[Put on JFK Place by David Reitzes December 1, 1998 ]
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INVESTIGATION OF ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY NOVEMBER 22,1963
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
JOHN EDGAR HOOVER, DIRECTOR
PREFACE
Part I briefly relates the assassination of the President and the
identification of Oswald as his slayer.
Part II sets forth the evidence conclusively showing
that Oswald did assassinate the President.
Part Ill is in two sections. The first
sets forth what the FBI knew about Oswald prior to the assassination; and the
second section sets forth the results of our investigation of Oswald's
back-ground, activities, associates, et cetera, subsequent to the assassination.
Three sets of exhibits accompany this
report. The first sets out evidence tying in Oswald with the assassination of
the President; the other two set out documents relative to Oswald's contacts
with the Soviets, the Communist Party, et cetera.
We are continuing to receive leads
concerning Oswald and, consequently, at the conclusion of the report, it is
stated this investigation will continue in order to resolve them.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. THE ASSASSINATION
A. Assassin in Building
B. Patrolman Tippit Killed
II. THE EVIDENCE
A. Events Prior to the Assassination
B. Events Following the Assassination
Oswald's Movements
Identified on Bus
In a
Taxicab
Arrival
at Room
Oswald's Murder of Patrolman Tippit
Eyewitnesses to Tippit's Killing
C. Oswald's Apprehension
Gun
Misfired
Revolver Traced to Oswald
D. Interview of Assassin
E. The Assassination Weapon
Rifle
Ordered by Oswald
Tests
of Rifle
Textile
Examination
Cartridges Fired in Oswald's Rifle
Palm
Print on Rifle
F. Other Evidence
Cardboard Cartons
Paraffin
Test
Photograph
Map in
Oswald's Effects
G. Prior Similar Act
III LEE HARVEY OSWALD
A. Before Assassination of President
Kennedy
Biographical Data
Military
Service
Defection to USSR
1. Preparation for Trip
2. Saved Money in Marine Corps
3. Affirmed Allegiance to USSR
4. Disillusioned with Life in U. S.
5. Offered To Disclose Military Information
6. Accepted as Resident Alien
Return
to the U.S.
1. Denied Any Allegiance to USSR
2. Passport Renewed
3. Letter to Secretary of Navy
4. Letter to Marine Corps
5. Repatriation Loan
6. Arrival in U.S.
FBI
Investigation Instituted
1. First interview with Oswald
2. Reinterview by FBI
Related
Subversive Activities
1. Communist Party, USA
2. Fair Play for Cuba Committee
Oswald
Again Interviewed
Activities of One A. S. Hidell
Publicly
Avowed Marxist
Oswald's Return to Texas
B. After Assassination of President
Kennedy
Early
Years
1. Elementary School Period
2. Junior High School Period
a.
Psychiatric Analysis in New York
b.
Return to New Orleans
3. High School Period
Military
Duty
Trip
to the Soviet Union
Oswald's Suicide Attempt
Life
in the Soviet Union
Oswald's Version of Soviet Payments
Oswald's Proposed Book
Views
on Communism
Additional Writings
Questions and Answers
Views
on Interviews
Financial Picture of Trip
Employment in Fort Worth
Move
to Dallas
1. Contact with Communist Party
2. Contact with Socialist Workers Party
3. Employment and Domestic Difficulties
Move
to New Orleans
Role
in Fair Play for Cuba Committee
Continued Contacts with Communist Party
Mrs.
Oswald's Move to Texas
Obtained Passport
Trip
to Mexico
Soviet
Consular File
Arrival
in Dallas
Oswald's Income
Personal Resume
Observations of Marina Oswald
I. THE ASSASSINATION
President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, at approximately 12:29 p.m. (CST) on November 22, 1963. At the time, the President was en route from Love Field to the Trade Mart in Dallas to address a luncheon sponsored by several civic groups. Among those in the motorcade with the President were his wife, Vice President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, and Texas Governor John B. Connally and his wife.
A. Assassin in Building
As the motorcade was traveling through downtown Dallas on Elm Street
about fifty yards west of the intersection with Houston Street, three shots rang
out. Two bullets struck President Kennedy, and one wounded Governor Connally.
The President, who slumped forward in the car, was rushed to Parkland Memorial
Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m.
Eyewitnesses at the scene of the shooting
saw an individual holding a rifle in a sixth-floor window of the Texas School
Book Depository Building located on the corner of Houston and Elm Streets. One
individual stated that after he heard what he believed to be a second shot, he
looked up, and saw this man take deliberate aim with a rifle and fire in the
direction of the Presidential motorcade as it passed.
B. Patrolman Tippit Killed
An immediate investigation was launched to identify and apprehend the
President's assailant. Within the hour, at approximately 1:15 p. m., Dallas
Patrolman J. D. Tippit, presumably acting on the basis of a broadcast over the
police radio, stopped a possible suspect on Tenth Street just east of Patton
Street. The man drew a gun and shot Patrolman Tippit three times, resulting in
the officer's death. The assailant, subsequently identified as Lee Harvey
Oswald, was apprehended in the Texas Theater, 231 West Jefferson Boulevard. In
the course of the apprehension, which took place about 2:00 p. m., he resisted
violently and attempted to shoot still another police officer.
Identified as an employee in the building
from which the shots were fired at President Kennedy and Governor Connally.
Oswald became a prime suspect in the assassination of President Kennedy.
However, when interviewed following his apprehension, Oswald denied any
knowledge of or participation in the assassination of the President or Tippit's
murder.
Nevertheless, evidence developed in the
investigation points conclusively to the assassination of President Kennedy by
Lee Harvey Oswald, avowed Marxist, a former defector to the Soviet Union and the
self-appointed Secretary of the New Orleans Chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba
Committee, a pro-Castro organization.
Oswald, aged 24, attended schools In New
Orleans, Louisiana, Fort Worth, Texas, and New York, New York, and served in the
U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, during which time he qualified as a
sharpshooter. In 1959 he traveled to the Soviet Union where he was employed for
approximately three years as a factory worker. He publicly announced his
intention of becoming a Russian citizen, but apparently changed his mind and
returned to the United States In 1962 with a Russian wife and child. A second
child has since been born. Subsequent to his return, he was employed for brief
periods in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Dallas, Texas.
II. THE EVIDENCE
A. Events Prior to the Assassination
Lee Harvey Oswald, using the name O. H. Lee, rented a furnished room at
1026 North Beckley Street in Dallas, Texas, on October 14, 1963. He used the
room during the week and, on weekends, traveled to Irving, Texas, where his wife
and children resided. He had made arrangements with a fellow employee, Buell W.
Frazier, to drive him to Irving every Friday night and normally returned with
Mr. Frazier to Dallas every Monday morning.
On Thursday evening, November 21, 1963,
Oswald departed from his customary schedule of travel to Irving. Claiming to Mr.
Frazier that he wanted to obtain some curtain rods for his room from Mrs. Ruth
Paine, his landlady in Irving, he arranged to ride with Mr. Frazier to Irving
that night. It is the only known instance in which Oswald departed from his
practice of making the trip on other than a weekend.
Mrs. Ruth Paine, 2515 West Fifth Street,
landlady at the residence in which Oswald's wife resided in Irving, said that
Oswald made no mention of curtain rods to her on the evening of November 21,
1963, nor did she plan to give him any curtain rods. But Oswald's wife, Marina,
has revealed that her husband owned a rifle which he kept wrapped in a blanket
in the garage at the Irving residence. She said he spent the night of November
21, 1963, with her and left early the following morning before she had awakened.
On November 22, 1963, she noticed that the blanket in which the rifle had been
wrapped was still in the garage, but the rifle was gone.
Subsequent to the assassination, the
blanket was examined at the FBI Laboratory. Body hairs located on it were found
to match in microscopic characteristics the body hairs of Lee Harvey Oswald.
When Oswald left Irving, Texas, on the
morning of November 22, 1963, he carried a long package wrapped in brown paper.
Mr. Frazier, with whom he customarily rode, described it as a "kind of sack
that one obtains in a five-and-ten-cent store." Oswald told him it
contained curtain rods. On arrival in Dallas, Mr. Frazier, after parking his
car, saw Oswald enter the Texas School Book Depository Building carrying the
package. After the assassination of President Kennedy, brown wrapping paper in
the shape of a long bag was found near the window from which the shots were
fired on the sixth floor of the Depository Building.
A latent fingerprint developed by the FBI
Identification Division on the long paper bag was determined to be identical
with the left index fingerprint impression of Lee Harvey Oswald.
A latent palm print developed on the same
paper was identified as being identical with the right palm print of Oswald.
Mr. Frazier, after viewing the long brown
paper bag found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building,
could not definitely state whether the bag was the one observed by him in
Oswald's possession on the morning of November 22, 1953, Mr. Frazier's sister,
Mrs. Linnie May Randle, examined the bag and advised that it could have been the
long paper bag she saw Oswald place in her brother's car on that morning as they
departed for work.
In addition to having been seen by Mr.
Frazier entering the building with a brown paper package the morning of the
assassination. Oswald was seen in the building later that morning by several
fellow employees. Between 11:30 and 12:00 noon, Oswald was observed on the fifth
floor by three employees. During this period, he requested one of the employees,
Charles D. Givens, who was describing in the elevator, to close the elevator
gates when he got off so he, Oswald, could summon the elevator to the sixth
floor.
Events Following the Assassination
Oswald's Movements
In the search that was initiated within the Texas School Book Depository Building by the police immediately after the assassination. Oswald was determined to be still on the premises. He was seen by Roy S. Truly, Warehouse Superintendent, and a police officer in a small lunchroom on the second floor. He was not questioned at the time inasmuch as Mr. Truly Identified him to the officer as an employee of the building. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Truly accounted for the whereabouts of all of his employees except Oswald and so advised the police.
Identified on Bus
A short time later, Oswald was observed by his former land-lady, Mrs.
Mary E. Bledsoe, 621 North Marsalis Avenue, boarding a city bus about seven
blocks from the scene of the assassination. Mrs. Bledsoe, who was riding on the
bus, stated that he appeared to be somewhat nervous. She also noted that Oswald
was wearing dirty clothing, a marked change from his usual neat appearance.
Cecil J. McWatters, the driver of the bus,
selected Oswald from a police line-up as resembling a passenger who entered his
bus on November 22, 1963, in the general vicinity of the assassination. Mr.
McWatters was unable to definitely establish the time or place where Oswald
boarded the bus but recalled that it was shortly after the assassination. He
remembered commenting to this passenger, "I wonder where they shot the
President," He said the passenger replied, "They shot him in the
temple."
Mr. McWatters also identified a bus
transfer in Oswald's possession at the time of his apprehension as one he had
issued on November 22, 1963.
Mrs. Bledsoe stated that Oswald traveled
less than two blocks on the bus. She pointed out that traffic had become
congested and a motorist alongside commented to the bus driver that the
President had been shot. Mrs. Bledsoe said Oswald left the bus and disappeared
in the crowd.
In a Taxicab
William W. Whaley, a taxicab driver, positively identified Oswald in a police line-up on November 23, 1963, at the Dallas Police Department as a passenger in his cab on November 22, 1963. He was unable to remember the exact time, but was certain he picked up Oswald between 12:30 and 12:45 p. m, at the Greyhound Bus Terminal Taxi Stand, approximately seven blocks from the scene of the assassination, and transported him about two and three quarter miles to the 500 block of North Beckley Street in Dallas. As previously noted, the room rented by Oswald was at 1026 North Beckley Street.
Arrival at Room
Mrs. Earlene Roberts, housekeeper at 1026 North Beckley Street, positively identified Oswald as the man who had rented the room from her on October 14, 1963, under the name O. H. Lee. She said Oswald came home shortly after she heard the news that the President had been shot. She estimated the time as approximately 1:00 p. m. He obtained a jacket from his room and left hurriedly. She also said that while she had never observed Oswald in possession of a gun, she noticed a holster for a hand gun in his room late on the afternoon of November 22, 1963.
Oswald's Murder of Patrolman Tippit
At about 1:15 p.m. on November 22, 1963, a taxicab driver, W. W. Scoggins, observed a uniformed police officer (Patrolman J. D. Tippit) talking to a man alongside the officer's police vehicle at 10th Street just east of Patton Street. The driver said he heard a gun firing and saw the officer fall beside the police car. His assailant ran west on 10th Street, south on Patton Street, and then west on Jefferson Boulevard.
Eyewitnesses to Tippit's Killing
On November 23, 1963, this same taxi driver identified Oswald at a police line-up as Officer Tippit's assailant. Another eyewitness to the killing identified Lee Harvey Oswald as the assailant who drew a hand gun from inside his shirt and shot Tippit.
C. Oswald's Apprehension
Acting on information from a police radio broadcast reporting that a suspect in the killing of a police officer was seen entering the Texas Theater, 231 West Jefferson Boulevard, Dallas police apprehended Oswald at about 2:00 p. m., in the theater. One of the officers took a .38 Special revolver out of Oswald's right hand.
