," explain why not. On my document for
residence in the USSR, my nationality is American.
6.(a) Have you ever taken an oath or made an affirmation or other formal
declaration
of allegiance to a foreign state?
No.***
8. Have you ever accepted, served in, or performed the duties of any office,
post. or employment under the government of a foreign state or political
subdivision thereof ? No. * * * I do not regard factory employment as state
employment, as is meant in the question above.109
Page 757
On the basis of these answers, and on the basis of the statements Oswald made
orally during the interview, Snyder concluded that Oswald had not lost his
citizenship. Snyder therefore handed him back his passport. Pursuant to the
instructions from Washington, it was stamped, "This passport is valid only for
direct travel to the United States." 110
In a despatch dated July 11, 1961,111 the Embassy informed the Department of
State of its conclusion that Oswald had not lost his American citizenship and
requested that, if Washington agreed with the conclusion, "the Embassy be
authorized to renew Oswald's passport at its discretion." The despatch, with
which Oswald's application and supplemental questionnaire 112 were enclosed,
informed the Department that Oswald was questioned at length at the Embassy and
that no evidence was revealed of any act which might. be considered as having
caused the loss of his American citizenship.
The Embassy added in the despatch--
It is our intention not to renew it [the passport] without the Department's
prior approval of the enclosed renewal application, and then only upon evidence
of a present need for the renewal in connection with his efforts to return to
the United States.113
Oswald appeared at the Embassy once again on July 11, 1961, this time
accompanied by Marina, in order to complete the papers necessary to obtain
permission for his wife to enter the United States.114 In a letter dated July
16, 1961, Oswald informed the American Embassy about his and Marina's
application to the Soviet officials for permission to leave Russia, and
described the harassment which Marina was allegedly undergoing because of her
attempts to leave the country.115
Based upon Snyder's recommendation and the information in its files, the
Passport. Office on August. 18, 1961, concluded that Oswald had not expatriated
himself.116 Therefore, on that date, the Department of State sent a despatch to
the Embassy in Moscow stating that they concurred in the Embassy's
recommendation of July 11, 1961, with respect to Oswald's citizenship:
We concur in the conclusion of the Embassy that there is available no
information and/or evidence to show that Mr. Oswald has expatriated himself
under the pertinent laws of the United States.
The renewal of Mr. Oswald's passport, issued on September 10, 1959, is
authorized upon his referenced application if no adverse reason is known, to
take place upon his presentation of evidence that he needs such renewal in
connection with his efforts to return to the United States as indicated in the
final sentence on page 2 of Despatch 29. As requested in the final paragraph of
the Despatch the Embassy may perform this citizenship function for Mr. Oswald at
its discretion.
Page 758
Any passport renewal granted to Mr. Oswald should be limited to his passport
needs and, as stated in the second paragraph of the Department's A-173, April
13, 1961 his passport should be made valid for direct return to the United
States. The additional precaution set forth in the same paragraph should be
observed and his passport should be delivered to him on a personal basis only.
When available, a report of his travel data should be submitted, as well as a
report of any intervening developments.117
On October 12, 1961, the Embassy wrote the Department to inform it of four
letters it had received from Oswald dated July 15, August 8, and October 4, and
an undated letter received in August. With reference to these letters, the
despatch noted:
* * * that Oswald is having difficulty in obtaining exit visas for himself and
his Soviet wife, and that they are subject to increasing harassment in Minsk. In
replying to Oswald's latest letter, the Embassy pointed out that it has no way
of influencing Soviet action on exit visas. It informed him that the question of
his passport renewal could be discussed with him personally at the Embassy. In
answer to Oswald's question, the Embassy notified him that the petition to
classify his wife's status had not yet been approved.118
The Department on December 28, 1961, informed the Embassy that the Passport
Office approved the manner of the Embassy's reply to Mr. Oswald with respect "to
his receiving further passport facilities." 119 After a further exchange of
correspondence between Oswald and the Embassy, dealing primarily with Oswald's
difficulties in obtaining the necessary Soviet clearance, his impatience in
receiving American approval for Marina's entry into the United States, and his
efforts to obtain a repatriation loan,120 the passport problem was finally
concluded on May 24, 1962, when the Embassy renewed Oswald's passport for 30
days, stamped it valid for direct return to the United States only and handed it
to him.121 A week later he used it to return to the United States.122
The decision that Oswald was entitled to a new passport because he had not
expatriated himself was made for the Embassy by the consul, Richard E.
Snyder.123 For the Department it was made initially by Miss Bernice L. Waterman,
a worker in the Passport Office for 36 years, and was then approved by her area
chief, by the head of the Foreign Operations Division, and by the Legal Division
of the Passport Office.124 Snyder and Miss Waterman have both testified that
they reached their decisions independently and without influence from any other
person.125 The Director of the Passport Office and the Legal Adviser to the
State Department both stated that after a review of the record they concluded
that Oswald had not expatriated himself and that Snyder and Waterman, therefore,
acted correctly.126
Legal Justification for the Return and Reissue of Oswald's Passport
Page 759
Legal Justification for the Return and Reissue of Oswald's Passport
Since he was born in the United States, Oswald was an American citizen.127
However, Congress has provided that by performing certain acts, a person may
forfeit his American citizenship. Thus Oswald would have become expatriated
while in Russia if he obtained naturalization in the Soviet Union, renounced
U.S. nationality, took an oath of allegiance to the Soviet Union, or voluntarily
worked for the Soviet Government in a post requiring that the employee take an
oath of allegiance.
Naturalization in a fore/gn state.--Section 349(a)(1) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1952 provides that a U.S. citizen shall lose his nationality
by "obtaining naturalization in a foreign state upon his own application * * *
." 128 Although Oswald applied for Soviet citizenship, he never received it.129
Thus, Oswald did not expatriate himself under section 349 (a) ( 1 ).
Formal renunciation of U.S. nationality.--Section 349 (a) (6) of the act
provides that a U.S. citizen shall lose his citizenship by:
* * * making a formal renunciation of nationality before a diplomatic or
consular officer of the United States in a foreign state, in such form as may be
prescribed by the Secretary of State.130
In accordance with this statute, the Secretary has promulgated regulations
prescribing the manner in which renunciation is to be effected.131 The
regulations provide, among other things, that 4 copies of the renunciation form
are to be executed and the original and one copy sent to the Department. The
Department must then approve the form and advise the appropriate consular
official, who may then furnish a copy of the form to the person to whom it
relates. The form itself requires the person to subscribe it in the presence of
a consular official, and it must also be signed by this official.132
Though in 1959 Oswald clearly stated to officials at the American Embassy, both
orally and in writing, that he desired to renounce his U.S. citizenship, he at
no time took the steps required by the statute and regulations to effect his
renunciation. Oswald did not execute the proper forms, he did not sign his
letter of October 31 or November 3, 1959, in the presence of a consular
official, and neither letter was signed by such an official.133 Because section
349 (a) (6) in terms requires compliance with the form prescribed by the
Secretary of State, Oswald did not expatriate himself under that section.
Oath of allegiance to a foreign state.--Section 349(a)(2) of the act provides
that a U.S. citizen shall lose his nationality by:
* * * taking an oath or making an affirmation or other formal declaration of
allegiance to a foreign state or a political subdivision thereof.134
Page 760
In his letter of October 31, 1959, Oswald wrote: "I affirm that my allegiance is
to the union of Soviet Socialist Republics." 135 Both in this letter and in his
letter of November 3, 1959, he stated that his application for citizenship in
the Soviet Union was pending before the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.136
Oswald's letters no doubt were intended to express allegiance to the Soviet
Union in a manner inconsistent with continued allegiance to the United States,
as the statute has been held to require.137 However, since 1940, it has been
well established that in order for an oath of allegiance to a foreign state to
work an expatriation from the United States, it must, be given to an official of
the foreign state, and not to a party unconnected with the foreign state.138
This requirement can be viewed as a necessary corollary of the broader, but less
clearly established, principle that. the oath must be taken in accord with the
requirements of the foreign state.139 Although Lee Harvey Oswald wrote that his
allegiance was to the Soviet Union,140 there is no indication that he had ever
actually taken an oath or declaration or that any such oath was taken before an
official of the Soviet Government. He, therefore, did not expatriate himself
under section 349 (a) (2).
Employment under the government of a foreign state.--Section 349(a) (4) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 provides that a U.S. citizen shall lose
his nationality by:
(a) accepting, serving in, or performing the duties of any office, post, or
employment under the government of a foreign state or a political subdivision
thereof, if he has or acquires the nationality of such foreign state; or (b)
accepting, serving in, or performing the duties of any office, post of
employment under the govern-meat of a foreign state or a political subdivision
thereof, for which office, post, or employment an oath, affirmation, or
declaration of allegiance is required. * * * 141
While Oswald was employed in a state-owned factory in Minsk, he did not acquire
Russian nationality, and there is no indication that he had to take any oath
when he obtained this employment.142 Furthermore, prior judicial decisions
indicate that merely working in a government-owned factory does not result in
expatriation even if an oath was required to be taken in connection with such
employment.143 Several cases decided under an earlier but similar statutory
provision held that where a person took a government job in order to subsist,
such employment, was considered involuntary since it was based on economic
duress, and thus it did not result in expatriation.144 Thus, Oswald did not
expatriate himself under section 349 (a) (4).
The Commission therefore concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald had not expatriated
himself by any acts performed between October 16, 1959, and May 1962, and
concurs in the opinion of the State Department that his passport was properly
returned to him in July 1961 and properly reissued in May 1962.
760
Authorization for Marina Oswald to Enter the United States
Page 761
AUTHORIZATION FOR MARINA OSWALD TO ENTER THE
UNITED STATES
Negotiations Between Oswald and the Embassy
On July 11, 1961, Oswald and his wife appeared at the Embassy in Moscow before
John A. McVickar.145 Together they executed papers to set in motion the
procedures for her admittance to the United States as a nonquota immigrant under
the provisions applicable to the wife of an American citizen.146 The interview
was routine. McVickar asked Marina whether she was a member of any Communist
organization and she replied that she was a member of the Trade Union of Medical
Workers 147 but she denied she was or ever had been a member of the Komsomol,148
the Communist youth organization, or any other Communist organization.149 Marina
Oswald has since admitted to the Commission that at one time she was a member of
The Komsomol, but was expelled, according to her testimony, when it was learned
that she intended to accompany her husband to the United States.150 The Embassy
forwarded the papers pertaining to her application to the State Department on
August 28, 1961.151
Marina Oswald's ability to obtain a nonquota immigrant visa depended on the
favorable resolution of 3 questions. First, it had to be determined that she was
the wife of an American citizen,152 which depended on whether her husband had
expatriated himself. Second, it was necessary to determine that she was not and
had not been affiliated with a Communist organization on other than an
involuntary basis.153 Third, it had to be determined that she was not likely to
become a public charge after she was admitted to the United States.154 Section
243 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 155 presented a fourth issue.
This section of the act prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas by American
Consuls stationed in countries which have refused to accept or have unduly
delayed accepting the return of persons sought to be deported from the United
States. The Soviet Union had been designated as such a country in 1953. However,
the sanctions of section 243 (g) are often waived; and even if they were not
waived in Marina's case, she could obtain her visa at an American Embassy in
some other country on her way from the Soviet. Union to the United States, if
she were otherwise entitled to the visa.156
In a despatch dated August 28, 1961, the Embassy requested from the Department a
security advisory opinion on Marina Oswald's application to enter the United
States. The Embassy wrote:
A favorable advisory opinion and approval of * * * [Mrs. Oswald's] petition is
recommended together with a waiver of the sanctions imposed by section 243 (g)
of the Act. * * *
In connection with her employment and her professional training, she has been a
member of the Soviet Trade Union for Medical Workers since 1957. Such membership
is routinely considered to be involuntary. * * * 157
730-900 O-64--50
Page 762
The Department initiated a. check on Marina Oswald with the CIA, the FBI, the
Department's own Office of Security, and Passport Office.158 The security check
turned up no derogatory information on her, so that in early October 1961 the
Department cabled Moscow that t, he available information concerning the
applicant established her eligibility to enter the country as a nonquota
immigrant..159
The Department's decision assumed that prior to obtaining her visa to enter the
United States, Marina Oswald would provide some reasonable assurance that. she
was not likely to become a public charge after she had arrived there. The
Department later encountered some difficulty in deciding that she had met this
requirement. She knew no one in the United States other than the members of her
husband's family, and they lacked the means to furnish any substantial financial
guarantees. After considerable correspondence on the matter with Oswald 160 and
with the Department,161 the Embassy decided to accept Oswald's own affidavit to
support his wife as sufficient assurance that she would not become a. public
charge. The Embassy's reasons were set forth in a memorandum dated March 16,
1962:
It appears that * * * [Oswald] can find no one in the United States who is able
and willing to execute an affidavit of support for his wife. Furthermore, Oswald
has been able to obtain no concrete offer of employment in the United ,States.
On the other hand, he is t-rained in a trade which should make him readily
employable and he and his family will be able to live with his mother in Texas
until he has found work and become otherwise settled. Taking into consideration
the latter factors, Oswald's legal obligation to support his wife, and the
unusual circumstances of the case which make it difficult for Oswald to provide
the usual financial evidence, The responsible consular officer * * * [is]
willing to accept Oswald's unsubstantiated affidavit as sufficient to overcome
the public charge provisions of the law.162
The necessity of relying solely upon Oswald's own affidavit, however, was
eliminated somewhat later when The Department received an affidavit of support
from the employer of Oswald's mother in Vernon, Texas
By law the Attorney General must also pass upon an app1icant's eligibility, and
this responsibility has been delegated to The District Directors of the
Immigration and Naturalization Service.164 The machinery to get approval of the
Immigration and Naturalization Service for Marina Oswald's admission to the
United States was set. in motion on October 6, 1961. On that date the Visa
Office of the Department of State sent a letter to the District Director of The
Immigration and Naturalization Service in Dallas, Tex., requesting the Service
to take action on her immigrant visa.165 The letter transmitted her marriage
certificate, a check for $10 from Lee Harvey Oswald, and a "Petition to Classify
Status of Alien For Issuance of Immigrant Visa." The petition was signed by
Oswald and was on
762
Page 763
behalf of Marina, asking that she be classified in "the status of the alien
beneficiary for issuance of an immigrant visa as * * * the spouse of a United
States citizen." 166 The letter from the Visa Office stated:
Mrs. Oswald has been the object of an investigation by the Department and has
been found, in the Department's opinion, not ineligible to secure a visa.167
On the basis of this communication, the Immigration and Naturalization Service
at its Dallas, Tex., office instituted a field investigation on Lee Harvey
Oswald.168 Routine checks with the Federal security agencies and with local law
enforcement authorities turned up no new derogatory information, and no evidence
was uncovered that Oswald was ever a member of the Communist Party or other
subversive groups.169 A record check was made in New Orleans, La., and a birth
certificate was found for Lee Harvey Oswald, proving that he was an American
citizen by birth.170 On October 17, 1961, an investigator from the Dallas office
interviewed Oswald's brother, Robert, who expressed the view that Lee was just a
"mixed up kid" who had emigrated to Russia because he had become embittered,
possibly over something that had happened while he was in the Marine Corps.171
On January 25, 1962, the results of the field investigation in Dallas were
consolidated in a report 172 which, with a covering memorandum,173 was sent to
the District Director of the Service in San Antonio the next day. The
accompanying memorandum noted that the immigrant inspector who processed the
case had endorsed it "approved," but the author of the memorandum overruled the
decision of the inspector on the grounds that the sanctions under section 243(g)
should not be waived.174 The reasons for denying the waiver were stated as
follows:
OI [Operations Instructions] 205.3, as you know, provides that the District
Director may waive sanctions in an individual meritorious case for a beneficiary
of a petition filed by a reputable relative where no substantial derogatory
security information is developed. I am of the opinion that both of these
restrictions are present in this case.175
On January 30, 1962, the District Director at San Antonio affirmed the decision
of the. Dallas office, including the decision that the sanctions imposed under
section 243(g) not be waived.176 He concluded that Oswald's recent statements to
the American Embassy in Moscow to the effect that he had ]earned from his
experiences in Russia were not sufficient to relieve the doubts which were
raised regarding his loyalty to the United States by the arrogant, anti-American
statements he made when he entered Russia in 1959.177
San Antonio forwarded its decision to Washington in a letter dated January 31,
1962, in which Marina Oswald's petition and all the
Page 764
aforementioned memoranda and reports were included.178 However, because
Washington had previously indicated its impatience at not yet having received
anything on the Oswald case, the San Antonio office also telegraphed its
decision to Washington about a week later,179 the telegram presumably being
received by Washington before the letter of January 31. The Washington copy of
this telegram has a handwritten note on the lower portion which indicates that
on February 12 an officer in the Visa Office of the State Department informed
the Immigration and Naturalization Service by telephone: "Political desk of
opinion, we're better off with subject in U.S. than in Russia."
Nonetheless, the Washington office of the Service concurred in the field
decision that the provisions of section 243(g) should not be waived.181 However,
the Washington office pointed out that the correct disposition should be not to
deny the visa petition as the field offices had proposed, but to grant the
petition and indorse it to read, "Waiver of sanctions imposed under section 243
(g) of The Act is not authorized." 182
On February 28, 1962, the Dallas office of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service notified the Department of State in Washington and the American Embassy
in Moscow of this disposition. The communication from the Dallas office noted
that Oswald "has been notified at his Minsk, Russia, address of the approval of
the petition in his wife's behalf." 183 Oswald later told the Embassy that he
had received the notice on March 15.184 On March 9, 1962, the Department of
State also notified the Embassy in Moscow that Oswald's wife was entitled to
nonquota status but that the Immigration and Naturalization Service would not
waive section 243 (g) of the Act. The Embassy was told to inform Oswald of this
fact if he asked about it. The memorandum indicated that the Embassy might
suggest that Marina could proceed to some other country to file her visa
application and thus avoid the sanction.185
The Moscow Embassy on March 16, 1962, asked the Embassy at Brussels if Mrs.
Oswald could obtain her visa in Brussels.186 The Brussels Embassy replied
affirmatively and said a visa could be issued to Marina within 2 or 3 days of
her arrival.187 The Marina Oswald file accordingly was sent to the Embassy at
Brussels.188
The plan to obtain the visa in Belgium was rendered unnecessary, however, when
the Immigration and Naturalization Service reversed its position regarding the
waiver of section 243(g). On March 16, the Soviet desk at the Department of
State took initial action to attempt to secure such a change by sending a
memorandum to the Visa Office within The Department, urging that the Immigration
and Naturalization Service be asked to reconsider its decision.189 According to
this memorandum:
SOV believes it is in the interest of the U.S. to get Lee Harvey Oswald and his
family out of the Soviet Union and on their way to this country as soon as
possible. An unstable character, whose actions are entirely unpredictable,
Oswald may well refuse to
764
Page 765
leave the USSR or subsequently attempt to return there if we should make it
impossible for him to be accompanied from Moscow by his wife and child.
Such action on our part also would permit the Soviet Government to argue that,
although it had issued an exit visa to Mrs. Oswald to prevent the separation of
a family, the United States Government had imposed a forced separation by
refusing to issue her a visa. Obviously, this would weaken our Embassy's
position in encouraging positive Soviet action in other cases involving Soviet
citizen relatives of U.S. citizens.190
Soon thereafter, however, the Department of State notified its Moscow Embassy
that the decision was under review and instructed it to withhold action pending
the outcome of the reconsideration.191
The Visa Office first contacted the Washington office of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service informally, and was advised, cording to a contemporaneous
notation:
* * * that case had been carefully considered and decision made at Assistant or
Deputy Associate Commissioner level. Therefore, although not wishing to comment
on likelihood of reversal, [INS officer] felt that any letter requesting a
review of the case should come from the Director or Acting Administrator.192
On March 27, 1962, such a letter was written from an acting administrator in the
Department of State to the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization. The
letter read in part:
I appreciate the difficulty this case presents for your Service, because of Mr.
Oswald's background, and the fact that granting a waiver of the sanction makes
it appear that this Government is assisting a person who is not altogether
entitled to such assistance. However, if the Embassy at Moscow is unable to
issue Mrs. Oswald a visa, it would appear that she and indirectly the Oswalds'
newborn child are being punished for Mr. Oswald's earlier indiscretions. I might
also point out that this Government has advanced Mr. Oswald a loan of $500'.00
for repatriation.
More important, however, is the possibility that if Mrs. Oswald is not issued a
visa by the Embassy, the Soviet Government will be in a position to claim that
it has done all it can to prevent the separation of the family by issuing Mrs.
Oswald the required exit permission, but that this Government has refused to
issue her a visa, thus preventing her from accompanying her husband and child.
This would weaken the Embassy's attempts to encourage positive action by the
Soviet authorities in other cases involving Soviet relatives of United States
citizens.
Because of these considerations and because I believe it is in the best
interests of the United States to have Mr. Oswald depart
Page 766
from the Soviet Union as soon as possible, I request that the section 243 (g)
sanction be waived in Mrs. Oswald's case.193
The Immigration and Naturalization Service ultimately reversed its original
position and granted the waiver on May 9, 1962. The letter reversing its initial
decision states that the matter has been "carefully reviewed in this office" and
that "in view of the strong representations" made in the letter of March 27, the
sanctions imposed pursuant to section 243 (g) were thereby waived in behalf of
Mrs. Oswald.194
Actually, the Office of Soviet Affairs had informally learned on May 8 that the
May 9 letter would be signed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.195
On the strength of the assurance that a written reversal would be forthcoming
immediately, the State Department quickly telegraphed the Moscow Embassy
reporting that the waiver had been granted.196 Marina Oswald completed her
processing when she, her husband, and daughter came to Moscow in May 1962 on
their way from Minsk to the United States.197
Legal Justification for the Decisions Affecting Marina Oswald
Wife of a citizen of the United States.--Section 205 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1952 provides for the admission into the United States of
persons married to American citizens.198 Once it was determined that Lee Harvey
Oswald was born in the United States 199 and had not expatriated himself, his
American citizenship was established. Marina Oswald submitted a marriage
certificate to show that she was his wife.200 This requirement was, therefore,
satisfied.
Assurance that Marina Oswald would not become a public charge.--Section 212(a)
(15) of the act provides that aliens will not be admitted to the United States
if, in the opinion of the responsible Government official, they "are likely at
any time to become public charges." 201 The pertinent Department of State
regulations provide that a determination to exclude an alien for this reason
must be "predicated upon circumstances which indicate that the alien will
probably become a charge upon the public after entry into the United States."
202
In 1962, Oswald was 22 years old and in good health. He had lived in the United
States for 17 years before joining the Marine Corps and was, therefore, familiar
with its language and customs. He had gained job experience by working 2½ years
in a factory which produced electronic equipment. Under these circumstances the
Department was not unreasonable in concluding that Oswald's own affidavit that
he would support his wife was sufficient assurance that she was not likely to
become a charge upon the public after her entry into the United States. The
receipt of the affidavit from Marguerite Oswald's employer provided a possible
alternative basis for reaching this decision, but since a favorable ruling had
already been made on the basis of Oswald's affidavit, the Embassy had no reason
to consider the sufficiency of the second affidavit.
766
Page 767
Membership in a Communist organization.--Under section 212(a) (28) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien will not be admitted to the United
States if he is or was a member of, or affiliated with, a Communist organization
unless:
* * * such an alien establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer when
applying for a visa and the consular officer finds that (i) such membership or
application is or was involuntary, or is or was solely when under sixteen years
of age, by operation of law, or for purposes of obtaining employment, food
rations, or other essentials of living and where necessary for such pur-
poses * * *" 203
At the time Marina Oswald applied for a visa she was a member of the Soviet
Trade Union for Medical Workers.204 According to the Department of State, the
* * * long-standing interpretation [of the statute] concurred in by the State
and Justice Departments [is] that membership in a professional organization or
trade union behind the Iron Curtain is considered involuntary unless the
membership is accompanied by some indication of voluntariness, such as active
participation in the organization's activities or holding an office in the
organization.205
Since there was no evidence that Marina Oswald actively participated in the
union's activities or held an office in the organization, her union membership
was properly held not to bar her admission to this country.
Although Marina Oswald declared that she was not a member of the Komsomol or any
other Communist organization, she was in fact a member of the Komsomol, the
Communist youth organization.206 If this fact had been known to the State
Department, Marina Oswald would not necessarily have been denied a visa,
although a careful investigation into the nature of the membership would have
been required.207 However, had her membership in the Komsomol become known to
the Department after her denial of such membership, it is possible that she
would have been excluded from the United States on the ground of having
willfully misrepresented a material fact.208
Judicial decisions are not in agreement as to what constitutes a "material fact"
such that its intentional misrepresentation warrants exclusion of the alien.209
Some cases indicate that a misrepresentation in an application for a visa
involves a material fact even if the alien would not definitely have been
excluded on the true facts; 210 others hold that a misstatement is material only
if it referred to such facts as would have justified refusing the visa had they
been disclosed.211 The Visa Office of the Department of State has announced that
it applies a "rule of probability" under which a misstatement will be deemed ma-
767
Page 768
terial only if it concealed facts which probably would have resulted in a denial
of a visa.212
Waiver of the provisions of section 243 (g).--Section 243 (g) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act of 1952, by its terms, prevented issuance of a visa to
Marina Oswald by the Moscow Embassy. The section provides that upon notification
of the Secretary of State by the Attorney General that a country has refused or
unduly delayed the acceptance of a deportable alien from the United States who
is a subject or was a resident of that country, consular officers in such
country are not to issue visas to citizens of the country. The section had been
invoked against Russia on May 26, 1953. Nonetheless, although section 243 (g)
does not contain an express provision for waiver, the Justice Department has
concluded that the Attorney General possesses such waiver powers.213 Pursuant to
this decision, the Department has granted waivers in over 600 eases from the
Soviet Union since 1953.214 The waiver procedures followed in 1962 were
prescribed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The relevant provision
reads:
Before adjudicating a petition for an eligible beneficiary residing in the USSR,
Czechoslovakia or Hungary, against which sanctions have been imposed, the
district director shall obtain a report of investigation regarding the
petitioner which shall include an affiliation of a subversive nature disclosed
by a neighborhood investigation, local agency records and responses to Form
G-135a. * * * If no substantial derogatory security information is developed,
the district director may waive the sanctions in an individual meritorious case
for a beneficiary of a petition filed by a reputable relative to accord status
under Section 101 (a)(27) (A) or Section 203(a) (2), (3) or (4). * * * If
substantial adverse security information relating to the petitioner is
developed, the visa petition shall be processed on its merits and certified to
the regional commissioner for determination whether the sanctions should be
waived. The assistant commissioner shall endorse the petition to show whether
the Waiver is granted or denied, and forward it and notify the appropriate field
office of the action taken. * * * 215
State Department regulations are much less explicit.216 The State Department's
visa instructions for the guidance of consular officers provide, "The sanctions
will be waived only in individual meritorious cases in behalf of a beneficiary
of a petition filed by a reputable relative pursuant to [sections] of the act."
217
Because Lee Harvey Oswald signed the petition on Marina's behalf, his character
was relevant to whether the sanctions of section 243 (g) could be waived for
her. The file on Lee Harvey Oswald which was maintained by the Department of
State and made available to the Department of Justice for purposes of passing on
his wife's application contained the facts relating to Oswald's attempted
expatriation. However, despite the derogatory material in the Oswald file, the
Im-
Page 769
migration and Naturalization Service regulations did not require automatic
denial of the waiver; they provided only that if adverse security information
were developed, "the visa petition shall be processed on its merits and
certified to the regional commissioner for determination whether the sanctions
should be waived." This procedure was followed in Marina's case and the factors
considered in reaching the decision do not appear to be inappropriate. The State
Department successfully urged that the original decision of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service be reversed because this would be in the best interests
of future United States dealings with the Soviet Union on behalf of American
citizens, and because it seemed unfair to punish Lee Harvey Oswald's wife and
baby for his own earlier errors.218 Prevention of the separation of families is
among the most common reasons underlying the frequent waivers of section 243
(g).219
Oswald's Letter to Senator Tower
Page 769
OSWALD'S LETTER TO SENATOR TOWER
Sometime shortly before January 26, 1962, an undated letter from Lee Harvey
Oswald was received in the office of the U.S. Senator from Texas, John G.
Tower.220 The letter reads as follows:
My name is Lee Harvey Oswald, 22, of Fort Worth up till October 1959, when I
came to the Soviet. Union for a residenaul stay. I took a residenual document
for a non-Soviet person living for a time in the U S S R. The American Embassy
in Moscow is familier with my case
Since July 20th 1960, I have unsucessfully applied for a Soviet Exit Visa to
leave this country, the Soviets refuse to permit me and my Soviet wife, (who
applied at the U.S. Embassy Moscow, July 8, 1960 for immigration status to the
U.S.A.) to leave the Soviet Union. I am a citizen of the United States of
America (passport No. 1733242, 1959) and I bessech you, Senator Tower, to rise
the question of holding by the Soviet Union of a citizen of the U.S., against
his will and expressed desires.221
The letter was read in Senator Tower's office by a caseworker on his staff.
According to the caseworker and the Senator's press secretary, the letter was
forwarded as a matter of routine on January 26 to the Assistant Secretary for
Congressional Relations, Department of State. The letter was forwarded with a
cover letter, machine signed by the Senator, stating that he did "not know
Oswald, or any of the facts concerning his reasons for visiting the Soviet
Union; nor what action, if any, this Government can or should take on his
behalf." The cover letter pointed out that Oswald's inquiry should have gone to
the executive branch of the Government and that for this reason the Senator was
forwarding it "for whatever action the Department may consider appropriate." 222
On February 1 an officer at the Department of State telephoned the Senator's
office and spoke briefly
769
Page 770
with the caseworker on the Oswald case. She made a memorandum of the call which
notes, "Senator should not become involved in such case--therefore State will
report to us the course which they follow regarding Lee Harvey Oswalt [sic]."
223 About a week later the Department of State forwarded to Senator Tower copies
of some of the correspondence which the Department had had with Oswald and
informed the Senator that if he wished to be kept informed on further
developments regarding Oswald he could contact the Department of State.224
Neither the Senator nor any member of his staff contacted the Department again
nor did they take any other action in respect to the matter.225
The Loan From the State Department
Page 770
THE LOAN FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT
In a letter dated January 5, 1962, Oswald said that he would like to make
arrangements for a loan from the Embassy or some private organization for part
of the airplane fares.226 The Embassy on February 6, 1962, replied that he would
have to supply certain personal find financial data.227 The letter also said
that after repatriation he would not be furnished a passport for travel abroad
until he had repaid the money.
Between February 6, 1962, and May 1, 1962, Oswald attempted to secure a loan
from the Red Cross 228 and the International Rescue Committee 229 in the United
States. The State Department on February I wrote Oswald's mother a letter asking
whether she could advance the money.230 Oswald later wrote both his mother and
the Department advising each that his mother should not be bothered in reference
to the loan.231 Ultimately, after an exchange of communications between the
Embassy and Washington,232 the Department ap-proved a loan to Oswald for passage
to New York only, directing the Embassy to "Keep cost minimum." 233 On June 1
Oswald signed a promissory note for $435.71.234
Statutory authority for making such a loan was conferred by title 5, section 170
(a), of the U.S. Code, which authorizes the Secretary of State to "make
expenditures, from such amounts as may be specifically appropriated therefor,
for unforeseen emergencies arising in the diplomatic and consular service."
Since 1947, the Department of State's annual appropriation act has included a
sum for expenses necessary "to enable the Secretary of State to meet unforeseen
emergencies arising in the Diplomatic and Consular Service. * * *" 235 In recent
years, the accompanying reports submitted by the Appropriations Committee of the
House of Representatives have stated, "These funds are used for relief and
repatriation loans to the U.S. citizens abroad and for other emergencies of the
Department." 236 Out of the amount appropriated to meet unforeseen emergencies
arising in the Diplomatic and Consular Service, the Secretary of State has
annually allotted approximately $100,000 to meet the expenses of indigent U.S.
nationals, including those in the Soviet Union, who request
770
Page 771
repatriation loans. From 1959 to 1963, 2,343 such loans were granted.237
Section 423.2-1 of the Department's regulations provides that repatriation loans
may be granted only to destitute U.S. nationals:
a. Who are in complete and unquestioned possession of their citizenship rights;
b. Who are entitled to receive United States passports; c. Whose loyalty to the
United States Government is beyond question, or to whom the provisions of
Section 423.1-2(b) apply.238
Oswald undoubtedly satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), since
he was determined to have been a U.S. citizen at the time the loan was granted
and he had been issued a passport to return to the United States. There is a
serious question whether he could have qualified under the first clause of
paragraph (c) . The Commission is of the opinion that in its application of this
clause the Department should exercise great care in determining whether an
applicant's loyalty to the U.S. Government is beyond question, particularly in
the ease of a defector like Oswald who has expressed hostility and disloyalty to
our government and manifested a desire to renounce his citizenship. The
Department chose instead to exercise its judgment under the second clause of
paragraph (e) , which refers to section 423.1-2(b). This section provides that
loans to destitute nationals are authorized when:
b. The United States national is in or the cause of a situation which is
damaging to the prestige of the United States Government or which constitutes a
compelling reason for extending assistance to effect his return.239
The Department decided that the provisions of section (b) were applicable to
Oswald because his "unstable character and prior criticism of the United States"
would make his continued presence in the Soviet Union damaging to the prestige
of the United States.240 In acting under this section, the Department was acting
within its competence and the law. As required by another section of the
regulations, the Department sought to obtain funds for the Oswalds' repatriation
from private sources--his mother and the International Rescue Committee---before
using Government funds.241
Regulations further provide that repatriation loans are authorized for the
alien, wife, and children of the U.S. national receiving a repatriation loan in
order to avoid the division of families.242 However, loans are limited
To the minimum amount required to cover transportation and subsistence while
enroute to the nearest continental United States port. * * * When necessary,
loans may include: expenses inci-
771
Page 772
dent to embarkation, such as fees for documentation and minimum subsistence from
the date of application for a loan to the date of departure by the first
available ship. * * * The cost. of transportation shall be limited to
third-class passage by ship.243
Oswald's loan was sufficient to cover no more than the least expensive
transportation from Moscow to New York. His passport was stamped as valid only
for return to the United States.244 Oswald completed all necessary forms and
affidavits to obtain the loan.245
According to its own procedures the Department of State should have prepared a
lookout card for Oswald in June 1962 when he received the proceeds of the
loan.246 The promissory note which he signed contained a provision stating,
I further understand and agree that after my repatriation I will not be
furnished a passport for travel abroad until my obligation to reimburse the
Treasurer of the United States is liquidated.247
However, a lookout card was never in fact prepared. With respect to this failure
the State Department has informed the Commission as follows:
On receipt of notice of the loan from the Embassy in Moscow, the Department's
procedures provided that Miss Leola B. Burkhead of the Revenues and Receipts
Branch of the Office of Finance should have notified the Clearance Section in
the Passport Office of Oswald's name, date, and place of birth. If the Passport
Office received only the name and not the date and place of birth of a borrower,
it would not have prepared a lookout card under its established procedures
because of lack of positive identification. (Among the Passport Office's file of
millions of passport applicants, there are, of course, many thousands of
identical names.) Mr. Richmond C. Reeley was the Chief of the Revenues and
Receipts Branch of the Office of Finance and Mr. Alexander W. Maxwell was Chief
of the Clearance Section. If the notice was received in the Clearance Section it
would have been delivered to the Carding Desk for preparation of a lookout card
on Oswald. It appears, however, that such a lookout card was not prepared. It
may have been that the Finance Office did not notify the Clearance Section of
Oswald's loan. One reason for this might have been the Finance Office's lack of
information concerning Oswald's date and place of birth. On the other hand, the
Finance Office may have notified the Clearance Section of Oswald's name only, in
which case this Section would not have prepared a lookout card under its
procedures. Since Oswald began repaying the loan installments immediately after
his return to the United States, it is also possible that the Office of Finance
decided that it was
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Page 773
unnecessary to pursue the matter further: In any event, Oswald's loan was repaid
in full on January 29, 1963, five months prior to his application for a new
passport.248
Oswald's Return to the United States and Repayment of His Loan
Page 773
OSWALD'S RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES AND
REPAYMENT OF HIS LOAN
On June 1, 1962, the same day that Oswald received his loan from the State
Department, he and his family left Moscow by train destined for Rotterdam, The
Netherlands.249 They boarded the SS Maasdam at Rotterdam on June 4 and arrived
in New York on June 13, 1962.250 The Embassy sent word of the Oswalds' departure
to the Department of State in Washington on May 31.251 Consistent with its prior
practice of keeping the Federal security agencies informed of Oswald's
activity,252 the Department notified the FBI.253
Frederick J. Wiedersheim, an officer of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service in New York, interviewed the Oswalds upon their entry into the United
States at Hoboken, N.J., on June 13, 1962, but made no written report. Mr.
Wiedersheim recalled that he asked the Oswalds various questions which would
determine the eligibility of both Oswald and Marina to enter the United States.
The questions included whether Oswald had expatriated himself and whether Marina
belonged to any Communist organization which would bar her entry. These
questions were answered in ways which did not appear to raise any problems and
therefore the Oswalds were admitted.254
After his reentry, Oswald repaid his loan without having to be reminded by the
Department to do so. The early payments were very small because he first repaid
the approximately $200 he had borrowed from his brother Robert to apply against
the expenses of his travel from New York to Fort Worth, Tex.255 The schedule of
payments is as follows:
Aug. 13, 1962 $10.00
Sept. 5, 1962 9. 71
Oct. 10, 1962 10. 00
Nov. 19, 1962 10. 00
Dec. 11, 1962 190. 00
Jan. 9, 1963 100.00
Jan. 29, 1963 106. 00
Total 256435.71
Issuance of a Passport in June 1963
Page 773
ISSUANCE OF A PASSPORT IN JUNE 1963
On June 24, 1963, Oswald applied for a U.S. passport at the Passport Office in
New Orleans, La.257 He said he was planning to visit England, France, Holland,
U.S.S.R., Finland, Italy, and Poland, and that he intended to leave the country
sometime during November or December 1963 by ship from New Orleans.258 He stated
further that
Page 774
he was married to a person born in Russia who was not an American citizen. For
occupation, The word "Photographer" was inserted on the application.259
On The same day a teletype was sent to Washington containing the names of 25 of
the persons who applied for passports on that date in New Orleans, Oswald's name
among them. On the right side of the Washington Passport Office copy of The
teletype message, approximately parallel to his name, are the letters, "NO,"
written in red pencil.260 Oswald was issued a passport on June 25, 1963.261
Since there was no lookout card on Oswald, the passport was processed routinely.
Twenty-four hours is the usual time for routinely granted passports to be
issued.262 The handwritten notation, "NO," which appeared beside Oswald's name
on The list of applicants from New Orleans, is a symbol for the New Orleans
Passport Office that is routinely placed on incoming teletype messages by anyone
of a group of persons in the teletype section of The Passport Office.263 No one
looked at Oswald's file previously established with The Department.264 The
Department, however, has informed the Commission that at the time the passport
was issued there was no information in its passport or security files which
would have permitted it to deny a passport to Oswald.265 No lookout. card should
have been in the file based upon the Moscow Embassy's memorandum of March 28,
1960, which drew attention to Oswald's intention to expatriate himself, because
the subsequent determination that Oswald had not expatriated himself would
remove expatriation as a. possible ground for denying him a passport.266 And by
January 29, 1963, the repatriation loan had been repaid, so a lookout card
should not have been in the file on that basis.267
Oswald was entitled to receive a passport in 1963 unless he came within one of
the two statutory provisions authorizing the Secretary of State to refuse to
issue it.268 Section 6 of the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950, which
has recently been declared unconstitutional,269 then provided:
* * * it shall be unlawful for any member of [an organization required to
register], with knowledge or notice that such organization is so registered and
that such order has become final--(1) to make application for passport, or the
renewal of a passport, to be issued or renewed by or under the authority of the
United States; or (2) to use or attempt to use any such passport. 270
Pursuant to section 6, the State Department promulgated a regulation which
denied passports to
* * * any individual who the issuing officer knows or has reason to believe is a
member of a Communist Organization registered or required to be registered under
Section 7 of the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 as amended.271
774
Page 775
Since there is no evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald was a member of the American
Communist Party or any other organization which had been required to register
under section 7 of the Subversive Activities Control Act,272 a passport could
not have been denied him under section 6.
Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that, while a
Presidential proclamation of national emergency is in force,
* * * it shall, except as otherwise provided by the President, ** * be unlawful
for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter * * * the United
States unless he bears a valid passport.273
Because a proclamation of national emergency issued by President Truman during
the Korean war had not been revoked by 1963, the Government has taken the
position that the statute remains in force.274 Pursuant to section 215, the
State Department has issued regulations setting forth the circumstances under
which it will refuse a passport:
In order to promote and safeguard the interests of the United States, passport
facilities, except for direct and immediate return to the United States, shall
be refused to a person when it appears to the satisfaction of the Secretary of
State that the person's activity abroad would: (a) violate the laws of the
United States; (b) be prejudicial to the orderly conduct of foreign relations;
or (c) otherwise be prejudicial to the interests of the United States.275
The State Department takes the position that its authority under this regulation
is severely limited. In a report submitted to the Commission, the Department
concluded that "there were no grounds consonant with the passport regulations to
take adverse passport action against Oswald prior to November 22, 1963." 276
Although Oswald's statement in 1959 that he would furnish the Russians with
information he had obtained in the Marine Corps may have indicated that he would
disclose classified information if he possessed any such in formation, there was
no indication in 1963 that he had any valuable information.277 Moreover,
Oswald's 1959 statement had been brought to The attention of the Department of
The Navy 278 and The FBI 279 and neither organization had initiated criminal
proceedings. The Department therefore had no basis for concluding that Oswald's
1959 statement was anything more than rash talk.280 And the State Department's
files contained no other information which might reasonably have led it to
expect that Oswald would violate the laws of the United States when he went
abroad.
The most likely ground for denying Oswald a passport in 1963, however, was
provided by subsection (c) of the regulation quoted above, which requires the
denial of a passport when the Secretary of
Page 776
State is satisfied that the applicant's "activity abroad would * * * otherwise
be prejudicial to the interests of the United States." In 1957 the State
Department described to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee one category of
persons to whom it denied passports under this provision:
Persons whose previous conduct abroad has been such as to bring discredit on the
United States and cause difficulty for other Americans (gave bad checks, left
unpaid debts, had difficulties with police, etc.)281
In light of the adverse publicity caused the United States by Oswald's prior
defection to the Soviet Union, he could have been considered a person "whose
previous conduct abroad had been such as to bring discredit on the United
States." Indeed, the State Department itself had previously been of the opinion
that Oswald's continued presence in Russia was damaging to the prestige of the
United States because of his unstable character and prior criticisms of the
United States.282
However, in 1958 the Supreme Court had decided two cases which restricted the
Secretary of State's authority to deny passports. In Kent v. Dulles 283 and
Dayton v. Dulles,284 the Supreme Court invalidated a State Department regulation
permitting the denial of passports to Communists and to those "who are going
abroad to engage in activities which will advance the Communist movement for the
purpose, knowingly and willfully of advancing that movement," on the ground that
the regulation exceeded the authority Congress had granted the Secretary. The
Kent opinion stressed the importance to be attached to an individual's ability
to travel beyond the borders of the United States:
The right to travel is a part of the "liberty" of which the citizen cannot be
deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment * * * Freedom of
movement across frontiers in either direction, and inside frontiers as well, was
a part of our heritage. Travel abroad, like travel within the country, may be
necessary for a livelihood. It may be as close to the heart of the individual as
the choice of what he eats, or wears, or reads. Freedom of movement is basic in
our scheme of values.285
The Kent opinion also suggested that grounds relating to citizenship and
allegiance to illegal conduct might be the only two upon which the Department
could validly deny a passport application.
The Department, though publicly declaring that these decisions had little effect
upon its broadly worded regulation,286 in practice denied passports only in
limited situations. In 1963 the Department denied passports only to those who
violated the Department's travel restrictions, to fugitives from justice, to
those involved in using passports fraudulently, and to those engaged in illegal
activity abroad or in conduct directly affecting our relations with a particular
coun-
776
Page 777
try.287 Passports were granted to people who the Department might have
anticipated would go abroad to denounce the United States, and to a prior
defector.288 State Department officials believed that in view of the Supreme
Court decisions, the Department was not empowered to deny anyone a passport on
grounds related to freedom of speech or to political association and beliefs.289
Since Oswald's citizenship was not in question and since there was no indication
that he would be involved in illegal activity abroad, the only grounds upon
which a passport might have been denied Oswald would have fallen within the area
of speech or political belief and association. The Commission therefore
concludes that the Department was justified in granting a passport to Oswald on
June 25, 1963.
Visit to the Russian Embassy in Mexico City
Page 777
VISIT TO THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN MEXICO CITY
In October 1963, the Passport Office of the State Department received a report
from the Central Intelligence Agency that Oswald had visited the Soviet Embassy
in Mexico City.290 The report said nothing about Oswald's having visited the
Cuban Embassy in Mexico City, a fact which was not known until after the
assassination. Upon receipt of The information the passport file on lee Harvey
Oswald was reviewed by the Passport Office.291 The CIA communication and the
passport file were read by an attorney and a supervisory attorney in that office
who found no basis for revoking Oswald's passport or for notifying the FBI or
CIA that Oswald had been issued a new passport in June 1963.292 The Department
has informed the Commission that, "since the report indicated no grounds for
determining Oswald was ineligible for a passport, a determination was made that
no action by the passport office was required." 293 Travel to Russia was not
proscribed in 1963. Moreover, the Soviet Union was one of the countries Oswald
had listed on his passport application. Hence, the Commission agrees that
Oswald's taking steps to enter the Soviet Union in 1963 was not a sufficient
reason to revoke Iris passport.
Later, on November 14, 1963, the FBI sent the Department a report on Oswald's
arrest in New Orleans, La. during August in connection with a fistfight in which
he became engaged when passing out pamphlets entitled "Hands Off Cuba." No
action was taken on the basis of the Bureau's report.294 The Commission agrees
that this incident was not grounds for revoking Oswald's passport.
Conclusion
Page 777
CONCLUSION
Investigation of Oswald's complete dealings with the Department of State and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service reveals no irregularity suggesting any
illegal actions or impropriety on The part of government officials. The
Commission believes, however, that in ap-
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Page 778
plying its own regulations the Department should in all cases exercise great
care in the return to this country of defectors such as Oswald who have
evidenced disloyalty or hostility to this country or who have expressed a desire
to renounce their U.S. citizenship and that, when such persons are returned,
procedures should be adopted for the better dissemination of information
concerning them to the intelligence agencies of the Government. The operation of
the "lookout card" system in the Department of State was obviously deficient,
but since these deficiencies did not affect Oswald or reflect any favoritism or
impropriety, the Commission considers them beyond the scope of its inquiry.
Especially while he was in the Soviet Union, Oswald's manner to Government
personnel was frequently insulting and offensive. As one 1962 communication
between the Embassy and the Department of State observed, "It is not that our
hearts are breaking for Oswald. His impertinence knows no bounds." 295
Nonetheless, the officials of the U.S. Government respected Oswald as a troubled
American citizen and extended to him the services and assistance for which the
agencies of government have been created. Though Oswald was known to be "an
unstable character, whose actions are highly unpredictable," 296 there was no
reasonable basis in 1961 and 1962 for suspecting that upon his readmittance to
the country he would resort to violence against its public officials. The
officers of the Department of State and the Immigration and Naturalization
Service, acting within the proper limits of their discretion, concluded that
Oswald's return to the United States was in the best interests of the country;
it is only from the vantage of the present that the tragic irony of their
conclusion emerges.
778
Appendix XVI
Page 779
APPENDIX XVI
A Biography of Jack Ruby
In this appendix the Commission presents a biography of Jack Ruby. Although
criminal proceedings involving its subject are pending in the State of Texas,
the Commission has decided to include this rather detailed account of Ruby's
life and activities for several reasons. Most importantly, the Commission
believes it will permit a better evaluation of the evidence on the question
whether Ruby was involved in any conspiracy. Furthermore, the Commission
believes that in view of the many rumors concerning Ruby the public interest
will be served by an account, which attempts to give sufficient material to
provide an impression of his character and background. The Commission's desire
not to interfere in the pending proceedings involving Ruby necessarily limits
the scope of this appendix, which does not purport to discuss the legal issues
raised during Ruby's trial or his possible motive for shooting Oswald.
Family Background
Page 779
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Jack Ruby, born Jacob Rubenstein, was the fifth of his parents' eight living
children. There is much confusion about his exact birth date. School records
report it as June 23, April 25,1 March 13, and, possibly, March 3, 1911.2 Other
early official records list his date of birth as April 21 and April 26, 1911.3
During his adult life the date Ruby used most frequently was March 25, 1911.4
His driver's license, seized following his arrest, and his statements to the FBI
on November 24, 1963, listed this date.5 However, the police arrest report for
November 24 gave his birth date as March 19, 1911.6 Since the recording of
births was not required in Chicago prior to 1915, Ruby's birth may never have
been officially recorded.7 No substantial conflict exists, however, about
whether Jack Ruby was born in 1911.8
Ruby has one older brother and three older sisters. The oldest children, Hyman
and Ann, were born shortly after the turn of the century,9 before their parents
arrived in the United States.10 The other children were born in Chicago. Ruby's
sister Marion was born in June 1906 11 and his sister Eva in March 1909.12 Ruby
also has two younger brothers and a younger sister. Sam was born in December
1912,13 Earl in April 1915.14 The youngest child, Eileen, was born in July
1917.15 At least one and possibly two other children died during infancy.16
Jack Ruby's father, Joseph Rubenstein, was born in 1871 in Sokolov, a small town
near Warsaw, Poland, then under the rule of Czarist Russia.17 He entered the
Russian artillery in 1893.18 There he learned
779
Page 780
the carpentry trade, which had been practiced by his father and at least one
brother 19 and he picked up the habit of excessive drinking that was to plague
him for the rest of his life.20 While in the army,21 he married Jack's mother,
Fannie Turek Rutkowski; 22 the marriage was arranged, as was customary, by a
professional matchmaker.23 According to his oldest son, Joseph Rubenstein served
in China, Korea, and Siberia, detesting these places and army life. Eventually,
in 1898, he simply "walked away" from it and about 4 years later he went to
England and Canada, entering the United States in 1903.24
Settling in Chicago Joseph Rubenstein joined the carpenters union in 1904 and
remained a member until his death in 1958.25 Although he worked fairly steadily
until 1928, be was unemployed during the last 30 years of his life.26 The only
other group which Joseph Rubenstein joined consisted of fellow immigrants from
Sokolov. His daughter Eva described this group as purely social and completely
nonpolitical.27
Jack Ruby's mother, Fannie Rubenstein, was probably born in 1875 near Warsaw,
Poland.28 She followed her husband to the United States in 1904 or 1905,
accompanied by her children Hyman and Ann.29 An illiterate woman, she went to
night school in about 1920 to learn how to sign her name.30 She apparently
failed in this endeavor, however, for an alien registration form, filed after
about 35 years in the United States, was signed by an "X".31 Although she
apparently learned some English, her speech was predominantly Yiddish, the
primary language of the Rubenstein household.32 Still, Mrs. Rubenstein felt
strongly that her children required an education in order to better themselves.
She frequently argued about this with her husband, who had received little, if
any, formal education and firmly believed that grammar school training was
sufficient for his children.33
Childhood and Youth (1911-33)
Page 780
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH (1911-33)
In 1911, when Jack Ruby was born, his family resided near 14th and Newberry
Streets in Chicago, the first in a series of Jewish neighborhoods in which the
Rubensteins lived during his childhood.34 In 1916, the Rubensteins lived at 1232
Morgan Street, where they apparently remained until 1921.35 This was the fourth
residence in the first 5 years of Jack Ruby's life.36 Earl Ruby described one
typical neighborhood in which the family lived as a "ghetto" with "pushcarts on
the sirens." 37 His sister Eva characterized it as "below the middle class but
yet it wasn't the poorest class." 38 The family generally lived near Italian
sections, where there were frequent fights along ethnic lines.39
The Rubenstein home was marked by constant, strife and the parents were reported
to have occasionally struck each other.40 Between 1915 and 1921, Joseph
Rubenstein was frequently arrested because of disorderly conduct and assault and
battery charges, some filed by his wife.41 In the spring of 1921, Jack Ruby's
parents sep-
780
Page 781
arated.42 In 1937 Mrs. Rubenstein reported that she had desired a divorce 15
years earlier, but her husband had been opposed to it.43 The predominant causes
of the separation were apparently Joseph Rubenstein's excessive drinking and
Fannie Rubenstein's uncontrollable temper. She resented her numerous
pregnancies, believed her husband to be unfaithful, and nagged him because he
failed to make enough money.44
Psychiatric Report
Young Jack soon showed the effects of parental discord. On June 6, 1922, at the
age of 11, he was referred to the Institute for Juvenile Research by the Jewish
Social Service Bureau. The reason for the referral was "truancy and incorrigible
at home." 45 On July 10, 1922, the institute recommended to the bureau that Jack
be placed in a new environment where his characteristics might be understood
.and where he might be afforded the supervision and recreation that would end
his interest in street gangs.46 In March 1923, the institute advised the bureau
that "placement in a home, where intelligent supervision and discipline can be
given" was appropriate.47
The institute's psychiatric examination, which served as a basis for these
recommendations, took place in 1922, prior to the advent of many techniques and
theories of modern psychiatry,48 but it is the most objective evidence of Jack
Ruby's childhood character. According to the psychiatric report, Jack was "quick
tempered" and
"disobedient." 49 He frequently disagreed openly with his mother,
whom he considered an inferior person with whose rules he did not have to
comply.50 Jack told the institute's interviewer that he ran away from home
because his mother lied to him and beat him.51 Although Mrs. Rubenstein was
severe with her children, she was described as totally incapable of coping with
them "because of their delinquencies, i.e., principally their destructive
tendencies and disregard for other people's property." 52 His mother's "extreme
temperament" and quarrelsomeness were cited as possible causes of Jack's "bad
behavior." 53
Self-administered questionnaires revealed that Jack felt his classmates were
"picking" on him and that he could not get along with his friends.54 They also
indicated that, although Jack described himself as a good ballplayer, he did not
belong to any clubs and was not a member of any athletic teams.55 Jack's
psychiatric interviewer reported:
He could give no other good reason for running away from school except that he
went to amusement parks. He has some sex knowledge and is greatly interested in
sex matters. He stated that the boys in the street tell him about these things.
he also claims that he can lick everyone and anybody in anything he wants to
do.56
781
Page 782
The interviewer noted that during "mental tests" he reacted quickly, often
carelessly, and his attention was apt to wander so that he had to be
reprimanded.57
A letter recommending the boy's placement in a more wholesome environment
stated:
He is egocentric and expects much attention, but is unable to get it as there
are many children at home. His behavior is further colored by his early sex
experiences, his great interest [in sex] and the gang situation in the street.
From a superficial examination of his mother who was here with him, it is
apparent that she has no insight into his problem, and she is thoroughly
inadequate in the further training of this boy.58
Recognizing that the sketchiness of the case record precluded complete
diagnosis, Dr. Raymond E. Robertson, currently the superintendent of the
institute, reported nonetheless that it seems "firmly established * * * [that]
his unstable and disorganized home could not provide Jack with the necessary
controls and discipline." 59
Placement in Foster Homes
On July 10, 1923, a dependency hearing involving Jack, his younger brothers Sam
and Earl, and his sister Eileen, was held in Chicago's juvenile court.60 The
petition alleged that the children were not receiving proper parental care. They
had, until then, been in their mother's custody, living on Roosevelt Road, the
border between Jewish and Italian districts.61 The juvenile court made a finding
of dependency. It appointed the Jewish Home Finding Society guardian with the
right to place the children in foster homes, and it ordered Joseph Rubenstein to
pay the court clerk $4 per week for the support of each child. On November 24,
1924, this order was vacated, which apparently signified the termination of the
guardianship and the return of the children to their mother. On April 8, 1925,
the case was continued "generally," meaning that it was inactive but could be
reactivated if the court so desired.62
Despite court records, the exact circumstances and length of time that, Jack
Ruby lived away from home are not entirely clear. Records indicate that Jack,
Sam, Earl, and Eileen Rubenstein were wards of the Jewish Home Finding Society
"for a short time in 1922-23." 63 However, Jack and Eileen stated they spent.
about 4 or 5 years in foster homes.64 Earl testified that he and Sam were
originally sent to a private foster home and then lived on a farm for a little
more than a year, while Jack was on a different. farm "some distance away."
Subsequently the three brothers lived together in another foster home.65
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Page 783
Subsequent Home Life
When Jack Ruby returned to his family, the unit was still disordered. His father
remained apart from the children at least until 1936 and perhaps until a few
years later.66 Mrs. Rubenstein's inability to manage her home, which had been
reported by the Institute for Juvenile Research in 1922, apparently continued.
For example, in 1937 Marion Rubenstein observed that her mother "has never been
any kind of a housekeeper, was careless with money, and never took much interest
in the children's welfare * * * she was selfish, jealous, disagreeable, and
never cared to do anything in the home but lie around and sleep." 67 Dr. Hyman
I. Rubenstein, the son of Joseph Rubenstein's brother, recalled that Jack Ruby's
mother ran "an irregular household" and appeared to be "a rather disturbed
person of poor personal appearance with no incentive for cleaning or cooking."
68
Mrs. Rubenstein's domestic shortcomings were accompanied by symptoms of mental
disease. In about 1913, 2 years after Jack was born, Mrs. Rubenstein began to
develop a delusion that a sticking sensation in her throat was caused by a
lodged fishbone.69 Each month Hyman, her oldest. child, took her to a clinic.
And each month the examining doctor, finding no organic cause for discomfort,
informed her that there was nothing in her throat and that the sensation was but
a figment of her imagination. According to Hyman, this practice continued for a
number of years until Mrs. Rubenstein tired of it.70
In 1927, Mrs. Rubenstein once again began to visit clinics in connection with
her fishbone delusion. Three years later, a thyroidectomy was performed, but she
subsequently said it did nothing to relieve her discomfort.71 According to the
Michael Reese Hospital, whose clinic she had visited since 1927, Mrs. Rubenstein
was suffering from psychoneurosis with marked anxiety state.
By order of the county court of Cook County, Mrs. Rubenstein was committed to
Elgin State Hospital on July 16, 1937.72 She was paroled on October 17, 1937, 3
months after her commitment.73 On January 3, 1938, the Chicago State Hospital
informed Elgin State that the family desired that she be readmitted to the
mental hospital. The family reported that she was uncooperative, caused constant
discord, was very noisy, and used obscene language.74 A State social worker
observed that Mrs. Rubenstein refused ever to leave the house, explaining that
her children would have thrown her things out had she left. Mrs. Rubenstein
rebuffed a suggestion by the social worker that she help with the dishes by
stating that she would do nothing as long as her "worthless" husband was in the
house.75 She was readmitted on January 14, 1938.76
Mrs. Rubenstein was again paroled on May 27, 1938, and was discharged as
"improved" on August 25, 1938.77 She stayed in an apartment with Marion, and her
separation from the rest of the family apparently ended most of the
difficulties.78 Subsequently, Jack Ruby's
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Page 784
parents were apparently reconciled, since their alien registration forms, filed
in late 1940, indicated that they both resided at Marion's address.79
Fannie Rubenstein was admitted to Michael Reese Hospital on April 4, 1944, as a
result of a heart ailment. Her condition was complicated by an attack of
pneumonia and she died at the hospital on April 11, 1944.80 Hyman testified
that, perhaps because she favored the education of her children and they
recognized her difficulties in rearing them during a turbulent marriage, they
all remembered Mrs. Rubenstein with warmth and affection.81 The evidence also
indicates that Jack, notwithstanding his earlier attitudes, became especially
fond of his mother.82 Following his wife's death, Joseph Rubenstein stayed with
the children in Chicago, where he died at the age of 87, on December 24, 1958.83
Education
Records provided by the Chicago Board of Education revealed that Jack Ruby
attended Smyth Grammar School from October 24, 1916, through the 1920-21 term,
completing kindergarten to grade 4B.84 He repeated the third grade.85 During the
1921-22 school year Jack finished the fourth grade at the Clarke School; he
attended Schley School for the 1924-25 term, when he completed the sixth grade.
Ruby's relationship with the Institute for Juvenile Research and the Jewish Home
Finding Society may explain the lack of academic records for the 1922-23 and
1923-24 school years. While there is some uncertainty about Ruby's education
subsequent to September 1925,86 it seems likely that he completed the eighth
grade in 1927, when he was 16. Although Jack Ruby and others have stated that he
attended at least 1 year of high school,87 the Chicago Board of Education could
not locate any record of Ruby's attending Chicago high schools.88 Considering
the absence of academic records and Jack's apathetic attitude toward school,89
the Commission deems it unlikely that his education extended into high school.
Records of the Institute for Juvenile Research revealed that, as of June 1922,
Ruby had no religious education outside the public school system.90 However,
according to their children, Jack's parents made some effort to inculcate in
them a desire to adhere to the tenets of Orthodox Judaism. Jewish dietary and
festival laws were observed and several of the children accompanied Joseph
Rubenstein to the synagogue.91 Earl Ruby stated that all the boys received some
Hebrew school training until the breakup of the Rubenstein home in 1921.92
However, Hyman Rubenstein testified that the instability and economic
necessities of the household and the children's relationships outside the home
frustrated the religious efforts of Ruby's parents.93
Activities
Born in a home that disintegrated when he was 10 and boasting no substantial
educational background, Jack Ruby early found himself
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on Chicago streets attempting to provide for himself and other members of his
family. An avid sports fan, he, together with many of his friends, "scalped"
tickets to various sporting events.94 He also sold numerous novelty items and
knickknacks, particularly those connected with professional and collegiate
athletics. Even in his youth, Ruby declined to work on a steady basis for
someone else.95
According to his brother Hyman, Jack Ruby's only legal difficulty as a youth
resulted from an altercation with a policeman about ticket scalping. Hyman, then
active in local politics, was able to have charges arising out of the incident
dropped.96 Ruby has indicated that during the depression he served a short jail
sentence for the unauthorized sale of copyrighted sheet music.97
The only other member of the Rubenstein family who appears to have had any
difficulty with the law while a youth was Hyman. On May 1, 1916, Chicago's
juvenile court declared Hyman incorrigible, a term covering a wide range of
misbehavior. Because of the absence of informative court. records and the ]apse
of time, the misconduct that occasioned this proceeding could not be
ascertained, but Hyman is not known to have encountered subsequent difficulty.98
Some of Ruby's childhood friends eventually became criminals; 99 however, Hyman
Rubenstein, his sister Mrs. Eva Grant, and virtually all of Ruby's friends and
acquaintances who were questioned reported that he was not involved with
Chicago's criminal element.100
The evidence indicates that young Jack was not interested in political
affairs.101 Hyman was the only Rubenstein to participate actively in politics.
Sponsored by various political officials, he became a sidewalk inspector and
warehouse investigator for 8 years. On one occasion, he obtained a permit for
Jack to sell novelties from a pushcart located in a business district during the
pre-Christmas buying rush. Eventually the complaints of enraged businessmen led
licensing authorities to declare that a mistake had been made and to revoke
Ruby's permit.102
Temperament
The evidence reveals striking differences of opinion among childhood friends and
acquaintances of Jack Ruby about whether he possessed violent tendencies. Many
persons stated that he was mild mannered, quiet, and even tempered.103 Former
welterweight champion Barney Ross, whom Jack Ruby idolized from the inception of
his boxing career,104 stated that Ruby was "well behaved," was never a
troublemaker, and was never involved with law-enforcement agencies.105 Another
friend, who became a successful businessman on the west coast, said that, as a
youth, Ruby never started fights even though he was adept with his fists.106
Other friends declared that he would, if at all possible, avoid clashes.107
But many other friends and acquaintances recalled that he had a hot temper and
was quickly moved to violent acts or words.108 One friend explained that in the
"tough" Chicago neighborhood where they lived, self-defense was vitally
important and added that Ruby
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was fully capable of defending himself.109 Another friend described Ruby as
quick tempered and, though unlikely to pick fights, willing to accept any
challenge without regard to the odds against him.110 Young Jack also interfered
in fights, particularly when the person he was aiding appeared to be taking a
severe beating or in a disadvantageous position.111 Others reported that he had
the reputation of being a good street brawler.112 One school friend recalled
that when Jack argued vehemently about sports, he occasionally used a stick or
other available weapon. He reported, however, that after Ruby's anger subsided,
he reverted to his normal, likable character.113
From early childhood, Jack Ruby was called "Sparky" by those who knew him.114
According to his sister Eva Grant, the nickname derived from the way Jack
wobbled when he walked. He was thought to resemble the slow-moving horse called
"Sparky" or "Sparkplug" depicted in a contemporary comic strip. Mrs. Grant
testified that her brother became incensed when called "Sparky" and that from
the time he was about 8 years old he would strike anyone calling him by that
name.115 A childhood friend also recalled that Jack hated the nickname and would
fight when called by it.116 Mrs. Grant was unsure whether the nickname "Sparky"
did not also result from his quick reaction to the taunts of young friends.117
Hyman Rubenstein thought that the nickname derived from Jack's speed,
aggressiveness, and quick thinking. The many accounts of Ruby's lightninglike
temper lend credence to the theory, widely held, that his nickname was connected
with his volatility.118
Young Manhood (1933-43)
Page 786
YOUNG MANHOOD (1933-43)
San Francisco (1933-37)
Jack Ruby reported that in about 1933, he and several Chicago friends went to
Los Angeles and, shortly thereafter, to San Francisco.119 Although there is
evidence that he stayed there until 1938, 1939, or 1940,120 Ruby stated that he
returned to Chicago in about 1937,121 and this appears to have been the case.122
Eva Grant testified that Ruby went to the west coast because he believed
employment would be available there.123
Eva, who married Hyman Magid in Chicago in 1930,124 was divorced in early 1934,
and in about June of that year joined her brother Jack in San Francisco. She and
her son, Ronald, shared an apartment with him. In 1936, Eva married Frank
Granovsky, also known as Frank Grant, in San Francisco, and Ruby shared a four-
room apartment with them and Ronald for a short while.125
Occupations and Activities
Ruby stated that when he and his friends arrived in Los Angeles, they sold a
handicapper's tip sheet for horseraces at Santa Anita race-
Page 787
track which had just opened.126 Eva Grant testified that Ruby also worked as a
singing waiter in Los Angeles, but made very little money.127
When the group moved to San Francisco, Ruby continued to sell "tip" sheets at
Bay Meadows racetrack.128 Subsequently, he became a door-to-door salesman of
subscriptions to San Francisco newspapers.129 Although there is some evidence
that he ultimately became chief of his crew and had several people working under
him,130 other reports indicate that this is unlikely.131 Eva Grant testified
that she also sold newspaper subscriptions but was less proficient than her
brother and relied upon him for advice and support.132
Although virtually all his San Francisco acquaintances knew Jack Ruby as
"Sparky," 133 there is no evidence that, he engaged in violent activities in San
Francisco or was reputed to possess a vicious temper. One friend, who stated
that he resided with Ruby and Eva for about a year, described him as a
"well-mannered, likable individual who was soft spoken and meticulous in his
dress and appearance." 134 Another friend described him as a "clean-cut, honest
kid," 135 and the manager of a crew with which Ruby worked stated that he had a
good reputation and appeared to be an "honest, forthright person." The crew
manager reported that Ruby associated with a sports crowd, some of whose members
were involved with professional boxing, but not with criminals. He added that
Ruby had a personal liking for law enforcement and would have wanted to become a
police officer had he been larger physically.136
One friend reported that although Ruby always associated with Jewish people, he
never exhibited great interest in religion.137 Ruby met Virginia Belasco,
granddaughter of the prominent playwright and actor, David Belasco, in about
1936 at a dance at the Jewish community center in San Francisco. Miss Belasco
stated that while a teenager she saw Ruby socially on several occasions between
1936 and 1941.138 The only other evidence concerning Ruby's social activities
while in San Francisco is his statement to his long-time girl friend, Alice
Nichols of Dallas,139 that while in San Francisco he met the only other woman,
Virginia Fitzgerald or Fitzsimmons, that he ever considered marrying.140
Chicago (1937-43)
Jack Ruby stated that following his return to Chicago, he was unemployed for a
considerable period.141 However, when his mother was admitted to Elgin State
Hospital in 1937,142 she reported that he was employed as a "traveling salesman"
apparently living away from home.143 Although there is conflicting evidence
about his ability to earn a comfortable living,144 he apparently was able to
maintain a normal existence 145 and required no financial assistance from his
family or friends. He continued to be a so-called "hustler," scalping tickets
and buying watches and other small items for resale at dis-
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count prices.146 One of his closest Chicago friends stated that Ruby's sales and
promotions were "shady" but "legitimate." 147
Labor union activities.--Ruby reported that in "about 1937" he became active in
Local 20467 of the Scrap Iron and Junk Handlers Union.148 At this time, his
friend, attorney Leon Cooke, was the local's financial secretary.149 Records
provided by the Social Security Administration indicate that Ruby was employed
by the union from late 1937 until early 1940; 150 he worked as a union organizer
and negotiated with employers on its behalf.151
On December 8, 1939, the union's president, John Martin, shot Cooke, who died of
gunshot wounds on January 5, 1940; Martin was subsequently acquitted on the
ground of self-defense.152 Although a Jack Rubenstein is mentioned in the
minutes of a union meeting on February 2, 1940,153 and Ruby is reported to have
said after Cooke's death that he wanted to "take over" the union,154 the
evidence indicates that Ruby was so upset by Cooke's death that he was unable to
devote himself further to union activities and left its employ.155 Ruby reported
that after Cooke's death he adopted the middle name "Leon," which he used only
infrequently, in memory of his friend.156
Since Ruby was the ultimate source of all but one of these accounts,157 other
descriptions of Ruby's separation from the union cannot with certainty be deemed
inaccurate. These reports indicated that Ruby might have been forced out of The
union by a criminal group, or might have left because he lacked The emotional
stability necessary for sucessful labor negotiations 159 or because he felt he
was not, earning enough money with the union.160
Although the AFL-CIO investigated the ethical practices of local 20467 in 1956,
placed the local in trusteeship, and suspended Paul Dorfman, who succeeded
Martin and Cooke, there is no evidence that Ruby's union activities were
connected with Chicago's criminal element.161 Several longtime members of the
union reported that it had a good reputation when Ruby was affiliated with it
162 and employers who negotiated with it have given no indication that it had
criminal connections.163
Subsequent employment.--In 1941, Ruby and Harry Epstein organized the Spartan
Novelty Co., a small firm that sold in various northeastern States small cedar
chests containing candy and gambling devices known as punchboards.164 Earl Ruby
and two of Jack Ruby's friends, Martin Gimpel and Martin Shargol, were also
associated in this venture. The group had no fixed addresses, living in
hotels.165
Late in 1941, Jack Ruby returned to Chicago, where he continued his punchboard
business through the mails.166 Following the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl
Harbor, he and several friends decided to design and sell plaques commemorating
the Day of Infamy. However, the venture was impeded by Ruby's perfectionistic
approach to details of design which resulted in numerous production delays.167
By the time Ruby's copyrighted plaque 168 was finally ready for sale, the market
was flooded with similar items.169 At about this time,
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Ruby also sold busts of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.170 In late 1942 and 1943,
Ruby was employed by the Globe Auto Glass Co.171 and Universal Sales Co.172
Although one of Ruby's acquaintances at this time described him as a cuckoo nut
on the subject of patriotism,173 the evidence does not indicate that Ruby's
promotion of "Remember Pearl Harbor" plaques and Roosevelt busts was motivated
by patriotic or political considerations. Rather, the sale of these items was,
to Ruby, just another commercial venture, but he might also have considered
these sales "a good thing." 174 Numerous friends reported that, Ruby had no
interest in political affairs during this period,175 although he greatly admired
President Roosevelt.176
Other activities.--The evidence indicates that Ruby led a normal social life
during these years. Virginia Belasco stated that while Ruby was selling
punchboards in New York during November 1941, he entertained her each
weekend.177 Other reports indicate that Ruby fancied himself a "ladies' man,"
enjoyed dancing, almost always had female accompaniment and was "very
gentlemanly" with women.178
Ruby, with several friends, frequently attempted to disrupt rallies of the
German-American Bund.179 One acquaintance reported that Ruby was responsible for
"cracking a few heads" of Bund members.180 Apparently he joined in this activity
for ethnic rather than political reasons. The young men in the group were not
organized adherents of any particular political creed, but were poolhall and
tavern companions from Ruby's Jewish neighborhood who gathered on the spur of
the moment to present opposition when they learned that the pro-Nazi and
anti-Semitic Bund movement was planning a meeting.181 Hyman Rubenstein testified
that Ruby would fight with any person making derogatory comments about, his
ethnic origins, and others have stated that Ruby would fight with anyone he
suspected of pro-Nazi or anti-Semitic tendencies.182
During this period Ruby, though temperamental, apparently engaged in no unusual
acts of violence. However, he did interfere on several occasions when he thought
someone was treated unfairly. A friend who described Ruby as "somewhat
overbearing regarding the rights and feelings of others," reported that Ruby
fought two college students who insulted a Negro piano player.193 Another friend
reported that Ruby had a "bitter" fight with a man who was abusing an older
woman.184
Maintaining his friendship with Barney Ross, and still an ardent sports fan,
Ruby associated with various figures in the boxing world and regularly attended
the fights at Marigold Gardens.185 He frequented the Lawndale Poolroom and
Restaurant, a rallying point for the anti-Bundists and chief "hangout" of many
of Ruby's friends.186 In addition, Ruby, described as a "health nut" 187 who
earnestly contended that he could hit harder than Joe Louis,188 exercised at
several athletic clubs.189
Despite Ruby's participation in "shady" financial enterprises, his association
with a labor union subsequently disciplined by the AFL-
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CIO, his participation in violent anti-Bund activities, and his connection with
a poolroom, the evidence falls short of demonstrating that Ruby was
significantly affiliated with organized crime in Chicago. Virtually all of
Ruby's Chicago friends stated he had no close connection with organized
crime.190 In addition, unreliable as their reports may be, several known Chicago
criminals have denied any such liaison.191 The Commission finds it difficult to
attach credence to a newspaper reporter's contrary statement that his
undisclosed "syndicate sources" revealed Ruby was connected with organized crime
and confidence games.192 Ruby was unquestionably familiar, if not friendly, with
some Chicago criminals,193 but there is no evidence that he ever participated in
organized criminal activity.
Military Activities (1943-46)
Page 790
MILITARY ACTIVITIES (1943-46)
In September 1941, Jack Ruby was apparently classified 1-A194 and declared
eligible for the draft. Subsequently he appeared before a local board and was
reclassified 1-H or 3-A.195 Between August 31, 1941, and November 19, 1942, when
it was abolished, the 1-H classification applied to registrants who had reached
their 28th birthday and were, therefore, no longer liable for service.196 The
3-A deferment applies to persons whose entry into military service presents
financial hardship to dependents. Because of the length of time involved and the
destruction of local draft. board records, Ruby's precise status or the reason
for his deferment could not be ascertained.197 According to one somewhat
unreliable report, Ruby, immediately prior to his physical examination, feigned
a hearing disability and occasionally wore a hearing aid.198 Hyman Rubenstein,
who testified that Jack was deferred because of economic hardship since he "the
only one home," specifically denied the truthfulness of this allegation.199
Early in 1943, Ruby was again classified l-A, and, following an unsuccessful
appearance before his appeal board, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air
Forces on May 21, 1943.200 Jack was the last of the Rubenstein brothers to enter
the service. Previously, Earl had enlisted in the Navy, Sam was in Army Air
Force Intelligence and Hyman was in the field artillery.201
Except for 5 weeks in Farmingdale, N.Y., Ruby spent his military days at various
airbases in the South.202 He received the basic training given all recruits and
advanced training as an aircraft mechanic 203 On August 2, 1943, he passed
marksmanship tests with the .30 caliber carbine and the .45 caliber
submachinegun, but failed with the .30 caliber rifle. On February 10, 1944, he
earned a sharpshooter's rating for his firing of an M1.30 caliber carbine. His
character and efficiency ratings, when determined, were excellent.204 After
attaining the rank of private first class and receiving the good conduct medal,
Ruby was honorably discharged on February 21, 1946.205
Two persons who recalled Ruby while he was in the Army Air Forces asserted that
he was extremely sensitive to insulting remarks about
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Jews.206 When, during an argument, a sergeant called Ruby a "Jew bastard," Ruby
reportedly attacked him and beat him with his fists.207
There is conflicting evidence about the zeal with which Ruby performed his
military duties. One associate indicated that Ruby, who at 34 was the oldest in
his group, always worked harder than the others to prove that he could keep up
with them.208 Another recalled. by contrast, that Ruby had "no liking for work"
and carefully avoided situations requiting him to dirty his hands.209 However,
there is no basis in the record for the inference that Ruby was in any way
anti-American.
Ruby frequently expressed to some fellow soldiers his high regard for Franklin
Delano Roosevelt.210 Two independent sources reported that he cried openly when
informed of Roosevelt's death in April 1945.211 This did not indicate any sudden
political interest, however, since none of his known military associates
reported such an interest, and Ruby's admiration for President Roosevelt
anteceded his military days.212
While in service, Ruby is reported to have continued his promotional ventures.
One person recalled that in 1944, Jack received punchboards and chocolates from
someone in Chicago and peddled these items through the base to make extra money.
This person also indicated that Ruby enjoyed card and dice games in or near the
barracks.213
Postwar Chicago (1946-47)
Page 791
POSTWAR CHICAGO (1946-47)
Following his discharge from the Army Air Forces in February 1946, Jack Ruby
returned to Chicago. He joined his three brothers, who had previously been
discharged from the service,214 in the Earl Products Co. Earl Ruby testified
that he was the sole investor in the enterprise, but each brother received an
equal ownership interest on his return from the service.215 The company
manufactured and sold small cedar chests and distributed punchboards.216 In
addition, it made aluminum salt and pepper shakers, key chains, bottle openers,
screwdrivers, and small hammers.217 Sam supervised the manufacturing end of the
business, while Earl managed the office and advertising.218 Jack was in charge
of sales, but the company was small and he had no subordinates.219
Because insufficient profits led to frequent. arguments, Hyman soon left Earl
Products.220 Jack, who stayed with the company through most of 1947, had many
disputes with his brothers because he insisted on selling the products of other
companies, such as costume jewelry, and he did not like traveling outside the
Chicago area. Earl and Sam finally purchased Jack's interest, paying him more
than $14,000 in cash.221
Although there is some evidence to the contrary,222 it is unlikely that Ruby was
in the nightclub business in Chicago during the postwar period. Many who have
reported this may have mistaken him for Harry Rubenstein,223 who was convicted
of manslaughter and op-
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erated several such establishments.224 None of Jack Ruby's close friends or
relatives indicated that he was in the nightclub business.
Following his return from the Army, Ruby was described as ready to fight with
any person who insulted Jews or the military.225 Earl Ruby testified that on one
occasion in 1946, Jack returned from downtown Chicago with his suit covered with
blood. He explained at that time that he had fought with a person who had called
him a "dirty Jew or something like that." 226
Other evidence indicates that Ruby's personality was not substantially changed
by his military experience. One person who met, him in 1947, reported that Ruby
was a "fashionable" dresser.227 He continued to be described as soft spoken,228
although he was also known as hot-tempered.229 Ruby worked out regularly at an
athletic club,230 and one friend regarded him as a "Romeo," who was quite
successful in attracting young women.231
Dallas (1947-63)
Page 793
DALLAS (1947-63)
The Move to Dallas
During World War II, Ruby's sister, Eva Grant, visited Dallas.232 Having
operated a restaurant on the west coast, and considering it a lucrative
business, she arranged, near the end of 1945, to lease a building under
construction in Dallas, which she ran as a night-club.233 Part of the financing
for this establishment, the Singapore Supper Club, was provided by her brothers.
Jack Ruby, who apparently obtained the money from Earl Products, sent $1,100 as
a down-payment on the lease, Earl contributed about $1,500, and Hyman paid for
more than $2,000 worth of equipment.234
Before she opened the Singapore in 1947, Eva Grant engaged in the sale of metal
products.235 In that year she met Paul Roland Jones, who allegedly was seeking
customers for iron pipe and whom she referred to Hyman Rubenstein.236 Jones had,
at about that time, been convicted of attempting to bribe the newly elected
sheriff of Dallas.237 On October 24, 1947, he was arrested for violating Federal
narcotics statutes.238 Jack Ruby had visited Dallas early in 1947 to help Eva
Grant manage the Singapore,239 and 5 days after Jones' arrest, Jack and Hyman
Rubenstein were interrogated in Chicago by agents of the Bureau of Narcotics.240
The brothers admitted knowing Jones but denied awareness of his connection with
narcotics. During the 2 years in which Jones was appealing his conviction he and
other criminals frequented the Singapore Club, then operated by Jack Ruby.241
Intensive investigation to determine whether Jack Ruby was criminally or
otherwise connected with Jones' narcotics violation leads the Commission to
conclude Ruby probably was not involved.242 A search of the files of the Bureau
of Narcotics disclosed no record that either Hyman or Jack had been prosecuted
by Federal authorities in 1947.243 Jack, Hyman, and Eva denied participating in
any narcotics activities.
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Jones and his coconspirators also denied that Jack was a participant.244 One of
Jones' confederates reported after the shooting of Oswald that although Jones
"propositioned" the two brothers concerning narcotics, they refused to
participate.245 Moreover, when one of the conspirators was arrested with 48
pounds of raw opium in his possession, he implicated Jones and another person,
both of whom were convicted, but he did not implicate Jack Ruby or his
brother.246
Late in 1947, Ruby established permanent residence in Dallas.247 Shortly after
shooting Oswald, Ruby stated that he returned to Dallas at Eva Grant's request,
to help her operate the Singapore Supper Club.248 However, on December 21, 1963,
he reported that although association with his sister had been the purport of
his initial visit to Dallas, he returned there because of the failure of his
"merchandising deals" in Chicago.249 These factors, in conjunction with his
separation from Earl Products,250 probably motivated Ruby's move to Dallas.
A different reason has been given by Steve Guthrie, former sheriff of Dallas.
Guthrie reported that shortly after his election as sheriff in July 1946, Paul
Roland Jones, representing other Chicago criminals, offered him a substantial
amount of money to permit them to move in and manage illegal activities in
Dallas. Although he never met Ruby, Guthrie asserted that these criminals
frequently mentioned that Ruby would operate a "fabulous" restaurant as a front
for gambling activities.251
Despite its source, the Commission finds it difficult to accept this report. A
member of the Dallas Police Department, Lt. George E. Butler, who was present
during virtually all the conversations between Guthrie and Jones and who
performed considerable investigative work on the case, stated that Ruby was not
involved in the bribery attempt and that he had not heard of Ruby until the
investigation and trial of Jones had been completed. He explained that Ruby's
connection with the case stemmed from the fact that, as mentioned previously,
Jones and other criminals frequented the Singapore Supper Club.252 And 22
recordings of the conversations between Guthrie, Butler, and Jones not only fail
to mention Ruby, but indicate that Jones was to bring from outside the Dallas
area only one confederate, who was not to be Jewish.253
The Change of Name
Sometime in 1947, Jack Ruby's brothers Earl and Sam, pursuant to a joint
understanding, legally changed their names from Rubenstein to Ruby.254 Earl
testified that he changed his name because everyone called him Ruby and because
a former employer advised him that it was preferable not to use a "Jewish name"
on mail orders for Earl Products.255
On December 30, 1947, Jack changed his name to Jack L. Ruby by securing a decree
from the 68th Judicial District Court of Dallas. His petition alleged that he
sought the change because the name Rubenstein was misunderstood and too long and
because he was "well
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known" as Jack L. Ruby.256 The Bureau of Narcotics report of his relationship
with Paul Roland Jones indicates that as of October 29, 1947, Jack was known as
Ruby; 257 however, several persons in Dallas knew him as Rubenstein.258
Nightclub Operations
Except. for a brief period in about 1953, when Ruby managed the Ervay Theater, a
motion picture house,259 the operation of nightclubs and dancehalls was his
primary source of income, and his basic interest in life during the 16 years he
spent in Dallas prior to shooting Lee Oswald. When Ruby first arrived in Dallas
in 1947, he and Eva. Grant jointly managed The Singapore Supper Club.260 Shortly
thereafter, she returned to the west coast. Except for sporadic trips to Dallas,
she remained there until 1959, leaving Ruby a power of attorney.261 Ruby, who
had received $14,000 from the sale of his interest in Earl Products,262 invested
a substantial amount in the club, which Mrs. Grant described as "too nice a club
for that part of town." 263 Ruby changed the Singapore's name to the Silver Spur
Club. It was operated primarily as a dancehall, serving beer to its patrons.264
In about 1952, Ruby borrowed $3,700 from a friend, Ralph Paul, to purchase the
Bob Wills Ranch House 265 with Martin Gimpel, a former associate in the Spartan
Novelty Co.266 The Ranch House was run as a western-type nightclub.267
With two establishments to run, Ruby experienced substantial financial reversals
in 1952. He abandoned his interest in the Ranch House and, on July 1, 1952,
transferred The Silver Spur to Gimpel and Willie Epstein, who assumed some of
its debts.268 Disappointed by these setbacks, Ruby stated that he had a "mental
breakdown," and "hibernated" in the Cotton Bowl Hotel in Dallas for 3 or 4
months, declining to see his friends.269 Still depressed, he then returned to
Chicago, apparently intending to remain there permanently.270 However, he stayed
only 6 weeks. Gimpel and Epstein were anxious to be rid of the Silver Spur and
Ruby once again became its owner.271
In 1953, Ruby obtained an interest in the Vegas Club, which he operated with Joe
Bonds until September 1953.272 At that time he informed Irving Alkana, who had
retained a prior ownership interest, that he was unable to meet his obligations
with respect to the club. Alkana then assumed management of the Vegas until June
19, 1954, when, following numerous disagreements with him, he sold Ruby Iris
interest.273
Ruby still ,owned the Vegas Club at the time of his arrest on November 24, 1963.
However, when Eva Grant returned from San Francisco in 1959, she assumed
management of the club, receiving a salary but no ownership interest.274 The
Vegas, which occasionally featured striptease acts,275 employed a dance band and
served beer, wine, soft drinks. and some prepared foods.276
In 1954, Ruby's Vegas associate, Joe Bonds, was convicted of sodomy and sent to
a Texas penitentiary to serve an 8-year sentence.277 In 1955,
Page 795
Ruby sold the Silver Spur to Roscoe "Rocky" Robinson; however, Robinson could
not obtain a license to operate the club and it was subsequently closed.278 For
a few months during this period, Ruby also operated Hernando's Hideaway, but
this venture proved unsuccessful. 279
Sam Ruby testified that shortly after he sold his interest in Earl Products in
mid-1955 and moved to Dallas, he loaned Jack $5,500 to enable him to pay Federal
excise taxes on the Vegas. As security for the loan, Sam required Jack to
execute a bill of sale of the Vegas. Upon Jack's default in payment, Sam
instituted suit, claiming that he owned the Vegas and that Jack had breached his
promise to repurchase it. The case was ultimately settled, with Jack retaining
his ownership interest in the club.280
In late 1959, Jack Ruby became a partner of Joe Slatin in establishing the
Sovereign Club, a private club that was apparently permitted by Texas law to
sell liquor to members.281 Since Slatin was troubled about Dallas news stories
describing police raids on a private club that permitted gambling, he felt he
needed more capital.282 Ruby invested about $6,000 which he borrowed from his
brother Earl and perhaps some of his own money.283
The Sovereign was described as a "plush" and exclusive club, and Ruby was
apparently very anxious to attract a wealthy "carriage" trade.284 The venture
was not successful, however. The two men could not work together, and Slatin
withdrew in early 1960.285 Ruby turned for new capital to Ralph Paul,286 who had
operated a Dallas club with Joe Bonds.287 Ruby still owed Paul $1,200 of the
$3.700 loan made in connection with the Bob Wills Ranch House, but Paul advanced
him another $2,200, which allowed him to pay the Sovereign's rent for 4 months.
Subsequently, Ruby spontaneously gave Paul a stock certificate representing 50
percent of the equity of the corporation owning the club. Ruby told Paul that if
the venture failed. the Sovereign's fixtures and other physical property would
belong to Paul. 288
Experiencing difficulty in recruiting sufficient members, Ruby soon found
himself again unable to pay the Sovereign's monthly rent of $550. Again he
turned to Paul, who loaned him $1,650 on the condition that he change the club's
method of operation. Paul insisted that Ruby discontinue club memberships, even
though this would prevent the sale of liquor, and offer striptease shows as a
substitute attraction. Ruby agreed, and the Sovereign's name was changed to the
Carousel Club.289 It became one of three downtown Dallas burlesque clubs and
served champagne, beer, "setups" and pizza, its only food.291 The Carousel
generally employed four strippers, a master of ceremonies, an assistant manager,
a band, three or four waitresses, and a porter or handyman.292 Net receipts
averaged about $5,000 per month 293 most of which was allocated to the club's
payroll.294 Late in 1963, Ruby began to distribute "permanent passes" to the
Carousel; 295 however, the cards were apparently designed solely for publicity
and did not affect the club's legal status.
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Employee Relationships
Ruby's employees displayed a wide range of personal reactions to him. Those
associated with Ruby long enough to grow accustomed to his violent temper and
constant threats of discharge generally portray him sympathetically.296 They
reported he was genuinely interested in their welfare and happiness. In
addition, many former employees stated that he was a pleasant or unobjectionable
employer.297
There is also considerable evidence that Ruby tended to dominate his employees,
frequently resorted to violence in dealing with them, publicly embarrassed
them,298 sometimes attempted to cheat them of their pay,299 and delayed paying
their salaries.300 Other employees reported Ruby continually harassed his
help,301 and used obscene language in their presence.302 However he frequently
apologized, sought to atone for his many temper tantrums, 303 and completely
forgot others.304
One of the many violent incidents that were reported took place in 1950, when
Ruby struck an employee over the head with a blackjack.305 In 1951, after his
guitarist, Willis Dickerson, told Ruby to "go to hell," Ruby knocked Dickerson
to the ground, then pinned him to a wall and kicked him in the groin. During the
scuffle, Dickerson bit Ruby's finger so badly that the top half of Ruby's left
index finger was amputated.306 In approximately 1955, Ruby beat one of his
musicians with brass knuckles; the musician's mouth required numerous
stitches.307
During 1960, Ruby and two entertainers, Breck Wall and Joe Peterson, entered
into an agreement that the performers would produce and star in a revue at the
Sovereign in exchange for a 50-percent interest in the club.308 After performing
for 2 months, the entertainers complained that they had received neither a share
of The profits nor evidence of their proprietary interest. Ruby responded by
hitting Peterson in the mouth, knocking out a tooth. The two men left the
Sovereign's employ, but they subsequently accepted Ruby's apology and resumed
their friendship with him.309
In September 1969~ Frank Ferraro, the Carousel's handyman, became involved in a
dispute at a nearby bar. Ruby told him not to get into a fight, and Ferraro told
Ruby to mind Iris own business. Ruby then followed Ferraro to another club and
beat him severely. Ferraro required emergency hospital treatment for his eye,
but he decided not to press charges since Ruby paid for Iris hospital care.310
In March 1963, during an argument about wages, Ruby threatened to throw a
cigarette girl down the stairs of the Carousel.311
Ruby's relationship with his employees commanded much of his attention during
the months preceding the assassination. The Carousel's comparatively high
turnover rate 312 and Ruby's intense desire to succeed313 required him to meet
numerous prospective employees, patrons, and other persons who might help
improve his business.
Ruby frequently encountered difficulties with The American Guild of Variety
Artists (AGVA), the union which represented Carousel entertainers.314 For
several years, starting in about 1961, he unsuccess-
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Page 797
fully sought modification of AGVA's policy permitting "amateur" strippers,315
inexperienced girls paid less than union-scale wages,316 to perform at union
houses. Ruby apparently believed his two competitors, the Weinstein brothers,
were scheduling amateur shows in a manner calculated to destroy his business.317
Ruby's discontent with AGVA grew particularly acute during the late summer and
early fall of 1963 when, in addition to meeting with AGVA officials,318 he
called upon several acquaintances, including known criminals, who, he thought,
could influence AGVA on his behalf.319 Other problems with AGVA arose because of
his policy of continuous shows, which did not give masters of ceremonies enough
time off,320 and his alleged use of AGVA members to mingle with patrons to
promote the consumption of liquor.321
In June 1963, Ruby visited New Orleans, where he obtained the services of a
stripper known as "Jada," 322 who became his featured performer.323 Jada and
Ruby had numerous contract disputes and he was concerned about her high salary,
recurrent absenteeism, and diminishing drawing power.324 Moreover, he thought
that Jada had deliberately exceeded even the Carousel's liberal standards of
decency in order to cause him to lose his license or to obtain publicity for
herself.325 On several occasions Ruby excitedly turned off the spotlights during
her act., and at the end of October 1963, he fired her.326 However, after Jada
sued out a peace bond, she apparently recovered a week's salary from Ruby.327
In addition to problems with its star stripper, the Carousel was required to
employ three masters of ceremonies in rapid succession following the departure
in about September 1963, of Wally Weston, who worked there about 15 months.328
And in early November, the band that had played at the Vegas Club for about 8
years left the Vegas to accept the offer of another Dallas club.329
Financial Data and Tax Problems
Jack Ruby's pockets and the trunk of his car served as his bank. With a few
exceptions, Ruby and his clubs rarely employed bank accounts.330 Instead, Ruby
carried his cash with him, paying the bulk of his expenses and debts directly
out of club receipts.331
During the latter half of 1963, the Carousel, the Vegas, and Ruby each
maintained checking accounts at the Merchants State Bank in Dallas. Balances of
the latter two accounts never exceeded $275. In July 1963, the Carousel's
account had more than $500; after August 8, its maximum balance was less than
$800. Between May 31 and November 24, 1963, 53 checks were drawn on the three
accounts; with the exception of one check for $129.47, all were for less than
$100.332 He generally purchased cashier's checks at the Merchants State Bank to
pay his monthly rental of $550 for the Carousel and $500 for the Vegas.333 He
also purchased cashier's checks during the 3 months prior to the assassination
to pay about $1,500 to the Texas State treasurer, $110 to Temple Shearith
Israel, apparently for Jewish high holy day tickets, and $60 to the American
Society of Authors and Publishers.334
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Page 798
Records of the more than 50 banking institutions checked during the
investigation of Ruby's financial affairs 335 revealed that he had three other
dormant accounts, all with small balances.336 Two safety deposit boxes belonging
to Ruby, opened by Texas officials pursuant to search warrants, were empty and
unused for more than a year prior to the assassination.337 Although Ruby
negotiated several loans at the Merchants State Bank,338 there is no evidence
that he was the maker or co-maker of other loans,339 and, after investigation,
the Dallas Police Department found no record that Ruby cosigned the note of any
policeman at any time.340
Ruby's financial records were chaotic. One accountant abandoned efforts to
prepare income tax returns and other financial statements because of the
hopeless disarray of Ruby's data.341 The record indicates that Ruby was
frequently weeks, if not months, late in filing Federal tax forms and that. he
held numerous conferences with Internal Revenue agents who attempted to obtain
the delinquent statements.342
Ruby encountered serious difficulties with respect to State franchise and
Federal excise and income taxes. The Texas charter of the corporation
controlling the Sovereign and Carousel clubs was canceled in 1961, because Ruby
failed to pay Texas franchise taxes.343 And, only after numerous conferences,
did Ruby and representatives of the Internal Revenue Service reach agreements on
installment payments of various Federal tax liabilities, to which Ruby more or
less adhered.344
Ruby's primary difficulty concerned Federal excise axes. Advised by an attorney
that the Vegas Club, a dance hall providing food, was not subject to Federal
excise taxes because it was not a "cabaret," Ruby charged Vegas patrons on the
assumption that no excise taxes were due. However, his attorney reported, when
Federal courts ruled that dance halls providing "incidental" food were subject
to excise taxes as "cabarets," 345 Ruby became liable to the Federal Government
for more than 6 years of taxes, amounting, with interest, to almost exactly
$40,000.346
Ruby also fell behind on his personal income tax payments. At the time of his
arrest he owed more than $4,400 for 1959 and 1960.347 Remittances accompanied
his 1961 and 1962 tax forms, the latter received by the office of the Dallas
District Director on September 18, 1963.348 The following table summarizes
amounts which Ruby reported as gross and net income from the Vegas Club from
1956 to
1962; and the taxes due: 349
Year Gross income Net income Tax
1962 $41,462.77 $5, 619. 65 1 $1, 217. 75
1961 40, 411. 00 6, 255. 29 1 1,200. 00
1960 44, 482.41 9, 703. 90 2, 221.39
1959 50, 981. 95 14, 060. 86 3, 778. 17
1958 37, 755. 65 3, 274. 64 586. 52
1957 33, 671.60 2, 619. 52 438. 41
1956 30, 695.27 7, 437. 01 1, 527. 10
1 Estimated.
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Page 799
On his income tax forms, Ruby did not itemize personal deductions and claimed
only his own exemption. For 1962, Ruby reported salary income of $650 from the
corporation controlling the Carousel, and $900 for 1961.350
Ruby and officers of the Internal Revenue Service frequently discussed methods
of satisfying his large excise and income tax liability.351 In 1960, the
Government filed tax liens for more than $20,000.352 In November 1962, the
Government rejected Ruby's offer to pay $8,000 to compromise the assessed taxes
of more than $20,000 because he had not filed returns for other Federal taxes
and had not paid these taxes as they became due. These other taxes, for the
period September 1959 through June 1962, amounted to an additional $20,000.353
In June 1963, Ruby submitted an offer of $3,000 to compromise all past
assessments; the offer was not acted upon prior to November 24, 1963.354
Other Business Ventures
In addition to nightclub management and ownership, Ruby participated in numerous
other commercial ventures. He was able to do so primarily because work at the
clubs consumed few of his daytime hours. Many of Ruby's ventures related to show
business, others were somewhat speculative promotions; almost all ended
unsuccessfully.'
While operating the Silver Spur Club, Ruby sold costume jewelry at discount
rates,355 and, in about 1951, he sold sewing machine attachments at the Texas
State Fair.356 Approximately a year later, he managed a talented young Negro
boy, "Little Daddy" Nelson. The boy appeared at the Silver Spur, the Vegas Club,
and the Bob Wills Ranch House. In about 1953 or 1954, Ruby took "Little Daddy"
and his parents to Chicago to obtain a television appearance for him. However,
shortly after their arrival, Ruby was confronted by a second woman claiming to
be "Little Daddy's" mother. Upon advice of counsel, Ruby decided to .abandon the
venture.357
In 1954, Ruby became interested in the sale of pizza crusts to Dallas
restaurants.358 He is also reported to have sold an arthritic preparation 359
and to have manufactured and sold "Miniron," a liquid vitamin formula.360 In
about 1958 or 1959, Ruby attempted to build and sell log cabins at a Texas lake
resort.361 In early 1959, he investigated the possibility of selling jeeps to
Cuba.362 He is also reported to have furnished entertainment for a Dallas
hotel,363 to have promoted records for musicians 364 and to have sold English
stainless steel razor blades.365
In October 1963 Ruby assisted the producers of a carnival show, "How Hollywood
Makes Movies," appearing at the Texas State Fair.366 At about this time Ruby
also sought to open a new club in Dallas. He conferred with numerous persons and
placed advertisements in Dallas newspapers in an attempt to obtain financial
backing.367 Assuming that he would be occupied by the new club, Ruby offered his
oldest brother, Hyman, a managerial post at the Carousel. However, Hyman, who
had recently lost his sales territory, declined the offer because he felt he was
too old for the nightclub business.368
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Page 800
Ruby unsuccessfully attempted to sell "twistboards," an exercising device
consisting of two square fiberboards separated by ball bearings. Despite the
contrary advice of his brother Earl,369 Jack ordered several dozen twistboards
and had 2,000 promotional flyers published.370 He had one of his strippers
demonstrate the twistboards at the Texas Products Show during the first week of
November 1963.
Arrests and Violations
Between 1949 and November 24, 1963, Ruby was arrested eight times by the Dallas
Police Department. The dates, charges, and dispositions of these arrests are as
follows:372 February 4, 1949, Ruby paid a $10 fine for disturbing the peace.
July 26, 1953, Ruby was suspected of carrying a concealed weapon; however, no
charges were filed and Ruby was released on the same day. May 1, 1954, Ruby was
arrested for allegedly carrying a concealed weapon and violating a peace bond;
again no charges were filed and Ruby was released on the same day. December 5,
1954, Ruby was arrested for allegedly violating State liquor laws by selling
liquor after hours; the complaint was dismissed on February 8, 1955.373 June 21,
1959, Ruby was arrested for allegedly permitting dancing after hours; the
complaint was dismissed on July 8, 1959. August 21, 1960, Ruby was again
arrested for allegedly permitting dancing after hours; Ruby posted $25 bond and
was released on that date. February 12, 1963, Ruby was arrested on a charge of
simple assault; he was found not guilty February 27, 1963. Finally, on March 14,
1963, Ruby was arrested for allegedly ignoring traffic summonses; a $35 bond was
posted.
When Ruby applied for a beer license in March 1961, he reported that he had been
arrested "about four or five times" between 1947 and !953.374 Between 1950 and
1963, he received 20 tickets for motor vehicle violations, paying four $10 fines
and three of $3.375 In 1956 and 1959, Ruby was placed on 6 months' probation as
a traffic violator.
Ruby was also frequently suspended by the Texas Liquor Control Board. In August
1949, when he was operating the Silver Spur, he was suspended for 5 days on a
charge of "Agents--Moral Turpitude." In 1953 Ruby received a 5-day suspension
because of an obscene show, and, in 1954, a 10-day suspension for allowing a
drunkard on his premises.376 On February 18, 1954, he was suspended for 5 days
because of an obscene striptease act at the Silver Spur and for the consumption
of alcoholic beverages during prohibited hours.377 On March 26, 1956. Ruby was
suspended by the liquor board for 3 days because several of his checks were
dishonored.378 On October 23, 1961, he received another 3-day suspension because
an agent solicited the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on licensed
premises.379
Police Associations
Although the precise nature of his relationship to members of the Dallas Police
Department. is not susceptible of conclusive evaluation,
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Page 801
the evidence indicates that Ruby was keenly interested in policemen and their
work.380 Jesse Curry, chief of the Dallas Police Department, testified that no
more than 25 to 50 of Dallas' almost 1,200 policemen were acquainted with
Ruby.381 However, the reports of present and past members of the Dallas Police
Department as well as Ruby's employees and acquaintances indicate that. Ruby's
police friendships were far more widespread than those of the average
citizen.382
There is no credible evidence that Ruby sought special favors from police
officers or attempted to bribe them.383 Although there is considerable evidence
that. Ruby gave policemen reduced rates,384 declined to exact any cover charge
from them,385 and gave them free coffee and soft drinks, 386 this hospitality
was not unusual for a Dallas night-club operator.387 Ruby's personal attachment
to police officers is demonstrated by reports that he attended The funeral of at
least one policeman killed in action and staged a benefit performance for the
widow of another.388 Ruby regarded several officers as personal friends, and
others had worked for him.380 Finally, at least one policeman regularly dated,
and eventually married, one of the Carousel's strippers.390
Underworld Ties
From the time that Ruby arrived in Dallas in 1947, he was friendly with numerous
underworld figures. One of his earliest Dallas acquaintances was Paul Roland
Jones, who was convicted of attempting to bribe the sheriff of Dallas and
engaging in the sale of narcotics.391 Joe Bonds, one of Ruby's partners in the
Vegas Club, had a criminal
record.392
Ruby, who enjoyed card playing 393 and horse racing,394 was friendly with
several professional gamblers. In 1959, he visited Cuba at the invitation and
expense of Lewis McWillie, a professional gambler.395 Alice Nichols reported
that Ruby's refusal to give up gambling was one reason why she never seriously
considered marrying him.396 When Sidney Seidband, a Dallas gambler, was arrested
in Oklahoma City, his list of gambling acquaintances included Jack Ruby.397 And
other friends of Ruby have been identified as gamblers.398 Finally, two persons
of questionable reliability have reported that Ruby's consent was necessary
before gambling or narcotics operations could be launched in Dallas.399
Based on its evaluation of the record, however, the Commission believes that the
evidence does not establish a significant link between Ruby and organized crime.
Both State and Federal officials have indicated that Ruby was not affiliated
with organized criminal activity.400 And numerous persons have reported that
Ruby was not connected with such activity.401
Travels
Despite reports that Ruby visited Havana, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago,
Honolulu, and Mexican border towns, most of his time subse-
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quent to 1947 was spent in Dallas. Some of his travels, including, his efforts
in behalf of "Little Daddy" Nelson and his visit to New Orleans in June 1963
have been discussed.402 Ruby stated that he went to Chicago in 1952, in 1958
when his father died, and in August 1963 when he met members of his family at
O'Hare International Airport while en route from New York to Dallas.403 His
August trip to New York motivated by his dificulties with the American Guild of
Variety Artists and his desire to obtain talent, has been completely established
by hotel records.404 Early in 1963 Ruby also traveled to Wichita, Kans., because
of his interest in stripper Gall Raven,405 and on May 25, 1968, he apparently
registered in an Oklahoma motel.406
Although Ruby denies being in Las Vegas after 1937,407 there are unsupported
rumors that. he was in that city in late 1962,408 and the early part of November
1963.409 Reports that he was in Las Vegas during the weekend prior to the
assassination 410 appear similarly unfounded.411
There is some uncertainty about Ruby's trip to Havana, Cuba, in 1959. The
evidence indicates that he accepted an invitation from gambler Lewis J.
McWillie, who subsequently became a violent anti-Castroite, to visit Havana at
McWillie's expense.412 Ruby apparently met McWillie in about 1950, when McWillie
operated a Dallas night-club.413 McWillie, whom Ruby said he idolized,414
supervised gambling activities at. Havana's Tropicana Hotel in 1959 and later
was employed in a managerial capacity in a Las Vegas gambling establishment.415
Ruby testified that he went to Havana for 8 days in August 1959 and left because
he was not interested in its gambling activities.416 McWillie corroborated this
story except that he stated only that Ruby visited Havana "sometime in 1959."
417 Three Chicagoans reported seeing Ruby in Havana during the Labor Day weekend
in 1959.418 Meyer Panitz, an acquaintance of McWillie, reported that when he met
Ruby in Miami during the "summer of 1959" Ruby stated that he was returning from
a pleasure trip to Cuba.419 The theory that the trip to Havana had
conspiratorial implications is discussed in chapter VI. There is no reliable
evidence that Ruby went to Havana subsequent to September 1959.420
Although Ruby denied ever being in Hawaii,421 there is some evidence that.
during the summer of 1961 he was in Honolulu seeking dancing talent.422 While it
is unlikely that Ruby would forget a trip to Honolulu in 1961, there is no other
indication that such a trip, if it occurred, had any sinister motives.
Character and Interests
Page 802
CHARACTER AND INTERESTS
Family Relationships
As mentioned previously,423 Eva Grant was the only member of the family living
in Dallas when Ruby returned to that city in late 1947. In 1948, she returned to
the west coast, visiting Dallas sporadically
Page 803
until 1959, when she assumed management of the Vegas.424 Despite their recurring
arguments, during which they sometimes came to blows,425 Ruby was closer to Eva
than any of his brothers or sisters. In the summer of 1963, Eva complained
bitterly to Ruby because he gave a friend about $800 instead of paying Vegas
Club bills. Eva, citing her poor healthy stated that she should be hospitalized.
Ruby rejoined that he had provided her money to enter a hospital. He then shoved
her, causing her to fall back about 8 feet and hurt her arm and shoulder. At
this point Ruby insisted he wanted her to leave the Vegas Club.426
Ruby frequently told Eva to submit to an operation and in early November 1963
she consented. She was hospitalized for a week, leaving about November 13.427
While she was in the hospital, Jack called Earl and Sam, requesting them to
convey their concern to Eva.428 According to Eva, Jack visited her at the
hospital two or three times a day. He kept in constant. touch with her
throughout the weekend of November 22.429
Sam Ruby moved to Dallas from Chicago in July 1955, after selling his interest
in the Earl Products Co.430 His son's asthma and Eva's suggestion that he work
as a builder in Dallas prompted the move.431 Apparently as a result of
difficulties in collecting the $5,500 Sam loaned Jack in 1955 to pay Federal
excise taxes, 432 Jack and Sam were never particularly close to each other.
However, Sam entered into a partnership in an unsuccessful ice cream business
with Jack's close friend, Ralph Paul.433 Jack visited Sam and his family
occasionally, especially on Jewish holidays, and from time to time they spoke to
each other by telephone.434
Jack had sporadic contacts with his brother Earl, who remained in Chicago until
about 1960, when he moved to Detroit.435 The most successful of the brothers,
Earl often gave Jack business advice and capital.436 He estimated, perhaps
conservatively, that, when arrested, Jack owed him $15,000.437 The evidence also
indicates that Jack borrowed at least $1,000, and probably more, from his sister
Marion in Chicago.438
Social Relationships
There have been statements that Ruby was a homosexual. The available evidence
does not support the allegation. There is no evidence of homosexuality on his
part; Ruby did not frequent known gathering places for homosexuals,439 many of
the reports were inherently suspect or based upon questionable or inaccurate
premises,440 and Ruby and most of his associates and employees denied the
charge.441 All the allegations were based on hearsay or derive from Ruby's lisp
or a "feeling" that Ruby was a "sissy," seemed "weird," acted effeminately, and
sometimes spoke in a high-pitched voice when angry.442 Some proceeded upon the
erroneous theory that Ruby did not date women.443
For the better part of 11 years, Ruby dated Mrs. Alice Reaves Nichols, a blonde
divorcee, 4 years younger than he. Mrs. Nichols,
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Page 804
secretary to a Dallas life insurance company executive,444 testified that she
saw Ruby twice a week between 1948 and 1956, and once a week from then until
about 1959.445 Ruby discussed marriage with Mrs. Nichols,446 but Mrs. Nichols
stated that while dating Ruby she was seeing other men and he was taking out
other women.447 Although there are sharply conflicting reports about whether
Ruby dated women who worked for him,448 the record indicates that Ruby sought
and enjoyed feminine company.449
Affection for Dogs
Ruby was extremely fond of dogs. Numerous persons stated that he was constantly
accompanied by several of the dogs he owned.450 Testimony at Ruby's trial in
March 1964 indicated that he referred to his dogs as his "children." 451 He also
became extreme]y incensed when he witnessed the maltreatment of any of his dogs.
Religious Interests
Reared in the Jewish faith, Jack Ruby was not especially devout. Rabbi Hillel
Silverman, whose conservative temple Ruby favored, reported that when Ruby's
father died in 1958, Ruby came to services twice daily for the prescribed period
of 11 months to recite the traditional memorial prayer.453 Ruby normally
attended services only on the Jewish high truly days and he was quite unfamiliar
with the Hebrew language.454
Ruby was apparently somewhat sensitive to his identity as a Jew. He forbade his
comedians to tell stories directed at Jews or Jewish practices 455 and, on
several occasions after 1947, he fought with persons making derogatory remarks
about his ethnic origins.456 The evidence also indicates that he was deeply
upset that an advertisement insulting President Kennedy appeared above a
Jewish-sounding name.457
Physical Activities and Violence
While in Dallas, Ruby continued attempts to keep in excellent physical
condition. He frequently exercised at the YMCA, the Carousel, and his apartment,
where he maintained a set of weights.458 Ruby was extremely concerned about his
weight and health, including his baldness,459 and about his appearance in
general.460
Ruby's concern for his physical well-being was partially motivated by practical
considerations, for he was his own unofficial club bouncer. On about 15
occasions since 1950, he beat with his fists, pistol whipped, or blackjacked
patrons who became unruly.461 At other times, he ejected troublesome customers
without a beating,462 in many instances, justifiably.463 However, many people
stated that he employed more force than necessary, particularly because he often
ended a fracas by throwing his victim down the stairs of the Carousel.464
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Page 805
Besides acting as a bouncer, Ruby on numerous other occasions severely beat
people who were not club patrons, usually employing only his fists. Several of
these episodes have been discussed in connection with Ruby's relationship with
his emp1oyees.465 In 1951, Ruby attacked a man who had called him a. "kike Jew"
and knocked out a tooth.466 At about that time Ruby is also reported to have
knocked a man down from behind and then to have kicked him in the face.467 In
about 1958, Ruby disarmed a man who had drawn a gun on him at the Vegas, beat
him almost to death, put the gun back in the man's pocket, and threw him down
the stairs.468 In 1958, Ruby reportedly knocked down a man at the Vegas who was
6'3" tall and weighed 230 pounds. Ruby was approximately 5'9" tall and weighed
about 175 pounds.469 Ruby then made the man, who had slapped his date, crawl out
of the club.470 In a fight at the Vegas, reportedly witnessed by policemen, Ruby
severely beat a heavyweight boxer who had threatened him.471
During 1962, several violent episodes occurred. Ruby beat a man who refusal to
pay admission or leave and then shoved him down the stairs.472 He "jostled" a
woman down the stairs of the Carousel and struck her escort, who was "much
smaller" than he.473 On one occasion, Ruby picked up a man who was arguing with
his date, knocked him to the floor, cursed him, and then removed him from the
Vegas.474 When a cabdriver entered the Carousel and inquired about a patron who
had neglected to pay his fare, Ruby struck the cabdriver.475
In February 1963, Ruby badly beat Don Tabon, who had made some remarks about
Ruby's lady companion, injuring Tabon's eye.476 Ruby was acquitted of a charge
of assault and Tabon sought no monetary relief because he believed Ruby
financially incapable of satisfying any resulting judgment.. A doctor who went
to the Carousel several times between August. and November 1963, stated that on
each occasion Ruby ejected someone from the club.477
Buddy Turman, a prizefighter and Ruby's friend, stated that Ruby "picked his
shots." 478 According to Turman, a bouncer at the Vegas for about a year, Ruby's
victim was frequently drunk, female, or otherwise incapable of successfully
resisting Ruby's attack. The evidence indicates that, unlike his youthful
escapades, Ruby was often malicious. He frequently felt contrite, however, when
his anger had passed or when his victim was an old acquaintance, and he would
seek to make amends for his violent temper.479
With two exceptions, there is no evidence that Ruby settled disputes with
firearms. Shortly before Joe Bonds' conviction in 1954, Ruby is reported to have
chased Bonds with a pistol.480 And, Larry Crafard reported that about a week
before the assassination, Ruby told him to get Ruby's gun so that an AGVA
official and former employee, Earl Norman, could be ejected.481 Although Ruby
did not often use his gun, it was frequently accessible when he was carrying
large amounts of money.482
805
Page 806
Generosity to Friends and the Need for Recognition
While Ruby often flared up and acted aggressively, he seemed to calm down or
forget his anger quickly, and there is also a great deal of evidence that he was
extremely generous to his friends. He loaned money to them and apparently cared
little whether the loans would be repaid.483 He was quick to offer employment to
persons desperately in need of a job 484 and he lent considerable aid to persons
seeking work elsewhere.485 Moreover, when friends or new acquaintances had no
roof over their heads, Ruby's apartment was frequently theirs to share.486
Ruby's unusual generosity may be explained in part by his extremely emotional
reaction to persons in distress, which may have resulted from his firsthand
familiarity with poverty, and by his unusual craving to be recognized and relied
upon.487 Many of Ruby's acquaintances described him as a "publicity hound,"
"glad hander," and "name dropper," one always seeking to be the center of
attention.488 Apparently the "egocentrism" of his youth 489 never left Ruby.
Yet, frequently he sought reassurance from persons he admired.490
Appendix XVII
Page 807
APPENDIX XVII
Polygraph Examination of Jack Ruby
Preliminary Arrangements
Page 807
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS
As early as December of 1963, Jack Ruby expressed his desire to be examined with
a polygraph, truth serum, or any other scientific device which would test his
veracity.1 The attorneys who defended Ruby in the State criminal proceedings in
Texas agreed that he should take a polygraph examination to test any
conspiratorial connection between Ruby and Oswald.2 To obtain such a test,
Ruby's defense counsel filed motions in court and also requested that the FBI
administer such an examination to. Ruby.3 During the course of a psychiatric
examination on May 11, 1964, Ruby is quoted as saying: "I want to tell the
truth. I want a polygraph * * * "4 In addition, numerous letters were written to
the President's Commission on behalf of Ruby requesting a polygraph
examination.5
When Ruby testified before the Commission in Dallas County Jail on June 7, 1964,
his first words were a request for a lie detector test. The Commission hearing
commenced with the following exchanges:
Mr. Jack Ruby. Without a lie detector test on my testimony, my verbal statements
to you, how do you know if I am telling the truth ?
Mr. Tonahill [Defense Counsel]. Don't worry about that, Jack.
Mr. Ruby. Just a minute, gentlemen.
Chief Justice Warren. You wanted to ask something, did you, Mr. Ruby ?
Mr. Rum. I would like to be able to get a lie detector test or truth serum of
what motivated me to do what I did at that particular time, and it seems as you
get further into something, even though you know what you did, it operates
against you somehow, brain washes you, that you are weak in what you want to
tell the truth about and what you want to say which is the truth.
Now Mr. Warren, I don't know if you got any confidence in the lie detector test
and the truth serum, and so on.
Chief Justice Warren. I can't tell you just how much confidence I have in it,
because it depends so much on who is taking it, and so forth.
But I will say this to you, that if you and your counsel want any kind of test,
I will arrange it for you. I would be glad to do that, if you want it. I
wouldn't suggest a lie detector test to testify the truth.
We will treat you just the same as we do any other witness, but if you want such
a test, I will arrange for it.
Page 808
Mr. Ruby. I do want it. Will you agree to that, Joe ?
Mr. Tonahill. I sure do, Jack.6
Throughout Ruby's testimony before the Commission, he repeated his request on
numerous occasions that he be given an opportunity to take a lie detector test.7
Ruby's insistence on taking a polygraph examination is reflected right to the
end of the proceedings where in the very last portion of the transcribed
hearings Ruby states:
Mr. RUBY. All I want to do is to tell the truth, and the only way you can know
it is by the polygraph, as that is the only way you can know it.
Chief Justice WARREN. That we will do for you. 8
Following Ruby's insistence on a polygraph test, the Commission initiated
arrangements to have the FBI conduct such an examination.9 A detailed set. of
questions was prepared for the polygraph examination, which was set for July 16,
1964.10 A few days before the scheduled test, the Commission was informed that
Ruby's sister, Eva Grant, and his counsel, Joe H. Tonahill, opposed the
polygraph on the ground that psychiatric examinations showed that his mental
state was such that the test would be meaningless.11
The Commission was advised that Sol Dann, a Detroit attorney representing the
Ruby family, had informed the Dallas office of the FBI on July 15, 1964, that a
polygraph examination would affect Ruby's health and would be of questionable
value according to Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a Detroit psychiatrist.12 On that same
date, Assistant. Counsel Arlen Specter discussed by telephone the polygraph
examination with Defense Counsel Joe H. Tonahill, who expressed Iris personal
opinion that a polygraph examination should be administered to Ruby.13 By letter
dated July 15, 1964, Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade requested that the
polygraph examination cover the issue of premeditation as well as the defensive
theories in the case.14
Against this background, it was decided that a. representative of the Commission
would travel to Dallas to determine whether Jack Ruby wanted to take the
polygraph test. Since Ruby had had frequent changes in attorneys and because he
was presumed to be sane, the final decision on the examination was his,
especially in view of his prior personal insistence on the test.15 In the jury
conference room at the Dallas jail on July 18, Assistant Counsel Arlen Specter,
representing the Commission, informed Chief Defense Counsel Clayton Fowler,
co-Counsel Tonahill and Assistant District Attorney William F. Alexander that
the Commission was not insisting on or even requesting that the test be taken,
but was merely fulfilling its commitment to make the examination available.16 In
the event Ruby had changed his mind and would so state for the record, that
would conclude the issue as far as the Commission was concerned.17
Chief Defense Counsel Fowler had objected to the test. He conferred with Jack
Ruby in his cell and then returned stating that
808
Page 809
Ruby insisted on taking the examination.18 Mr. Fowler requested that (1) Dr.
Tanay, the Detroit psychiatrist, be present; (2) the results of the test not be
disclosed other than to the Commission; (3) the questions to be asked not be
disclosed to the District Attorney's office; and (4) the results of the test be
made available to defense counsel.19 Sheriff William Decker announced his
intention to have Allan L. Sweatt, his chief criminal deputy who was also a
polygraph operator, present to maintain custody of Jack Ruby while the
examination was being administered.20 Assistant District Attorney Alexander
requested a list of questions, a copy of the recording made by the polygraph
machine and a copy of the report interpreting the test.21 In response to the
numerous requests, the procedure was determined that the questions to be asked
of Ruby would be discussed in a preliminary session in the presence of defense
counsel, the assistant district attorney and Chief Jailer E. L. Holman, who was
to replace Sweatt.22 The assistant district attorney would not be present when
Ruby answered the questions, but Jailer Holman was allowed to remain to retain
custody of Ruby.23 No commitment was made on behalf of the Commission as to what
disclosure would be made of the results of the examination.24 Since Dr. Tanay
was not in Dallas and therefore could not be present, 25 arrangements were made
to have in attendance Dr. William R. Beavers, a psychiatrist who had previously
examined and evaluated Ruby's mental state.26
At the conclusion of the lengthy preliminary proceedings, Ruby entered the jury
conference room at 2:23 p.m. and was informed that the Commission was prepared
to fulfill its commitment to offer him a polygraph examination, but was not
requesting the test.27 On behalf of the Commission, Assistant Counsel Specter
warned Ruby that anything he said could be used against him.28 Chief Defense
Counsel Fowler advised Ruby of his objections to the examination.29 Ruby then
stated that he wanted the polygraph examination conducted and that he wanted the
results released to the public as promptly as possible.30 Special Agent Bell P.
Herndon, polygraph operator of the FBI, obtained a written "consent to interview
with polygraph" signed by Jack Ruby.31 Herndon then proceeded to administer the
polygraph examination by breaking the questions up into series which were
ordinarily nine questions in length and consisted of relevant interrogatories
and control questions.32
Administration of the Test
Page 809
ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEST
During the course of the polygraph examination Jack Ruby answered the relevant,
questions as follows:
Q. Did you know Oswald before November 22, 1963 ?
A. No.33
Q. Did you assist Oswald in the assassination ?
A. No. 34
Q. Are you now a member of the Communist Party ?
809
730-900 0-64--53
Page 810
A. No.36
Q. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party ?
A. No.37
Q. Are you now a member of any group that advocates the
violent overthrow of the United States Government ?
A. No.38
Q. Have you ever been a member of any group that advocates
violent overthrow of the United States Government ?
A. No.39
Q. Between the assassination and the shooting, did anybody
you know tell you they knew Oswald ?
A. No.40
Q. Aside from anything you .said to George Senator on Sunday morning, did you
ever tell anyone else that you intended to shoot Oswald ?
A. No.41
Q. Did you shoot Oswald in order to silence him ?
Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Friday night ?
Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Saturday morning ?
A. No.43
Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Saturday night?
A. No.44
Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Sunday Morning ?
A. Yes.45
Q. Were you on the sidewalk at the time Lieutenant Pierce's car
stopped on the ramp exit ?
A. Yes.46
Q. Did you enter the jail by walking through an alleyway ?
A. No.47
Q. Did you walk past the guard at the time Lieutenant Pierce's
car was parked on the ramp exit ?
A. Yes.48
Q. Did you talk with any Dallas police officers on Sunday,
November 24, prior to the shooting of Oswald ?
A. No.49
Q. Did you see the armored car before it entered the basement ?
A. No.50
Q. Did you enter the police department through a door at
the rear of the east side of the jail ?
A. No.51
Q. After talking to Little Lynn did .you hear any announce-
ment that Oswald was about to be moved ?
A. No.52
Q. Before you left your apartment Sunday morning, did anyone tell you the
armored car was on the way to the police department?
810
Page 811
A. No.53
Q. Did you get a Wall Street Journal at the Southwestern
Drug Store during the week before the assassination ? A. No.54
Q. Do you have any knowledge of a Wall Street Journal ad-
dressed to Mr. J. E. Bradshaw ?
A. No.55
Q. To your knowledge, did any of your friends or did you
telephone the FBI in Dallas between 2 or 3 a.m. Sunday morning ?
A. No.56
Q. Did you or any of your friends to your knowledge telephone the sheriff's
office between 2 or 8 a.m. Sunday morning?
A. No.57
Q. Did you go to the Dallas police station at any time on
Friday, November 22, 1963, before you went to the synagogue ?
A. No.58
Q. Did you go to the synagogue that Friday night ?
A. Yes.59
Q. Did you see Oswald in the Dallas jail on Friday night?
A. Yes.60
Q. Did you have a gun with you when you went to the Friday
midnight press conference at the jail ?
A. No.61
Q. Is everything you told the Warren Commission the entire truth ?
A. Yes.62
Q. Have you ever knowingly attended any meetings of the Communist Party or any
other group that advocates violent
overthrow of the Government ?
A. No.63
Q. Is any member of your immediate family or any close
friend, a member of the Communist Party ?
A. No.64
Q. Is any member of your immediate family or any close friend a member of any
group that advocates the violent overthrow of the Government ?
A. No.65
Q. Did any close friend or any member of your immediate
family ever attend a meeting of the Communist Party ?
A. No.66
Q. Did any close friend or any member of your immediate family ever attend a
meeting of any group that advocates the violent, overthrow of the Government. ?
A. No.67
Q. Did you ever meet Oswald at your post office box ?
A. No.68
Q. Did you use your post office mailbox to do any business with Mexico or Cuba?
811
Page 812
A. No.69
Q. Did you do business with Castro-Cuba ?
A. No.70
Q. Was your trip to Cuba solely for pleasure ?
A. Yes.71
Q. Have you now told us the truth concerning why you carried $2,200 in cash on
you ?
A. Yes. 72
Q. Did any foreign influence cause you to shoot Oswald ?
A. No.73
Q. Did you shoot Oswald because of any influence of the
underworld ?
A. No.74
Q. Did you shoot Oswald because of a labor union influence?
A. No.75
Q. Did any long-distance telephone calls which you made before the assassination
of the President have anything to do with the assassination ?
A. No.76
Q. Did any of your long-distance telephone calls concern the
shooting of Oswald ?
A. No.77
Q. Did you shoot Oswald in order to save Mrs. Kennedy the
ordeal of a trial ?
A. Yes.78
Q. Did you know the Tippit that was killed ?
A. No.79
Q. Did yon tell the truth about relaying the message to Ray
Brantley to get McWillie a few guns ?
A. Yes.80
Q. Did you go to the assembly room on Friday night to get
the telephone number of KLIF ?
A. Yes.81
Q. Did you ever meet with Oswald and Officer Tippit at your
club ?
A. No 82
Q. Were you at the Parkland Hospital at any time on Friday ?
A. No.83
Q. Did you say anything when you shot Oswald other than
what you've testified about ?
A. No.84
Q. Have members of your family been physically harmed be-
cause of what you did ?
A. No.85
Q. Do you think members of your family are now in danger because of what you did
?
(No response. ) 86
Q. Is Mr. Fowler in danger because he is defending you ?
(No response.) 87
812
Page 813
Q. Did "Blackie" Hanson speak to you just before you shot Oswald?
A. No.88
Interpretation of the Test
Page 813
INTERPRETATION OF THE TEST
A polygraph examination is designed to detect physiological responses to stimuli
in a carefully controlled interrogation. Such responses may accompany and
indicate deception.89 The polygraph instrument derives its name from the Greek
derivative "poly" meaning many and the word "graph" meaning writings.90 The
polygraph chart writings consist of. three separate markings placed on a graph
reflecting three separate physiological reactions.91 A rubber tube is placed
around the subject's chest to record his breathing pattern on a pneumograph.92
That device records the respiratory ratio of inhalation and exhalation
strokes.93 The second component is called a galvanic skin response which
consists of electrodes placed on the examinee's fingers, through which a small
amount of electrical current is passed to the skin.94 The galvanometer records
the minute changes in electrical skin response.95 The third component consists
of a cardiograph which is a tracing obtained by attaching a pneumatic cuff
around the left arm in a manner very. similar to an apparatus which takes blood
pressure.96 When the cuff is inflated, that device records relative blood
pressures or change in the heart rate.97
From those testing devices, it is possible to measure psychological or emotional
stress.98 This testing device is the product of observation by psychologists and
physiologists who noted certain physiological responses when people lie.99 In
about 1920 law enforcement officials with psychological and physiological
training initiated the development of the instrument to serve as an
investigative aid.100
The polygraph may record responses indicative of deception, lint it must be
carefully interpreted.101 The relevant questions, as to which the interrogator
is seeking to determine whether the subject is falsifying, are compared with
control questions where the examiner obtains a known indication of deception or
some expected emotional response.102 In evaluating the polygraph, due
consideration must be given to the fact that a physiological response may be
caused by factors other than deception, such as fear, anxiety, nervousness,
dislike, and other emotions.103 There are no valid statistics as to the
reliability of the poly-graph. 104 FBI Agent Herndon testified that,
notwithstanding the absence of percentage indicators of reliability, an informed
judgment may be obtained from a well-qualified examiner on the indications of
deception in a normal person under appropriate standards of administration.105
Ordinarily during a polygraph examination only the examiner and the examinee are
present.106 It is the practice of the FBI, however, to have a second agent
present to take notes.107 lt is normally undesirable to have other people
present during the polygraph examina-
813
Page 814
tion because the examinee may react emotionally to them.108 Because of the
numerous interested parties involved in Ruby's polygraph examination, there were
present individuals representing the Commission and the Dallas district
attorney, as well as two defense counsel, two FBI agents, the chief jailer, the
psychiatrist, and the court reporter, although the assistant district attorney
and one defense counsel left when Ruby was actually responding to questions
while the instrument was activated.109 Ruby was placed in a position where there
was a minimum of distraction for him during the test.110 He faced a wall and
could not see anyone except possibly through secondary vision from the side.111
Agent Herndon expressed the opinion that Ruby was not affected by the presence
of the people in the room.112
Answer by Ruby to certain irrelevant control questions suggested an attempt to
deceive on those questions. For example, Ruby answered "No" to the question
"While in the service did you receive any disciplinary action ?" 113 His
reaction suggested deception in his answer.114 Similarly, Ruby's negative answer
to the query "Did you ever overcharge a customer ?" was suggestive of
deception.115 Ruby further showed an emotional response to other control
questions such as "Have you ever been known by another name"116 "Are you married
?"117 "Have you ever served time in jails ?" 118 "Are your parents alive ?" 119
"Other than what you told me, did you ever hit anyone with any kind of a weapon
?" 120 Herndon concluded that. the absence of any physiological response on the
relevant questions indicated that there was no deception.121
An accurate evaluation of Ruby's polygraph examination depends on whether he was
psychotic. Since a psychotic is divorced from reality, the polygraph tracings
could not be logically interpreted on such an individual. A psychotic person
might believe a false answer was true so he would not register an emotional
response characteristic of deception as a normal person would.122 If a person is
so mentally disturbed that he does not understand the nature of the questions or
the substance of his answers, then no validity can be attached to the polygraph
examination.123 Herndon stated that if a person, on the other hand, was in touch
with reality, then the poly-graph examination could be interpreted like any
other such test.124
Based on his previous contacts with Ruby and from observing him during the
entire polygraph proceeding, Dr. William R. Beavers testified as follows:
In the greater proportion of the time that he answered the questions, I felt
that he was aware of the questions and that he understood them, and that he was
giving answers based on an appreciation of reality.125
Dr. Beavers further stated that he had previously diagnosed Ruby a "psychotic
depressive." 126
814
Page 815
Based on the assumption that Ruby was a "psychotic depressive," Herndon
testified:
There would be no validity to the polygraph examination, and no significance
should be placed upon the polygraph charts.127
Considering other phases of Dr. Beavers' testimony, Herndon stated:
Well, based on the hypothesis that Ruby was mentally competent and sound, the
charts could be interpreted, and if those conditions are fact, the charts could
be interpreted to indicate that there was no area of deception present with
regard to his response to the relevant questions during the polygraph
examination.128
In stating his opinion that Ruby was in touch with reality and understood the
questions and answers, Dr. Beavers excepted two questions where he concluded
that Ruby's underlying delusional state took hold.129 Those questions related to
the safety of Ruby's family and his defense counsel.130 While in the preliminary
session Ruby had answered those questions by stating that he felt his family and
defense counsel were in danger, he did not answer either question when the
polygraph was activated.131 Dr. Beavers interpreted Ruby's failure to answer as
a reflection of "internal struggle as to just what was reality." 132 In
addition, Dr. Beavers testified that the test was not injurious to Ruby's mental
or physical condition.133
Because Ruby not only volunteered but insisted upon taking a poly-graph
examination, the Commission agreed to the examination. FBI Director J. Edgar
Hoover commented on the examination as follows:
It should be pointed out that the polygraph, often referred to as "lie detector"
is not in fact such a device. The instrument is designed to record under proper
stimuli emotional responses in the form of physiological variations which may
indicate and accompany deception. The FBI feels that the polygraph technique is
not sufficiently precise to permit absolute judgements of deception or truth
without qualifications. The polygraph technique has a number of limitations, one
of which relates to the mental fitness and condition of the examinee to be
tested.
During the proceedings at Dallas, Texas, on July 18, 1964, Dr. William R.
Beavers, a psychiatrist, testified that he would generally describe Jack Ruby as
a "psychotic depressive." In view of the serious question raised as to Ruby's
mental condition, no significance should be placed on the polygraph examination
and it should be considered nonconclusive as the charts cannot be relied
upon.134
815
Page 816
Having granted Ruby's request for the examination, the Commission is publishing
the transcript of the hearing at which the test was conducted 135 and the
transcript of the deposition of the FBI polygraph operator who administered the
test.136 The Commission did not rely on the results of this examination in
reaching the conclusions stated in this report.
816
Appendix XVIII
Page 817
APPENDIX XVIII NOTES TO PAGES IX-39
Footnotes
For references to the testimony of witnesses before the Commission, the
following citation form is used: number of volume, "H" (for "Hearings before the
President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy"), page number,
and the name of the witness in parentheses, e.g., 7 H 441 (O'Donnell).
Commission exhibits are referred to by the capital letters "CE" and number;
deposition exhibits by the name of the witness, the capital letters "DE," and
the number or letter of his exhibit, e.g., CE 705; Sorrels I)E 1. References to
audiovisual sources for one Dallas broadcasting station (WFAA) are cited as
follows: PKT for video tapes, PKF for films, and PKA for audio tapes. The video
and audio reels and tapes of other stations are cited by number, e.g., WFAA-TV
reel PKT 10; KRLD-TV reel 13.
FOREWORD
1. Executive Order No. 11130 is set forth as app. 1.
2. The White House press release is set forth as app. II.
3. Senate Joint Resolution 137 (Public Law 88-202) is set forth as app. III,
4. The names of all witnesses are set forth in app. V.
5. The procedures of the Commission are set forth as app, VI.
CHAPTER II
1. 4 H 130 (Gov. John B. Connally, Jr.);
7 H 441 (Kenneth O'Donnell).
2. Id. at 441, 442.
3. Id. at 442-443.
4. Id. at 442.
5. Ibid.
6. 7 H 475 (Clifton C. Carter).
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. 4 H 145-146 (Connally).
10. Ibid.; CE 1367.
11, 4 H 130 (Connally); CE 2960..
12. 7 H 442 (O'Donnell).
13. 4 H 146 (Connally).
14. Ibid.
15. 7 H 443 (O'Donnell).
16. Ibid.
17. 4 H 319-325 (Winston G. Lawson) ;
7 H 334-341 (Forrest V. Sorrels).
Governor Connally testified that he was not
consulted about the security arrangements in
Dallas, and that he did not expect to be. 4 H 145 (Connally).
18. 4 H 319 (Lawson); 7 H 334 (Sorrels).
19. CE 769, p. 1; 4 H 320 (Lawson).
20. Details of the advance work done by Agent Lawson
are set forth in his contemporaneous memoranda; CE 767,
766, 769.
21.4 H 321-322 (Lawson); 2 H 107 (Roy H. Kellerman).
22. 4 H 322-324, 344-346 (Lawson).
23. CE 768, p. 9; see also 7 H 339 (Sorrels).
24. CE 770.
25. 4, H 323-324 (Lawson).
26. 7 H 334 (Sorrels).
27. See id. at 335; Sorrels DE 4, p. 1.
28. CE 769, p. 2.
29. CE 1360; 4 H 336-337 (Lawson).
30. CE 768, pp. 6-13; CE 769, p. 5; 4
H 338 (Lawson).
31. Id. at 325.
32. Ibid.
33. CE 769, p. 2; 7 H 337 (Sorrels).
34. CE 768, p. 4.
35. Ibid.
36. CE 769, p. 3.
37. 7 H 338 (Sorrels); 4 H 326 (Lawson); CE 1022, p. 2; CE 769, p. 3.
38. 4 H 341 (Lawson); CE 1022, p. 3.
39. 7 H 333 (Sorrels).
40. Id. at 337.
41. Ibid.
42. 4 H 326 (Lawson).
43. CE 876 is an aerial view of Dealey Plaza and the Triple Underpass; see also
CE2188.
44. 7 H 237 (Sorrels); CE 2114-2116,
817
Page 818
NOTES TO PAGES 39-51
45. Ibid.
46. CE 2967; see 7 H 337 (Sorrels); 4 H 333 (Lawson).
47. Id. at 326.
48. CE 769. p. 4; 4 H 326 (Lawson).
49. Id. at 326-327.
50. 5 H 465--466 (James J. Rowley); 4 H 329, 333 (Lawson).
51. Id. at 327-329. The adequacy of
these arrangements is considered inch.
VIII 447-449.
52. CE 102,2, p. 2.
53. CE 1361.
54. CE 1362.
55. CE 1363.
56. CE 1364.
57. CE 1365.
58. CE 1366.
59. CE 1367, 1368.
60. CE 1369.
61. CE 1370.
62. CE 1371.
63. CE 1372, 1373.
64. Ibid.
65. CE 1374,
66. CE 1375, 1376.
67. 4 H 323 (Lawson); 7 H 339 (Sorrels); CE 769, p. 8.
68. CE 1377, 1378.
69. CE 1379.
70. CE 1380.
71. CE 996; see also 5 H 534 (Robert G. Klause).
72. CE 1031; 5 H 504 (Bernard W. Weissman).
73. CE 1031.
74. 4 H 130 (Connally); 7 H 444-445 O'Donnell).
75. Id. at 445.
76. 4 H 130 (Connally); 7 H 445 O'Donnell).
77. 7 H 472 (David F. powers). 78. Ibid.
79. 4 H 130 (Connally); 7 H 445 ( O 'Donnell ).
80. 2 H 63-64 (Kellerman); 7 H 459 (Lawrence F. O'Brien).
81. 7 H 443-444 (O'Donnell).
82. Id. at 456.
83. Ibid.
84. 4 H 349 (Lawson); 2 H 67 (Kellerman).
85. 5 H 561 (Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson); 4 H 130 (Connally); CE 2526.
86. 5 H 560 (Johnson); 7 H 474 (Clifton C. Carter); 2 It 146 (Rufus W.
Youngblood).
87. 7 H 461 (O'Brien); 2 It 67 (Kellerman); 4 H 339, 350 (Lawson).
88. Id. at 350; CE 1024.
89. 4 H 339-340 (Lawson).
90. 5 H 560-561 (Johnson); CE 1024, statement of Rufus W. Youngblood.
91. 5 H 561 (Johnson); 2 H 115 (Greer).
92. See 4 H 335-336 (Lawson).
93. 4 H 132 (Connally); 2 H 135 (Clinton J. Hill); 2 H 70 (Kellerman); 4 H 326,
351 (Lawson).
94. 2 H 135-136 (Hill); 4 H 351 (Lawson).
95. CE 768, p. 5.
96. 2 H 67 (Kellerman); 4 H 327 (Lawson).
97. CE 768, p. 5 2 H 67 (Kellerman).
98. Id. at 68; 4 H 327-328 (Lawson) 2 H 116 (Greer).
99. CE 344, 345, 346.
100. 2 H 65 (Kellerman); 2 H 114 (Greer).
101. 4 H 349 (Lawson); 2 H 66-67 (Kellerman).
102. Id. at 67.
103. Id. at 64-65.
104. CE 345.
818
105. 2 H 136-137 (Hill); CE 1025.
106. 4 H 130-131 (Connally); 2 H 68
(Kellerman); 2 II 115 (Greer).
107. Ibid.
108. Ibid.
109. 2 H 70 (Kellerman).
110. 4 H 338-339 (Lawson).
111. 2 H 135 (Hill).
112. Id. at 1.34.
113. Id. at 134-135.
114. 7 H 446 (O'Donnell); 7 H 473 ( Powers ).
115. 4 H 327, 329 (Lawson).
116. Ibid.; 7 H 342 (Sorrels).
117. 4 It 327 (Lawson); 2 H 135-136 ( Hill ).
118. Id. at 136.
119. 2 H 147 (Youngblood).
120. Id. at 148.
121. Id. at 147; 5 H 561 (Johnson);
7 It 439 (Senator Ralph W. Yarborough).
122. 2 H 147 (Youngblood).
123. 7 H 474 (Carter); 2 H 69 (Kellerman).
124. CE 767, attachment 3; CE 1126.
125. 2 H 70 (Kellerman); 4 H 336 (Lawson).
126. CE 768, pp. 9-10.
127. 4 H 130-131 (Connally): 2 H 67, 70 (Kellerman); 2 It 115 (Greer).
128. 4 H 132 (Connally); 2 H 135
(Hill); 2 H 70 (Kellerman).
129. Ibid.
130. 4 H 132 (Connally).
131. 7 II 447 (O'Donnell); 7 H 473 (Powers); 4 H 131 (Connally).
132. 2 It 135-1.36 (Hill); CE 398; CE
1024, statement of Clinton J. Hill, p. 2.
133. 2 H 135 (Hill).
134. 2 H 71 (Kellerman).
135. 2 H 147 (Youngblood).
136. CE 876; 2 H 71 (Kellerman).
137. CE 878; 2 H 71-72 (Kellerman).
138. 5 H 561 (Johnson); 4 II 132 ( Connally ).
139. 7 H 447 (O'Donnell); 7 H 463 (O'Brien); 7 H 473 (Powers).
140. 4 H 147 (Mrs. John B. Connally. Jr.); 4 H 131 (Connally).
141. 2 H 151 (Youngblood).
142. 7 H 473 (Powers).
143. 2 H 120 (Greer).
144. CE 1974, p. 163.
145. 2 H 119 (Greer).
146. 4 H 134 (Connally) 4 H 149 (Mrs. Connally); 7 H 448 (O'Donnell); 7 H 473
(Powers); 7 It 474 (Carter); 2 H 73 (Kellerman); 2 H 139 (Hill); 3 It 245
(Baker).
147. 5 H 160-161 (Lyndal L. Shaneyfelt).
148. 5 H 179-180 (Mrs. John F. Kennedy ).
149. 4 H 132-133 (Connally).
150. Id. at 135-136.
151. 4 It 147 (Mrs. Connally).
152. 2 It 73-74 (Kellerman).
153. 2 H 117 (Greer).
154. 2 H 74-77 (Kellerman).
155. 4 H 147 (Mrs. Connally).
156. 4 H 133 (Connally).
157. 4 H 147 (Mrs. Connally).
158. 4 It 133 (Connally).
159. Ibid.; 4 H 147 (Mrs. Connally).
160. Ibid. 4 H 133 (Connally).
161. 2 H 138 (Hill).
162. Ibid.
163. Id. at 138-139.
164. Ibid.
165. 7 H 473 (Powers).
166. 5 H 180 (Mrs. Kennedy).
167. CE 1024, statement of John D. Ready.
168. CE 1024, statement of George W. Hickey, Jr.
Page 819
NOTES TO PAGES 51-60
169. CE 1024, statement of Emory P. Roberts.
170. Ibid.
171. 2 H 148-149 (Youngblood). 172. Id. at 149.
173. 5 H 561 (Johnson). 174. 7 H 475 (Carter). 175. 4 H 325 (Lawson). 176. 7 H
347 (Sorrels).
177. 2 H 74 (Kellerman); 2 H 120 (Greer); 2 H 141 (Hill); 2 H 149 ( Youngblood
).
178. 4 H 353-354 (Lawson). 179. 4 H 161 (Jesse E. Curry). 180. CE 1974, pp. 163-
164.
181. Ibid.; 2 H 151 (Youngblood); 2 H 141 (Hill); 7 H 450 (O'Donnell); 7 H 475
(Carter).
182. 2 H 151 (Youngblood); CE 1126,
183. 6 H 144 (Doris M. Nelson); 6 H 116
(Ruth J. Standridge).
184. 3 H 358 (Dr. Charles J. Carrico).
185. 6 H 344 (Nelson).
186. 3 H 363 (Carrico); 3 H 369-371
(Dr. Malcolm O. Perry).
187. 4 H 354 (Lawson); 6 H 135
(Diana H. Bowron).
188. 2 H 142 (Hill); 2 H 82 (Kellerman ).
189. 4 H 143 (Connally).
190. 6 H 116 (Standridge).
191. 2 H 79 (Kellerman); 2 H 124
(Greer); 4 H 354 (Lawson).
192. 3 H 359 (Carrico); 6 H 141 (Margaret M. Henchliffe); 6 H 136 (Bowron).
193. 3 H 358 (Carrico).
194. Ibid.
195. Id. at 359.
196. Ibid.
197. Id. at 361-362: 6 H 3 (Carrico).
198. 3 H 361 (Carrico).
199. Id. at 359-360.
200. Ibid.
201. Id. at 360.
202. Ibid.; 6 H 3 (Carrico).
203. 3 H 360 (Carrico) 3 H 368
(Perry).
204. Ibid.
205. Id. at 368-370.
206. Id. at 370.
207. Id. at 370, 372.
208. Id. at 370.
209. Id. at 371.
210. Id. at 370.
211. Id. at 371; 3 H 360 Carrico).
212. 3 H 371 (Perry); 6 H 20 (Dr. William Kemp Clark).
213. Ibid.
214. Id. at 25.
215. Id. at 20; 3 H 371 (Perry).
216. CE 1126, p. 3.
217. 6 H 20 (Clark) : 3 H 372 (Perry);
6 H 41 (Dr. Charles R. Baxter).
218. 6 H 20 (Clark).
219. 3 H 372 .(Ferry); 2 H 360 (Comdr.
James J. Humes).
220. 3 H 359 (Carrico).
221. 3 H 363 (Carrico); 3 H 382
(Perry); 6 H 25 (Clark).
222. 6 H 3 (Carrico).
223. 3 H 382 (Perry); 6 H 29 (Clark);
6 H 48-49 (Dr. Marion T. Jenkins).
224. 4 H 103-104 (Dr. Robert R. Shaw).
225. 3 H 358 (Carrico).
226. Ibid.; 6 H 77-78 (Dr. Jackie H.
Hunt): 6 H 74-75 (Dr. A. H. Giesecke,
Jr.): 4 H 103 (Shaw).
227. Id. at 102-103.
228. Id. at 103.
229. Id. at 104-105; CE 392; 6 H 85, 87
(Shaw).
230. Id. at 88.
231. Id. at 85.
232. 4 H 135 (Connally).
233. 6 H 97 (Dr. Charles F. Gregory). 234. 4 H 126-127 (Gregory).
235. 6 H 105-106 (Dr. George
Shires ).
236. Id. at 106.
237. 5 H 561 (Johnson); 2 H 149
(Youngblood).
238. Ibid.
239. Id. at 152:7 H 475 (Carter).
240. 5 H 564-565 (Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson); 7 H 475 (Carter).
241. 5 H 561-562 (Johnson): 2 H 152
(Youngblood); 7 H 475 (Carter). 242. 2 H 152 (Youngblood).
243. 5 H 562 (Johnson); 7 H 451 (O'Donnell).
244. 2 H 154-155 (Youngblood).
245. Id. at 152; 7 H 451 (O'Donnell);
5 H 561 (Johnson). 246. Ibid.
247. CE 1026; CE 1024, statement of Emory P. Roberts, p. 5.
248. 5 H 562 (Johnson); 2 H 153 (Youngblood).
249. Ibid.
250. 2 H 96 (Kellerman); 2 H 126
(Greer); CE 1026.
251. 2 H 80 (Kellerman); 2 H 142
(Hill).
252. 2 H 96 (Kellerman); CE 1024,
statements of David B. Grant, Samuel E.
Sulliman, Ernest E. Olsson. Jr., .John J. Howlett, Andrew E. Berger, Robert A.
Steuart. and Richard E, Johnsen. 253. CE 772. p. 3.
254. CE 2554. statements of Donald J. Lawton, Roger C. Warner, Henry J. Rybka,
and William H. Patterson.
255. CE 2554, statement of Roger C. Warner, p. 2.
256. 2 H 153 (Youngblood).
257. 7 H 474 (Powers); 3 H 382 (Perry); CE 1126.
258. 7 H 452 (O'Donnell). 259. Ibid,; 2 H 142 (Hill).
260. 7 H 453-454 (O'Donnell); 7 H 468-470 (O'Brien).
261, 7 H 453 (O'Donnell); 2 H 96-97 ( Kellerman ).
262. 7 H 454 (O'Donnell). 263. 5 H 562-563 (Johnson).