Gun Misfired
One of the arresting officers stated that when Oswald was first approached in the theater he attempted to pull a revolver from his shirt. In the ensuing struggle with the police officer, Oswald pulled the trigger but the gun did not fire. An examination of this gun confirmed that one of the six cartridges taken from the weapon had a hammer indentation on the primer but had not fired.
Revolver Traced to Oswald
FBI investigation determined that the .38 Special Smith and Wesson
revolver, serial number V510210, taken from Lee Harvey Oswald was shipped on
March 20, 1963, from George Rose and Company, Incorporated, Los Angeles,
California, to A. J. Hidell, Post Office Box 2915, Dallas, Texas. The cost of
the weapon was $29.95. Examination by the FBI Laboratory determined that the
writing on the mail order coupon used in the purchase of this weapon was written
by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Four cartridge cases found in the
immediate vicinity of the shooting of Officer Tippit on November 22, 1963, were
furnished to the FBI by Dallas police. An examination of these cartridge cases
by the FBI Laboratory determined that they had been fired in Oswald's .38
Special Smith and Wesson revolver.
D. Interview of the Assassin
Lee Harvey Oswald, upon interview after his apprehension on November 22,
1963, admitted that he had been living at 1026 North Beckley Street: Dallas,
Texas, under the name of O. H. Lee. He also admitted that he was in the Texas
School Book Depository Building where he was employed, on November 22, 1963.
Oswald claimed, however, that he was on the first floor of the building when the
Presidential motorcade passed. Following the shooting of the President, he said
he believed that there would be no further work performed and he decided to go
home. He said he went to his Dallas residence, changed his clothes, and then
went to a movie.
Oswald admitted he carried a gun with him
to the movie and stated that he did this because he "felt like it." He
offered no other explanation. Oswald denied that he ever ordered, owned or
possessed a rifle. However, in a subsequent search of Oswald's residence In
Irving, Texas, by officers of the Dallas Police Department, a photograph was
found showing Oswald wearing a sidearm and holding a rifle. The rifle in the
photograph is similar in appearance to the 6.5 millimeter; bolt-action rifle
which, as will be shown, had been previously purchased by Oswald. Oswald, upon
interview, also denied bringing any package to work with him on the morning of
November 22, 1963.
Included in his personal effects at the
time of Oswald's arrest were a Selective Service card in the name of Alek James
Hidell and a card issued to Lee H. Oswald dated May 28, 1963, by the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee. Oswald said that he had been secretary of the New Orleans
Chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Oswald refused to discuss the
Selective Service card in his possession. Examination in the FBI Laboratory
determined that the Selective Service card is fraudulent and counterfeit.
Oswald stated he had never been in Mexico
except to visit Tijuana on one occasion (date not furnished). He admitted having
resided in the Soviet Union for three years where he had many friends.
When a Special Agent of the FBI sought to
obtain a physical description and background data from Oswald, the latter
commented: "I know your tactics; there is a similar agency in Russia. You
are using the soft touch and, of course, the procedure in Russia would be quite
different."
In accounting for his activities on the
afternoon of November 22, 1963, Oswald stated he was on the second floor of the
Texas School Book Depository Building at the time the building was searched. He
stated Mr. Truly, the building superintendent and a police officer entered the
room and Mr. Truly identified Oswald to the officer as an employee. Oswald
related that he then took the Coca-Cola which he had just purchased to the first
floor, where he stood around and then had lunch in the employees' lunchroom on
the second floor. Thereafter, he stated, he went outside the building, stood
around for five to ten minutes, and then went home because he did not believe
there was going to be any more work that day due to the confusion in the
building. Oswald advised that following arrival at his residence he left to
attend a movie where he was apprehended by the Dallas police.
On subsequent interview on November 22
1963, Oswald denied telling Mr. Frazier that the purpose his visit to Irving,
Texas, on the night of November 21, 1963, us to obtain some curtain rods from
Mrs. Ruth Paine.
Oswald stated information previously
furnished by him to the effect that he rode a bus from his place of employment
to his residence on November 22,1963, was not entirely true. On this latter
Interview Oswald stated he did board a city bus at his place of employment but
after riding a block or two he left the bus due to the traffic congestion and
took a city cab to his apartment on North Beckley Street. Oswald stated that
after arriving at his apartment he changed his shirt and trousers because they
were dirty.
Oswald denied that he had kept a rifle in
the garage at Mrs. Paine's residence in Irving, Texas, but stated he did have
some property, including two sea bags and a couple of suitcases, stored there.
Oswald denied that he was a member of the
Communist Party and stated he had nothing against President Kennedy personally.
He stated, however, that in view of the charges against him he did not desire to
discuss the matter further. Oswald denied shooting President Kennedy and added
that he was not aware of the fact that Governor John Connally had also been
shot.
The photograph of Oswald holding a rifle
and wearing a holstered pistol was exhibited to him and Oswald stated he would
not discuss the photograph. Oswald stated the head of the individual in the
photograph could be his but it was entirely possible that the police department
had superimposed this part of the photograph over the body of someone else.
E. The Assassination Weapon
During the police search of the Texas School Book Depository Building, a
rifle of Italian manufacture was found between some boxes on the sixth floor
near the northwest or opposite corner of the building from which the fatal shots
were fired. On examination, it was determined to be a 6.5 millimeter.
Mannlicher-Carcano, bolt-action, clip-fed rifle, serial number C 2766, equipped
with a four-power telescopic sight of Japanese manufacture.
A diagram of the sixth floor of the Texas
School Book Depository Building shows the location of the window from which the
fatal shots were fired and shows the location where the rifle was found by
Dallas police officers.
A photograph of the rifle and of the
blanket and long brown paper bag previously referred to is included showing the
relative size of each.
Rifle Ordered by Oswald
FBI investigation determined that this rifle was part of a shipment of
surplus Italian military weapons purchased for resale in the United States by
Klein's Sporting Goods, Chicago, Illinois. The company's records disclose that
the rifle, identified by serial number C 2766, was shipped, with rifle scope
mounted) on March 20, 1963, by parcel post to A. Hidell, Post Office Box 2915,
Dallas, Texas. The gun was ordered by airmail and the envelope was postmarked
March 12, 1963, at Dallas. Payment was made by U.S. Postal Money Order 2, 202,
130, 462 in the amount of $21.45, issued at Dallas, Texas, March 12, 1963,
payable to Klein's Sporting Goods. It was signed by A. Hidell, Post Office Box
2915, Dallas, Texas. Post Office Box 2915 had been rented on October 9, 1962,
through an application signed by Lee H. Oswald and was relinquished on May 14,
1963. The FBI Laboratory conducted handwriting examinations based on known
handwriting specimens of Oswald's from a 1963 passport application and from a
letter dated January 30, 1961, which he sent to John B. Connally, now the
Governor of Texas, formerly Secretary of the Navy.
The FBI laboratory examination of the
handwriting on the envelope addressed to Klein's Sporting Goods) in which the
rifle order was contained, determined that the envelope was addressed by Oswald.
The examination by the FBI Laboratory of
the hand printing appearing on the above order form for the rifle determined
that it was prepared by Oswald.
The handwriting on the money order issued
in payment for the rifle was determined by the FBI Laboratory to have been
prepared by Oswald.
It was determined by the FBI Laboratory
examination that the handwriting on the application for Post Office Box 2915 was
prepared by Oswald.
It should be noted that the above rifle
was sent to Oswald using the alias A. J. Hidell, at Post Office Box 2915 in
Dallas, on the same date that the revolver previously referred to as having
killed Officer Tippit was shipped to him from Los Angeles.
Tests of Rifle
By actual tests It has been demonstrated by the FBI that a skilled person can fire three accurately aimed shots with this weapon in five seconds.
Textile Examination
When apprehended, Oswald was wearing a long-sleeved, multicolored sport
shirt. A small tuft of textile fibers was found adhering to a jagged area on the
left side of the metal butt plate of the rifle owned by Oswald. Included in this
tuft were gray-black, dark blue, and orange-yellow fibers which the FBI
Laboratory determined matched in microscopic characteristics the fibers in the
shirt worn by Lee Harvey Oswald.
According to Mrs. Bledsoe, Oswald's former
landlady, Oswald was wearing this sport shirt on the bus shortly after the
assassination.
Cartridges Fired in Oswald's Rifle
Three empty cartridge cases were found near the window from which the
shots were fired on the sixth floor of the building. These cartridge cases were
examined by the FBI Laboratory, and it was determined that all three had been
fired in the rifle owned by Oswald.
Immediately after President Kennedy and
Governor Connally were admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital, a bullet was
found on one of the stretchers. Medical examination of the President's body
revealed that one of the bullets had entered just below his shoulder to the
right of the spinal column at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees downward, that there
was no point of exit, and that the bullet was not in the body. An examination of
this bullet by the FBI Laboratory determined that it had been fired from the
rifle owned by Oswald. (Exhibit 23)
Bullet fragments found in the automobile
in which President Kennedy was riding were examined in the FBI Laboratory. It
was definitely established, from markings on two of the fragments that they had
been fired from the rifle owned by Oswald.
Palm Print on Rifle
Dallas police lifted a latent impression off the underside of the gun barrel near the end of the foregrip of the rifle recovered on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building. When the rifle was properly assembled, this impression was concealed by the wooden foregrip. This impression has been identified by the FBI Identification Division as the right palm print of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Other Evidence
Cardboard Cartons
A latent palm print which was located on a cardboard carton found by police in the room from which the shots were fired was identified as the right palm print of Oswald. (Exhibit 26) One latent fingerprint and latent left palm print developed on another box from this same room were also identified as Oswald's impressions.
Paraffin Tests
Following Oswald's apprehension on November 22, 1963, Dr. M. F. Mason of Dallas concluded, after tests, that paraffin casts made of Oswald's hands contained traces of nitrate consistent with the residue on the hands of a person who had recently handled or fired a firearm.
Photograph
Film which was furnished by spectators at the scene of the assassination was reviewed. One film shows an object in the window of the sixth-floor room from which the shots were fired as the President's car passed the Depository Building.. This object is not susceptible to identification because of the quality of the picture. (Exhibit 29)
Map in Oswald's Effects
In the search of Oswald's belongings at his Dallas Beckley Street room, police found a street map of Dallas and vicinity which bore markings to indicate particular locations. (Exhibit 30) Mrs. Ruth Paine stated she gave an ENCO map of Dallas and vicinity to Oswald on October 7, 1963, when he was looking for employment. While this map may have been used by Oswald in seeking employment, the significance of the markings is not known.
G. Prior Similar Act
Mrs. Marina Oswald was interviewed on December 3, 1963, by the FBI
concerning an undated note which was called to the attention of the FBI the same
day. According to Mrs. Oswald this note, which was written in Russian, was found
by her one night last spring in a room where her husband kept his things at
their residence at 214 West Neely Street, Dallas. English translation, Exhibit
32) On that night, although Oswald told her he was going to attend a typewriting
class at an evening school in Dallas, he came rushing into the house around
midnight very pale and agitated. Mrs. Oswald asked what was wrong had he replied
that he had tried to kill General Walker by shooting him with a rifle and he did
not know If he had hit him. At this time Oswald told her that General Walker was
the leader of the fascists in Dallas and it was necessary to remove him. Mrs.
Oswald said she thought the rifle used by her husband to shoot at General Walker
and the rifle he kept in Mrs. Paine's garage in Irving, Texas, were one and the
same.
Mrs. Oswald said she kept the note written
in Russian by Oswald, which was evidently a farewell letter, and threatened
Oswald with going to the police with the letter if he ever planned another such
crazy scheme. She advised that as a result of this incident she insisted that
they move from Dallas.
The writing on this note has been
identified by the FBI Laboratory as being handwriting of Lee Harvey Oswald.
It is noted that former Major General
Edwin A Walker resides in Dallas and a rifle bullet was shot through the window
of his home on April 10, 1963, narrowly missing General Walker. The person
firing the shot was never identified.
Investigation showed that Mr. and Mrs.
Oswald resided at 214 West Neely Street in Dallas during April, 1963, and left
that address on April 24, 1963, when they moved to New Orleans. At that time, in
April, 1963, Oswald was renting mall box number 2915 in the main post office on
Ervay Street in Dallas, which he relinquished as of May 14, 1963.
In this note Oswald also mentioned 'You
and the baby." In April, 1963. Mrs. Oswald had one child and the second
child was born October 20, 1963.
The bullet which was fired into General
Walker's house on April 10, 1963 was recovered by the Dallas Police Department.
Examination of this bullet by the FBI Laboratory disclosed that while the bullet
is extremely distorted and mutilated it has the general characteristics of those
bullets fired from the 6. 5 millimeter Mannlicher-Carcano rifle belonging to
Oswald. This rifle was found in the Texas School Book Depository Building
following the assassination of President Kennedy. Because of the mutilation of
this bullet and because the gun barrel may have changed since April 10, 1963, it
was not possible to determine whether or not this bullet was fired from Oswald's
rifle.
III. LEE HARVEY OSWALD
A. Before Assassination of President Kennedy
Prior to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 the FBI had investigated Lee Harvey Oswald to determine if, as a result of his residence in the Soviet Union, he had been recruited by Soviet intelligence and to ascertain the nature of his activities in connection with the pro-Castro Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Oswald was interviewed by the FBI concerning these matters on three separate occasions. The investigation, of which these interviews were a part, developed the following information concerning Oswald prior to November 22, 1963.
Biographical Data
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 18,
1939. His mother was the former Marguerite Claverie. His father, Robert E. Lee
Oswald, had died a short time before Lee Harvey was born.
In his early years, Oswald lived at home
and, in accordance with moves the family made, attended schools in New Orleans,
Louisiana; Fort Worth, Texas; and New York, New York. According to his mother,
during that period of time he was a studious type who read books that were
considered "deep."
An acquaintance of Oswald's during part of
that period said that he was a "peculiar boy. " It was said that he
kept very much to himself in high school, had few friends and very little social
life. He preferred to sit at home and read, which reportedly provoked many
arguments between him and his mother, who urged that he seek employment instead.
He did work for a brief time with an import-export company in New Orleans.
Military Service
When he was 17 years old, Oswald enlisted in the United States Marine
Corps on October 24 , 1956, at Dallas, Texas. He served in California, Florida,
and the Far East. He attained the rank of Private First Class and qualified as a
sharpshooter.
Oswald's Marine Corps service record
revealed that he was convicted by two summary courts-martial hearings, both in
1958. The first was based on the charge that he possessed a privately owned
weapon, a .22 caliber derringer, that was not registered. The second was based
on the charge that he had wrongfully used provoking words to a staff
noncommissioned officer.
Oswald was released from active duty on
September 11, 1959, on a "dependency" release and transferred to the
Marine Corps Reserve with obligated service until December 8, 1962. However, he
was later given an undesirable discharge, effective September 13, 1960, based on
information that he had taken steps to renounce his American citizenship and
become a citizen of the Soviet Union.
Defection to USSR
His mother told FBI agents on April 28, 1960, that, after his release from the Marine Corps in September, 1959, he visited her in Fort Worth. He said he would like to travel and mentioned he might go to Cuba. After spending a few days with her, he left for New Orleans, indicating he planned to resume work at the Import-export company where he had been employed for a short time prior to his Marine Corps enlistment. Not long after, however, she received a letter from him in which he said he had booked passage on a ship going to Europe. In it, he also said, "Just remember above all else that my values are very different from Robert or yours." The Robert to whom he referred is an older brother.
1. Preparation for Trip
Subsequent investigation disclosed that Oswald apparently had more definite plans about travel than he had indicated to his mother at the time of his visit with her. He had been issued a United States passport on September 10, 1959 (the day before his release from the Marine Corps), at Los Angeles. In the application for the passport, he stated he planned to depart the United States on September 21, 1959, for a four-month trip to attend the "College of A. Schweitzer" (sic) in Switzerland and the University of Turku in Finland. He planned tourist visits to Switzerland, Finland, Cuba, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, and Russia. His mother later advised that some-time during the Spring or Summer of 1959. Oswald had made arrangements to attend the Albert Schweitzer College in Switzerland. She had been advised by the college that he was expected to arrive in April, 1960. School officials disclosed that he had not attended this College although he had paid a $25 deposit toward the school fee during June of 1959.
2. Saved Money in Marine Corps
Oswald's mother said that he had saved about $1,600 while in the Marine Corps. She also stated that to repay $100 she owed him, she had mailed him a check for $20 in December, 1959, to the Metropole Hotel in Moscow, but that he had returned the check and requested cash." She later mailed him $20 in cash to the same address but the letter containing the money was returned to her in February, 1960, showing that he did not reside at the Metropole Hotel. In January, 1960, she also sent him a $25 bank draft purchased at the First National Bank in Fort Worth, Texas.
3. Affirmed Allegiance to USSR
Records of the United States Department of State disclose that Oswald appeared at the American Embassy in Moscow on October 31, 1959, and stated that he wished to renounce his American citizenship. He said he had applied to become a citizen of the Soviet Union and presented his passport and an undated, handwritten statement In which he requested his American citizenship be revoked, indicating that he had entered the Soviet Union for the express purpose of applying for citizenship. He further indicated the step was taken for political reasons. He stated, "I affirm that my allegiance is to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." Displaying an aggressive, arrogant, and uncooperative attitude to the American Embassy official, Oswald declared, "I am a Marxist."
4. Disillusioned with Life in U.S.
Newspaper reports of Oswald's defection to the Soviet Union quoted him as being completely disillusioned with life In the United States. He reportedly stated he had become interested in Marxism at the age of fifteen, that he had studied Marxist economic theories, and had regarded Karl Marx' book, "Das Kapital," as a bible for him. He was quoted as stating that he wanted to spend the rest of his life in the Soviet Union and never wanted to return to the United States.
5. Offered To Disclose Military Information
During his interview at the American Embassy, Oswald said he had been a radar operator in the Marine Corps. Oswald did receive training as a radar operator while in the Marine Corps. He said he told Soviet officials that as a Soviet citizen he would make known to them information he possessed about the Marine Corps and his specialty, indicating he might know something of special interest to them.
6. Accepted as Resident Alien
The "Washington Post and Times Herald" for November 16, 1959, carried an article reporting that Oswald's "dream" of achieving Soviet citizenship appeared unattainable. Oswald reportedly had stated that Soviet authorities would not grant him citizenship but had said he could live in Russia as a resident alien.
Return to the U.S.
In 1961 Oswald initiated efforts to return to the United States. State Department records contain an undated letter from him postmarked Minsk, USSR, February 5, 1961, requesting the return of his American passport. He said he would like to return to the United States if "we could come to some agreement concerning the dropping of any legal proceedings against me." He advised he could not leave Minsk without permission and was, therefore, writing instead of visiting the American Embassy. Another letter was received from him postmarked March 5, 1961 at Minsk in which he requested that a questionnaire be sent him since a personal interview was precluded because he could not leave Minsk without permission. He addressed another letter to the American Embassy in Moscow in May, 1961, reiterating his desire to return to the United States contingent upon an agreement there would be no legal action taken against him upon his return. Meanwhile, Oswald had married a Soviet citizen, Marina Nikolaevna Prusakova, on April 30, 1961. The following month, he notified the American Embassy of his marriage.
1. Denied Any Allegiance to USSR
On July 8, 1961, Oswald appeared at the American Embassy and advised he had taken no oath of allegiance of any kind to the Soviet Union. He said he had not been required to sign any paper in connection with his employment in a radio and television factory in Minsk. He exhibited a Soviet internal "stateless" passport, number 311479, issued January 14, 1960. This was considered by the State Department as prima-facie evidence that Oswald was not regarded as a Soviet citizen.
2. Passport Renewed
On July 10, 1961, Oswald executed an application for renewal of passport at the American Embassy. On August 18, 1961, the State Department authorized the American Embassy In Moscow to renew it for direct travel to the United States. On October 4 1961, Oswald asked the American Embassy to assist him in obtaining exit visas for himself and his wife.
3. Letter to Secretary of Navy
In February, 1962, John B. Connally, former Secretary of the Navy, received a letter dated January 30, 1961, from Oswald who was still in the Soviet Union. (The 1961 date was possibly an error on Oswald's part.) In the letter, he protested his "belated dishonorable discharge" from the Marine Corps Reserve. (On November 22, 1963, a copy of this letter to Mr. Connally was forwarded to the FBI by the Navy Department.) (Exhibit 17)
4. Letter to Marine Corps #a41
On April 26, 1962, the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D. C. , furnished the FBI a copy of a letter dated March 22, 1962, addressed to R. MSS. Tompkins, Brigadier General, Marine Corps, Assistant Director of Personnel, from Oswald. Oswald acknowledged a letter from Tompkins which described the process by which his undesirable discharge was accomplished. He stated, in part, "My request to the Secretary of the Navy, his referral to you and your letter to me, did not say anything about a Review which is what I was trying to arrange." Oswald reiterated that he had violated no United States laws and stated, "Therefore you have no legel (sic) or even moral right to reverse my honorable discharge from the U.S. M. C. Sept. 11, 1961, into an undeserable (sic) discharge." He further stated, "You may consider this letter a request by me for a full review of my case . . . ," and indicated that he was prepared to appear before a review board after his return to the United States.
5. Repatriation Loan
State Department records show that on February 24, 1962, Oswald filed an application at the American Embassy in Moscow for a repatriation loan. This loan, in the amount of $435.71, was approved by the State Department on March 7, 1962. A check of State Department records on November 22, 1963, disclosed that it was repaid in full following Oswald's return to the United States. This financial assistance loan was made under regulations of the State Department authorizing loans for repatriation of destitute United States nationals who are in complete and unquestioned possession of their citizenship rights and entitled to receive United States passports. (For a copy of State Department regulations concerning such loans see Exhibit 34.)
6. Arrival in U.S.
State Department records show that the American Embassy in Moscow renewed
Oswald's passport on May 24, 1962, for his direct return to the United States.
On that date, Oswald and his wife recorded at the Embassy the birth of a child,
June Lee Oswald, to them on February 15, 1962.
Records of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service disclosed that Lee H. Oswald; his wife, Marina; and their
daughter, June, arrived in the United States aboard the SS "Maasdam"
on June 13, 1962, at Hoboken, New Jersey. He was admitted as a U. S. citizen,
and his wife was admitted with an Immigration visa as the spouse of a U. S.
citizen. They were destined to 7313 Davenport Street, Fort Worth, Texas, the
residence of his brother Robert.
An Immigration officer advised that Oswald
told him he had threatened to renounce his U.S. citizenship but had never
carried out the threat. He said that, while living in the Soviet Union, he had
worked as a mechanic, had never voted there, and had held no position in the
Russian Government.
FBI Investigation Instituted
In view of the circumstances surrounding Oswald's trip and residence in the Soviet Union, his re-entry into the United States presented the possibility that he had been recruited by the Soviets for an Intelligence mission in this country. In that connection, an FBI investigation of Oswald had been instituted on May 31, 1962, so that the FBI would be notified of his re-entry by Immigration authorities. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if Oswald had been recruited by a Soviet intelligence service. This investigation included interviews with Oswald.
1. First Interview with Oswald
Oswald was interviewed by agents of the FBI on June 26, 1962, at Fort
Worth, Texas. During the interview, he was arrogant and generally uncooperative.
He was curt and short in many of his answers.
Oswald denied that he had renounced his U.
S. citizenship or had sought Soviet citizenship. He stated that Soviet officials
had never attempted to obtain information from him about his knowledge of or
experiences in the U. S. Marine Corps. He said that never at any time had he
given the Soviets any information which could be used to the detriment of the
United States and that the Soviets had never sought such information from him.
He also denied ever having offered to reveal to the Soviets information he had
acquired as a radar operator in the Marine Corps.
Oswald also denied that he had been
recruited by any Soviet intelligence organization and stated that he had made no
deal with the Soviets in order to obtain permission to return to the United
States.
Oswald claimed that newspaper reports
concerning his trip to the Soviet Union had been greatly exaggerated. He said he
had taught himself the Russian language while in the Marine Corps and could,
therefore, speak Russian on his arrival in that country. He declined to say why
he went to Russia but denied that he went out of admiration for the Soviet
system or because of lack of sympathy for the United States. He admitted that in
the past he had been interested in Marxist economic theories but denied ever
having been a member of the Communist Party In the United States. He later added
that he went to Russia to "see the country."
Oswald said that the "exaggerated
newspaper reports" which had appeared in October, 1959, when he arrived in
the Soviet Union had depicted him as being out of sympathy with the United
States and had made him look attractive to the Russians. As a result, he said,
he received better treatment than he otherwise would have received. He stated
that on his arrival in the Soviet Union in October, 1959, he had been sent
immediately to Minsk and given a job as a metal worker in a television factory
where he read blueprints and translated blueprint instructions. He said he
earned 80 rubles per month, the equivalent of $72 in American money, and was
permitted to reside at Minsk as a resident alien.
Oswald said the Soviets had made it
difficult for his wife to leave the Soviet Union and that the process of
obtaining permission for her departure had been lengthy and had required much
paper work. He added that, under Soviet law, his wife was required to keep the
Soviet Embassy in this country advised of her current address and he planned to
contact the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D. C., within a few days to comply
with that regulation.
Oswald concluded with the observation that
he held no brief for the Soviets or the Soviet system and agreed that, in the
event he was contacted by Soviet intelligence agents in the United States, he
would promptly notify the FBI.