264. 7 H 454 (O'Donnell); 2 H 154 ( Youngblood ).
265. 2 H 143 (Hill); 2 H 98 (Keller-
266. 5 H 563 (Johnson): 5 H 566 (Mrs. Johnson); 7 H 470 (O'Brien).
267. 2 H 143 (Hill); 2 H 98 (Kellerman ).
268. 7 H 454 (O'Donnell); 7 H 471 (O'Brien).
269. 2 H 98 (Kellerman); 2 H 143 (Hill).
270. 2 H 98 (Kellerman). 271. 2 H 154 (Youngblood). 272. 7 H 454-455 (O
Donnell).
273. 2 H 99 (Kellerman); 2 H 143 (Hill).
274. Ibid.; 7 H 455 (O'Donnell). 275. 2 H 143 (Hill).
276. CE 1024, statement of Clinton J. Hill, p. 5.
277. 2 H 349 (Comdr. James J. Humes). 278. Ibid. 279. CE 387.
280. 2 H 351 (Humes). 281. Id. at 354. 282. Id. at 353-354.
283. 5 H 73 (Robert A. Frazier). 284. 2 H 361-362 (Humes).
285. Id. at 349: 2 H 100 (Kellerman); 2 H 143-144 (Hill).
286. 7 H 455 (O'Donnell); 2 H 144 ( H 111 ).
819
Page 820
NOTES TO PAGES 63-81
CHAPTER III
1.3 H 142-143 (Howard L. Brennan);
CE 477, 478.
2. 3 H 149 (Brennan); CE 1437.
3. CE 479.
4. 3 H 142 (Brennan).
5. See id. at 142-143.
6. Id. at 143.
7. Ibid.
8. Id. at 143-144.
9. Id. at 144.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Id. at 145.
13. 2 H 204 (Amos Lee Euins).
14. Ibid.; see CE 365, 366.
15. 2 H 204 (Euins).
16. 6 H 310-311 (D. V. Harkness); 6
H 170 (James R. Underwood).
17. 6 II 313 (Harkness).
18. Id. at 310; CE 1974 p. 165.
19. 6 H 313 (Harkness) (Euins description of the man he saw is discussed in ch.
IV, p. 147).
20.. 2 H 157-158 (Robert H. Jackson).
21. Id. at 158-159.
22. Id. at 159.
23. 6 It 164 (Tom C. Dillard); 6 H 156-
157 (Malcolm D. Couch); 6 H 169 (Under-
wood ).
24. 6 H 164 (Dillard).
25. Id. at 164-165; CE 480, 481, 482.
26. 6 H 156-157 (Couch).
27. Id. at 157.
28. 7 H 485-486 (Mrs. Earle Cabell).
29. Id. at 486.
30. Ibid.
31. Ibid.
32. Ibid.; 7 H 478 (Earle Cabell).
33. 7 H 487 (Mrs. Cabell).
34. 6 It 172-173 (James N. Crawford).
35. Ibid.
36. Id. at 173.
37. Ibid.
38. 6 H 176 (Mary Ann Mitchell).
39. Ibid.
40. 3 H 202-203 (James Jarman, Jr.).
41. 3 H 190 (Harold Norman).
42. 3 H 169-173 (Bonnie R. Williams).
43. Id. at 173; 3 H 190 (Norman);
3 H 202, 203 (Jarman).
44. 3 H 195 (Norman).
45. Id. at 191.
46. 3 H 175 (Williams).
47. Ibid.
48. 3 H 204 (Jarman).
49. Ibid.
50. Ibid.
51. Id. at 204-205.
52. Id. at 211.
53. Ibid.
54. Id. at 207, 211.
55. 3 H 196 (Norman).
56. Id. at 195.
57. See, e.g., the statements of eye-
witnesses in CE 1428, 1432, 1433, 1435,
1436, 2084.
58. See e.g. CE 1428, 1432, 2087, 2088,
2098, 2099.
59. 6 H 249 (J. W. Foster); 6 H 254
(J. C. White).
60. 6 H 256-257 (Joe E. Murphy);
Murphy DE A.
61. 6 H 257 (Murphy).
62. 6 H 250 (Foster); 6 H 255
(White); see 6 It 256 (Murphy).
63. Id. at 257.
64. 6 H 250 (Foster).
65. 6 H 241 (S. M. Holland).
66. See 6 H 224 (Austin L. Miller); 6 H 22.8 (Frank E. Reilly); 6 H 236-237
(Royce G. Skelton); 6 H 240-242 (Holland); CE 1416-1424 (statements of
James L. Simmons, Walter Luke Winborn,
Nolan II. Potter, Curtis Freeman Bishop,
Richard Calvin Dodd, Thomas J. Murphy,
Clemon Earl Johnson, Ewell William
Cowsert, and George A. Davis).
67. 6 H 239-24.1 (Holland).
68. 6 H 253 (Foster).
69. 7 H 516 (James W. Altgens); 6 H 226 (Miller).
70. 6 H 284-285 (Lee H. Bowers, Jr.). 71. Id. at 285.
72. Id. at 285-286. 73. Id. at 287.
74. 6 H 229 (Reilly); 6 H 241-242 (Holland); 6 H 258 (Murphy); Murphy DE A.
75. 6 H 250 (Foster); see 6 H 229 ( Reilly ).
76. 4 H 351 (Winston G. Lawson); 7
H 346 (Forrest V. Sorrels). 77. 4 H 351 (Lawson). 78. See 6 H 258 (Murphy). 79.
6 H 251 (Foster). 80. Id. at 251-252.
81. 6 H 225 (Miller).
82. 6 H 237-238 (Skelton). 83. 6 H 230 (Reilly).
84. 6 H 243-245 (Holland). 85. CE 1421.
86. 6 H 287 (Bowers),
87. See 6 H 251-252 (Foster). 88. 6 H 244 (Holland).
89. 6 H 225 (Miller); see also CE 1416, 1417.
90. 6 H 287-288 (Bowers); CE 1416-1419, 1423.
91. 6 H 298 (Clyde A. Haygood).
92. 5 H 67 (Robert A. Frazier); 3 H 432 (Frazier); CE 567.
93. 5 H 67 (Frazier); 3 H 435 (Frazier); CE 569.
94. 5 H 66, 71 (Frazier); CE 840. 95. 5 H 68 (Frazier).
96. Ibid.; CE 350; see 2 H 85-86, 87-89 (Roy H. Kellerman).
97. 5 H 70 (Frazier); CE 349.
98. 5 H 67-69, 72-74 (Frazier). 99. Ibid.
100. Id. at 68; 3 H 399 (Frazier). 101. 5 H 68 (Frazier).
102. 2 H 86 (Kellerman); CE 351. 103. 5 H 69 (Frazier).
104. 2 H 84-85 (Kellerman); 2 H 122 (William Robert Greer).
105. 5 H 70 (Frazier). 106. Ibid. 107. Ibid.
108. 4 H 204-205 (Jesse W. Fritz); 3 H 283-284 (Luke Mooney).
109. Id. at 284-285 ; CE 508.
110. 3 H 285 (Mooney); CE 510, 1974, p. 176.
111. 4 H 205 (Fritz). 112. 3 H 285 (Mooney).
113. 4 H 249-250 (J. C. Day); CE 715, 716.
114. 3 H 293-294 (Eugene Boone); 7 H 107 (Seymour Weitzman); CE 514, 515.
115. 3 H 293 (Boone); 4 H 205 (Fritz); 4 H 257 (Day); CE 718; see 7 H 161
(Richard M. Sims).
116. 4 H 258-259 (Day); 4 H 205 (Fritz); CE 141.
117. 4 H 260 (Day); 4 H 206 (Fritz).
118. 3 H 294 (Boone); 4 H 260 (Day); see 7 H 108-109 (Weitzman).
119. 6 H 116-117 (Ruth J. Standridge).
120. 6 H 1.21-122 (Jane C. Wester); 6 II 126 (R. J. Jimison).
121. 6 H 129-131 (Darrel C. Tomlinson ).
122. Id. at 130.
820
Page 821
NOTES TO PAGES 81-96
123. 3 H 363 (Dr. Charles J. Carrico);
6 H 137 (Diana H. Bowron).
124. Id. at 137-138; 6 H 141 (Margaret
M. Henchcliffe); 6 H 145 (Doris M.
Nelson ).
125. Id. at 145-146; 6 H 142 (Henchcliffe); 6 H 137-138 (Bowron).
126. 3 H 392-394 (Frazier); 4 H 260
(Day); CE 139.
127. 3 H 393-394 (Frazier); CE 541.
128. 3 H 392-393 (Frazier).
129. Id. at 392; CE 540.
130. 3 H 392-393 (Frazier).
131. 7 H 108-109 (Weitzman).
132. 3 H 395 (Frazier).
133. Ibid.
134. Id. at 395-396; 4 H 260 (Day).
135. 3 H 397 (Frazier).
136. Id. at 391.
137. Id. at 391, 421.
138. 3 H 496 (Joseph D. Nicol).
139. See generally 3 H 417-419, 429-430
( Frazier ).
140. Id. at 424.
141. See app. X.
142. 3 H 429, 432, 435 (Frazier); 3 H
498, 500-502 (Nicol); CE .399, 567, 569.
143, 3 H 502 (Nicol); 3 H 434, 436
(Frazier).
144. 3 H 497 (Nicol); 3 H 435 (Frazier).
145. 5 H 73-74 (Frazier).
146. 3 H 415 (Frazier); 3 H 505
(Nicol); CE 543-545.
147. 3 H 440 (Frazier); 7 H 591 (Cortlandt Cunningham); 7 H 591 (Charles L.
Killion).
148. 2 H 352-353 (Comdr. James J.
Humes); 2 H 377 (Comdr. J. Thornton
Boswell); 2 H 380 (Lt. Col. Pierre A,
Finck ).
149. 2 H 352 (Humes).
150. Id. at 357-359.
151. Id. at 859-361.
152. CE 400.
153. 2 H 379-380 (Finck).
154. 2 H 352 (Humes).
155. Ibid.
156. Ibid.
157. Ibid.; 2 H 377 (Boswell); CE 388.
158. 5 H 75-77 (Dr. Alfred G. Olivier).
159. Id. at 89; CE 861, 862.
160. 5 H 87 (Olivier).
161. 14. at 89.
162. 2 H 361 (Humes); CE 387, 391.
163. 2 H 364 (Humes); 2 H 380
( Finck ).
164. Ibid.; 2 H 364 (Humes); 2 H 377
( Boswell ).
165. 2 H 363 (Humes).
166. Id. at 367-368.
167. Id. at 364.
168. lbid.: 2 H 380 (Finck); CE 385.
169. 2 H 368-369 (Humes).
170. Id. at 367.
171. Id. at 363.
172. Id. at 361-362.
173. 3 H 361 (Carrico).
174. 3 H 388 (Dr. Malcolm O. Perry);
id. at 372.
175. 3 It 362 (Carrico).
176. 3 H 373 (Perry).
177. 3 H 362 (Carrico).
178. 3 H 373 (Perry).
179. 6 H 42-43 (Dr. Charles R. Baxter);
6 H 35 (Dr. Robert N. McClelland); 6 H
48-50 (Dr. Mar/on T. Jenkins); 6 H 55
(Dr. Ronald C. Jones).
180. 3 H 369 (Perry).
181. Id. at 375.
182. Id. at 375-376.
183. Id. at 375.
184. Id. at 368, 372, 375.
185. Id. at 375.
186. CE 1415, "The Doctors' Hard Fight
To Save Him," New York Herald Tribune,
Nov. 23, 1963.
187. 5 H 76-78 (Olivier). 188. Id. at 78; CE 850.
189. See 3 H 362 (Carrico);3 H 368 (Perry).
190. 2 H 364 (Humes); CE 385; see 5 H 60-61 (Frazier); CE 394.
191. 2 H 375 (Humes).
192. 5 H 77-78 (Olivier); CE 849.
193. 5 H 59-62 (Frazier); CE 393, 394, 395.
194. 5 H 59-62 (Frazier). 195. Id. at 59. 196. Ibid.
197. Id. at 59-60. 198. Id. at 60. 199. Ibid. 200. Ibid. 201. Ibid. 202. Ibid.
203. Ibid.
204. Id. at 61. 205. Ibid. 206. CE 395.
207. 5 H 62 (Frazier). 208. Ibid.
209. 4 H 104 (Dr. Robert R. Shaw). 210. Id. at 104-105; CE 679, 680. 211. 4 H
104 (Shaw); 6 H 85 (Shaw).
212. 4 H 136-138 (Gov. John B. Connally, Jr.).
213. Id. at 135.
214. 4 H 118, 124 (Dr. Charles F.
Gregory).
215. Id. at 118-119.
216. Id. at 119-120.
217. Id at 120-121.
218. Id at 124.
219. 6 H 89 (Shaw).
220.4 H 109 (Shaw).
221. 4 H 138 (Connally); 6 H 106 (Dr. George T. Shires).
222. See 5 H 87 (Olivier); 6 H 106 ( Shires ).
223. Ibid.; 4 H 125 (Gregory).
224. 6 H 106, 109 (Shires); 4 H 113 (Shaw); 4 H 125 (Gregory).
225. CE 684; 5 H 63 (Frazier). 226. Ibid.
227. Ibid.: CE 683. 228. 5 H 64 (Frazier). 229. Id. at 63-64.
230. Id. at 64; CE 685. 231. 5 H 64 (Frazier). 232. Ibid.
233. Ibid.: CE 686.
234. 5 H 64-65 (Frazier). 235. Ibid.
2,36. Id. at 65. 237. Ibid.
238. CE 687, 688; 5 H 65-66 (Frazier). 239. Ibid.
240. 5 H 93 (Dr. Arthur J. Dziemian). 241. Ibid.
242. Ibid.; see 5 It 82-83 (Olivier). 243. Id. at 81.
244. Ibid.; CE 854, 855.
245. 5 H 82 (Olivier); CE 856. 2.46. 5 H 82 (Olivier). 247. Id. at 82-83. 248.
Ibid.
249. 4 H 121-122 (Gregory). 250. See id. at 124.
251. See 5 H 82 (Olivier). 252. Id. at 87; see id. at 82. 253. 3 H 430
(Frazier). 254. 6 H 98 (Gregory). 255. Id. at 98-99.
256. 6 H 91 (Shaw); 6 H 101-102
(Gregory): 6 H 109-110 (Shires)'-257. 4 H 139-140 (Connally). 258. Id. at
138-139; CE 689.
259. 5 H 92 (Dziemian); see 5 H 84-87 (Olivier); 5 H 95-97 (Dr. F. W. Light,
Jr.).
260. 2 H 71-73 (Kellerman); 2 H 116--117 (Greer); 4 H 132-133 (Connally).
821
Page 822
NOTES TO PAGES 96-119
261. CE 347, 354, 699.
262. 5 H 137 (Leo J. Gauthier); CE 884; see 5 H 138-165 (Lyndal L. Shaneyfelt).
263. Id. at 139-141. 264. Id. at 153-154. 265. Id. at 142.
266. Id. at 153-154; 3 H 407 (Frazier). 267. See 5 H 93 (Dziemian).
268. 5 H 130--132 (Thomas J. Kelley); see CE 871-874.
269. 5 H 132-134 (Kelley). 270. 5 H 147 (Shaneyfelt). 271. Id. at 162.
272. 5 H 134 (Kelley); 5 H 167 (Frazier).
273. 5 H 139 (Shaneyfelt). 274. Id. at 149.
275. Id. at 147-148. 276. See id. at 145. 277. Id. at 147-149. 278. Id. at
149-150. 279. Id. at 150-151. 280. Id. at 152. 281. Id. at 151. 282. Id. at
151-152. 283. Id. at 152. 284. Id. at 157.
285. Id. at 153, 156-157. 286. 5 H 168-169 (Frazier). 287. Id. at 71, 169.
288. Id. at 70, 169 (Frazier); 5 H 77 (Olivier).
289. 5 H 70-71 (Frazier). 290. Ibid. 291. Ibid.
292. Id. at 174. 293. CE 697, 698.
294. 5 H 131-132 (Kelley).
295. 3 H 359 (Carrico); 4 H 147 (Mrs. John B. Connally, Jr.); see 4 H 138-140 (
Connally ).
296. 5 H 169-171 (Frazier).
297. Id. at 170; 4 H 145 (Connally). 298. 5 H 170 (Frazier). 299. lbid.
300. Id. at 167.
301. 5 H 153 (Shaneyfelt); 5 H 137 (Gauthier).
302. 5 H 153, 162 (Shaneyfelt).
303. Ibid.
304. Id. at 162.
305. Id. at 162-163.
306. Id. at 163; CE 902, 903. 307. 5 H 133 (Kelley). 308. 5 It 163 (Shaneyfelt).
309. 4 H 137-188 (Connally). 310. See 4 H 104-105 (Shaw). 311. 5 It 164
(Shaneyfelt). 312. CE 385.
313. 5 H 78-80 (Olivier).
314. CE 399, 853; 5 H 80 (Olivier). 315. Id. at 80, 86. 316. Id. at 86.
317. Id. at 86-87; 5 It 91-92 (Dziemian).
318. Id. at 92 (Dziemian). 319. Ibid.; 5 H 83--84 (Olivier). 320. Id. at 86.
321. Id. at 80.
822. Id. at 84; 6 H 95 (Shaw).
323. 5 H 94, 97 (Light). 324. Id. at 97.
325. CE 389, 390, 885. 326. CE 388, 389.
327. See 5 H 159-160 (Shaneyfelt). 328. Ibid. 329. Ibid.
330. Id. at 145, 160. 331. Id. at 160.
332. E.g. 4 H 147 (Mrs. Connally); 2 H 76 (Kellerman); 2 H 118 (Greer); 2 H
149-150 (Rufus W. Youngblood); 7 H 448 (Kenneth O'Donnell); 7 H 440 (Senator
Ralph W. Yarborough); see also the reports of numerous eyewitnesses in CE 1416-
1419. 1425, 1427, 1430-1432, 1434-1436, 2084, 2087, 2090, 2098-2107.
333. E.g. 2 H 139 (Clinton J. Hill); CE 1421, 1429.
334. E.g. 2 H 194 (James R. Worrell, Jr.); 6 H 207 (Jean L. Hill); 6 H 238
(Skelton).
335. Hatcher, Jury & Weller, Firearms Investigations, Identification and
Evidence, 41.8 (1957).
336. See supra at p. 85.
337. CE 1024, statement of Agent Glen A. Bennett.
338. CE 2112.
339. 4 H 132-133 (Connally).
340. 4 H 147 (Mrs. Connally); 5 H 152 (Shaneyfelt).
341. 4 H 147 (Mrs. Connally). 342. 7 H 517, 520-521 (Altgens). 343. 5 H 158
(Shaneyfelt).
344. 7 H 493 (Phillip L. Willis); 15 H
696 697 (Shaneyfelt); Shaneyfelt DE 25. 345. 4 H 133, 135 (Connally). 346. 5 H
160 (Shaneyfelt).
347. Id. at 153-154; 3 H 407 (Frazier). 348. For recollection that the second
and third shots were closer together see e.g. 2 H 73-74 (Kellerman); 2 H 118
(Greer); 2 H 150 (Youngblood); 2 H 159 (Jackson); CE 20'84, 2098, 2100.
For recollection that the shots were evenly spaced see e.g. 7 H 495 (Willis).
For recollection that the first and second shots were closer together see the
statement of Cecil Ault, CE 2103. 349. 7 H 518 (Altgens).
350. 7 H 560 (Emmett J. Hudson).
351. 5 H 180 (Mrs. John F. Kennedy). 352. 6 H 238 (Skelton). 353. Ibid.
354. 6 H 252 (J. W. Foster). 355. See CE 2111..
356. 7 H 553 (James T. Tague). 357. 7 H 546 (Eddy R. Walthers). 358. Ibid.; 7 H
553 (Tague). 359. Ibid.
360. Id. at 555.
361. CE 1974, p. 166; see 6 H 298 ( Haygood ).
362. 15 H 700 (Shaneyfelt). 363. Ibid. 364. Ibid.
365. E.g. 2 H 76 (Kellerman); 2 H 118 (Greer); 2 H 139 (Clinton J. Hill); 2 H
150 (Youngblood; 2 H 182-183 (Arnold L. Rowland); 2 H 160 (Jackson).
CHAPTER IV
1. See ch. III.
2. 11 H 207 (Albert Yeargan); 11 H 206 (J. Philip Lux); 7 H 364 (William
Waldman).
3. 11 H 205 (Louis Feldsott).
4. 7 H 364-365 (Waldman); 7 H 370-371 (Mitchell Scibor).
5. 7 H 420 (James Cadigan); 4 H 373 (Alwyn Cole).
6. 7 H 420 (Cadigan); 4 H 359-362 (Cole).
7. 7 H 365-368 (Waldman); Waldman DE 7, 8, 9, 10; CE 773, 788.
8. CE 788, 789; 7 H 295 (Harry
Page 823
Holmes); 4 H 373 (Cole); 7 H 423 (Cadigan); Cadigan DE 11.
9. 7 H 366-368 (Waldman); Waldman DE 7, 10; CE 2957.
10. 7 H 365-368 (Waldman); Waldman DE 7, 8, 9, 10; CE 773, 788.
11. 7 H 361-364 (Waldman); Waldman DE 1, 3, 4.
12. Waldman DE 7.
13. 3 H 393 (Robert Frazier); CE 1977. 14. Holmes DE 3; Cadigan DE 13; 7 H 295
(Holmes); CE 2011, p. 17; see also CE 791, 792.
15. 4 H 377-378 (Cole); CE 791, 792.
16. 4 H 379 (Cole); 7 H 425-426 (Cadigan); CE 793.
17. 2 H 457-459 (Ruth Paine); 1 H 18-19 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 388 (Marina Oswald
).
18. Cadigan DE 13; CE 791; 7 H 527 ( Holmes ).
19. Id. at 528.
20. 3 H 300-301 (M. N. McDonald); CE 143; 7 H 54 (Gerald Hill); 7 It 21-22 (Bob
Carroll); Cadigan DE 12.
21. 7 H 376 (Heinz Michaelis); CE 135, 790; 7 H 594 (David Goldstein); Cadigan
DE 12.
22. 4 H 375 (Cole); 7 H 424 (Cadigan). 23. CE 801, 802; 7 H 187-188 (Richard
Stovall); 7 H 228 (Guy Rose); CE 1986,
1989, 1990; CE 2011, p. 20. 24. CE 2011, p. 21.
25. CE 795, 1986, 1989, 1990; 7 H 187-188 (Stovall); 7 H 228 (Rose); CE 2011,
pp. 22-23.
26. Compare CE 801 with 795; For a detailed description of additional steps in
the creation of the forged card, see 4 H 386-387 (Cole).
27. CE 795, 800-801, 806-812; 4 It 380-382, 385-387, 389-391 (Cole); 7 H 427
(Cadigan); 7 H 195 (Stovall).
28. CE 813, 2004; CE 2011, p. 25. 29. 4 H 394-396 (Cole). 30. CE 1828, 2012.
31. 7 H 296 (Holmes).
32. CE 817; Cadigan DE 22; 7 H 296 (Holmes); CE 1799, p. 3; CE 2011, p. 19.
33. 4 H 397-398 (Cole); 7 H 431-432 (Cadigan).
34. 1 H 64 (Marina Oswald). 35. 5 H 401 (Marina Oswald).
36. See e.g., CE 819; CE 1413, pp. 19, 35.
37. 1 H 64 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 401, 403 (Marina Oswald).
38. Ibid: 1 H 65 (Marina Oswald). 39. CE 1398. 40. CE 1945. 41. CE 2014.
42. 1 H 91 (Marina Oswald). When translated from the Russian, the name was
spelled "Alec". Oswald himself spelled the name "Alek" in correspondence. See
note 43, infra.
43. See, e.g., CE 38, 55-56.
44, 3 H 289 (Luke Mooney); 3 H 292-293 (Eugene Boone).
45.. 4 H 258 (J. C. Day); cf. 3 H 295 (Boone).
46. 4 H 259 (Day).
47. Id. at 261; 4 H 20 (Sebastian Latona ).
48. Id. at 21. 49. Ibid. 50. Ibid.
51. Id. at 22, 29; see also 4 H 258-259 (Day).
52. Id. at 260-261. 53. 4 H 24 (Latona). 54. Ibid.
55. 4 H 261-262 (Day).
56. 4 II 73 (Latona); 4 H 261 (Day). 57. CE 2637.
58. 4 H 24 (Latona); CE 637-639.
NOTES TO PACES 119-128
59. 4 H 50 (Arthur Mandella); 15 H 745-746 (Mandella).
60. 4 H 47 (Latona); 7 H 590 (Ronald Wittmus ).
61. 4 H 30 (Latona); 4 lt 54 (Mandella); 7 11 590 (Wittmus).
62. 4 H 2 (Latona); 4 H 262 (Day). 63. 4 H 260 (Day).
64. 4 H 82, 85 (Paul Stombaugh); CE 674.
65. 4 H 56, 74 (Stombaugh).
66. CE 150, 673-676; 3 H 302 (McDonald); see CE 2011, p. 13. 15 H 695 (Lyndal
Shaneyfelt).
67. 4 H 83-87 (Stombaugh). 68. Id. at
,69. Id. at 87. 70. Id. at 87-88.
71. 1 H 121 (Marina Oswald).
72. 3 H 252 (T. L. Baker); 3 H 276 (Mrs. Robert Reid); 2 H 259 (William Whaley
).
73. 6 H 412-413 (Mrs. Mary Bledsoe). 74. 7 H 173 (Richard Sims); 2 H 287 (Cecil
McWatters); 4 H 223 (J. W. Fritz); CE 381, 381-A; CE 2005, p. I 137-B.
75. Ibid.
76. 4 H 84 (Stombaugh). 77. Id. at 83.
78. 3 H 41 (Ruth Paine); see app. XIII.
79. See footnotes 107-114. infra. 80. See ch. VI, pp. 318-321.
81. See footnotes 107-114, infra.
82. CE 712, 713; 4 H 237, 241 (Fritz); 11 H 155-156 (M. Waldo George).
83. 1 H 15-16, 117-118 (Marina Oswald); CE 134.
84. CE 133-A.
85. CE 748; 4 H 281 (Lyndal Shaneyfelt ).
86. Ibid.
87. CE 133-A, 133-B, 134; 1 It 117-118 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 405, 410 (Marina
Oswald): CE 750.
88. CE 749: 7 It 194 (Stovall); 7 H 231 (Rose); CE 2011, p. 26. The recovered
negative was of the picture introduced as CE 133-B.
89. 4 H 284-288 (Shaneyfelt). 90. Id. at 284.
91. Id. at 289; 15 H 693 (Shaneyfelt).
92. 4 H 237, 241 (Fritz); CE 712, 713, 714.
93. 4 H 288 (Shaneyfelt).
94. Id. at 290-294; 15 H 687-690 ( Shaneyfelt ).
95. 4 h 292-294 (Shaneyfelt); 15 H 689-690 (Shaneyfelt); Shaneyfelt DE 13, 14,
18.
96. See footnote 4, 82, 83, supra.
97. CE 1406; 15 H 690-692 (Shaneyfelt); Shaneyfelt DE 20, 21, 22, 22-A.
98. I H 15, 118 (Marina Oswald); see p. 182, infra.
99. Michaelis DE 5; Waldman DE 7. 100. 1 H 119 (Marina Oswald). 101. Id. at ]4.
102. Id. at 21; CE 1403, p. 735.
103. 1 H 21-22, 54 (Marina Oswald); but see Id. at 65; contr CE 1403, p. 736.
104. i H 26 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 4-5, 7, 10-11, 19 (R. Paine).
]05. I H 26 (Marina Oswald).
106. 3 H 26-21, 25 (R. Paine); 2 H 507-508 (R. Paine).
107. 1 H 26, 52, 53, 61, 67-78, 74 (Marina Oswald): CE 2003. p. 46.
108. 1 H 26.52 (Marina Oswald).
109. 3 H 21-25 (R. Paine); 9 H 436-443 (M. Paine).
110. 2 H 414-416 (M. Paine); 9 H 437-440 (M. Paine).
111. 9 H 436 (M. Paine).
823
Page 824
NOTES TO PAGES 128-140
112. 2 H 417 (M. Paine); 9 H 442-443 (M. Paine).
113. 7 H 229 (Rose); 7 H 548 (Eddy Walthers).
114. 4 H 57-58 (Stombaugh).
115. 3 H 27-39 (R. Paine); 1 H 51 (Marina Oswald); 6 H 401-402 (Bledsoe); 10 H
293-294 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson); 6 H 436 (E. Roberts).
116. 2 H 212-213, 217 (Frazier); I H 51,124 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 40, 67, 127 (R.
Paine).
117. I H 51 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 222 (Frazier); 3 H 40 (M. Paine); see 3 H 28-
46 (M. Paine).
118. 2 H 222-223 (Frazier) ; CE 2003, p. 25.
119. Ibid.
120. 2 H 247-248 (Mrs. Linnie Mae Randle); 2 H 224 (Frazier).
121. 10 H 297 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson). 122. CE 2046.
123. 3 H 72-73 (R. Paine); 9 H 424 (R.
Paine); R. Paine DE 275, 276; CE 449. 124. 3 H 75-76 (R. Paine).
125. I H 68-69 (Marina Oswald). 126. CE 2640.
127. 3 H 46, 56-57 (R. Paine); 1 H 65 (Marina Oswald).
128. 3 H 48, 59-61 (R. Paine); 9 H 418 (R. Paine); I H 71 (Marina Oswald).
129. 3 H 48, 52, 60 (R. Paine); 9 H 397, 418 (R. Paine); CE 430.
130. CE 429, 430, 434; 3 H 29, 52-53 (R. Paine); 9 H 402 (R. Paine).
131. 9 H 408, 410 (R. Paine); 3 H 20-22 (R. Paine); 1 H 26, 52-53, 67, 119
(Marina Oswald); CE 140; 2003, p. 46. 132. 3 H 47 (R. Paine). 133. Id. at 47,
62-63. 134. Id. at 48-49, 65.
135. 1 H 66-67 (Marina Oswald). 136. Ibid; 3 H 58-59, 67 (R. Paine).
137. Compare photos in CE 1305 and 1304.
138. 2 H 252 (Cortlandt Cunningham).
139. I H 73-74 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 68-69 (R. Paine).
140. Ibid; 3 H 78-79 (R. Paine); 7 H 229-230 (Rose).
141. I H 119 (Marina Oswald). 142. 3 H 79 (R. Paine).
143. Ibid; I H 74 (Marina Oswald).
144. Ibid; 7 H 305 (Holmes): Holmes DE 4, p. 3-4; see also 4 H 223, 229 (Fritz).
145. 1 H 72-73 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 68, 112 (R. Paine); 2 H 224-226 (Frazier).
146. 1 H 66, 72-73 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 68 (R. Paine).
147. 2 H 248 (Randle); CE 144, 446. 148. 2 H 251 (Randle); CE 144, 446. 149. 2 H
248-249 (Randle). 150. Id. at 249-250. 151. Id. at 249.
152. 2 H 225-226 (Frazier). 153. Id. at 226. 154. Ibid. 155. Ibid.
156. Id. at 228.' 157. Id. at 220. 158. Id. at 228. 159. Id. at 230.
160. 6 H 376--377 (Jack Dougherty). 161. See e.g. 6 H 383 (Eddie Piper): 3 H
164-165 (Bonnie Ray Williams): 3 H 188 (Harold Norman); 3 H 200 (James Jarman,
Jr.): 3 H 218-219 (Roy Truly); 6 H 328 (William Shelley); 6 H 348--349 (Charles
Givens); 6 H 358-359 (Troy West); 6 H 364-365 (Danny Arce); 6 H 337 (Billy
Lovelady); CE 1381, pp. 2, 9. 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 33-34, 37. 39, 43, 50. 58, 59,
67, 71, 77, 82. 86, 89, 96, 97, 105.
162. 2 H 226 (Frazier); 2 H 249-250 (Randle).
163. 3 H 395 (Frazier); CE 139.
164. CE 1304; 2 H 240 (Frazier).
165. Id. at 241.
166. Id. at 243.
167. CE 2009.
168. 2 H 249-250 (Randle).
169. 2 II 239 (Frazier).
170. 2 H 248-249 (Randle); see CE
2008.
171. Ibid.
172. 2 H 243 (Frazier).
173. Id. at 229.
174. See CE 142; 4 H 266 (Day).
175. 4 H 266-267 (Day); 7 H 143-145
(Robert Lee Studebaker); Studebaker DE
F; CE 1302.
176. 3 H 395 (Frazier); CE 142, 626.
177. CE 1301, 1302.
178. See CE 508, 723, 726; 4 H 265-
266 (Day); 3 H 285-286, 289 (Luke
Mooney ).
179. 4 H 267 (Day).
180. See app. X, pp. 565-566; 4 H 3-8
( Latona ).
181. Id. at 4-5, 8.
182. Id. at 7.
183. Id. at 47; 7 H 590 (Wittmus).
184. 4 H 50-51 (Mandella).
185. 4 H 5, 47 (Latona); 4 H 50-51
(Mandella); 15 H 745-746.
186. 4 H 44-45 (Latona).
187. Id. at 7; 2 It 228 (Frazier).
188. See CE 677 which indicates it was
picked up by R. L. Studebaker of the
Dallas Police Force on November 22, 1963;
4 H 89-90 (Cadigan).
189. Id. at 93.
190. Id. at 95.
191. Id. at 93, 94, 97.
192. Id. at 93-94, 97, 99, 100.
193. CE 1077, 364; 4 H 93 (Cadigan).
194. Id. at 94-96, 99-100.
195. Ibid.
196. Id. at 96; CE 1965.
197. 3 H 215-218 (Truly).
198. 4 H 77-78 (Stombaugh).
199. Id. at 81.
200. Id. at 78.
201. Ibid.
202. Id. at 81.
203. Ibid.
204. 3 H 214 (Truly).
205. Id. at 214-215; 6 H 328 (Shelley).
206. Id. at 215; 6 H 328 (Shelley).
207. See infra, p. 143.
208. 4 H 269, 272, 277 (Day); CE 654,
733, 734; 7 H 147 (Studebaker); Studebaker DE J; CE 1309.
209. 4 H 269, 270-271, 277 (Day); CE
641, 733, 734; 7 H 141-143, 147 (Studebaker); Studebaker DE A, B, C, D, E, 5;
CE 1306, 1308.
210. 4 H 251, 277 (Day): CE 481, 482,
653, 733, 734:7 H 141-143, 147 (Studebaker); Studebaker DE A, B, D, E, J.
211. 7 H 141 (Studebaker); 7 H 391
(Shelley); 3 H 232, 236 (Truly).
212. 7 H 149 (Studebaker).
213. CE 733; 734; 1312; 7 H 147
(Studebaker); Studebaker DE J.
214. CE 1302: see pp. 134-135 supra.
215. 4 H 31, 38, 42 (Latona).
216. Id. at 42.
217. Id. at 32, 34.
218. 3 H 231 (Truly); 7 H 391-392
(Shelley).
219. 3 H 232 (Truly); 7 H 149 (Studebaker); 7 H 392 (Shelley).
220. 7 H 391 (Shelley); 3 H 236
( Truly ).
221. 7 H 391-392 (Shelley).
222. 4 H 269 (Day); CE 1302.
223.4 H 39 (Latona).
224. Id. at 38, 39 (Latona).
225. Id. at 39.
226. Ibid.
Page 825
227. Id. at 38-39.
228. 4 H 269-270 (Day); 4 H 31, 38-
39, 42 (Latona).
229. CE 313; pp. 17-18.
230. 4 H 51, 52, 54 (Mandella); 15 H
745-746 (Mandella); CE 662.
231. Id. at 47; 7 H 590 (Wittmus).
232. 4 H 42-44 (Latona); CE 1980,
3135.
233. 6 H 347, 349 (Givens).
234. Id. at 354.
235. Id. at 349.
236 Ibid.
237. Id. at 349-350, 353.
238. Id. at 350-351.
239. Id. at 351; 3 H 223 (Truly).
240. 6 H 351 (Givens).
241. CE 1381.
242. 6 H 342~345 (Frankie Kaiser);
6 It 332 (Shelley); 6 H 335 (Nat Pinkston); 3 H 233-235 (Truly); Kaiser DE
A: CE 506.
243. CE 1966, 3141, 6 H 344 (Kaiser);
6 H 335 (Pinkston).
244. 6 H 344 (Kaiser); 6 H 335 (Pinkston ).
245. Ibid; 6 H 332-333 (Shelley); 3
H 215. (Truly).
246. 6 H 332-333 (Shelley).
247. See ch. III.
248. 3 H 144-148 (Howard Brennan);
7 H 354 (Forrest Sorrels).
249. 3 It 141-144 (Brennan); CE
477-479.
250. 3 H 149-157 (Brennan); CE 479. 251. 3 H 142 (Brennan). 252. Id. at 143.
253. Id. at 143-144.
254. Id. at 145; 6 H 322-323 (J. Herbert Sawyer); 3 H 197 (Norman); 3 H 207
(Jarman); 7 H 349 (Sorrels); 7 H 540-544 (W. E. Barnett).
255. 6 H 321 (Sawyer); Sawyer DE
A; CE 1974, p. 24-25. 256. CE 2005.
257. 3 H 144 (Brennan). 258. CE 1991.
259. CE 1945, 1950, 1951; CE 1944, p. 3.
260. 11 H 471 (Francis Martello); CE 1413, pp. 19,
261. CE 1981.
262. CE 1974, p. 59. 263. Id. at 181. 264. Id. at 74.
265. 3 H 144 (Brennan). 266. CE 481, 715, 733, 734. 267. CE 715, 733, 734.
268. See 5 H 167 (Frazier); CE 1301. 269. 3 It 144 (Brennan).
270. See e.g., CE 481, 482, 485.
271. 3 H 174 (Williams); 3 H 190-191 (Norman); 3 H 204 (Jarman); CE 485, 486,
494.
272. CE 485, 486, 494.
273. See CE 485, 486, 494, 715, 733, 734, 1912.
274. 3 H 146, 156 (Brennan): 3 H 197
(Norman); but see, 7 H 349 (Sorrels). 275. 3 II 184-185 (Brennan).
276. 3 H 197 (Norman) ;9 H 207 (Jar-
277. 3 H 197 (Norman). 278. 3 H 207 (Jarman).
279. 3 H 147-148 (Brennan); 7 H 355 ( Sorrels ).
280. 3 H 148 (Brennan); but see 7 354-355 (Sorrels).
281. 3 H 155 (Brennan).
282. CE 2006:3 H 155-156 (Brennan). 283. Id. at 155. 284. Id. at 148.
285. Ibid; see also id. at 155.
286. Id. at 148; 7 H 354 (Sorrels).
287. 6 H 193-194 (Ronald Fischer); 6 H 203-205 (Robert Edwards).
NOTES TO PAGES 141-152
288. 6 H 192 (Fischer); 6 H 202-203 (Edwards).
289. 3 H 141 (Brennan). 290. 6 It 193 (Fischer). 291. Ibid. 292. Ibid. 293.
Ibid.
294. Id. at 194. 295. Ibid. 296. Ibid. 297. Ibid.
298. Id. at 197-198. 299. Id. at 197. 300. Id. at 198. 301. Ibid.
302. Id. at 198-199.
303. 6 H 203 (Edwards). 304. Id. at 203-204. 305. See ch. III, p. 64.
306. 2 H 203 (Amos Euins); CE 365 307. 2 H 204-207 (Euins). 308. CE 367.
309. 6 H 170 (James Underwood).
310. 2 H 208 (Euins). 311. 7 H 349 (Sorrels).
312. 7 H 519 (James Altgens). 313. Ibid; CE 369, 203.
314. 5 H 158 159 (Shaneyfelt); 7 H 519
(Altgens); CE 900. 315. CE 1408.
316. 6 H 338-339 (Lovelady); CE 1407.
317. 2 H 233 (Frazier); 6 It 328 (Shelley).
318. Ibid; CE 369. 319. 3 H 244 (Baker). 320. Id. at 245, 321. Ibid. 322. Ibid.
323. Id. at 246. 324. Ibid.
325. Id. at 247. 326. Ibid.
327. Id. at 248. 328. Ibid.
329. Id. at 248-249. 330. Id. at 249. 331. CE 1118.
332. 3 H 249 (Baker). 333. Ibid.
334. 3 H 223 (Truly). 335. Ibid.
336. 3 H 249-250 (Baker).
337. Id. at 255-256; 3 H 222-223
(Truly).
338. CE 1118.
339. 7 H 591 (Truly).
340. 3 H 224 (Truly); 3 H 250
(Baker); CE 498.
341. 3 It 250, 255 (Baker). 342. Ibid.
343. Id. at 250: CE 1118. 344. 3 H 223-224 (Truly). 345. 3 It 255 (Baker). 346.
Id. at 250. 347. Ibid. 348. Ibid.
349. Id. at 255. 350. Id. at 251.
351. 3 H 225 (Truly).
352. Ibid.: 3 H 251 (Baker).
353. 3 H 225 (Truly); 3 H 251 (Baker). 354. Id. at 252 (Baker). 355. 3 H 225
(Truly). 356. Ibid.
357. 3 H 247-248 (Baker). 358. 3 H 228 (Truly). 359. 3 H 252 (Baker).
360. Id. at 254; see also 3 H 240 (Truly).
361. 3 H 254 (Baker); Truly, however stated that the second run was timed at
1 minute 15 seconds, 3 H 240 (Truly). 362. 7 H 592 (John Howlett).
363. 7 H 592-593 (Baker); 3 It 247-248 (Baker).
364. Id. at 253.
825
730-900 0-64--54
Page 826
NOTES TO PAGES 152-165
365. Id. at 252; accord, 3 H 228
(Truly).
366. Id. at 223.
367. Ibid.
368. 3 H 254 (Baker).
369. 3 H 226 (Truly); see also 3 H 254
(Baker).
370. 3 H 226-227 (Truly).
371. 6 H 379 (Dougherty); see also
3 H 229 (Truly).
372. 6 H 380 (Dougherty).
373. 6 H 382-386 (Piper).
374. 3 H 180 (Williams).
375. Ibid; 3 H 193 (Norman); 3 H
206 (Jarman); 3 H 231 (Truly); CE
490, 492.
376. 3 H 201-206 (Jarman); 3 H 89-97
(Norman); 3 H 171-176 (Williams).
377. 3 H 201-206 (Jarman); 3 H 89-
97 (Norman); 3 H 171-176 (Williams);
6 H 378 (Dougherty); CE 1381, pp. 27,
49, 70, 101-102.
378. 6 H 388 (Victoria Adams).
379. Ibid.
380. 6 H 329 (Shelley); 6 H 339 (Love-
lady).
381. Ibid.; 6 H 329 (Shelley).
382. 6 It 329 (Shelley).
383. Id. at 329-330; 6 H 338-340
( Lovelady ).
384. Id. at 340.
385. 3 It 273 (Mrs. Reid). 386. Ibid.
387. Id. at 274. 388. Ibid. 389. Ibid. 390. Ibid.
391. Id. at 278; CE 1118. 392. 3 H 276 (Mrs. Reid). 393. I H 122 (Marina
Oswald). 394. Ibid.
395. 6 H 345 (Kaiser). 396. 3 It 275 (Mrs. Reid). 397. Id. at 275, 279. 398. Id.
at 279. 399. CE 1118.
400. 7 H 542-543 (Barnett). 401. See ch. III, p. 63. 402. 7 It 543 (Barnett).
403. Ibid.
404. 6 H 310 (D. V. Harkness); CE 1974, p. 165.
405. 6 H 311 (Harkness). 406. Id. at 312.
407. CE 1974, p. 165; 6 H 316-317
(Sawyer).
408. Id. at 317-318.
409. Id. at 320.
410. Id. at 318, 320.
411. Id. at 320.
412. 7 H 348 (Sorrels).
413. 3 H 238 (Truly).
414. 3 H 230, 238 (Truly).
415. Id. at 230.
416. Id. at 239.
417. 4 H 206 (Fritz).
418. Id. at 211; 7 It 173 (Sims); CE 381.
419. Compare CE 381 A and 372; 2 H 268 (McWatters).
420. 2 H 263-264. 286 (McWatters). 421. Id. at 271.
422. Id. at 264, 271. 423. Id. at 264-265. 424. Id. at 271.
425. Id. at 279-280, 282; CE 377. 426. 2 H 280 283 (McWatters). 427. CE 2641.
428. 2 H 270 (McWatters).
429. 6 H 401,402 (Mrs. Bledsoe). 430. Id. at 406. 431. Ibid.
432. Id. at 408-409. 433. Id. at 409. 434. Ibid.
826
435. CE 150; 7 H 33-34 (Thomas Hut-son); 1 H 121-122 (Marina Oswald); 1.5 H 695
(Shaneyfelt).
436. 6 H 412-413 (Mrs. Bledsoe). 437. CE 1985.
438. Ibid; CE 1984.
439. 6 H 411 (Mrs. Bledsoe).
440. 2 H 275 (McWatters); CE 376. 441. 2 H 276 (McWatters). 442. Id. at 275-276.
443. 10 H 292-293 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson ).
444. CE 2017.
445. 2 H 283 (McWatters). 446. CE 1987. 447. Ibid.
448. 6 H 266, 270 (Roger Craig); CE 1967, 1992, 1993.
449. Ibid.; 6 It 2,66-267 (Craig). 450. Ibid.
451. 6 H 270 (Craig). 452. Ibid.
453. 4 H 245 (Fritz).
454. Ibid., 7 H 404 (Fritz). 455. 2 H 260 (Whaley). 456. Ibid.
457. Id. at 260-261. 458. Id. at 261. 459. Ibid.
460. 2 H 260 (Whaley); 6 H 432 (Whaley); CE 2003, p. 293.
461. 2 H 294 (Whaley); 6 H 430, 432 (Whaley).
462. CE 1054, 2003, p. 293. 463. CE 370, 382.
464. 2 H 254 (Whaley). 465. Id. at 25.5. 466. Ibid.
4.67. Id. at 256. 468. Ibid.
469. Id. at 258, 371. 470. 2 H 258 (Whaley). 471. CE 1119-A.
472. 6 H 428-429 (Whaley). 473. Id. at 429. 474. Ibid.
475. Id. at 434. 476. Ibid.
477. 2 H 260 (Whaley). 478. 6 H 345 (Kaiser).
479. 6 H 409 (Mrs. Bledsoe). 480. 2 H 259 (Whaley).
481.2 H 256-257, 292 (Whaley). 482. CE 383-A, 2003, p. 289. 483. 4 H 214
(Fritz).
484. Id. at 211, 223; CE 2003, p. 289. 485. 4 H 223 (Fritz). 486. CE 1119-A.
487. 6 H 440 (Mrs. Roberts). 488. Id. at 435-436.
489. Id. at 436:10 II 294-295 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson): Mrs. A. C. Johnson DE A.
490. 6 H 438-440 (Mrs. Roberts); 7 H
439 Mrs. Roberts); CE 2017. 491. CE 1119-A.
492. CE 1974, pp. 52-53. 493. CE 1995.
494. 4 H 177 (Jesse Curry).
495. 3 H 297 (McDonald); CE 1976, p. 8; 522.
496. 7 H 77 (Rio Pierce); Sawyer DE B, p. 1 ; CE 1974. p. 24.
497. 4 H 179 (Curry): CE 1974. p. 26. 498. CE 1974, pp. 36-37; Sawyer DE A; 4 It
179, 184 (Curry); 7 H 75 (James Putnam).
499. Id. at 76:4 H 179 (Curry).
500. Ibid: CE 1974, pp. 24-25, 28, 37.
501. 4 H 179 (Curry); CE 1974, pp. 24-25, 28, 37.
502. Ibid.
5O3. CE 1305.
504. 3 H 322-327 (William Scoggins); CE 1305.
505. 3H 333 334 (Scoggins); 7 H 265-266 (James Leavelle); CE 2003, p. 293.
Page 827
506. 3 H 334-335 (Scoggins).
507. 6 H 446-449 (Domingo Benavides).
508. Id. at 449: CE 1974, p. 52.
509. 6 H 450-451 (Benavides); 7 H
68 (J. M. Poe); CE 2011, pp. 7-8.
510. 6 H 451-452 (Benavides); 7 H
263-264 (Leavelle).
511.3 H 306-307, 313 (Helen Mark-
ham ).
512. Id. at 307.
513. Id. at 307-308, 313-316; 3 H 343
(Barbara Davis); 6 H 456-457 (Virginia
Davis).
514. 3 H 308 (Markham).
515. Id. at 308-309, 316, 321.
516. Id. at 309, 320.
517. 7 H 68 (Poe).
518. CE 1974, p. 58-59.
519. CE 2002; 3 H 310 (Markham).
520. Id. at 311; see 4 H 176 (Curry);
4 H 212 (Fritz); 7 H 253-254 (L. C.
Graves); 7 H 263 (Leavelle); CE 2003,
p. 293.
521. 7 H 252 (Graves).
522. Id. at 254.
523. 3 H 311 (Markham).
524. 2 H 51 (Mark Lane).
525. Markham, DE 1.
526. Id. at 3-4, 8.
527. Id. at 3, 7.
528. 7 H 68 (Poe); CE 1974, p. 59.
529. 3 H 317 (Markham).
530. 7 H 500-506 (Markham).
531.3 H 343-344 (B. Davis); 6 H 455-
458 (V. Davis).
532. 3 H 344-345 (B. Davis).
533. Id. at 345-346; 6 H 458, 460, 463-
464 (V. Davis); 7 H 153 (C. N. Dhority);
CE 2011, pp. 7-8.
534. CE 2003, p. 293; 6 H 461-462
(V. Davis): 3 H 349 (B. Davis); 7 H
153-154 (Dhority); 7 H 250 (C. W.
Brown ).
535. 3 H 348 (B. Davis). 536. Id. at 349.
537. 6 H 461 (V. Davis).
538. CE 2003, p. 293; 6 H 462 (V. Davis); 3 H 350 (B. Davis); 7 H 153-154
(Dhority); 7 H 250 (Brown). 539. 6 H 462 (V. Davis).
540. Ibid; 3 H 350 (B. Davis). 541. Ibid; 6 H 462 (V. Davis). 542. 7 H 83-84
(William Smith). 543. Id. at 84. 544. Id. at 84-85. 545. Id. at 85.
546. 3 H 351-352 (Ted Callaway); 7 H 395-396 (Sam Guinyard).
547. 3 H 352-353 (Callaway); 7 H 396-397 (Guinyard).
548. 3 H 353-354 (Callaway). 549. 7 H 398 (Guinyard).
550. Ibid; 3 H 354 (Callaway). 551. Ibid.
552. Ibid; 3 H 332 (Scoggins).
553. 7 H 264 (Leavelle); 3 H 355 (Callaway); 7 H 399-400 (Guinyard); CE 2003, p.
293.
554.3 H 355 (Callaway). 555. 7 H 400 (Guinyard).
556. Ibid.; 3 H 355 (Callaway). 557. CE 1054.
558. Ibid.; 7 H 253 (Graves); 1 H 167-168 (Sims); 4 H 166, 175 (Curry);
7 H 262-266 (Leavelle). 559. CE 1305.
560. CE 2523; 11 H 434, 436-437. (Warren Reynolds).
561. 7 H 594 (Harold Russell).
562. 15 H 744-745 (B. M. Patterson); B. M. Patterson DE A, B.
563. 15 H 703 (L. J. Lewis); L. J. Lewis DE A.
564. CE 2523; 11 H 435 Reynolds); 15 H 744-745 (B. M. Patterson); B. M.
Patterson DE A, B.
NOTES TO PAGES 166-178
565. 7 H 594 (Russell).
566. 15 H 744-745 (B. M. Patterson); B. M. Patterson DE A, B.
567. CE 2523; 11 H 435-4,37(Reynolds).
568. 15 II 703 (L. J. Lewis); L. J. Lewis DE A.
569. 3 H 200 301 (McDonald): 7 H 54-55 (Gerald Hill); 7 H 24-25 (Carroll).
570. 6 H 449-450 (Benavides); 3 H 345 346 (B. Davis); 6 H 463 464 (V. Davis).
571. 3 H 465-466, 468 (Cunningham). 572. Id. at 466.
573. 3 H 511 (Joseph Nicol). 574. CE 2011, p. 9.
575. 3 H 475-476 (Cunningham). 576. Id. at 475, 485; 3 H 512 (Nicol). 577. 3 H
475 (Cunningham). 578. Id. at 483. 579. CE 603.
580. 3 H 512 (Nicol).
581. 3 H 465 (Cunningham). 582. 3 H 352 (Callaway).
583. 7 H 372-374 (Michaelis).
584. Id. at 373-375; Michaelis DE 1. 585. 7 H 375 (Michaelis).
586. 7 H 376 (Michaelis); CE 135, 790.
587. 7 H 367-377 (Michaelis); CE 135, 790.
588. 7 H 376-378 (Michaelis); Michaelis DE. 2-5.
589. 4 H 361, 375 (Cole); 7 H 424 (Cadigan).
590. 1 H 118 (Marina Oswald). 591. Id. at 120.
592. Id. at 118, 120; 11 H 405 (Edwin Walker).
593. CE 144, 2003, p. 286; 7 H 213-214 (Henry Moore); Moore DE 1; 7 H 222-223
(F. M. Turner), 7 H 197-]99 (Walter Ports); Ports DE
594. 1 H 120 (Marina Oswald).
595. 6 H 440 (Roberts); CE 1974, p. 52. 596. 6 H 439 440 (Roberts').
597. Hill DE B; 3 H 302 (MacDonald); 7 H 53 (Rill).
598. CE 705, pp. 10, 22, 82. 599. CE 1974, p. 59. 600. 7 H 68-70 (Poe).
601. 7 H 593 (Alvin Brock). 602. CE 1974, p. 60.
603. 7 H 116-118 (Capt. W. R. West-brook ).
604. Ibid. 605. Ibid.
606. Id. at 118. 607. CE 1843.
608. 6 H 345 (Kaiser); CE 163. 609. 1 H 122 (Marina Oswald).
610. Ibid; 7 H 117-118 (Westbrook). 611. 6 H 439 (Roberts). 612. 3 H 356
(Callaway).
613. 3 H 312 (Markham); 3 H 347 (B.
Davis); 3 H 328 (Scoggins). 614. Ibid.
615. CE 1119-A. See pp. 168-169, supra.
616. 7 H 2 (Johnny Brewer). 617. Id. at 3. 618. Ibid. 619. Ibid. 620. Id. at 4.
621.7 H 10-11 (Mrs. Julia Postal).
622. Id. at 11.
623. Ibid.
624. Ibid.
625. Ibid.
626. Ibid.
627. Ibid.
628. CE 1974, p. 83.
629. Id. at 83-84; 3 H 298-299 (McDonald); CE 2003, p. 75.
630. 3 H 299 (McDonald).
631. 7 H 19 (Carroll); 7 H 49 (Hill).
632. CE 2003, p. 77.
Page 828
NOTES TO PAGES 178-189
633. 7 H 6 (Brewer); 3 H 299 (McDonald); 7 H 30 (Hutson); 7 H 37 (C. T. Walker).
634. 7 H 5-6 (Brewer); 3 H 299 (Mc-
Donald); 7 H 37 (C. T. Walker). 635. Id. at 38.
636. 7 H 49 (Hill); 7 H 31 (Hutson). 637. 3 H 299 (McDonald). 638. Ibid.
639. Id. at 300. 640. Ibid. 641. Ibid. 642. Ibid. 643. Ibid. 644. Ibid.
645. Ibid; 7 H 93 (Ray Hawkins). 646. 3 H 300 (McDonald). 647. Ibid.
648. Id. at 300-301; 7 H 20 (Carroll). 649. 7 H 547-548, 551 (Walthers).
650. 7 H 39 (Walker); 7 H 93-94 ( Hawkins ).
651. 7 H 32 (Hutson); 7 H 39-40
(Walker); see also 7 H 94 (Hawkins). 652. 3 H 461 (Cunningham). 653. Id. at 464-
465.
654. 7 H 87-88 (George Applin Jr.). 655. Id. at 88-90.
656. 7 H 547 (Walthers). 657. 7 H 94-95 (Hawkins). 658. 7 H 72 (John Gibson).
659. Id. at 73.
660. 7 H 6 (Brewer). 661. Ibid.
662. 7 H 40 (C. T. Walker); 7 H 52 (G. Hill); CE 1974, p. 181.
663. 3 H 301 (McDonald). 664. CE 1974, p. 88.
665. 4 H 206 (Fritz); 7 H 163 (Sims). 666. 7 H 59 (Hill). 667. Ibid. 668. Ibid.
669. 4 H 275-276 (Day).
670. 3 H 514 (Nicol); 3 II 495 (Cunningham ).
671. Id. at 487.
672. For testimony relating to the interrogation sessions, see 4 H 152-153, 157
(Curry); 4 H 207-211, 217, 221-231, 239-240 (Fritz); 4 H 355-357 (Winston
Lawson); 4 H 466-470 (James Hosty, Jr.); 7 H 123-127 (Elmer Boyd); 7 H 164-182
(Sims); 7 H 309-318 (James Bookhout); 7 H 320-321 (Manning Clements); 13 H 58-62
(Sorrels); 7 H 590 (Kelley); 7 H 296-306 (Holmes); CE 1982.
673. 4 H 214, 217, 230-231 (Fritz); 7 H 299 (Holmes).
674. 7 H 215 (Moore); 7 H 193-194 (Stovall); 7 H 231 (Rose); 7 H 203-205 (John
Adamcik).
675. CE 1982; p. 137; 4 H 226 (Fritz); CE 2003. p. I 138-B, 138-C.
676. 4 H 226-231 (Fritz); CE 2003,
p. I 138-B, 138-C; 7 H 298-299 (Holmes). 677. See pp. 126-127, supra. 678. 4 H
214 (Fritz). 679. Id. at 224, 230.
680. See pp. 172-173, supra.
681. CE 795, 1.986, 1989, 1990; 7 H 187-188 (Stovall); 7 H 228 (Rose); CE 2011,
p. 20.
682. 4 H 222 (Fritz). 683. Ibid.
684. Ibid; 7 H 299 (Holmes); Holmes DE 4.
685. Ibid; 7 H 299 (Holmes). 686. Ibid.
687. 4 H 211 (Fritz); CE 2003, p. I 136-D; 7 H 311-312 (Bookhout).
688. Mrs. A. C. Johnson DE A; see 10
H 294-295 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson). 689. CE 2003, p. 137-B. 690. 7 H 305 (Holmes).
691. 3 H 41 (R. Paine).
692. 7 H 305 (Holmes); Holmes DE 4, pp. 3-4; see also 4 H 223, 229 (Fritz).
828
693. Id. at 218, 228. 694. 2 H 220 (Frazier).
695. 4 H 467-468 (Hosty); see also 4 H 213-214 (Fritz); CE 2003, p. I 136-B,
136-C.
696. 6 H 328-329 (Shelley); see also 3 H 230 (Truly).
697. CE 1988; 4 H 224 (Fritz); CE
2005, p. I 137-C; Holmes DE 4, (Kelley). 698. 3 H 201 (Jarman); CE 1980. 699. 3
H 201 (Jarman). 700. 11 H 405 (Walker). 701. CE 2958.
702. 5 H 446 (Surrey). 703. CE 1997.
704. CE 1785, 2525; 9 H 393-394 (R. Paine); 1 H 18 (Marina Oswald).
705. CE 1; 1 H 17, 37 (Marina Oswald).
706. 7 H 437 (Cadigan). 707. CE 1130.
708. 1 H 16 (Marina Oswald). 709. Ibid.
710. Id. at 17.
711. 11 H 155 (Waldo George). 712. 7 H 292 (Holmes). 713. CE 1979.
714. 1 H 16-17 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 292-294 (Marina Oswald).
715. Ibid; 1 H 18 (Marina Oswald),
716. Id. at 38; see CE 2, P-2; CE 3, P-1; CE 5.
,717. CE 3, P-l; CE 5. 718. CE 1397.
719. CE 1006-1009, 1011-1012. 720. CE 2, P-2; see CE 1397. 721. CE 2001, p. 3.
722. CE 1351, p. 8. 723. Waldman DE 7.
724. 15 H 692 (Shaneyfelt); Shaneyfelt DE 20.
725. CE 4, P-5; 1 H 39 (Marina Oswald ).
726. CE 1953, pp. 23-24, CE 4, P-5.
727. CE 1824-A, p. 385; 1953, pp. 24-25: CE 1953-A, P-1.
728. 1 H 16 (Marina Oswald); CE 1403, pp. 733-734.
729. CE 1953, pp. 2-4. 730. Id. at 4-5.
731. CE 2524, 2011, p. 5. 732. 3 H 439 (Frazier). 733. Id. at 434. 734. Id. at
440.
735. 3 H 503 (Nicol). 736. Ibid.
737. 1 H 17 (Martina Oswald); CE 1403, p. 733.
738. CE 1953, p. 14. 739. CE 2521, 1790.
740. CE 1953, pp. 27-31; CE 1979.
741.1 H 334-335 (Robert Oswald); CE 323, p. 27.
742. 1 H 123 (Marina Oswald). 743. CE 1357.
744. 1 H 334--340 (Robert Oswald). 745. 5 H 392 (Marina Oswald). 746. Id. at
389-390. 747. Id. at 390. 748. Ibid.
749. Michaelis DE 2.
750. 1 H 18-19 (Marina Oswald); 2
H 457-459 (R. Paine). 751. CE 1795, 1975. 752. CE 1973.
753. CE 2522, 1795, 1975. 754. CE 1972.
755. 5 H 390 (Marina Oswald). 756. Id. at 397. 757. Ibid.
758. CE 1972.
759. 5 H 395 (Marina Oswald). 760. Id. at 389 (Marina Oswald).
761. 11 H 305-306 (Maj. Eugene D. Anderson ).
Page 829
762. 11 H 305-306 (Anderson); 11 H
309 (Sgt. James A. Zahm). 763. 11 H 310 (Zahm).
764. 11 H 305-306 (Anderson). 765. 3 H 413 (Frazier).
766. 3 H 450 (Ronald Simmons). 767. 11 H 306 307 (Zahm). 768. Id. at 307. 769.
Ibid.
770. Id. at 308.
771. Id. at 307, 309. 772. 11 It 310 (Zahm).
773. 11 H 302-303 (Anderson). 774. Ibid. 775. Ibid. 776. Ibid.
777. Id. at 304; Anderson DE 1. 778. Ibid; 3 H 304 (Anderson). 779. Id. at 305;
Anderson DE 1. 780. Ibid.
781. 11 H 304 (Anderson). 782. Id. at 305.
783. 11 H 308 (Zahm). 784. Ibid.
785. 1 H 327 (Robert Oswald). 786. Id. at 325-327. 787. Ibid.
788. CE 1402, 2007; CE 1403, p. 731; 1 H 327-328 (R. Oswald); 1 H 96 (Marina
Oswald); 2 H 465-466 (R. Paine). 789. 1 H 327 (R. Oswald).
790. 1 H 14-15 (Marina Oswald); CE 1156, p. 442.
791. CE 1404, pp. 446-448.
NOTES TO PAGES 189-200
792. 9 H 249 (George De Mohrenschildt); 9 H 315-317 (Jeanne De Mohrenschildt).
793. 1 H 21-22, 53-54, 65 (Marina Oswald); CE 1814, p. 736. 794. CE 2964.
795. See discussion, ch. III, p. 117, supra.
796. 3 H 399, 437-438 (R. A. Frazier);
3 H 449 (Simmons). 797. Id. at 444. 798. Id. at 445 447. 799. Id. at 445. 800.
Id. at 446. 801. Ibid.
802. Id. at 444; See discussion Chanter III, p. 115, supra.
803. See ch. III, pp. 64-68, supra. 804. 3 H 446 (Simmons). 805. Id. at 447.
806. Id. at 447, 449.
807. Id. at 450; See also fn 794, supra. 808. 3 H 403-404 (R. A. Frazier). 809.
Id. at 404. 810. Ibid.
811. Id. at 404-405. 812. Id. at 405-407. 813. Id. at 406-407.
814. Id. at 411, 443 (Simmons). 815. 3 H 413-414 (R. A. Frazier).
816. 11 H 309, 310 (Zahm); 11 H 305, 306 (Anderson).
817. 11 H 309 (Zahm). 818. Id. at 309-310.
CHAPTER V
1. 4 H 152 (Jesse E. Curry); CE 701,
2139, 2140.
2. 4 H 209 (J. W. Fritz); 7 H 22 (Bob
K. Carroll); 7 H 59-60' (Gerald Hill);
7 H 123 (Elmer L. Boyd); 7 H 164 (Richard Sims).
3. 7 H 125 (Boyd); 7 H 166 (Sims).
4. 7 H 126 (Boyd); 7 H 173 (Sims).
5. 7 H 128 (Boyd); 7 H 168 (Sims).
6. 7 H 128-129 (Boyd); 7 H 169-170
(Sims); 7 H 264 (James R. Leavelle);
7 H 151 (C. N. Dhority).
7. 4 H 216-217 (Fritz); 7 H 129
(Boyd); CE 2003, p. 104; 15 H 506-50.8
(David L. Johnston); see also sources
cited in footnote 45.
8. 4 H 217 (Fritz); 7 H 130 (Boyd); 7
H 171-172 (Sims).
9. 4 H 218 (Fritz); 7 H 278-285 (W.
E. Barnes); 7 H 288-289 (J. B. Hicks);
CE 2003, pp. 167, 206, 283.
10. CE 2003, p. 168; 15 H 507 (Johns-
ton ).
11. WFAA-TV reel PKT 11; see infra,
p. 208.
12. 7 H 132 (Boyd); 7 H 177 (Sims);
CE 2003, pp. 238-239; 4 H 153 (Curry);
see 4 H 21.9 (Fritz); 7 H 266 (Leavelle).
13. 4 H 153 (Curry); 12 H 96 (M. W.
Stevenson); 12 H 389-391 (Woodrow
Wiggins); 7 H 328 (H. Nichols).
14. 4 H 155 (Curry); 4 H 221 (Fritz);
CE 2003, p. 104; 15 H 507-508 (Johnston).
15. 4 H 222, 226 (Fritz); 7 H 133
(Boyd).
16. Ibid.
17. CE 2003, pp. 207, 393; 1 H 77-79
(Marina Oswald); 1 H 149-150 (Marguerite Oswald).
18. CE 1999, 2187.
19.4 H 227 (Fritz); 7 H 265 (Leavelle).
20. CE 2023.
21. CE 2003, pp. 207-208, 393; 1 H 461-462 (Robert Oswald).
22. 3 H 85-86 (Ruth Paine).
23. 7 H 328 (Ii. Nichols); CE 2165.
24. CE 2003, p. 142; 4 H 228 (Fritz): 7 H 1.78 (Sims).
25. 3 H 87-88 (R. Paine).
26. CE 2003, p. 142; 7 H 258 (L. C. Graves); 7 H 266 (Leavelle).
27. 4 H 230 (Fritz); CE 2003, p. 320. 28. CE 2003, p. 301. 29. CE 2024.
30. For testimony relating to the interrogation sessions, see 4 H 152-153, 157
(Curry); 4 H 207-211, 217, 222-231, 239-240 (Fritz); 4 H 355-357 (Winston G.
Lawson); 4 H 444-470 (James P. Hosty); 7 H 123-137 (Boyd); 7 H 164-182 (Sims) 7
H 309-318 (James W. Bookhout): 7 H 320-321 (Manning C. Clements); 13
62 (Forrest V. Sorrels); 7 H 297-301 (Harry Holmes); CE 2003, pp. 136a-138b, CE
2060, 2061.
31. CE 2003, pp. 141--142.
32. 4 H 207 (Fritz); CE 2003, p. 125.
33. CE 2003, pp. 136d-138e, 161; 5 218 (Henry Wade).
34. 4 H 215 (Fritz).
35. CE 2003, pp. 173, 184, 208.
36. 4 H 215 (Fritz); 7 H 318 (Bookhout).
37. 4 H 231-232, 246 (Fritz); 7 H 133. 135 (Boyd); 7 H 180-182 (Sims); 7 266-
267, 269 (Leavelle); 7 H 259 260 (L. Graves).
38. 4 H 239 (Fritz).
39. 7 H 310 (Bookhout).
40. 4 H 152 (Curry); see also 4 H 232 (Fritz).
41. 4 H 238 (Fritz); 7 H 311 (Book-hour).
42. 4 H 153, 175-176 (Curry); 15 H
829
Page 830
NOTES TO PAGES 200-212
129 (Curry); 4 H 238 (Fritz); 7 H 128,
]34-135 (Boyd); 7 H 330 (Nichols);
7 H 311, 316-317 (Bookhout); 7 H 321
(Clements); 7 II 297 (Holmes); 15 H
512-513 (Johnston); see WFAA-TV reel
PKT 21; KRLD-TV reel 20; WFAA-TV
reel PKT 25.
43. 7 H 59 (G. Hill); 7 H 21 (Car-
roll); 7 H 134-135 (Boyd); 7 H 330
(Nichols).
44. 4 H 216 (Fritz); 7 II 314, 316-
317 (Bookhout).
45. 4, H 216-217, 221 (Fritz); 15 H
506-508 (Johnston).
46. CE 2166.
47. See supra, p. 182.
48. 7 H 323 (Gregory L. Olds).
49. CE 2073, see CE 1999,
50. 3 H 88-89 (R. Paine); 10 II 116
(John J. Abt).
51. 7 H 325-332 (Nichols); 7 H 322-
325 (Olds); CE 2165.
52. 7 H 299-300(Holmes).
53. 12 H 30 (Curry); Glen King DE 4,
5; 15 H 55 (King); NBC-TV reel 3.
54. CE 1359, p. 4.
55. 5 H 218 (Wade).
56. For testimony describing conditions on third floor see, e.g., 4 H 152, 153,
158, 160 (Curry); 4 H 231-232 (Fritz)
4 H 355 (Lawson) ;; 4 H 462-463 (Hosty)
7 H 2,77 (Barnes) 7 H 318 (Bookhout)
7 H 322 (Clements); 13 H 40 (Thomas D.
McMillon); 13 H 58-59 (Sorrels); 15 H
54-55 (King); Seth Kantor DE 4; CE
1353; 7 H 157 (Dhority); 15 II 512
(Johnston); WFAA-TV reel PKT 21;
WFAA-TV reel PKT 14; KRLD-TV reel
9.
57. 4 H 463 (Hosty).
58. 4 H 151 (Curry); 12 H 30 (Curry);
15 H 55 (King); Kantor DE 4; Leo
Sauvage, "The Oswald Affair," Commen-
tary 64 (March 1964); CE 2176.
59. 12 H 30 (Curry).
60. 4 H 151 (Curry).
61. 4 H 355 (Lawson).
62. 7 II 157 (Dhority); 4 H 151
(Curry); 12 H 30 (Curry); 5 H 218
(Wade); CE 1359.
63. 5 H 218 (Wade). 64. 4 H 355 (Lawson).
65. 2 H 260 (William W. Whaley).
66. King DE 5, p. 7; WFAA-TV reel
PKF-5; WFAA-TV reel PKT-8. 67. 15 H 55 (King). 68. 7 H 269 (Leavelle). 69. 7 H
358-359 (Sorrels).
70. 12 H 96 (Stevenson); CE 1353. 71. 12 H 34 (Curry); CE 1353.
72. 15 H 54 (King); 12 H 112 (Cecil E. Talbert).
73. 15 H 54 (King); see 12 H 112 (Talbert).
74. 12 H 96 (Stevenson); 12 H 135-138 (Charles O. Arnett); 15 H 590-591 (Thayer
Waldo); CE 1757, 2037-2043, 2047-2059; John G. McCullough DE 2; CE 2062, 2066;
Waldo DE I; Icarus N. Pappas DE 3.
75. 13 H 58-59 (Sorrels).
76. See, e.g., Waldo DE 1; CE 1757, 2044, 2048, 2052, 2053.
77. 13 H 40 (McMillon); 13 H 131 (Jimmy Turner); 15 H 591-592 (Waldo); CE 2040,
2074; 15 H 373-377 (McCullough); WBAP-TV reel FW 2. 78. KRLD-TV reel 23. 79. CE
2074.
80. 7 H 64 (G. Hill); WFAA-TV reel PKT 24-27:28; CE 2160.
81. CE 2003, pp. 125, 141-142, 293.
82. 4 H 232, 246 (Fritz); 12 H 33 (Curry).
830
83. For testimony describing Oswald's passage through the third-floor corridor,
see, e.g., 12 H 33 (Carry); 4 H 231 232 (Fritz); 7 H 181 (Sims); 7 H 268-269
(Leavelle); Kantor DE 4, pp. 10-19;
WFAA-TV reel PKT 14.
84. For testimony describing the Friday
evening press conference, see 4 H 166-167
(Curry); 12 H 96 (Stevenson); 5 H 221-
222 (Wade); 15 H 510-512 (Johnston);
15 H 591-593 (Waldo); 13 H 115-116
(Robert L. Hankal); 7 H 132-133
(Boyd); 7 H 175-176 (Sims); 7 H 322
(Clements); 7 H 323-324 (Olds); 4 H
219 (Fritz); 4 H 357-358 (Lawson); 13
H 189-192 (A. M. Eberhardt); CE 2173.
85. 12 H 32 (Curry); Waldo DE 1; CE
2040; 15 H 592 (Waldo); 15 H 510-511
(Johnston); CE 2052; 7 H 324 (Olds):
WFAA-TV reel PKF 5; KRLD-TV reel
23.
86. 4 H 219 (Fritz).
87. CE 2173.
88. 12 It 34 (Curry); 7 H 132 (Boyd);
7 H 176 (Sims).
89. 4 H 219 (Fritz).
90. 4 H 167, 175 (Curry); 4 H 219
( Fritz ).
91. 15 H 131 (Curry).
92. 4 H 175 (Curry); KRLD-TV reel
23.
93. 4 H 175 (Curry).
94. 12 H 44-46 (J. E. Decker); see
also 4 H 180-181 (Curry); 12 H 35
(Curry); 15 H 116 (Charles O. Batchelor).
95. 12 H 2 (Batchelor).
96. 12 H 35 (Curry).
97. CE 2013, 2018.. 2021; W. B. Frazier
DE 5087; Talbert DE 5065; 12 H 53-55
(W. B. Frazier).
98. 12 H 37 (Curry); 15 H 125
(Curry); 12 H 6-7 (Batchelor); 15 H
116-118 (Batchelor).
99. 12 H 36-37 (Curry); see 12 H 6-7
(Batchelor); 15 H 116 (Batchelor).
100. 12 H 7-8, 12 (Batchelor); 15
H 116-118 (Batchelor); 12 H 37
(Curry); 12 H 99-100 (Stevenson).
101. 12 H 3.5-36 (Curry); 15 H 128, 132 (Curry); 15 H 115, 122-123 (Batchelor);
15 H 134, 137 (Stevenson).
102. 13 H 17 (Leavelle).