2. Reinterview by FBI
As a follow-up, Oswald was reinterviewed on August 16, 1962, in Fort
Worth, Texas. He stated that he had informed the Soviet Embassy in Washington,
D. C. of his wife's current address and that she would advise the Soviet Embassy
of any future changes of address.
Oswald said that his undesirable discharge
from the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve had not been reviewed, and he did not know
when his case would be heard. He volunteered the information that he had never
enjoyed his service in the Marine Corps and added that he had not enjoyed his
trip to the Soviet Union any more than he had enjoyed his service in the Marine
Corps.
Oswald advised that no one acting in
behalf of the Soviet Union had contacted him since his return to the United
States. He again denied that he had, on October 31, 1959, or at any other time,
requested that his U. S. citizenship be revoked. He also denied again that he
ever took any steps to apply for Soviet citizenship and stated that he never at
any time affirmed allegiance to the Soviet Union or indicated a willingness to
do so.
Oswald said he had been interviewed by
representatives of the Soviet MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) when he first
arrived in the Soviet Union and again before he left. He stated that he was not
asked to undertake anything or do anything for the MVD and that he never made
any "deals" with the MVD. He declared that no representative of the
MVD or any other Soviet intelligence agency had attempted to recruit him and
that no one in the Soviet Union had ever attempted to elicit from him any secret
information concerning the United States. He again denied that he told the
Soviets he would make available to them information Concerning his U. S. Marine
Corps specialty.
Oswald stated that he might have to return
to the Soviet Union in about five years so that his wife could visit her
relatives but that be had formulated no definite plans in this regard. He still
declined to explain why he went to the Soviet Union. He said that he considered
it "nobody's business." He finally stated that he went to the Soviet
Union for his "own personal reasons" and that it was a "personal
matter." He also said, "I went and I came back. It was something that
I did."
Oswald again agreed to notify the FBI if
at any time any individual contacted him under circumstances indicating that he
represented the Soviet Union. He stated that he could see no reason why the
Soviets would desire to contact him but promised to report any such contacts to
the FBI.
Related Subversive Activities
1. Communist Party, USA
In September, 1962, Oswald was reliably reported to be a subscriber to
"The Worker," an east coast communist newspaper. In July, 1963, the
FBI learned that Oswald had advised this publication of his change of address.
In June, 1963, Oswald notified "The
Worker" that he had been a long-time subscriber and had formed a Fair Play
for Cuba Committee in New Orleans in an effort to attract the broad mass of
people to a popular struggle. He also sent honorary membership cards to Gus
Hall, general secretary, and Benjamin Davis, Jr. national secretary of the
Communist Party, USA. He asked "The Worker" to send him as much
literature as possible so that he could pass it out with Fair P lay for Cuba
leaflets.
2. Fair Play for Cuba Committee
During April, 1963, Oswald was in contact with the Fair Play for Cuba
Committee in New York City. The Fair Play for Cuba Committee is a pro-Castro
organization which is known to have been heavily infiltrated by the Communist
Party and the Socialist Workers Party and is known to have been furnished funds
by the Cuban Government for the Committee's use in support of its activities in
the United States.
Oswald advised the Committee that he had
passed out pamphlets for it and had utilized a placard around his neck reading:
"Hands Off Cuba - Viva Fidel."
Records of the New Orleans Police
Department show that on August 9, 1963, Oswald was arrested by officers of the
New Orleans Police Department. He was charged with "Disturbing the Peace by
Creating a Scene." The records disclose that Oswald claimed to be a member
of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, that he was passing out circulars in the
700 block of Canal Street, and became involved in an argument with three Cuban
immigrants.
Municipal Court records at New Orleans
disclose that Oswald appeared before Second Municipal Court Judge Edwin A.
Babylon on August 12, 1963, and entered a plea of guilty at which time he was
sentenced to pay a fine of $10 or serve ten days in jail. He elected to pay the
fine. Court records further disclose that three persons who were arrested with
Oswald were discharged.
Oswald Again Interviewed
At his request, Oswald was interviewed on August 10, 1963, at the First District Station, New Orleans Police Department, by an FBI agent. Oswald advised he had established residence in New Orleans about four months earlier and that after coming to New Orleans he had begun reading various types of literature distributed by the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. He said that he did not consider the Fair Play for Cuba Committee to be a communist or communist-controlled group and expressed the belief that the main objective of the group was to prevent the United States from attacking Cuba or interfering in Cuban political affairs.
Activities of One A. J. Hidell
Oswald said that he had sent a letter to the Fair Play for Cuba Committee
Headquarters in New York City together with $5 advising that he wished to join
this group. According to Oswald, in late May, 1963, he received a Fair Play for
Cuba Committee national membership card dated May 28, 1963, and signed by V. T.
Lee. Shortly thereafter, he said, he also received a membership card for the New
Orleans Chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee dated June 6, 1963, and
signed by one A. J. Hidell. Oswald exhibited both cards. (Exhibits 11, 35)
Oswald said that subsequent to joining the Fair Play for Cuba Committee he had
received a monthly circular from this group and had spoken with Hidell on the
telephone on several occasions concerning general matters regarding Fair Play
for Cuba Committee business. However, he said he had never personally met Hidell
and could not recall the latter's telephone number. Oswald claimed Hidell had
previously had a telephone but that it had been discontinued.
Oswald further stated that the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee did not have any offices in New Orleans but that he had
attended two meetings of the group at private residences. He claimed that at
each meeting there were about five individuals present to whom he was introduced
only on a first-name basis; that he did not recall any of the names of these
persons; and that at each meeting a different group of individuals was in
attendance. Oswald claimed one meeting was at his home and, when asked how he
had notified other members concerning this meeting, he declined to comment.
Oswald claimed that Hidell had written him on August 7, 1963, and asked him to
distribute some Fair Play for Cuba Committee literature in the downtown New
Orleans area. Oswald said he had accordingly undertaken to distribute this
literature on August 9, 1963. He had previously received it from the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee Headquarters. While engaged in this activity, he had been
accosted by three Cubans who subsequently became involved in a heated argument
with him. This led to the arrest of Oswald and the three Cubans by local police.
Investigation by the FBI in New Orleans at
that time did not disclose the existence of a person in New Orleans named A. J.
Hidell.
Publicly Avowed Marxist
During his appearance on the radio program, "Conversation Carte
Blanche," broadcast on August 21, 1963, over Station WDSU, New Orleans.
Oswald was asked whether or not he agreed with the speech of Fidel Castro on
July 26, 1963, in which Castro described President Kennedy as "A ruffian
and a thief" In reply, Oswald said: "I would not agree with that
particular wording. However, I and the Fair Play for Cuba Committee does (sic)
think that the U. S. Government through certain agencies, namely the State
Department and CIA, has made monumental mistakes in its relations with Cuba.
Mistakes which are pushing Cuba to the sphere of activity of, let's say, a very
dogmatic communist country as China is."
No other direct mention was made of
President Kennedy during this program. During the course of the program, Oswald
acknowledged that he was a "Marxist" and identified himself as
Secretary of the New Orleans chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.
Oswald's Return to Texas
On October 1, 1963, the rental agent for the Oswald residence In New
Orleans advised the FBI that, on September 25, 1963, Oswald and his family had
vacated the apartment at 4905 Magazine Street and that Mrs. Oswald and the child
had departed in a station wagon with Texas license plates driven by the woman
who had, about June, 1963, brought Mrs. Oswald to New Orleans from Texas. The
rental agent also stated that Mrs. Oswald was expecting a baby and that the
Oswald's still owed $17 rent for the apartment.
Investigation was initiated to ascertain
the whereabouts of the Oswald's. In October, 1963, the FBI received reports that
a person Possibly identical with Lee Harvey Oswald had been in Mexico City
during the latter part of September and the first part of October, 1963, where
he was in touch with the Soviet Embassy to inquire if a response had been
received from Washington. It was later determined that this referred to his
request for a visa to enter the Soviet Union.
B. After Assassination of President Kennedy
After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, and Lee Harvey Oswald was implicated, the investigation of Oswald was expanded to include every facet of his life.
Early Years
Following his birth in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 18, 1939, Lee Harvey Oswald's life was marked during his early years by frequent changes of residence and attendance at various elementary schools.
1. Elementary School Period
During the first five years of his life, Oswald's family moved from the
place of his birth, New Orleans, to Dallas, Texas, and then to Fort Worth,
Texas. They resided in what was known as the Benbrook suburb of Fort Worth prior
to making another move to Covington, Louisiana.
Covington Grammar School records show
Oswald attended that school from September, 1946, to January 24, 1947. His
grades were good, and he received a "B" in conduct. The records
indicate he left the school because the family was moving to Texas.
According to Oswald's brother, Robert, the
family moved at that time to Fort Worth. School records there show Oswald
attended the Ridglea Elementary School in that city from 1947 to 1952. He left
when the family moved to New York City.
2. Junior High School Period
Following his arrival in New York City, Oswald attended Junior High School #117 in the Bronx. School records there give evidence of personal difficulties in Oswald's life. He attended the school from September 30, 1952, until January 16, 1953. During that period, he was absent a total of 48 days and failed six of nine courses.
a. Psychiatric Analysis in New York
Oswald's excessive absences from school were brought to the attention of
the Children's Court, Probation Bureau, and after a court hearing he was
remanded to the Bronx Youth House for psychiatric study when he was 13 years of
age. The results of this study were not available previously and were brought to
the attention of the FBI on November 27, 1963, when a presiding judge of the
Appellate Division instructed that Oswald's record should be revealed because it
was now pertinent to a matter of national interest. Ordinarily, such records
cannot be divulged because they are confidential under law.
The psychiatric report disclosed that
Oswald displayed traits indicative of a greatly disturbed person. He was
described as a seriously detached, withdrawn youngster and diagnosed as having a
personality-pattern disturbance with schizoid features and passive-aggressive
tendencies. He was said to be suffering the impact of existing emotional
isolation and deprivation, lack of affection, absence of family life, and
rejection by a self-involved and conflicted mother.
The report further indicated that Oswald
enjoyed a fantasy life revolving around his own omnipotence and power-- a
fantasy life through which he tried to compensate for his frustrations, He
acknowledged fantasies about being powerful and sometimes hurting or killing
people.
The report also indicated that Oswald
disliked everyone. He maintained a barrier between himself and others,
exhibiting strongly resistive and negativistic features.
During most of the period that he was
being afforded psychiatric study, Oswald attended Junior High School #44 in the
Bronx. The records there show his attendance from March 23, 1953, to January 12,
1954. They indicate an improvement in attendance. He was absent only 18 full
days and 11 half days in an attendance period of 200 days. His grades similarly
improved, and he passed six of eight subjects.
Notations in the school record also show,
however, that Oswald had a quick temper, that he constantly lost control, and
was involved in fights with others. This was supported by the psychiatric
report, wherein it was noted that, while his attendance at school had improved,
his conduct was still unsatisfactory. He consistently refused to salute the
flag, yet his occupational goal was to join the Army.
Oswald's last report at that school showed
he received a satisfactory rating in courtesy, social participation, and effort.
He was rated unsatisfactory in congeniality, self-control and dependability. An
instructor recalled him as a quiet, lonely boy who appeared to be preoccupied
and living in a dream world.
The psychiatric progress report on Oswald
in November, 1953, showed that he had improved in behavior and would then salute
the flag. Despite this improvement, it was said he should receive
psychotherapeutic treatment. His mother, according to the report, had
consistently refused to contact Oswald's probation officer during his period of
supervision because of her employment, and she objected to the recommended
psychotherapeutic treatment in view of the progress he was making. In January,
1954, she wrote a letter to the probation officer indicating that she intended
to move to New Orleans. The case was discharged by the court shortly thereafter
in view of the fact that Oswald was no longer in New York.
b. Return to New Orleans
Upon return to New Orleans, the Oswald family took up residence at 1454
St. Mary's Street. They remained at this address until approximately May, 1955,
when they moved to 126 Exchange Place, New Orleans. Neighbors in the vicinity of
these two addresses advised that Oswald and his mother were hard-pressed
financially during this period. They also said that Oswald appeared to have no
close friends and stayed at home a great deal of the time.
While residing at these addresses, Oswald
attended the Beauregard Junior High School, New Orleans, from the Spring of 1954
until June, 1955. He entered as an eighth-grade student arid left after
completion of his ninth year. His academic performance was rated satisfactory
and his grades ranged from mid-to-high 70's in courses which included civics,
general mathematics, physical education, science, English, and industrial arts.
Nine individuals acquainted with Oswald
during his attendance at this school described him as a "loner" who
appeared to have no close friends. He read a great deal and did not appear to
have an interest in group activities.
3. High School Period
Oswald began attending high school in New Orleans. He entered the Warren
Easton High School there on September 8, 1955. School records show he liked
courses in civics, mathematics, and science. He least liked English and art. He
listed his vocational choices as biology and mechanical drawing. On October 14,
1955, he withdrew from the school, indicating that his family was leaving the
area.
Oswald did not leave the New Orleans area
immediately instead, remained out of school for a year. In the Fall of and the
Winter of 1956, he was employed in New Orleans as a messenger and office boy for
several firms. He worked for Gerard F. Tujague, Inc., as a messenger from
November 10, 1955, until January 14, 1956.
Mr. Tujague recalls Oswald as a quiet,
nonsocial person who normally would go home to eat lunch with his mother. Four
of his former fellow employees there recalled him but they were unable to add
any additional pertinent information about his activities there.
In January, 1956, Oswald worked briefly as
an office boy and runner for J. R. Michels, Inc., in New Orleans, and
subsequently was employed for a period of "not more than a few months"
as a messenger for the Pfisterer Dental Laboratory in the same city.
A former employee of Oswald at the
Pfisterer Dental Laboratory in New Orleans advised on November 23, 1963, that in
a discussion he had with Oswald, when they worked together. Oswald had made the
statement that the President at that time, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was exploiting
the working class. According to this individual, Oswald had added, in a most
serious vein, that he would like to kill President Eisenhower.
This former co-worker recalled that Oswald
had been very serious about what he considered to be the virtues of communism
and had praised Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev with the observation that he was
sincere in attempting to improve the lot of working people.
When Oswald resigned from his employment
at the Pfisterer Dental Laboratory, he indicated that he was going to Texas,
where he had a job selling shoes.
On September 4, 1956, Oswald registered at
the Arlington Heights Senior High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Oswald's records
were transferred to Arlington Heights Senior High School from Warren Easton High
School, indicating he had not attended school elsewhere during the intervening
period. However, Oswald's return to high school was only for a brief period. it
will be recalled that he enlisted In the Marine Corps on October 24, 1956.
At this point it should be noted that in
the process of verifying and checking Oswald's residences, attendance at various
schools, and employment up to the time he entered military service, numerous
individuals were interviewed. Many with whom he had come into contact during
that period did not recall him. Those who did could offer little other than that
there was common agreement that he was a "loner" and a seeming misfit
who was quite often rude, arrogant, and self-centered.
Associates during Oswald's brief high
school days 'said he appeared to be bitter about the fact that his lather had
died before he was born. He felt, they said, that he had received "a raw
deal out of life." This bitterness did not, however, appear to be directed
against anyone in particular, they said.
Military Duty
Oswald's active duty tours in military service as obtained from his Marine Corps records show the following assignments:
• 10/26/56 - 1/20/57
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California
• 1/20/57 - 2/26/57 Marine Corps Base, Camp
Pendleton, California
• 3/18/57 - 5/3/57 Marine Air Detachment Naval
Air Technical Training Center Jacksonville, Florida
• 5/4/57 - 6/19/57 Detached Duty, Keesler Air
Force Base, Mississippi
• 7/9/57 - 9/12/57 Marine Corps Air Station El
Toro, California
• 9/12/57 - 12/22/58 Fleet Marines, Pacific
Area
• 12/22/58 - 9/11/59 Marine Corps Air Station
El Toro, California
During the period that Oswald was in the U. S. Marine Corps, he received
training in the use of the M- I rifle, Browning Automatic Rifle, riot gun, and
.45 caliber pistol.
Peter F. Connor, a former Marine who
served at the Naval Air Station at Atsugi, Japan, during parts of 1957 and 1958
with Oswald, said Oswald had the reputation of being a good worker, but he also
said Oswald was a "real sloppy Marine." He described Oswald as a
troublemaker who engaged in "a few fights." In connection with
Oswald's being court-martialed for possession of an unregistered, privately
owned weapon, he recalled that Oswald had a privately owned derringer in the
barracks at Atsugi and that on one occasion it discharged, grazing Oswald. This
incident is corroborated by Marine Corps records.
A number of Oswald's other fellow Marines
recalled him as a self contained, disorganized young man with no friends. They
said he kept to himself and was resentful of authority.
Some also commented on Oswald's
procommunist tendencies. He was said to have expressed admiration for the Soviet
form of government, and he did, as he had said, study the Russian language while
stationed in Japan. A fellow Marine also noted that Oswald received a newspaper,
"The Worker," which, as was previously noted, is an east coast
communist newspaper. They said he also subscribed to several Soviet
publications. On one occasion in a barracks discussion, Oswald took a pro-Castro
stand.
Trip to the Soviet Union
After Oswald left the Marine Corps and briefly visited his mother in Fort
Worth in September, 1959, he went to New Orleans where he boarded the SS.
"Marion Lykes" for Europe. The ship's manifest shows that the ship
departed port September 19, 1959, and that Lee H. Oswald was listed as a
passenger on the vessel. It also shows that he paid $215 fare, plus $5.75 tax.
Oswald' s American passport, which was
among his personal effects at the time of his death, contained stamps indicating
he arrived at Le Havre, France, on October 8, 1959. He left Le Havre the same
day and arrived at Southampton, England, the following day. The day after that
he embarked at London Airport and arrived in Helsinki, Finland, on October 10,
1959. Five days later, he arrived in the Soviet Union.
Oswald's Suicide Attempt
Among Oswald's personal effects obtained following his arrest was a hand-printed "Historic Diary" which deals largely with his activities in the Soviet Union from the time he arrived in Moscow, until his arrival in Minsk on January 7, 1960. In this diary, Oswald sets forth, again, the reasons he desired to "dissolve" his United States citizenship. The diary also contains an account of Oswald's attempted suicide on October 21, 1959, when he was ordered to leave the Soviet Union by 8 that day when his visa expired. Oswald was "shocked," his "dreams were shattered," and he attempted suicide by slashing his left wrist. He was found about an hour later by his Intourist guide and rushed to a hospital where five stitches were taken in his wrist and he was confined in the "insanity" ward.
Life in the Soviet Union
He details his efforts to obtain Russian citizenship and to renounce his
American citizenship. He also related that he was told on January 4, 1960, that
he could stay in Russia and would receive money from the "Red Cross"
to pay his hotel bills and expenses. The following day, he received 5,000 rubles
and, on January 7, 1960, left Moscow by train for Minsk. His Moscow hotel bill
was 2,200 rubles and the train ticket to Minsk, 150 rubles. On that date, he
states, he wrote to his mother and brother indicating that he did not want to
contact them again. He said he was beginning a new life and added, "I don't
want any part of the old."
He related that on January 8, 1960, he was
welcomed to Minsk by the mayor. He obtained a job earning 700 rabies per month
in a factory and, in addition, received a check from the "Red Cross"
for 700 rubles on the fifth of every month. Oswald claimed he earned as much as
the director of the factory.
On May 1, 1960, a Soviet acquaintance
suggested that he return to the United States and described many things not
known to him about the USSR which made him begin to feel uneasy. The entries for
the period August - September, 1960, indicate that he began to realize the
disadvantages of the society in which he was living and working and, in January,
1961, he was reconsidering his desire to stay in the Soviet Union. Thereafter,
he took steps to return to the United States.
The FBI Laboratory has identified the
handwriting and hand-printing in the diary as Oswald's.
Oswald's Version of Soviet Payments
It will be recalled that Oswald, upon his return from the Soviet Union,
consistently denied that he had in any way done anything to hurt the United
States while abroad. Yet, a statement found in his personal effects after his
arrest disclosed that he considered the money he had received from the Soviet
Government while in that country as payment for his denunciation of the United
States.
The statement was prepared on stationery
of the Holland-American Line and would appear to have been written while Oswald
was en route back to the United States in 1962. The statement discusses the
merits of the communist and capitalist systems; the activities of such groups as
the extreme right and anarchists; the possibility of conflict between the
capitalist and communist systems; some of the fallacies of the theories of Marx;
the political development of the Soviet state; and some of his activities in the
Soviet Union.
Oswald indicated that he considered the
monthly payments which came to him through the "Red Cross'" as
payments from the MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) in return for his
denunciation of the United States; that he accepted the money because he was
hungry; that soon as he had become completely disgusted with the Soviet Union
and negotiations with the American Embassy in Moscow for return to the United
States, this "Red Cross" allotment was discontinued. He wrote, "I
have never mentioned the fact of these monthly payments to anyone. I do so in
order to state that I shall never sell myself intentionally, or unintentionally
to anyone again."
Examination by the FBI Laboratory has
determined that this document was prepared by Oswald.
Oswald's Proposed Book
What appear to be a handwritten manuscript and a typewritten version of a proposed book by Oswald also were discovered among his personal effects. This material consists of 49 typewritten pages with hand-printed corrections, a handwritten foreword, and a table of contents. It sets forth, In progressively more disorganized form, his description of Soviet society. Both the handwritten and hand-printed portions of these materials were determined, after examination by the FBI Laboratory, to have been prepared by Oswald.
Views on Communism
Also found among the personal effects of Oswald were eight and one-half sheets of lined paper containing hand-printing which appeared to be a draft of an article for publication. The following are quotations from this article:
"The Communist Party of the United States has betrayed itself!
"It has turned itself into the traditional lever of a foreign power to overthrow the Government of the United States, not in the name of freedom 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.
"There can be no sympathy for those who have turned the idea of communism into a vill (sic) curse to western man. "The Soviets have committed crimes unsurpassed even by their early day capitalist counterparts, the imprisonment of their own people, with the mass extermination so typical of Stalin, and the individual surpresstion (sic) and regimentation under Krushchev (sic).
"We have no interest in violently opposeing (sic) the U. S. Goverment (sic), why should we manifest opposition when there are far greater forces at work, to bring about the fall of the United States Government, than we could ever possibly muster."
Examination by the FBI Laboratory has determined that this document was prepared by Oswald.
Additional Writings
Oswald's personal effects included a handwritten note headed "speech
before" which appeared to be notes prepared for a speaking engagement. In
the notes, he suggested that the U. S. Marine Corps could execute a military
coup in the United States and described the Marine Corps as a "right wing
infiltrated organization" which he urged should be abolished.
These notes ended with the following:
"In going to Russia I followed the old priciple (sic) 'thou shall seek the
trueth (sic), and the truth shall make you free,' in returning to the U. S. I
have done nothing more or less than select the lesser of two evils."
The FBI Laboratory has determined that
these notes were written by Oswald.
Oswald's personal effects also contained
handwritten notes commenting on communism and capitalism and a third system
"opposed to Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism."
The FBI Laboratory has identified the
handwriting in these notes as Oswald's. (Exhibit 41)
Also found among Oswald's personal effects
were hand-printed notes containing biographical data. The FBI Laboratory
determined that these also were hand-printed by Oswald.
Questions and Answers
Among Oswald's personal effects were two sets of handwritten questions
and answers. The questions, eight in number, were the same in each set, but the
answers were different. For example, in answer to the question as to why he went
to the USSR, in one answer he indicates that he went to see the country and, in
the other, that he went to protest against American policies in foreign
countries and "discontent and horror at the line of reasoning of the U. S.
Government."
One answer to the question as to whether
he made statements against the United States was "yes" and the other
"no." One answer to the question as to whether he broke any laws by
residing and working in the USSR indicated that he took an oath of allegiance to
the USSR and the other indicated that he did not. One answer to the question
"are you a communist" was "no, of course not" and the other
was "yes basically, although I hate the USSR and socialist system I still
think Marxism can work under different circumstances."
The FBI Laboratory determined that both
sets of notes were written by Oswald. (Exhibit 43)
Views on Interviews
In addition to the account of his efforts to renounce his American
citizenship set forth in his diary, Oswald's personal effects contained a
hand-printed account of his meeting with an American Embassy official on October
31, 1959. In this account he indicates that he told the official that he was a
Marxist and requested that he be allowed to renounce his American citizenship.
The FBI Laboratory determined that this
hand-printing was prepared by Oswald. (Exhibit 44)
Oswald's personal effects contained an
account of his interview with Miss Aline Mosby, a United Press International
foreign correspondent, on November 15, 1959. He relates that in answer to her
question why he went to Russia he told her that he had waited for two years to
"dissolve" his American citizenship and first started studying Marxism
when he was 15 years of age. This account ends, "I saw the American
military hauling a cannon up a montain (sic) side, the tools of war and
opprestion (sic) I learned to hate the U. S. imperalistic (sic) military."
The FBI Laboratory determined that this account is in Oswald's handwriting.
Oswald's personal effects also contained a
handwritten account of his amorous affairs in the USSR. The FBI Laboratory
determined that this account was in Oswald's handwriting. (Exhibit 46)
Financial Picture of Trip
Oswald's mother had advised the FBI on April 28, 1960, that her son had
saved approximately $1,600 while in the Marine Corps. When Oswald arrived in
England on October 9, 1959, he declared $700. For his return to the United
States from the Soviet Union, he borrowed $435.71 under a Department of State
repatriation loan and, on his arrival in the United States on June 13, 1962, was
destitute. Records of the U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
which agency assists in repatriation matters, show that his brother, Robert,
paid $200 for the travel expenses of Oswald's family from New York City to Fort
Worth, Texas.