103. Ibid.
104. 13 H 63 (Sorrels).
105. 12 H 91 (James M. Solomon); 12 H 138 (Arnett); 12 H 292 (Logan W. Mayo); 12
H 317-318 (Wm. J. Newman).
106. 12 H 112 (Talbert); 12 H 421-422, 426 (Patrick T. Dean).
107. 12 H 208 (Wilbur J. Cutchshaw); R. L. Lowery DE 5083; 12 H 307 (L. Miller);
12 H 396 (Don R. Archer); 13
H 268 (Vernon S. Smart). 108. 12 H 47-49 (Decker).
109. 12 H 117 (Talbert); 15 H 184 (Talbert); 12 H 16 (Batchelor); 12 H 100.
(Stevenson).
110. See, e.g., B. H. Combest DE 5100; Robert S. Huffaker DE 5333.
111. 12 H 113-117 (Talbert); 15 H 183-184 (Talbert); 12 H 141-143 (Ar-nett); 12
H 166 (Buford L. Beaty); 12 H 173-175 (Alvin R. Brock); 12 H 319 (Newman); 12 H
338-340 (R. Pierce); 12 H 354 (D. F. Steele); 12 H 384-386 (Gano G. Worley); 12
H 421-426 (Dean); 13 H 118 (Huffaker); 13 H 8.5-88 (Fred A. Bieberdorf); 13 H
14.3 (Hal Fuqua); 1.3 H 146-147 (Edward Kelly): 13 H 149-156 (Louis McKinzie);
13 H 166-175 (A. Riggs); 13 H 175-181 (John O. Servance); 13 H 156-166 (E.
Pierce); James A. Putnam DE 5071; CE 2010, 2032, 2066.
Page 831
112. 13 H 159-160 (E. Pierce); 13 H 180 (J. 0. Servance): 12 H 422-423 (Dean);
12 H 173~174 (Brock); 12 H 141-144 (Arnett).
113. CE 2027, 2062; KRLD TV reel 13; but see CE 2029.
114. 12 H 67 (0. A. Jones); 12 It 112 (Talbert); 13 H 131 (J. Turner); 12 H 335-
336 (Bobby G. Patterson); 12 H 183-]84 (Combest); 12 H 360 (Roy E. Vaughn); 12 H
422 (Dean); CE 2051, 2069: Hankal DE 5337; CE 2037, 2039, 2043, 2047, 2050,
2055, 2056, 2057.
115. 12 H 36 (Curry); 12 H 10-15 (Batchelor); 12, H 97-98 (Stevenson); 15 H 134
(Stevenson); 15 H 125-127 (Curry); 15 H 115, 119 (Batchelor).
116. 12 H 164-168 (Beaty); 12 H 180 (Combest); 12 H 313 (L. Miller); 12 H
409-411 (Barnard S. Clardy); 12 H 428 (Dean); 12 H 209 (Cutchshaw); CE 2028.
117. 13 H 43 (McMillon).
118. 12 H 66 (0. A. Jones); 12 H 191 (Kenneth H. Croy); 12 H 209-210
(Cutchshaw); 12 H 270 (Harry M. Kriss); ]5 H 119-120 (Batchelor); 15 H 135
(Stevenson).
119. In addition to the testimony cited in footnotes 114 and 115, see 12 H 119
(Talbert); 12 H 150-157 (Arnett) 12
H 181 (Combest); 12 H 189 (Croy);; 12
H 275-276 (Lowery); 13 11 45 (McMillon): 12 H 287 (Billy J. Maxey); 12 H
345-346 (Putnam); 12 H 17 (Batchelor); 15 H 120 (Batchelor); 12 H 102
(Stevenson); 15 H 135 (Stevenson); 13
H 8 (L. Graves); 13 H 109 (Ira
Beers): 13 H 121 (Huffaker): 13 H 127
(George R. Phenix): CE 2002; WFAA-
TV reel PKT 17 38:00 47:18.
120. CE 2052, 2053.
121. 12 H 8, 15 (Batchelor); 12 H 426
(Dean); CE 2070, pp. 9, 10; KRLD-TV
reel 13; WBAP-TV reel FW 1.
122. 13 H 6 (L. Graves); 13 H 28 (L.
D. Montgomery); CE 2054; 15 H 594-
596 (Waldo); CE 2052, 2053, 2059;
Pappas DE 4.
123. 12 H 15 (Batchelor); 15 It 117
(Batchelor); 12 H 118 (Talbert); 12 H
167 (Beaty).
124. 4 H 188-189 (Curry): 12 H 37-
38 (Curry): 15 H 125 (Curry): 4 H 233
(Fritz): 12 H 100 (Stevenson); 15 H 136
(Stevenson); 13 H 61-63 (Sorrels).
125. 7 H 155-156 (Dhority); 12 H 3,39
(R. Pierce) CE 2003, pp. 312, 314.
126. 12 H 16 (Batchelor); 12 It 68
(O. A. Jones); 12 H 100 (Stevenson).
127. 13 H 5 (L. Graves); Leavelle DE
5088:13 H 27 (Montgomery); CE 2064;
CE 2003, pp. 220-221.
128. 15 H 137 (Stevenson); CE 2003,
p. 171: CE 2060 12 H 391 (Wiggins);
13 H 28 (Montgomery).
129. 12 H 145-146 (Arnett): 12
287-288 (Maxey); 12 It 339-340 (R.
Pierce): 12 H 345-347 (Putnam): 12
361-362 (Vaughn): 12 H 377 (James G.
Watson): 12 H 427-428 (Dean); 13 H 134-135 (J. Turner).
130. 7 H 155-156 (Dhority): CE 2003, pp. 312-314; WFAA-TV reel PKT 16.
131. WFAA TV reel PKT 10: CE 2038, 2039. 2042.
132. CE 2039.
133. CE 2038, 2042. 2059, 2062.
134. McMillon DE 5018; see also 13 H 7 (L. Graves); 13 H 16-17 (Leavelle).
125. See sources cited in footnote 129. WFAA TV reel PKT-16: WFAA-TV reel
PKT-10: NBC TV reel 66; KRLD-TV reel 13.
136. 13 H 29 (Montgomery); see reels cited in footnote 135.
NOTES TO PAGES 212-224
137. 12 H 183 (Combest); see also 12
H 169 (Booty); 12 H 376-377 (Watson);
13 H 7, (L. Graves); 13 H 115 (Hankal); CE 205,2.
138. For testimony describing the final seconds culminating in the shooting of
Oswald, see, e.g., 4 H 234-235, 243 (Fritz): 13 H 137 (J. Turner); see also WFAA
TV reel PKF-10; KRLD TV reel 13; NBC-TV reel 66.
139. 12 H 434-438 (Dean); 15 It 188-189 (Talbert); Dean DE 5009, p. 2; McMillon
DE 5018: see Sorrels DE 1.
140. 12 H 433 (Dean); 12 H 412
( Clardy ).
141. C. R. Hall DE 2.
142. 13 H 71 (Sorrels); 5 H 181-213 (Jack Ruby); C. R. Hall DE 3, p. 11.
143. CE 2025; 13 H 22.1-226 (D. Lane). 144. KRLD-TV reel 13.
145. 12 H 348-349 (Willie B. Slack); 12 H 392 (Wiggins); 13 H 90-91 (Frances
Cason): 13 H 96 (Hardin); 13 H 101 (Hulse); 13 H 239-243 (Priddy); Michael
Hardin I)E 5125, 5126, 5127; F. Cason DE 5135; CE 2022; see also reels cited in
footnote 138.
146. CE 2002, pp. 112-113; CE 2026. 147. Compare Dean DE 5009, p. 2 and 12 II
228-234 (N.J. Daniels) with 12 H 434 (Dean) and 12 H 412 (Clardy). See also 12 H
347 (Putnam) and KRLD-TV reel ]3: C. R. Hall DE 3, pp. 11, 12, which suggests
that the Pierce car may have passed Ruby before Putnam entered the car, which
would have been at the bottom, rather than the top, of the Main Street ramp.
148. 13 H 135-137 (J. Turner).
149. 12 H 323-329, 332-334 (Newman); 12 It 192-193 (K. H. Croy). Cf. 12 H
262-264 (Howard B. Holly); 12 H 89-90 (Solo-
150. 12 H 232 (N.J. Daniels).
151.12 H 228 234 (Daniels); Daniels
DE 5325; Compare 12 H 362-363
(Vaughn); Vaughn DE 5325, p. 2.
152. N.J. Daniels DE 5325, pp. 1-2; 12
H 369 (Vaughn).
153. 12 H 359-362 (Vaughn); CE 2034,
2035, 2043. 2058.
154. 12 H 359-362 (R. Pierce) 12 H
346 347 (Putnam); 12 H 287 (Maxey):
see also CE 2035, 2063; 15 H 681-685
(Harry T. Tasker).
155. 12 H 212, 215-216; Cutchshaw);
Lowery DE 5083.
]56. KRLD-TV reel 13.
157. 13 H 132-136 (J. Turner).
158. KRLD TV reel 13.
159. CE 2071.
160. KRLD-TV reel 13; 15 H 117-118
( Batchelor ).
161. See sources in note 112.
162 CE 2003 pp. 260 261a; 12 H 49-
50 (McMillon); C. R. Hall DE 3, pp. 11, 12:
CE 2182.
163. KLIF reel 75 (Duncan interview
with Sergeant Dean), Nov. 24, 1963.
164. See supra, p. 212.
165. CE 2030; Vaughn DE 5335: Putnam DE 5071.
166. See sources in footnote 152. 12 H
190 (Croy).
167. CE 2002.
168. 5 H 198 199 (Jack Ruby); 14 H 545 (Jack Ruby).
169. See Commission Exhibits in footnote 74.
170. See app. XVI.
171. 14 H 167, 191-192 (Curry). 172. 12 H 427, 420 (Dean).
173. 12 H 156-157 (Arnett): 12 H 192 194 (Croy): 12 H 252-253 (Win. J.
Harrison); King DE 3.
174. KRLD TV reel 13.
831
Page 832
NOTES TO PAGES 224-246
175. E.g., 12 H 182-183 (Combest); 12 H 211 (Cutchshaw); 12 H 249, 251
(Harrison); 12 H 275-276 (Lowery); 12 H 399 (Archer); KRLD-TV reel 13.
176. See infra, pp. 35.3-354.; CE 2019; 5
H 199 (J. Ruby); C. R. Hall I)E 3. Cf. 13
H 244 (George Senator); Senator DE 5401. 177. 5 H 199 (J. Ruby); 13 H 244
(Senator); Senator DE 5491. 178. CE 2068.
179. CE 1982, 2072; 12 H 30 (Curry); 4
H 241 (Fritz); 12 H 94 (Stevenson). 180. Talbert DE 1; 12 H 112 (Talbert). 181.
Talbert DE 2; 15 H 123 (Batchelor) ; King DE 4, p. 9.
182. 15 H 55 (King).
183.12 H 39 (Curry). See also 15 H 54-55 (King).
184. 15 H 55 (King).
185. 15 H 53 (King); Talbert DE 2.
186. King DE 4, p. 9; 15 H 55, 58
(King); 15 H 127 (Curry). 187. 4 H 152 (Curry).
188. See supra, pp. 202-206. 189. CE 1359, p. 4.
190. King DE 4, p. 10; 15 H 54 (King). 191. CE 1353; King DE 4, 5; KRLD-TV reel
9; WFAA TV reel PKT 21; CE 2052.
192. 15 H 55-56 (King). 193. See supra, p. 208.
194. See supra, 208; CE 2052.
195. 15 H 188-191 (Talbert); WFAA-TV PKT-30-35:01-36:21; 15 H 128 ( Curry ).
196. CE 2018; 4 H 187-188 (Curry). 197. See supra, p. 212.
198. This judgment is shared by the officials of the Dallas Police Department.
See, e.g., 15 H 127-128 (Curry); 15 H 122 (Batchelor).
199. King DE 4, pp. 8-9. 200. See supra, p. 201.
201. 15 H 125 (Curry); 15 H 120-121 ( Batchelor ).
202. 12 H 40; see also 4 II 186 (Curry). 203. 4 H 233 (Fritz).
204. 12 H 53-54 (W. B. Frazier); 15 II 153 (Fritz).
205. 13 H 17 (Leavelle); 13 H 63 (Sorrels).
206. 4 H 233 (Fritz); 12 H 35 (Curry);
see sources cited in footnote 101. 207. 12 H 69 (O. A. Jones). 208. See supra,
p. 213.
209. 12 H 155 (Arnett); 12 H 247 (Harrison); 12 H 281, 284 (Frank M. Martin); 12
H 428 (Dean); CE 2031.
210. 4 H 187 (Curry); 12 II 35 (Curry); 12 H 9-10, 13 (Batchelor); 12 II 390
(Wiggins).
211 See sources in footnote 13.3. 212. See supra, p. 215.
213. 7 H 156 (Dhority); 4 H 233-234 (Fritz); WFAA-TV reel PKT-16; 13 H 17
(Leavelle); see supra, p. 216. 214. 1.3 H 17 (Leavelle). 215. 12 H 69 (0. A.
Jones). 216. 15 H 53 (King). 217. CE 1353, p. 3.
218. 4 H 152, 181 (Curry); 12 H 30 31 (Curry): 5 H 218 (Wade).
219. See CE 2142 through 2152 and CE 2168 through 2173.
220. WFAA audio reel 2, Nov. 23, 1963; KRLD audio reel 33-1, -9, Nov. 23, 1963;
WFAA-TV reels PKT 12 10:16: PKT 7; PKT 21 48:30; see also 4 H 160, 199 200
(Curry).
221. CE 2153, 2155.
222. CE 2157, 2159, 2160, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2167.
223. 5 H 238-239 (Wade).
224. 5 H 238-240 (Wade); see, for instance, CE 2168 through 2173.
225. 5 H 223 (Wade); KRLD-TV reel 23; CE 2169.
226, 5 H 227 (Wade); CE 2170.
227. 5 H 250 (Wade); CE 2169, 2172. 228. 7 H 108 (Weitzman).
229. 3 H 169 (B. R. Williams); CE 2160. 230. CE 2146. 231. CE 2178.
232. 5 H 239 (Wade).
233. 5 H 228 (Wade); see sources cited in footnote 219.
234. 5 H 115 (J. Edgar Hoover).
235. 5 H 115 116 (Hoover); 15 H 58
(King); CE 2072; cf. 15, H 129 (Curry). 236. CE 2148.
237. 5 H 237 (Wade). 238. 5 H 237-238 (Wade).
239. CE 2168; 5 H 237-238 (Wade).
240. See 165, 174.
241. CE 2180'
242. WBAP Fort Worth audio reel 12
"A," Nov. 24, 1963; CE 2168.
243. 6 H 368 370 (Joe R. Molina);
CE 2086, pp. 12-14.
244. CE 2146, 2147, 2162, 2181.
245. KRLD-TV audio reels 21 "B"-11,
22 "A"-5, 24 "A," 25 "A," Nov. 23, 1963;
6 H 370 (Molina).
246. 6 H 372 (Molina).
247. CE 2186.
248. 6 H 370 (Molina): CE 3132.
249. 6 H 371 (Molina); CE 2036, pp.
14-16, CE 2049, 2065, 1970.
250. 5 H 223 (Wade); CE 2169; see
Vernon's (Tex.) Ann. C. P. art. 714.
251. CE 2144; see Washburn v. State,
165 Grim. Rep. 125, 318 S.W. 2d 627, 637
(Tex. Ct. Grim. App. 1958), certiorari
denied, 359 U.S. 965 (1958).
252. CE 2168; see supra, pp. 179 180.
253. CE 2153, 2172, 2152; see also
WBAP-TV reel FW 2.
254. CE 2146, 2172; WBAP-TV reel
FW 2.
255. CE 2183.
256. CE 2184.
257. 4 H 201 (Curry); see also 12 II
39 (Curry).
258. King DE 5, p. 5.
259. CE 1353, 2052; Waldo DE 1.
260. 4 H 153 (Curry).
261. See supra, p. 208.
262. 13 H 17 (Leavelle); 13 H 63 (Sorrels ).
263. 4 H ]66 (Curry); King DE 4, 5.
Felix McKnight, executive editor of the
Dallas-Times-Herald, discussed this pres-
sure in an address at Northwestern University in February 1964. See CE 2185.
264. King DE 5, p. 6.
265. Elgin E. Crull DE 1.
266. King DE 4; CE 1359.
CHAPTER VI
1. CE 2768, 2772, 2444, 3042, pp. 59, 65. 2. See pp. 31-40, supra.
3. 10 H 152 (Irving Statman); Helen Cunningham DE l-A; 11 H 477-78 (H.
Cunningham ).
4. See app. XIV, p. 745.
5. Burcham DE 1, p. I; 11 H 473 (John Burcham).
6. 3 H 37 (Ruth Paine); CE 401.
7. See footnote 3, supra.
832
Page 833
NOTES TO PAGES 246--259
8. CE 1871; Gangl DE 1; 11 H 478-
479 (Theodore Gangl).
9. CE 427; 11 H 478-479 (Gangl).
10. Gangl DE 1; 11 H 478-479 (Gangl).
11. Ibid.
12. 3 H 33-34 (R. Paine); 2 H 246-247
(Linnie Mae Randle); see 1 H 29 (Marina
Oswald).
13. 2 H 246 (Randle).
14. 3 H 33-34 (R. Paine); 3 H 213 (Roy
Truly).
15. 3 H 34-35 (R. Paine).
16. 3 H 214 (Truly).
17. 10 H 132 (H. Cunningham); H.
Cunningham DE 1-A.
18. 10 H 132 (H. Cunningham).
19. Ch. H, p. 31.
20. Ibid.
21. Id. at 40.
22. Ch. IV, p. 131-137.
23. 2 H 216 (Buell Wesley Frazier).
24. Ibid; CE 3118.
25. 2 H 222 (B. W. Frazier).
26. Id. at 226.
27. 1 H 65 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 46
(R. Paine); see app. XIII, p. 740. 28. Ch. IV, pp. 130-131. 29. Id. at pp.
135-136.
30. 1 H 73 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 49 (R. Paine).
31. CE 142, 626; 1, 304. 32. See 3 H 232 (Truly). 33. Id. at 231; CE 483. 34. 3
H 231 (Truly). 35. Id. at 232. 36. Ibid.
37. Ch. IV, pp. 137-140.
38. CE 1131; 1301; see 3 H 231-232 ( Truly ).
39. 3 H 232, 236 (Truly); CE 1131. 40. See 3 H 232 (Truly).
41. Ch. IV, footnotes 217, 223; p. 140-146.
42. Id. at footnote 215, p. 140. 43. CE 3135.
44. Ch. IV, footnote 232, p. 141. 45. CE 3131, pp. 17-18. 46. Ibid.
47. See 4 H 2-3 (Sebastian Latona). 48. See CE 3155 representing the FBI opinion
based on Sebastian Latona's findings.
49. 6 H 349-351 (Charles Givens). 50. Ibid.
51. 3 H 169-170 (Bonnie Ray Williams). 52. Id. at 169.
53. Id. at 170-171. 54. Id. at 169.
55. Id. at 169, 171. 56. Id. at 171-172.
57. Ch. IV, pp. 143-147. 58. Ibid.
59. 2 H 167-168 (Arnold Rowland); CE 354.
60. Id. at 169, 171. 61. Id. at 172.
62. Id. at 169, 182, 185; CE 357. 63. Id. at 175-176.. 64. Id. at 188.
65. Id. at 178; CE 357.
66. 2 H 183-184 (A. Rowland). 67. Id. at 184; CE 2782.
68. 6 H 185-188 (Barbara Rowland). 69. Id. at 188.
70. CE 2783. This statement constitutes an amendment to the original testimony;
see 6 H 188 (B. Rowland). 71. Id. at 181-182, 185-186. 72. Id. at 190.
73. Compare 2 H 165, 166, 179, 188 (A. Rowland), with CE 2644.
74. 6 H 263-264 (Roger D. Craig). 75. Id. at 264. 76. Id. at 272.
77. CE 1381, pp. 74, 96. 78. CE 1381.
79. Id. at 5.
80. Ch. IV, pp. 156-164. 81. Id. at 155-163.
82. 7 H 543 (W. E. Barnett). 83. Ibid.
84. Ch. IV, pp. 149-156.
85. 2 II 195-196 (James Worrell).
86. 6 H 276 (George Rackley); 6 H 282 (James Romack).
87. Ch. IV, p. 160. 88. Id. at 163.
89. 6 H 443, 7 H 439 (Earlene Roberts). l)0. Ibid.
91. Id. at 443 444. 92. CE 2781. 93. CE 264.5.
94. Id. at 3; CE 2045.
95. 7 H 439 (E. Roberts).
96. See also CE 3106 and CE 3107. 97. 5 H 364-365 (Dean Rusk).
98. E.g., 9 H 242-243 (George De Mohrenschildt); 11 H 172-173 (William Stuckey);
8 H 323 (Erwin Donald Lewis); 8 H 316-317 (Donald Camarata); 322-323 (Richard
Call); 8 H 315-316 (James Botelho); 8 H 320-321 (Henry Roussel, Jr.); 8 H 319
320 (Paul Murphy); 8 H 319 (David Murray, Jr.); 8 H 321-322 (Mack Osborne). But
see 8 H 285 (Daniel Powers). For Oswald's Marine service, see app. XIII, pp.
681- 689.
99. Priscilla Johnson DE 1, pp. 3, 7-8; CE 1385, p. 10 (Aline Mosby); CE 908.
100. 9 H 242-243 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
101. CE 1385, p. 7 (Mosby); Johnson DE 1, p. 11.
102. See e.g., 2 H 399 (Michael R.
Paine); 11 H 172-173 (Stuckey). 103. CE 295, p. 4. 104. CE 2767.
105. CE 2716.
106. CE 2767; 1 H 203 (Marguerite
Oswald).
107. CE 3099.
108. CE 2673.
109. 11 H 444-446, 459-460 (P. Johnson); and P. Johnson DE 1, pp. 6, 8.
110. CE 24, entry for Nov. 17 to Dec. 30, 1959; see also CE 206, 202 (Oswald
running out of money); CE 24, entry for Nov. 17 to Dec. 30, 1959, in which
Oswald says he has only $28 left.
111. CE 1385, p. 11; see also P. Johnson DE 1, p. 3; 11 H 455 (P. Johnson).
112. E.g., 8 H 323 (Lewis); 8 H 316-317 (Camarata); 8 H 322-323 (Call); 8 H
315-316 (Botelho); 8 H 320-321 (Roussel); 8 H 319-320 (Murphy); 8 H 319
(Murray): 8 H 321-322 (Osborne); but see 8 H 285 (Powers).
113. 8 H 307 (Allison Folsom); Folsom DE 1, p. 7.
114. 5 H 291 (Richard E. Snyder); 11 H 455-456 (P. Johnson).
115. CE 24, entry of Nov. 17 to Dec. 30, 1959.
116. CE 24, entry of Jan. 7 to Mar. 16, 1960; CE 93, p. 4 (reference to "Rosa
Agafanova" probably should be to "Rosa Kuznetsova.").
117. CE 1401, p. 277. 118. CE 2945 (Felkner). 119. Folsom DE 1, pp. 11, 28.
]20. CE 2676, 2711; CE 946, p. 7. 121. CE 2677; app. XIII, p. 690. 122. See CE
946, p. 7.
123. CE 946, p. 9 (translated, CE 2776).
124. CE 946, p. 8 (translated, CE 2775); CE 2676.
125. CE 2769. 126. CE 2780. 127. Ibid.
128. CE 2773. 129. CE 908 130. CE 24.
131. E.g., CE 92, 101, 827.
132. E.g., CE 24, entry of Oct. 31, 1959,
Page 834
NOTES TO PAGES 259-272
refers to a reporter named "Goldstene" whose name is A. L Goldberg, see CE 2719;
CE 24, entry for Nov. 15, 1959, records an interview with Aline Mosby which
appeared in the Fort Worth Star Telegram
on Nov. 15, datelined Nov. 14 (CE 2716). 133. 1 H 30, 104-10.5 (Marina Oswald).
134. E.g., CE 18, 1438. 135. CE 2774, 3096.
136. E.g., compare CE 931, 251-256
with V. T. Lee DE 1, 2, 4-7 and CE 2779. 137. CE 24.
138. The files have been assigned CD 1114, 1115.
139. 5 H 260-299 (Snyder); 5 H 299-
306, 318-326 (John A. McVickar). 140. CE 1385.
141. 11 H 442-469 (P. Johnson). 142. CE 985.
143. CE 24, entry of Oct. 16, 1959.
144. CE 24, entry of Oct. 21, 1959.
145. CE 24, entries of Oct. 20 and 21, 1959; 5 It 617; and CE 935, p. 2; CE 1438
and CE 827 indicate that Oswald was interviewed by "Leo Setyaev" (per-Imps Lev
Setyayev, an English-speaking commentator for Radio Moscow), a "Radio Moscow
Reporter," probably also working for the KGB on this occasion. The interview was
apparently never broadcast. 2 H 274 (Richard E. Snyder); but see CE 25, p. 3.
146. CE 2760.
147. CE 24, entry of Oct. 21, 1959. 148. CE 2778.
149. CE 985, doe. 1C-2, 1C-3. 150. CE 2776.
151. 1 H 91 (Marina Oswald).
152. E.g., 8 H 382, 384, 386 (Anna N. Meller); 9 H 240 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 9
H 309, 311 (Jeanne De Mohrenschildt); 11 H 474 (Hilda Smith); and see comments
of fellow Marines in app. XIII, pp. 681-689, and discussion of his character in
ch. VII; see also 2 H 318 (Katherine Ford), relating an incident in which Oswald
reacted violently to a suggestion that Marina Oswald may have contemplated
suicide.
153. CE 908.
154. 5 H 270 (Snyder). 155. Id. at 262. 156. Id. at 295-296. 157. CE 908.
158. 5 H 290 (Snyder). 159. Id. at 289.
160. CE 913; 5 H 263 (Snyder). 161. CE 2774.
162. 5 H 280 (Snyder); but see 8 H 287-288 (Powers).
163. CE 908, p. 2.
164. CE 912. See app. w, pp. 747--751, for further details regarding Oswald's
attempted expatriation.
165. 5 H 287-288 (Snyder); CE 941, p. 3; 5 H 302-303 (McVickar).
166. 11 H 453-455 (P. Johnson); see also CE 1385; CE 911, p. 1 (contemporaneous
observation that Oswald used words as though he had learned them out of a
dictionary).
167. 5 H 279, 287, 290 (Snyder); CE 941, 958; 5 H 300-301 (McVickar); and see 11
H 447-460 (P. Johnson).
168. App. XIII, pp. 675, 679, 683, 685-688, 722.
169. See ch. VII, pp. 384, 388-390; app. XIII, pp. 679, 686-687.
170. See, e.g., CE 24, entry of Oct. 16, 1959 5 H 616 (Marina Oswald).
171. See CE 1385, pp. 15-17 (Mosby) 5 H 272, 287-288 (Snyder); CE 908 (Snyder);
CE 941, p. 3, 5 H 302-303 (McVickar); 11 H 453 (P. Johnson).
834
172. CE 24, entry of Oct. 31, 1959.
173. 5 H 287 (Snyder); but see 5 H 272
( Snyder ).
174. P. Johnson DE 6, p. 1; 11 H 444
(P. Johnson).
175. Id. at 452.
176. CE 913.
177. CE 912.
178. 8 U.S.C. see. 1481.
179. 5 H 269, 290 (Snyder).
180. See Johnson DE 5, passim, and
especially p. 13; 11 H 447, 456, 458-459
(Johnson).
181. CE 24, entries of Nov. 16, 1959,
and Jan. 4, 1960.
182. CE 985, doc. Nos. 1A, 2A, and 3A
(1).
183. CE 1885, p. 4.
184. 11 H 456-457 (P. Johnson); P.
Johnson DE 1, pp. 3-4.
185. CE 24, entry of Nov. 16, 1959.
186. CE 297.
187. CE 202; CE 206; 1 H 204 (Marguerite Oswald).
188. See also CE 297 (Oswald seemed
to associate acceptance by Soviet authorities with leaving the hotel in Moscow
189. CE 3125.
190. P. Johnson DE 5, p. 7.
191. CE 985, doc. Nos. 1A, 2A, and 3A (1).
192. CE 2762, p. 2.
193. CE 960, question 2. 194. CE 2762, p. 2.
195. CE 960, question 2. 196. CE 2760.
197. CE 24, entries of Oct. 28, 1959, and
Nov. 17 to Dec. 30, 1959. 198. CE 24. 199. CE 985.
200. M. Kramer DE 1, 2.
201. 11 H 213 (Rita Naman); 11 H 212 (Monica Kramer).
202. 11 H 211-212 (Katherine Mallory).
203. See generally app. w. 204. E.g., CE 298, 315 184. 205. E.g., CE 1392-1395.
206. E.g., 9 H 171, 229, 241-242 (G. de Mohrenschildt); see also 8 H 359 (George
A. Bouhe) (conversation about Leningrad, Marina's native city).
207. E.g., 1 H 92 (Marina Oswald); CE 2761, 104; CE 1401, pp. 275-276; CE 994,
p. 1.
208. CE 2761.
209. CE 24, entries of Jan. 4, 5, 7, and
13, 1960, and see CE 25, pp. 1B-2B. 210. CE 24, entry of Jan. 8, 1960. 211. CE
24, entry of Mar. 16, 1960.
212. CE 24, entries of Jan. 11 and 13, 1960; CE 1109 (union membership booklet)
and 1108 (workbook); CE 24, entry of Jan. 13, 1960 (700 rubles); CE 1110
(750-850 rubles); CE 1401, p. 270 (800-900 rubles ).
213. 1 H 95 (Marina Oswald). 214. CE 1401, p. 271. 215. CE 2720.
216. CE 24, entry of Jan. 13, 1960; CE 25, pp. 1B--2B; see generally 5 H 293-
294 (Snyder).
217. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4-31, 1961. 218. 1 H 93.
219. CE 2721; see also 5 H 293-294 (Snyder).
220. CE 2760.
221. 10 H 203 (Dennis Hyman Ofstein). 222. CE 25, pp. 1B-2B. 223. Ibid.
224. 5 H 407 (Marina Oswald).
225. 5 H 616 (Marina Oswald).
226. E.g., 8 H 360 (Bouhe); 9 H 145 (Paul Gregory); 9 H 79 (Gary E. Taylor); 2 H
339 (Peter Gregory).
Page 835
NOTES TO PAGES 272-281
227. E.g., 8 H 350 (Max E. Clark); 2 H 397 (R. Paine).
228. CE 1401, p. 275; I H 93 (Marina
Oswald); 5 H 590 (Marina Oswald). 229. CE 985, doe. No. 8A.
230. 9 H 114 (Ilya Mamantov); but see 8 H 362 (Bouhe) (commenting that there is
nothing unusual about hunting in Soviet Union).
231. CE 2670. 232. Ibid. 233. Ibid.
234. CE 2770.
235. I H 96 (Marina Oswald). 236. CE 1964, pp. 2-3, 5.
237. CE 24, entry of Apr. 30, 31 [sic], 1961.
238. I H 327-328 (Robert Oswald); 2 H 466 (R. Paine); 8 H 385 (Meller); 8 H 362
(Bouhe).
239. CE 2649. 240. CE 303. 241. CE 1964. 242. Id. at 6. 243. CE 2733.
244. CE 24, entry of Apt. 31 [sic], 1961; CE 1111.
245. CE 960, attachment 2, p. 2.
246. See, e.g., I H 25 (Marina Oswald): 2 H 342 (Peter Gregory); 10 H 59 (Lt.
Francis Martello). 247. CE 931.
248. 5 H 277 (Snyder). 249. CE 930. 250. CE 2757.
251. 5 H 276 (Snyder); moreover, it arrived too late to have prompted Oswald's
letter even if it had been delivered. see
CE 2757 and date stamped on CE 2681. 252. CE 931. 253. CE 933. 254. CE 940.
255. CE 251, 252. 256. CE 1074.
257. 5 H 252-254 (Waterman): CE 970, 971; and see CE 934.
258. CE 24, entry of July 8, 1961; CE 935.
259. CE 24, entry of July 9, 1961; 1 H 96-97 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, pp. 278,
280.
260. CE 2762, p. 1. 261. CE 2762, p, 1. 262. Ibid. 263. CE 960.
264. CE 24, entry of July 8, 1961,
265. The factual and legal basis of this decision is set forth and evaluated in
app. XV. pp. 747-751.
266. CE 935, p. 2. 267. CE 938, 946. 268. CE 935.
269. 5 H 318-319 (McVickar). 270. CE 946, 979.
271. CE 246-247, 249, 251-256, 931, 1083, 1093.
272. CE 2774.
273. E.g., V.T. Lee DE 1, 2, 4-7. 274. 5 H 287-288 (Snyder).
275. CE 2687, 2688; 5 H 280 (Snyder).
276. Id. at 278, 288; see also CE 2687, 2688.
277. CE 1401, pp. 277-278, 280.
278. CE 985, Docs. Nos. 1B-4B; CE 1122.
279. CE 24, entry of Dec. 25, 1961; CE 1403, p. 725.
280. 5 H 591,604-605, 617-619 (Marina Oswald ).
281. CE 1403, p. 745. 282. CE 246, 255. 283. CE 29. 284. CE 316.
285. CE 824, p. 4.
286. 5 H 604, 617-618 (Marina Oswald).
287. CE 2722.
288. CE 960; 5 H 340 (Abram Chayes).
289. CE 2756.
290. CE 2762, p. 3; CE 2771. 291. CE 301.
292. CE 24, entry of July 15 to Aug. 20, 1961.
293. E.g., 9 H 147, 151 (Paul Gregory). 294. CE 1122.
295. 1 H 89-90, 97 (Marina Oswald). 296. Ibid. (Marina Oswald); but see 5 H
604-605 (Marina Oswald). (In a later interview, the official did not try to
discourage her.)
297. 1 H 89-90, 97 (Marina Oswald);
5 H 608-609 (Marina Oswald); in an earlier interview with the FBI Marina Oswald
said she was "thrown out" because she failed to pick up her membership card, CE
1401, p. 276; this was probably only the ostensible reason, however; 5 H 608-609
(Marina Oswald).
298. 9 H 147 (Paul Gregory).
299. 5 H 598, 604 (Marina Oswald). 300. See CE 960.
301. 1 H 7 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 358 (George H. Bouhe); 9 H 224-226 (George De
Mohrenschildt); id. at 306-311 (Jeanne De Mohrenschildt); 2 H 297-299 (Katya
Ford); 2 H 323-324, 328--330 (Declan P. Ford); 8 H 344-345, 353 (Max E. Clark);
9 H 64-69 (Lydia Dymitruk); id. at 142-143 (Paul Gregory); 2 H 338-341 (Peter
Gregory); 8 H 393-399 (Elena Hall); id. at 407-409 (John R. Hall); 11 It 119-123
(Alexander Kleinlerer); 8 H 3.81-385 (Anna Meller); id. at 416-419 (Valentina
Ray); 9 H 77-78, 82-83 (Gary E. Taylor); id. at 29-30 (Natalie Ray); id. at 22
(Paul M. Raigorodsky); id. at 39-42 (Thomas M. Ray); id. at 46-48 (Samuel B.
Ballen); id. at 107 (Ilya A. Mamantov); td. at 134-135 (Dorothy Gravitis); id.
at 161-162 (Helen Leslie); 8 H 435 (Mrs. Igor Voshinin); id. at 466-468 (Igor
Voshinin); CE 1858, pp. 12-13; 11 H 125-12,8, 130-133 (Alexandra De
Mohrenschildt Gibson); CE 1861; 10 H 16-17 (Everett D. Clover); 2 H 435-437 (R.
Paine).
302. See e.g., 9 H 2 (Raigorodsky); id. at 46 (Ballen); id. at 103 (Mamantov);
id. at 199, 202-203, 210, 280-282 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 10 H 3, 13 (Glover).
303. 1 H 134-135 (Marguerite Oswald); id. at 7 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 372-373
(Bouhe); id. at 345-346 (M. Clark); 9 H 228-231 (G. De Mohrenschildt): id. at
306-310 (J. De Mohrenschildt): 2 H 299-300 (K. Ford); id. at 329 (D. Ford); 9 H
64-65 (Dymitruk); id. at 144 (Paul Gregory); 8 H 393-395 (E. Hall); id. at
407-408, 411 (J. Hall); 11 H 118-123 (Kleinlerer); 8 H 382-384 (A. Meller); id.
at 422-423 (V. Ray); 11 H 147-149 (A. Gibson).
304. 8 H 373 (Bouhe); 9 H 228 (G. De Mohrenschildt); id. at 306, 324 (J. De
Mohrenschildt); 8 H 387~388 (A. Meller); 11 H 118-123 (A. Kleinlerer); 2 H 329
(D. Ford): 9 H 65-68 (Dymitruk); 11 H 125-128, 130-134, 135-139, 140, 143--145,
147- 149, 150-151 (A. Gibson).
305. 1 H 11-12, 31 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 118-123 (Kleinlerer): 8 H 365 (Bouhe):
id. at 394 (E. Hall); 9 H 82, 84 (G. Taylor); id. at 310 (J. De Mohrenschildt);
id. at 231-233 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 2 H 298-299 (K. Ford); 2 H 325 (D. Ford);
9 H 64 (Dymitruk); 8 H 345 (M. Clark); id. at 394-395, 403 (E. Hall); id. at 407
(J. Hall); id. at 416-417 (V. Ray).
306. App. XIII, pp. 673-675.
307. CE 2692; 1 H 318, 372, 330-331, 380-381 (R. Oswald); id. at 131-132
(Marguerite Oswald); id. at 4 (Marina Oswald).
308. 1 H 133, 135 (Marguerite Oswald); id. at 4-5 (Marina Oswald).
835
Page 836
NOTES TO PAGES 281-285
309. I H 134 (Marguerite Oswald); id. at 5 (Marina Oswald).
310. See i H 7 (Marina Oswald); see the accounts of how members of the community
met Oswald in footnote 301, supra.
311. 8 H 344-345 (M. Clark); CE 1389; of. 2 H 338 (Peter Gregory).
312. 8 H 344-345 (M. Clark).
313. 2 H 338, 340 (Peter Gregory); 9 H 142-144 (Paul Gregory).
314. 2 H 341 (Peter Gregory): 8 H 358-359, 372-373 (Bouhe); id. at 381-385 (A.
Meller ).
315. See e.g., 9 H 224-226 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 2 H 297 (Katya Ford); see also
footnote 301, supra.
316. Those testifying include G. Bouhe, G. De Mohrenschildt, J. De
Mohrenschildt, K. Ford, D. Ford, M. Clark, L. Dymitruk, Paul Gregory, Peter
Gregory, E. Hall, J. Hall, E. Glover, A. Meller, V. Ray, G. Taylor, N. Ray, P.
Raigorodsky, T. Ray, S. Ballen, I. Mamantov, D. Gravitis, H. Leslie, Mrs. I.
Voshinin, I. Voshinin, A. Gibson. See also e.g., CE 1857 (Mrs. Max Clark); CE
1858 (Mrs. Tatiana Biggers); CE 1860 (Charles Edward Harris. Jr.); CE 1861 (Mrs.
Charles Edward Harris): CE 1865 (Leo Aronson); 11 H 118 (Kleinlerer).
317. E.g., 8 H 367, 377 (Bouhe); 2 H 309-310 (K. Ford); 9 H 238, 252-253 (G. De
Mohrenschildt); 1 H 34-35 (Marina Oswald).
318. 1 H 11-12, 31 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 365-367 (Bouhe); 11 H 118-123
(Kleinlerer); 8 H 393-394 (E. Hall): 9 H 82-83 (G. Taylor): id. at 310. 325 (J.
De Mohrenschildt): id. at 231-233 (G. De Mohrenschildt): 2 H 298-299, 304 (K.
Ford); 2 H 325 (D. Ford); 8 H 345 (M. Clark); id. at 394-395. 403 (E. Hall); id.
at 412 (J. Hall): id. at 386-388 (A. Meller): id. at 416-417 (V. Ray).
319. 1 H 31 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 394-395. 403 (E. Hall): id. at 412 (J. Hall);
11 H 119-121 (Kleinlerer).
320. 1 H 11-12 (Marina Oswald): 8 H 365 (Bouhe): 2 H 298-299, 304 (K. Ford): 2 H
325 (D. Ford): id. at 386-388 (A. Meller); id. at 416 417 IV. Ray); 9 H 310. 325
(J. De Mohrenschildt); id. at 231-233 (G. De Mohrenschildt); id. at 64
(Dymitruk).
321.1 H 10 (Marina Oswald); see app. XIII, pp. 717-722.
322. 8 H 365 367 (Bouhe); 2 H 307 (K. Ford).
323. 2 H 307 (K. Ford): see 8 H 367, 377 (Bouhe); 2 It 300-310 (K. Ford): 9 H
252-253 (G. De Mohrenschildt): 1 H 34-35 (Marina Oswald).
324. 2 H 459-462, 468-469, 3 H 4-11, 28-30 (R. Paine): 1 H 18-19. 23. 27-28, 46
(Marina Oswald): 8 H 133-134, 139 (Lillian Murret); 8 H 184-186 (Charles
Murret).
325. 9 H 273 (G. Do Mohrenschildt);
2 H 473 (R. Paine): 9 H 69 (Dymitruk). 326. See e.g.. 8 H 388-389 (A. Meller);
id. at 401 (E. Hall): id. at 419, 422 (V. Ray): 2 H 305-310 (K. Ford): 9 H 248,
250 (G. De Mohrenschildt): id. at 317 (J. De Mohrenschildt); S It 410-411 (J.
Hall).
327. CE 1781, pp. 546-547; CE 1929. pp. 192-193:2 H 499 (R. Paine); CE 419- 421:
CE 409-B, p. 2.
328. See footnote 326, supra; 9 H 106-107 (Mamantov).
329. See 9 H 224-266. 309..313 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 9 H 306-327 (J. De
Mohrenschildt): I H 11 (Marina Oswald); 10 H 260-261 (M. F. Tobias); 10 H
245-246 (Mrs. Tobias): 9 H 93 (G. Taylor).
330. 9 H 248-249 (G. De Mohrenschildt); id. at 314-315 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
331. Id. at 315-317 (J. De Mohrenschildt); see id. at 249-250 (G. De
Mohrenschildt ).
332. Id. at 317 (J. De Mohrenschildt);
see id. at 249 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
333. Id. at 249 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
334. I H 18 (Marina Oswald).
335. 9 H 249-250 (G. De Mohrenschildt); see id. at 317 (J. De Mohrenschildt ).
336. Id. at 248. 250 (G. Mohrenschildt);
id. at 317 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
337. Id. at 299, 317-318 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
338. Id. at 318.
339. Id. at 272, 276 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
340. In addition to the testimony and
exhibits included in the record to this report, additional data relative to the
back-
ground of the De Mohrenschildts is included in the files of the Commission.
341. 9 H 168-179 (G. De Mohrenschildt); CE 3100.
342. 9 H 179-180, 190-191 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
343. Id. at 191-192, 195, 201-203, 211-
212: id. at 300-302 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
344. Id. at 213 216 (G. De Mohrenschildt); id. at 302 303 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
345. Id. at 216 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
346. Id. at 276, 280 282, 217 (G. De Mohrenschildt); see id. at 305 (J. De
Mohrenschildt).
347. Id. at 296-297 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 8 H 352-353 (Max E. Clark);
id. at 377 (Bouhe); id. at 431-433 (Mrs. Voshinin): id. at 467 469 (Igor
Voshinin): 9 H 99 100 (G. Taylor); id. at 120-121 (Ilya Mamantov); id. at
164-165
(Helen Leslie); 10 H 10-12 (Everett
Glover ).
348. 9 H 222 (G. De Mohrenschildt);
and see id. at 296 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
349. id. at 285-286, 291-295.
350. CE 3116, 3117. See CE 869, foot-
note 340, supra.
351.2 H 433-436, 438-439 (R. Paine).
352. 10 H 16, 18-19, 24-26 (Glover);
9 It 256. 258 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
353. 2 H 440 (R. Paine); 9 H 435
(M. Paine).
354. 2 H 459-462, 468 469; 3 H 9
(R. Paine).
355. 2 H 468-469; 3 H 9 (R. Paine).
356. CE 408, 409, 409 B. 410, 411, 412, 415. 416:2 H 483-498 (R. Paine); cf. CE
422: 2 H 501 502 (R. Paine).
357. 3 H 4-5. 9 (R. Paine); 1 H 26 (Marina Oswald): CE 461.
358. See app. XIII, pp. 730-731.
359. See note 356, supra; CE 421.
360. o H 10 (R. Paine); 1 H 23 (Marina Oswald).
361. 3 H 10 (R. Paine).
362. CE 461:9 H 345 346 (R. Paine).
363. 3 H 29-30 (R. Paine).
364. 1 H 37 (Marina Oswald).
365. 3 H 27--41.84-85 (R. Paine).
366. Id. at 33-39; 9 H 345-346 (R. Paine); 1 H 46, 51-52, 63 65 (Marina Oswald).
367. 4 H 451 452 (Hosty); 3 H 38, 92, 96 (R. Paine).
368. 4 H 452 (Hosty); 3 H 38, 96 (R. Paine).
369. 3 H 97. (R. Paine); 4 H 450, 452 (Hosty).
370. CE 103: 2 H 405-406 (M. Paine); 3 H 13-18 (R. Paine); 9 H 395 (R. Paine).
See up. 309-310 infra.
371. 3 H 13-18, 97 (R. Paine); 2 H 406 (M. Paine).
372. 3 H 15, 18. 100-102 (R. Paine). 373. 4 H 459 (Hosty). 374. 3 H 44-45 (R.
Paine).
375. Id. at 44.
Page 837
376. 2 H 431 (R. Paine); 9 H 831-832,
339 (R. Paine); CE 1831, pp. 4-5.
377. Ibid.
378. 9 H 332 (R. Paine).
379. 2 H 432 (R. Paine); 3 It 133-134
(R. Paine).
380. 3 H 133-134 (R. Paine).
381.2 H 387-388 (M. Paine).
382. 3 H 134 (R. Paine).
383. 2 H 387 (M. Paine); 9 H 338 (R.
Paine); 3 H 135 (R. Paine).
384. Ibid.; 9 H 338-339 (R. Paine);
9 H 134 (Gravitis).
385. 2 H 508 (R. Paine).
386. 2 H 385 (M. Paine); CE 1830,
pp- 4-5.
387. 2 H 390-392 (M. Paine); CE 1830,
pp. 4-5.
388. 2 H 389-390 (M. Paine); CE
1830, p. 6.
389. 2 H 389-392 (M. Paine).
390. Id. at 385, 386; 2 H 432 (R.
Paine).
391.2 H 385 (M. Paine); 4 H 448
(Hosty).
392. 2 H 387-388 (M. Paine).
393. Id. at 389.
394. 3 H 9-10, 93, 129 (R. Paine); 9 H 343 (R. Paine), see CE 429-440.
395. 3 H 15-1.8, 43-46, 96-105 (R. Paine); 2 H 405-406 (M. Paine); CE
396. 3 H 21 25, 79, 81 (R. Paine); 9 H 393-394, 408-410 (R. Paine).
397. 3 H 17-18 (R. Paine); 4 H 462, 473 (Hosty).
398. Id. at 450-454; CE 830, p. 11.
399. R. Paine DE 277, 278, 278-A, 469; CE 404-424.
400. CE 401, 402.
401. E.g., 9 H 342 (R. Paine).
402. CE 3116, 3117; in addition to the testimony and exhibits included in the
record to this report, additional data relative to the background of the Paines
is included in the files of 'the Commission.
403. CE 3116, 3117, 821-824, 826, 829, 830, 833, 836; 4 H 403-430 (John W.
Fain); 4 H 431-440 (John L. Quigley); 4 H 440-476 (James P. Hosty, Jr.).
404. CE 1172; cf. A. Johnson DE 1; see 9 H 455 (M. Paine); 3 H 118 (R. Paine);
CE 1145, p. 1.
405. A. Johnson DE 1-3; 10 It 97-98, 100 (Arnold S. Johnson); CE 93; see also 10
H 209-210 (Dennis H. Ofstein); CE 1799; Oswald also subscribed to several
Russian periodicals. CE 1147; 8 H 370-371 (Bouhe).
406. A. Johnson DE 1, 3-4 10 H 98-100 (A. Johnson).
407. A. Johnson DE 2; 10 H 99-100 (A. Johnson).
408. A. Johnson DE 6, 4-A.
409. A. Johnson DE 4, 4-A; cf. Johnson DE 3, 7.
410. A. Johnson DE 7; 10 H 103-104 (A. Johnson).
411. Weinstock DE 1; 11 H 207 208 (Louis Weinstock): A. Johnson DE 5, 5- A;
Tormey DE 1, 2; 10 H 107 108 (James J. Tormey).
412. See pp. 299--307, infra. 413. CE 2564.
414. See app. XIII, notes 1110-1119, infra. When questioned by Mexican po lice
shortly after the assassination, Señora Duran did not recall whether or not
Oswald had in fact told her he was a member of the Communist Party. CE 2120, p.
5.
415. See ch. V, p. 201, supra; 10 H 116-117 (Abt).
416. Dobbs DE 9, 11; see also Dobbs DE 10, 13.
417. Dobbs DE 12:10 H 113-114; 11 H 208--209 (Farrell Dobbs).
NOTES TO PAGES 285-295
418. Dobbs DE 1-8; 10 H 109-110, 113 (Dobbs); CE 1799; see 3 H 119 (R. Paine).
419. Dobbs DE 13; 10 H 114-115; 11 H 209 (Dobbs).
420. CE 3153. 824, p. 7: CE 826, p. 12; CE 869, 2973, 3037, 3038, 3041; see also
5 H 28 (Alan H. Belmont): 4 H 411 (Fain); 4 H 302 (Robert I. Bouck).
421. 10 H 97, 102-105 (A. Johnson); 10 H 108 (Tormey); 10 H 110-111,114- 116
(Dobbs); 11 H 208-209 (Dobbs); 11 207-208 (Weinstock).
422. H. Twiford DE 1; 11 H 179 (Horace Twiford); CE 3085; CE 2335, pp. 6- 7.
423. 11 H 179 (H. Twiford); 11 H 179-
180 (Estelle Twiford). 424. CE 3085.
425. Ibid., in 1956, when Oswald was 16 years old, he apparently obtained
information about the Socialist Party of America. Gray DE 1; 11 H 209-210 (V.
Gray).
426. V. T. Lee DE 1; 10 H 87-88 (Vincent T. Lee).
427. Lee DE 2, 3; CE 828; 11 H 93 (Lee).
428. Lee DE 2. 429. Lee DE 3.
430. Lee DE 4; CE 1410, 1411, 2349, 2542, 2543, 2544, 1413, pp. 28-31; CE 2545.
431. Lee DE 5-7.
432. Lee DE 5.
433. 10 H 37-42 (Bringuier); Pizzo DE 453-A, 453-B; CE 1413, pp. 19 30; CE 1412,
2548, 2546, 3029; 10 (Steele); Bringuier DE 1. See also 11 475 (Rachal); see
app. XIII, pp. 728-729.
434. 10 H 37-39 (Bringuier); CE 1413, pp. 19-30, 34, 42; CE 826, pp. 5-10; 10 H
53-57 (Martello); Lee DE 6; 1 H. (Marina Oswald); CE 1412, 2210, 2216, 2520,
28.60, 2895, 3032; CE 3119, pp. 12-14; CE 826, pp. 9-10.
435. 10 H 35-37 (Bringuier); see app. XIII, p. 728.
436. CE 826, pp. 5-10; 10 H 53-57 (Martello).
437. Lee DE 6, 7; Bringuier DE 1; 11 H 158-171 (Stuckey); 10 H 39-43
(Bringuier); Stuckey DE 2, 3; Pizzo DE 453-A, 453-B.
438. Holmes DE 1.
439. 10 H 90, 93 (Lee). 440. See pp. 407-412, infra.
441. See CE 826, p. 7; CE 1413, p. 31; CE 1414; CE 3119, pp. 14-15; CE 3120. The
Cuban Revolutionary Council, an anti-Castro organization, at one time did main-
rain an office at 544 Camp St., but it vacated The building early in 1962,
before Oswald had returned from the Soviet Union, CE 1414.
442. CE 1410, 1411, 2542-2544; 10 90 (Lee).
443. 5 H 401-402 (Marina Oswald).
444. 10 H 62-71 (C. Steele, Jr.); see 10 H 93-94 (Lee); cf. Lee DE 5.
445. CE 826, p. 12; CE 2952. p. 3: CE 2973. 3037: cf. 5 H 9 (Belmont); 4 H
444-445 (Hosty); 4 H 432-436 (Quigley): compare, e.g., CE 3029, 3128.
446. 2 H 403, 407 (M. Paine): CE 783, 2213: 7 H 325 (Gregory L. Olds).
447. 2 H 403, 407-408 (M. Paine): 9 H 462-464 (Raymond F. Krystinik).
448. 11 H 424-425 (Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker, Jr., Resigned, U.S. Army).
449. A. Johnson DE 7; 10 H 96, 103-104 (A. Johnson).
450. See pp. 182-187, supra.
451. In addition to the preceding discussion. see ch. VII, infra.
452. 5 H 489-500 (Bernard Weissman): CE 1811, pp. 4-15; CE 1815, pp. 710- 714;
CE 1034.
837
Page 838
NOTES TO PAGES 295-307
453. 5 H 496 (Weissman). 454. CE 1033, p. 1.
455. 5 H 497 (Weissman).
456. CE 1815, 1032, 1033, 1035, 1037, 1042, 1044, 1047, 1049; 5 H 498
(Weissman).
457. CE 1041, 1042; cf. CE 1049; see 5
H 526 (Weissman); see also note 458,
infra.
458. CE 1032, 1033, 1037, 1038, 1040,
1044, 1047, 1049.
459. CE 1033, p. 2.
460. 5 H 491 (Weissman).
461. CE 1032; see CE 3112.
462. 5 H 490, 514, 519-520 (Weissman);
CE 1811, pp. 6-7; CE 1813.
463. CE 1811, p. 8; CE 1878; 5 H
501, 505, 511, 519-520 (Weissman).
464. 5 H 506; 11 H 429 (Weissman);
CE 1811, p. 9.
465. 5 H 505 (Weissman); see also CE
1815, p. 711; CE 1811, p. 9.
466. Id. at 50.5-508 (Weissman); CE
1815, p. 2; CE 1878, p. 298; CE 1811, p. 9.
467. 5 H 507-508 (Weissman), CE 1031,
1811, p. 9.
468. 5 H 504 (Weissman); CE 1878,
1882, 1811, p. 10; CE 1815, p. 712.
469. 5 H 506, 509, 511 (Weissman);
CE 1878, p. 298; CE 1885, 1883, p. 306;
CE 1884, p. 307.
470. CE 1882-1885.
471. 5 H 507-509 (Weissman).
472. 5 H 510-512 (Weissman); CE
1815, p. 712.
473. Ibid.; CE 1882, pp. 1-2.
474. 5 H 509 (Weissman); CE 1811, p.
11; CE 1815, p. 711; CE 1878, p. 298. 475. Ibid.; CE 1031.
476. 5 H 509 (Weissman).
477. 5 H 508-509 (Weissman); CE
1811, p. 11; CE 1815, p. 712.
478. 5 H 507 (Weissman).
479. Ibid.
480. Ibid.
481. Id. at 511, 517.
482. Id. at 511, 520; CE 1815, p. 713. 483. 5 H 511 (Weissman). 484. Ibid. 485.
Ibid.
486. Id. at 515-516, 521-524; CE 1811,
p. 12; CE 1815, p. 713; 3139. 487. 2 H 60 (Mark Lane).
488. 5 H 553-555 (Lane); see CE 2510-2518.
489. 5 H 522-524 (Weissman). 490. CE 996.
491. CE 2473, 2474 1837, 5 H 541 (Robert G. Klause).
492. CE 1835.
493. 5 H 536-537, 539-544 (Klause); CE 1836, 2474, 1835.
494. 5 H 425-426, 429, 431 (Surrey); 11 H 412 (Walker).
495. 5 H 428 (Surrey). 496. Ibid. 497. Ibid.
498. CE 1835, p. 2; 5 H 537-539
(Klause).
499. Id. at 537 (Klause); CE 2473. 500. 5 H 536 (Klause). 501. Id. at 537-538.
502. Id. at 539.
503. Id. at 537; CE 1836, p. 2.
504. 5 H 539 (Klause); CE 1836, p. 2. 505. 5 H 538 (Klause).
506. Id. at 538-539 (Klause/; CE 1836, p. 2: CE 2473, pp. 1-2.; CE 2474.
507. 5 H 539 (Klause); CE 1836, p. 2.
508. 5 H 539 (Klause); CE 1836, pp.
1-2; CE 2473, p. 1; CE 2474, p. 6. 509. 5 H 539-540 (Klause). 510. Id. at 546;
CE 1836, p. 2. 511. CE 2473, p. 2. 512. Id. at p. 3. 513. CE 1836, p. 2. 514. CE
2473, p. 2.
838
515. 5 H 530-531 (Weissman).
516. CE 1835 1836, 2473-2474, 3103. 517. 5 H 531 (Weissman).
518. 5 H 542 (Klause); 5 H 447-448 (Surrey); 11 H 424-425 (Walker).
519. 1 H 23, 28, 45 (Marina Oswald). 520. Id. at 28, 45. 521. CE 2478.
522. 1 H 22-24, 44-47 (Marina Oswald). 523. Id. at 45.
524. Id. at 22-23; CE 1404, pp. 451-453.
525. 11 H 214-215 (Dr. and Mrs. John B. McFarland); and see 11 H 179-180
(Estelle Twiford) (Oswald told her in Houston, Tex. that he was a member of the
Fair Flay for Cuba Committee and on his way to Mexico.)
526. 1 H 23, 46-47 (Marina Oswald). 527. i H 24-25 (Marina Oswald): see also ch.
VII, pp. 412-413; app. XIII. p. 730. (One purpose of Oswald's Fair Play for Cuba
activities was to get him into Cuba. )
528. See app. XIII, pp. 731-733, for time of departure from New Orleans; see CE
2121, p. 47; CE 2566, p. 2, for arrival in Mexico City.
529. CE 2121, p. 39. 530. Ibid. 531. Ibid.
532. See app. XIII, pp. 780-731. 533. CE 2121, p. 39..
534. i H 24-25 (Marina Oswald); and see CE 2121, p. 69.
535. CE 2121, pp. 39-40.
536. See CE 2121, pp. 39-40; CE 2564. 537. See app. XIII, pp. 734--736. 538. I H
27- 28, 50 (Marina Oswald). 539. CE 2121, pp. 35-41. 540. CE 2120, pp. 4-6.
541. CE 2121, p. 42; CE 2120, p. 3. The official report of the Government of
Mexico is set out in CE 2120 and CE 2123. 542. CE 2121, p. 38 (Silvia Duran).
543. CE 2123, attachment 5, p. 3. 544. Ibid.; CE 2121, p. 35.
545. See app. XIII, pp. 730-731, for documents Oswald took with him; CE 2121,
pp. 39-40 (Silvia Duran's statement); I H 24-25 (Marina Oswald); CE 18, p. 54
(the "notation" of the address
Silvia Duran gave Oswald). 546. CE 2445. 547. CE 2564. 548. CE 2564.
549. E.g., compare CE 2564 with CE 1969.
550. CE 3127.
551. Compare 2564 with CE 155, 161. 552. CE 2121, pp. 26-28. 553. CE 2121, pp.
53, 58.
554. 11 H 214-15 (Dr. and Mrs. John B, McFarland); 11 H 217 (Pamela Mum ford);
CE 2121, pp. 72-78.
555. CE 2121, pp. 53-58.
556. CE 2121, pp. 57-58. The only witness who places Oswald with anyone else
during the trip was thoroughly discredited. See CE 2450, 245,1, 2569, 2570,
2571, 2572,
2573. 2574, 2575, 3095. 557. CE 2450.
558. 11 H 217 (Mumford); CE 2195, pp. 2 3, 40-42.
559. CE 2195, pp. 44-46.
560. 11 H 220-221 (Mumford); 11 H
214 (McFarland); CE 2195, pp. 5-6. 561. CE 2195 passim. 562. CE 2121, p. 59.
563. Id. at 48-59; CE 3074. 564. CE 18, p. 54. 565. CE 2568.
566. CE 2567, p. 3.
567. This is the case of "D" treated at 55, infra.
568. CE 2949.
Page 839
569. CE 2948.
570. CE 2676.
571. CE 2950.
572. CE 2952, 2953. 2954, 2955, p. 5.
573. CE 2959.
574. E.g., CE 2951.
575. CE 2946.
576. CE 3047.
577. CE 2952, p. 2; CE 2955, pp. 1-4.
578. CE 3152. 1161.
579. 5 H 365 {Dean Rusk).
580. CE 986, pp. 1-3: CE 29.
581. CE 6; CE 986.
582. CE 8.
583. CE 986.
584. CE 2768. 2772. 2444, 3042, pp.
59. 65.
585. CE 15.
586. CE 16.
587. 3 H 13-18, 51-52 (R. Paine).
588. 1 H 45 (Marina Oswald).
589. CE 2764.
590 CE 2764.
591. CE 3126.
592. 1 H 44, 49.
593. Oswald entered Mexico on Sept. 26 and his tourist card was good for 15 days
thereafter; CE 2478. reproduced in report, p. 300.
594. CE 792:7 H 295 (Harry Holmes): Holmes DE 3.
595. 7 ti 527 (Holmes); see Holmes DE 1-A.
596. See pp, 118 122, 172-174, supra. 597. CE 1158.
598. CE 817; 7 H 296 (H. Holmes).
599. Holmes DE 1; 7 H 292 293 (H. Holmes ).
600. Holmes DE 4, pp. 1, 2; app. XIII, pp. 713-730, 737 740.
601. 10 H 294 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson):
6 H 435-437 (Earlene Roberts). 602. CE 1160, 1158, 1152, 1178. 603. CE 1799, p.
1.
604. See footnotes 594, 597, 599, supra. 605. CE 791; 11 H 136, 149 (Gibson).
606. CE 817; 8 H 91 (L. Murret).
607. Holmes DE 1: 10 H 292-293 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson).
608. 1 H 350, 356, 392 (R. Oswald); CE 322: Cunningham DE 3. 3 A: Hunley DE 2.
5: Creel DE 1: Rachal DE 1: CE 427:10 H 198 (Dennis H. Ofstein); CE 1167, p.
489. See also, e.g., Holmes DE 3-A: Arnold Johnson DE 5: V. T. Lee DE 7.8 A. 8
B, 8-C, 9: Dobbs DE 6. 9.10: R. Watts DE 1.4, 5.
609. See pp. 121-122, supra.
610. See, e.g., CE 1135, 2973, 2971 2972. 3113; Semingson DE 3001.
611. See CE 796, 815, 809, 806, 819,
1398 see 4 H 380-399 (Alwyn Cole).
612. Id. at 387.
613. Id. at 387-388; 10 H 184--186 {John J. Graef), 196-197 (Ofstein), 169
{Robert L. Stovall).
614. 10 H 186 (Graef), 198, 201 (Of-stein ).
615. 4 H 378 389 (Cole).
616. 10 H 186-187 (Graef), 198 (Of-stein), 172 (Stovall).
617. CE 800: CE 115. 618. CE 2478.
619. CE 2539. p. 1.
620. CE 2121, p. 47: CE 2480.
621. CE 2463:11 H 217, 220 (Pamela Mumford): CE 2120, pp. 39 41; cf. 11 H 179
180 (Mrs. E. Twiford).
622. See footnote 601, supra.
623. 6 H 401 (Mary E. Bledsoe).
624. CE 1410, 1411.
625. CE 135: 7 H 377 (Heinz W. Michaelis): CE 3088.
626. CE 1398.
627. 11 H 226-231 (Dial D. Ryder); CE 1333: Greener DE 1; CE 1334.
NOTES TO PAGES 307-319
628. 11 H 226 (Ryder), 251 (Charles W. Greener); see p. 119, supra.
629. See pp. 118-122, 172-174, supra.
630. 11 H 231 233 (Ryder); CE 1334, p. 4.
631. CE 2454, p. 6; 7 H 224-225 (F. M. Turner); CE 1334, p. 24; 11 H 246-247
(Greener).
632. CE 1325:11 H 227 (Ryder). CE 1334, pp. 1-2, 13.
11 H 22(i, 230-231,234 (Ryder),
246. 251 (Greener).
635. 11 H 234, 226, 230-231 (Ryder);
CE 1333. p. 2.
636. 11 H 225-226, 233, 235-238
(Ryder).
637. CE 1330, p. 2.
638. 11 H 241-242, 244, 237 (Schmidt), 464-467 (Lehrer).
639. CE 1334, pp. 14-20: CE 3030.
640. 11 H 254-259 (Gertrude Hunter); 11 H 263-275 (Edith Whitworth).
641.11 H 261-262, 282, 284 (Mrs. Hunter), 11 H 272, 283 (Mrs. Whitworth).
642. 11 H 277, 300-301:5 H 399-400 (Marina Oswald).
643. CE 1337,2974.
644. 11 H 226, 228 229 (Ryder); CE 2974.
645. 11 H 264, 274, 286-288 (Mrs. Whitworth): 11 H 257 (Mrs. Hunter).
646. CE 1327,
647. 11 H 263, 265 266 (Mrs.
worth); see CE 1327, 3089.
648. 11 H 254, 280, 289 (Mrs. Hunter).
649. 11 H 280 (Marina Oswald); see
footnotes 707, 708, infra.
650. 11 H 256 (Mrs. Hunter): 11 H 266
(Mrs. Whitworth); CE 2454; 11 H 290
292 {Marina Oswald), 11 H 155 (R.
Paine).
651. 11 H 154 (R. Paine).
652. See ibid.: 11 H 277 (Marina Oswald).
653. 11 H 255, 280, 288 (Mrs. Hunter).
654. CE 2976.
655. CE 2976.
656. CE 2977.
657. CE 2975.
659. CE 2977, p. 3.
659. E.g., compare CE 2903 and CE 2446
with app. XIII, pp. 730-736: compare CE2446 with CE 2448. CE 3049. 3 H 214
{Roy Truly), and CE 2454: compare
2447 with CE 2904 and CE 3049: see CE
2547; compare CE 3110 with CE 2925:
compare CE 2926, 2.927, 2928 with CE
3019: see CE 2933. 2908: see also, e.g.,
10 H 309-327 (Clifton M. Shasteen);
2209. 3130.
660. 10 H 372 (Malcolm H. Price, Jr.).
661.10 H 380 (Garland G. Slack).
662. 10 H 392 (Sterling C. Wood), 10
H 385-390 (Homer Wood).
663. 10 H 375-376 (M. Price). 10 H
383-384 (Slack), 10 H 388-389 (H.
Wood), 10 H 391-395 (S. Wood).
664. CE 2934, 2935.
665. 10 H 356-363 (Floyd G. Davis).
10 H 363-369 (Virginia Davis): CE 2916.
2919.
066. CE 2915, 2917.
667. CE 2930, 2923, -2924, 2919, 2898.
2922, 2906, 3077: see 10 H 381 (Slack).
668. CE 2909, p. 238.
669. CE 2910,.
670. 10 H 370 (M. Price); see app. XIII. pp. 730-736 infra.
671. 10 H 371 (M. Price), 10 H 380 (Slack). 10 H 361 (F. Davis).
672. 10 H 380 (Slack); but see 10 H 361 (F. Davis).
673. 11 H 154-155 (R. Paine); see also 2 ti 515, 3 H 41 (R. Paine): 1 H 58, 62
{Marina Oswald).
674. 10 H 370 (M. Price), 10 H 365 {V. Davis).
839
Page 840
NOTES TO PAGES 319-328
675. See footnotes 707, 708 infra; of. CE 2209.
676. 10 H 365 (V. Davis); CE 2941.
677. 10 H 393 (S. Wood), 10 H 381-382 (Slack); CE 2909; 10 H 358 (F. Davis).
678. Ibid.; 10 H 365-366 (V. Davis). 373 (M. Price); CE 2909, 3077.
679. CE 2897; CE 2898, pp. 116-117. 680. 10 H 373-374 (M. Price), 10 H 392,
395-397 (S. Wood), 10 H 381-383 (Slack): CE 2913.
681. CE 139; 3 H 392-396 (Robert A. Frazier).
682. 10 H 370 (M. Price), 10 H 386 (H. Wood), 10 H 391-392 (S. Wood); of. 10 H
380 (Slack).
683. 10 H 374 (M. Price), 10 H 382 (Slack); 10 H 392 (S. Wood); see also CE
2916, 2935, 2915.
684. 10 H 374 (M. Price), 10 H 382 (Slack).
685. 10 H 386 (H. Wood), 392 (S. Wood); CE 2924, 2915.
686. CE 139, 3133; 3 H 392-296 (Frazier), 154 (Howard L. Brennan).
687. 10 H 374 (M. Price), 10 H 382 (Slack); 4 H 257 (J. C. Day); CE 139: 10 H
395 (S. Wood).
688. 10 H 374 (M. Price); 3 H 394 (Frazier); CE 541, pp. 3, 4.
689. 10 H 372-373 (M. Price).
690. See pp. 315-316, supra. ch IV. pp. 113-122.
691. 10 H 395 (S. Wood), 10 H 382 (Slack).
692. 10 H 370-371 (M. Price), 10 H 391 (S. Wood), 10 H (F. Davis); but cf. CE
2910.
693. CE 2921, 2918, 2905, 2920, 3049. 694. See, e.g., 2 H 226-229, 241 (Buell W.
Frazier); 10 H 297 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson): 6 H 426 (Mary Bledsoe): CE 2932.
695. See 10 H 352-356 (Albert Guy Bogard).
696. In addition to the corroborating evidence discussed in text, it is to be
noted that on Feb. 24, 1964, Mr. Bogard was interviewed by the FBI In regard to
his allegation with the use of a polygraph. No
corded by the polygraph when Bogard was asked relevant questions concerning his
report. The responses recorded were those normally expected of a person telling
the truth. CE 3031. However, because of the uncertain reliability of the results
of poly- graph tests, see app. XVII, pp. 813-816. infra. the Commission has
placed no reliance upon these results.
697. 10 H 342-345 (Frank Pizzo); CE 3078, p. 7.
698. CE 3091, 3092. 699. CE 3071. p. 365.
700. 10 H 344 (Pizzo): CE 3078. p. 7. 701. Ibid.
702. See 10 H 354 (Bogard); CE 3071, 2969.
703. 10 H 346, 350 (Pizzo); CE 3071 p. 2.
704. CE 3091.
705. 10 H 347-351 (Pizzo); CE 2970. 706. CE 3078, p. 7.
707. 1 H 112-113, 5 H 402, 11 H 280 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 142-143 (L. Murret);
id. at 185 (C. Murret): 2 H 292-293 (R. Oswald); 8 H 399 (E. Hall); 9 H 87 (G.
Taylor); 10 H 126 127 (Cunning-ham); 11 H 56-57 (J. Pic).
708. 2 H 502-517, 11 H 153 154 (R. Paine).
709. 2 H 515, 3 H 41. 11 H 153-154 (R. Paine); 1 H 58, 62 (Marina Oswald).
710. 11 H 368-369, 373, 375, 377, 379 (Sylvia Odio).
711. Id. at 370-372. 712. Id. at 370, 382. 713. Id. at 370-371.
714. Id. at 372. 715. Ibid.
716. Id. at 372-373, 377. 717. Id. at 373.
718. Id. at 382, 385. 719. CE 2907.
720 11 H 370, 374 (S. Odio); CE 2942. 721. 1 H 26 (Marina Oswald); CE 2124. p.
383; CE 405, 1156, pp. 443-444; CE 2125, pp. 475, 477; CE 2479; 10 H
276-277 (Jesse J. Garner). 722. CE 2131; 2939.
723. CE 2938, 2939, 2940, 3109, 2131, 2476.
724. CE 2131, 2939.
725. CE 2961, 2132, pp. 10-14; CE 2533, 2962.
726. 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald); 11 214 (McFarland); 179-180 (Estelle Twi-
ford): 11 H 179 (Horace E. Twiford). 727. CE 2191, pp. 5-7.
728. 11 H 214-215 (McFarland).
729. CE 2193, pp. 1-2; CE 2123, 2566, pp. 2 3; CE 2534.
730. CE 2138, pp. 12-14; CE 3075. 3086.
But see 11 H 179 (Estelle Twiford). 731. CE 3090. 732. CE 2534.
733. 11 H 214-215 (McFarland); CE 2534, 2732.
734. 11 H 214-215 (McFarland); see also 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald).
735. 11 H 179-180 (E. Twiford). 736. CE 3045.
737. Ibid.; see 11 H 372 (S. Odio). 738. See note 736, supra. 739. CE 3148. 740.
Ibid.
741. Ibid.; 11 H 375 (S. Odio). 742. CE 2390. 743. CE 3147. 744. CE 3146. 745.
Ibid. 746. Ibid.
747. 11 H 370 (S. Odio).
748. 11 H 341-346 (Rodriguez).
749. Compare 11 H 341-342 (Rodriguez)
with 11 H 370, 382-383 (S. Odio). 750. 11 H 343 (Rodriguez).
751. 11 H 350-351 (Orest Pena). 752. CE 2902.
753. Id. at 15: compare 11 H 355-356 (O. Pena).
754. 1,1 H 342 (Rodriguez); 351 (O. Pena); CE 2477, p. 10.
755. 1 H 35, 83, 100 (Marina Oswald):
2 H 487 (R. Paine); 8 H 389 (A. Meller);
9 H 244 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 11 H 150 (D. Gibson).
756. 11 H 325-339 (Dean Andrews). 757. Id. at 331; CE 3094; CD 2899). 758. CE
2900, 2901, 3104.
759. 1 H 142, 191-193, 195-196, 200 (Marquerite Oswald); but see e.g., 1 20, 83
(Marina Oswald); 3 H 108 (R. Paine).
760. CE 1138, p. 3;1 H 206 (Marguerite Oswald ).
761. CE 821; 4 H 408-409 (John Fain).
762. 1 H 214 (Marguerite Oswald); see generally footnote 865.
763. CE 2580 p. 4; 2581. 764. 8 H 341 (Pauline Bates). 765. Ibid.
766. 5 H 120-121 (John A. McCone); 5 H 121 122 (Richard M. Helms); see also
CE 3138 (Department of Defense). 767. CE 870.
768. 5 H 105-106 (J. Edgar Hoover);
5 H 14 15, 26 27 (Alan H. Belmont):
4 H 429 (Fain); 4 H 440 (John L. Quigley); 4 H 469 (James P. Hosty).
769. CE 825.
770. CE 835.
771. CE 18, address book, p. 76.
Page 841
772. 4 H 451 (James P. Hosty); 3 H 18,
103-104 (Ruth Paine).