State Department records show that the
repatriation loan was repaid in full in installments. The first payment, $10,
was paid August 7, 1962. Thereafter, a payment of $9.71 was made September 1,
1962; two separate payments of $10 were made, one on October 6, 1962, another on
November 14, 1962. Then three large payments were made, one of $190 on December
7, 1962, the second for $100 on January 5, 1963, and the final payment of $106
with which the account was posted paid in full on February 7, 1963. All payments
but the first, which was in cash, were made by postal money orders mailed from
various points in Texas. During the period of time in which the payments were
made, Oswald is known to have earned approximately $1,525 through employment he
obtained.
Employment in Fort Worth
When Oswald arrived in Fort Worth following his return to the United States, he resided for a month with his brother, Robert, On July 16, 1962, he obtained employment with the Leslie Welding Company as a sheet metal worker and, about the same time, moved to a residence at 2703 Mercedes Street in Fort Worth. His employment with the Leslie Welding Company terminated October 8, 1962. Three officials of the company confirmed the employment but could add nothing additional of a pertinent nature.
Move to Dallas
A few days after he terminated his employment at the Leslie Welding
Company in Fort Worth, Oswald moved to Dallas. There, through the Texas
Employment Commission, he was referred to Jaggars-Chiles Stovall, Inc., a
graphic arts company, where he was hired as a trainee.
On November 30, 1963, Robert L. Stovall,
president of the company, said that he had heard that Oswald talked frequently
about Russia and occasionally had communist newspapers with him
1. Contact with Communist Party
During the period of that employment, Oswald received correspondence from
the Communist Party in New York City. One of the items found in his personal
effects after his death was a letter dated December 13, 1962, on the letterhead
of the '"Gus Hall-Benjamin J. Davis, Defense Committee." It
acknowledged receipt of samples of photographic work and expressed appreciation
for Oswald's offer to do this type of work for the Committee. (Exhibit 47)
Gus Hall is general secretary of the
Communist Party, USA, and Benjamin J. Davis, Jr., is its national secretary.
Another letter in Oswald's personal
effects was one dated December 19, 1962, on the letterhead of "The
Worker." It thanked Oswald for the "blow ups" and for his
"kind offer." It said that "from time to time we shall call on
you."
2. Contact with the Socialist Workers Party
Items from Oswald's personal effects also indicate that, at about the
same time, he also was in contact with the Trotskyite Socialist Workers Party, a
bitter rival of the Communist Party, USA. One of the items is a letter dated
November 5, 1962, on the letterhead of the Socialist Workers Party,
acknowledging his request for an application for membership and advising him
that there was no branch of the organization in Dallas. (Exhibit 49)
Another item is a letter dated December 9,
1962, signed by Bob Chester, 116 University Place, New York City, indicating
that Oswald's letter and "reproductions" were turned over to Chester
by the "SWP Office" (presumably the Socialist Workers Party) and
inquiring as to Oswald's photographic ability.
Still another item is a letter dated March
27, 1963, on the letterhead of the Socialist Workers Party and signed by Joseph
Task, He thanked Oswald for his letter of March 24, 1963, and the clipping which
had been enclosed with it. He said that because of Oswald's age and location his
name was being referred to the Young Socialist Alliance, a Youth organization of
the Socialist Workers Party.
In addition, there was in Oswald's
personal effects a letter dated April 26, 1963, from Mrs. V. Halstead, Pioneer
Publishers, 116 University Place, New York City. It indicated that in response
to Oswald's request, he was being furnished with the words to the "Internationale,"
revolutionary socialist song.
Mrs. Virginia Halstead is the manager of
Pioneer Publications, a business owned and operated by the Socialist Workers
Party at 116 University Place, New York, New York.
3. Employment and Domestic Difficulties
Meanwhile, Oswald was experiencing difficulties both with his employment
and his family life, Mr. John Graef, director of the Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall
photographic department, recalled that there had been reports of friction
between Oswald and other employees.
Neighbors interviewed by FBI agents
subsequent to the assassination, as well as prior thereto in March, 1963, stated
there was friction between Oswald and his wife. They had been living in an
apartment at 604 Elsbeth Street in Dallas, but were forced to move because
neighbors complained that Oswald drank to excess and beat his wife. At the same
time, Oswald's wife had contacted the Soviet Embassy asking for material aid to
return to the Soviet Union.
Mr. Graef recalled that by April, 1963, it
was felt that Oswald had not lived up to expectations as a trainee at the
graphic arts company, and his employment there was terminated on April 6, 1963.
Move to New Orleans
A few days later Oswald went to New Orleans. He stayed for a few days
with an aunt, Mrs. Charles Murret, and made a claim for unemployment
compensation to the New Orleans Office of the Louisiana Employment Commission on
April 29, 1963.
On May 10,1963, Oswald was employed as an
oiler-machinist assistant by the William B. Reily and Company, Inc., a coffee
plant, and moved into an apartment at 4905 Magazine Street in New Orleans.
Oswald's employment at the Reily Company
terminated on July 19, 1963, when he was discharged due to unsatisfactory
services. Seven officials and employees of the company were interviewed
concerning Oswald and all indicated that he was a quiet individual who had no
close friends at the firm. He was not well liked by the other employees and was
not considered a good worker.
Following Oswald's dismissal by the Reily
Company, he collected unemployment compensation benefits for an extended period
of time. Regularly each week from July 22, 1963, through September 24, 1963, he
collected checks in the amount of $33.
Role in Fair Play for Cuba Committee
Oswald's period of unemployment enabled him to devote more time to
activities in support of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Among Oswald's
personal effects which were found following his arrest on November 22, 1963, was
a letter to him dated May 22, 1963, on the letterhead of the Fair Play for Cuba
Committee. It acknowledged receipt of a notice of change of address and enclosed
a renewal form as well as a copy of the current literature catalogue.
Found In Oswald's possession after his
arrest was a card Issued to Lee H. Oswald dated May 28, 1963, and signed by V.
T. Lee, Executive Secretary for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.
Among Oswald's effects was a letter to him
dated May 29, 1963, on the letterhead of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. It
enclosed "your card and receipt,"
expressed appreciation for Oswald's interest In trying to form a
Committee chapter in New Orleans. The letter gave him detailed advice concerning
such an endeavor and encouraged him in it. (Exhibit 53)
In an apparent acknowledgment of the above
letter, Oswald sent an undated letter to "Dear Mr. Lee" and expressed
appreciation for the advice concerning his "try" at organizing a New
Orleans chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. He stated that, according
to the advice of Mr. Lee, he had taken a post office box but, contrary to Mr.
Lee's advice, he had decided to open an office. He enclosed a circular and
stated, "you may think the circular is too provocative, but I want it to
attract attention even if it is the attention of the lunatic fringe. I had 2000
of them run oft" He continued by outlining his proposals for recruiting
members and distributing literature. He advised that he would keep the addressee
posted and solicited advice and any other help which he might offer.
On his person at the time of his arrest on
November 22, 1963, Oswald also carried a card of the "Fair Play for Cuba
Committee, New Orleans Chapter." It was issued to L. H. Oswald, dated June
15, 1963, and signed by A. J. Hidell, Chapter President. Along with it in
Oswald's possession at the time was a fraudulent Selective Service card
containing Oswald's photograph and identifying him as Alek James Hidell.
(Exhibits 35, 10)
At the time that Oswald was arrested in
August, 1963, by the New Orleans Police Department, he was passing out leaflets
which Included an application for membership in the "Fair Play for Cuba
Committee, New Orleans Charter Member Branch, A. J. Hidell, PO Box 30016, New
Orleans, La." Post Office records revealed that Box 30016 was nonexistent,
but that Box 30061 was rented under the name of L. H. Oswald from June 3, 1963,
to September 24, 1963. In addition to L. H. Oswald, A. J. Hidell and Marina
Oswald were listed as persons entitled to receive mail through the box.
Also at the time of his August, 1963,
arrest, Oswald had been passing out publications bearing the stamp "FPCC,
544 Camp Street, New Orleans, La." But Mr. S. M. Newman, owner of the
building at that address, advised he had never rented office space to the Fair
Play for Cuba Committee or to anyone using any of the aliases Oswald had been
known to use. Neither could Mr. Newman identify photographs of Oswald as having
been the occupant of office space in the building.
A Tulane University graduate student
residing currently in New Orleans, advised on November 26, 1963, that he has
participated in Fair Play for Cuba activities in other areas of the country but
has never known of any organized activity of the organization in New Orleans.
A teacher at St. Martin's Episcopal School
in a suburb of New Orleans, said he had been interested in joining the Fair Play
for Cuba Committee after his arrival from Cuba and before he became disenchanted
with Fidel Castro. He stated that he had never heard of a New Orleans Chapter of
the Committee.
An investigation was conducted in the
vicinity of the neighborhood on Magazine Street where Oswald had resided in New
Orleans, and there was no indication Oswald had ever held any meetings of any
kind at his residence.
Vincent Ted Lee, National Chairman of the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee, was interviewed December 3, 1963. He stated he had
no knowledge of a charter having been issued by him to Oswald or anyone else for
a Committee chapter in New Orleans. Lee said he could not recall ever having met
Oswald and had no recollection of any personal correspondence with him.
Continued Contacts with Communist Party
While engaged at the time in activities supporting the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, Oswald continued to maintain contact with the Communist Party. Items found, for example, among his personal effects after his arrest on November 22, 1963, included:
A letter dated July 31, 1963, on the letterhead of the Communist Party,
USA, and signed by Arnold Johnson, Director, Information and Lecture Bureau.
This letter acknowledged Oswald's previously described letter to "The
Worker," forwarded literature, and expressed approval that
"movements" in support of fair play for Cuba had developed in New
Orleans.
A letter dated September 19, 1963, from
Arnold Johnson acknowledging Oswald's letter of August 28th to Elizabeth G.
Flynn, national chairman of the Communist Party, USA, which was turned over to
Johnson for reply. It also acknowledged Oswald's letter of September 1, 1963,
which indicated he was planning to move to Baltimore and suggested that, after
he moved, he get in touch "with us here and we will find some way of
getting in touch with you in that city." He also gave Oswald advice
concerning participation in organizations.
On December 3, 1963, John J. Abt, New York attorney who is representing
the Communist Party, USA, in the legal proceedings against the Party under the
Internal Security Act of 1950, turned over to the FBI, on behalf of his client,
Arnold Johnson, correspondence between Oswald and the Party. Included in this
correspondence are previously mentioned letters from Johnson to Oswald dated
July 31, 1963, and September 19, 1963. (Exhibits 54 and 55). In addition, there
are included six handwritten letters from Oswald to Johnson, "The
Worker" and the Communist Party, USA, in which Oswald describes his
activities in New Orleans and Dallas, requests a job with "the Worker"
and solicits advice on his role in "the struggle for progress and
freedom."
The FBI Laboratory has determined that the
six handwritten letters to Johnson were prepared by Oswald..
Mrs. Oswald's Move to Texas
Meanwhile, Oswald's wife continued her efforts to obtain assistance in
returning to the Soviet Union. A letter to her from the Soviet Embassy dated
August 5, 1963, advised her that her request to enter the Soviet Union for
permanent residence had been forwarded to Moscow for processing.
Toward the end of September, 1963,
Oswald's wife left New Orleans and went to live in Irving Texas, with a friend,
Mrs. Ruth Paine. The latter, who resides at 2515 West 5th Street in Irving,
advised on November 23, 1963, that she had first become acquainted with the
Oswald's at a social gathering in February, 1963. Mrs. Paine said she developed
a friendship with Oswald's wife because the latter spoke only Russian and Mrs.
Paine, who also speaks Russian, wanted someone to converse with in that
language.
Mrs. Paine said that after the Oswalds
went to New Orleans) where Oswald was arrested for distributing pro-Castro
literature, she felt sorry for his wife, who was then in the late stages of
pregnancy. As a result, she drove to New Orleans and brought Mrs. Oswald back to
live with her at her home in Irving, where they arrived on September 24, 1963.
When they left New Orleans, according to
Mrs. Paine, Oswald was still in New Orleans; however, she said, she subsequently
determined from a rough draft of a letter Oswald later left lying around her
house that he apparently had gone to Mexico City from New Orleans, where he
contacted the Soviet Embassy and the Cuban Embassy.
Obtained Passport
State Department records checked on November 22, 1963, disclosed that
Oswald had applied for an American passport at New Orleans Louisiana, on June
24, 1963. In his application, he had stated that he intended to depart New
Orleans during the period October to December, 1963, for proposed travel as a
tourist to England, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Finland, Italy, and
Poland.