773. 1 H 48 (Marina Oswald); 3 H
99 (R. Paine).
774. 1 H 48 (Marina Oswald).
775. Ibid.
776. See generally CE 1135, 1141, 1150,
1152, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 1162. 1163,
1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, see CE 1169.
777. 1 H 82-83 (Marina Oswald).
778. CE 1148, 1149, 1155.
779. CE 1169, 1 H 62 (Marina Oswald).
780. 10 H 230 (Chester A. Riggs, Jr.);
CE 1160; 10 H 237-241 (Mrs. Mahlon
Tobias); CE 1133, 1134; 11 H 155
(M. Waldo George); 10 H 265 (Mrs. Jesse
Garner); CE 1139; see 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald) see CE 1160.
781. 11 H 140-141 (Mrs. Donald Gibson); 2 H 470-472 (R. Paine); 9 H 225
226 (G. De Mohrenschildt), 308 (J. De Mohrenschildt), 77 (Gary E. Taylor); 1 H
134-135 (Marquerite Oswald).
782. See app. XIII, pp. 713-715.
783. 1 H 7-8 (Marina Oswald); 8 H
394-395 (Elena Hall): 11 H 120 (Alexander Kleinlerer).
784. 2 H 299, 304 (Katherine Ford);
8 H 386--387 (Anna N. Meller); 1 H 11-12
(Marina Oswald); 8 H 416 (Valentina
Ray).
785. 10 H 288-290 (Colin Barnhorst):
id. at 281-283 (Richard L. Hulen): CE
1160, p. 3; 10 H 307 lA. C. Johnson): 6 H
401-402 (Mary Bledsoe); cf. CE 1166. p. 3.
786. 8 H 133---135, 138-139 (Lillian
Murret); 2 H 459-468 (R. Paine).
787. 3 H 9, 12-13. 18, 32, 39-41 (R.
Paine): 1 H 26, 51, 53-55, 79 (Marina
Oswald); 2 H 217 (Buell W. Frazier).
788. 1 H 8 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 394
(E. Hall); 2 H 299 (Katherine Ford): 3
9 (R. Paine).
789. 3 H 93 (R. Paine); 1 H 62, 69, 70
(Marina Oswald); 1 H 134 (Marguerite
Oswald): see e.g., I H 134 (Marguerite
Oswald): 1 H 6 (Marina Oswald); see
also note 304. supra. Oswald purchased
a TV set on credit, but it was returned
without any payment having been made on it; CE 1165, pp. 17-21: CE 1167, pp.
490- 495; 11 H 210 (Albert F. Staples): 9 H 360, 361,362, 363 (R. Paine).
790. 1 H 135-136 (Marguerite Oswald): 8 H 372-373 (Bouhe), 382 (Meller), 394 (E.
Hall): 9 H 324-325 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 11 H 119 (Kleinlerer): see also
9 H 66-68 (Dymitruk); 8 H 410 (V. Ray).
791. 2 H 487 (R. Paine): 1 H 35
Marina Oswald); S H 153 (L. Murret): 8 H 418 (V. Ray).
792. E.g., 1 H 5, 5 H 416 (Marina Oswald).
793. 1 H 134 (Marguerite Oswald). 794. 2 H 217 (B. W. Frazier).
795. 11 H 171 (William K. Stuckey): 8 H 133, 135, 148 (L. Murret), 193 (John
Murret); CE 146, 148, 149, 150. 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160,
161, 162, 163.
796. 9 H 144 (Paul Gregory).
797. 1 H 134-135 (Marguerite Oswald): 1 H 7; 8 H 382-385 (A. Meller); 8 H
393-394 (E. Hall): 8 H 416 (V. Ray); 8 H 372 373 (Bouhe); see 9 H 144 (Paul
Gregory); cf. 8 H 369 (Bouhe); id. at 387 (Meller).
798. 1 H 69-74) (Marina Oswald). 799. 1 H 318 (R. Oswald). 800. CE 1138, pp.
11-12.
801. I H 30 (Marina Oswald).
802. 7 H 376 (Heinz W. Michaelis): Michaelis DE 2: CE 1137: see app. XIV, p.
743.
803. CE 1410, 1411.
730-900 0-64--55
NOTES TO PAGES 328-335
804. 10 H 64 66 (C. Steele, Jr.). It is
not known whether the second person who
assisted Oswald was also paid by him. CE
2216: see generally, note 434, supra.
805. See app. XIV, p. 744.
806. 2 H 468-469; 9 H 343 (R. Paine):
1 H 19 (Marina Oswald). 807. 3 H 9-12 (R. Paine).
808. 8 H 186-187 (Charles Murret).
809. 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald): CE 2131, 2476; see app. XIII, p. 731.
810. See app. XIII, pp. 730 736 app. XIV, p. 745.
811. 10 H 334-336, 340 (Leonard A. Hutchison ).
812. CE 3121; CE 1165, pp. 5-6; 1 H 58 (Marina Oswald), CE 3129, p. 4
813. 10 H 328-333, 340 (Hutchison). 814. 11 H 155 (R. Paine), 290-291 (Marina
Oswald); 10 H 296 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson); 6 H 404--405 (Mary Bledsoe): CE 2454,
pp. 2-4.
815. CE 2789, pp. 630-631.
816. 10 H 328-329, 336-338 (Hutchison); but see CE 2789, pp. 629 630.
817. Note 814, supra: 2 H 213, 222-225 (B. W. Frazier); 10 H 328 (Hutchison):
see CE 3129, p, 6.
818. 10 H 328, 338 (Hutchison).
819. CE 3129, p. 1; see also 1 H 58 (Marina Oswald).
820. Compare. 10 H 338 (Hutchison) with CE 1132; I H 348 (R. Oswald).
821. 10 H 414-415. 422-423 (L. Wilcox).
822. 11 H 315-318 (Robert G. Fenley). 311-312 (C. A. Hamblen); Wilcox DE 3005.
Hamblen repeated the story to a second journalist the following day, 11 H 316
(Fenley).
823. Wilcox DE 3005; see also Wilcox
DE 3007:11 H 312 (Hamblen): 10 H
415-417 (L. Wilcox).
824. 11 H 311-314 (Hamblen).
825. 11 H 318-325 1A. Lewis): Wilcox DE 3006; 10 H 417-421 (L. Wilcox).
826. Wilcox DE 3008; 10 H 412-413 (Semingsen), 423 (L. Wilcox).
827. 10 H 419-425 (L. Wilcox). 407-413 (Semingsen): Semingsen DE 3001.
828. 11 H 313 (Hamblen); 10 H 424 (L. Wilcox), 412 (Semingsen).
829. 10 H 424 (L. Wilcox), 412-413 (Semingsen).
830. See 13 H 436 (Curtis LaVerne
Crafard).
831. Crafard DE 5226, I}. 150; CE 2319.
832. Crafard DE 5226, pp. 147-148,
150: but see CE 2322.
833. CE 2270, 2291.
834. CE 1669.
835. CE 2265.
830. CE 2251.
837. CE 2269, 2288; see also CE 2319.
838. CE 2245.
839. Newnam DE 2: see also CE 2265.
840. Crafard DE 5226, p. 150; 15 H 323
(Eva L. Grant); 15 H 283 (Eileen
Kaminsky).
841. 15 H 626, 628 (Lawrence V.
Meyers), CE 1606, 2267.
842. CE 2259. 2274; 14 H 153 (Ralph Paul): C. Ray )fall DE 3, p. 3; 5 H 183
(Jack Ruby): CE 2405, p. 26. 843. CE 2434, 2435.
844. 15 H 629 (Meyers): CE 2268.
845. Id. at 627; 15 H 667 (Paul); see also CE 2266. 13 H 326 (Armstrong).
846. 15 H 183 (J. Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 3.
847. Crafard DE 5226. p. 150.
848. Ibid.
849. 5 H 183 (J. Ruby); 13 H 330 (Armstrong);
C. Ray )fall DE 3, p. 4: CE 2436; see also 15 H 539
(John W. Newnam); CE 2438.
841
Page 842
NOTES TO PAGES 335-343
850. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 4: see also CE 1479, 2321.
851.5 H 183 (J. Ruby).
852. CE 2405, pp. 17-18; CE 2436.
853. 15 H 183 (J. Ruby); CE 2405, p. 26; CE 2436; see also 13 H 319-320
(Armstrong); 15 H 219-220 (Joseph
Weldon Johnson, Jr.).
854. CE 2405, pp. 24, 26; CE 2436; cf. 5 H 184 (J. Ruby).
855. 15 H 535 539 (Newnam); Newnam DE 4; CE 2405, pp. 17-20; see also CE 3050.
856. CE 1031; 15 H 544 545 (Newnam); 5 H 184 (J. Ruby).
857. 15 H 323 (Grant).
858. 15 H 540-541 (Newnam). 859. Id. at 541.
860. 5 H 184 (J. Ruby).
861. Ibid.; 15 H 541 (Newnam); 15 H 575 (Billy A. Rea); CE 2264.
862. 15 li 579-580 (Richard L. Saunders).
863. 15 H 580-581 (Saunders).
864. Id. at 581; see also 15 H 575
(Rea): CE 2408. p. 49; CE 2264.
865. 13 H 330 (Armstrong).
866. 15 H 542. 545 (Newnam): see 15 H 324 (Grant).
867. 5 H 184 (J. Ruby). 868. Id. at 184 185.
869. 14 H 542-544 (Newnam); 15 H 583-584 (Saunders); see also CE 2408, p. 49; CE
2264.
870. 15 H 79-81 (Seth Kantor): see also 15 H 3'88-396 (Wilma May Tice).
871. See 15 H 388-396 (Tice); CE 2290; CE 2293; CE 2437.
872,. 14 H 561-563 (J. Ruby); 5 H 185 (J. Ruby).
873. See KRLD TV Reel 5: compare 15 H 81 (Kantor).
874. CE 2303, p. 27; 13 H 331 332 (Armstrong); 13 H 208-209 (Karen B. Carlin):
see also 5 H 185 (Ruby): but see 13 H 452 (Crafard).
875. 15 H 75-76 (Kantor): CE 2301. 876. 15 H 76-82 (Kantor).
877. CE 2303, p. 27; 13 H 333-335
(Armstrong); 13 H 208-209 (K. Carlin). 878. CE 2068.
879. 15 H 579 (Saunders): 15 H 419 (Nancy M. Powell).
880. See pp. 340-342, infra. 881.15 H 81 82 (Kantor).
882. 15 H 79, 81-82, 87-88 (Kantor);. pp. 342-343, infra: see CE 2441, 2442.
883. 5 H 185 (Ruby); 13 H 333-335 (Armstrong); see 14 H 85 (Crafard): see also
15 H 195 (Marjorie R. Richey).
884. 13 H 452-453 (Crafard); 14 H 42
(Crafard); 13 H 331-335 (Armstrong):
see CE 2414.
885. 14 H 151 (Paul): 5 H 185 (J.
Ruby); CE 2303. p. 27; 13 H 331-332
(Armstrong).
886. CE 2303, p. 27:15 H 282 283 (Eileen Kaminsky); 14 H 123 (Alice R. Nichols).
887. Ibid.: see also 13 H 331 (Arm strong).
888. 14 H 123-124 (A. Nichols); 15 H 283 (Kaminsky).
889.14 H 113-115, 123 124 (A. Nichols). 890. CE 2243; 2303, p. 27: CE 2284.
891. CE 2284; 5 H 185 (J. Ruby); see also 13 H 423--424 (Crafard).
892. 5 H 185 (J. Ruby): CE 2284.
893. CE 2303, p. 27; 14 H 151-152 ( Paul ).
894. 15 H 325 (Grant); CE 2296: 13 H 333 (Armstrong): see also 13 H 454
(Crafard) cf. 14 H 318 319 (Senator).
895. 12 H 455 457 (Crafard); see also CE 2427. 2273:14 H 433 (Grant): 13 H 336
(Armstrong); but see 14 H 86-87 (Crafard ).
896. 15 H 325 (Grant); 13 H 456 (Crafard ).
897. 5 H 186 (J. Ruby); CE 22.60, 2296.
898. 15 H 325-331 (Grant): 5 H 186 (J. Ruby).
899. Ibid.
900. 15 H 327 (Grant); CE 2262. 901. CE 2261, 15 H 330 (Grant).
902. 5 H 186-187 (J. Ruby); 15 H 330 (Grant); see also CE 2242, 2275.
903. 14 H 124 125 (Nichols); Nichols lie 5356; 15 H 330 (Grant).
904. 13 H 457 (Crafard): but see 14 H 86 (Crafard).
905. 15 H 332 (Grant).
906. 5 H 186 187 (J. Ruby).
907. 13 H 187 (Augustus M. Eberhardt); 15 H 612 (Roy G. Standifer): 15 H 601-602
(Ronald L. Jenkins): CE 2254. pp. 424-425: compare with CE 2249, p. 13; compare
15 H 351
352 (Victor F. Robertson, Jr.); CE 2439 with 15 H 599 (Clyde F. Goodson); CE
2439; see CE 2423: pp. 342-343. 347; KRLD TV reel 23. 45: 16 23; see also CE
2289: 15 H 375-376 (John G. McCullough); 15 H 455 (Dave L. Miller): 13 H 335-336
(Armstrong).
908. Compare 15 H 601-603 (Jenkins): 15 H 375--376, 380-381 (McCullough);
with CE 2790, 2415, 2423, 2424, 24.39. 909. 15 H 351 352 (Robertson).
910. 15 H 588-599 (Goodson); CE 2289; see also CE 2440: but cf. CE 2423, 2439.
911. 13 H 187 (Eberhardt); CE 2410. pp. 106-108; 15 H 617 (Standifer): but see 5
H 188 (J. Ruby); see also, pp. 342-343, infra.
912. 5 H 188 (J. Ruby): see also 15
H 327 (Grant).
913. 14 H 152 (Paul): CE 2302. p. 14.
914. CE 2302, p. 14: CE 2300.
915. 15 H 31-32 (Hyman Rubenstein).
916. 5 H 187 (J. Ruby): CE 2281,
917. CE 2281: see also CE 2282.
918. CE 2281.
919. CE 2282, 2283.
920. 5 H 187 (J. Ruby)..
921. Ibid.
922. CE 2252.
924 5 H 187 (J. Ruby): CE 2248.
924. 5 H 187-188 (J. Ruby); see also
14 H 434 (Grant).
925. CE 2247, 2277, 2278, 2279, 2280, 926. CE 2252.
927. 5 H 188 (J. Ruby).
928. KRLD-TV reel 23 0:00-0:19; CE 2423, 2439; see 5 H 188 (J. Ruby); C. Ray
Hall DE 3, p. 5.
929. CE 2410, pp. 104 105: see CE 2424: 5 H 188 (J. Ruby).
930. 13 H 187-189 (Augustus M. Eberhardt); see CE 2424.
931. KRLD TV reel 23, 0:00 3:00: CE 2423. 2439:5 H 188 (J. Ruby).
932. Ibid.; KRLD-TV; reel 23; WFAA-TV, PKT 11 6:50-6:55: see C. Ray Hall DE 2 p.
13-14.
933. CE 2424: 13 H 189-190 (Eberhardt): 5 H 223 (Wade): 15 H 616-617
(Standifer): CE 2244, 2249. 2256. 2257. 2272, 2276, see also McMillon DE 5017,
p. 3: CE 2258.
934. CE 2424, 5 H 188-195 (J. Ruby) 13 H 189-190 (Eberhardt).
935. KRLD-TV reel 23, CE 2169:
NBC-TV reel 43.
936. KRLD-TV reel 23; NBC-TV reel 43: 5 H 189 (J. Ruby): 5 H 223-224 (Wade): CE
2295.
937. 5 H 223-224 (Wade); KRLD-TV reel 23. 45:16-23 CE 2439, 2441, 2442. 5 H 189
(J. Ruby).
938,. 15 H 505-506, 508-509 (Johnston); CE 2272.
842
Page 843
NOTES TO PAGES 343-350
939. 15 H 346 (Icarus M. Pappas): see also CE 2257; 15 H 588-589 (Thayer Waldo
).
940. CE 2257; see also CE 2256.
941. 15 H 531-532 (Danny Patrick Mc-Curdy); 15 H 485 (William G. Duncan, Jr.);
see also CE 2295.
942. 15 H 364-365 (Pappas); 5 H 224 (Wade).
943. 15 H 485-486 (Duncan); 15 H 254 (Russell Lee Moore, also known as Russell
Knight).
944. Id. at 254-255, 267.
945. 15 H 483 (Duncan); see also 15 H 256-259 (Knight); 15 H 532 (McCurdy).
946. 15 H 257 (Knight); CE 2294; see also 14 H 318 (Senator).
947. 15 H 530-531 (McCurdy): 15 259 (Knight).
948. 15 H 530-531 (McCurdy). 949. 15 H 487-488 (Duncan).
950. 15 H 259--260 (Knight); 15 H 224-225, 228 (Edward J. Pullman);
2285; see also 15 H 339 (Grant). 951. CE 2285.
952. 15 H 260, 264-265 (Knight). 953. Ibid.
954. 5 H 191 (J. Ruby); see also CE 2318; 14 H 631 (Harry N. Olsen); 14 H 647
(Kay Helen Olsen).
955. C. Ray Hall DE 1, 2, 3. 956. 5 H 191 (J. Ruby).
957. 14 H 632 (H. Olsen); 14 H 648 (K. Olsen).
958. 14 H 632 (H. Olsen); 14 H 647 (K. Olsen).
959. Ibid.
960. 15 H 555-559 (Roy A. Pryor); see also 5 H 194 (J. Ruby).
961. 15 H 558-562 (Pryor); CE 2297; see also 5 H 206-207 (J. Ruby).
962. 15 H 566-568 (Arthur W. Watherwax): see CE 2297: CE 2816. pp 1508-- 1509.
963. CE 2816. p. 1509.
964. CE 2816, p. 1506; 5 H 194 (J. Ruby): 15 H 569-570 (Watherwax): CE 2791.
965. App. XVI, at p. 800, infra: 13 H 437-448 (Crafard): CE 2791.
966. 15 H 570 (Watherwax). 967. 5 H 193-194 (J. Ruby). 968..CE 2816, p. 1510.
969. 5 H 203 (J. Ruby): 15 H 569 (Watherwax); see also 14 H 218 (Senator); 14 H
87 (Crafard).
970. 15 H 568 (Watherwax): CE 2816, pp. 1507-1508; CE 2297.
971.14 H 219-220 (Senator).
972. Id. at 218-219; 13 H 463 (Crafard).
973. 5 H 203 (J. Ruby); 13 H 463 ( Crafard ).
974. 5 H 203 (J. Ruby); CE 2286; see also 14 H 90 (Crafard); 13 H 464-466
(Crafard); 14 H 219 (Senator).
975. 14 H 222 (Senator); see also 13 H 503-504 (Crafard); but see 14 H 567- 568
(J. Ruby).
976. 5 H 203 (J. Ruby); 14 H 220 (Senator); 15 H 336 (Grant).
977. 14 H 220-224 (Senator).
978. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9; 14 H 224 (Senator); see also 13 H 466 (Crafard).
979. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9: 13 H 466-468 (Crafard).
980..Ibid.; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9.
981. 13 H 337-339 (Armstrong): 13 H 468-469 (Crafard).
982. 5 H 198 (J. Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 14, DE 3, p. 12.
983. 5 H 198 (J. Ruby).
984. 15 ti 196 (Marjorie R. Richey).
985. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9: CE 2324, 2413, p. 83; see also CE 2330, 2340.
986. C. Ray Mall DE 3, p. 9; CE 2324.
987. CE 2413, pp. 82-83, 89, 92; CE
3039, see CE 2324; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9. 988. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9.
989. CE 2341; see 15 H 490 (Garnett Gland Hallmark).
990. 15 H 489-490 (Hallmark); G. C. Hallmark DE 1, p. 1.
991.15 H 491 (Hallmark). 992. Ibid.
993. 15 H 434 (Kenneth L. Dowe);
Dowe DE 2, p. 2; see 15 ti 491 (Hallmark). 994. Id. at 492-493.
995. 15 H 587-588 (Thayer Waldo); 15 H 355 357 (Frederic Rheinstein); CE 2276,
2326, 2327.
996. CE 2327; see also 15 H 82-83 ( Seth Kantor).
997. 15 H 587-589 (Waldo): see also CE 2276.
998. 15 H 357 (Rheinstein). 999. CE 2276; 2326.
1000. 15 H 386-387 (Abraham Kleinman); see also C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9.
1001. 15 H 468-469 (Frank Bellochio); 15 H 383-386 (Kleinman); CE 3043, 3044,
3045, 3046; see also 15 H 610-613 (Speedy Johnson ).
1002. 15 H 470 (Bellochio); 5 H 203-
204 (J. Ruby); 15 H 336 (Grant). 1003. 15 H 470 (Bellochio). 1004. Id. at
470-471. 1005. Id. at 471. 1006. Ibid.
1007. Id. at 470-472: CE 3043, .3044. 1008. Id. at 472.
1009. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9; 15 H 519 (Stanley M. Kaufman): see also 15 H
337-338 (Grant).
1010. 15 H 520 (Kaufman).
1011. 15 H 519-520 (Kaufman); see
also 15 H 337-338 (Grant). 1012. 15 H 337 (Grant).
1013. C. Ray Hall DE 3, pp. 9-10. 1014. CE 2329.
1015. 13 H 339 340 (Armstrong): see 15 H 454 (Dave L. Miller).
1016. 15 H 338-3.39 (Grant).
1017. 15 H 262 (Knight); cf. 14 H 222
(Senator); but see 15 fl 337 (Grant). 1018. 15 H 339, 341 (Grant). 1019. CE
2325, 2407.
1020. 13 H 209-210 (Karen B. Carlin); 15 H 421 423 (Nancy M. Powell): see 15 H
342 (Grant); compare 15 H 474 (John Henry Branch) with Branch DE 1: 15 H 334
(Grant); CE 2336.
1021. 15 H 421-423 (Powell); 15 H 647, 652 (Bruce R, Carlin); 13 H 209 (K.
Carlin).
1022. 13 H 209-210 (K. Carlin): see C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 10: 15 H 69-70 (C.
Ray Hall); 13 H 204-205 (B. Carlin). 1023. 13 H 210 (K. Carlin). 1024. 15 H 342
(Grant).
1025. 15 H 626-635 (Meyers); see p. 334, supra.
1026. 15 H 631-634 (Meyers).
1027. Id. at 633-635; see 14 H 265 (Senator).
1028. 15 H 632 (Meyers).
1029. 13 H 210 (K. Carlin); 13 H 203 204 (B. Carlin).
1030. Id. at 204; see also 13 H 210 (K. Carlin).
1031. 13 H 204 (B. Carlin). 1032. 15 H 422 (Powell).
1033. 13 H 211 (K. Carlin); see 13 H 205 (B. Carlin); 15 H 423-424 (N. Powell ).
1034. 13 H 246-247 (Huey Reeves): CE 1476, 2334; 13 H 210-211 (K. Carlin).
1035. 15 H 336, 339, 342 343 (Grant). 1036. CE 2300, 2306; see also CE 2310.
1037. CE 2300.
1038. 15 H 339 (Grant).
1039. 14 H 153 (Paul); 15 H 671. 673 (Paul).
Page 844
NOTES TO PAGES 350-360
1040. 15 H 397, 399 (Wanda Y. Helmick); CE 2834.
1041.15 H 399 (Helmick).
1042. Id. at 400, but see 15 H 672, 678-679 (Paul); CE 2339.
1043. 15 H 671-672, 675, 678-679 (Paul).
1044. 15 H 399 (Helmick); 14 H 153 (Paul); 15 H 671-672 (Paul).
1045. 13 H 247 (Reeves); see C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 10; see CE 1476.
1046. 14 H 635 (H. Olsen): 14 H 649 (K. Olsen).
1047. CE 2307. 1048. Ibid. 1049. Ibid.
1050. Ibid.: 14 H 605 (Breck Wall). 1051. CE 2307.
1052. 14 H 532-533, 543, 559, 564 (J. Ruby); 5 H 197 (J. Ruby); see also C. Ray
Hall DE 3, p. 12.
1053. Paul DE 5319, p. 7.
1054. 14 H 153 (Paul): 15 H 671-673 796-797, 805 (Paul).
1055. 14 H 605-607 (Wall).
1056. See app. XVI, pp. 796 797, 805: CE 2344.
1057. CE 2302, p. 14; CE 2303. p. 26; 2328, 2331, 2333.
1058. 14 H 605-606 (Wall). 1059. CE 2068. 1060. CE 2337.
1061. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 10; 15 H
552 (Robert L. Norton); 5 H 198 (J.
Ruby).
1062. 15 H 552-553 (Norton).
1063. Id. at 553; see 5 H 198 (J. Ruby); see CE 2836.
1064. 5 H 198 (J. Ruby): see 15 H 551 (Norton): CE 2836.
1065. 14 H 529 (J. Ruby): 5 H 198 (J. Ruby).
1066 14 H 236 (Senator). 1067. 15 H 343 (Grant). 1068. 14 H 236 (Senator).
1069. 5 H 199 (J. Ruby); 14 H 236-240 (Senator).
1070. 13 H 256-261 (Warren E. Richey): 13 H 279-283 (John A. Smith); 13 H
292-294 (Ira N. Walker).
1071.13 H 256 258 (W. Richey); 13 H 279-282 (J. A. Smith); 13 H 291-294 ( I.
Walker).
1072. 13 H 256-258 (W. Richey); 13 H 278-282 (J. A. Smith); 13 H 292 (I.
Walker).
1073. 13 H 283 (J. A. Smith). 1074. 13 H 257 (W. Richey).
1075. 13 H 283 (J. A. Smith); see also 13 H 257 (W. Richey).
1076. App. XVI, pp. 787, 792; CE 2424, 1478; see 15 H 523 (Kaufman); see also 15
H 332 (E. Grant).
1077. 14 H 236, 238-239 (Senator); Pappas DE 1.
1078. 13 H 257 (W. Richey).
1079. CE 2790, 2415; Pappas DE 1; but see 15 H 508 (Johnston); 15 H 603 (Ronald
L. Jenkins).
1080. Compare 13 H 292 293 (I. Walker) with 13 H 278 280 (J. A. Smith).
1081. 13 H 292 (Walker); 13 H 278-281, 283 (J. A. Smith).
1082. KRLD-TV reel 13; CE 3072.
1083. 14 H 236 (Senator); Senator DE 5402, p. 4.
1084. 13 H 232-233 (Elnora Pitts): see 14 H 289-240 (Senator).
1085. 13 H 231-232 (Pitts). 1086. Id. at 230-232.
1087. 13 H 197-198, 200 (Sidney Evans, Jr.); see also 13 H 263-264 (Malcolm R.
Slaughter).
1088. 14 H 232-233 (Senator/; see also Senator DE 5402.
1089. 14 H 236-239 (Senator); CE 2298.
1090. 13 H 210 211 (K. Carlin). 1091. Id. at 210 212.
1092. 14 H 239 (Senator).
1093. 14 H 236 (Senator); see also 14 H 532 (J. Ruby).
1094. 5 H 198-199 (J. Ruby) ;.see 14 H 532 (J. Ruby); see also 13 H 502
(Crafard); 14 H 207 (Senator).
1095. 14 H 210 211, 240 (Senator); C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 15; 5 H 198-199 (J.
Ruby).
1096. C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 15; 5 H 199 (J. Ruby); 14 H 83-85 (Crafard): 13 H 311
312 (Armstrong); 14 H 147 (Paul): 14 H 211, 312 (Senator).
1097. C. Ray Hall DE 3, pp. 10-11: 5 H 199 (Paul).
1098. CE 2068: KRLD TV reel 12. 20; WBAP-TV reel FW No. 2.
1099. 13 H 272-274 (Smart); Smart DE 5021: CE 1322, pp. 732, 747 751; see
H 501 (Crafard): 14 H 329 330 (Senator).
1100. C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 15; CE 1322, pp. 726 731; 15 H 199 (J. Ruby); see
also 14 H 327 (Senator).
1101. 13 H 226 (Doyle E. Lane).
1102. Id. at 224; D. Lane DE 5118,
5119; CE 2420, 2421, 1322, p. 726. 1103. Id. at 225.
1104. Ch. V at pp. 216-225: KRLD-TV
reel No. 13: KRLD-TV reel No. 59:
WBAP-TV reel FW No. 1.
1105. See 15 H 369-371 (Pappas): Pappas DE 1,2; C.D. 1314-A (tape recording in
Commission files); J. R. Leavelle DE 5088, 5089; 13 H 8-9 (L. C. Graves); 12 H
308, 313-314 (Louis D. Miller); L. D. Miller DE 5013, 5014:13 H 29 (L. D.
Montgomery); McMillon DE 5016; 12 H 179 (B. H. Combest); Combest DE 5101, p. 3;
Kantor DE 3, pp. 3S, 3,T; W. J. Harrison DE 5029. pp. -2-3; CE 2002. p. 45;
NBC-TV reel No. 66, Nov, 24. 1963. But see CE 2409, p. 300:5 H 199 (J. Ruby); 14
H 562 (J. Ruby).
1106. KRLD-TV reel 13: CE 3072.
1107. See app. XVI at 787, 788-789, 793-795, 798 799: see 15 H 258 (Knight): 15
H 636; (Meyers).
1108. 13 H 469 (Crafard).
1109. 14 H 39-40 (Crafard); see Crafard DE 5226, p. 147. 1110. CE 2429.
1111. Crafard DE. 5226, p. 152; see also 13 H 469 (Crafard).
1112. CE 2793; Crafard DE 5227. 1113. 14 H 92-93 (Crafard).
1114. Crafard DE 5226, pp. 148-149; 13 H 420-422 (Crafard); see 14 H 23-25
(Crafard).
1115. 13 H 466-468 (Crafard); C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 9.
1116. CE 2429; see 13 H 471-472 (Crafard): see also CE 2792.
1117. 13 H 404-408 (Crafard). 1118. Id. at 407-410, 413-416.
1119. Id. at 470 (Crafard); see 14 H 38 39 (Crafard).
1120. CE 2302, 2303, 2307; 14 H 152 153 (Paul; 15 H 665, 670 673 (Paul): app.
XVI at 795.
1121. 14 H 153-154 (Paul); 15, H 672-673 (Paul).
1122. CE 2311. 2316.
1123. CE 3026, 2980, 3034; 15 H 677 (Paul): CE 2817.
1124. CE 2823; 15 H 401 402 (Hel-
mick ).
1125. Id. at 401; CE 2338.
1126. CE 2338. 2339.
1127. CE 2431: 15 H 399 (Helmick). 1128. 14 H 605-606 (Wall); see 15 H 671-672,
675, 678-679 (Paul): 14 H 532-533, 543, 559, 564 (J. Ruby); 5 H 197 (J. Ruby).
1129. CE 2300.
844
Page 845
1130. CE 2314. 1131. CE 2317.
1132. CE 2306, 2433.
1133. 7 H 286 (W. E. Barnes); see ch. V, pp. 216, 224,230.
1134. See. e.g.. CE 2794, 2795, 2797. 2798, 2799, 2804, 2806, 2808, 2809, 2810,
2822, 1481, 2824, 2826, 2875, 2814; 15 H 48-51 (William S. Biggio).
1135. See, e.g., CE 2796. 2800, 2801, 2802, 2803, 2813, 2818, 2819, 2821. 2825,
2829, 2878, 1818. 2383.
1136. See, e.g.. CE 2805, 2812. 2827. 2828, 2874, 2877, 2879.
1137. CE 2830, 2884. 1138. CE 2830.
1139. CE 2884. 2885 2886.
1140. Crafard DE 5226, p. 149,
1141. 3 H 595 (Paine): see also CE 1949, p. 5; app. I at notes 1253-1255.
1142. Crowe DE 2; 15 H 97 100 (William D. Crowe. Jr.); see also CE 2372. 1143.
15 H 104-105 (Crowe). 1144. Id.. at 106.
1145. Id. at 105; CE 2983.
1146. 15 H 106 (Crowe); see KRLD-TV reel 43-a.
1147. 15 H 106 (Crowe).
1148. Crafard DE 5205, 5206: CE 2991 1149. 15 H 113 (Crowe).
1150. Id. at 107-109; CE 2995. pp. 207-209.
1151. 15 H 107-109 (Crowe). 1152. CE 2995. p. 212. 1153. CE 2367.
1154. CE 2370, 2432.
1155. 2 H 515 (R. Paine): 3 H 41 (R. Paine).
1156. CE 2414.
1157. CE 2998; 15 H 658 (K. Carlin). 1158. See, e.g.. CE 1479, 1623, 1652, 2362,
2380, 2401, 2403; Armstrong 5310 A; Crafard DE 5226, p. 152.
1159. 14 H 102, ]04-106 (Wilbryn Waldon Litchfield II).
1160. Compare CE 3149, 2991. 2243, 2284.
1161. CE 3149, p. 270.
1162. Pizzo DE 453-C: Shaneyfelt DE 24: see also CE 3002.
1163. CE 3149, p. 271.
1164. 14 H 96 97 (Litchfield). 1165. Id. at 102-104. 1166. Id. at 102.
1167. CE 2889; see also CE 3194. p. 267.
1168. CE 2999, 369.
1169. CE 3004, 3005; see also CE 3003.
1170. CE 2807, 2820, 3010, 3027; see also CE 2876, 2877, 2880.
1171. 3 H 214 (R. Truly); see also CE 1949.
1172. CE 2302; 13 H 421 (Crafard):
14 H 192, 216 (Senator). 1173. CE 371, 3150.
1174. See p. 321 supra; app. XIII, footnote 1224 infra.
1175. See CE 371,376, 1979.
1176. 6 H 437 (E. Roberts): see 6 H 404-406 (Bledsoe): see also CE 2833.
1177. See app. XIII at pp. 737-740; CE 2833.
1178. CE 2303: see Crafard DE 5226. pp. 148. 150: CE 2319.
1179. CE 3000, 3001, 3006, 3009. 1180. CE 3001, 3006, 3009.
1181. 4 H 240 (Fritz); CE 1410, 1491, 3020, 3021, 3022.
1182. Holmes DE 1; see pp. 312-314, supra: app XIII, p. 739, infra.
1183. CE 1322, p. 727: CE 3146. 2791.
1567:14 H 560 (Ruby). 1184. CE 2882. 1185. CE 2883.
1186. 13 H 383, 385-389, 400-401 (Bertha Cheek); Cheek DE 5353.
1187. CE 2386, 3011.
NOTES TO PAGES 350 368
1188. CE 1509: 14 H 91-92 (Crafard) 15 H 237-238 (Joseph Rossi).
1189. Cheek DE 5353; CE 2996, 2997. 1190. CE 2831.
1191. CE 2832, 2862, 2881.
1192. 14 H 203, 312-313 (Senator): CE 3012;14 H 158 (Paul): 13 H 322
(Armstrong): app. XVI at pp. 803-804: 8 H 265 (Delgado); 8 H 300 (Donovan): see,
also 13 H 438-440 (Crafard): 8 H 270-271 (Powers); 8 H 319 (Murray); CE 1339.
1193. See CE 3013; 15 H 246 (Wright).
1194. 1 H 152 154, 237 238 (Marguerite Oswald).
1195. Id. at 237-238: CE 3028, 237.
1196. 11 H 468 (Bardwell D. Odum); 11 H 469 (Richard Helms); Odum DE 1.
1197. CE 237; Compare Odum DE 1: see 11 H 469 (Malley): 11 H 468(Odum) 11 H 469
(Helms).
1198. Compare CE 237; Odum DE 1: with CE 2422. 2425.
1199. 11 H 470 (Helms); 5 H 208 (J. Ruby); see p. 373, infra.
1200. CE 2243; CE 1237, p. 5; 15 H 10 (Rubenstein); cf. app. XVI, p. 783 784.
1201. App. XVI, pp. 792, 794-795, 802-803.
1202. Id. at pp. 784-785, 786 790, 791-792, 794-795, 799-800.
1203. Id. at pp. 794 795, 802-803: 14 H
143 (Paul); 14 H 383 (E. Ruby). 1204. App. XVI at 797-799.
1205. 14 H 396-407 (Earl Ruby): 14 H 473-476, 483 (Grant); 15 H 35-36 (Hyman
Rubenstein); see CE 3070.
1206. 15 H 11-14, 43-44 (Rubenstein); Rossi DE 1: CE 3052.
1207. CE 1322. p. 763.
1208. See 15 H 229 (Pullman): 14 H 209 (Senator).
1209. E.g., 14 H 206-210 (Senator): 15 H 241 (Rossi); 15 H 492 (Hallmark): CE
1512. 1515, p. 554: CE 1500. 1621, 1748, 2414.
1210. App. XVI, at 791. 1211. CE 1485.
1212. 5 H 206, 209 (J. Ruby): 14 H 567 568 (J. Ruby); 14 H 468. 484 (Grant); 15
H 624 (L. Meyers): C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 14; CE 3053; CE 1515, H. 554; CE 2161
1508, 1540, 1542, 1711, 2392, 3052, 3142, 3143. 3144.
1213. 14 H 437-439 (Grant): 15 H 16-17 (Rubenstein).
1214. CE 3033; see also CE 2980, 2863, 2864, 2866, 2867, 2868, 2869, 2870, 2871,
2872, 2873; cf. Cumulative Index, 1938-1954, Committee on Un-American
Activities, U.S. ;louse of Representatives, p. 730.
1215. CE 3034.
1216. 15 H 306-308 (George W. Fehrenbach): CE 2837, 2838, 2843.
1217. CE 2848, 2849: see CE 2850, 2851. 285(l.
1218. CE 2853, 2854: see CE 2855.
1219. Compare 15 H 308 (Fehrenbach) and CE 2838, with CE 1189.
1220. Compare 15 H 307 (Fehrenbach) with app. XVI, pp. 787-790, 791-792.
1221. 15 H 301-303 (Fehrenbach); CE 2838, 2835.
1222. CE 2835.
1223. 15 H 311, 316, 319 (Fehrenbach).
1224. CE 2835, pp. 1-2: see also CE 2861, 300,8.
1225. CE 2839, 2840: see also CE 2844, 2845, 2846.
1226. CE 3151, p. 10-14; CE 2847, 2852, 2841.
1227. CE 2842, 2845, 2835, pp. 4-6; CE 2858. 2859. 2860.
1228. 15 H 303-304 (Fehrenbach).
1229. 15 H 225 (Pullman); CE 1822, p. 734; CE 2285.
845
Page 846
NOTES TO PAGES 368-377
1230. 15 H 259-261,264-265 (Knight). 1231. CE 2270, 2888.
1232. CE 2890, 2981, pp. 1, 3, 8; CE 2982: see also CE 305).
1233. 2 H 57-58, 60 (M. Lane).
1234. 14 H 69 (Crafard); CE 2984, cf. 13 H 353 (Armstrong); 15 H 662 (Mrs.
Carlin ).
1235. 14 H 559-561 (Ruby); 5 H 515-516, 522-525 (Weissman); CE 2985, p. 7: CE
3115.
1236. CE 1620; 14 H 559-560 (J.
Ruby); see CE 2430: compare id. at 3. 1237. CE 2430. 1238. Ibid. 1239. Ibid.
1240. Ibid.
1241. See pp. 335, 347-348, supra. 1242. See pp. 344-345, supra.
1243. CE 2985, pp. 7, 9, 10, 12, 14; cf. CE 2986.
1244. See CE 2985. pp. 6-7. 1245. CE 2987.
1246. CE 2985, p. 10. 1247. Id. at 6-7.
1248. CE 2985, pp. 15-17. 1249. See ch. IV at 163-164.
1250. Sawyer DE A; 4 H 179, 184 (Jesse E. Curry); 7 H 75-76 (James Putnam): see
ch. IV at 163-164.
1251. Compare ch. IV at 143-144 with CE 3002.
1252. CE 3054, 3055, 3056, 3057; 14 H 330-364 (Nancy Perrin Rich); Nancy Perrin
Rich DE 1-4; CE 3058, 3059, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3063, 3064, 3065, 1688, 1689,
3067, 3068.
1253. 5 H 202 (J. Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 15; CE 1688, 1689, 3069; see also
14 H 506 (J. Ruby); CE 2414.
1254. CE 2988, 3069; see CE 1748, 1752.
1255. CE 2303, p. 19. 1256. See CE 2988, 3069. 1257. CE 2989.
1258. See 5 H 200-201 (J. Ruby); CE 1697, 1545, 1690, 1691.
1259. CE 2993, 2994, 1697, 1546. 1260. CE 2.978, pp. 4-5.
1261. 14 H 384-385 (Earl Ruby). 1262. See app. XVI at 803. 1263. CE 2980, 2979,
pp. 13-14. 1264. CE 2428. 1265. CE 2980.
1266. See app. XVI at p. 801; CE 2988. 1267. See app. XVI at pp. 785, 790, 801.
1268. 14 H 565-566 (J. Ruby): 5 H 103 (J. Edgar Hoover); CE 1353, 1628, 1760;
cf. CE 2332, 2333, 3012, 2328, 2331, 1697, 1221, 1500.
1269. 14 H 165 168
1270. 14 H 168-172, 181 182, (Senator).
1271. 14 H 175 178, 181-184, 304 305, 309-310 (Senator).
1272. Senator DE 5400, p. 297; CE 3027; 14 H 165-210, 310-311 (Senator): CE
3014, 3026, 3028.
1273. 14 H 249-250 (Senator).
1274. See 14 H 244-245, 302-303 (Senator); Senator DE 5400, 5401, 5402, 5403.
1275. Ibid. 1276. CE 2419.
1277. See 14 H 217-218, 230-235, 261-
262, 299-300, 314-315 (Senator). 1278. CE 3015.
1279. 14 H 2]6, 314-315 (Senator). 1280. 14 H 532 (J. Ruby). 1281. Ibid.
1282. CE 2419; Senator DE 5401; see 14 H 245-246, 302-304, 316-317 (Senator ).
1283. CE 3023, pp. 17-18; 14 H 245 (Senator); see Senator DE 5401.
1284. CE 3023; Senator DE 5401; but compare CE 2419: 14 H 245-246, 252- 253,
303-304 (Senator).
1285. CE 3024; see also CE 3013 p. 196.
1286. 14 H 246-251, 253 (Senator); CE 3024.
1287. CE 2344, 2302, 2303, 2345. 1288. Ibid.
1289. See, e.g., CE 3036, see also 5 H 208 (J. Ruby).
1290. 14 H 150 (Paul): C. Ray Hall DE 3. pp. 15-16.
1291. CE 2344, 3018, 1695, 3019, 1567.
1292. CE 1561. p. 302:15 H 248 249 ( Wright ).
1293. 14 H 216 217 (Senator); 13 H 447 (Crafard).
1294. See CE 1322, pp. 733-751.
1295. See app. XVI at pp. 794, 796-797, 804-806.
1296. 5 H 272 (Dean Rusk); CE 3025 (Robert F. Kennedy): 5 H 585-586 (C. Douglas
Dillon); CE 3138 (Robert S. McNamara): 5 H 103 (J. Edgar Hoover): CE 2980 (John
A. McCone); 5 H 485 (James J. Rowley).
CHAPTER VII
I. 5 H 394 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 400 (Michael Paine); 10 H 56 (Francis L.
Martello); see discussion of Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities, infra.
2. I H 91 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 394, 408 (Marina Oswald); 9 H 145 (Paul R.
Gregory): 10 H 56 (Martello).
3. I H 10-12, 21-22, 66 (Marina
Oswald).
4. Id. at 22; see authority at notes 125 and 314. infra.
5. 8 H 150 (Lillian Murret): see authority at notes 125 and 314, infra. 6. I H
22 (Marina Oswald).
7. Id. at 22 23; see 11 H 100 (Kerry Thornley); 11 H 402 (Michael Paine).
8. See 8 H 272 (Daniel P. Powers): 11
H 96-97 (Thornley) and discussion. infra. 9. 11 H 96, 99; authority at note 151,
infra.
10. 11 H 170 (William Kirk Stuckey); Stuckey DE 2, p. 2; CE 1385, p. 7.
11. 1 H 96, 123 (Marina Oswald); 10 H 97 (Arnold Johnson); CE 100; CE 2564.
12. 1 H 225 (Marguerite Oswald); see 8 H 104-105 (L. Murret).
13. 11 H 4, 10, 20 (John Edward Pic); I H 253 (Marguerite Oswald).
14. Id. at 253 254: I H 94 (Marina Oswald): 11 H 12, 74 (J. Pic): 8 H 48
(Myrtle Evans): 1 H 271 (Robert Oswald). 15. 11 H 12 (J. Pic); J. Pic DE 3, 5.
16. 1 H 254 (Marguerite Oswald): 8 H 47-48, 63-64 (M. Evans): 8 H 36. 37 (Anne
Boudreaux); 8 H 112 (L. Murret).
17. J. Pic DE 2-A; 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald).
18. J. Pic DE 2, p. 4; H 272 (R. Oswald): 11 H 15, 22 (J. Pic).
19. 11 H 23 (J. Pic): 8 H 53 (M. Evans); 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald); see CE
1960 A, p. 1.
20. 1 H 275-277 (R. Oswald); 11 H 23--25, 28-30 (J. Pic): 11 H 472 (Mrs. J. U.
Allen ).
21. 8 H 51 (M. Evans); 8 H 68-69 (Julian Evans); 8 H 117 (L. Murret); see 1 H
277-278 (R. Oswald).
846
Page 847
22. 11 H 27 (J. Pie).
23. 1 H 250-252 (Marguerite Oswald);
11 H 27-29 (.l. Pie); CE 1960-C.
24. 11 H 75 (J. Pie).
25. Id. at 30-32.
26. Id. at 32.
27. Id. at 32-34.
28. Id. at 33.
29. Id. at 73-74.
80. 1 H 298 (R. Oswald); 11 H 31-32
(J. Pie); see 1 H 253-254 (Marguerite
Oswald).
31.1 H 298 (R. Oswald); Evelyn Stickman Siegel DE 1, p. 1.
32. 8 H 119. 121 (L. Murret): 11 H 31
(J. Pic): 8 H 87 (Hiram Conway).
3:|. 8 H 121-122 (L. Murret): ,l. Pic
I)E 9.
34. 11 H 17, 28, 31 (,I. Pie): J. Pic
DE 23: Siegel DE 2, p. 1.
35. 1 H 225-226 (Marguerite Oswald);
11 H 37 (J. Pic).
36. 1 H 226. 229 (Marguerite Oswald):
] 1 H 37-41 (,l. Pie).
37. 1 H 227 (Marguerite Oswald): 11
H 37 (.l. Pie).
38. Id. at 38, 39, 42: CE 1382, p. 1;
see John Carro DE 1, p. 1: Siegel DE 2,
p. 2.
39. 11 H 38-39 (J. Pic); see CE 1382.
40. 1 H 227 (Marguerite Oswald); see
CE 1384.
41. See ~ H 208 (Carro); Carro DE 1.
I~. :~.
42. Carro DE 1, p. 2; Siegel DE 1, p. 1.
43. I H 227 (Marguerite Oswald): see
Siegel DE 1, p. 2.
44. Carro I)E 1. p. 1.
45. Ibid.; see 8 H 218 (Renatus Hartogs ).
46. Carro DE 1, pp. 1, 5.
47. Hartogs DE I; Carro DE 1; Siegel I)E 1.
48. I H 228 (Marguerite Oswald). 49. Ibid. 50. Ibid. 51. Ibid.
52. Carro DE 1, p. 3. 53. Siegel DE 2, p. 3.
54. "Oswald: Evolution of an Assassin," Life, Feb. 21, 1964, p. 72.
55. Hartogs DE 1~ p. 1.
56. Ibid.
57. Ibid.
58. Id. at 2. 59. Ibid.
60. Siegel DE 1, p. 1. 61. Ibid. 62. Ibid.
63. Siegel DE 1, p. 2. 64. Siegel DE 2, p. 2.
65. Siegel DE 1, pp. 2, 3. 66. CE 1339. 67. Ibid. 68. Ibid. 69. Ibid.
70. Carro DE 1, p. 2.
71. See Carro DE 1, pp. 3, 6; Siegel DE I. p. 3.
72. Siegel DE 1, pp. 2, 3. 73. Id. at 3, 6.
74. Hartogs DE 1, pp. 1-2. 75. Carro DE 1, p. 2. 76. 11 H 75 (PIC).
77. Compare Carro DE 1~ Hartogs DE 1, and Siegel DE 1.
78. Carro DE 1, p. 4: see 8 H 206, 210 ( Carro ).
79. Id. at 212.
80. Siegel DE 1. p. 6.
81. See Carro DE 1, pp. 6-8.
82. CE 1413, pp. 14-15: I H 196-197, 198-199 (Marguerite Oswald).
83. Allison G. Folsom DE 1, pp. 2, 3.
84. 8 H 124 (L. Murret): see 8 H 159 (Marilyn Murret).
85. Id. at 124, 128.
NOTES TO PAGES 378-388
86. Ibid.: see 1 H 196-197 (Marguerite Oswald )
87. See e.g., 8 H 55, 56, 65 (M. Evans); .8 H 159 70, 71 (J. Evans): 8 H 159 (M.
Murret).
88 8 H 125, 131 (L. Murret).
89. Id. at 131: see 1 H 199 (Marguerite
Oswald): 8 H 15 (Edward Voebel).
90. Ibid.
91. Id. at 5; see SH 159 (M. Murret);
SH 124 (I,. Murret).
92. Ibid.
93. s H 2--3 (Voebel). 94. Id. at 5. 9-10.
95. CE 1352; CE 1387: CE 1413, p. 10. 96. CE 3134.
97. 1 H 198. (Marguerite, Oswald); CE
1386; CB 1385, pp. 5-6: CE 93. p. 3.
98. CE 1386.
99. Ibid.
100 8 H 18 (William E. Wulf).
101. 1 H 196 198 (Marguerite Oswald).
102. CE 199; see, 1 H 196-197 (Marguerite Oswald).
103. Id. at 197-198.
104. I H 375-376 (R. Oswald).
105. 1 H 198, 200 (Marguerite Oswald ).
106 Id. at 198.
107. 11 H 4 (J. Pie).
108. See 8 H 22-23 (Bennierita Smith): 8H 6-7 (Voebel).
109. See note 97, supra.
110. 11 H 95, 106 (Thornley). 111.8 H 270 (Powers).
112. 8 H 258 (Nelson Delgado); 8 H 315 (James A. Botelho): 8 H 316 (Donald P.
Camarata).
113. CE 1383: Folsom DE 1, p. 1.
114. 11 H 89, 101 (Thornley): 8 H 318 (Allen D. Graf); 8 H 318 (John Rene
Heindell) ; 8H 321 (Mack Osborne).
115. Folsom DE 1, p. 5.
116. See 8 H 292-293 (John E. Donovan ).
117. Id. at 295.
118. Id. at 292-293, 297: see 11 H 105-10(; (Thornley).
119. 8 H 293 (Donovan).
120. g H 265 (Delgado).
121. 11 H 89 (Thornley).
122. Id. at 90.
123. Id. at 100.
124. Ibid.
125. 8 H 270 (Powers).
126. Id. at 272.
127. Id. at 287.
128. Id. at 270.
129. Id. at 277.
130. Id. at 278.
131. Id. at 283.
132. Id. at 285-286.
133. Id. at 275.
134. Id. at 283.
135. See Folsom DE 1, pp. 9, 31-34.
136. Ibid.; 8 H 308 (Folsom).
137. See Folsom DE 1, pp. 4, 10, 17, 23, and 30.
138. See id. at pp. 77-104.
139. See id. at pp. 10, 14-16, 18-22, 38-
43, 48, 50-55, 61, 67-79. 140. Id. at 141. Id. at 63.
142. See 1 H 22. 31, 70-72, 123 (Marina Oswald): 1 H 45.0 (R. Oswald): 8 H 374
(George Bouhe): 9 H 148-149, 158 (Paul Gregory ).
143. 1 H 71 (Marina Oswald) :.but see
5 H 605 (Marina Oswald). 144. Id. at 72.
145. 1 H 385-386, 450 (R. Oswald): 11 H 79 (J. Pic).
146. See 1 H 220-222 (Marguerite Oswald): Folsom DE 1, pp. 19, 21.
147. Id. at pp. 38-39, 45-47.
148. 5 H 605 (Marina Oswald).
149. See discussion in ch. III, supra.
847
Page 848
NOTES TO PAGES 388-404
150. Ibid.
151. 1 H 198 (Marguerite Oswald); CE
1385, pp. 5-6; CE 1386; see 8 H 18 (Wulf). 152. CE 1385, p. 5.
153. 8 H 321 (Henry J. Roussel, Jr.).
154. S H 323 (Richard Dennis Call); 8 H 315 (Botelho).
155. 8 H 323 (Call).
156. 8 H 319 (David Christie Murray);
8 H 315 (Botelho); 8 H 321 (Osborne);
8 H 323 (Erwin Donald Lewis)
157. 8H 315 (Botelho); 8 H 321
(Osborne).
158. 11 H 93-94 (Thornley).
159. Id. at 99.
160. Id. at 95.
161. Ibid.
162. 8 H 292-293 (Donovan).
163. 8 H 233, 240 (Delgado).
164. 11 H 97-98 (Thornley).
165. Id. at 98.
166. See 8 H 18 (Wulf): 8 H 81 (Philip
E. Vinson): I H 94 (Marina Oswald). 167. 11 H 172-173 (Stuckey).
168. 2 H 308 (Mrs. Katherine Ford).
169. CE 295, pp. 4, 7, 8.
170. CE 294, p. 1.
171. See discussion supra pp. 256-257.
172. CE 295, p. 1.
173. Id. at 2-3, 4.
174. Id. at 6-7.
175. See CE 24, pp. 1-2; note 178, infra.
176. Ibid.
177. Id. at 2.
178. CE 985. dec. 1 C 3; CE 24, pp. 1-2.
179. 5 H 263 (Richard E. Snyder).
180. CE 913.
181. CE 908, p. 2.
182. Ibid.
183. Ibid.
184. Ibid.
185. Ibid.
186. Ibid.
187. CE 24, p. 4.
188. See id. at pp. 4, 5.
189. See id. at 5-6; CE 985, doc. 9A.
190. CE 72: 5 H 589 (Marina Oswald):
see 9 H 147 (Paul Gregory).
191. CE 24, p. 6; see CE 25, p. 1B.
192. See CE 24. p. 6; 5 H 497-408
(Marina Oswald).
193. See CE 24. p. 6: 1 H 93 (Marina
Oswald).
194, Ibid; see discussion at pp. 269,
195. 1 H 93 (Marina Oswald).
196. 10 H 56 (Martello); 9 H 145 (Pout
Gregory); see 5 H 408 (Marina Oswald).
197. 1 H 95, 100 (Marina Oswald).
198. 2 H 302 (Mrs. Ford).
199.9 H 312 (Jeanne De Mohrenschildt).
200. 9 H 234 (George De Mohrenschildt).
201. CE 24, p. 7.
202. Ibid.
203. Id. at 9.
204. See ibid.; CE 245.
205. 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald).
206. Id. at 10-11.
207. CE 994, p. 25.
208. CE 92; see also CE 94 (earlier manuscript); 8 H 333 (Pauline V. Bates).
209. CE 94, p. 1.
210. Compare CE 92 and CE 94 with
CE 25, CE 97, CE 98.
211. CE 25, p. 3.
212. Ibid.
213. CE 97, p. 8.
214. See CE 98.
215. CE 25, p. 3A.
216. Id. at
217. Id. at 2A.
218. Id. at 2A-3A.
219. Id. at 3A.
220, CE 97, p. 3.
221. Ibid.
222. Id. at 5.
223. Ibid.
848
224. Id. at 6.
225. Arnold Johnson DE 4, p. 3. 226. CE 97, p. 1. 227. Id. at 1-2. 228. CE 25,
p. 1. 229. CE 100, p. 1. 230. Id. at 3. 231. Id. at 1. 232. Id. at 4. 233. Id.
at 2. 234. See id. at 4. 235. CE 986, p. 6.
236. 10 H 209-210 (Deals H. Ofstein): CE 1147.
237. See CE 7, 9; CE 986. pp. 1-2, 6:
1 H 35 (Marina Oswald). 238. See CE 12; CE 13. 239. 10 H 56 (Martello). 240. See
CE 2464, pp. 4 6. 241. CE 15.
242. 1 H 11 (Marina Oswald); see H 377 (Bouhe).
243. 9 H (Paul M. Raigorodsky); see 9 H 166-284 passim (G. Do Mohrenschildt).
244. CE 1389, p. 3: but see 2 H (Peter P. Gregory).
245. 8 H 383-385 (Anna Meller); see id. at 372-373, 376 (Bouhe); 9 H 309 (J. De
Mohrenschildt).
246. 1 H 10-11 (Marina Oswald).
247. See 8 H 376 (Bouhe); 8 H 384 (Meller); I H 11 (Marina Oswald).
248. 9 H 309 (J. De Mohrenschildt). 249. Ibid.
250. 9 H 240 (G. De Mohrenschildt). 251. Id. at 232. 252. Ibid.
253. Id. at 233.
254. See 1 H 11 (Marina Oswald): 2 H 305 (Mrs. Ford).
255. 9 H 252-253 (G. De Mohrenschildt): 2 H 307, 309 (Mrs. Ford).
256. 1 H 133, 141 (Marguerite Oswald) 1 H 312, 387 (R. Oswald).
257, CE 295. p. 7; CE 908, p. 2:
CE 909, p. 2.
258. 1 H 94-95 (Marina Oswald).
259. 1 H 312, 314 (R. Oswald).
260. 1 H 134 136 (Marguerite Oswald). 261. Id, at 136.
262. 1 H 6 (Marina Oswald): 2 H 300 (Mrs. Ford).
263. 1 H 140-141 (Marguerite Oswald); see 8 H 394-395 (Elena Hall): discussion
in appendix XIII.
264. 8 H 135-136 (L. Murret).
265. 8, H 165-l66 (M. Murret)
266. Priscilla Johnson DE 6.
267. See 9 H 47 (Samuel B. Ballen). CE 1861, p. 3.
269. See, e.g. Helen P. Cunningham DE
l-A; John Rachal DE 1.2; CE 1398.
270. 10 H 163, 165 (Tommy Bargas).
271. See 1 H 5-7 (Marina Oswald); 10
H 166 (Bargas); CE 1405.
272. 10 H 144 (Donald Brooks).
273. 10 H 121 (Cunningham}; Cunning-
ham 1)E 1-A.
274. 10 H 121-124, 127 (Cunningham).
275. Cunningham DE 1--A. p. 3: see 10
H 126 (Cunningham).
276. 11 H 478 (Cunningham).
277. Ibid.; see 10 H. 177 (John G Graef).
278. 10 H 176 (Graef): CE 427.
279. 1 H 68 (Marina Oswald).
280. 10 H 172 (Robert Stovall); 10 H 186-187 (Graef).
281. See id. at 187-189. See id. 188.
283. See id. at 187, 189.
284. Id. at 189: see 10 H 170-171 ( Stovall ).
285. 2 H 457--459, 468-469, 271 (R. Paine).
286. 11 H 474 (Emmett C. Barbe, Jr.); CE 1398.
Page 849
287. 2 H 468-469 (R. Paine). 288. Id. at 517.
289. 11 H 474 ( Barbe ).
290..Ibid.: 10 H 220, 22..5-226 (Adrian Alba)
291. 3 H 6 ( R' Paine ).
292. See 10 H 53 (Martello~; 10 H 37-38 (Carlos Bringuier); discussion FPCC
activities, infra.
293. 11 H 476 (Rachal).
294. 10 H 170-171 (Stovall).
295. 11 H 479 (Theodore R. Gangl). 296. See 3 H 216, 218 (Roy S. Truly). 2974
See CE 1351, pp. 7~8.1 . 298. I H 16 (Marina Os -a d)
299. See id. at 17; 11 H 292 (Marina Oswald ).
300. I H 17 (Marina Oswald).
301. Id. at 15-16, 117-118:11 H 296 ( Marina Oswald).
302. See CE 133; CE 134; CE 1406.
303. 1 H 15-16 (Marina Oswald) ~ H 296 (Marina Oswald).
304. See discussion in ch. IV. supra. 30~. I H 16 (Marina Oswald): see CE 1.
306. Id. at 17-18. 307. Id. at 18.
308. 11 H 294 (Marina Oswald). 309. Id.' at 292-294, 295-296.
310. See I H 37-39 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 294-295 (Marina Oswald).
311. 11 H 293 (Marina Oswald). 312. See. e.g. Life, Feb. 21, 1964.
313. See I H 22-23 (.Marina Oswald): .~ H 354 (Max E. Clark); 9 H 150, 155 (Paul
Gregory); 11 H 97-98 (Thornley)..
314. See e.g. 8 H 376-377 (Bouhe); 8 H 390 (Mrs. Meller); 8 H 405 (Elena Hall);
8 H 411 (John R. Hall).
315. I H .16 (Marina Oswald); see 2 H 315 (Mrs. Ford).
316. See CE 1409; Vincent T. Lee DE 1.
317. See. CE 1410; CE 1411.
318. CE 1412.
319. See 10 H 37-39 (Bringuier).
320. CE 1413; 10 H 53 (Martello}: see discussion in ch. VIII, infra.
321.-11 H '165-166 (Stuckey). 322. Ibid.
3'>.~3. 10 H 35-36 (Bringuier).
324. I H 24 (Marina Oswald): see
H 57. (Martello); 10 H 90, 94 (Lee). 32'5. Id. at 64-65; see CE 820.
326. See discussion in ch. IV, supra.
327. 5 H 401 (Marina Oswald): see 1 H 64 (.Marina Oswald).
328. 5 H 401 (Marina Oswald). 329. 10 H 90, 94 (Lee). 330. 10 H 54 (Martello).
331. Lee DE 5. 332. Ibid. 333. Ibid. 334. Ibid.
335. CE 1413, p. 19.
336. See 10 H 32-51 (Bringuier).
337. See CE 1412: CE 1413, pp. 19-35.
338. Lee DE 6.
339. CE 1414.
340. CE 1410; see Lee DE 4, p. 2; Lee
DE 5, p. 2; 10 H 87-89 (Lee): Lee DE 5. 341. Lee DE 7.
Stuckey).
344. 10 H 41'(Bringuier); see I H 25 (Marina Oswald); 11 .H 268-270 (Mrs. Jesse
J. Garner).
345. Stuckey DE 3, p. 2; see 1'1 H 167 ( Stuckey ).
346. See 11 H 168 (Stuckey). 347. Stuckey DE 3, p. 8. 348. 11 H i'71 (Stuckey).
349. Ibid.
.350. Id. at 162. 351. Ibid.
352. Id. at 171.
353. Arnold Johnson DE 4.
NOTES TO PAGES 404-417
354. See Louis Weinstock DE 1; Arnold Johnson DE 5-A.
355. Weinstock DE 1.
356. Arnold Johnson 'DE 5.
357. Arnold Johnson DE I and 3. 358. Arnold Johnson DE 2. 359. 1 H 23 ( Marina
Oswald ). 360. Ibid.
361. Arnold Johnson DE' 4, p. 1. 362. Id. at 1-2. 363. Id. at 2-3. ~'
364. Arnold Johnson DE 4-A.
365. I H 20 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 474 (Barbe).
366. See CE 409: CE 415:2 H 490. 493
(R. Paine). .
367. 11 H 24 (Marina Oswald).
368. 10 H 91 (Lee); see Lee DE 3.
369. Lee DE 4-7.
370. Lee DE 8-A, 8-B, 8-C.
371. CE 781.
372 1 H 21, 68 (Marina Oswald).
373. Id. at 21.
374. Ibid.; see CE 7, 12.
375. CE 12.
376. CE 18.
377. See I H' 23 (Marina Oswald).
378. Id. at 47.
379. Id. at 24.
380. Id. at 25.
381. Id. at 22, 23.
382. Id. at 21-22, 54: but see 5 H 605
(Marina Oswald ).
383. 1 H 49-50 (Marina Oswald~ see
CE 17.
384. 3 H 5 (R. Paine).
385. See id. at 34.
386. 2 H .507 (R. Paine); see 3 H 9
( R. Paine ).
387. I H 23 (Marina Oswald).
388. 3 H 10, 27 (R. Paine); see id.
at 29.
389. See CE 244~4. p. 2: CE 2121. p. 39.
390. Ibid.
391. Id. at 40.
392. I H 50 (Marina Oswald).
393. CE 2695.
394. See Farrell Dobbs DE 1, 2; 11 H
39$ ( R. Paine).
395. See CEs 1340-1347: discussion of
Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities,
supra; ~E 25, p. 5:'9 H 249 (O. De
Mohrenschildt): Arnold Johnson DE 5-A.
396. CE 1343, p. 1.
397. CE 1350: CE 1172:11 H 398 (R. Paine).
398. 2 H 418 (M. Paine): see 9 H 455
(M. Paine).
399. Stuckey DE 3, p. 9.
400. 9 H 465 (Raymond F. Krystinik ).
401. I H 50 (Marina Oswald).
402. See app. XIV: I H 69 (Marina Oswald).
403. See e.g. CE 2647: CE 2696; CE
2697: CE 2698; CE 2699.
404. See CE 1031; CE 996; discussion
in oh. VI, supra.
405. Arnold Johnson DE 7, pp. 2-3.
406. 11 H 4.24 (Maj. Gen. Edwin A.
Walker).
407. I H 51-58, 63 (Marina Oswald):
3 H 138-139 (R. Paine).
408. Id. at 50.
409. Ibid.; see id. at 54.
410. Id. at 68.
411. CE 24, p. 10: see id. at 9; 2 H
302 (Mrs. Ford); 1 H '90-91 (Marina Oswald).
412. See e.g. 2 H 302 (Mrs. Ford); 8 H
362 (Bouhe): 8 H 386 (Mrs. Meller); 8
H 422 (Mrs. Frank Ray); but see 9 H 153
(Paul Gregory): see also CE 1401. p. 269.
413. 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald).
414, 2 H 413-414 (R. Paine); CE 410.
415. CE 415.
416. I H 12 (Marina Oswald).
417. Id. at 10, 12.
849
Page 850
NOTES TO PAGES 417-433
418. See CE 415; 1 H 66 (Marina Oswald).
419. Ibid.
420. See 8 H 150 (L. Murret); 9 H 313 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
421. 1 H 25 ( Marina Oswald ). 422. 2 H 342 (Peter Gregory). 423. 10 H 59 (
Martello ).
424. 1 H 33 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 596 ( Marina Oswald ); 2 H 303-304 ( Mrs.
Ford); 8 H 365 (Bouhe); 8. H 387 (Mrs. Meller).
425. See I H 35 (Marina Oswald); 9 H 259 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 9 H 311 (J. De
Mohrenschildt).
426. See 2 H 422 (M. Paine). 427.2 H 300 (Mrs. Ford).
428. Ibid.; see also 5 H 597 (Marina Oswald).
429. I H 33 ( Marina Oswald ). 430. See ibid. 431. Ibid.
432. Id. at 12.
433. 5 H 593-594 (Marina Oswald).; 9 H 233 (G. De Mohrenschildt); see 9 H 309
(J. De Mohrenschildt): I H 66 (Marina Oswald).
434. 9 H 233 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
435. Ibid.; see also 9 H 311, 313 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
436. See 8 H 396 (Mrs. Hall). 437. 11 H 396 (R. Paine). 438. 1 H 23 ( Marina
Oswald ). 439. Ibid.
440. Id. at 22 (Marina Oswald). 441. 9 H 314 (J. De Mohrenschildt). 442. Id. at
313. 443. Id. at 309. 444. Id. at 312. 445. Ibid. 446. Ibid.
447. See 2 H 422 (M. Paine).
448. I H 54, 63 ( Marina Oswald ).
449. 2 H 515--516 (R. Paine): 3 H 41 (R. Paine).
450. See ibid.; 3 H 43-44 (R. Paine). 451. 10 H 294 (Mrs. A. C..Johnson). 452.
See I H 65 (Marina Oswald). 453. Id. at 63. 454. Id. at 46. 455. Ibid.
456. Stuckey DE 3, p. 2; see 11 H 167
( Stuckey)..
457. See I H 20, 49 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 18, 102 (R. Paine); see discussion of
employment relations, supra; ch. VIII, infra.
458. I H 48 (Marina Oswald); see also discussion in ch. VIII, infra.
459. CE 15.
See discussion in ch. VIII, infra. See CE 15; 1. H 48-49 (Marina ); 3 H 15-16
(Ruth Paine).
See CE 15; ! H 49 (Marina ). Ibid.
Id. at 48; discussion in ch. VIII.
460.
461. Oswald
462.
Oswald 463. 464. infra.
465. supra. 466. 467. 468. 469. 470. 471.
See discussion at footnote 347,
I H 63 ( Marina Oswald ). Ibid.
Id. at 65.
Id. at 65-66. Id. at 66. Id. at 73.
472. See app. XIV.
473. 2 H 226, 228 (Buell Wesley Frazier); 2 H 248 (Linnie Mac Randie).
474. 2 H 222 (Frazier).
475. CE 2743.
476. CE 1361.
477. CE 1362; CE 1363; CE 1364: CE 1365; see discussion at footnote 52, ch. III.
supra.
478. 5 H 595 (Marina Oswald); see 1 H. 54 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 341 (Peter
Gregory); 10 H 311 (J. De Mohrenschildt). 479. I H 28 ( Marina Oswald ).
480. I H .65 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 46, 66 (R. Paine); 11 H 392 (R. Paine).
481. 3 H 300 (M. N. McDonald); 7 H 551 (Eddy Raymond Walthers).
482. 4 H 217 (J. W. Fritz); 7 H 353, 357 (Forrest V. Sorrels).
483. See discussion in ch. IV, supra.
484. See 4 H 240 (Fritz); 7 H 321 (Manning C. Clements); 7 H 310 (James W.
Bookhout).
4,,~5. See discussion in ch. IV, supra.
CHAPTER VIII
1. See app. VII for a fuller discussion of prior assassination attempts.
2. C. Rossiter, "The American Presidency"-18 (1960).
3. 30 "Writings of George Washington" 496 (Fitzpatrick ed. 1939).
4. Rossiter at 17, 92-93.
5. M. Smith, "A President Is Many Men" 232 (1948).
6. 7 H 442 (Kenneth O'Donnell): 7 H 460 ( Lawrence F. O'Brien ).
7. CE 866; see 5 H 106-~07, 116-119
(J. Edgar Hoover). 8. See app. VII.
~.}. 4 H 295-297 (Robert I. Bouck). 10. CE 761; 4 H 299 (Bouck). 11. Id, at
3(ml.
12~ Statistical data set forth in CE 762, p. 1.
13. Ibid.
14. 4 H 303 ( Bouck ). 15. CE 763.
16. See 4 H 302 (Bouck).
17. CE 1021. p. 1.
18. 4 H 307 (Bouck). 19. Id. at 310-311. 20. Id. at 307-308. 21. CE 762.
22. Ibid.
23. 4 H 306 ( Bouck ). 24. Id. at 309. 25. Ibid. 26. Ibid.
27. Id. at 310. 28. Ibid. 29. Ibid. 30. Ibid.
31. Id. at 309; see CE 765.
32. 4 H 308-309 (Bouck); see 18 U.S.C. sec. 871. The Secret Service prepared for
the Commission abstracts of several cases illustrating the achievement of the
goal of eliminating risks by imprisonment or hospitalization, CE 766.
33. 5 H 466 (James J. Rowley).
34. See p. 30 supra.
35. 4' H 304 ( Bouck ).
I)6. Ibid.
37. Id. at 303-304.
38. CE 836, attachment 2.
39. See CE 1354, p. 1.
40. See CE 1355.
41. 4 H 304 (Bouck).
42. ~d. at 314].
43. CE 836, p. 2.
44. CE 1356.
850
Page 851
45. 4 H 403 (John W. Fain); 4 H 431 (John L. Quigley); 4 H 440 (James P. Hosty,
Jr.); 5 H 97 (Hoover); 5 H 1 (Alan H. Belmont).
46. 5 H 120 (John A. McCone); 5 H 121 (Richard M. Helms).
47. CE 834 is a list of each item in the FBI's file on Oswald from the opening
of the file until the assassination. 48. CE 833, p. 1. 49. Ibid.
50. Id. at pp. 1-2 of attachment: see
also CE 821:4 H 405-409 (Fain). 51. CE 822, 834.
52. CE 833, p. 1, p. 2 of attachment. 63. 4 H 428 (Fain); id. at 441-442 of the
text of Oswald's letter appears at p. 463 infra.
54. 4 H 415 (Fain). 55. Id. at 417.
56. CE 823, p. 13; 4 H 416-417 (Fain). 57. Id. at 419.
58. CE 824; 4 H 418-424 (Fain). 59. 1 H 20 (Marina Oswald).
60. 4 H 422 (Fain); CE 824, p. 6. 61.4 H 423-426 (Fain)'.
62. Id. at 424; relevant administrative procedures are described at 5 H 2-6
(Belmont).
63. 4 H 428 (Fain): Id. at 441 442
(Hosty).
64. Ibid.
65. CE 829, pp. 1-2; 4 H 441-442
( Hosty ).
66. Id. at 442.
67. Id. at 441 442.
68. See id. at 444.
69. Ibid.
70. Ibid.
71. Id. at 444-445; see pp. 406-407
supra, where the possibility that Oswald bad been distributing pamphlets in
Dallas for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee is discussed.
72. 4 H 442 (Hosty). 73. Id. at 443. 74. CE 833, p. 6. 75. Id. at 9.
76. Details regarding the issuance of
the passport are set forth in app. XV.
77. CE 833, p. 13.
78. Ibid.
79. 4 H 432 (Quietly).
80. Ibid.
81 Ibid. at 435.
82. Ibid.
83 Id. at 438; Agent Quigley's memorandum of his interview with Oswald
appears at pp. 6 10 of the report on Oswald of Agent Milton R. Kaack. CE 826.
84. See CE 833, p. 8.
85. 4 H 434 (Quigley).
86. Id. at 437.
87. CE 833, p. 8.
88. Ibid: CE 826, p. 11.
89. See 4 H 435-438 (Quigley); see
also 5 H 9-10 (Belmont).
90. Id. at 9.
91. CE 834, p. 7.
92. CE 826. p. 12.
93. CE 834, p. 7: 4 H 445-446 (Hosty).
94. CE 833, p. 12.
95. Ibid: 4 H 446-447 (Hosty).
96. Ibid.
97. Ibid.
98. CE 834. p. 8.
99. 4 H 447 (Hosty): CE 833, pp. 12-
13.
100. Id. at 13.
101. CE 952, 2075:11 H 203 (Carroll
H. Seeley, Jr.).
102. Id. at 203--204: 11 H 192-193
(James L. Ritchie): CE 948, "Question
16." See app. XV at p. 777.
103. CE 826, p. 2.
104. 4 H 448 (Hosty).
NOTES TO PAGES 433-448
105. Id. at 448 449. 106. Id. at 450.
107. Ibid; see also CE 830. 108. 4 H 450 (Hosty). 109. Ibid.
110. Id. at 451. 111. Id. at 450. 112. Id. at 452. 113. Ibid.
114. Id. at 453-454 (Hosty). 115. Id. at 453.
116. 3 H 95-109 (Ruth Paine). 117. CE 826.
118. 4 H 459 (Hosty). 119. Ibid. 120. Ibid.
121. See CE 834, pp. 9-10. 122. 4 H 459 (Hosty).
123. 4 H 311-314 (Bouck). 124. Id. at 312-313. 125. Ibid.
126. 4 H 460 (Hosty). 127. Id. at 459-461. 128. Id. at 460.
129. Id. at 473-474. 130. Id. at 473. 131. Id. at 472-4.73. 132. Id. at 461-462.
133. Id. at 462.
134. Agent Hosty's testimony appears at 4 H 463-465; Lieutenant Revill's at H
34-39.
135. Id. at 34-35. 136. Id. at 35. 137. CE 709.
138. 7 H 405 (Mary Jane Robertson).
139. 4 H 194 (Jesse E. Carry): 5 H 216 ( Henry Wade).
140. CE 831; 4 H 463-464 (Hosty). 141. 5 H 58 IV. J. Brian). 142. 5 H 112
(Hoover). 143. Id. at 104.
144. Id. at 111; 5 H 10 (Belmont). 145. Id. at 28-29.
146. See pp. 747 749, 778 infra (regarding his dealings with officials at The
Embassy in Moscow); pp. 710-711 infra supra (regarding protests of his discharge
from the Marine Corps Reserve): pp. 434-435
supra (regarding his antipathy for the
FBI).
147. CE 833.
148. CE 836, attachment 2. 149. See p. 441 supra.
150. See pp. 461-462 infra.
151. CE 836, pp. 3-4; CE 1021, p. 4. 152. CE 836, attachment 4. 153. See p. 30
supra.
154. See pp. 29, 31 supra.
155. 4 H 329/Winston G. Lawson). 156. Agent Lawson's reports on the Dallas trip
are CE 767 and 768.
157. See 4 H 346-347 (Lawson).
158. CE 1021, p. 5; see also 4 H 348-349 (Lawson).
159. 7 H 333-334 (Forrest V. Sorrels). 160. CE 768, p. 11, 161. Ibid.
162. For the Commission's recommendations on this point, see pp. 465-466 infra.
163. 12 H 22--23 (Charles Batchelor); 6 H 250-251 (J. W. Foster); 4 H 327
(Lawson). See the discussion in ch. III at pp. 71 72.
164. 12 H 22 (Batchelor). 165. 4 H 329 (Lawson). 166. Id. at 333.
167. 5 H 467 (Rowley).
168. See ch. II at p. 42, supra. 169. 7 H 338 (Sorrels).
170. 5 H 578 (C. Douglas Dillon).
171.4 H 329 (Lawson); 5 H 459 (Rowley).
172. 4 H 328 (Lawson).
851
Page 852
NOTES TO PAGES 448-467
173. WFAA-TV reel PKT 24. 174. CE 1358, p. 1. 175. Id, attachment 2. 176. Ibid.
177. 7 H 580-581, 584 (P. W. Lawrence ).
178. 7 H 532-535 (J. M. Smith); 540-541 (W. E. Barnett); 566-567 (E. L. Smith,
Jr.).
179. 7 H 343 (Sorrels). 180. Id. at 342.
181. 4 H 330 ( Lawson ). 182. Ibid.
183. 2 H 110-111 (Kellerman). 184. 5 H 451 (Rowley).
185. CE 1020. This exhibit covers the complete investigation by the Secret
Service, and includes statements of each agent involved, statements by their
super visors, statements and voluntary reports by witnesses, and the final
report of the investigation. In addition to furnishing the Commission the
results of the investigation, the Secret Service responded to the Commission's
request for information about this occurrence in its letter of May 5, 1964. CE
1019. Chief James J. Row-ley, the head of the Secret Service, gave testimony
before the Commission concerning this incident,. 5 H. 451-462 (Rowley). 186. CE
1020,-tab E.
187. CE 1020, tab F (statement of Richard J. Mackie).
188. CE 1020, tabs B and E; see CE 1020, tab G, which explains liquor practices
at the Cellar Coffee House. 189. CE 1020, tab E.
190. See 5 H 460-461 ( Rowley ). 191. Ibid.
192. CE 1020. tab E (statement of Paul A. Burns).
193. 5 H 460 (Rowley). 194. CE 1020, tab D.
195. 5 H 452-453, 459-460 ( Rowley ). 196. CE 1020, tab D.
197, 5 H 452-453 (Rowley). 198. CE 1018. 199. Ibid.
200. 5 H 453-454 ( Rowley )
201. Testimony and other evidence regarding Love Field arrangements appear at 4
H 339-341 (Lawson); CE 768,. pp. 4-5; CE 769.
202. Television tapes of the-arrival at Love Field furnished to the Commission
by Dallas television stations provide a good record of the security measures at
Love Field. See KRLD-TV reels 1 and 8; WFAA-TV reel PKT 4.
203. See p. 46 supra. 204. See p. 43 supra. 205. CE 1021, p. 5.
206. CE 2067; 5 H 579 (Dillon). J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI, has
recommended that the President never ride in an open car, 5 H 107, 117 (Hoover);
CE 866.
207. CE 1021, p. 6. 208. See pp. 51-52 supra.
209. 15 H 699 (Lyndal L. Shaneyfelt). 210. Ibid.
211. CE 1021, p. 7.
212. 18 U.S.C. sec. 372. 213. 18 U.S.C. sec. 871. 214. 18 U.S.C. sec. 2385. 215.
18 U.S.C. sec. 1114.
216. 18 U.S.C. sec. 3056; United States v. Sheba Bracelets, Inc., 248 F. 2d 134
(2d
Cir. 1957), cert. denied, 355 U.S. 904. 217. CE 1030, pp. 4-5.
218. 18 U.S.C. secs. 3052, 3053.
219. S. 3653. 57th Cong., 1st sess. (1902); H.R. 10386, 57th Cong., 1st sess.
(1901); H.R. 3896, 73d Cong., 1st sess. (1933).
852
220. 36 Cong. Rec. 2961-2964 (1902). 221. E.g., S. 2330, 88th Cong., 1st sess.
(1963). (Introduced by all members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary).
222. Even in the failure of the House and the Senate to agree, in 1902, as to
whether this "line of duty" element was a constitutional requisite to covering
officers in the line of succession, there was agreement in conference that this
test need not be applied in the case of the President or Vice President, 36
Cong. Rec. 2407 (1902).
223. See "Report on Bills To Make Assassination of the President a Federal
Crime," The Association of the Bar of the City of New-York, Reports of
Committees Concerned With Federal Legislation, vol.
3, Bulletin No. 2, pp. 54-55 (July 1964). 224. 35 Cong. Rec. 2431 (1902). 225.
See CE 1030.
226. 5 H 115 (Hoover). 227 See id. at 115-116. 228. 50 U.S.C. sec. 402. 229. See
5 H 583 (Dillon).
230. See generally the discussion in app. VII.
231. Id. at 514.
232. CE 1021, pp. 9-11. 233. Id. at p. 10..
234. 5 H 481 ( Rowley ).
235. See pp. 429-433 supra.
236. 5 H 464-469, 478 ( Rowley ) .
237. See id. at 466; see also 5 H 580 ( Dillon ).
238. The planning document is CE 1053A and the transmittal letter to the
Director of the Bureau of the Budget is 1053B.
239. CE 836, attachment 5, p. 2. 240. 5 H 18 (Belmont). 241. Ibid.
242. 5 H 465 ( Rowley ). 243. 5 H 12, 21 (Belmont).
244. 5 H 113-114 (Hoover); 5 H 18-21 (Belmont).
245. 5 H 465 (Rowley). 246. CE 1023. 247. Ibid.
248. 5 H 465-469 ( Rowley ).
249. Id. at 469 ( Rowley ). 250. Folsom DE 1, p. 65.
251. See 5 H 467-469 (Rowley). 252. See app. VII..
253. 5 H 464-466 (Rowley); 5 H 585 ( Dillon ).
254. Id. at 581. Id.-at 577.
Ibid; CE 1053A, pp. 6-7. CE 1053C.
CE 1053A, p. 5: see 5 H 576-577 ).
CE 1053A, pp. 7-8. CE 1027, p. 4.
CE 1053A, pp. 3-4.
5 H 480-481 ( Rowley ). Ibid.
See p. 447 supra. CE 1027, p. 5.
5 H 578 ( Dillon ). Ibid; CE 1027, p. 1.
5 H 482 (Rowley).
5 H 24-25 (Belmont). 5 H 483 ( Rowley ).
CE 1027, p. 5; 5 H 478 (Rowley). CE 2765.
5 H 475-478 ( Rowley ). CE 1053A, 1053B.
E.g., hearings before Subcommittee,
House Committee on Appropriations, Treasury Department Appropriations for 1963,
87th Cong., 2d sess., p. 448 ( 1962 ).
276. CE 1027, p. 1:5 H 473 (Rowley). 277. CE 1027, p. 1.
278. CE 836. p. 5. 279. 5 H 24-25 ( Belmont ).
255. 256. 257. 258.
( Dillon 259. 260. 261. 262. 263. 264. 265. 266. 267. 268. 269 270. 271. 272.
273. 274. 275. of the
Page 853
280. 5 H 579 (Dillon).
281. 5 H 24-25 (Belmont); CE 1027, pp. 1-2.
NOTES TO PAGES 467--515
282. See 5 H 474-475 (Rowley)
283. See id. at 475-476.
284. CE 1053D.
APPENDIX VII
1. N. Schachner, "Thomas Jefferson" 661 (1957); CE 2549, p. 22.
2. S. F. Bemis, "John Quincy Adams and the Union" 120-121 (1956); CE 2549, p.
23.
3. M. James, "Andrew Jackson" 636-
637 (1938): CE 2549, p. 23. 4. James at 684--688.
5. M. Smith. "A President Is Many Men" 225 (1948); C. M. Green, "Washington:
Village and Capitol, 1800-1878" 160 (1962); CE 2549, p. 25.
6. B. P. Thomas, "Abraham Lincoln" 242-244 (1952); G. S. Bryan, "The Great
American Myth" 13-18, 20-48 (1940). 7. Thomas at 245: Bryan at 54. 8. Bryan at
55- 73. 9. Id. at 60-69.
10. Thomas at 454-455, 474-475; L. Lewis, "Myths After Lincoln" 167-173, 293-294
(1941).
11. Thomas at 519; Bryan at 114-125, 138-144; Lewis at 167-173.
12. Thomas at 519; Bryan at 149-155, 165-166, 221.
13. Thomas at 520-521; Bryan at 173-184, 188-189.
14. Bryan at 262-266, 268; B. Pitman, "The Assassination of President Lincoln
and the Trial of the Conspirators" 242-249 (facsimile ed. 1954).
15. H.R. Rept. No. 104, 39th Cong., 1st sess. (1865); R. G. Tugwell "The
Enlargement of the Presidency" 265 footnote 5 (1960).
16. W. B. Hesseltine, "Ulysses S. Grant" 301 (193.5): CE 2550, p. 37.
17. 0gilvie, "Life and Death of James A. Garfield," 100-131 (1881); R. J.
Donovan, "The Assassins," 17, 35-42 (1952).
18. Ogilvie at 30-31, 45, 47; R. G. Caldwell, "James A. Garfield" 350-351
(1931); Donovan at 42-44, 58-61.
19. New York Tribune, July 3, 1881. 20. M. Smith at 229 (1948). 21. CE 2550, pp,
36- 37.
22. 13 Star. 351: Holverstott. "Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the
United States Secret Service in the National Archives" 4-19 (1949); Bowen,
"United States Secret Service, a Chronicle" 4, unpublished manuscript in the
files of the Secret Service.
23. E.g., 20 Star. 384; 22 Star. 313. 24. CE 2550, pp. 3.6-37.
25. New York Evening Post, Sept. 7, 1901.
26. M. Leech, "In the Days of McKinley" 231-232, 559-562 (1959).
27. Id. at 559-561: C. Dawes, "A Journal of the McKinley Years" 239-240
(1950).
28. Leech at 594-596.
29. Id. at 592-594; Donovan at 88-89. 30. Donovan at 85, 107. 31. Id. at 85-88.
32. See supra, p.. 455 for a discussion of such legislation.
33. "Hearings Before the Subcommittee of House Committee on Appropriations in
Charge of Sundry Civil Appropriations Bill for 1911," 61st Gong. 2d sess. at 176
(1910); Records of U.S. Secret Service, Record Group 87, Daily Reports of Agents
on White House detail, 1902-36, National Archives; W. S. Bowen and H. E. Neal,
"The United States Secret Service" 11, 126 (1960).
34. 2 "Selections From the Correspondence of Theodore Roosevelt and Henry
Cabot Lodge, 1884-1918" 224 (1925). 35. Donovan at 142-147.
36. Id. at 128-129, 146-147.
37. 34 Star. 708 (1906); "Hearings Before Subcommittee of House Committee on
Appropriations in Charge of Sundry Civil Appropriations Bill for 1910," 61st
Gong.,
1st sess. at 225-226 (1909). 38. 38 Star. 23 (1913).
39. 39 Star. 919, now 18 U.S.C. 871. 40. 40 Star. 120.
41.2 J. B. Bishop, "Theodore Roosevelt and His Times" 451-453 (1920).
42. E. W. Starling, "Starling of the White House" 117 (1946).
43. Donovan at 153-157. 44. Id. at 158-163. 45. Id. at 164-168.
46. S. Rept. No. 760, 67th Cong., 2d sess.
(1922); CE 2550, p. 37. 47. 42 Stat. 841. 48. 46 Stat. 328. 49. 76 Stat. 95. 50.
CE 2553.
51. Starling at 42; CE 1029.
52. Baughman, "Secret Service Chief" 54-69 (1961); Bowen and Neal at 132- 133.
The functions of Protective Research Section are discussed supra at pp. 429-433.
53. CE 2549, pp. 113, 115; Donovan at 201.
54. Donovan at 202-207; CE 2551, p. 116.
55. 05 Stat. 122, 18 U.S.C. 3056.
56. 76 Stat. 956, 18 U.S.C. 3056 (Cum. Supp. 1962); S. Rept. No. 836, 87th Cong.
1st sess. (1961).
57. 18 U.S.C. 871.
58. 35 Star. 328; 42 Gong., Rec. 5553-5560, 60th Gong., 2d sess. (1908); 35
Star.
986; 41 Stat. 174 (1919). 59. CE 2551.
60. 36 Stat. 748 (1910); CE 867.
61. 5 H 102, 119 (J. Edgar Hoover); CE 2552.
62. Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government
[hereafter cited as Hoover Commission] "Task Force Report on Fiscal, Budgeting,
and Accounting Activities" [app. F] 2, 17 (January 1949).
63. Hoover Commission "Treasury Department" (1949).
64. Hoover Commission transcript of meeting at 39 (Dee. 20, 1948) in Record
Group 264, Box 29, National Archives. 65. 18 U.S.C. 3056.
66. "Hearings on Treasury--Post Office Departments and Executive Office
Appropriations Before the Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations"
88th Cong., 2d sess. 434, 449 (1964).
853
Page 854
NOTES TO PAGES 547-566
APPENDIX X
1. 3 H 390-391 (Robert A. Frazier); 3 H 452 (Cortlandt Cunningham); 3 H 496
(Joseph D. Nicol).
2. 3 H 390-441 (Frazier); 3 H 451-496 (Cunningham); 3 H 496-515 (Nicol). Frazier
and Ronald Simmons of the U.S. Army Infantry Weapons Evaluation Branch also
testified on rifle capability. This subject is discussed on pp. 188-194.
3. 3 H 390-5,15, passim; Hatcher, Jury & Weller, "Firearms Identification,
Investigation, and Evidence," chs. 13-14 (1957). 4. 3 H 415-419 (Frazier). 5.
Id. at 429-430.
6. Id. at 421-422, 424.
7. CE 139; 3 H 289 (Joseph A. Mooney); 3 H 292-293 (Eugene Boone); 3 H 392, 395
(Frazier).
8. CE 139, 541; 3 H 393-394 (Frazier). 9. CE 139; 3 H 395-396 (Frazier). 10. CE
139, 541; 3 H 397 (Frazier). 11. Ibid. 12. Ibid.
13. Id. at 392, 396. 14. Id. at 392.
15. Ibid.; CE 540.
16. 3 H 392 (Frazier).
17. CE 1977; 3 H 393-394 (Frazier).
18. Id. at 392-393; W. H. B. Smith,
"Small Arms of the World" (6th ed. 1960). 19. 3 H 416 (Frazier).
20. Id. at 397-398 (Frazier); W. H. B. Smith, "The Book of Rifles," 296-307 (3d
ed. 1963); W. H. B. Smith, "Mannlicher
Rifles and Pistols" (1947), pp. 84-87. 21. 3 H 397-398 (Frazier). 22. Ibid.
23. 4 H 205 (John Will Fritz); 4 H 258 (J. C. Day).
24. CE 575; 3 H 398 (Frazier). 25. Ibid.
26. CE 141; 4 H 205-206 (Fritz); 4 H 258 (Day).
27. 3 H 399 (Frazier). 28. Id. at 400.
29. Id. at 437-438; 3 H 443, 449 (Ronald Simmons).
30. 3 H 400, 416 (Frazier). 31. Id. at 400-401.
32. CE 512; 3 H 284 (Mooney). 33 CE 510.
34. 3 H 414-428 (Frazier); 3 H 505-507 (Nicol).
35. 3 H 401-402 (Frazier); CE 2724. 36. CE 546, 547; 3 H 401-402 (Frazier). 37.
CE 547:3 H 401-402 (Frazier). 38. Id. at 402. 39. Ibid.
40. CE 399, 567, 569, 2011, pp. 2-4;
6 H 129-130 (Darrell C. Tomlinson).
41. 3 H 430 (Frazier).
42. Ibid.
43. Id. at 432, 435.
44. Id. at 432.
45. Id. at 435.
46. Id. at 435, 437; 3 H 497 (Nicol).
47. 3 H 430, 432, 434, 436-437 (Frazier).
48. Id. at 428--437; 3 H 497-502 (Nicol)..
49. CE 143; 3 H 300-301 (M. N. Donald); 7 H 45-55 (Gerald Hill); 7 H 24-25 (Bob
K. Carroll),; 3 H 453 (Cunningham ).
50. Id. at 458. 51. Id. at 453. 52. Id. at 456. 53. Id. at 455. 54. Ibid. 55.
Ibid.
56. Id. at 455--456. 57. Id. at 456. 58. Id. at 457. 59. Ibid.
60. Ibid.
61. Id. at 458. 62. Id. at 459.
63. CE 145, 518; 3 H 301 (McDonald);
7 H 26 (Carroll); 7 H 55 (Hill). 64. 3 H 459 (Cunningham),.
65. CE 592; 7 H 126 (Elmer L. Boyd). 66. 3 H 459 (Cunningham). 67. Id. at
453-454.
68. CE 594; 3 H 345 (Barbara Jeannette Davis); 6 H 463-464 (Virginia Davis); 6 H
449-451 (Domingo Benavides).
69. 3 H 465-466 (Cunningham).
70. Id. at 466-473 (Cunningham); 3 H 511 (Nicol).
71. CE 602-605, 2011, p. 9. 72. 3 H 511-513 (Nicol).
73. 3 H 474-475, 482-483 (Cunning-ham ).
74. Ibid.
75. Id. at 475, 482.
76. Id. at 475-476, 482.
77. Id. at 475-476, 489-491. 78. Id. at 476-478. 79. Id. at 479, 481.
80. CE 2003, pp. 92-93. This was an affidavit, the substance of which was
repeated in the testimony of Officer McDonald, id. at 306-301.
81. 3 H 461, 463 (Cunningham). 82. Id. at 463-464. 83. Ibid.
84. Id. at 464. 85. Id. at 463. 86. Id. at 465.
87. 4 H 275-276 (Day). 88. 3 H 486 (Cunningham).
89. Id. at 486, 495; 3 H 514 (Nicol).
90. 3 H 486-487, 494-495 (Cunning-ham); 3 H 514 (Nicol).
91. 3 H 492-493 (Cunningham). 92. Id. at 492. 93. Id. at 487.
94. Id. at 487-489.
95. Id. at 494; 15 H 747-748 (Gallagher ).
96. CE 2455.
97. Gallagher DE 1; 15 H 748-751 (Gallagher).
98. CE 573; CE 2011, p. 6. 99. 3 H 452 (Cunningham). 100. 3 H 439-440 (Frazier).
101. 3 H 502-503 (Nicol).
102. 4 H 1-48 (Sebastian F. Latona).
103. 4 H 48-56; 15 H 745-746 (Arthur Mandella ).
104. 4 H 1-2 (Latona); 4 H 48-49 (Mandella).
105. 4 H 1-56, passim; see generally Bridges, Burtis C.; "Practical
Fingerprinting,' revised by Charles F. O'Hara (1963); Cummins and Midlow
"Fingerprints,
Palms, and Soles," 2d-ed. (1961). 106. 4 H 2-14 (Latona).
107. Id. at 13-14; 4 H 53 (Mandella). 108. 4 H 2-3, 44-45 (Latona). 109. Id. at
3-5.
110. Id. at 22, 39-40.
111. 4 H 251, 269. 272 (Day); CE 733, 734, 1301, 2011, p. 16 (see ch. IV, pp.
122-123, 134-135, 137, 146).
112. 4 H 269 (Day); 7 H 145 (Studebaker); CE 733, 734, 1302.
113. 4 H 3-20 (Latona); 4 H 50-51 ( Mandella ).
114. 4 H 22, 29 (Latona).
115. 4 H 259-261 (Day); 4 H 20-21,
23-24 (Latona). 116. Ibid.
117. 4 H 23-27 (Latona). 4 H 50 (Mandella ).
118. Id. at 31.
854
Page 855
119. 4 H 30-37 (Latona); 4 H 51-52 ( Mandella ).
120. Ibid. 121. Ibid.
122. 4 H 41-43 (Latona). 123. CE 3131, pp. 17-18.
124.4 H 41-42 (Latona); CE 3131, p. 18.
125. 4 H 37-38 (Latona); 4 H 267-268 (Day).
126. 4 H 37-41 (Latona); 4 H 52 (Mandella ).
127. 4 H 30 (Latona).
128. Id. at 38; 4 H 55 (Mandella). 129. 4 H 39 (Latona). 130. Id. at 39.
131. 4 H 55 (Mandella).
132. 4 H 23 (Latona); 4 H 253-258 (Day); CE 2011, pp. 1, 5.
133. 4 H 358-403; 15 H 703-709.
134. 7 H 418 438 (James C. Cadigan).
135. 4 H 359 (Alwyn Cole); 7 H 419 ( Cadigan ).
136. 7 H 364-366 (Waldman); CE 733; Cadigan DE 1; CE 788.
137. 7 H 375-378 (Heinz Michaelis); CE 135.
138. CE 791, 793, 817, 2342, 2727.
139. 7 H 187-188 (Stovall); 7 H 228 (Guy F. Rose); CE 795, 806, 1986, 1989,
1990, 2011, pp. 22, 23.
140. 7 H 197-199 (Walter Ports); 7 H 222 (F. M. Turner); 213-215 (Henry Moore);
Moore DE 1; CE 813, 2003, p. 281; CE 2011, p. 25.
141. CE 819, 820, 2011, p. 24. 142. 1 H 16 (Marina Oswald). 143. 4 H 266--267
(Day); CE 142.
144. 4 H 358-403, 7 H 418-438, passim; see also Osborne, Questioned Documents
(2d ed., 1940).
145. 4 H 364 (Cole). 146. Ibid.
147. 4 H 366 (Cole). 148. Id. at 368-370. 149. Id. at 364-372.
150. Id. at 372; 7 H 436-437 (Cadigan). 151. 4 H 363 (Cole).
152. CE 774-783 Cadigan DE 2-3; 4 H 360-361 (Cole) ;; 7 H 419-420 (Cadigan ).
153. CE 3137.
154. 4 H 373 (Cole): 7 H 420 (Cadigan).
155. 4 H 361-370 (Cole); 7 H 420-422 (Cadigan).
156. 7 H 293-295 (Harry D. Holmes).
157. 4 H 373-375 (Cole); 7 H 423-424 (Cadigan).
158. 4 H 366-370 (Cole); 7 H 420-422 (Cadigan).
159. 4 H 366-368 (Cole); 7 H 421-422 (Cadigan).
160. 4 H 369-370 (Cole); 7 H 422 (Cadigan).
161. Ibid.
162. 4 H 371 (Cole). 163. Ibid. 164. CE 135.
165. 4 H 375-377 (Cole); 7 H 424 (Cadigan).
166. 7 H 527 (Holmes). 167. Ibid.
168. 4 H 377-378 (Cole); 7 H 424-425 ( Cadigan ).
169. 4 H 377 (Cole); 7 H 527 (Holmes). 170. 7 H 527 (Holmes): CE 2342, 2727.
171. CE 793; 4 H 379-380 (Cole);
7 H 425-426 (Cadigan); CE 2342, 2727. 172. CE 817.
173. 4 H 397-398 (Cole); 7 H 431-432 ( Cadigan ).
174. CE 795, 866, 801, 802; Cole DE 1; CE 1986, 1989, 1990, 2079, 2483, 2011,
pp. 20-24; 7 H 187-188 (Richard S. Stovall); 7 H 228 (Rose).
175. 4 H 380-381, 389 (Cole); 7 H 427-429 (Cadigan).
NOTES TO PAGES 566-579
176. CE 2077, 2011, p. 26; 7 H 195 (Stovall).
177. 7 H 195 (Stovall). 178. CE 795. 179. CE 801. 180. CE 803. 181. CE 805.
182. 4 H 387 (Cole).
183. CE 804; 4 H 385-387 (Cole); 7 H 427-429 (Cadigan).
184. 4 H 381 (Cole); 7 H 427-428 (Cadigan).
185. Id. at 381-382. 186. Ibid.
187. Id. at 382.
188. Ibid; 7 H 427-428 (Cadigan). 189. 4 H 382 (Cole).
190. 4 H 383, 390-391 (Cole).
191. CE 798; 4 H 382-383 (Cadigan). 192. Ibid. 193. Ibid.
194. 4 H 391-392 (Cole); 15 H 707 (Cole).
195. 15 H 707 (Cole).
196. 15 H 707 708 (Cole).
197. 4 H 392-393 (Cole); CE 3105. 198. 4 H 392 393 (Cole). 199. CE 795.
200. 7 H 427 428 (Cadigan); 15 H 703-705; CE 803, 804: Cole DE 5, 6.
201. 7 H 428-429 (Cadigan); 15 H 703-705 (Cole); CE 801, 795, 803, 804, 805.
202. CE 795, 802, 811; 7 H 427 (Cadigan); 4 H 384 (Cole).
203. Ibid.
204. CE 802, 795; 15 H 708 (Cole). ,
205. Ibid.
206. CE 799; 4 H 382 (Cole).
207. Cole DE 1.
208. CE 812.
209. 7 H 430 (Cadigan); 15 H 706-707
(Cole).
210. CE 809; 4 H 390 (Cole). 211. 15 H 707 (Cole). 212. Ibid. 213. Ibid.
214. CE 808; 4 H 389-390 (Cole). 215. CE 810; 4 H 390 (Cole). 216. Id. at 387.
217. Id. at 387-388. 218. Id. at 388. 219. CE 813.
220. CE 3097, 2003, p. 281; CE 2011, p. 25..
221. CE 813, 814, 815. 222. 4 H 395-396 (Cole).
223. 7 H 432-433 (Cadigan).
224. CE 115; 1 H 113 (Marina Oswald). 225. CE 816; 4 H 396 (Cole). 226. 4 H 396
(Cole). 227. CE 3105, 3136. 228. 4 H 397 (Cole). 229. Ibid.
230. Id. at 399; 7 H 436 (Cadigan). 231. Ibid.; 4 H 399 (Cole). 232. 7 H 436
(Cadigan). 233. 4 H 399 (Cole). 234. Id. at 399-400. 235. Ibid.
236. 5 H 401 (Marina Oswald). 237. CE 2726.
238. 7 H 437-438 (Cadigan). 239. Ibid. 240. CE 2723. 241. Ibid.
242. CE 677; 4 H 89-90 (Cadigan). 243. Id. at 90, 92-93. 244. Id. at 90. 245.
Id. at 93. 246. Ibid.
247. Id. at 95-97. 248. Id. at 97.
249. Id. at 93, 97, 100-101. 250. Id. at 98.
251. CE 364; 4 H 93-94 (Cadigan).
855
Page 856
252. CE 677 ; 4 H 75-76 (Paul Morgan Stombaugh).
253. Ibid
254. 4 H 90-92 (Cadigan).
255. 5 H 74 (Dr. Alfred G. Oliver) ; 5H 91 (Dr. Arthur J. Dziemian).
256. 5 H 74 (Dr. Olivier) ; 5 H 91 (Dr. Dziemian) ; 5 H 94 (Dr. Frederick W.
Light Jr.).
257. 5 H 75 (Dr. Olivier) ; 5 H 94 (Dr. Light).
258. 5 H 91 (Dr. Dziemian).
259. Ibid
260. 5 H 94 (Dr. Light).
261. Ibid
262. 5 H 76, 78-79, 81 (Dr. Olivier).
263. Id. at 78 ; 5 H 96 (Dr. Light).
264. Ibid
265. 5 H 75 (Dr. Olivier).
266. Ibid
267. Ibid
268. Id. at 75, 78.
269. Id. at 75.
270. Id at 78.
271. Id at 76.
272. Ibid
273. Ibid
274. Id at 78
275. Id at 76
276. Id at 76-77
277. Id at 77
278. Ibid ; 5 H 164 (Lyndal L. Shaneyfelt) ; CE 893, 895.
279. 5 H 75, 77 (Dr. Olivier).
280. Id at 77.
281. Ibid
283. Ibid
283. Ibid
284. Id at 78
285. Ibid
286. Ibid
287. Id at 79-80
288. 5 H 164 (Shaneyfelt); CE 893, 895.
289. 5 H 80 (Dr. Olivier).
290. Id at 79.
291. Id at 78-79.
292. Id at 79.
293. Ibid
294. Ibid
295. 5 H 80 (Dr. Olivier).
296. Ibid
297. Ibid
298. Ibid
299. Ibid
300. Id at 86.
301. Id at 81.
302. Ibid
303. Ibid
304. Id at 82.
305. Ibid
306. Ibid
307. Ibid
308. Id at 82-83.
309. Id at 82.
310. Id at 83-87 ; 5 H 92-93 (Dr. Dziemian).
311. 5 H 86 (Dr. Olivier).
312. 6 H 90-91 (Dr. Robert R. Shaw; 6 H 101-102 (Dr. Charles F. Gregory) ; 6 H
109-110 (Dr. George T. Shires).
313. 5 H 83-87 (Dr. Olivier) ; 5 H 92-93 (Dr. Dziemian).
314. 5 H 86 (Dr. Olivier).
315. Id at 83
316. Id at 86
317. Ibid
318. Id at 84; 5 H 93 (Dr. Dziemian).
319. 5 H 95 (Dr. Light).
320. Ibid
321. 5 H 87 (Dr. Olivier).
322. Id at 89
323. Id at 87-88
324. 5 H 160 (Shaneyfelt) ; CE 902.
325. 5 H 89 (Dr. Olivier)
326. Ibid. 2 H 351 (Comdr. James J. Humes).
327. 5 H 89 (Dr. Olivier).
328. Ibid
329. Ibid
330. 5 H 67 (Frazier).
331. 5 H 88 (Dr. Olivier).
332. Ibid
333. Ibid
334. Id at 89
335. Ibid
336. Id at 87
337. Ibid
338. Ibid
339. 2 H 356 (Comdr. Humes) ; 2 H 380-381 (Lt. Col. Pierre A. Finck).
340. 5 H 89 (Dr. Olivier).
341. Id at 90 ; 5 H 93 (Dr. Dziemian).
342. 4 H 56-88 (Stombaugh).
343. Id at 56.
344. Id at 61-64, 69-70.
345. Id at 60-61, 78-80, 87; 15 H 702 (Stombaugh).
346. 4 H 57 (Stombaugh).
347. Id at 60.
348. Id at 78, 15 H 702 (Stombaugh).
349. 4 H 79-80 (Stombaugh)
350. CE 663 ; 4 H 57-58 (Stombaugh).
351. Ibid.
352. 4 H 58 (Stombaugh).
353. Id at 57-58.
354. Id at 58.
355. Ibid
356. Id at 84.
357. Id at 59.
358. Ibid
359. Id at 61.
360. Id at 61, 68, 72.
361. Id at 61, 64, 67, 68; CE 2011, p. 14 ; CE 2404.
362. 4 H 64-67 (Stombaugh).
363. Id at 67-68.
364. Id at 68.
365. Id at 75.
366. Id at 76-77.
367. Ibid
368. Id at 77-78.
369. Id at 78-80
370. 4 H 74 (Stombaugh).
371. Ibid
372. Id at 85-87 ; 15 H 702 (Stombaugh).
373. Ibid
374. 4 H 81 (Stombaugh).
375. Ibid
376. Id at 82.
377. Id at 82-83, 85
378. Id at 82.
379. Id at 83.
380. Id at 83-84.
381. Id at 85-87 ; 15 H 702 (Stombaugh).
382. 4 H 87-88 (Stombaugh).
383. CE 135-A, 135-B ; CE 2011, p. 27 ; 7 H 231 (Rose).
384. CE 3, 5, 749, 2011, p. 26 ; 7 H 194 (Stovall) ; 7 H 231 (Rose)
385. CE 750.
386. 1 H 117-118 (Marina Oswald) ; 5 H 406 (Marina Oswald) ; CE 2083.
387. 4 H 279-294 (Shaneyfelt) ; 7H 410-418 (Shaneyfelt) ; 15 H 686-702
(Shaneyfelt).
388. 4 H 279 (Shaneyfelt).
389. CE 133-A, 133-B ; 4 H 289 (Shaneyfelt).
390. CE 746 A-E; 4 H 279-280 (Shaneyfelt).
391. CE 747, 748 ; 4 H 280-281 (Shaneyfelt).
292. Id at 281.
393. Id at 289.
394. Ibid
Page 857
395. Id at 283.
396. Ibid.
397. Id. at 284.
398. Ibid.
399. Id. at 285-286, 289
400. Id at 285.
401. Id at 286.
402. Id. at 284-288.
403. Id. at 289 ; 15 h 692-693 (Shaneyfelt)
404. 4 H 226 (Fritz).
405. 4 H 28 (Shaneyfelt).
406. Id . 293.
407. Id at 28-289.
408. Id at 293.
409. Shaneyfelt DE 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 15 H 689-690 (Shaneyfelt).
410. 4 H 290-293 (Shaneyfelt) ; 7 H 410-418 (Shaneyfelt).
411. Ibid.
412. 15 H 687-689 (Shaneyfelt).
413. Id. at 687, 689-690.
APPENDIX XII
1. See supra, pp. 61-71.
2. See supra, pp. 71-72.
3. See supra, pp. 72-73.
4. See supra, p. 79.
5. CE 2582, p. 2 ; 6 H 210-216 (Jean L. Hill) ; CE 2594.
6. See supra, p. 76.
7. See supra, pp. 110-117.
8. See supra, pp. 76-77, 79-80.
9. See supra, pp. 79-80.
10. 7 Hj 550 (Eddy R. jJWalthers) ; CE 2580, p. 2.
11. See supra, p. 50.
12. See supra, p. 77.
13. See supra, p. 87-91.
14. See supra, pp. 55-56.
15. See supra, pp. 96-109.
16. See supra, p. 140.
17. Ibid.
18. See supra, pp. 32, 40.
19. See supra, pp. 32, 39.
20. See supra, p. 130.
21. See supra, pp. 141-142.
22. See supra, p. 250.
23. Ibid.
24. CE 2585, p. 3 ; 2591, p. 6.
25. See supra, p. 147
26. See supra, pp. 312-315.
27. See supra, pp. 49, 189-190, 194
28. See supra, p. 117.
29. See supra, pp. 188-195
30. See supra, pp. 79, 553-554 ; CE 2585, p. 4.
31. See supra, pp. 79, 81
32. See supra, pp. 71-72, 76, 79, 248-251.
33. See supra, pp. 315-318.
34. See supra, p. 555.
35. See supra, pp. 123-124 ; CE 2584.
36. See supra, p. 123.
37. CE 2584, 3087.
38. See supra, pp. 15, 128 ; 3 H 79, 81-82 (Ruth Paine) ; CE 2580, p. 3 ; CE
2003, p. 137a.
39. See supra, pp. 125-128 ; Lyndal Shaneyfelt DE 10, 11, 12, 16, 17.
40. See supra, p. 127.
41. See supra, pp. 151-153.
42. See supra, p. 151 ; CE 3035, 3076.
43. See supra, pp. 155-156.
44. See supra, pp. 143-144 ; CE 2580 p. 3.
45. See supra, pp. 156-163.
46. See supra, pp. 155-156.
47. See supra, pp. 161-163.
48. See supra, pp. 162-163; CE 2592.
49. See supra, pp. 359-365.
50. See supra, p. 163.
51. See supra, pp. 163-164.
52. CE 1974, pp. 8, 20, 21.
53. CE 2583.
54. See supra, pp. 144, 165.
55. See supra, p. 369.
56. See supra, pp. 166-167.
57. See supra, pp. 165-168.
58. See supra, p. 167.
59. See supra, pp. 166-167 ; Helen Markham DE 1, pp 295-299.
60. See supra, pp 166-168 ; CE 2593.
61. See supra, pp. 168-169, 174.
62. See supra, pp. 174-175.
63. Ibid ; WFAA-TV reels PKT 5--56:05 and PKF 10---8:43, 9:47.
64. 10 H 297 (Mrs. A. C. Johnson).
65. See supra, p. 128.
66. See supra, p. 174 ; 10 H 297 (Johnson).
67. See supra, p. 174.
68. See supra, p. 176.
69. See supra, pp. 178-179.
70. See supra, p. 179.
71. See supra, pp. 178-179, 200.
72. See supra, p. 198.
73. See supra, p. 182 ; see app. XI.
74. See supra, pp. 200-201.
75. See infra, pp. 685-687.
76. See infra, pp. 257, 685.
77. See supra, pp. 256-257.
78. See supra, pp. 257-258.
79. See supra, pp. 267, 269, 272, 274.
80. See supra, pp. 272, 274.
81. See supra, pp. 703, 708.
82. See supra, pp. 274, 280.
83. See supra, pp. 272-280.
84. See supra, pp. 278-279.
85. See supra, p. 278.
86. See infra, pp. 773-774 ; CE 952, 2754.
87. CE 2785
88. See supra, p. 331 ; app. XIV
89. See supra, p. 305 ; see infra, 731-733, 736.
90. See supra, p. 305.
91. See supra, pp. 307-309.
92. See supra, p. 307 ; CE 2952, 2953, 2954.
93. 1 H 191 (Marguerite Oswald).
94. See supra, pp. 325-327.
95. CE 2580, p. 3 ; CE 2581.
96. See supra, pp. 327, 437-440.
97. See supra, pp. 438-439 ; CE 2582, p. 5.
98. CE 2583.
99. See supra, pp. 438-439 ; CE 2582, p. 5.
100. See supra, pp. 118-122.
101. See supra, pp. 436-440.
102. CE 2585, p. 6.
103. See supra, pp. 328-333; see app. XIV.
104. See supra, p. 359.
105. CE 2585, p. 10.
106. See supra, pp. 359-362.
107. CE 2585, p. 10 ; 11 H 416 (E. Walker).
108. See supra, pp. 297-298.
109. See supra, p. 369 ; CE 2585, p. 6.
110. See supra, pp. 370-371 ; see infra, p. 801.
111. 11 H 434-442 (JWarren A. JReynolds) ; 8 H 2579, 2587, 2588.
Page 858
NOTES TO PAGES 664-671
112. 8 H 316 (Donald P, Camarata); 8 H 281 (Daniel P. Powers); CE 2586, pp.
2-12.
113. See supra, pp. 246-247; CE 2585, p. 8.
114. See supra, pp. 447-449; CE 2583. 115. CE 705, p. 27. 116. CE 2583, pp. 2-3.
117. See supra, pp. 192, 318-320. 118. See supra, pp. 320-321.
119. 10 H 424 (Laurance R. Wilcox). 120. See supra, pp. 332-333.
121. See infra, pp. 736-737; Dallas Morning News, Nov. 28, 1963, p. 20, cols.
1-2.
122. See supra, p. 254.
123. See supra, p. 328.
124. 7 H 549-559 (Walthers); CE 2003, pp. 295-299.
125. 1 H 45, 109-110 (Marina Oswald); I H 247-249 (Marguerite Oswald); 3 H
13-17, 51-52 (Ruth Paine); 4 H 365, 369, 402 (Alwyn Cole).
126, CE 2578; CE 2579, pp. 171-180.
127. 1 H 59-60; 125-126 (Marina
Oswald ).
128. See supra, pp. 364-365. 129. CE 3122.
130. Revilo P. Oliver DE 8; 15 H 738-740 (Oliver).
131. CE 2711.
APPENDIX XIII
1. Allison G. Folsom, Jr., DE 1, p. 98; see CE 2205, p. 569.
2. 1 H 252 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 92 (Lillian Murret).
3. 1 H 252-253 (Marguerite Oswald): 8 H 95-96 (L. Murret).
4. I H 252 (Marguerite Oswald). 5. 8 H 98 (L. Murret). 6. CE 2207, p. 50.
7. 8 H 97 (L. Murret).
8. 1 H 252 (Marguerite Oswald).
9. Id. at 252-253; see 8 H 93 (L. Murret).
10. John Pic DE 1.
11. 8 H 197-198 (Edward John Pic Jr.); see 8 H 92-93 (L. Murret). Mrs. Murret
described Pic at that time as "a person who did not talk unless you spoke to
him"; id. at 93.
12. 1 H 253 (Marguerite Oswald); see 8 H 95, 99 (L. Murret).
13. 8 H 95, 99 (L. Murret), 162-163 (Marilyn Dorothea Murret): 11 H 5 (J. Pic)
cf. 8 H 46 (Myrtle Evans). For Mrs. Oswald's testimony to the same effect
before the Commission, see 1 H 253. 14. 8 H 198; 11 H 82 (E. Pic).
15. 11 H 2 (J. Pic); CE 2208; see 8 H 198 (E. Pic).
16. 8 H 201 (E. Pic); see 8 H 47 (M. Evans), 101 (L. Murret); 11 H 5 (J. Pic).
17. Compare 8 H 199 (E. Pic) with I H 253 (Marguerite Oswald); cf. 8 H 47 (M.
Evans ).
18. 8 H 104 (L. Murret); 11 H 5 (J.
Pic); see I H 253 (Marguerite Oswald). 19. Ibid.
20. CE 1958. 21. CE 1959.
22. CE 2000; 1 H 253 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 104 (L. Murret).
23. 1 H 253 (Marguerite Oswald).
24. CE 2208; 1 H 267 (Robert Edward Lee Oswald).
25. 1 H 253 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 105 (L. Murret).
26. CE 2197, p. 79.
27. 11 H 12 (J. Pic); see 8 H 105 (L. Murret); see generally CE 2198, pp. 65-67,
69.
28. 1 H 269 (R. Oswald); 8 H 105 (L. Murret).
29. CE 2199; 8 H 269-270 (R. Oswald); 11 H 7 (J. Pic).
30. CE 2211, p. 618-1; see 1 H 225 (Marguerite Oswald), 268 (R. Oswald); 8 H 47
(M. Evans).
31. I H 225 (Marguerite Oswald); Folsom DE 1, p. 123.
32. 1 H 225 (Marguerite Oswald).
33. See 8 H 47 (M. Evans), 106 (L. Murret ).
34. CE 2200. 35. Ibid.
36. CE 2197, p. 79; see CE 2207, p. 51. 37. CE 2197, p. 79.
38. See CE 2201, p. 63; CE 2202.
39. I H 270 (R. Oswald); 11 H 7, 8-9, 11 (J. Pic); cf. 8 H 107 (L. Murret).
40. Ibid.; 11 H 7 (J. Pic); but see id., at 17.
41. Id. at 9; cf. 8 H 107 (L. Murret). 42. See CE 2199, 2203.
43. 8 H 40 (Viola Peterman). 44. CE 2197.
45. 11 H 12 (J. Pic). 46. 8 H 43 (Peterman).
47. Ibid.; 11 H 11, 12 (J. Pic); see 8 H 48 (M. Evans).
48. 11 H 11 (J. Pic). 49. Id. at 12.
50. CE 2197, p. 80.
51. Pic DE 5. The record contains also a separate application for the admission
of Robert, dated Jan. 3, 1942; J. Pic DE 3.
52. J. Pic DE 2, p. 3; see 1 H 272 (R. Oswald ).
53. J. Pic DE 2, p. 4.
54. CE 2201, p. 63; see 8 H 35-36 (Anne Boudreaux).
55. J. Pic DE 2, p. 1.
56. 8 H 46, 51 (M. Evans); 11 H 18 (J. Pic).
57. 8 H 106-107 (L. Murret).
58. 8 H 36-37 (Boudreaux); see CE 2204.
59. 8 H 37 (Boudreaux).
60. 1 H 254 (Marguerite Oswald); cf.
8 H 47, 63 (M. Evans). 61. 8 H 36 (Boudreaux).
62. J. Pic DE 2, p. 1; 11 H 13, 14 (J. Pic).
63. See J. Pic DE 2, p. 2.
64. See 8 H 112-113 (L. Murret). 65. J. Pic DE 2, p. 4. 66. Id. at l.
67. 11 H 15 (J. Pic).
68. 11 H 17, 20 (J. Pic); see 1 H 271 (R. Oswald) cf. id. at 273.
69. 11 H 20 (J. Pic); see I H 271 (R.
Oswald); 8 H 108-109 (L. Murret). 70. I H 271 (R. Oswald).
71. 1 H 254 (Marguerite Oswald), 272, 273 (R. Oswald); 11 H 20-21 (J. Pic).
72. I H 272, 273 (R. Oswald); 11 H 18, 20 (J. Pic).
73. CE 2213, p. 27.
74. 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald); see also 11 H 18 (J. Pic) ("Princess Hosiery");
8 H 48, 51 (M. Evans) ("Jean's Hosiery Shop"), 109 (L. Murret) ("Jean's
858
Page 859
NOTES TO PAGES 671-675
Hosiery Shop"). It is unclear whether all these references are to the same job
or to different jobs.
75. CE 2213, p. 27. 76. Ibid.
77. For descriptions of Ekdahl, see 1 H 250 (Marguerite Oswald), 274 (R.
Oswald); 8 H 66-67 (Julian Evans), 110-111 (L. Murret); 11 H 21-22 (J. Pic).
Marguerite testified that she was working at a hosiery shop when she met Ekdahl;
1 H 255; cf. CE 2213, p. 27; but cf. 11 H 18 (J. Pic).
78. See 11 H 21 (J. Pic); but see 1 H 274 (R. Oswald).
79. 11 H 21 (J. Pic); see 8 H 66 (J. Evans).
80. 1 H 2,55 (Marguerite Oswald); see 11 H 21 (J. Pic).
81. Pic DE 2-A.
82. 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald).
83. Ibid. The home's rules did not permit children with two living parents to
remain there; see 11 H 21 (J. Pic); cf. 8 H 107 (L. Murret).
84. 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald).
85. Ibid.; 8 H 50 (M. Evans), 110 (L. Murret).
86. 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald). 87. See p. 670, supra.
88. CE 1963, p. 543; 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald); see J. Pic DE 4, p. 1.
89. 1 H 269 (R. Oswald); 8 H 49-50 (M. Evans); 11 H 22, 23 (J. Pic).
90. J. Pic DE 2, p. 4; 1 H 272, 273 (R. Oswald); 11 H 21, 22 (J. Pic).
91. 1 H 274 (R. Oswald); 11 H 23 (J. Pic).
92. 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald); see 1 H 275 (R. Oswald); 11 H 22 (J. Pic).
Robert believed, apparently incorrectly, that Ekdahl was already living in
Dallas when the family moved there; 1 H 274 (R. Oswald).
93. See 1 H 250, 251 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 113 (L. Murret).
94. 8 H 53 (M. Evans), 110 (L. Murret). 95. J. Pic DE 4.
96. CE 2211, p. 618-1; 11 H 23 (J. Pic). 97. Ibid.
98. 1 H 281 (R. Oswald); 11 H 27 (J.
Pic); see id. at 21, 24. 99. Id. at 27.
100. 1 H 275 (R. Oswald); 11 H 23-24 (J. Pic); see 1 H 255 (Marguerite Oswald).
101. Ibid.; 1 H 276 (R. Oswald); see 8 H 50-51 (M. Evans), 111 (L. Murret); see
p. 670, supra.
102. 1 H 277 (R. Oswald); 11 H 23-30 (J. Pic).
103. 1 H 277-278 (R. Oswald); 8 H 50-51 (M. Evans), 68-69 (J. Evans), 111 (L.
Murret).
104. 8 H 45, 49 (M. Evans).
105. Id. at 50-51.
106. CE 2218; 11 H 25 (J. Pic). Robert testified that his recollection is that
the family did not move to Benbrook until after Christmas 1945, which he and
John spent with school friends because the
Ekdahls (and Lee) were in Boston. 1 H
278.
107. Ibid. 11 H 25 (J. Pic).
108. CE 1874, pp. 5-6.
109. CE 2218.
110. Ibid.
111. CE 1413, p. 10.
112. Folsom DE 1, p. 1.
113. See 11 H 24-25 (J. Pic).
114. 1 H 251 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 111 (L. Murret); cf. 8 H 50-51 (M. Evans).
115. I H 251 (Marguerite Oswald); see 11 H 73 (J. Pic).
116. 1 H 251 (Marguerite Oswald); 11 H 25-26 (J. Pic).
117. CE 1963, pp. 543-544; CE 1413, p. 18; CE 2217.
118. 8 H 52 (M. Evans). 119. CE 1413, p. 18. 120. CE 1874, p. 6. 121. CE 1413,
p. 18. 122. Ibid.
123. 11 H 26 (J. Pic); CE 2206; see 1 H 251 (Marguerite Oswald); CE 2211, p.
618-6.
124. Ibid.
125. Id. at 618-5.
126. 11 H 27 (J. Pic); compare 1 H
251 (Marguerite Oswald). 127. Ibid.
128. Id. at 250.
129. Id. at 250-251; 11 H 27-28 (J. Pic); see 8 H 112 (L. Murret).
130. See CE 1960-A, p. 1; 11 H 28 (J. Pic); of. 1 H 251 (Marguerite Oswald); for
one explanation of Mrs. Oswald's con-
duct, see 8 H 112 (L. Murret). 131. CE 1960-A, p. 3. 132. CE 1960-A. 133. Id. at
1-4.
134. CE 1960-B; see 1 H 251-252 (Marguerite Oswald).
135. 11 H 29 (J. Pic); see 1 H 252 (Marguerite Oswald).
136. CE 1960-C, p. 2. 137. Id. at 3-5.
138. CE 1963, p. 544; CE 2212; 11 H
28 (J. Pic). 139. Ibid.
140. CE 2211, p. 618--6. 141. Id. at 618-5.
142. 8 H 78 (Philip Eugene Vinson).
143. Id. at 77.
144. Id. at 77-78, 79.
145. CE 1874, p. 6: CE 2219; see 1 H
279 (R. Oswald); 11 H 29 (J. Pic). 146. Ibid.
147. Id. at 30-31. 148. CE 2219.
149. CE 1874, p. 7. 150. Id. at 6-7.
151. 11 H 30 (J. Pic).
152. CE 1873--D; 1 H 292 (R. Oswald); 8 H 85 (Hiram Conway); 11 H 30 (J. Pic).
153. Ibid. 154. Ibid.
155. 1 H 296 (R. Oswald). 156. CE 1873-D. 157. Ibid.
158. CE 1873-E, -F, -G; Robert Oswald testified that Ridglea West was newly
built, which probably explains the transfer; 1 H 297.
159. CE 1873-D; see CE 1873-E, -F, -G.
160. CE 1873-D.
161. See p. 687, infra, but see p. 733 infra.
162. CE 1873-D.
163. 1 H 297, 298 (R. Oswald) (insurance agent); 11 H 31, 32 (J. Pic)
(department stores); CE 2213, pp. 25-26 (assistant store manager, Lerner Shops;
department store sales representative, Literary Guild ).
164. 1 H 225 (Marguerite Oswald).
165.. 8 H 119 (L. Murret); 11 H 31
(J. Pic); see 8 H 163 (M. Murret). 166. CE 2220, p. 241. 167. CE 2221.
168. CE 2220, p. 241.
169. 1 H 281 (R. Oswald); 11 H 31, 34, 40, 80 (J. Pic).
170. 8 H 87 (Conway); 11 H 30-31 (J. Pic).
171. See id. at 31.
172. Ibid.; see 1 H 225 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 163 (M. Murret).
859
Page 860
NOTES TO PAGES 675-681
173. 1 H 225 (Marguerite Oswald); 11 H 81 (J. Pic). Hiram Conway testified that
he taught the game of chess to John and another boy, from whom Lee learned it. 8
H
174. 8 H 122 (L. Murret). 175. Ibid.
176. 8 H 86 (Conway); see id. at 89-90. 177. 11 H 80 (J. Pic). 178. Id. at
32-33. 179. Id. at 34.
180. 1 H 297-298 (R. Oswald). 181. Id. at 298-299.
182. 1 H 225-226 (Marguerite Oswald); 11 H 36-37 (J. Pic).
183. 1 H 225-226 (Marguerite Oswald). 184. 11 H 37 (J. Pic). 185. Ibid.
186. 1 H 226 (Marguerite Oswald); 11
H 37-39 (J. Pic). 187. Id. at 38. 188. Id. at 38-39.
189. Marguerite and John gave different accounts of the origins of the quarrel.
Compare 1 H 226-227 (Marguerite Oswald) with 11 H 38-39 (J. Pic).
190. Id. at 39.
191. Id. at 38, 39. 192. Id. at 39-40.
193. 1 H 227 (Marguerite Oswald).
194. CE 1384; CE 2205, p. 570; CE 2222.
195. CE 1384. 196. Ibid.
197. CE 2213, p. 25.
198. CE 1384, 2224, p. 4. 199. CE 2213, p. 25.
200. John Carro DE 1, p. 1. 201. CE 2213, p. 28. 202. CE 1384.
203. See CE 2224, p. 4. 204. CE 1384. 205. Ibid.
206. Ibid.; cf. CE 2224, p. 4. 207. CE 2225.
208. CE 1384, 2226. 209. Id. at 7.
210. CE 2224, p. 4. 211. Ibid. 212. Id. at 5.
213. 11 H 42, 43-44, (J. Pic).
214. Carro DE 1, p. 1. Concerning this and subsequent truancy proceedings, see
generally 8 H 202-214 (Carro). 215. Carro DE .1, p. 1. 216. CE 1384.
217. Carro DE 1, p. 1; see 1 H 227 (Marguerite Oswald).
218. Youth House is described by members of its staff at the time Lee was sent
there at 8 H 215-218 (Dr. Renatus Hartogs), 225-226 (Evelyn Grace Strickman
Siegel).
219. Carro DE 1, pp. 1-4; Siegel DE 1. p. 2: see generally ch. VII, pp. 379-382,
supra.
220. 1 H 228 (Marguerite Oswald). 221. Hartogs DE 1, p. 2. Dr. Hartogs'
recommendations are discussed more fully in ch. VII, pp. 379-380.
222. Carro DE 1 P. 5. 223. Ibid.
224. CE 2224, p. 7. 22,5. Ibid.
226. Carro DE 1, p. 5; see CE 2213, p. 18.
227. CE 1384. 228. Ibid. 229. Ibid.
230. 1 H 301-302 (R. Oswald). John places this visit much earlier, probably in
October or November of 1952; 11 H 40 (J. Pic).
231. 1 H 308-309 (R. Oswald). 232. Id. at 309-310. 233. CE 1384.
860
234. Carro DE 1, p. 5. 235. Id. at 6. 236. Ibid. 237. Ibid. 238. Ibid. 239. CE
1384.
240. Carro DE 1, pp. 6-7. 241. CE 2223, p. 4. 242. Ibid.
243. Carro DE l, p. 7; CE 2223, p. 5. 244. Ibid. 245. See ibid.
246. Ibid; see Carro DE 1, p. 7. 247. Id. at 8.
248. 1 H 231 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 122-123 (L. Murret). The address was later
changed to 809 French Street; id. at 122.
249. CE 1413, pp. 12, 14. 250. Id. at 3-5, p. 14. 251. Id. at 6-8, 13, 14. 252.
Id. at 17.
253. Id. at 9-10; see ch. VII, p. 383.
254. See 8 H 6-7, 12-13 (Edward Voebel), 63, 65 (M. Evans), 71 (J. Evans), 131
(L. Murret), 159-160 (M. Murret); CE 2233, 2235, 2236.
255. 1 H 199-200 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 14 (Voebel), 28-29 (Frederick S.
O'Sullivan), 151 (L. Murret). Lillian Murret testified that Lee belonged to the
Sea Scouts also, probably a confusion with the Civil Air Patrol; Cf 8 H 131, 151
(L. Murret).
256. 8 H 16-19 (William E. Wulf). 257. 8 H 3-4, 6, 8 (Voebel).
258. 1 H 198 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 70-71 (J. Evans); cf. 8 H 18 (Wulf).
Edward Voebel, who thought Lee was not a "great reader," didn't see him read any
thing except "comic books and the normal
things that kids read"; 8 H 12 (Voebel). 259. 8 H 125, 131 (L. Murret).
260. 8 H 2-3, 5 (Voebel), 22-25 (Bennierita Smith), 124 (L. Murret), 159-160
(M. Murret); of. CE 2232, 2234. 261. 8 H 2-3 (Voebel).
262. 8 H 55-57 (M. Evans), 70 (J.
Evans); cf. 8 H 10-11 (Voebel). 263. CE 2201, p. 63. 264. CE 2238, p. 2. 265.
Ibid.
266. Ibid.; see 1 H 198 (Marguerite Oswald); CE 1413, p. 9. 267. Ibid.
268. CE 2238, p. 2.
269. 8 H 53-54, 56-57 (M. Evans); see 8 H 123 (L. Murret).
270. See 8 H 56-57 (M. Evans).
271. 1 H 197 (Marguerite Oswald); see 8 H 57 (M. Evans), 123 (L. Murret),
158-159 (M. Murret); CE 2231. 272. CE 1413, p. 9.
273. 8 H 56 (M. Evans); 8 H 151 (L. Murret).
274. 1 H 310-311 (R. Oswald).
275. CE 1413, p. 15; see CE 1873-I, -J.
276. CE 1413, p. 11; see generally 1 H 196-197 (Marguerite Oswald).
277. CE 1413, p. 15; see CE 1873-H. 278. 1 H 196-198 (Marguerite Oswald);
8 H 130-131 (L. Murret). 279. 11 H 32 (J. Pic).
280. 1 H 200 (Marguerite Oswald); see 8 H 64-65 (M. Evans).
281. CE 2227, 2237; see 1 H 198-199
(Marguerite Oswald). 282. CE 2227.
283. CE 2228; see 1 H 224 (Marguerite Oswald).
284. CE 1386, p. 251; CE 2229, 2230;
see 1 H 198-199 (Marguerite Oswald). 285. Folsom DE 1, p. 7.
286. 1 H 199 (Marguerite Oswald).
287. CE 2205, p. 571; CE 2239; CE 1873-I, -K.
Page 861
NOTES TO PAGES 681-687
288. CE 1873-J, -K. 289. Ibid.
290. CE 2240, p. 2. 291. Id. at 2-3.
292. Folsom DE 1, p. 123.
293. Id. at 3,. The abbreviations used on the official record to designate Lee's
units and duty stations are explained in CE 1961, pp. 3-5.
294. Folsom DE 1, p. 1; see 8 H 304 (Folsom).
295. Folsom DE 1, p. 7; see 8 H 307-308 (Folsom).
296. Folsom DE 1, p. 7.
297. See CE 239; 8 H 310-311 (Fol-
298. CE 239; see 8 H 311 (Folsom).
299. Folsom DE 1, p. 6; see 8 H 311
(Folsom); see generally 11 H 104 (Kerry
Wendell Thornley).
300. Folsom DE 1, p. 6; see generally
8 H 233, 234-236 (Nelson Delgado).
301. Folsom DE 1, p. 6.
302. Id. at 3; see 8 H 305 (Folsom).
303. Folsom DE 1, p. 3.
304. Ibid.
305. CE 1962, p. 3.
306. Id. at 4.
307. Folsom DE 1, p. 36.
308. See CE 1963, p. 546.
309. Folsom DE 1, p. 3.
310. CE 1961, pp. 1-2.
311. See id., at 2-3.
312. Folsom DE 1, p. 10.
313. Id. at 120.
314. Id. at 118.
315. Id. at 3.
316. Ibid.; see 8 H 305 (Folsom); cf.
8 H 268 (Daniel Patrick Powers).
317. Folsom DE 1, p. 119; 8 H 267-268
(Powers).
318. CE 1961, p. 2; see 8 H 269
(Powers).
319. Id. at 267. 320. Id. at 268. 321. Ibid.
322. Id. at 270.
323. Id. at 277-278, 279; see generally id., at 269-271.
324. Id. at 272-273.
325. Folsom DE 1, p. 116. 326. Id. at 7. 327. Id. at 3, 36.
328. See 8 H 274 (Powers); CE 1963,
p. 546; see note 308, supra. 329. Folsom DE 1, p. 3. 330. 8 H 274 (Powers). 331.
Folsom DE 1, p. 3. 332. Ibid.
333. Id. at 13.
334. 8 H 277 (Powers). 335. Ibid.
336. Folsom DE 1, p. 13.
337. Id. at 3; CE 1961, p. 4. 338. 8 H 278--279 (Powers). 339. Id. at 279. 340.
Ibid.
341. Folsom DE 1, p. 111.
342. 8 H 32.0 (Paul Edward Murphy). 343. Folsom DE 1, p. 3; CE 1961, p. 4. 344.
Folsom DE 1, pp. 111-112. 345. Id. at 8. 346. Ibid.
347. CE 1961, p. 4.
348. 8 H 279-280) (Powers). 349. Folsom DE 1, p. 5. 350. Id. at 3.
351. CE 1961, p. 4. 352. Ibid.
353. Folsom DE 1, p. 9.
354. Id. at 32; see 8 H 322 (Mack Os-
borne); 11 H 84, 85 (Thornley). 355. Folsom DE 1, p. 32. 356. Id. at 9.
357. Id. at 8; see 8 H 308 (Folsom). 358. Folsom DE 1, p. 3. 359. Id. at 10.
360. Id. at 3.
361. CE 1961, p. 5. 362. Folsom DE 1, p. 3.
363. CE 1961, p. 5; see generally 8 H
313-314 (George Donabedian). 364. Folsom DE 1, p. 3.
365. 8 H 317 (Peter Francis Connor),
318 (John Rene Heindel), 320 (Murphy).
366. See authorities cited in note 365 supra.
367. 8 H 320 (Murphy); cf. 8 H 285 (Powers).
368. Id. at 275, 283.
369. Folsom DE 1, p. 13; CE 1961, p. 5. 370. Folsom DE 1, p. 36. 371. Id. at 3;
CE 1961, p. 5.
372. 8 H 290 (John E. Donovan); see generally 8 H 231-232 (Delgado).
373. 8 H 297-298 (Donovan); but see CE 1961, p. 3.
374. 8 H 316 (James Anthony Botelho); 11 H 84 (Thornley).
375. 8 H 316 (Botelho); 11 H 84-85 ( Thornley ).
376. See CE 1961. p. 3; Folsom DE 1, p. 10.
377. 11 H 84 (Thornley).
378. 8 H 291, 292 (Donovan). 379. Id. at 298-299.
380. See 8 H 233-234, 258, 262 (Delgado), 316 (Botelho), 318 (Allen D. Graf),
319 (David Christie Murray, Jr,), 320 (Murphy), 321-322 (Osborne), 323 (Richard
Dennis Call); 11 H 85, 89-91, 100-101 (Thornley).
381. 8 H 233 (Delgado); see 8 H 291 (Donovan).
382. See 8 H 245 (Delgado), 297 (Donovan), 316 (Botelho), 319 (Murray), 321
(Henry J. Roussel, Jr.); 11 H 92 (Thorn-ley); but see 8 H 320 (Murphy).
383. 8 H 317 (Donald Camarata), 322 (Osborne), 323 (Call).
384. 8 H 265 (Delgado), 292-293, 297 (Donovan); 11 H 106-107 (Thornley); but see
8 H 322 (Call).
385. Folsom DE 1, p. 7; see 8 H 307.
386. 8 H 244 (Delgado), 292 (Donovan), 315 (Botelho), 316 (Camarata), 319
(Murray), 320 (Murphy), 321 (Roussel), 321 (Osborne),
322 (Call), 323 (Erwin Lewis); 11 H 87 (Thornley).
387. 8 H 321 (Roussel). 383. CE 2015.
389. 8 H 293 (Donovan).
390. 8 H 242 (Delgado). 292 (Donovan), 315 (Botelho), 317 (Camarata), 11 H 87-88
(Thornley); cf. id. at 320 ( Murphy ).
391. 8 H 315 (Botelho), 323 (Call); but see 8 H 257-258 (Delgado).
392. 8 H 316 (Camarata).
393. Ibid.; see 8 H 321 (Roussel). 394. 8 H 319 (Murray). 395. 8 H 315
(Botelho).
396. 8 H 257-258 (Delgado), 321 (Roussel).
397. 8 H 323 (Call).
398. 8 H 317 (Camarata), 317 (Con-nor), 318 (Graf), 321 (Roussel), 322 (Os
borne), 322-323 (Call).
399. 8 H 290 (Donovan).
400. Id. at 297.
401. Id. at 292.
402. Id. at 295.
403. Id. at 293.
404. Ibid.
405. Id. at 292.
406. Id. at 293.
407. 11 H 85 (Thornley).
408. Id. at 97.
409. Id. at 87.
410. Ibid.
411. Id. at 93.
412. Id. at 94-95.
413. Id. at 98.
414. Id. at 94, 98.
861
Page 862
NOTES TO PAGES 687-694
415. 8 H 232 (Delgado).
416. Id. at 233, 241, 246-248.
417. Id. at 233.
418. See id. at 240-241, 243-244, 255.
419. Id. at 240.
420. Id. at 241.
421. Id. at 241-243.
422. See 8 H 233, 240-241, 243-244,
246, 254-255 (Delgado), 292-295, 297, 300
(Donovan), 315 (Botelho), 320 (Murphy),
322-323 (Call); 11 H 86-87, 96-95, 105-
108 (Thornley).
423. 11 H 108 (Thornley); see 8 H 320
(Murphy) ("Harvey" after "Harvey the
Rabbit" ).
424. 8 H 234, 264 (Delgado), 300 (Donovan), 317 (Camarata), 318 (Graf), 319
( Murray ).
425. 8 H 244, 254 (Delgado); 11 H 90
,(Thornley); see id. at 105 ("something
* * by Dostoievsky").
426. 8 H 300 (Donovan), 316 (Botelho),
319 (Murray), 320 (Murphy), 322 (Os-
borne), 322-323 (Call).
427. Id. at 323.
428. 8 H 251 (Delgado), 315-316
(Botelho).
429. 8 H 251 (Delgado), 295 (Donovan).
430. Id. at 295-296.
431. 8 H 252 (Delgado).
432. 8 H 295 (Donovan); cf. 8 H 251
( Delgado ).
433. See id. at 241, 251 (Delgado), 316
(Camarata), 320 (Murphy), 322 (Os-
borne), 323 (Call).
434. 8 H 241 (Delgado).
435. Id. at 253-254; of. 8 H 301 (Donovan).
436. Folsom DE 1, p. 3. 437, Ibid.
438. Id. at 105.
439. Id. at 106; see 8 H 309 (Folsom). 440. CE 228, p. 1.
441. Ibid.; see id. at 3. 442. Id. at 2. 443. Ibid. 444. Ibid. 445. Ibid. 446.
Id. at 3.
447. See CE 229, 232. 448. CE 234.
449. 8 H 243 (Delgado). 450. 8 H 323 (Call).
451. Folsom DE 1, pp. 27, 79; see 8 H 304 (Folsom).
452. Folsom DE 1, p. 84.
453. Id. at 86-91; of. CE 2241. 454. Id. at 6, 75, 76, 83. 455. Id. at 79-80.
456. Id. at 10, 78. 457. Id. at 4.
458. Ibid.; id. at 28. 459. Ibid.
460. Id. at 10.
461. CE 2016, p. II-13.
462. CE 1114.
463. CE 946.
464. 1 H 201-202 (Marguerite Oswald); CE 1135, p. 172.
465. I H 201-202, 212 (Marguerite Oswald); CE 1396, p. 6.
466. Ibid.
467. 1 H 201-202, 212 (Marguerite
Oswald).
468. CE 1135, p. 172.
469. 1 H 329 (R. Oswald); 1 H 212 (Marguerite Oswald).
470. 1 H 203 (Marguerite Oswald). 471. CE 2673, 2665, p. 305. 472. CE 2712.
473. CE 2665, p. 305. 474. CE 200.
475. CE 2665, p. 305; see CE 2674. 476. CE 2675, p. 2.
862
477. Id. at 2-3; 11 H 116 (George B. Church, Jr.), 117 (Mrs. George B. Church,
Jr.).
478. CE 2711, p. 39; CE 946, p. 7; CE 2676, p. 1.
479. Id. at 1, 3.
480. CE 2677. Oswald could have arrived at 5:05 p.m., flying via Copenhagen, or
at 5:35 p.m., via Stockholm. See Official Airline Guide, North American Edition,
October 1959, p. C-721. But he would have been too late to visit the
Russian consulate that day. See CE 2714. 481. CE 946, p. 9.
482. Priscilla Johnson DE 1, p. 8; P. Johnson DE 5, p. 8.
483. CE 946, p. 8; CE 24, entry of
Oct. 16, 1959; CE 985, document No. 1A. 484. CE 24, entry of Oct. 16, 1959. 485.
CE 3124.
486. CE 24, entry of Oct. 16, 1959. 487. CE 24.
488. CE 18; see, e.g., pp. 3, 7, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 61, 81; see also CE
827; 1 H 30, 104 (Marina Oswald).
489. CE 24, entry of Oct. 16, 1959. 490. CE 24, entry of Oct. 17, 1959. 491. CE
24, entries of Oct. 17-21, 1959. 492. CE 24, entry of Oct. 17, 1959. 493. CE 24,
entry of Oct. 18, 1959. 494. CE 1399.
495. 5 H 617 (Marina Oswald); CE 935,
827, 1438 (name misspelled by Oswald).
496. CE 2760; cf. CE 25, pp. 1B-2B.
497. 5 H 274 (Richard Edward Snyder).
498. CE 24, entry of Oct. 20, 1959.
499. CE 24, entry of Oct. 21, 1959.
500. Ibid.
501. Ibid, see oh. VII, p. 392.
502. CE 985, documents 1C-1--1C-4.
503. CE 985, document 1C-3, p. 10. 504. Id. at 11. 505. Id. at 10.
506. CE 24, entry of Oct. 23, 1959. 507. CE 24, entry of Oct. 21, 1959. 508. CE
24, entry of Oct. 23, 1959. 509. CE 24, entry of Oct. 23-26, 1959. 510. CE 985,
document 1C-2, pp. 1, 8-9. 511. CE 24, entry of Oct. 28, 1959. 512. CE 3123.
513. CE 24, entry of Oct. 28, 1959.
514. Ibid.
515. Ibid.
516. CE 24, entries of Oct. 29-31, 1959.
517. CE 24, entry of Oct. 31, 1959.
518. See CE 908, p. 1; CE 909, p. 1; 5 H 260-261 (Snyder).
519. See generally 5 H 262-265, 269-270, 287-291 (Snyder); 300-304, 322-324
(John A. McVickar); CE 908, 909, 910.
520. CE 913.
521. 8 USC sec. 1481 (1958); CE 101, 941, 958.
522. 5 H 269 (Snyder); see CE 101, 941.
523. CE 24, entry of Oct. 31, 1959. 524. Ibid.; CE 2719.
525. CE 24, entry of Oct. 31, 1959; CE 3098.
526. CE 24, entry of Oct. 31, 1959; CE 3098.
527. 1 H 201, 203 (Marguerite Oswald); CE 1396, pp. 8-9.
528. CE 24, entry of Nov. 1. 1959. 529. CE 2672; P. Johnson DE 5, P. 15.
530. 1 H 323 (R. Oswald); see 11 H 458 (P. Johnson).
531. CE 2715, p. 61; CE 2684; 1 H 322 (R. Oswald).
532. CE 2683, p. 29 CE 2672: CE 24, entry of Nov. 1, 1959;; see 1 H 323 (R.
Oswald ).
533. CE 2715; 1 H 323 (R. Oswald). 534. CE 2715, p. 61.
535. CE 912; see CE 919, 920; 5 H 267-269 (Snyder).
536. CE 912.
Page 863
537. CE 919.
538. CE 24, entry of Nov. 2-15, 1959. 539. CE 294.
540. CE 24, entry of Nov. 16, 1959.
541. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4, 1960; CE 985, documents 1A, 2A.
542. CE 942, 943, 2683, p. 29; 5 H 302 ( McVickar ).
543. See Fort Worth Star Telegram, Nov. 15, 1959, "Fort Worth Defector Confirms
Red Beliefs"; CE 24, entry of Nov.
15, 1959; CE 1385; see also CE 1438. 544. CE 1385, p. 2. 545. Id. at 1-12.
546. CE 2717; CE 24, entry for Nov. 15, 1959.
547. CE 1385, p. 16.
548. CE 24, entry of Nov. 16, 1959. 549. Ibid.
550. 11 H 446-447 (P. Johnson).
551. The interview is described in P. Johnson DE 1, 5, 6; 11 H 444-460. Oswald
told Aline Mosby that he had read the
Communist Manifesto. CE 1385, p. 6. 552. P. Johnson DE 1, p. 6.
553. 11 H 447, 459 (P. Johnson); CE 911.
554. CE 24, entries of Nov. 17-Dec. 30,
Dee. 31, 1959; 5 H 616 (Marina Oswald). 555. CE 295. 556. CE 297.
557. CE 202, 206; 1 H 204 (Marguerite Oswald).
558. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4, 1960: cf. CE
985, documents 1A, 2A, 3A (1); CE 935. 559. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4, 1960.