He was issued Passport Number D092526 at
New Orleans on June 25, 1963. This passport was valid for three years for travel
to all countries except Albania, Cuba and those portions or China, Korea, and
Vietnam under communist control. This passport was found among his effects after
his arrest on November 22, 1963.
Trip to Mexico
On September 17, 1963, Oswald applied for and received Mexican Tourist
Card Number 24085 at New Orleans. It was issued in his correct name and showed
his correct address. The handwriting on the application has been identified by
the FBI Laboratory as Oswald's. The tourist card was valid for 15 days' travel
in Mexico from the date of issuance. As proof of citizenship, Oswald presented a
birth certificate and claimed to be taking $300 to Mexico as an in-transit
tourist. He indicated that his travel to Mexico would be by bus. The tourist
card showed he intended to travel from Mexico to some country, but the records
do not show the country of destination.
On the date that Oswald received his
tourist card in New Orleans, 18 other cards were issued. Fourteen of the people
to whom they were issued have been contacted, but none were able to furnish any
information concerning Oswald or his travel.
On September 26, 1963, Oswald entered
Mexico at Nuevo Laredo. He gave his age as 23, his occupation as photographer,
his residence as New Orleans, and his destination as Mexico City. His mode of
transportation was not indicated. Immigration officials who checked the entry
could furnish no additional information of value.
On September 27, 1963, Oswald checked into
the Hotel Del Commercio, in Mexico City, where he was identified by a hotel
employee.
A female Mexican national employed in the
Consular Office of the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City Identified Oswald as an
individual who had called at the Cuban establishment in late September or early
October, 1963, seeking a visa to Cuba in transit to the Soviet Union. The
employee referred Oswald to the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City, advising him that
a Soviet visa was necessary before issuance of permission to travel to Cuba. The
employee of the Cuban establishment furnished Oswald her name and the telephone
number of the Cuban Consular Office for future reference. Her name and the above
telephone number were found in an address book among Oswald's personal
possessions after his arrest on November 22, 1963.
Oswald traveled from Mexico City to Nuevo
Laredo on October 2, 1963. Record of this travel is contained on the manifest
for that date of the Transportes Frontera, a Mexican bus line. Records of the
Hotel Del Commercio showed that Oswald checked out on October 1, 1963; however,
he had paid for his room for that evening, and the probability exists that he
remained there that night. The bus trip from Mexico City takes approximately 17
hours. On October 2, 1963, the bus left Mexico City at 1 p. m. and arrived at
Nuevo Laredo at 6 a. m. on the following day.
Immigration records at Nuevo Laredo show
that Oswald entered the United States at that point on October 3, 1963. He had
been checked at Nuevo Laredo by an Immigration official who works the midnight
to 8 a. m. shift.
Soviet Consular File
On November 30, 1963, Soviet Ambassador to the United States Anatoly F. Dobrynin voluntarily turned over to Secretary of State Dean Husk a Soviet consular file on Lee Harvey Oswald. This file contained the correspondence dealing with the efforts of Lee and Marina Oswald to obtain visas to return to the Soviet Union. In one undated letter to the Soviet Embassy, Washington, D. C., Lee Harvey Oswald requested that, if possible, this matter be expedited. He also asked for subscription information concerning Soviet periodicals, as well as any bulletins or periodicals issued by the Soviet Embassy'" for the benefit of your citizens living, for a time, in the U.S.A." (Exhibit 57)
Arrival in Dallas
The records of the Young Men's Christian Association In Dallas show that
Oswald registered there on October 3, 1963, and departed on the following day.
When he left, he went to the residence of Mrs. Ruth Paine in Irving, Texas,
where his wife and child were staying.
Mrs. Paine permitted Oswald to remain with
his wife at her home several days. On October 7, 1963, he obtained a room at 621
N. Marsalis Street in Dallas and paid $7 for one week's rent. He stayed there,
with the exception of the nights of October 12 and 13, 1963, which he spent with
his wife at Mrs. Paine's residence, and returned to the rooming house briefly on
the morning of October 14, 1963. Mrs. Mary Bledsoe, the owner of the residence,
said that, during the time he was there, Oswald had no visitors and left the
room only for very brier periods in the evenings.
On the same day, Oswald rented a room at
1026 N. Beckley Street, Dallas, in the name of O. H. Lee. Mrs. Paine recalled
that, on November 18, 1963, at Marina Oswald's request, she had attempted to
place a telephone call to Lee Oswald at his rooming house in Dallas. She had
asked for him by his true name, and he apparently became quite upset by what she
had done because he was living at the rooming house under a different name.
Mrs. Paine stated That Oswald claimed to
be a Marxist but that she just considered him a little odd. She said that her
real friendship with the Oswalds was with Oswald's wife, Marina.
Oswald's Income
On November 24, 1963, Mrs. Paine stated that, in regard to Mrs. Oswald's residence in her house, the physical separation of the Oswalds was occasioned by financial difficulties, since Oswald did not make enough money to support both himself and his wife, while Oswald's income generally was very small, he managed, by practicing the utmost thrift, to live within it. Through his wages and the unemployment benefits he received, for example, during the period July 16, 1962, to November 22, 1963, Oswald had a total income of approximately $3,380. His known expenditures during that period, exclusive of food and clothing, amounted to approximately $1,000. But Mrs. Paine pointed out that she was paid no rent by the Oswalds during the time Oswald's wife and children resided with her. Mrs. Gladys Johnson, at whose rooming house in Dallas Oswald lived under the name O. H. Lee from October 14, 1963, until November 22, 1963, advised on November 27, 1963, that Oswald usually prepared his meals, consisting of bread, lunch meat, and jelly, in his room and only paid $8 a week for room rent.
Personal Resume
After Oswald's arrest on November 22, 1963, a search of his personal
effects in the garage of the residence where his wife resided in Irving, Texas,
revealed a seven-page resume of his personal background written in pencil on
lined paper. This resume set forth Oswald's evaluation of his background and
qualifications in several lines of endeavor, among them as an organizer for the
Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans, as a photographer, as a street
agitator, as a student of Marxism, as a Russian linguist, and as a radio speaker
and lecturer. It also included background on his military service in the U. S.
Marine Corps and his residence in the Soviet Union. In discussing proficiency in
the photographic arts, the resume stated, "'1 have submitted and been
commended for photowork by the party."
This resume has been determined by the
examination or the FBI Laboratory to have been prepared by Oswald.
Observations of Marina Oswald
On December 2, 1963, Marina Oswald, in an interview with FBI agents,
furnished a number of observations concerning her late husband's character and
nature.
Speaking of her initial relationship with
Oswald in the Soviet Union, she said that he had lived in Minsk prior to her
first meeting with him and she had not known that he was an American until so
informed by a Soviet friend.
Mrs. Oswald stated that she knew of no
suicide attempt by Oswald at any time and expressed the opinion that he was
incapable of such an act. She said she noticed an old scar on his left inner
wrist after they were married, but that he refused to answer her when she asked
him about it. She advised that the scar was completely healed when she first saw
it.
Oswald had decided to return to the United
States, his wife said, approximately three months after they were married, and
she agreed to the move. She added that she had not shared her husband's
political views and, in fact, could not understand them. She recalled that, at
one time, he had said that he wanted to help Cuba, and she had told him that
Cuba did not need his help. She expressed the opinion that Oswald had adopted
the alias Hidell because of its phonetic parallel to Fidel.
Mrs. Oswald's observations were
reminiscent of an earlier statement she had made to some of his relatives In
July, 1963, when he took his wife and child for a visit to his aunt, Mrs.
Charles Murret in New Orleans. On November 30, 1963, Mrs. Joyce O'Brien, who is
the daughter of Mrs. Murret, recalled that she was present during the visit and,
when Mrs. Oswald was asked how she liked America, she replied, "Me like
America. Lee no like Russia. Lee no like America, Lee like moon." Mrs.
O'Brien added that her cousin, Lee Harvey Oswald, had lived completely within
himself and was "against everything."
During another interview with FBI agents
on November 27, 1963, Marina Oswald stated that in the light of what had been
told to her concerning her husband's implication in the assassination on
November 22, 1963, she was convinced that Lee Harvey Oswald had killed President
John F. Kennedy.
PART TWO: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING LEE HARVEY OSWALD
I. Personal History
A. Birth
Records in the Office of the Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths for the Parish of Orleans and the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, disclose that Lee Harvey Oswald was born October 18, 1939, at the French Hospital in New Orleans. His mother was Marguerite Claverie Oswald. His father was Robert E. Lee Oswald, who, the records indicated, was deceased at the time of Lee Oswald's birth. The records showed that his father was an insurance clerk who was 43 years of age at the time of his death.
B. Education
Lee Harvey Oswald's attendance at the following schools was verified through school records:
• Covington Grammar School Covington, Louisiana September 19, 1946 -
January 23, 1947
• Lily B. Clayton School Fort Worth,
Texas 1947
• George Clark Elementary School Fort
Worth Texas 1948
• Arlington Heights Elementary School
Fort Worth, Texas 1948
• Ridglea West Elementary School Fort
Worth, Texas September 1949 - June 1952
• Junior High School # 117 Bronx, New
York September 30, 1952 - January 16, 1953
• Junior High School # 44 Bronx, New
York March 23, 1953 - January 12, 1954
• Beauregard Junior High School New
Orleans, Louisiana January 13, 1954 - June 10, 1955
• Warren Easton High School New Orleans,
Louisiana September 8, 1955 - October 14, 1955
• Arlington Heights Senior High School
Fort Worth, Texas September 5, 1956 - September 28, 1956
• Crozier Tech High School Dallas, Texas
(Evening typing class) January 28, 1963 - March 28, 1963
In March, 1959, while in the United States Marine Corps, Oswald took a
battery of five GED (General Educational Development) high school level tests
and received a rating of satisfactory. According to an official of the United
States Armed Forces Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, the purpose of these tests
was to determine a student's educational level as compared with a typical high
school senior, and a rating of satisfactory was recognized by many state
educational departments and employers as indicating a level equivalent to a high
school education.
During FBI's verification of Oswald's
education, numerous former teachers and fellow students were interviewed, but no
additional pertinent information was developed.
C. Residences
Set forth below is a list of all the known residences of Lee Harvey Oswald disclosed and verified through the investigation of his background:
• 2109 Alvar Street New Orleans, Louisiana October 18, 1939 - Spring
1940
• 1242 Congress New Orleans, Louisiana
November 10, 1940 - March 1941
• 1010 Bartholomew Street New Orleans,
Louisiana March 1941 - January 16, 1942
• 831 Pauline New Orleans, Louisiana
January 17, 1942 - May 1942
• *Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Orphan
Asylum 9100 Grant Street New Orleans, Louisiana December 26, 1942 - January 29,
1944
• 4801 Victor Dallas, Texas About 1945 -
1946
• 600 West 24th Street Covington,
Louisiana Summer 1946
• 311 Vermont Street Covington,
Louisiana September 1946 - January 1947
• 1505 8th Avenue Fort Worth, Texas
Several months in Summer 1947 or 1948
• 101 San Saba Benbrook, Texas Several
months in Summer 1948
• 3300 Willing Street Fort Worth, Texas
1948
• 7408 Ewing Fort Worth, Texas About
1949 - 1952
• 325 East 92nd Street New York, New
York July and August 1952
• 825 East 178th Street and 1455
Sheridan Avenue New York, New York September 1952 - January 1954
• 1452 [and] 1454 St. Mary's Street New
Orleans, Louisiana Spring 1954 - May 1955
• 126 Exchange Place New Orleans,
Louisiana May 1955 - Spring 1956
• 4936 Collingswood Street Fort Worth.
Texas Spring 1956 - October 1956
• United States Marine Corps October 24,
1956 - September 11, 1959
• Trip to the Soviet Union September 19,
1959 - June 13, 1962
• 7313 Davenport Street Fort Worth,
Texas June 1962 - July 1962
• 2703 Mercedes Street Fort Worth, Texas
July 1962 - October 1962
• Young Men's Christian Association
Dallas, Texas October 15, 1962 - October 19, 1962
• 604 Elsbeth Dallas, Texas November
1962 - March 1963
• 214 West Neely Dallas, Texas March
1963 - May 1, 1963
• 757 French Street New Orleans,
Louisiana 3 - 5 nights April 1963
• 4905 Magazine New Orleans, Louisiana
May 1963 - September 25, 1963
• Hotel Del Commercio Mexico City,
Mexico September 27, 1963 - October 2, 1963
• Young Men's Christian Association
Dallas, Texas October 3, 1963
• 2515 West 5th Street Irving, Texas
October 4, 1963 - October 6, 1963
• 621 North Marsalis Dallas, Texas
October 7, 1963 - October 14, 1963
• 1026 North Beckley Dallas, Texas
October 14, 1963 - November 22, 1963=
Officials of the Asylum have requested that, if possible, the institution
not be publicly identified in view of the adverse effect it might have on the
children currently there.