560. In 1963, the population of Minsk was about 650,000.
561. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4, 1960.
562. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4-5, 1960; 5 H 292-293 (Snyder).
563. CE 24, entries of Jan. 5 and 7, 1960.
564. CE 24, entry of Jan. 7 1960. 565. CE 24, entry of Oct. 18, 1960. 566. CE
24, entry of Jan. 8, 1960. 567. CE 1108.
568. CE 24, entries of Jan. 11 and 13, 1960: CE 33.
569. CE 92, p. 3; see CE 2669. 570. CE 1128, p. 1; CE 1109, p. 2.
571. 5 H 616 (Marina Oswald); see 8 H 360 (George A. Bouhe); 9 H 145 (Paul
Roderick Gregory); 9 H 79-80 (Gary E. Taylor); 2 H 339 (Peter Paul Gregory); CE
2669.
572. CE 1108.
573. CE 92, pp. 8-9.
574. 5 H 590 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 347, 350 (Max Clark); 9 H 81 (Taylor), 147
(Paul Gregory); see P. Johnson DE 1, pp.
1, 6; P. Johnson DE 5, p. 7; CE 1385, p. 16. 575. 8 H 360 (Bouhe) (900 rubles),
385
(Anna N. Meller) (800 rubles); 5 H 407-408 (Marina Oswald) (800 rubles); CE
1401, p. 271 (800-900 rubles); CE 1110 (700-850 rubles); CE 1128; CE 24, entry
of Jan. 13, 1960 (700 rubles); 2 H 339 (Peter Gregory) (800 rubles); 8 H 348
(Clark) (800-900 rubles).
576. CE 2720; see CE 1401, p. 271.
577. 1 H 95 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, p. 275.
578. CE 24, entry of Jan. 13, 1960. 579. CE 1109.
580. CE 1110, 1128.
581. 1 H 92-93 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, p. 275.
582. CE 24, entry of Mar. 16, 1960; cf. 1 H 92 (Marina Oswald).
583. CE 24, entry of Mar. 16, 1960; see
also 1 H 92 (Marina Oswald). 584. See id. at 93.
585. CE 2721; CE 25, pp. 1B-2B.
586. CE 24, entries Jan. 7 to Mar. 17, 1960: see CE 93 p. 4 ,(erroneously
referring to "Roza Agafonava").
NOTES TO PAGES 694-702
587. CE 24, entry of Jan. 13, 1960.
588. CE 24, entry of Mar. 17, 1960); CE 2693.
589. CE 1403, p. 729; CE 42, 79. 590. Ibid.
591. CE 24, entry of June-July 1960.
592. I H 91 (Marina Oswald); CE 993, p. 5.
593. 1 H 96 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 396-397 (M. Paine); 5 H 405-406 (Marina
Oswald); 8 H 362 (Bouhe); CE 2678, pp. 13-14; CE 2679.
594. CE 2759; CE 24, entry of Jan. 1, 1961.
595. CE 24, entry of May 1, 1960. 596. CE 24, entry of June-July 1960. 597. CE
24 entry of Aug.-Sept. 1960.
598. CE 24, entries of Jan. 1, Jan. 2, 1961.
599. CE 24, entry of Jan. 3, 1961. 600. CE 24, entry of May 1, 1961. 601. CE
2759.
602. 11 H 142 (Mrs. Donald Gibson);
9 H 79 (Taylor). 603. Ibid.
604. 11 H 142 (Gibson). 605. 9 H 79 (Taylor).
606. 10 H 203 (Dennis Hyman Ofstein). 607. 8 H 348 (Clark).
608. 9 H 80 (Taylor); 5 H 590 (Marina Oswald).
609. Ibid.; see 8 H 348 (Clark).
610. 11 H 142 (Gibson); 8 H 60 (M. Evans); 5, H 590 (Marina Oswald).
611. 9 H 145, 151 (Paul Gregory). 612. Id. at 145, 154, 156.
613. I H 30 (Marina Oswald); CE 92, 94.
614. 8 H 330-332 (Pauline Virginia
Bates).
615. CE 92, p. 1.
616. Id. at 5.
617. Ibid.
618. Id. at 6-7.
619. 5 H 40,7 (Marina Oswald), but see CE 25, p. 3.
620. CE 92, pp. 7-8. 621. Id. at 12. 622. Id., passim.
623. CE 985, documents 3A (1)-(2);
cf. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4, 1961. 624. Ibid.
625. 5 H 277 (Snyder).
626. Id. at 276-277; CE 931.
627. 5 H 277 (Snyder); CE 24, entries
of Feb. 1-Mar. 6, 1961. 628. CE 933, 1084. 629. CE 930, 2681. 630. CE 2666. 631.
CE 940.
632. CE 24, entry of Mar. 1-16, 1961.
633. 5 H 278 (Snyder); CE 1403, p. 727.
634. CE 25, pp. 1B-2B; see 5 H 407-408
(Marina Oswald). 635. CE 940.
636. Ibid.; CE 1085.
637. CE 970, 971; 5 H 352-354 (Bernice Waterman).
638. 11 H 210-212 (Katherine Mallory). 639. CE 24, entry of Mar. 17, 1961.
Marina thought that the date was Mar. 4.
I H 90 (Marina Oswald); CE 994, p. 1. 640. CE 1401, p. 260. 641. Ibid.
642. CE 24, entry of Mar. 17, 1961.
643. I H 90-91 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, p. 267; CE 994, p. 7.
644. CE 24, entries of Mar. 17, 18-31, Apr. 1-30, 1961.
645. This and the succeeding paragraphs about Marina's life before she met
Oswald are based primarily on CE 1401, pp. 256-261. Additional sources are
indicated where appropriate.
646. See also 1 H 84 (Marina Oswald).
863
Page 864
NOTES TO PAGES 702-711
647. See id. at 84-85.
648. Marina is unclear about her age at the time of this move; cf. I H 84
(Marina Oswald) ("approximately five"), with CE
1401, p. 256 ("about seven"). 649. CE 49.
650. I H 84 (Marina Oswald). 651 Id. at 85.
652. Id. at 87; CE 49.
653. CE 21; see 1 H 89 (Marina Oswald ).
654. Id. at 85. 655. Ibid.
656. Id. at 87.
657. See CE 51, 57.
658. I H 89 (Marina Oswald). 659. Ibid.
660. Id. at 87-89.
661. Id. at 89; 5 H 608-609 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 305 (McVickar).
662. I H 88, 89 (Marina Oswald). 663. CE 1401, p. 261; CE 994, p. 5.
664. I H 91 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, pp. 267-268; CE 993, p. 7.
665. Cf. ibid, with CE 1401.
666. 1 H 91 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, p. 268.
667. CE 985, document 1C-l, p. 1.
668. 1 H 91 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, p. 269.
669. Ibid.
670. CE 994, pp. 8-9; 2 H 302 (Katherine Ford).
671. CE 1401, p. 270; of. CE 994, p. 9. 672. CE 985, document 1C-l, pp. 19-20.
673. CE 1401, p. 269. 674. Id. at 269-270.
675. CE 24, entry of Apr. 1-30, 1961.
676. CE 1401, p. 269; but see 2 H 302 (K. Ford).
677. CE 1111; CE 24, entry of Apr. 31 [sic], 1961.
678. Ibid.
679. CE 1401, p. 274.
680. CE 24, entry of May 1, 1961. 681. CE 24, entry of May 1961. * 682. CE 24,
entry of June 1961. 683. Ibid. 684. CE 252.
685. CE 1401, p. 277; CE 1403, p. 725. 686. CE 1401, pp. 274-276. 687. Id. at
274.
688. Id. at 276; CE 993, p. 12. 689. CE 1401, p. 277.
690. I H 101 (Marina Oswald). 691. CE 72.
692. 5 H 590 (Marina Oswald). 693. CE 298. 694. CE 299. 695. CE 180. 696. CE
252. 697. CE 936.
698. CE 1403, p. 727.
699. CE 24, entry of July 8, 1961; CE 24, entry of July 1961.
700. See app. w, p. 754, infra.
701. CE 24, entry of July 9, 1961; see I H 99-97 (Marina Oswald); CE 1401, p.
280.
702. Id at 290; CE 1403, p. 726. 703. CE 1401, p. 278. 704. CE 935.
705. CE 24, entries of Oct. 16, 1959, through Jan. 4, 1960; CE 908.
706. CE 1385, p. 4; P. Johnson DE 1, pp. 3, 6, 14; P. Johnson DE 2, pp. 1-2; 11
H 456 (P. Johnson); CE 985, document 1C-2, p. 6.
707. CE 1109, 1110, 1128. 708. CE 909, 935, p. 2. 709. Id. at 3.
710. CE 946, p. 2-3; 5 H 284 (Snyder). 711. CE 935, p. 2. 712. CE 938.
864
713. 5 H 284 (Snyder); CE 946, p. 6.
714. 5 H 319 (McVickar); CE 1401, pp. 278-279.
715. 5 H 319 (McVickar).
716. CE 944; 5 H 304-306, 318-319 (McVickar); CE 959.
717..CE 24, entry of July 14, 1961; CE 301.
718. Ibid.
719. CE 935, p. 1; CE 985, documents 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B; see CE 1401, pp. 277- 278,
280.
720. CE 24, entry of July 19-Aug. 20, 1961.
721. CE 1122, p. 1.
722. CE 24, entry of Aug. 21-Sept. 1, 1961.
723. CE 24, entry of Sept.-Oct. 18, 1961.
724. I H 90, 97 (Marina Oswald); but see CE 1401, p. 276.
725. I H 97 (Marina Oswald).
726. Ibid.; 5 H 591-592 (Marina Oswald ).
727. 9 H 147 (Paul Gregory); see also CE 301; CE 24, entry of July 15-Aug. 20,
1961.
728. CE 1122, pp. 2-3. 729. Ibid.
730. I H 97 (Marina Oswald). 731. CE 1087.
732. I H 98 (Marina Oswald); CE 1403, p. 740.
733. CE 306.
734. CE 55; but see I H 98 (Marina Oswald).
735. CE 24, entry of Nov.-Dec. 1961; see also CE 1401, p. 269.
736. CE 24, entry of Sept.-Oct. 18, 1961; see CE 66(I).
737. CE 24, entry of Sept.-Oct. 18, 1961. 738. CE 56, 306, CE 1315, pp. 1-2.
739. CE 24, entry of Nov. 12, 1961. 740. 5 H 591, 618 (Marina Oswald).
741. CE 1403, p. 745; 5 H 592 (Marina Oswald).
742. Id. at 591-592, 604-605, 617-619 (Marina Oswald).
743. CE 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 (letters to Marguerite Oswald); CE 303, 305,
306, 307, 308, 309 (letters to R. Oswald). 744. CE 253. 745. CE 1076. 746. CE
1058.
747. CE 24, entry of Dec. 25, 1961; 5 H 592, 598, 604-605 (Marina Oswald); see
also CE 1403, p. 725.
748. CE 1401, p. 267.
749. CE 24, entry for "New Years" 1962; CE 313.
750. CE 189.
751. CE 2731; cf. CE 2660.
752. CE 2680, pp. 7-8.
753. Id., at 3-4.
754. CE 246.
755. CE 1078.
756. CE 256.
757. CE 1079.
758. CE 2692.
759. CE 247.
760. Ibid.
761. CE 190.
762. CE 1080, p. 2; CE 1101.
763. CE 314.
764. Folsom DE 1, p. 10; see p. 689, supra.
765. CE 314.
766. Folsom DE 1, p. 65.
767. Id. at 63.
768. Id. at 61.
769. Id. at 45-46.
770. CE 2658.
771. CE 2661.
772. CE 222.
773. CE 192.
774. CE 1082, 1102.
775. CE 193.
Page 865
NOTES TO PAGES 711-717
776. CE 24, entry of Feb. 15, 1962; CE
993, pp. 15-16; CE 1112.
777. CE 994, p. 16.
778. Ibid.; but see CE 60, 61, 64.
779. CE 24, entry of Feb. 23, 1962.
780. CE 40, 52, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 194.
781. CE 24, entries of Feb. 28-29, 1962;
1 H 95, (Marina Oswald); CE 316.
782. CE 59, 61.
783. CE 24, entry of Feb. 23, 1961.
784. CE 316.
785. CE 195.
786. CE 316.
787. CE 1093, 2682.
788. CE 1086.
789. CE 1095.
790. CE 249, 1103.
791. CE 196, 2683.
792. CE 2656; see app. w, p. 762, infra.
793. CE 24, entry of Mar. 24, 1962; CE
22.
794. CE 249, 1083, 1088, 2687, 2688.
795. CE 317.
796. CE 1313.
797. CE 985, document 9A; CE 1108,
1314.
798. CE 1108, 1109, 1128, p. 3.
799. CE 1401, p. 275; 1 H 93 (Marina
Oswald); see also 5 H 590 (Marina
Oswald).
800. CE 985, document 8A.
801. CE 946, p. 1
802. 5 H 604, 617-618 (Marina Oswald); CE 2722.
803. CE 318.
804. CE 946, pp. 11, 15; see CE 1401, p. 280.
805. CE 2654, 2662, 2690, 2704. 806. CE 2656. 807. CE 34.
808. CE 1098. After his return to the United States, Oswald repaid the loan in
full. See app. w, p. 773, infra. 809. CE 1099, 1401, p. 280. 810. CE 57.
811. CE 29, 946, 1099.
812. 1 H 101 (Marina Oswald). 813. CE 25. 814. CE 100.
815. CE 946, p. 15. 816. CE 2655.
817. CE 1060, p. 10; CE 2656, 2718, pp. 2-3.
818. CE 2655; CE 2657.
819. CE 2213, pp. 19-20; CE 2657. 820. CE 2655, 2657.
821. CE 2213, pp. 19-24. 822. Ibid.: CE 2657. 823. CE 2213, p. 24. 824. CE 2692.
825. 1 H 372 (R. Oswald).
826. Martin Isaacs DE 1.
827. I H 331 (R. Oswald); I H 4 (Marina Oswald).
828. 1 H 330-331 (R. Oswald). 829. Id. at 331: see id. at 464.
830. Ibid.; 2 H 343 (Peter Gregory); 1 H 30 (Marina Oswald); 4 H 415 (John W.
Fain ).
831. CE 2189, p.1; 1 H 331 (R. Oswald).
832. Id. at 330.
833. 1 H 4 (Marina Oswald); 312 (R. Oswald).
834. Ibid. 835. Ibid.
836. Id. at 385-386. 837. Id. at 313-314.
838. 1 H 4 (Marina Oswald). 839. Ibid.
840. 8 H 331-332 (Bates).
841. Id. at 332-333; see pp. 700-701,
842. 8 H 332-333 (Bates).
843. Id. at 334-336.
844. Id. at 336.
845. Ibid. 846. Ibid.
847. See 2 H 338 (Peter Gregory); CE 384.
848. 2 H 337--338 (Peter Gregory). 849. Id. at 338; CE 384.
850. 2 H 338-339 (Peter Gregory). 851. See id. at 342, 343.
852. Id. at 339-340; 9 H 143 (Paul Gregory ).
853. CE 823, p. 11; 1H 315 (R. Oswald); 4 H 415 (Fain).
854. Id. at 418.
855. CE 823, p. 11.
856. Id. at 12; see CE 29. 857. Id. at 13.
858. 1 H 315, 389 (R. Oswald).
859. See 1 H 133 (Marguerite Oswald), CE 1943, 2189, p. 2; 1 H 4 (Marina
Oswald); 312 (R. Oswald).
860. 1 H 132-133 (Marguerite Oswald).
861. CE 2189, p. 2; 1 H 133-135 (Marguerite Oswald).
862. 1 H 131-132 (Marguerite Oswald). 863. Id. at 133. 864. Ibid.
865. 1 H 5 (Marina Oswald). 866. CE 2189, pp. 2, 18.
867. See 4 H 419 (Fain); CE 2189, pp. 2, 18; see 1 H 4-5 (Marina Oswald); 1 H
135 (Marguerite Oswald).
868. CE 2189, pp. 2-3; 1 H 5 (Marina Oswald), 134-135 (Marguerite Oswald); 10 H
230 (Chester Allen Riggs, Jr.).
869. Graves DE 1; CE 2189, p. 12;
10 H 163 (Tommy Bargas). 870. 10 H 161 (Bargas).
871. CE 1943; 10 H 162-163 (Bargas). 872. CE 1943.
873. Graves DE 1.
874. 1 H 5 (Marina Oswald).
875. 10 H 165 (Bargas); CE 2189, p. 13.
876. Ibid.; 10 H 165-166 (Bargas). 877. Id. at 165.
878. 1 H 136 (Marguerite Oswald).
879. See 1 H 6 (Marina Oswald); 2 300 (K. Ford).
880. 1 H 141 (Marguerite Oswald).
881. 9 H 226 (George De Mohrenschildt); see 9 H 77 ('Taylor), 308 (J. De
Mohrenschildt ).
882. 10 H 230 (Riggs).
883. 11 H 119 (Alexander Kleinlerer); 8 H 384 (Meller), 393 (Elena A. Hall); 2
341 (Peter Gregory); 9 H 225-226 (G. De Mohrenschildt); cf. 5 H. 419 (Marina
Oswald ).
884. CE 824, pp. 4-6; 4 H 419-424 (Fain).
885. 1 H 20 (Marina Oswald).
886. 8 H 357-358 (Bouhe), 452-455 (Igor Vladimir Voshinin); see generally 9 H
4-12 (Paul M. Raigorodsky); 8 354-355 (Clark); 9 H 305-306 (J. De
Mohrenschildt).
887. 9 H 143-144, 158 (Paul Gregory). 888. See id. at 144-151, 157.
889. See 8 H 358-359 (Bouhe), 2 H 341 (Peter Gregory).
890. Ibid: 8 H 358 (Bouhe), 379, 381-382 (Meller).
891. 2 H 297 (K. Ford), 323 (Declan P. Ford); 8 H 392-393 (E. Hall); 1 H 7
(Marina Oswald).
892. 11 H 119 (Kleinlerer). 893. 8 H 344-346 (Clark).
894. 9 H 168, 217, 281 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
895. Id at 224-226; see 1 H 7 (Marina Oswald ).
896. See 9 H 308 (J. De Mohrenschildt): 9 H 76-77 (Taylor); 11 H 125-127
(Gibson).
897. 9 H 236 (G. De Mohrenschildt); see 8 H 359, 371-372 (Bouhe).
865
Page 866
NOTES TO PAGES 717-721
898. Id. at 368-369 (Bouhe); 8 H 351-352, 354-355 (Clark); 11 H 122
(Kleinlerer); see 8 H ,383 (Meller), 404 (E. Hall), 435-436 (Mrs. Voshinin).
899. 8 H 371-373 (Bouhe), 383--385 (Meller), 393-395 (E. Hall), 422-423
(Valentina Ray); 11 H 119 (Kleinlerer);
9 H 307, 324-325 (J. De Mohrenschildt). 900. See 1 H 7 (Marina Oswald); 9 H
231 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 11 H 119 ( Kleinlerer ).
901. E.g., 9 H 309, 311 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 8 H 366, 372 (Bouhe), 382, 384
(Meller), 394 (E. Hall).
902. See 8 H 384 (Meller); see also 8 H 394 (E. Hall).
903. 9 H 309 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 2 H 300 (K. Ford).
904. 1 H 10-11 (Marina Oswald).
905. See, e.g., 8 H 445 (Mrs. Voshinin), 376 (Bouhe).
906. 11 H 123 (Kleinlerer).
907. E.g., 2 H 308 (K. Ford); 8 H 374 (Bouhe), 381 (Meller).
908. 11 H 123 (Kleinlerer).
909. E.g., 9 H 77 (Taylor); 8 H 366 (Bouhe), 407 (John Hall); 1 H 137-138
(Marguerite Oswald).
910. 8 H 366 (Bouhe); see 8 H 407 (J. Hall):
911. Ibid, 9 H 230 (G. De Mohrenschildt); see 1 H 6 (Marina Oswald).
912. 11 H 120 (Kleinlerer); 8 H 394 (E. Hall); see 8 H 366 (Bouhe).
913. Helen Cunningham DE I-A; 10 H 120 (Cunningham).
914. 1 H 5 (Marina Oswald); see also 9 H 230 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 10 H 135 (
Cunningham ).
915. 8 H 366 (Bouhe).
916. CE 820-A; see 10 H 166 (Bargas). 917. 1 H 141 (Marguerite Oswald).
918. 8 H 345-346 (Clark), 364-365 (Bouhe).
919. 1 H 140 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 365 (Bouhe), 383 (Meller).
920. 1 H 140 (Marguerite Oswald); 8 H 365 (Bouhe), 383 (Meller).
921. 8 H 395-396 (E. Hall), 365 (Bouhe); see 2 H 300 (K. Ford).
922. E.g., 11 H 119--120 (Kleinlerer). 923. CE 994, p. 25.
924. 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald); see id. at 32, 34.
925. 1 H 32 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 296 (Marina Oswald).
926. 1 H 7-8, 31 (Marina Oswald); 8 H 394-395 (E. Hall); 9 H 324 (J. De
Mohrenschildt).
927. 9 H 324, 327 (J. De Mohrenschildt); Albert Staples DE 1.
928. 8 H 373 (Bouhe); 9 H 306, 324-325 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
929. See 8 H 407 (J. Hall).
930. 9 H 46-47 (Samuel B. Ballen), 230 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
931. 8 H 388 (Meller), 366 (Bouhe); 10 H 119 (Cunningham).
932. 10 H 120--130 (Cunningham); Cunningham DE 1, I-A, 2, 2-A, 4; 11 H 477-478
(Cunningham); 10 H 144-146 (Donald E. Brooks); 150 (Irving Star-
933. 11 H 477 (Cunningham); Cunningham DE 4; 10 H 175-177 (John G. Graef).
934. 10 H 181 (Graef), 172 (Robert Stovall); CE 1144, p. 13.
935. 1 H 8 (Marina Oswald).
936. 10 H 281-2.82 (Richard Leroy Hulen), 290 (Colin Barnhorst).
937. Cunningham DE 2, 4; 11 H 124, 149 (Gibson).
938. CE 792; 7 H 295 (Harry D. Holmes); CE 1152.
866
939. CE 1390, p. 177.
940. CE 994, p. 26.
941. 11 H 143-144 (Gibson); 8 H 399
(E. Hall); I H 33 (Marina Oswald);
CE 1957-A.
942. 8 H 394-395 (E. Hall); 11 H 120-
121 (Kleinlerer); 8 H 345-346 (Clark).
943. 1 H 8, 32 (Marina Oswald); 9 H
88-89 (Taylor).
944. Ibid; 11 H 138-139 (Gibson).
945. 1 H 8 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 120
(Kleinlerer), 137 (Gibson).
946. 8 H 395 (E. Hall); 11 H 120-121
(Kleinlerer); 10 H 232, 234, 237-238
(Mrs. Mahlon F. Tobias); see also 1 H 8
(Marina Oswald).
947. 10 H 237-238 (Mrs. Tobias); CE
1160, p. 2; see also 1 H 8 (Marina Oswald).
948. 9 H 89-91 (Taylor); 11 H 470
(Taylor), 120-121 (Kleinlerer), 139-140
(Gibson); 1 H 8 (Marina Oswald).
949. 11 H 120-121 (Kleinlerer).
950. Id. at 120.
951. 9 H 244 (G. De Mohrenschildt),
313 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 1 H 35
(Marina Oswald).
952. 5 H 415 (Marina Oswald); CE
994, p. 26; 10 H 242-243 (Mrs. Tobias),
258 (M. F. Tobias).
953. 2 H 309-310 (K. Ford); 8 H 375-
376 (Bouhe), 382 (Meller); see 9 H 226 (G.
De Mohrenschildt); CE 994, p. 22.
954. 2 H 309-310 (K. Ford); 9 H 240
(G. De Mohrenschildt); 11 H 128
(Gibson).
955. 9 H 233, 252 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
311, 313 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 8 H 396
(E. Hall).
956. 9 H 231-232 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
957. 1 H 32 (Marina Oswald).
958. Id. at 33.
959. Ibid.
960. 11 H 298 (Marina Oswald); 9 H
240 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
961. Id. at 232-233 (G. De Mohrenschildt), 310 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 8 H
386 (Meller); 10 H 245-246 (Mrs.
bias); 1 H 11 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 416
(Marina Oswald); 11 H 296 (Marina Oswald); CE 1817.
962. 8 H 388-(Meller).
963. 1 H 11 (Marina Oswald); 11 H 297
(Marina Oswald).
964. 1 H 11-12 (Marina Oswald), cf.
11 H 297-29,8 (Marina Oswald).
965. 1 H 11-12 (Marina Oswald); 2 H
299-300 (K. Ford); 8 H 388 (Meller),
365 (Bouhe); 11 H 296 (Marina Oswald).
966. 2 H 299 (K. Ford); but see
CE 994, p. 27.
967. 2 H 299 (K. Ford).
968. 8 H 416 (V. Ray); 2 H 304 (K.
Ford), 325 (D. Ford); I H 11-12 (Marina
Oswald ).
969. CE 994, p. 27-28.
970. 11 H 299 (Marina Oswald).
971. 2 H 304 (K. Ford), 325 (D. Ford);
8 H 416 (V. Ray), see 1 H 11 (Marina
Oswald ).
972. 11 H 298 (Marina Oswald); see
also 2 H 307 (K. Ford); 9 H 252 (G. De
Mohrenschildt ).
973. 9 H 238, 266 (G. De Mohrenschildt).
974. 8 H 372 (Bouhe); 9 H 238, 266
(G. De Mohrenschildt); 1 H 35 (Marina Oswald ).
975. 5 H 419 (Marina Oswald); 9 H 266 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 1 H 34-35 (Marina
Oswald).
976. 9 H 65-69 (Lydia Dymitruk); 5 H 419 (Marina Oswald); 10 H 247-248 (Mrs.
Tobias).
977. 2 H 318 (K. Ford).
978. 11 H 299 (Marina Oswald).
979. 1 H 385-389 (R. Oswald); CE 320; 11 H 52-60 (J. Pic).
Page 867
NOTES TO PAGES 721-728
980. Id. at 53-54, 81. Accord, 2 H 341 (Peter Gregory); 8 H 423 (V. Ray); 9 H
311 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 1 H 36 (Marina Oswald).
981. 9 H 143-144 (Paul Gregory); 11
H 58-59 (J. Pic); 1 H 389 (R. Oswald). 982. Id. at 389-391; CE 322, 324. 983. CE
986, p. 2748-A.
984. See e.g., CE 93, p. 3; 1147; 8 H 370-371 (Bouhe).
985. CE 986, p. 2757-A.
986. E.g., CE 31, 32, 33, 57. 987. CE 1172.
988. Farrell Dobbs DE 1, 9, 10, 11; 3 H 118 (R. Paine).
989. James J. Tormey DE 1; Arnold Johnson DE 5; Dobbs DE 12.
990. 1 H 5 (Marina Oswald); CE 2642.
991 8 H 371 (Bouhe); see id. at 382 (Meller); 9 H 150 (Paul Gregory).
992. 1 H 5 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 392-393, 416 (Marina Oswald); CE 1404, p. 456:
CE 2652.
993. 9 H 243, 253 (G. De Mohrenschildt); 2 H 326 (D. Ford); 305--307 (K. Ford);
9 H 29-33 (Natalie Ray), 39-41 (Thomas Ray).
994. 9 H 245-246 (G. De Mohrenschildt), 319-320 (J. De Mohrenschildt); 2 H 306,
308 (K. Ford), 329 (D. Ford); 8
H 369-370 (Bouhe), 389 (Meller). 995. CE 1866, p. 573.
996. 2 H 307 (K. Ford); 8 H 389-390 (Meller), 370 (Bouhe); 9 H 33 (Natalie Ray).
997. See 9 H 256 (G. De Mohrenschildt). 998. 10 H 19-20 (Everett D. Clover).
999. Id. at 21-25.
1000. Id. at 24-29; 2 H 435-444 (R. Paine).
1001. Ibid.; 2 H 385--386 (M. Paine); 1 H 35-36 (Marina Oswald).
1002. Id. at 36; 2 H 443-445 (R. Paine); CE 404.
1003. 11 H 155-156 (M. Waldo George); see CE 1133, 1134, 1167, pp. 465- 467.
1004. 10 H 241 (Mrs. Tobias), 258-259 (M. F. Tobias).
1005. 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald); see 9 H 94 (Taylor).
1006. 8 H 370 (Bouhe).
1007. CE 2699; 1130; 1 H 9 (Marina Oswald); 9 H 94 (Taylor).
1008. 2 H 445-457 (R. Paine).
1009. CE 994, p. 32.
1010. See ch. IV, pp. 118-120, 172-174, supra.
1011. See ch. IV, p. 121, supra; app. X, pp. 571-577, supra; 10 H 198-199, 20.1
( Of stein ).
1012. 7 H 365 (William J. Waldman), 376-377 (Heinz W. Michaelis).
1013. 5 H 396 (Marina Oswald). 1014. 1 H 13 (Marina Oswald).
1015. Id. at 14-15, 93-94; 5 H 396-398 (Marina Oswald); CE 1156, p. 442: CE
2694.
1016. 1 H 15-16 (Marina Oswald). 1017. See ch. IV, pp. 184-185, supra. 1018. 1 H
17- 18, 38 (Marina Oswald). 1019. Id. at 16-17.
1020. Ibid.; 11 H 404-405 (Edwin A. Walker).
1021. 1 H 16-18 (Marina Oswald).
1022. Id. at 18; 9 H 249-250 (G. De Mohrenschildt), 317 (J. De Mohrenschildt).
1023. 10 H 187-189 (Graef), 198-199, 204-205 (Ofstein), 172-173 (Stovall); 11 H
479 (Theodore F. Gangl).
1024. 10 H 189 (Graef); 11 H 479 (Gangl); Gangl DE 1.
1025. 8 H 409 (John Hall).
1026. 1 H 18 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 517 (R. Paine).
1027. Cunningham DE l-A; 11 H 478 ( Cunningham ).
1028. John W. Burcham DE 1. 1029. Ibid.
1030. 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald).
1031. 11 H 155-156 (George); 2 H 470, 472 (R. Paine).
1032. Id. at 447, 472.'
1033. 11 H 155-156 (George). 1034. 1 H 10 (Marina Oswald). 1035. CE 7, 9, 986.
1036. 1 H 35, 68 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 448 (R. Paine).
1037. Id. at 457-458; 1 H 18 (Marina Oswald).
1038. Id. at 18-19.
1039. 2 H 459 (R. Paine); 1 H 19 (Marina Oswald).
1040. 8 H 133-134 (Lillian Murret),
164 (Marilyn Murret).
1041. 8 H 135-136 (L. Murret), 165-166 (M. Murret); CE 1919.
1042. 11 H 474-476 (John Rachal); Rachal DE 1.
1043. Ibid.; Rachal DE 2; 8 H 135 (L. Murret); CE 1893, 1946, 1951; Bobb Hunley
DE 3.
1044. 8 H 135 (L. Murret). 1045. Burcham DE 1. 1046. CE 1911. 1047. CE 68-A.
1048. CE 69-A.
1049. CE 1398; 11 H 473-474 (Emmett Charles Barbe, Jr.).
1050. 10 H 214-219 (Charles Joseph
LeBlanc); 11 H 473-474 (Barbe). 1051. 8 H 137 (L. Murret). 1052. 2 H 517 (R.
Paine).
1053. 8 H 58 (M. Evans), 72-73 (J. Evans), 186 (Charles Murret); 10 H 265- 266
(Mrs. Jesse Garner).
1054. 2 H 468-469, 475-477, 484-485 (R. Paine); 8 H 139-141 (L. Murret), 186
(C. Murret); 1 H 19 (Marina Oswald). 1055. Id. at 25.
1056. 8 H 172 (M. Murret). 1057. 1 H 25 (Marina Oswald).
1058. 2 H 499-500 (R. Paine); 3 H 5, 8-9 (R. Paine); CE 421, 1929.
1059. 11 H 473-474 (Barbe); 10 H 214-219 (LeBlanc), 220-229 (Adrian Alba).
1060. Burcham DE 1; Rachal DE 1;
Hunley DE 2, 5; CE 421, 1911. 1061. CE 1781, p. 550.
1062. Folsom DE 1, pp. 38-41. 1063. CE 1969. 1064. 1 H 10, 68 (Marina Oswald); 2
H
448 (R. Paine); CE 408. 1065. CE 12. 1066. CE 13.
1067. 1 H 44 (Marina Oswald). 1068. Id. at 47.
1069. CE 994, pp. 34-35; see also CE 415; but see CE 408.
1070. 1 H 68 (Marina Oswald). 1071. CE 408.
1072. 2 H 470-472 (R. Paine).
1073. 2 H 449, 491-496 (R. Paine); CE 410, 411, 412.
1074. CE 415.
1075. CE 416.
1076. CE 2649; 8 H 147-148 (L. Murret); 8 H 186-187 (C. Murret); CE 421, 2648.
1077. CE 2649; 8 H 186, 187 (C. Murret); CE 2648.
1078. Lee DE 2, 4; CE 1410, 1411, 1413,
pp. 28 31; CE 2542, 2543, 2544, 2545. 1079. 10 H 34-37 (Bringuier).
1080. Id. at 37-38; CE 1413, pp. 19-27. He had probably passed out such leaflets
on another occasion in June, near a U.S. naval vessel. CE 1412.
1081. CE 826, pp. 5-10; 10 H 53-57 (Francis L. Martello).
867
Page 868
NOTES TO PAGES 729-736
1082. 10 H 90 (Vincent T. Lee); 1 H 64-65 (Marina Oswald); 5 H 402-403 (Marina
Oswald).
1083. CE 1413, pp. 19, 21, 34; Lee DE 6; 10 H 38-39 (Bringuier).
1084. 1 H 24 (Marina Oswald).
1085. 10 H 39-41 (Bringuier), 64-66 (Charles Hall Steele, Jr.); Garner DE 1;
Frank Pizzo DE 453A, 453B; Bringuier DE 1, 2.
1086. 11 H 474-476 (Rachal).
1087. 10 H 41-42 (Bringuier); 1 H 25 (Marina Oswald).
1088. 11 H 158-165 (William Kirk Stuckey).
1089. Id. at ,166-169; 10 H 42-43 ( Bringuier ).
1090. 11 H 169-171 (Stuckey); Stuckey DE 3; Bringuier DE 3, 4.
1091. 11 H 171 (Stuckey).
1092. 11 H 162, 168-171 (Stuckey). 1093. Lee DE 1, 2, 4, 5., 6, 7. 1094. Arnold
Johnson DE 4. 1095. Arnold Johnson DE 4-A. 1096. Lee DE 4, 5, 6, 7.
1097. 3 H 4-7 (R. Paine); 1 H 26 (Marina Oswald); CE 1929, p. 193.
1098. 1 H 26 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 9 (R. Paine).
1099. 1 H 22-23, 37, 46--47 (Marina Oswald); CE 1404, pp. 451-453.
1100. CE 2478; CE 1143, p. I; CE 2119,
pp. 20-21; CE 2120; CE 2563, p. 1. 1101. See ch. VI, p. 314, supra.
1102. See CE 2481, 2478; app. XIV, p. 745, infra.
1103. CE 2124, p. 383; CE 2125, pp. 475, 477-478; CE 2479; cf. 10 H 276-277
(Jesse J. Garner).
1104. 1 H 37, 45 (Marina Oswald). 1105. Id. at 23. CE 1156, p. 444.
1106. 10 H 276 (Jesse J. Garner), 274 (Mrs. Jesse Garner).
1107. 11 H 460-464 (Eric Rogers). 1108. CE 2126.
1109. 10 H 276 (Jesse J. Garner). 1110. CE 116. 1111. CE 18.
1112. CE 1969; CE 946; 11 H 217 (Pamela Mumford); CE 2121, p. 39.
1113. CE 93, 986, 2121, p. 39; CE 2564. 1114. CE 2121, p. 39.
1115. 1 H 25 (Marina Oswald); CE 2121, p. 39; CE 93.
1116. 1 H 24-25 (Marina Oswald). 1117. CE 2121, p. 39. 1118. Ibid. 1119. CE 93.
1120, CE 126 1121. Rogers DE 1.
1122. 11 H 214 (John Bryan and Meryl McFarland), 221-222 (Mumford); CE 2127, p.
I; CE 2128, 2121, pp. 8, 9, 55, 119; CE 2129, pp. 18-19; CE 2532, pp. 12-13;
2460, p. 5: but see 11 H 462-463 (Rogers).
1123. When he picked up the check, he apparently also filed a change of mailing
address. CE 2131, 2476.
1124. App. XIV, p. 745, infra; but cf. CE 2481.
1125. 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald). 1126. CE 2533.
1127. 11 H 179-180 (Estelle Twiford), 179 (Horace E. Twiford); CE 2533; CE 2961,
2962.
1128. 11 H 179 (H. Twiford), 179-180
(E. Twiford). 1129. Ibid. 1130. CE 2134.
1131. 11 H 179-180 (E. Twiford), 179 (H. Twiford).
1182. Ibid.; 11 H 179-180 (E. Twiford).
1133. CE 2137, pp. 8-12; CE 2138, p. 15.
1134. CE 2137, pp. 14-15, 17; CE 2138, p. 3.
1135. Id. at 12-14.
1136. 11 H 214 (McFarland).
1137. Ibid.; CE 1143, p. 4; CE 2191, pp. 5-7; CE 2534.
1138. 11 H 214-215 (McFarland); CE 2534.
1139. CE 2193, pp. 1-2; CE 2123, 2566, pp. 2-3.
1140. CE 2463, pp. 10-12; CE 2566, p. 2.
1141. 11 H 214-215 (McFarland), 215-224 (Mumford).
1142. Id. at 220. 1143. CE 2195.
1144. 11 H 217-218 (Mumford); CE 2121, pp. 114-115.
1145. 11 H 219 (Mumford); CE 116. 1146. CE 2566, p. 2.
1147. 11 H 220 (Mumford), 214-215 ( McFarland ).
1148. CE 2121, p. 54; CE 2120, 3073, p. 7.
1149. CE 1400, 2121, pp. 46, 54, 59; CE 2488.
1150. CE 2121, p. 59.
1151. Id. at 47; CE 2444, p. 53; CE 2480. 1152. CE 2121, pp. 47. 54. 1153. CE
2568.
1154. CE 1969, 2121, p. 1. i 155. CE 18, p. 54 CE 2567.
1156. CE 2121, p. 39; CE 3073, p. 7. 1157. CE 2564; see CE 93. 1158. CE 2445, p.
2. 1159. CE 2121, p. 39.
1160. CE 2764, 3073, p. 6; see 1 H 28
(Marina Oswald). 1161. CE 2764.
1162. CE 15. He appears to have attempted to record Kostikov's name in his guide
book. CE 2486.
1163. 1 H 28 (Marina Oswald). 1164. CE 2121, p. 39; CE 2449. 1165. CE 2121, p.
39.
1166. Id. at 39-40; CE 2120 ; cf. CE 2445.
1167. CE 2121, p. 40; CE 2465; CE 18,
p. 54; CE 2445, p. 2; CE 2120. 1168. CE 2121, p. 39.
1169. CE 2445, p. 3; CE 2121, p. 40. 1170. Confidential information.
1171. 1 H 27-28, 50 (Marina Oswald); CE 1156, p. 445.
1172. 3 H 13-18, 51-52 (R. Paine); 9 H
395 (R. Paine). 1173. CE 15.
1174. CE 2121, pp. 55, 57. 1175. Id. at 57.
1176. Id. at 54-55, 57. One Juarez has said he saw Oswald talking to some
Cubans, but an intensive investigation indicates that this is a case of mistaken
identity. CE 2450, 2451, 2569, 2570, 2571, 2572,
2573, 2574, 2575, 2787, 3095. 1177. CE 2450.
1178. CE 1400. Oswald marked them on his map of Mexico City. CE 2488, p. 5.
1179. See CE 1166, pp. 6-8; CE 2489; 1
H 27 (Marina Oswald); CE 3073, p. 8. 1180. Ibid. Oswald marked several museums,
art galleries, and parks on his guide map, CE 2488, pp. 1-2; see CE 1166, pp.
9-10; CE 2.576, 3073, pp. 1, 6, 10.
1181. 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald); CE 3073, p. 10.
1182. CE 2486, 3073, pp. 4-5.
1183. CE 116, 2488, p. 2; CE 3073, pp. 1, 6.
1184. CE 2121, pp. 116-118.
1185. CE 2190; see CE 1166, p. 13. 1186. CE 2484.
1187. 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald); CE 3042, p. 59; CE 2484, 2121, pp. 124-128.
868
Page 869
1188. Ibid.
1189. CE 2467, pp. 152, 156-157; see
also 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald).
1190. Ibid; CE 116.
1191. See CE 1400.
1192. CE 2530, 2531, 2537, 2536, 2458,
2121, pp. 64-69; CE 1166, pp. 2-3; CE
2469, pp. 1-2; CE 2538, 2532, p. 5; CE
2638, 3073, pp. 2, 3.
1193. CE 2639, 2539, p. 1.
1194. CE 2452, 2121, pp. 99-103; CE
2470, 2471, pp. 1-2; CE 2527.
1195. CE 2121, pp. 99-105; CE 2535,
pp. 1-2; CE 1143, p. 3.
1196. CE 2540, p. 9.
1197. CE 2121, pp. 56, 119.
1198. Id. at 72-78; CE 2459, 2460,
2535, pp. 10-11.
1199. CE 2121, pp. 61, 76; CE 2456,
p. 3; CE 2459, pp. 2-3; CE 2460, p. 6;
CE 2532, p. 9.
1200. CE 2,121, p. 61; CE 2456, p. 4. 1201. 1 H 70 (Marina Oswald). 1202. CE
2456, p. 5. 1203. CE 2461.
1204. CE 2129, p. 6; CE 2121, pp. 8, 60, 75-77.
1205. CE 2577, 2121, pp. 61, 77-78; CE 2130, 2456, p. 6.
1206. CE 2129, p. 2; CE 2130, 2577. 1207. Burcham DE 1.
1208. Cunningham DE I-A; 11 H 478 (Cunningham).
1209. Hulen DE 7, 11; 10 H 281-283 (Hulen), 285-290 (Barnhorst); 1 H 27 (Marina
Oswald).
1210. 11 H 479 (Gangl); Gangl DE 1.
12,11. 3 H 26, 28 29 (R. Paine); 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald).
1212. 3 H 26-31, 33 (R. Paine); 1 H
27-28, 50 (Marina Oswald). 1213. Id. at 50. 1214. Id. at 28.
1215. 3 H 30-31 (R. Paine). 1216. Id at 31.
1217. 10 H 293 (Gladys J. Johnson). 1218. 6 H 401-402 (Mary E. Bledsoe).
1219. Id. at 404; 10 H 139-140 (R. L.
Adams); 11 H 486-481 (R. L. Adams). 1220. 6 H 404-406 (Bledsoe).
1221. Id. at 404; 3 H 45 (R. Paine); CE 1401 p. 262.
1222. CE 994, p. 38.
1223. 6 H 405--406 (Bledsoe). 1224. 3 H 12, 32, 35 (R. Paine). 1225. Id. at 5,
33-34.
1226. 3 H 32 (R. Paine); 9 H 428-429 (R. Paine).
1227. 6 H 407 (Bledsoe).
1228. 10 H 294 (G. Johnson); 6 H 436-437 (E. Roberts).
1229. 3 H 38-39 (R. Paine); 10 H 294 (G. Johnson).
1230. 6 H 437 (Roberts). 1231. CE 2642.
1232. 2 H 418-419 (M. Paine); 3 H 117-119 (R. Paine); 9 H 455 (M. Paine); 7 H
293 (Holmes).
1233. 3 H 33-34 (R. Paine); 1 H 29 (Marina Oswald): CE 994, p. 38.
1234. 3 H 34 (R. Paine); CE 994, p. 38; 3 H 213 (Roy S. Truly).
NOTES TO PAGES 736-741
1235. 3 H 34-35 (R. Paine); CE 994, p. 38.
1236. 3 H 214, 216 (Truly); CE 1949,
1237. 3 H 37 (R. Paine); CE 994, p. 38. 1238. 3 H 214-216 (Truly). 1239. 1 H 68
(Marina Oswald).
1240. 3 H 214-216 (Truly); 6 H 328 (William H. Shelley),
1241. 3 H 217-218 (Truly): 6 H 375 (Jack E. Dougherty), 394 (Geneva L. Hine),
382-383 (Eddie Piper); 2 H 219
(Buell W. Frazier). 1242. Id. at 216. 1243. Id. at 217.
1244. 3 H 40 (R. Paine); 1 H 52 (Marina Oswald); CE 994, p. 40.
1245. 3 H 39 (R. Paine); 1 H 54 (Marina Oswald).
1246. 3 H 39-40 (R. Paine); CE 994, p. 40.
1247. Ibid.
1248. 3 H 40 (R. Paine). 1249. Arnold Johnson DE 7.
1250. 1 H 55 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 407-408 (M. Paine); 9 H 462-468 (Raymond F.
Krystinik).
1251. Ibid; 2 H 407-412 (M. Paine). 1252. 9 H 465 (Krystinik).
1253. 1 H 54-55 (Marina Oswald); 3
H 40-41 (R. Paine). 1254. Holmes DE 1. 1255. 3 H 41 (R. Paine).
1256. 4 H 441-448 (James A. Hosty), 432-440 (John L. Quigley); see CE 834, p. 8;
see generally ch. VIII, pp. 434-440. supra.
1257. 4 H 449-454 (Hosty); 1 H 48, 56-57 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 92, 96-104 (R.
Paine).
1258. 1 H 48 (Marina Oswald).
1259. 3 H 101-102 (R. Paine); 1 H 57 (Marina Oswald).
1260. 3 H 102 (R. Paine). 1261. CE 15.
1262. 1 H 48 49 (Marina Oswald). 1263. 2 H 217 (Frazier).
1264.2 H 514 (R. Paine); 3 H 41 (R. Paine); 11 H 153-154 (R. Paine); 1 H 62
(Marina Oswald).
1265. Id. at 54, 63; 2 H 515-516 (R. Paine); 3 H 41 (R. Paine).
1266. 1 H 53, 54, 63, 65-66 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 43-46 (R. Paine). Mrs. Paine
thought she had placed the call to Oswald
on Monday, November 18. Id. at 43. 1267. 3 H 45-46 (R. Paine). 1268. 2 H 222-223
(Frazier).
1269. 2 H 508 (R. Paine); 3 H 46, 56-57 (R. Paine); 9 H 414 (R. Paine); 1 H 65
(Marina Oswald).
1270. 2 H 508 (R. Paine); 3 H 46 (R.
Paine); 1 H 64-65 (Marina Oswald). 1271. Id. at 65.
1272. 3 H 46-47, 56-60 (R. Paine); 1 H 65 (Marina Oswald).
1273. Id. at 65-66; bat see 3 H 47 (R. Paine).
1274. 1 H 66 (Marina Oswald); 3 H 60 (R. Paine): 9 H 418 (R. Paine).
1275. 3 H 47-49 (R. Paine); 1 H 66 (Marina Oswald).
APPENDIX XIV
1. Martin Isaacs DE 1, but see footnote 9.
2. Ibid., 1 H 318 (Robert Oswald). 3. 1 H 132 (Marguerite Oswald). 4. Isaacs DE
1; CE 1159. 5. Isaacs DE 1; CE 1159.
6. CE 1159; 1 H 3 (Marina Oswald). 7. Isaacs DE 1.
8. 8 H 336 (Pauline Bates).
9. 1 H 318 (R. Oswald). Robert Oswald testified that Lee paid him back a little
less than $100 upon Lee's arrival.
869
Page 870
NOTES TO PAGES 741-745
If this is so, Lee Harvey Oswald had more money than he reported to the Welfare
Department when he arrived in New York. The $30 figure is an estimate based upon
reported funds available to Lee Harvey Oswald when he arrived in Fort Worth and
upon Robert Oswald's statement as to later payments. 10. CE 1165, 1173.
11. 1 H 318 (R. Oswald).
12. CE 1170, 1171, see footnote 56. There is no record of initial subscription.
This represents an estimate of cost based
on subscription rates in July 1962. 13. CE 1165, 1173. 14. CE 1120.
15. 1 H 318 (R. Oswald).
16. 10 H 230 (Chester Riggs). 17. CE 1172.
18. Estimate based on approximate time Oswalds resided on Mercedes Ave., Fort
Worth in August. 4 H 419 (John W.
Fain); 1 H 134 (Marguerite Oswald). 19. CE 1165, 1173.
20. 9 H 144 (Paul R. Gregory); 2 H 340 (Peter P. Gregory); 5 H 419 (Marina
Oswald ).
21. 10 H 230 (C. Riggs); CE 1160. 22. CE 1120.
23. 1 H 318 (R. Oswald). 24. CE 1147.
25. CE 1165, 1167, 1173, 1174. 26. 8 H 372 (George H. Bouhe). 27. CE 1120.
28. 10 H 288 (Colin Barnhorst); 10 H
281 (Richard L. Hulen); CE 1160. 29. CE 1160.
30. 1 H 318 (R. Oswald).
31. Marina Oswald lived at the Hall's for part of the month. 1 H 7, 31 (Marina
Oswald). She also received assistance from other people. See e.g. 11 H 119-120
(A. Kleinlerer); 8 H 345-346 (Clark); 5 H 419 (Marina Oswald); 1 H
8 (Marina Oswald). 32. CE 1167, 1174.
33. 10 H 238-240 (Mrs. Mahlon F. To-bias) (included $5 key deposit which was
never returned).
34. 11 H 470 (Taylor). 35. CE 1120.
36. 9 H 143 (Paul R. Gregory); 1 H 387 (R. Oswald); CE 1168.
37. Marina Oswald lived with the Mellers, the Fords, and the Rays during part of
this month. 2 H 299 (Ford); 8 H 386-387 (Meller); 8 H 416-417 (Ray);
1 H 11-12 (Marina Oswald). 38. CE 1167, 1174.
39. 10 H 240 (Tobias). 40. CE 1160. 41. CE 1120.
42. Farrell Dobbs DE 1; 3 H 118 (Ruth Paine).
43. CE 1167, 1174.
44. 10 H 240 (Tobias); CE 1160. 45. CE 1120.
46. 7 H 376 (Heinz W. Michaelis);
Michaelis DE 2; CE 1137. 47. CE 1130. 48. CE 1147.
49. CE 1167, 1174.
50. 10 H 240 (Tobias); CE 1160.
51.2 H 418, 9 H 455 (Michael Paine);
3 H 118 (R. Paine); CE 1145, 1172. 52. CE 1167, 1174.
53. CE 1133, 1134, 1160; 11 H 155
(M. Waldo George). 54. CE 1160.
55. CE 1136; William J. Waldman DE
7.
56. CE 1152, 1170, 1171.
57. 7 H 376-378 (Michaelis); Michaelis DE 5; CE 1137.
58. CE 1167, 1174. 59. CE 1165.
870
60. 11 H 155 (George); CE 1134. 61. 2 H 459 (R. Paine); CE 1168.
62. Although Oswald spent part of this month at the Murrets, 8 H 133, 139
(Lillian Murret), and Marina Oswald spent part of the time at Ruth Paine's, 2 H
457- 461 (R. Paine), he left money with his
wife, 3 H 9 (R. Paine). 63. CE 1161, 1175. 64. CE 1157, 1161.
65. 10 H 265, 274, 276 (Mrs. Jesse Garner); CE 1139.
66. Dobbs DE 2. Oswald received copies of the Militant after September 1963 but
there is no record he paid for a subscription, 3 H 118, 119 (R. Paine).
67..10 H 93 (Vincent T. Lee); V. T. Lee DE 3-4; CE 1140, 1410.
68. Although Oswald spent part of the time at the Murrets, 8 H 139 (L. Murret),
and his wife spent part of the time at Ruth Paine's, 2 H 468 (R. Paine), this
would be offset by the fact that Ruth Paine and her children spent time at the
Oswald apartment, and the expenses involved in moving into an apartment in
another city, 9 H 343 (R. Paine). 69. CE 1161, 1175. 70. See footnote 65. 71. CE
1158.
72. CE 1410, 1411. 73. CE 1176.
74. CE 1161, 1175. 75. See footnote 65. 76. CE 1411.
77. CE 1157, 1161. 78. See footnote 65.
79. CE 1177; V. T. Lee DE 6.
80. 10 H 64-66 (Charles H. Steele, Jr.) There is evidence that two people were
handing out literature, but it is not known if both were paid $2.
81. CE 1157, 1161.
82. Although Oswald left for Mexico and his wife stayed with Ruth Paine during
the latter part of the month, this is offset by additional expenses incurred in
preparing for the Mexican trip.
83. Marina Oswald testified that just before she left New Orleans, her husband
had told her that he had a little over $100 which would be sufficient for his
Mexican trip, 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald). Later she stated he told her he had
between $160-$180, CE 1156. Oswald received $33 in unemployment compensation
after his wife left New Orleans. Oswald failed to pay his rent for September 9.
10 H 274-275 (Mrs. Jesse Garner).
84. CE 1146, 1166; 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald).
85. CE 1166.
86. CE 1156; 1 H 27 (Marina Oswald); CE 1166.
87. Marina Oswald testified that her husband returned from Mexico with about $50
or $70, 1 H 51 (Marina Oswald); CE
1156. She later said he had about $70. 88. CE 1157, 1165. 89. CE 1129.
90. 10 H 283 (Hulen); 10 H 290 (Barn-horst); 6 H 401 (Mary L. Bledsoe); 10 H 294
(Mrs. A. C. Johnson).
91. Daring this time Marina Oswald was living with Ruth Paine. Oswald spent
weekends there also, 9 H 344 (R. Paine); I H 69-70 (Marina Oswald); 2 H 216,
219 (Buell W. Frazier).
92. CE 1129.
93. 10 H 294 (Mrs. Johnson).
94. CE 1152, 1178.
95. CE 1151.
96. 2 H 256 (William W. Whaley); 2
H 268 (Cecil J. McWatters); CE 1168.
97. See footnote 91.
98. CE 1148, 1155.
Page 871
NOTES TO PAGES 746-758
APPENDIX XV
1. CE 1114.
2. He had made out his application for
admission on Mar. 19, 1959. See CE 228,
p. 1.
3. CE 1114.
4. CE 946.
5. 5 H 262 (Richard E. Snyder). 6. 5 H 295-296.
7. 5 H 262, 288-289. 8. CE 101.
9. Oswald's appearance at the Embassy has been reconstructed from the testimony
of Richard E. Snyder, 5 H 262-265, 269-270, and 287-291, and of John A.
McVickar, 5 H 300-304 and 322-324, from memoranda and communications made at the
time, CE 908, 909, 919, 941, and 958 and from Oswald's own notes, CE 24 and 101.
10. 5 H 300 (McVickar); 5 H 289 ( Snyder ).
11. 5 H 262 (Snyder). 12. 5 H 263 (Snyder). 13. 5 H 263 (Snyder). 14. 5 H 289
(Snyder).
15. 5 H 270 (Snyder); CE 101. 16. 5 H 263; 289-290 (Snyder).
17. 5 H 289 (Snyder); CE 908, p. 1; CE 101.
18. 5 H 289 (Snyder); see passport, CE 946, p. 1.
19. 5 H 263 (Snyder).
20. CE 913; 5 H 263, 289 (Snyder). 21. CE 908, p. 2.
22. CE 946, pp. 8-9; CE 908, p. 2. 23. CE 908, p. 2. 24. CE 908, p. 1. 25. CE
908, p. 2. 26. CE 908, p. 2. 27. Ibid. 28. Ibid.
29. 5 H 290 (Snyder); see CE 908, p. 3. 30. 5 H 264, 290-291 (Snyder).
31. CE 908, p. 2; CE 909, pp. 2-3; 5 H 264, 290-291 (Snyder).
32. 5 H 291 (Snyder); see CE 910.
33. 5 H 266-267 (Snyder); CE 910. 34. CE 908, p. 2.
35. CE 950, p. 3; 5 H 341 (Abram Chayes).
36. CE 910.
37. CE 2750 (see stamp); CE 834, p. 1. 38. CE 2752; and see CE 2750. 39. CE 908.
40. Id. at p. 3.
41. CE 2749 (see stamp); CE 834, p. 2
(FBI); CE 2752 and enclosure. 42. CE 910.
43. CE 916, 961.
44. Ibid.: 5 H 347-348 (Waterman). 45. CE 909, p. 3; CE 911, p. 2; CE 920. 46.
CE 919, 920. 47. CE 912. 48 CE 920. 49. CE 919.
50. CE 942, 943, 2683, 2684, 2715. 51. Ibid.
52. 11 H 444 (Johnson). 53. CE 911.
54. CE 911, p. 2; 11 H 446-447, 450--
451 (Priscilla Johnson). 55. CE 921.
56. CE 24, entry of Jan. 4, 1960.
57. CE 985, Doc. Nos. i(A), 2(A) and 3(A)(1).
58. CE 921; 5 H 274 (Snyder). 59. CE 923. 60. CE 927. 61. Ibid. 62. CE 928. 63.
CE 925. 64. CE 926.
65. 5 H 348-349 (Bernice Waterman).
66. 5 H 349 (Waterman); CE 948, question No. 12, pp. 1-2, and regulations
attached thereto.
67. CE 950, pt. 2, pp. 204; 5 H 317 (Chayes).
68. 5 H 80 (Knight); CE 950, 2,
pp. 3-4; and see CE 948, question No; 12
and all attachments thereto for a general
description of the lookout card procedure.
69. CE 948, question No. 12, pp. 1-2
and regulations attached thereto.
70. CE 962; 5 H 348-349 (Waterman).
71. CE 963; 5 H 349 (Waterman).
72. CE 963, 929.
73. CE 948, question No. 13, pp. 2-3;
5 H 313 (Chayes).
74. CE 948, question No. 13, p. 1.
75. 5 H 349-351.
76. Passport Office Instruction No.
2300.3 (reproduced in CE 948, question
No. 12).
77. 5 H 380 (Frances Knight); CE 948,
Question 12, p. 3; CE 3111.
78. CE 2748.
79. CE 930.
80. See date stamped on CE 2681 and
see CE 2757.
81. 5 H 276 (Snyder).
82. CE 931; 5 H 276-277 (Snyder).
83. 5 H 277 (Snyder).
84. CE 24, entry of Feb. 1, 1961.
85. CE 933.
86. CE 251, 940.
87. CE 932.
88. CE 940.
89. CE 1085.
90. 5 H 352-354 (Waterman).
91. Ibid; CE 970. See CE 934.
92. CE 971, 5 H 353-354 (Waterman).
93. CE 1111; CE 24, entry of Apt. 31
[sic], 1961.
94. CE 936.
95. CE 252.
96. CE 937.
97. 5 H 281 (Snyder); CE 24, entry of
July 8, 1961.
98. CE 24, entry of July 8, 1961; and see
I H 96-97 (Marina Oswald), and CE 1401.
99. CE 935, p. 3
100. CE 935, pp. 1-2.
101. 5 H 281 (Snyder); CE 938.
102. CE 946; 5 H 284 (Snyder).
103. 5 H 283 (Snyder).
104. 5 H 283 (Snyder).
105. CE 947;5 H 282-283, 286
(Snyder).
106. CE 938.
107. 5 H 283 (Snyder).
108. 5 H 359-360 (Waterman). 109. CE 938, pp. 3-4.
110. CE 946, p. 6; 5 H 284 (Snyder). 111. CE 935; 5 H 283-285 (Snyder). 112. CE
935, p. 3. 113. CE 935, p. 2.
114. 5 H 318-319 (McVickar).
115. CE 1122 (letter of July 15, 1961).
116. CE 979; 5 H 357-358 (Waterman); 11 H 198 (Carroll Hamilton Seeley, Jr.).
117. CE 939. 118. CE 2747.
119. CE 981; 5 H 361-362 (Waterman).
120. CE 253-255, 246, 249, 256, 247, 1083, and 1093 (Oswald to Embassy, from
Embassy files); CE 1076-1082, 1086, 1088 (Embassy to Oswald, from Embassy
files); CE 1085, 1087, 1094, 1124; and 1100- 1106 (Embassy to Oswald, found
among his effects).
121. CE 946.
122. CE 1061, 1098.
123. 5 H 283 (Snyder).
124. CE 979: 5 H 347,357 (Waterman); CE 948, question No. 11, pp. 1-2.
871
Page 872
NOTES TO PAGES 758-770
125. 5 H 362 (Waterman); 5 H 286 ( Snyder ).
126. CE 989; 5 H 372-376 (Knight); 5 H 308-312 (Chayes).
127. Fourteenth amendment; United States v. Wong Kim Ark 169 U.S. 649 (1898).
128. ]2 U.S.C. sec. 1481(a)(1). 129. See pp. 1, 2, 7, 9-12, supra. 130. 12
U.S.C., sec. 1481(a)(6).
131. 22 CFR, secs. 50.1-50.2; 8 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 225.6.
132. CE 955; 5 H 263-265 (Snyder). 133. See pp. 2-4, supra.
134. 12 U.S.C., sec. 1481 (a)(2). 135. CE 913.
136. CE 244, 913.
137. III Hackworth, "Digest of Inter-
national Law," 219-220 (1942); see
Jalbuena v. Dulles, 254 F. 2d 379, 381
footnote 2 (3d Cir. 1958).
138. In re Bautista, 183 f. Supp. 271, 274 (D.C. Guam, 1960); see also,
Department of State to consul at Guadalajara, May 27, 1937, at 218; Department
of State consular official in charge at Birmingham, May 10, 1938; Director of
Consular Service to Counsel Glazbrooke, Oct. 30, 1914; Department of State to
consul general in Berlin, Mar. 21, 1934; Roche, "The Loss of American
Nationality--The Development of Statutory Expatriation," 99 U. Pa. L. Rev. 25,
33 (1950); III Hackworth, op. cit. supra, footnote 138, at 218-219.
139. III Hackworth, op. cit. supra, footnote at 138 at 218; In the Matter of L.,
1 Dec. Imm. & Nat. Laws 317, 320, (B.I.A. 1942).
140. See e.g. CE 913.
141. 12 U.S.C., 1481(a)(4). 142. 5 H 310 (Chayes).
143. Cf Fletes-Mora v. Rogers, 160 F. Supp. 215 (S.D. Cal. 1958); Kenji Kamada
v. Dulles, 145 F. Supp. 457, 459 (N.D. Cal. 1956) (both arising under sec. 401
of the Nationality Act of 1940); Roche, supra, footnote 138, at 51.
144. Insogna v. Dulles 116 F. Supp. 473 (D.D.C. 1953); Stipa v. Dulles, 233 F.
2d 551 (3d Cir. 1956).
145. 5 H 304-306, 318-319 (McVickar). 146. CE 944, 959. 147. CE 944.
148. CE 945; 5 H 305 (McVickar). 149. CE 944; 5 H 305 (McVickar).
150. 1 H 89-90, 97;5 H 607-608
(Marina Oswald).
151. CE 944.
152. 8 U.S.C., sec. 1155 (1953).
153. 8 U.S.C., sec. 1182(a)(28)(C); 8 U.S.C., sec. 1182(a)(28)(I) (1953).
154. 8 U.S.C. sec. 1182(a)(15) (1953). 155. 8 U.S.C., sec. 1253(g).
156. CE 950, pt. IV, pp. 3-5; 5 H 339-340 (Chayes).
157. CE 944.
158. See CE 2746.
159. 11 H 184-185 (Virginia James); CE 2745 (code phrase used).
160. CE 190, 193, 247, 256, 1081, 1093,
1100, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1124; CE 2692. 161. CE 2740, 2742, 2743, 2744. 162. CE
1095, pp. 1-2.
163. CE 2653 (taken from the Immigration and Naturalization Service file on
Marina Oswald, p. 17 of CD 363); CE 196.
164. 8 U.S.C., sec. 1155; 8 CFR, sec. 9.5 a, b.
165. CE 1073. 166. CE 1072 167. CE 1073. 168. CE 1071.
169. CE 1069, 1070, 2751. 170. CE 1070, pp. 3-4. 171. CE 1070, p. 3. 172. CE
1070.
872
173. CE 1068. 174. Ibid. 175. Ibid. 176. CE 1067. 177. Ibid.
178. CE 1121. 179. CE 1066.
180. CE 1055, 1066, and see also 11 H
185-188 (James). 182. CE 1065. 182. Ibid. 183. CE 1064.
184. CE 249; see also CE 1103 (the notice itself).
185. CE 2735. 186. CE 1095. 187. CE 1096.
188. See CE 1095, p. 1, and CE 2734. 189.-11 H 186 (James). 190. CE 1123, p. 1.
191. CE 2741.
192. CE 1123, p. 2. 193. James DE 6.
194. CE 1777; James DE 4. 195. James DE 5. 196. James DE 7.
197. CE 2653, 2654, 2689, 2690, 2702, 2704, 2705.
198. 8 U.S.C., see. 1155. 199. CE 1070, pp. 3-4. 200. See CE 1073.
201. 8 U.S.C., see. 1182(a) (15).
202. 22 CFR, sec. 42.91(a)(15) (1963 Supp.).
203. 8 U.S.C., sec. 1182(a) (28) (I)
(1953).
204. CE 944; 5 H 607-608. 205. CE 950, pt. 4, pp. 203.
206. 1 H 89-90, 97; 5 H 607-608 H (Marina Oswald).
207. 5 H 321 (McVickar); Cf. Galvan v. Press, 347 U.S. 5.22, 527 (1954); Rowoldt
v. Perfetto, 355 U.S. 115, 120 (1957) (cases arising tinder sec. 22 of The
Internal Security Act of 1950 as amended in 1951).
208. Immigration and Nationality Act, sec. 212(a)(19); 8 U.S.C., sec. 1182(a)
(19) (1953).
209. See generally, Gordon and Rosenfield, "Immigration Law and Procedure," 229,
424-427 (1959); Appleman, "Misrepresentation in Immigration Law: Materiality."
22 Fed. B.J. 267 (1962).
210. Langhammer v. Hamilton, 295 F. 2d 642, 648 (1st Cir. ]961); see also Chaunt
v. United States, 364 U.S. 350, 355 (1960) (denaturalization proceeding).
211. E.g., Calvillo v. Robinson, 271 F. 2d 249 (7th Cir. 1959).
212. Visa Office Bulletin 90, Mar. 2, 1962.
213. CE 950, pt. 4, p. 4. 214. Ibid.
215. Operation Instructions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service 205.3.
(This revised instruction was effective Feb. 15, 1962--June 30, 1962. Other
versions which may have been considered during Oswald's case were different only
in irrelevant respects.)
216. 22 CFR, 42, 120 (1964. Supp.).
217. 22 CFR., sec. 42.120 (1964 Supp.). Procedural note 2 (reproduced in CE 950,
pt. 4, p. 5).
218. 11 H 184, 186, 190-191 (flames).
219. CE 950, pt. 4, p. 10; 11 H 190-191 (James).
220. CE 1058, pp. 1-2. 221. CE 1058, p. 11. 222. Id. at 4. 223. Id. at 5. 224.
Id. at 6-11. 225. Id. at 2. 226. CE 246. 227. CE 1102.
228. CE 189, 2660, 2731.
229. CE 1138, 2660, 2680, 2760.
Page 873
230. CE 223.
231. CE 197, 1086.
232. CE 2737, 2738, 2739. 233. CE 2736. 234. CE 1098.
235. CE 950, pt. 5, pp. 1-2. E,g., 60 Star. 452, 79th Cong., 2d sess. (1946); 75
Stat. 546, 87th Cong., 1st sess. (1961).
236. CE 950, pt. 5, pp. 1-2. E.g., H. Rept. 442, 87th Cong., 1st sess. (1961) 4;
H. Rept. 1996, 87th Cong., 2d sess. (1962) 4; H. Rept. 388, 88th Cong., 1st
sess. (1963) 4.
237. CE 950, pt. 5, exhibit 2.
238. 7 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 423, 2-1.
239. 7 Foreign Affairs Manual, sec. 423, 1-2.
240. CE 950, pt. 5, p. 3.
241. 7 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 423, 3-2.
242. 7 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 423, 3-5; CE 223, 2660, 2766.
243. 7 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 423, 3--3.
244. See supra, p. 758; cf. 7 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 423, 7-1.
245. CE 950, pt. 5, p. 6; 7 Foreign Affairs Manuel sec. 423.5; CE 950
(repatriation loan, p. 7); 7 Foreign Affairs Manual sec. 423.6.
246. CE 948, question No. 13, p. 3. 247. CE 1098.
248. CE 948, question No. 13, pp. 3-4. 249. CE 1099, 1401. 250. CE 29, 946,
1099. 251. CE 1099.
252. See generally CE 834 (communications to FBI) and CE 2752 (communications to
CIA).
253. CE 1059.
254. CE 1060, 1776. 255. CE 2657. 256. CE 1120.
257. CE 781, 952, 1969. 258. CE 781. 259. CE 781.
260. CE 952; 5 H 335 (Chayes). 261. CE 1969.
262. CE 2754, 2755; and see CE 952 (all applications that were made on June 24
for New Orleans in same teletype as Oswald's were authorized within 24 hours ).
263. CE 948, question No. 1; 5 H 335 (Chayes). The accuracy of their statement
was confirmed, see CE 1057. 264. 5 H 334-335 (Chayes). 265. CE 950, pt. 2, p. 8.
266. CE 948, question No. 13, pp. 1-3. 267. Id. at question No. 13, pp. 3-4.
268. Kent v. Dulles, 357 U.S. 116 (1958).
269. Aptheker v. Secretary of State, 378 U.S. 500 (1964).
270. 64 Star. 993; 50 U.S.C. 785. 271. 22 CFR 51.135 (1964 Supp.). 272. See ch.
VI, pp. 287-290.
273. 66 Stat.-190 (1952); 8 U.S.C. see. 1185(b).
NOTES TO PAGES 770-779
274. Proclamation No. 2914 (Dec. 16, 1950), 64 Star. A454; Proclamation No.
2974. (Apr. 18, 1952), set out preceding 50 U.S.C. app. 1; Proclamation No. 3004
(Jan. 21, 1953), 18 Fed. Reg. 489.
275. 22 CFR sec. 51.136 (1964 Supp.).
276. CE 948, question No. 17; 5 H 327-328, 337 (Chayes).
277. 5 H 333 (Chayes).
278. CE 2750; Folsom DE 1.
279. CE 834, pp. 1-2; CE 2749, 2750; 5 H 333 (Chayes).
280. 5 H 333 (Chayes) and see 11 H 200 (Seeley) and 5 H 383 (Knight).
281. Hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Department of
State Passport Policies, 85th Cong. 1st sess. pp. 38-39 (1957).
282. 11 H 186-187 (James); 5 H 332 (Chayes); CE 950 (Repatriation Loan, p. 3);
see Comment, "Passport Refusals for Political Reasons: Constitutional Issues and
Judicial Review," 61 Yale L.J. 171, 174-178 (1952), for examples of
passport refusals prior to Kent v. Dulles. 283. 357 U.S. 116 (1958). 284. 357
U.S. 144 (1958). 285. 357 U.S. 116, 125-126.
286. Hearings before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on S. 2770, et
al., 85th Gong., 2d sess., p. 35 (1958); id. at 41 (Roderic O'Connor,
Administrator, Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs of the Department of
State); id. at 22; hearings before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on
S. 806 et al. 86th Cong., 1st sess., p. 58 (1959); see also testimony of John W.
Hanes. Jr., Administrator, Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs, Department
of State; Hearings before a special subcommittee of the Senate Committee on
Government Operations on S. 2095, 86th Cong., 1st sess. 157 (1959); compare id.
at 369. The regulation was reenacted in 1962. 22 CFR sec. 51.136 (1964 Supp.).
287. CE 949; 5 H 327-328, 331-332 (Chayes); 5 H 379-380 (Knight).
288. 5 H 327-329, 333 (Chayes); id. at 338-339; CE 2756, attachment pp. 2-3.
However, the Department had stamped Oswald's passport valid for direct return to
the United States only, prior to granting him a repatriation loan. CE 946, p. 6,
and 5 H 284 (Snyder).
289. 5 H 327-329, 333 (Chayes).
290. Copy of communication cannot be shown for security reasons.
291. CE 948, question No. 16.
292. 11 H 201-203 (Carroll Hamilton Seeley, Jr.) 11 H 191-193 (James L.
Ritchie); CE 948, question No. 16.
293. CE 948, question No. 16; see 5 H 382-383 (Knight).
294. 11 H 482 (James D. Crowley). 295. CE 2688; cf. 5 H 278, 280, 288. 296.
James DE 9.
APPENDIX XVI
1. See also CE 1286. 2. See CE 1290.
3. CE 1254; CE 1297, p. 1.
4. See Mrs. Alice Nichols DE 5355, p. 285; CE 1234, 1274, 1654.
5. C. Ray Hall DE 2, pp. 13, 16; C. Ray
Hall DE 1; CE 1322, p. 748. 6. CE 1232. 7. CE 1181.
8. But cf. Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 185.
9. 15 H 15 (Hyman Rubenstein); CE 1252; CE 1281, p. 20; CE 1285.
10. See generally CE 1283, 1284. 11. See CE 1186.
12. CE 1254; see 14 H 439 (Eva Grant). 13. 1254; see 14 H 488 (Sam Ruby).
14. 14 H 366 (Earl Ruby); but see CE 1286.
15. 15 H 276 (Eileen Kaminsky); CE 1698, p. 1.
873
730-900 0-64--57
Page 874
NOTES TO PAGES 779-787
16. See CE 1281, p. 20; of. 15 H 19
(Rubenstein) and CE 1297, p. 3, with
CE 1185.
17. CE 1283; see 15 H 14 (Rubenstein ).
18. CE 1283; cf. 15 H 14 (Rubenstein).
19. Id. at 14-15; CE 1297, pp. 3-4. 20. 15 H 18 (Rubenstein); see 14 H 439
(Grant); CE 1281, pp. 20, 42; CE 1297, p. 3.
21. 15 H 15 (Rubenstein); of. CE 1281, pp. 11, 20.
22. See CE 1284; 14 H 437-438
(Grant); 15 H 17 (Rubenstein). 23. CE 1281, p. 20.
24. 15 H 15 (Rubenstein); of. CE 1283. 25. See CE 1283.
26. See CE 1281, pp. 11-12. 27. 14 H 438-439 (Grant).
28. CE 1284; see CE 12 1, pp. 11, 20; cf. CE 1238.
29. See CE 1252; CE 1281, pp. 11, 20; CE 1284, 1285, p. 2; see also 15 H 2, 3 (
Rubenstein ).
30. CE 1281, p. 11.
31. CE 1284; CE 1281, p. 11.
32. See CE 1281, pp. 11, 14, 20, 23; 15 H 17-18 (Rubenstein); 14 H 418 (Earl
Ruby); 14 H 285 (Kaminsky).
33. See 15 H 8, 19-20 (Rubenstein). 34. CE 1185. 35. CE 1290. 36. CE 1185.
37. 14 H 366 (Earl Ruby). 38. 14 H 441 (Grant).
39. 14 H 367 (Earl Ruby). 40. 15 H 18 (Rubenstein). 41. CE 1256.
42. 14 H 439 (Grant); CE 1281, p. 11; see CE 1297, pp. 3, 8.
43. CE 1281, p. 21.
44. Id. at 42; see also 15 H 18-19 (Rubenstein).
45. CE 1291, p. 1.
46. CE 1297, p. 2; CE 1291, pp. 4-5. 47. CE 1297, p. 13 see CE 1291, pp. 5-6.
48. CE 1291, pp, 6-7.
49. CE 1297, p. 3; CE 1291, p. 1. 50. CE 1297, p. 1.
51. CE 1291, p. 4; see CE 1297, p. 2; see also id. at 7.
52. CE 1297, p. 9; see CE 1291, p. 2. 53. CE 1291, p. 2; see CE 1297, p. 9. 54.
CE 1291, p. 2; see CE 1297, p. 22. 55. CE 1297, pp. 11, 16; CE 1291, p. 3. 56.
CE 1291, p. 4; see CE 1297, p. 7. 57. CE 1291, p. 4.
58. CE 1297, p. 2; see CE 1291, p. 5. 59. CE 1291, p. 6. 60. CE 1254, 1286.
61. CE 1254; CE 1291, p. 1: see 14 H 367 (Earl Ruby).
62. CE 1254, 1255. 63. CE 1256.
64. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 12; 15 H 276-277 (Kaminsky).
65. 14 H 366-367 (Earl Ruby).
66. 15 H 9-10 (Rubenstein); 15 H
277-278 (Kaminsky); CE 1281, pp. 11-12. 67. Id. at 12. 68. CE 1188.
69. CE 1281, p. 23.
70. 15 H 19 (Rubenstein).
71. CE 1281, pp. 11, 13, 20, 23. 72. Id. at 3-8. 73. Id. at 35. 74. Id. at 43.
75. Id. at 42-44; see also id. at 40-41. 76. Id. at 28. 77. Id. at 36, 34. 78.
Id. at 47--48.
79. CE 1283, 1284; el. p. 780 supra. 80. CE 1238.
81. 15 H 19-20 (Rubenstein).
82. 14 H 120 (Alice Nichols); see 15 H 278 (Kaminsky).
874
83. CE 1253. 84. CE 1290.
85. See CE 1297, pp. 17, 22, 26.
86. See CE 1290; cf. CE 1202, and Earl Ruby DE 4, p. 174, with CE 1276.
87. See 15 H 10 (Rubenstein): 14 H 439 (Grant); 14 H 416, 420 (Earl Ruby); Sam
Ruby DE 1, p. 185; C. Ray Hall DE 2,
p. 13; C. Ray Hall DE I; CE 1185. 88. See CE 1290.
89. See 15 H 10 (Rubenstein); CE 1297, pp. 2, 8.
90. CE 1297, pp. 12, 17; see CE 1291, p. 4.
91. 15 H 18 (Rubenstein); 14 H 418 (Earl Ruby); see 15 H 284-285 (Kaminsky ).
92. 14 H 418 (Earl Ruby).
93. See 15 H 18 (Rubenstein).
94. 15 H 10 (Rubenstein); Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 185; C. Ray Mall DE I; CE 1195,
1197, 1200, 1282.
95. 15 H 26 (Rubenstein); C. Ray Hall
DE 1; CE 1193, 1195, 1204, 1282. 96. 15 H 12 (Rubenstein).
97. 15 H 533-534 (Jack Ruby).
98. See 15 H 9 (Rubenstein); CE 1254, 1255, 1699.
99. 14 H 443-445 (Grant); 15 H 21 ( Rubenstein ).
100. 15 H 21 (Rubenstein); 14 H 444-445 (Grant); see, e.g., CE 1193, 1194, 1195,
1196, 1197, 1200, 1202, 1205; Joseph Rossi DE 1; CE 1219.
101. Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 185; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 15; CE 1195, 1196, 1197, 1205,
1219; but cf. CE 1217, 1218.
102. See 15 H 11-14 (Rubenstein); CE 1193.
103. CE 1200, 1216.
104. 15 H 21 (Rubenstein); CE 1288; CE 1289, p. 4.
105. CE 1244. 106. CE 1195.
107. CE 1200, 1242.
108. CE 1194, 1197, 1246, 1289, p. 3;
see also p. 781 supra. 109. CE 1267.
110. CE 1193; see also CE 1282. 111. CE 1282; CE 1289, p. 3. 112. E.g., CE 1208,
1266, 1267. 113. CE 1191.
114. See, e.g., CE 1191, 1194, 1198,
1261; cf. CE 1297, pp. 17, 23. 115. 14 H 440 (Grant). 116. CE 1191.
117. 14 H 440 (Grant).
118. 15 H 28 (Rubenstein): see, e.g., CE 1185, 1191, 1193, 1194, 1215, 1217.
119. C. Ray Hall DE 1; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13; see also 14 H 44 (Grant); CE
1239.
120. See CE 1195, 1198, 1231, 1241, 1263, 1278.
121. C. Ray Hall DE 1; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13.
122. See CE 1318.
123. 14 H 441-442 (Grant).
124. 14 H 441 (Grant); CE 1239.
125. 14 H 442 (Grant); see also CE 1225, 1237, p. 5; CE 1239, 1249.
126. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13; see C. Ray Hall DE 1.
127. 14 H 442 (Grant).
128. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13.
129. 14 H 442 (Grant); CE 1195, 1198, 1231, 1237, p. 5; CE 1239, 1249, 1263,
1323, 1324.
130. Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 185; CE 1195, 1323.
131. C. Ray Hall DE 1; CE 1239, 1249, 1263; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13.
132. 14 H 442 (Grant); see also CE 1198, 1237, p. 5; CE 1263, 1278, 1324.
133. See CE 1195, 1198, 1231, 1249, 1263, 1323, 1324.
134. CE 1249.
Page 875
NOTES TO PAGES 787-794
135. CE 1195. 136. CE 1263. 137. CE 1195. 138. CE 1248.
139. Alice Nichols DE 5355, p. 285. 140. See also Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 185. 141. C.
Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13. 142. See p. 783 supra. 143. CE 1281, p. 10.
144. Cf. CE 1217, with CE 1205; cf. CE 1266.
145. CE 1241.
146. See CE 1200, 1203, 1207, 1208,
1246, 1261, 1299. 147. CE 1241.
148. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 15; of. C. Ray Hall DE 1.
149. See CE 1293, p. 1; CE 1292, p. 1; see also 14 H 419-420 (Earl Ruby).
150. CE 1318; see also 14 H 420 (Earl Ruby ).
151. See 14 H 445 (Grant); CE 1190, 1206, 1279, 1289, pp. 2-3.
152. See CE 1236, 1279; but cf. CE 1235. 153. CE 1293, p. 4. 154. CE 1211.
155. See C. Ray Hall DE 1; CE 1190. 156. 14 H 523 (Jack Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 1;
see also Alice Nichols DE
5355, p. 285; CE 1187. 157. CE 1190, p. 1.
158. See CE 1206, 1211; 5 H 200 (Jack Ruby ).
159. CE 1206, 1279.
160. CE 1279, 1289, p. 3.
161. See CE 1292, p. 3; CE 1293, p. 4. 162. See CE 1292, pp. 7-8.
163. See CE 1190, 1206, 1289, pp. 2-3; but cf. CE 1184, pp. 26-27.
164. See C. Ray Hall DE 1; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13; 14 H 442 (Grant); 14 H 368
(Earl Ruby).
165. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13. 166. Ibid.
167. CE 1702, p. 1; see also 14 H 443 ( Grant ).
168. See CE 1280. 169. CE 1702.
170. CE 1702; 14 H 443 (Grant); CE 1237, p. 8.
171. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 13; but cf. CE 1192.
172. CE 1274. 173. CE 1319.
174. See CE 1237, p. 8.
175. See, e.g., CE 1192, 1193, 1194, 1196, 1197. 1205, 1217, 1243, 1245, p. 44.
176. See CE 1192, 1204, 1208, 1217. 177. CE 1248.
178. CE 1245, p. 46; CE 1246, 1299;
cf. CE 1205.
179. See e.g., 14 H 409-410 (Earl
Ruby); 15 H 20 (Rubenstein); CE 1192,
1203, 1208, 1246, 1289, pp. 2, 5.
180. CE 1257.
181. See CE 1289, p. 5.
182. 14 H 411 (Earl Ruby); 14 H 20 (Rubenstein); CE 1192.
183. CE 1241; CE 1289, p. 3.. 184. CE 1703: see also CE 1319.
185. See 15 H 21 (Rubenstein): CE 1191, 1199, 1205, 1220, 1239, 1244, 1246.
486. See CE 1193, 1203, 1207, 1217,
1239, 1244, 1289, p. 3. 187. CE 1193. 188. CE 1299.
189. See CE 1193, 1216, 1258.
190. See CE 1193, 1196, 1200,, 1201, 1202, 1203, 1207, 1208, 1241; CE 1245, p.
8; CE 1246.
191. See CE' 1202, 1210, 1212, 1321. 192. See CE 1321.
193. See, e.g., 5 H 200, 204 (Jack Ruby); 15 H 21, 28-29 (Rubenstein); 14 H 443-
444 (Grant); CE 1288; CE 1289, p. 3. 194. CE 1274. 195, Ibid.
196. CE 1704.
197. See CE 1296, 1705.
198. Cf. CE 1245, pp. 44-45 with p. 10 supra. Cf. CE 1245, p. 45, with the next
paragraph in text, cf. CE 1245, p. 46, with p. 791 infra; see also CE 1245, p.
47.
199. 15 H 44 (Rubenstein); see also CE 1287.
200. CE 1274; see CE 1189.
201. See 14 H 366, 368-369 (Earl
Ruby); 14 H 443 (Grant); 15 H 4, 44
(Rubenstein); 14 H 497-498, 502-503
(Sam Ruby).
202. CE 1189.
203. See CE 1707, pp. 2, 14-15; CE
1706, p. 15.
204. CE 1706, p. 15, insert (2) to p. 15,
16-22.
205. CE 1707, p. 2.
206. CE 1287, 1295; see also 14 H 411
(Earl Ruby).
207. CE 1295.
208. Ibid.
209. CE 1294.
210. See CE 1294, 1287.
211. See CE 1294, 1295.
212. See p. 789 supra.
213. CE 1294.
214. See 14 H 370 (Earl Ruby); 15 H
3 (Rubenstein); Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 185;
but cf. C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 16.
215. 14 H 370 (Earl Ruby).
216. Id. at 369-370.
217. Id. at 371; see CE 1268.
218. 14 H 371 (Earl Ruby).
219. Id. at 422-423.
220. Id. at 370.
221. Id. at 370, 422-423; 14 H 493 (Sam
Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 1; C. Ray Hall
DE 3, p. 14; see also CE 1200, 1207, 1241.
222. See, e.g., CE 1213, 1240, 1245, p. 4;
CE 1247, 1277.
223. CE 1262; see CE 1209, 1211, 1214,
1247, 1320, 1321.
224. CE 1321.
225. CE 1241; see also CE 1289, p. 5.
226. 14 H 411 (Earl Ruby).
227. CE 1708.
228. See CE 1259.
229. See CE 1245, p. 7.
230. CE 1259.
231. CE 1268.
232. Cf. 14 H 436 (Grant) with id. at
447.
233. Id. at 436, 453.
234. Id. at 453; see 15 H 22-23
( Rubenstein ).
235. 14 H 449 (Grant).
236. Ibid.; 15 H 23 (Rubenstein). 237. See p. 793 infra. 238. CE 1271, p. 274.
239. C. Ray Hall DE 1; C. Ray Hall DE 3. p. 14.
240. CE 1708; see CE 1250. 241. CE 1265, 1708, 1709.
242. See 14 H 449-451 (Grant); 14 H 23-24 (Rubenstein): CE 1250, 1710, 1711.
1271, 1272, 1273, 1300.
243. CE 1271, p. 279; CE 1708, 1711. 244. See footnote 242 supra. 245. CE 1710;
cf. CE 1711. 246. CE 1271, p. 274.
247. C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 13. 248. C. Ray Hall DE 1.
249. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 14. 250. See p. 791 supra.
251. CE 1251; see also CE 1298.
252. CE 1184, p. 21; CE 1265; see also CE 2887.
253. CE 2416.
254. 14 H 371 (Earl Ruby); 14 H 493 (Sam Ruby).
255. 14 H 371, 423 (Earl Ruby).
256. CE 1182; cf. C. Ray Hall DE 2, p. 13.
257. CE 1708.
875
Page 876
NOTES TO PAGES 794-799
258. CE 1224, 1229, 1264, 1712; but of. 15 H 516 (Stanley M. Kaufman).
259. See C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 14; CE 1318; see also CE 12300 p. 593.
260. 14 H 453 (Grant); C. Ray Hall DE 1.
261. 14 H 453-454 (Grant). 262. See p. 791 supra. 263. 14 H 453 (Grant).
264. Id. at 454; CE 1222, 1269, 1270; see CE 1190.
265. 14 H 138-139 (Ralph Paul); see Alice Nichols DE 5355, p. 238; C. Ray Hall
DE 1; of. Ralph Paul DE 5319, p. 471. 266. See p. 788 supra.
267. 14 H 115-116 (Alice Nichols); CE 1221, 1223.
268. 14 H 116 (Alice Nichols); C. Ray Hall DE 1.
269. C Ray Hall DE 3, p. 14.
270. 14 H 117 (Alice Nichols); 14 H 417, 426 (Earl Ruby).
271. 14 H 117 (Alice Nichols); C. Ray Hall DE 1.
272. C. Ray Hall DE 1; CE 1227, 1228. 278. CE 1228; see C. Ray Hall DE 1.
274. 14 H 455 (Grant); see 15 H 220 (Joseph W. Johnson, Jr.).
275. Ibid.; 15 H 415 (Nancy Powell). 276. CE 1230, p. 593.
277. CE 1696; see C. Ray Hall DE 1, CE 1227.
278. Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 187; C. Ray Hall DE 1 CE 1538; of. 14 H 117 (Alice
Nichols); C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 14.
279. Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 187; C. Ray Hall DE 1, p. 3; C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 14; see
14 H 454 (Grant).
280. 14 H. 496-497 (Sam Ruby).
281. 14 H 142 (Paul); CE 1675; but see CE 1569, 1656.
282. CE 1500, 1569.
283. 14 H 382 (Earl Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 14; cf. CE 1500, and CE 1549,
with 14 H 382-383 (Earl Ruby) and 14 H 456-457 (Grant).
284. CE 1653, 1656, 1677.
285. CE 1500, 1569; 14 H 141 (Paul).
286. 14 H 141 (Paul); see C. Ray Hall DE 1.
287. 14 H 136 (Paul); CE 1504. 288. 14 H 139, 141 (Paul). 289. Id. at 142-143.
290. See 13 H 319 (Andrew Armstrong, Jr.); 15 H 212 (Thomas S. Palmer).
291. 13 H 436 (Curtis Laverne Crafard ).
292. CE 1322, pp. 744-745; see 15 H 193 (Marjorie Richey).
293. Cf. CE 1322, pp. 12-13; 14 H 458 (Grant); 13 H 320 (Armstrong).
294. See CE 1322, pp. 12-13; 14 H 458 (Grant); 13 H 320 (Armstrong).
295. See, e.g., CE 1514, 1616, 1629, 1630, 1631, 1634.
296. E.g., 15 H 414, 416-417 (Powell); 13 H 134 (Armstrong); 15 H 219, 221- 222
(J. Johnson); 14 H 642 (Kay Olsen); CE 1530.
297. CE 1222, 1512, 1527, 1529, 1541, 1542, 1623, 1624, 1647, 1649, 1650, 1670,
1685.
298. CE 1502, 1532, 1533, 1651, 1653, 1657.
299. CE 1517, 1561, p. 297; CE 1656,
1682, 1683, 1637; cf. CE 1565, 1681. 300. CE 1515, p. 549; CE 1635. 301. CE
1648, 1657.
302. 12 H 216 (Karen Carlin); CE 1561, p. 300; CE 1653.
303. E.g., CE 1512, 1648; CE 1653. 304. CE 1530; 15 H 413 (Powell). 305. CE
1556.
306. See CE 1548, 1568, 1676, 1633; 15 H 440 (T. M. Hansen).
876
307. CE 1674.
308. 14 H 616-619 (Joseph L. Peter-
son); CE 1564, 1566; but cf. 14 H 601-
602 (Breck Wall).
309. Cf. 14 H 617 (Peterson) and CE
1564 and 1566, with 14 H 614 (Wall);
see also CE 1657.
310. See CE 1514, 1554, 1672.
311. CE 1683.
312. 15 H 209 (Palmer).
313. E.g., CE 1530.
314. See 15 H 208 (Palmer).
315. Id. at 211-214; CE 1543, 1544.
316. 15 H 415-416 (Powell).
317. 14 H 459 (Grant).
318. See CE 1543, p. 191; CE 1562.
319. See 5 H 200 (Jack Ruby); 15 H
28-29 (Rubenstein); 14 H 458-460
(Grant); 13 H 500 (Crafard).
320. 15 H 209 (Palmer); see 14 H 605 (Wall).
321. 15 H 208, 214 (Palmer); 15 H 199 (Marjorie Richey); CE 1648; but cf. 15 H
415 (Powell); CE 1540, 1541, 1542.
322. CE 1261, 1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526.
323. See 15 H 211 (Palmer); CE 1322, pp. 744-45.
324. See 15 H 211 (Palmer); 15 H 200 (Marjorie Richey); 15 H 410 (Powell); CE
1561, p. 297.
325. 15 H 410-411 (Powell); CE 1561, p. 301.
326. See 15 H 210-211 (Palmer); 15 H 411-412 (Powell); 15 H 199 (Marjorie
Richey); CE 1561, p. 299.
327. Cf. 15 H 412 (Powell) and CE 1501, and 1557 with CE 1550), and CE 15(;1, p.
300.
328. See 13 H 368-369 (Armstrong); 14 H 67-68 (Crafard); 15 H 99-100 (William D.
Crowe, Jr.); 15 H 200-201 (Marjorie Richey); CE 1508, 1530, 1563.
329. See 14 H 456 (Grant); 15 H 219-220 (J. Johnson); CE 1560.
330. See 15 H 518 (Kaufman); CE 1519, 1571, 1572, 1573, 1574, 1575, 1662, 1664,
1665, 1666, 1667, 1668, 1669, 1680, 1686, 1687.
331. See 12 H 184 (August M. Eberhardt); 13 H 309-311 (Armstrong); 14
H 455 (Grant); CE 1735, 1748. 332. CE 1575.
333. See 13 H 310 (Armstrong); 14 H 455 (Grant); CE 1570, 1667, 1668, 1669,
1673.
334. CE 1669.
335. See CE 1574, 1662, 1664, 1665, 1680.
336. See CE 1519, 1574, 1679,
337. See CE 1571, 1572, 1573, 1686, 1687.
338. See CE 1519.
339. See footnote 335 supra; CE 1666. 340. CE 1660, 1661.
341. See CE 1678; cf. 15 H 385 (Abraham Kleinman); CE 1218, 1226.
342. See CE 1713, p. 3; CE 1719, p. 1;
see generally CE 1720. 343. CE 1539.
344. See CE 1720, 1721, 1723, 1724; of. CE 1722, 1725, 1726.
345. See CE 1720, p. 29; CE 1727, pp. 1-4; CE 1728, p. 2.
346. CE 1727, 1728, 1729, 1730,1731.
347. CE 1729, 1730, 1731; el. CE 1715, 1716.
348. CE 1713, p. 3; CE 1714.
349. See CE 1713, pp. 3, 9; CE 1714 pp. 1, 3; CE 1715, pp. 1, 4; CE 1716, pp. 1,
6; CE 1717, pp. 1, 2; CE 1718, pp. 1, 3; CE 1719, pp. 1, 5.
350. CE 1713, pp. 1, 3; CE 1714, p. 1.
351. See generally CE 1729.
352. See CE 1732, 1733.
353. See CE 1727, 1729, 1730, 1731.
Page 877
NOTES TO PAGES 799-804
354. CE 1728, pp. 2, 4. 355. CE 1516. 356. CE 1619.
357. See 15 H 26 (Rubenstein); Alice
Nichols DE 5355, p. 287; CE 1613. 358. CE 1552; see CE 1742.. 359. CE 1531.
360. Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 187; 14 H 391 (Earl Ruby); 15 H 27 (Rubenstein); CE 1478,
p. 4.
361. See Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 187; CE 1555, 1638, 1639, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1694; cf.
CE 1720, p. 19.
362. 5 H 202 (Jack Ruby); C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 15; CE 1688, 1689.
363. CE 1534; cf. CE 1746.
364. 14 H 129-130 (Robert C. Patterson); CE 1503, 1507.
365. 15 H 224 (Edward J. Pullman); see also CE 1507.
366. 13 H 416-417 (Crafard); CE 1535, 1606.
367. See 13 H 386-388 (Bertha Cheek); 14 H 457-458 (Grant); 15 H 230 (Pullman);
15 H 237-238 (Joseph P.
Rossi); CE 1509, 1551, 1617, 1643, 1644. 368. 15 H 24-25 (Rubenstein).
369. Id. at 25; 14 H 390-391 (Earl Ruby).
370. CE 1567, 1695; see 15 H 237 (Rossi).
371. 15 H 224-227 (Pullman); 15 H 413 (Powell).
372. See CE 1528.
373. See CE 1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612.
374. CE 1233, 1654. 375. CE 1518. 376. CE 1510.
377. Ibid.; CE 1233. 378. CE 1233. 379. Ibid.
380. See, e.g., CE 1505; 1537. 1632, 1736. 381. 4 H 167, 191-192 (Jesse Curry).
382. See 4 H 240 (J. W. Fritz); 12
H 193-195 (Eberhardt); 14 H 626 (Harry
N. Olsen); Nancy Powell DE 3; CE 1180, 1224, 1511, pp. 152-153; CE 1512, 1542,
1592, 1615, 1621, 1622, 1632, 1646, 1735, 1743, 1744, 1745, 1748, 1749.
383. See, e.g., CE 1229, 1547, 1549, 1620, 1648, 1736, p. 2; Pullman DE 1.
384. 13 H 324 (Armstrong); see C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 17.
385. 13 H 434 (Crafard); 14 H 213-214 (George Senator); Pullman DE 1; C. Ray
Hall DE 3, p. 17; CE 1502, 1663.
386. See 14 H 213-214. (Senator); 15 H 228 (Pullman); Pullman DE 1; C. Ray Hall
DE 3, p. 17; CE 1505, 1513; CE 1515, p. 551; CE 1632, 1636, 1646; CE 1659, p.
198; CE 1663, 1739, 1741, 1744, 1747, 1749.
387. See CE 1615, 1636, 1684, 1740.
388. See 13 H 193 (Eberhardt); 14 H 485 (Grant).
389. 13 H 193 (Eberhardt); 15 H 447-448 (Hansen); CE 1592, 1646, 1736, 2325.
390. See 14 H 626 (Harry Olsen); 14 H 641-642 (Kay Olsen); but cf. CE 1749.
391. See pp. 792-793 supra. 392. See p. 794 supra.
393. See CE 1505, 1536, 1559, 1742, 1745, 1748, 1750, 1751, 1752, 1758; but see
5 H 201 (Jack Ruby); CE 1697, pp. 2-5. 394. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 16. 395. See p.
802 infra.
396. Alice Nichols DE 5355, p. 289; cf.
14 H 115. 122-123 (Alice Nichols). 397. CE 1693.
398. See CE 1754, 1755; CE 1748, 1752. 399. CE 1506, 1520, 1585, 1618, 1652;
C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 16; cf. CE 1757, 1758. 400. 5 H 103 (J. Edgar Hoover); CE
1353, 1628, 1760.
401. R. C. Patterson DE 5358; CE 1229, 1467, 1514, 1469, 1470; CE 1543, p. 195;
CE 1449, 1748; CE 1511, p. 151; CE 1741, 1473, 1474, 1742, 1223, 1745.
402. See pp. 797, 799 supra.
403. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p, 16; see 5 200 (Jack Ruby).
404. See 5 H 200 (Jack Ruby); CE 1580, 1581, 1582, 1583, 1765; Pullman DE 1; cf.
1543, p. 193.
405. See CE 1576, 1577, 1578, 1579,
1625, 1626, 1627. 406. CE 1584.
407. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 16. 408. CE 1588.
409. CE 1600, 1601. 410. CE 1586.
411. CE 1587, 1588, 1589, 1590, 1591, 1593, 1594, 1595, 1596, 1597, 1598, 1599,
1602, 1603, 1604, 1605.
412. 5 H 200-202 (Jack Ruby); CE 1545, 1690, 1691, 1697.
413. See CE 1546, 1655; CE 1692, pp. 2-5.
414. 5 H 200-201 (Jack Ruby). 415. CE 1697, pp. 1, 4.
416. See 5 H 201-202 (Jack Ruby). 417. CE 1546; CE 1697, pp. 1-2.
418. CE 1440, 1767, 1768, 1769 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775; see also CE
1766; 14 H 114-115 (Alice Nichols); CE 1471.
419. CE 1441.
420. Cf. CE 1444, pp. 8-15. 42.1. C. Ray Hall DE 3, p. 15. 422. CE 1445, 1446,
1447.
423. See p. 792 supra; Sam Ruby DE 1, p. 186.
424. See p. 794 supra.
425. 14 H 462 (Grant); CE 1448, 1648,
1744; CE 1561, p. 302; CE 1585. 426. 14 H 463-464 (Grant). 427. Id. at 465-466.
428. 14 H 391 (Earl Ruby); 14 H 499-500 (Sam Ruby).
429. 14 H 466 (Grant).
430. 14 H 493 494 (Sam Ruby); see 14 H 114 (Alice Nichols): 14 H 371-372 (Earl
Ruby); pp. 791, 793 supra.
431. 14 H 494 (Sam Ruby). 432. See p. 798 supra.
433. 14 H 137 (Paul); 14 H 498 (Sam Ruby).
434. 14 H 498-499 (Sam Ruby).
435. 14 H 371, 373 (Earl Ruby); Earl Ruby DE 4, p. 177; see C. Ray Hall DE 3,
pp. 14-15.
436. 14 H 378, 382-384, 390-391, 417, 426 (Earl Ruby): C. Ray Hall DE 3, pp.
14-15; see 14 H 457 (Grant); 14 H 491 (Sam Ruby).
437. 14 H 383 (Earl Ruby).
438. CE 1185; 14 H 491 (Sam Ruby). 439. CE 1458, 1542, 15.56.
440. 13 H 438-440 (Crafard): CE 1459, 1460, 1453, 1454, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1180,
1464, 1504, 1465, 1663, 1224.
441. CE 1180; 15 H 638 (Lawrence V. Meyers); 14 H 158 (Paul); 15 H 446 (Hansen):
14 H 203 (Senator); 13 H 194 (Eberhardt); 15 H 563 (Roy A. Pryor); 14 H 319
(Armstrong); Powell DE 3; CE 1515, p. 553; CE 1742; CE 1478, p. 86; cf. 13 H
215-216 (Karen Carlin).
442. E.g., CE 1452, 1454, 1457, 1461, 1663.
443. See CE 1454.
444. 14 H 111 (Alice Nichols).
445. 14 H 113-114 (Alice Nichols).
446. 14 H 535 (Jack Ruby); 14 (Alice Nichols); 15 H 516 (Kaufman): see 14 H. 463
(Grant).
447. Alice Nichols DE 5355. p. 289.
448. Cf. 14 H 203-205 (Senator) and Powell DE 3, and Paul DE 5319, p. 473, and
CE 1479, 1480, 1541, with 13 H 215
877
Page 878
NOTES TO PAGES 804--812
(Karen Carlin), and 13 H 318 (Armstrong), and CE 1481, 1482, 1505, 1512, 1739.
449. 14 H 203-205 (Senator); Powell DE 3; Paul DE 5319, p. 473; Wright DE I; CE
1260, 1466, 1487, 1748.
450. 13 H 318 (Armstrong); 14 H 194-195 (Senator); 14 H 125 (Mice Nichols); CE
1449, 1450, 1485, 1542, 1592, 1663, 1740, 1748.
451. CE 2406, p. 650; CE 2411, pp.
621-626; see 14 H 195 (Senator). 452. CE 1451, 1591.
453. CE 1483; see 14 H 152 (Paul); 14 H 503 (Sam Ruby); 14 H 552 (Jack Ruby); 15
H 516 (Kaufman); CE 1484.
454. CE 1483, 1485; see 14 H 152 (Paul); 14 H 205-206 (Senator); 14 H 552 (Jack
Ruby).
455. See 13 H 347 (Armstrong); 13 H 441 (Crafard); 14 H 205 (Senator); CE 1486,
1478, p. 83; CE 1512, 1542, 1740; cf. 14 H 311 (Senator); 15 H 209-210 (Palmer);
but see 15 H 441-442 (Hansen).
456. See 15 H 446 (Hansen); Hansen
DE 1; CE 1478, p. 83; CE 1488, 1542. 457. See ch. VI, pp. 335, 345, 348.
458. See, e.g., 14 H 196 (Senator); CE 1472, 1477, 1489, 1490, 1491, 1492, 1493,
1542, 1738.
459. See CE 1494.
460. See 15 H 240 (Rossi); CE 1449; but see CE 1511, p. 150.
461. See CE 1250, 1483, 1496, 1497,
1498, 1499, 1548, 1671, 2243, 2414. 462. CE 1645, 2243.
463. CE 1497, 1548, 1645, 1671, 1711. 464. CE 1496, 1497, 1499, 1671, 2414. 465.
See p. 796 supra.
466. CE 1488, 1542.
467. CE 2495.
468. CE 1624, p. 2.
469. CE 2342, p. 748.
470. CE 1624.
471. CE 2243.
472. CE 2414.
473. CE 1499, 1671.
474. CE 1671.
475. CE 1499.
476. See 14 H 197-198 Senator);
CE 2492, 2493, 2503.
477. CE 2494.
478. CE 1467.
479. See 14 H 202 (Senator) 14 H 562 (Pryor); CE 1223, 1512, 1515, p. 551; CE
1653, 1624.
480. CE 1502.
481. Cf. Crafard DE 5226, p. 149, and 13 H 444-445 (Crafard) with 15 H 248-249
(Earl Wright), and 1.5 H 412-413 ( Powell ).
482. See 13 H 312, 349 (Armstrong): 14 H 147 (Paul); 14 H 122 (Alice Nichols);
Wright DE 1; CE 1470, 1623, 1624, 2243, 2509.
483. CE 1229; CE 1511, p. 150; CE 2499, 2500, 2505.
484. CE 1491, 1511, 2502. 485. CE 2497.
486. CE 1491, 2491, 1511, p. 150; 14 H 184, 188 (Senator).
487. See generally 15 H 413-414 (Powell). Paul DE 5319, p. 473; CE 1512; 15 H
441 (Hansen).
488. See, e.g., 1469, 1735, 1737, 1738,
1742, 1765, 2498, 2502, 2504, 2506. 489. See p. 782 supra.
490. See 15 H 522 (Kaufman).
APPENDIX
1. 14 H 507 (Jack Ruby). 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid.
4. CE 2785, p. 4 statement of Dr. R, L. Stubblefield, M.D.
5. 14 H 508 (Ruby).
6. 5 H 181-182 (Ruby).
7. Id. at 190, 192-193, 196, 211-212. 8. Id. at 123.
9. See CE 2728, 10. CE 2729. 11. CE 2730. 12. CE 2786.
13. 14 H 507-508 (Ruby). 14. CE 2784.
15. 14 H 504-505 (Ruby). 16. Id. at 512. 17. Id. at 504. 18. Ibid.
19. Id. at 504-506, 510. 20. Id. at 507, 509. 21. Id. at 510.
22. Id. at 506-507, 509, 511. 23. Id. at 509; see id. at 514. 24. Id. at 505,
510. 25. Id. at 505.
26. Id. at 508; 14 H 571 (Dr. William R. Beavers).
27. Id. at 511-512. 28. Id. at 512. 29. Id. at 513. 30. Ibid.
31. Id. at 515.
32. See id. at 517-524; see 14 H 581-582 (Bell P. Herndon).
33. 14 H 523 (Ruby). 34. Ibid.
35. Id. at 526. 36. Ibid.
878
XVII
37. Ibid.
,38. Ibid.
39. Id. at 534.
40. Ibid.
41. Ibid.
42. Id. at 536.
43. Ibid.
44. Ibid.
45. Ibid.
46. Id. at 540.
47. Ibid.
48. Ibid.
49. Ibid.
50. Id. at 546.
51. Id. at 547.
52. Ibid.
53. Ibid.
54. Id. at 551.
55. Ibid.
56. Ibid.
57. Ibid.
58. Id. at 553.
59. Ibid.
60. Ibid.
61. Ibid.
62. Ibid.
63. Id. at 556.
64. Ibid.
65. Ibid.
66. Ibid.
67. Ibid.
68. Id. at 560.
69. Ibid.
70. Ibid.
71. Id. at 560-561.
72. Id. at 561.
73. Ibid.
74. Ibid.
75. Ibid.
Page 879
76, Ibid.
77. Ibid.
78. Ibid.
79. Ibid.
80. Ibid.
81. Ibid.
82. Ibid.
83. Id. at 563.
84. Ibid.
85. Ibid.
86. Ibid.
87. Ibid.
88. Ibid.
89. 14 H 580 (Herndon).
90. Ibid.
91. Ibid.
92. Ibid.; 14 H 520 (Ruby).
93. 14 H. 580 (Herndon).
94. Ibid.; 14 H 520 (Ruby).
95. 14 H 580 (Herndon).
96. Id. at 581; 14 H 520 (Ruby).
97. Ibid.
98. 14 H 581 (Herndon).
99. Ibid.
100. Ibid.
101. Id. at 581-582.
102. Id. at 581.
103. Ibid.
104. Ibid.
105. Ibid.
106. Id. at 583.
NOTES TO PAGES 812-.816
107. Ibid.
108. See id. at 583.
109. Id. at 582-583; see 5 H 520, 523 (Ruby).
110. Id. at 583. 111. Ibid. 112. Ibid.
113. Id. at 590. 114. Ibid.
115. Id. at 593. 116. Id. at 588. 117. Id. at 590. 118. Id. at 591. 119. Id. at
592. 120. Ibid.
121. Id. at 584. 122. Id. at 582. 123. Id. at 585. 124. Ibid.
125. 14 H 572 (Beavers). 126. Id. at 571.
127. 14 H 584 (Herndon). 128. Ibid.
129. 14 H 572 (Beavers). 130. Ibid. 131. Ibid. 132. Ibid.
133. Id. at 573-574 (Beavers). 134. CE 2651.
135. 14 H 504-570 (Ruby). 136. 14 H 579-598 (Herndon).
879
Index
Page 880
A
Abt, John J., 201, 289, 655.
Adams, President John Quincy, 505.
Adams, Victoria Elizabeth, 153-154.
Agafonova, Roza, 692, 696.
Akin, Dr. Gene Colman, 53.
Aksenov, Col. Nicolay, 708.
Alba, Adrian, 726.
Alexander, William F., 334, 808-809.
Alkana, Irving, 794.
Altgens, James W. 112, 115, 147.
American Factfinding Committee, 41,
295, 297, 661.
Anderson, Maj. Eugene D., 189, 191, 194.
Andrews Air Force Base, 4, 42, 59.
Andrews, Dean Adams, Jr., 326.
Apple, Tom, 347.
Applin, George Jefferson, Jr., 178, 654.
Armstrong, Andrew, Jr., 335-337, 345, 348.
Arnett, Charles Oliver, 224.
Aronson, Lev, 722.
Arthur, President Chester A., 508.
Ascue [sic.] (See Azque, Senor Eusebio. )
Azque, Senor Eusebio, 301-302, 310, 734-735.
Aszque. ( See Azque, Senor Eusebio. )
B
Baker, Marrion L., 5, 6, 149, 151-155, 160, 252, 642, 648-649.
Baker, T. L., 215.
Ballen, Samuel B., 718.
Barnett, W. E., 155, 253.
Bashour, Dr. Fouad A., 53-54.
Batchelor, Assistant Chief Charles, 32, 39, 204, 206, 209, 2/3, 215, 231,447.
Bates (Mrs.) Pauline Virginia, 326, 660, 714.
Baxter, Dr. Charles Rufus, 53-54, 56.
Beavers, Dr. William R. 809, 814-815.
Behn, Gerald A., 31, 57.
Belasco, David, 787.
Belasco, Virginia, 787, 789.
Bell (Mrs.) W. H., 674.
Bellocchio, Frank, 347-348.
Belmont, Alan H., 327, 437, 442, 462.
Benavides, Domingo, 7, 166, 171, 651.
Bennett, Glen A., 48, 111.
Bentley, Paul L., 176.
Bethesda Naval Hospital, 59-60, 85-88.
Bledsoe (Mrs.) Mary E., 6, 14, 124, 157-158, 162, 252, 653, 737.
Boerder, Frank, 363.
Bogard, Albert Guy, 320-321.
Bonds, Joe, 794-795, 801, 805.
Bookhout, James W., 200.
Boone, Deputy Sheriff Eugene, 9, 79, 645.
Booth, John Wilkes, 506.
Boswell, Dr. J. Thornton, 86, 88.
Bouck, Robert Inman, 429, 432-433, 458.
Bouhe, George A., 281-282, 400-401, 716-718, 729-723, 742.
Bowers, Lee E. Jr., 72, 76.
Bradshaw, J. E. 811.
Brantley, Ray, 812.
Brennan, Howard Leslie, 5, 63-64, 71, 143-145, 155, 250.
Brewer, Johnny Calvin, 7-8, 176, 178-179, 654.
Brian, V. J., 441.
Bright, H. R., 297.
Bringuier, Carlos, 407-408, 419, 728-789.
Brock, (Mrs.) Mary, 174, 653..
Brooks, Representative Jack, 57-58.
Brown, C. W., 215.
Brown, Oran, 321.
Brown, Tom, 346-347.
Buchanan, President James, 505.
Burkhead, Leola B., 772.
Burkley, Adm. George G., 46, 53, 55.
Burley, William B., III, 295-296.
Butler, Edward, 410.
Butler, Lt. George E., 793.
C
Cabell Hon. Earle, 41, 65.
Cabell, (Mrs.) Earle, 65.
Cadigan, James C., 135-136, 174, 183, 566-567, 569, 577-579.
Call, Richard Dennis, 688.
Callaway, Ted, 7, 168--169, 172, 175, 652.
Calverly, Gloria, 154.
Campbell, O. V., 154, 334-335.
Campos, Pedro Albizu, 513.
Page 881
Carcano, M., 554.
Carlin, Bruce Ray, 349, 359-360.
Carlin, Karen Bennett, 336, 348-350, 353-354, 357, 359-360, 362.
Carlton, Otis R., 674.
Carrico, Dr. Charles James, 53-56, 89, 91.
Carro, John, 379, 381-382.
Carroll, Bob K., 178.
Carroll, Marion, 340, 779.
Carter, B. Tom., 434.
Carter, Clifton C., 46, 52, 57.
Carter, John, 363-364.
Castro, Fidel, 11, 122, 290-291, 299, 304, 307-308, 322, 324-325, 389, 407,
414-415,
436-437, 440, 443, 659, 666, 728-729, 732, 812.
Central Intelligence Agency, 22, 245, 258, 259, 266, 269, 272, 274-275, 279-280,
284, 305, 309-310, 327, 359, 365, 371, 433-434, 438, 456, 459, 461, 463-464,
659-660, 748, 762, 777.
Cermak, Hon. Anton, 512.
Cheek, Bertha, 363.
Church, Lt. Col. George B., Jr., 690.
Church, (Mrs.) George B., Jr., 690.
Clark, Dr. William Kemp, 53-55, 90.
Clark, Max E., 717.
Clark, (Mrs.) Max E., 717, 719.
Claverie, Marguerite. (See Oswald, Marguerite. )
Clements, Manning C., 225.
Cleveland, President Grover, 457, 508-509.
Click, Darryl, 236-237, 654.
Cloy, Capt. Richard C. 668.
Cole, Alwyn, 174, 313, 566-570, 577-578.
Coleman, Kay Helen, 344, 350.
Collazo, Oscar, 513.
Combest, B. H., 216.
Communist Party, 11, 21, 244, 287-289, 293, 302, 304, 345, 367, 376, 384, 393,
398, 410-411, 415, 436-437, 695-696, 699, 703, 722, 729-732, 734, 738, 763, 775,
809-810.
Conforto, Janet Adams, 797.
Connally, Gov. John Bowden, Jr., 1-4, 18-20, 28-29, 41-42, 45, 49-50, 53, 56,
79, 81, 85, 92-93, 96-97, 105-107, 109, 112, 117-118, 129, 188, 195, 243, 387,
434, 462, 580-586, 639-641, 646, 710.
Connally (Mrs.), John Bowden, Jr., 42, 45, 48, 50, 57, 77, 97, 112, 581.
Conway, Hiram P. 675.
Cooke, Leon, 788.
Couch, Malcolm A., 65.
Crafard, Curtis LaVerne, 333-335, 337-338, 345-346, 357, 360, 362, 369, 805.
Craig, Deputy Sheriff, Roger D., 160, 251, 252, 253.
Crawford, James N., 68.
Crissey, Edgar R. 297.
Crowe, William D., Jr., 360.
Croy, Kenneth Hudson, 224.
Crull, Elgin E., 241.
Cuba, 14, 2-3, 243, 288, 301-302, 304, 307, 309, 322-323, 370, 374, 376,
389-390, 400, 406, 411, 413-415, 422, 658-659, 686-687, 689, 727, 730-735, 746,
799, 801, 811-812.
Cunningham, Cortlandt, 171. 547, 561.
Cunningham (Mrs.), Helen P., 718-719.
Curry, Chief Jesse E., 17, 31, 41, 43, 49, 52, 58, 103, 165, 196, 200, 202, 204,
208-210, 212-213, 215, 224-227, 229,
Curry, Chief Jesse E.-- Continued 231, 233-236, 238-239, 241, 342, 346, 441,
801.
Curtis, Dr. Don Teel, 53.
Curtis, Vice President Charles, 514.
Czolgosz, Leon F., 463, 509-510.
D
"D," 308-300.
Dallas Police Department, 4-6, 8, 17, 21, 30-31, 43, 52, 57-58, 64, 71, 76, 79,
122-123, 144, 169, 179-180, 185, 196, 208-209, 224-225, 228- 229, 231, 235-238,
240-241, 245, 249, 337, 340, 342, 344, 347, 359, 372, 446, 448, 565, 647,
649-651, 654, 660-662, 664--665, 657, 798, 800.
Daniels, Napoleon J. 221.
Dann, Sol, 808.
Darnell, James, 65.
Davis (Mrs.) Barbara Jeanette, 7, 167-168, 171, 174-175, 651-652.
Davis, Benjamin J., 410.
Davis (Mrs.) Virginia, 7, 167-168, 171, 651-652.
Day, Lt. J. C., 9, 79, 122-123, 135, 140, 645.
Dean, Sgt. Patrick Trevore, 212, 222, 224.
Decker, Sheriff J. E. ( Bill ), 43, 209, 664-665, 809.
Delgado, Nelson, 385, 389, 687-688.
DeMar, William. (See William D. Crowe, Jr.)
De Mohrenschildt, Alexandra, 313.
De Mohrenschildt, George S., 256, 282-283, 394, 400-401, 418, 717, 729- 722,
724.
881
Page 882
De Mohrenschildt, Jeanne, 282-283, 394, 400-401, 418, 717-718, 721, 724.
Department of Defense, 461, 464, 468.
Department of Justice, 238, 457.
Department of State, 13, 26, 244, 258, 266, 267, 275, 276, 277, 279, 326, 327,
330, 331, 432-434, 436, 438, 456, 459, 748. Department of the Treasury, 454,
457, 460, 464.
Dhority, C. N., 215.
Dickerson, Willis, 796.
Dillon, Hon. C. Douglas, 374, 425, 464, 466, 468.
Dmitrieva, Lyndmila, 692.
Dobbs, Farrell, 289.
Donovan, John E., 385, 389, 685-687.
Dougherty, Jack Edwin, 133, 153.
Dowe, Kenneth Lawry, 346.
Downey, (Mrs.) William, 371.
Downey, William, 372.
Drittal, D. F. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey. )
Duff, William McEwan, 368.
Dulany, Dr. Richard B., 56.
Duncan, William Glenn, Jr., 343.
Duran, Senora Silvia Tirado de, 288-289, 301-302, 304-305, 309-310, 734-735.
Dymitruk, Lydia, 721.
Dziemian, Dr. Arthur J. 109, 580, 534.
E
Eberhardt, Augustus M., 342.
Edwards, Robert Edwin, 145-146.
Eisenhower, President Dwight D. 384.
Ekdahl, Edwin A., 9, 10, 377-378, 671-673.
Epstein, Harry, 788.
Epstein, Ruby, 788.
Epstein, Willie, 794.
Euins, Amos Lee, 64, 147, 155.
Evans, Lt. J. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey. )
Evans, (Mrs.) Myrtle, 672-673, 680, 726.
Evans, Sidney, Jr., 353.
Executive Order No. 11130, 501-502.
F
Fain, John W., 326, 434.
Fair Play for Cuba Committee, 19, 21-22, 122, 244, 287-292, 301-392, 312- 313,
315, 326, 331, 342-344, 390, 402, 404,
406-408, 410-413, 419, 435-436, 441-442, 567, 578, 661, 728-732, 734, 739, 744.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 13-14, 16, 22, 24, 26, 30, 60, 76, 8l, 84-- 85,
96-97, 105, 118-119, 121, 123, 125, 131, 134-135,
140, 168-170, 172, 179, 185-186, 193, 199-200, 209, 224, 232, 235, 238, 244-245,
249, 251, 262, 284, 285-287, 289, 292,
309, 315-318, 320, 325-328, 344, 350, 358-359, 362, 364-365, 367-368, 407,
419-420, 429, 431, 433 444, 455-459,
461-464, 466, 514, 547, 555, 561, 565-566, 588, 591, 644, 646, 652, 659-662,
667, 715-716, 732, 739, 748, 762, 775, 777,
779, 807-808, 811.
Felde, Allan R., 682.
Ferraro, Frank, 796.
Finck, Lt. Col. Pierre A., 86, 88.
Fischer, Ronald B. 145-146.
Fisher, Deputy Chief N. T., 32, 206.
Fitgerald ( or Fitzsimmons ), Virginia, 787.
Folsom, Lt. Col. Allison G., Jr., 191.
Ford, Declan P., 722.
Ford, Katherine N. 282, 394, 417, 722.
Foster, J. W., 71-72, 76, 116, 640.
Fowler, Clayton, 808-809, 812.
Frazier Buell Wesley, 15, 129, 131,133-134, 137, 147, 181, 247, 332, 421, 738,
740.
Frazier, Robert A., 77, 84-85, 92, 105-106, 171, 185-186, 189, 193-194, 547-553.
Frazier, Capt. W. B., 229.
Fritz, Capt. J. Will, 8, 9, 16, 79, 122, 155, 160, 162, 179-182, 198-201, 208-
210, 215-216, 229-230, 232, 234, 239, 241, 346, 645.
G
Gadash, Clyde, 344-345.
Garfield, President James A., 425, 507, 509.
Garner, Darrell Wayne, 663.
Garrett, Richard W., 675.
German, Ella, 699, 704.
Gibson, John, 179, 654.
Giesecke, Dr. Adolph H. Jr., 53-54.
Gimpel, Martin, 788, 794.
Givens, Charles Douglas, 141, 142, 250, 644.
Clover, Everett D. 722.
Goldberg, A. I., 694.
Golovachev, Pavel, 698.
Gonzalez, Representative Henry B., 57.
Graef, John G., 719.
Grant, David B., 445.
Grant, Eva, 334-336, 338, 348-350, 352, 663, 779, 785-787, 792-794, 802- 803,
808.
Granovsky, Frank, 786.
Page 883
Grant, Frank. (See Granovsky, Frank. )
Graves, L. C., 167, 216.
Greener, Charles W., 315-316, 646.
Greer, William R., 2, 4, 45, 49-50, 53, 641.
Gregory, Dr. Charles F. 56, 93, 95, 581, 583.
Gregory, Paul Roderick, 281, 330, 707, 715-716, 721, 742.
Gregory, Peter Paul, 400, 714, 716.
Grinnan, Joseph P., 296-297.
Gruber, Alex, 337-338.
Guinyard, Sam, 168-169, 175, 652.
Guiteau, Charles J. 463, 507-508.
Guthrie, Steve, 793.
H
Hall, Elena A., 281, 329, 717-720.
Hall, Gus, 410.
Hallmark, Garnett Claud, 346-347.
Hamblen, C. A., 332-333, 665.
Hamlin, Cecil, 338.
Harkness, D. V., 64, 155.
Harrison, William J. 224.
Hartogs, Dr. Renatus, 379-381, 677.
Hawkins, Ray, 176, 178.
Haygood, Clyde A., 76, 640.
Helmick, Wanda Yvonne. ( See Sweat, Wanda. )
Helms, Richard M., 327.
Herbert, Arthur, 383.
Herndon, Bill P. 809, 815.
Hickey, George W., Jr., 51.
Hidell, A. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey. )
Hidell, Alek J. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey. )
Hidell, Alek James. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey. )
Hill, Clinton J., 3-4, 48, 50-51, 53, 57, 112, 453.
Hill, Gerald Lynn, 116, 179.
Hill, Jean Lollis, 640.
"Historic Diary," 258, 259, 262, 265, 267, 269, 392-394, 750.
Hitler, Adolph, 406, 722, 724.
Hoar, Senator George F. 455.
Holland, S. M. 72, 76.
Holman, E. L., 809.
Holmes, Harry D. 121, 181, 201, 312.
Hoover, President Herbert, 512, 514, 668.
Hoover, Hon. J. Edgar, 225, 235-236, 327-328, 374, 428, 433, 442, 456, 458, 462,
514.
Horn, John T., 161.
Hornig, Donald F., 468.
Hosty, James P., Jr., 327-328, 419-420, 435, 437-444, 660-661, 739.
Howlett, John Joe, 152.
Hoy, David, 361.
Huber, Father Oscar L. 55.
Hudson, Emmett J., 116.
Hughes, Robert J. E., 644.
Hughes, Judge Sarah T. 4, 59.
Humes, Dr. James J., 86, 89.
Hunt, H. L., 367.
Hunt, Lamar, 368.
Hunt, Dr. Jackie H., 53.
Hunt, Nelson Bunker, 297.
Hunter, Gertrude, 317-318.
Hutchison, Leonard Edwin, 331-332.
Hutson, Thomas Alexander, 177.
J
Jackson, President Andrew, 505.
Jackson, Robert Hill, 64-65.
"Jada." (See Conforto, Janet Adams. )
Jarman, James, Jr., 68, 79-71, 144--145, 153, 182, 250.
Jefferson, President Thomas, 427, 564.
Jenkins, Dr. Marion T. 53-54.
John Birch Society, 296-297, 369, 738.
Johnson, Arnold Samuel, 288-289, 293, 410-412, 415-416, 738.
Johnson (Mrs.) Arthur Carl, 130, 163, 643, 653, 737.
Johnson, President Lyndon B., 1, 4, 28, 40, 43, 46, 51-53, 56-58, 188, 202, 453.
Johnson (Mrs.) Lyndon B., 43, 46, 52, 56-59.
Johnson, Priscilla Mary Post, 259, 263, 265-266, 696, 749-750.
Johnston, David L., 198, 200-201, 342, 655.
Joint Resolution 137, 501-502.
Jones, Capt. O. A., 213, 229- 230.
Jones, Milton, 157.
Jones, Paul Roland, 792-794, 801.
Jones, Dr. Ronald C. 53, 54.
K
Kaack, Milton R., 437.
Kaiser, Frankie, 143.
Kaminsky, Eileen, 337, 779.
Kantor, Seth, 335-336.
Kaufman, Stanley M. 347.
Kellerman, Roy H., 2, 3, 4, 29, 45, 49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 446, 449, 452.
Kennedy, President John F. 1-5, 15- 23, 25, 28-29, 32, 39-43, 45, 48-50,
883
Page 884
Kennedy, President John F.--Con.
53--61, 68-69, 79, 81, 85-87, 89, 90-91, 96-98, 105-107, 109-111, 115-118, 129,
173, 179-180, 182-183, 186, 188-190, 194-196, 198, 200-201, 228, 233, 236,
239-240, 242-248, 250, 254, 255, 284-285, 287, 292, 296-298, 304, 309, 316, 321,
322, 325, 333, 335-336, 338, 342, 344-346, 348-352, 354, 364, 366, 368, 370,
373-377, 387, 414-415, 422, 424-429, 431-433, 440, 443, 445, 447-450, 452-456,
459-460, 466, 580-582, 584-586, 637, 639-642, 644-646, 652, 655, 658, 663, 665,
667-668, 722, 739, 804.
Kennedy, (Mrs.) John F., 1-4, 40, 42, 43, 45, 49-51, 57-59, 116, 344, 349, 354,
372, 452-453, 812.
Kennedy, Hon. Robert F., 59, 374, 662.
Khrushchev, Nikita, 255, 722.
Kiev, 276.
Kilduff, Malcolm, 57, 335.
Killom, Wanda Joyce, 363-3,64.
Killion Charles L., 171.
King, Capt. Glen D., 205, 224, 226, 228, 231, 239, 241.
Klause, Robert G., 298-299.
Klein's Sporting Goods Co., 118-119, 127, 566, 569, 723.
Kleinlerer. Alexander, 717, 719-720.
Kloepfer, Ruth, 726.
Knapp, David, 161.
Knight, Russell. (See Moore, Russell Lee. )
Komsomol, 280, 761, 767.
Korengold, R. J., 694.
Kostikov, Valeriy Vladimirovich, 285, 309, 734.
Krystinik, Raymond Franklin, 739.
Kuznetsova, Roza, 697- 698.
L
Lamon, Ward H., 506.
Lane, Mark R., 297-298, 368.
Larkin, James, 347.
Latona, Sebastian F., 123, 135, 140, 249, 563, 566.
Lawrence, Capt. Perdue W., 448-449
Lawrence, Richard, 505.
Lawson, Winston G., 29, 30, 31, 32, 39, 43, 53, 57, 72, 202, 204, 431, 445- 449,
452.
Leavelle, James R. 215-216, 230.
Lee, H. O. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey.)
Lee, O. H. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey. )
Lee, Vincent T., 291, 407-408, 729.
Lewis, L. J. 169.
Light, Dr. Frederick W., Jr., 109, 580, 581, 585.
Lincoln, President Abraham, 425, 504-506, 508-510, 637.
"Little Lynn." (See Carlin, Karen Bennett. )
Livingston (Mrs.) Clyde I., 675.
Lodge, Senator Henry Cabot, 510.
Lord, Billy Joe, 690.
Louis, Joe, 789.
Louisiana Department of Labor, 404, 725.
Louisiana State Unemployment Commission, 292, 309. Love Field, 1-2, 4, 24,
30-31, 39-40, 42-43, 46, 58,
202, 245, 422, 445, 447, 450, 452, 665, 714.
Lovelady, Billy Nolan, 147, 153-154, 644.
Lucy, Forest L., 566.
Lujan, Daniel Gutierrez, 161.
M
McBride, Palmer, 384.
McChann, Rev. Walter J., 324.
McClelland, Dr. Robert N. 53-54, 56.
McCone, Hon. John Alex, 327, 374, 433.
McCurdy, Danny Patrick, 343.
McDonald, M. N. 8, 176, 178- 179, 560.
McFarland, John Bryan, 323, 732.
McKinley, President William, 425, 455, 457, 504, 509-511.
McKnight, Felix, 201.
McMillon, Thomas Donald, 213.
McNamara, Hon. Robert S., 374.
McVickar, John A., 693, 706, 747, 761.
McWatters, Cecil J., 157, 159, 252.
McWillie, Louis J., 370, 801-802, 812.
MacDonald, Betty, 663.
Magia, Hyman, 786.
Mallory, Katherine, 702.
Mamantov, Ilya A. 282.
Mancuso, Dr. Bruno F., 670.
Mandella, Arthur, 123, 135, 141, 563.
Marine Corps, 11, 12, 180, 189-192, 194, 244, 256-258, 262, 322, 326, 376-378,
383-386, 388, 390-391, 393, 395, 397, 402, 422, 434, 440, 569, 571, 645, 656,
660, 672, 675, 678, 689-682, 685, 689-690, 693, 696, 706, 710, 714, 716, 727,
731-732, 746, 748, 763, 766, 775.
Markham, Helen Louise, 7, 166-167, 169, 174-175, 651-652, 667.
Markham, James Alfred, 667.
Markham, William Edward, 667.
Martello, Francis L. 417.
Martin, James Herbert, 187, 372.
Martin, John, 788.
Page 885
Matthews, R. D., 369.
Maxey, Billy Joe, 215.
Maxwell, Alexander W., 772.
Medvedev, Aleksandr, 702.
Meller, Anna N., 281, 716-718, 720.
Mexico, 246, 285, 288, 299, 301-302, 304--305, 307-310, 324, 331, 362, 372, 413,
416, 419, 422, 438, 441, 443, 639, 658-659, 666, 730, 732- 733, 736, 739, 777,
811.
Meyers, Lawrence V., 334-335, 349, 358.
Michaelis, Heinz W., 172.
Miller, Austin L., 76.
Minsk, 12, 257-258, 267, 269, 272, 274--275, 277-278, 280, 393-394, 402,
656-657, 711, 713, 752, 755, 758, 760, 764, 766. Mitchell, Mary Ann, 68.
Molina, Joe R., 237-238.
Montgomery, L. D. 216.
Mooney, Deputy Sheriff Luke, 8, 79.
Moore, Henry M. 180.
Moore, Russell Lee, 343, 344, 349.
Mosby, Aline, 256, 259, 265, 656, 694-696.
Muchmore, Mary, 97, 109-110.
Murphy, Joe E. 71-72.
Murphy, Paul Edward, 683.
Murphy, Thomas J., 76.
Murret, Charles, 331, 728.
Murret, Eugene, 728.
Murret, Lillian, 313, 378, 383, 669-671, 675, 679-680, 690, 725-726.
N
National Naval Medical Center, 4, 59.
National Security Agency, 244.
Navarro, Horacio Duran, 304.
Nelson, "Little Daddy," 799, 802.
Newnam, John, 334-336.
Nichilayeva, Marina. (See Oswald, Marina. )
Nichols, Alice R., 337-338, 787, 801, 803-804.
Nichols, H. Louis, 201, 655.
Nicol, Joseph D., 84-85, 171, 186, 547, 562.
Nix, Orville O., 97, 109-110.
Nixon, Richard M. 187-188.
Norman, Earl, 805.
Norman, Harold, 68, 70-71, 144-145, 153, 250.
Norton, Robert L. 352.
O
O'Brien, Lawrence F., 59. Odio, Sylvia, 321-324.
O'Donnell, Kenneth, 2, 31, 42, 45, 48, 49, 57-59, 427.
Odum, Bardwell D., 364--365, 667.
Office of Naval Intelligence, 433-434.
Office of Science and Technology, 464.
O'Grady, Thomas J., 348.
Okui, Yaeko, 722.
Olivier, Dr. Alfred G., 87, 109, 580-581, 584-586.
Olsen, Harry N., 343-344, 350.
Olsen, (Mrs.) Harry N. 344.
Osborne. (See Oswald, Lee Harvey.)
Osborne, Albert, 305, 733.
Osborne, Dr. William, 56.
Oswald, Lee Harvey, 6, 9-17, 19-22, 24, 30, 118-119, 121-125, 127-131, 133-137,
140-141, 143-147, 149, 151-157, 159-163, 165-169, 171- 172, 174-176, 178-196,
198-202, 204, 206, 208-210, 212-213, 215- 216, 219, 221-222, 224-231, 233-250,
252-254, 256-260, 262, 265- 267, 269, 272, 274-293, 295, 297, 299, 301-302,
304-305, 307-310, 312-334, 342-345, 347, 350, 353-354, 357-365, 367-424, 428,
433- 444, 456, 458, 462-463, 558-560, 562, 565-567, 569-572, 575-579, 590), 592,
596, 637-639, 642-701, 703-713, 716, 719, 720, 722, 724- 728, 731-734, 736,
739-740, 746, 748-751, 753-766, 768-779, 794,
807, 809-811.
Oswald, Marina, 13-15, 122, 124, 127-131, 154, 175, 180-181, 184-188, 198, 235,
238, 246-248, 257, 260, 267, 269, 272, 274-234, 287, 292, 301-302, 309-310, 312,
317-318, 322-323, 328-332, 364, 376, 387, 394-395, 401-402, 404-407, 411-424,
435, 437-440, 567, 571, 578, 592, 643, 645, 647, 653, 657-658, 660-603, 665,
667, 697, 700, 702- 709, 711-712, 714-730, 734-740, 746, 753, 757-758, 761-769,
773.
Oswald, Hazel, 725.
Oswald, June Lee, 711, 714, 721, 724, 725, 726, 730, 737.
Oswald, Marguerite Claverie, 9, 10, 256, 275, 326-327, 329-330, 364--365,
377-381, 384, 401-402, 434, 667, 669-681, 688-689, 694, 697, 711, 741, 766.
Oswald, Rachel, 317, 738-739.
Oswald, Robert Edward Lee, 9, 13, 187, 199, 265, 274, 281, 329-331, 377- 378,
384, 390-392, 401, 434, 669-671, 678, 680, 690, 694, 697, 705- 706, 711-715,
721, 741-742, 763, 773.
Oswald, Robert Edward Lee (deceased ), 669-670.
Oswald, William Stout, 725.
885
Page 886
P
Paine, Michael R., 128, 284, 286-287, 293, 414, 419, 722, 738-740.
Paine, Ruth, 13-15, 125, 128131, 137, 181, 183-184, 199, 201, 246-248, 284-287,
309, 317-319, 322-323, 327, 329, 330-332, 360-361, 364, 403, 413, 416-417, 419,
421-422, 438-439, 442, 577, 586, 592, 643, 654-655, 660-661, 664-666, 722-723,
725-730, 734-740.
Panitz, Meyer, 802.
Pappas, Icarus M., 342.
Parker, Dr. John, 56.
Parker, John F., 506.
Parkland Memorial Hospital, 4, 17, 18, 28, 52-53, 55-58, 60-61, 77, 79, 85,
88-90, 92, 95-96, 107, 110, 155, 199, 202, 336-337, 581, 583, 638, 641-642, 667,
738, 812.
Patman, Dr. Ralph Don, 56.
Patterson, B. M. (Pat), 169, 174, 652.
Patterson, Robert K., 360.
Paul, Ralph, 334-336, 337-338, 350, 352, 358-359, 365, 373, 794-795, 803.
Pena, Orest, 325.
Perry, Dr. Malcolm O., 53-54, 89-91.
Peterman, Viola, 670.
Peters, Dr. Paul C., 53-54.
Peterson, Arnold, 290.
Peterson, Joe, 796.
Petrulli, Nicholas, 748-749.
Phillips, Byron K., 711.
Pic, Edward John, Jr., 669, 676.
Pic, John Edward, 9, 10, 377-379, 382, 384, 669-672, 674-677, 721.
Pic, Mrs. John Edward, 379.
Pierce, Rio S., 215-216, 219, 221, 224, 810.
Piper, Eddie, 153.
Pitts, Elnora, 353-354.
Pizzo, Frank, 321.
Poe, J. M., 166, 174.
Police and Courts Building, 196, 210, 212, 222, 226, 231, 241, 340, 347, 352,
357.
Pool, Representative Joe, 40.
Post Office Department, 119.
Postal (Mrs.) Julia, 8, 176, 654.
Powell, Nancy M. 348.
Powers, Daniel, 385-386, 682, 684.
Powers, David F. 42, 45, 49, 51, 59.
Price, Malcolm H., Jr., 318-319.
Prossa. (See Oswald, Marina. )
Protective Research Section, 23, 29-30, 429-433, 440, 461, 465, 513.
Prusakov, Ilya, 657.
Prusakova, Marina Nikolaevna. (SeeOswald, Marina. )
Pryor, Roy A., 344.
Prusakova, Klavdiya, 702. Putnam, James A., 215.
Q
Quigley, John L., 327, 436-437, 439.
Quinn, Rosaleen, 685.
R
Raiken, Spas T., 713.
Randle, Linnie Mac, 130-131, 133-134, 181, 247, 421, 738.
Randolph, Robert B. 565.
Raven, Gall, 802.
Ray, (Mrs.) Frank, 721.
Ready, John D., 48, 51.
Red Cross, 183, 269, 272.
Reeley, Richmond C., 772.
Reeves, Huey, 349-351.
Reid, Mrs. Robert A., 154-155, 252.
Reilly, Frank E., 76.
Revill, Lt. Jack, 441.
Reynolds, Warren Allen, 169, 173-174, 652, 663.
Richey, Warren E. 352-353.
Roach, (Mrs.) Thomas, 670- 671.
Roberts, (Mrs.) Earlene, 6, 163, 175, 252, 363, 653.
Roberts, Emory P. 51.
Roberts, Representative Ray, 65.
Robertson, Dr. Raymond E., 782.
Robinson, Roscoe, 795.
Rocco, Eddie, 361.
Rodriguez, Evaristo, 324.
Roosevelt, President Franklin D., 32, 366, 425, 427, 446, 455, 512-513, 789,
791.
Roosevelt, President Theodore, 425, 510-512, 514.
Rose, Guy F., 131, 180.
Ross, Barney, 785, 789.
Roussel, Henry J., Jr., 685.
Rowland, Arnold Louis, 250-252.
Rowland, Mrs. Barbara, 251.
Rowley, James J., 374, 450-451, 462, 466.
Rubenstein, Fannie, 780-781, 783-784.
Rubenstein, Harry, 791.
Rubenstein, Hyman, 340, 366, 779-780, 783-786, 789-792, 799.
Rubenstein, Jacob. (See Ruby, Jack. )
Rubenstein, Joseph, 779-784.
Ruby, Earl, 365, 370, 799-780, 782, 784, 791,793, 795, 803.
Ruby, Jack, 17, 21-22, 196, 206, 208, 216, 219, 221-222, 224, 227, 230, 243-244,
287, 297-299, 326, 333, 335, 337-338, 340, 342-350, 352-354, 357-374, 637-638,
650, 661-663, 779-816.
Ruby, Sam, 779, 782, 790-791, 793, 795, 803.
Page 887
Rusk, Hon. Dean, 255-256, 309, 374, 456.
Russell, Harold, 169, 653.
Rutkowski, Fannie Turek, 780.
Rutledge, John, 340.
Ryder, Dial D., 315-316, 646.
S
Saffran, Don, 337-338.
Sawyer, Inspector J. Herbert, 8, 76, 155, 253.
Schmidt, Larrie H., 295-297.
Schmidt, Volkmar, 722.
Schrand, Martin D., 664.
Schrank, John N., 463, 511.
Scoggins, Williams W., 7, 165-166, 169, 175, 651.
Secret Service, 2, 16, 23-26, 28, 30, 32, 39, 43, 45, 52, 57, 71, 96-97, 116,
179, 199, 245, 247, 316, 326, 374, 425, 427-433, 440-444, 446-461, 468, 508-515,
664, 667.
Seidband, Sidney, 801.
Senator, George, 344-346, 352-354, 371-372, 810.
Setyayev, Lev, 691.
Shaneyfelt, Lyndal L., 98, 125-126, 592-593, 595-597.
Shanklin, J. Gordon, 440, 647.
Shargol, Martin, 788.
Shaw, Dr. Robert Roeder, 56, 92-93, 581, 583.
Shelley, William H. 147, 153-154, 182.
Shires, Dr. George T., 56.
Shirokova, Rima, 259, 667, 690-693, 696-697.
Siegel, Evelyn G. S. 379-382.
Silverman, Rabbi Hillel, 340, 804.
Simmons, Ronald, 189, 194.
Simmons, William F. 364.
Skelton, Royce G., 76, 116.
Slack, Garland Glenwill, 318-320.
Slatin, Joe, 795.
Slaughter, Malcolm R., 353.
Smith, John Allison, 352-353.
Smith, William Arthur, 168, 175.
Snyder, Richard Edward, 262, 265, 277-278, 392, 693-695, 701, 705-706, 747-748,
754--758.
Sokolow, Irving, 381.
Sorrels, Forrest V., 29, 31-32, 39, 43, 52, 155, 204, 206, 210, 446, 448, 452.
Soviet Union, 11-13, 21, 23, 128, 192, 243-244, 254-259, 262, 265-267, 269, 272,
274-279, 285, 287, 289, 299, 301, 307, 309-310, 312, 326, 329-330, 374, 376-377,
387-388, 390-395, 397-399, 401-492, 408, 410, 412-414, 417, 420, 422, 434,
436-437, 442, 639, 655--657,
Soviet Union--Continued
650, 662, 696, 693-695, 698-699, 706, 709, 711, 714, 716, 727, 731, 747- 751,
753, 755-757, 759-761, 764-766, 768-
769, 771, 776, 778.
Stevenson, Hon. Adlai, 30, 41, 292, 295, 415-416, 433.
Stevenson, Deputy Chief M. W., 208-210, 213.
Stombaugh, Paul M. 124-125, 128, 136, 586, 588, 590-591.
Stovall, Richard S. 180.
Stovall, Robert L., 246.
Stuckey, William Kirk, 390, 408, 437, 729.
Studebaker, Robert Lee, 566.
Surrey, Robert Alan, 298-299.
Sweatt, Allan L., 809.
T
Tabon, Don, 805.
Taft, President William Howard, 426, 511.
Tague, James Thomas, 116.
Talbert, Capt. Cecil E., 210, 212-213, 230.
Tanay, Dr. Emanuel, 808-809.
Taylor, Alexander, 717.
Taylor, Gary E., 717-718.
Taylor, Robert Adrian, 318.
Texas Employment Commission, 246-247, 281, 308, 332, 400, 402--403, 715, 724.
Texas School Book Depository--3-6, 8-9, 14-16, 18-19, 21, 25, 32, 48, 52, 61,
63-65, 68, 71-72, 76, 79, 81,
85, 87, 95-98, 112, 115, 117-118, 122, 125, 128, 129-130, 133, 135-137, 140,
144, 146-147, 149, 153-155, 157, 159-160, 175, 179, 182, 185, 189- 190, 192,
195, 198, 233-235, 237-238, 245-248, 250-253, 285, 318, 335, 360, 370, 378, 404,
421-422, 438, 441, 443, 448-449, 458, 551, 553, 555, 557, 565-567, 579-580, 583,
588, 638-640, 642-649, 661, 664, 738.
Texas Theatre, 8, 9, 124, 159, 176, 198, 200, 206, 234, 423, 654.
Thomas, Representative Albert, 1, 42, 57-58.
Thornberry, Hon. Homer, 57-58.
Thornley, Kerry Wendell, 385-386, 388-389, 686.
Tippit J. D., 6-8, 16, 20, 22, 118, 144, 156, 165-168, 173-176, 179-180, 195
198, 200-201, 240, 252, 254, 297, 330, 368-370 376, 423, 639, 648-653, 655,
661-663, 667, 812.
Titovyets, Erik, 702, 708.
Tobias, (Mrs.) M. F., 435.
887
Page 888
Tomlinson, Darrell, C., 81.
Tonahill, Joe H., 807-808.
Tormey, James J., 289.
Torresola, Griselio, 513.
Tower, Senator John G., 769-770.
Trade Mart, 1-3, 24, 30-32, 39-40, 46, 53, 58, 245, 247, 422, 445, 447, 450,
729.
Trammel, Connie, 368.
Treasury Department, 119, 121, 314, 328, 433.
Truly, Roy S., 5, 6, 9, .149, 151-156, 247-248, 252, 648, 664, 738.
Truman, President Harry S., 425, 513.
Turman, Buddy, 805.
Turner, F. M., 221.
Twiford, Horace Elroy, 289, 731-732.
Tyler, President John, 505.
U
Underwood, James R., 64-65.
V
Van Buren, President Martin, 505.
Vaughn, Roy Eugene, 215, 221-222.
Vinson, Philip Eugene, 674.
Voebel, Edward, 383, 679.
Volpert, Ann, 338.
W
Wade, Henry, 201, 205, 208, 234-237, 342-343 346-347, 441, 654.
Waldman, William J., 119.
Walker, C. T., 176.
Walker, Maj. Gen. Edwin A., 13, 15, 20, 23, 118, 128, 182-187, 195, 282- 283,
286, 288, 298-299, 368, 376-377, 404-406, 416, 442-443, 562, 567, 592, 596,
661-663, 738.
Walker, Ira N. Jr., 352-353.
Wall, Breck, 350, 352, 358-359, 796.
Walthers, Eddy Raymond, 116, 178, 641.
Washington, President George, 426-427.
Waterman, Bernice L., 758.
Watherwax, Arthur Willliam, 344-345.
Weinstein, Abe, 349, 352, 358.
Weinstein, Barney, 349, 350, 359.
Weissman, Bernard, 293-299, 335, 344, 347, 357, 368-369, 661, 663.
Weitzman, Seymour, 79, 81, 645.
Westbrook, Capt. W. R., 175.
Weston, Wally, 797.
Whaley, William Wayne, 169-162, 252, 649-650.
White, J. C., 71, 640.
White House, 1-2, 29-31, 40, 42, 57, 59-60, 90, 245, 429, 431, 445-446, 459-452,
457, 460, 466-467, 505-506, 508-509, 510, 512-515.
Whitworth, Edith, 316.
Wiedersheim, Frederick J., 773.
Wiggins, Lt. Woodrow, 230.
Williams, Bonnie Ray, 68, 79-71, 153,
Willis, Billy Joe, 361.
Willis, Phillip L., 112.
Wilson, President Woodrow, 512, 514.
Wittmus, Ronald G., 123, 135, 141.
Wood, Dr. Homer, 318-319.
Wood, Sterling Charles, 319-320.
Worrell, James Richard, Jr., 253.
Wright, James C., Jr., 750.
Wulf, William E., 384.
Y
Yarborough, Senator Ralph W., 2, 42, 46, 52.
Yatskov, Antonovich, 734.
Young, Arthur, 286.
Young, Ruth Forbes, 286.
Youngblood, Rufus W., 3, 46, 48, 51-52, 57-58, 453.
Z
Zahn, James A., 189-191, 194.
Zangara, Guiseppe, 463.
Zapruder, Abraham, 49, 63, 97-98, 105, 109-110, 112, 115, 453.
Ziger, Alexander, 697, 709.
Zoppi, Tony, 334.
888
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