During the period of October 7, 1963, to
November 22, 1963, Oswald usually spent the weekends with his family at the
Paine residence, 2515 West 5th Street, Irving, Texas.
During the course of verifying Oswald's
residences, numerous former neighbors were interviewed regarding him but could
furnish Do additional pertinent information.
In addition to the above residence
addresses, Oswald used the following Post Office boxes:
• Post Office Box 2915, Dallas, Texas--rented on October 9, 1962, and
relinquished on May 14, 1963.
• Post Office Box 30061, New Orleans,
Louisiana--rented on June 3, 1963, and relinquished on September 24, 1963.
• Post Office Box 6225, Dallas,
Texas--rented on November 1, 1963.
D. Employment
The following is a chronological listing of the various jobs held by
Oswald as revealed by investigation.
Included for chronological continuity is
the period covered by his military service, the details of which were submitted
in the initial report, as well as the period covered by his trip to the Soviet
Union, the details of which also were included in the initial report.
• Gerard F. Tujague, Inc. New Orleans, Louisiana (messenger) November
10, 1955 - January 14, 1956
• J.R. Michels, Inc. New Orleans,
Louisiana (office boy) One week in January 1956
• Dolly Shoe Company New Orleans, Louisiana (office
boy) Company records have been destroyed, but apparently he worked briefly in
1956
• Pfisterer Dental Laboratory New
Orleans, Louisiana (messenger) Company records have been destroyed, but
apparently he worked briefly in 1956
• United States Marine Corps October 24,
1956 - September 11, 1959
• Trip to the Soviet Union September 19,
1959 - June 13, 1962
• Leslie Welding Company, Inc. Fort
Worth, Texas (sheet-metal worker) July 16, 1962 - October 8, 1962
• Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall, Inc. Dallas,
Texas (trainee photographer) October 12, 1962 - April 6, 1963
• William B. Reily Company, Inc. New
Orleans, Louisiana (oiler-machinist) May 10, 1963 - July 19, 1963
• Texas School Book Depository Dallas,
Texas (laborer) October 16, 1963 - November 22, 1963
When Oswald began his employment at the Texas School Book Depository on
October 16, 1963, he had been unemployed since July 19, 1963, and was in need of
a job. He applied at this company after Mrs. Ruth Paine had called that company
and arranged for an interview with a company official for him Mrs.. Paine's call
to that company was prompted by the fact she had learned from a neighbor, Mrs.
Linnie Mae Randle, that her brother, Wesley Buell Frazier, had obtained
employment at that company. It is noted that Oswald began his employment at the
Texas School Book Depository prior to any announcement of President Kennedy's
motorcade route past that building. The route of motorcade was publicized On
November 19, 1963.
In verifying Oswald's employment, numerous
employers and fellow workers were interviewed regarding him but could furnish no
additional pertinent information.
II. Relatives
During the course of investigation, all of Lee Harvey Oswald's living relatives were identified and located. They were all interviewed with the exception of the infant children. Following is a list of these relatives (an asterisk designates relatives on his father's side of the family):
A. Immediate
• Mother: Marguerite Oswald 2220 Thomas Place Fort Worth, Texas
• Father: Robert E. Lee Oswald (deceased
before the birth of Lee Harvey Oswald)
• Stepfather: Edwin A. Ekdahl (deceased
January 26, 1953)
• Wife: Marina Oswald (born July 17,
1941, Russia)
• Children: June and Rachel
• Brother: Robert Lee Oswald 109 Sierra
Denton, Texas
• Half-brother Staff Sergeant John
Edward Pic United States Air Force
B. Other
• *Aunt: Mrs. Arthur A.P. Barre 2311 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans,
Louisiana
• *Aunt: Mrs. Edmond C. Carter (nee
Ethel Oswald) 2031 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana
• *Aunt: Mrs. James Coker (nee Hattie
Oswald) Andrew Jackson Apartments 2nd Street and St. Charles New Orleans,
Louisiana
• Aunt: Mrs. Charles F. Murret 757
French Street New Orleans, Louisiana
• *Aunt: Mrs. Adele F. Oswald (widow of
Thomas Oswald) 2018 General Pershing Street New Orleans, Louisiana
• *Aunt: Mrs. Hazel Oswald (widow of
William Stout Oswald, Sr.) 136 Elmeer Street Metairie, Louisiana
• *Cousin: Mrs. Tony Bevinetto (nee
Shirley Oswald) 1914 South Carrollton Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana
• *Cousin: Mrs. William Brown (nee Floy
Oswald) 3944 Virgil Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana
• Cousin: Charles W. Murret 636 Norton
Avenue Arabi, Louisiana
• Cousin: Eugene John Murret Jesuit
House of Studies Mobile, Alabama
• Cousin: John M. Murret 6622 Louis XIV
Street New Orleans, Louisiana
• Cousin: Miss Marilyn Murret 757 French
Street New Orleans, Louisiana
• Cousin: Mrs. Joyce O'Brien 1615
Fairway Beaumont, Texas
• *Cousin: Miss Adele Oswald 2018
General Pershing Street New Orleans, Louisiana
• *Cousin: Lowell Oswald 132 Elmeer
Street Metairie, Louisiana
• *Cousin: Norman Oswald 706 Division
Street Metairie, Louisiana
• *Cousin William Stout Oswald, Jr. 136
Elmeer Street Metairie, Louisiana
• *Cousin: William Stout Oswald, III 706
Division Street Metairie, Louisiana
C. Interviews with Relatives
The individuals listed herein before who are relatives of Lee Harvey
Oswald on his father's side all stated they had never met him and could furnish
no information concerning him.
None of Oswald's relatives on his mother's
side could supply any information regarding Oswald's activities in connection
with the assassination of President Kennedy. Together, their interviews resulted
in a composite of background information on Oswald's family history, and a few
were able to provide bits of pertinent information pertaining to Oswald's
personality.
Oswald's mother, Marguerite Claverie
Oswald, was interviewed at her residence, 2220 Thomas Place, Fort Worth, Texas,
on November 22, 1963, following President Kennedy's assassination. She stated
that she was employed as a practical nurse and said she had not seen her son for
approximately a year prior to that date.
Dr. Charles W. Murret, a dentist in Arabi,
Louisiana, who was a cousin of Oswald, was interviewed on November 29, 1963. He
said he had not seen Oswald since he was six years old but added that he felt
Oswald's mother had been the type of person who would remind her son of the
difficult times she had had after the death of his father and of how hard she
had worked to rear her children. Dr. Murret said Lee Oswald probably felt
resentment toward the world because of his own inability to provide for his own
family in a better way.
Staff Sergeant John Edward Pic, assigned
to the Wilford Hall Hospital, Medical Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas,
was interviewed November 29, 1963. Be said be had been a half-brother of Lee
Harvey Oswald inasmuch as his mother, the former Marguerite Claverie, had been
married to his father, Edward John Pic, prior to her marriage to Oswald's
father, Robert E. Lee Oswald Sergeant Pic said he had not had any close
association with Lee Oswald since they were boys but recalled that he once had
made an effort to have Oswald adopt a better attitude toward his mother when, at
about age 13, he was disrespectful toward her.
Mrs. Pic, Sergeant Pic's wife, advised on
December 10, 1963, that when she first met Mrs. Oswald about August, 1952, Mrs.
Oswald stated she and Lee wanted to live permanently with the Pics, but Mrs. Pic
privately told her she would not agree to this. Thereafter, Mrs. Oswald did all
she could to turn everyone, including Sergeant Pic and Lee, against Mrs. Pic and
constantly started arguments over minor household matters, the details of which
are not now recalled. Mrs. Pic said that during one such argument, now believed
to have developed because Mrs. Pic protested Lee's playing a television set
owned by Mrs. Oswald, Lee pulled out a small pocket knife, opened the blade, and
moved toward Mrs. Pic in Mrs. Oswald's presence. Mrs. Pic said this scared her.
She said she backed away and Lee did nothing. She reported this threat to
Sergeant Pic when he returned from work, but Mrs. Oswald denied to him that Lee
had threatened Mrs. Pic with a knife. Mrs. Pic expressed the belief that her
husband was actually in doubt as to the true facts.
Mrs. Pic stated that after the latter
incident she told Mrs. Oswald to get out or she would have her thrown out. Mrs.
Oswald then threatened to jump out the window. Subsequently, Mrs. Oswald moved
away voluntarily with her son.
Eugene John Murret was interviewed on
November 29, 1963. He advised that his mother and Oswald's mother are sisters
and that he Is thirty-one-years old, about seven years older than Lee Harvey
Oswald. Mr. Murret is currently attending the Jesuit House of Studies as a
Scholastic at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama. He stated that when he
learned from his mother that Lee Oswald had returned to the United States from
Russia, he contacted him and requested him to visit and address the students at
a seminary in Mobile, Alabama. Oswald came to Mobile in the latter part of July,
1963, and gave an address to the students concerning his knowledge of and
experiences in Russia. Mr. Murret said Oswald's speech was somewhat critical of
the Soviet Union, for Oswald indicated he had been disillusioned with life in
the Soviet Union and felt that communism was too oppressive to the people there.
He also stated Oswald evaded the subject of religion, and he received the
impression that Oswald was an atheist. Mr. Murret stated he had no further
contact with Oswald.
Mrs. Joyce O'Brien, 1615 Fairway,
Beaumont, Texas, was interviewed on November 30, 1963. She stated she was a
cousin of Lee Harvey Oswald inasmuch as her mother, Mrs. Charles Murret, 757
French Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, is a sister of Oswald's mother. Mrs.
O'Brien stated that while visiting her mother in August, 1963, she received a
telephone call from Lee Harvey Oswald who was in jail in New Orleans. Oswald
asked her to post $25 for his bond. Mrs. O'Brien went to the New Orleans Police
Department and was informed Oswald was charged with "disturbing the
peace" for carrying posters. She said that, after she saw a poster bearing
the words "VIVA CASTRO" and other pamphlets, she decided against
putting up bond for him. She subsequently received a second call from Oswald,
who instructed her to contact his wife. However, Mrs. O'Brien telephoned Mr.
Emile Bruneau, a friend of her father, and Bruneau made the arrangements through
which Oswald was released.
D. Interviews with Marina Oswald
In interviews, Marina Oswald said she first met Lee Harvey Oswald at a
social function in Minsk, USSR, in March, 1961, and married him April 30, 1961,
in that city. She maintained that she did not know of Oswald's desire to return
to the United States at the time of their marriage and, had she known of such a
desire, she probably would not have married him.
Mrs. Oswald admitted requesting permission
of Soviet authorities in mid-1961 to take up residence in the United States. She
said that in late 1961 she was advised by Soviet authorities that she would be
permitted to leave the Soviet Union and travel to the United States, whereupon
she submitted formal application for an exit visa. In May, l962, she received
her exit document. She admitted surprise at being granted permission to leave
the Soviet Union.
It was Mrs. Oswald's opinion that Oswald
received preferential treatment in the Soviet Union, such as being permitted to
live in an apartment rather than a dormitory. She cited, in addition, payment by
the Soviet Government of a hotel bill that he incurred at a Moscow hotel and,
later, the action of the Soviet Government in sending to Minsk. She said that to
her knowledge Oswald was never questioned by Soviet authorities in Moscow and
that she herself had never been approached by Soviet intelligence and had not
been given any intelligence assignment to perform while in the United States. In
connection with possible referential treatment of her husband by Soviet
authorities, she was of the opinion that foreigners are generally treated better
than Soviet citizens.
Mrs. Oswald recounted the activities of
Oswald and herself since entering the United States on June 13, 1962, and
furnished information concerning their residences in Fort Worth and Dallas,
their move to New Orleans in May, 1963, and their final return to the Dallas
area in the Fall of 1963. She stated that their move to New Orleans in May,
1963, was at her behest after Oswald admitted to her that he had attempted to
kill General Edwin A. Walker. She stated that she had no reason to suspect
Oswald of harboring any intention to assassinate President Kennedy since he had
never spoken disparagingly of the President. On the contrary, she said that on
one occasion Oswald had indicated President Kennedy was a good President,
particularly in regard to his policies on civil rights. She stated she did not
know Jack Ruby and added that, to her knowledge, Ruby was unknown to Oswald.
Mrs. Oswald claimed to have no knowledge
of how her husband's rifle was transported from Dallas to New Orleans In late
April or early May, 1963, although she admitted seeing the gun in a room in
their New Orleans residence where Oswald kept most of his personal effects. She
denied knowledge as to how the weapon was transported to Mrs. Paine's home in
Irving, Texas, when she moved there from New Orleans in late September. She
admitted, however, seeing the gun wrapped in a blanket in the garage at the
Paine residence.
Mrs. Oswald broadened the picture of her
husband by stating that he rarely missed an opportunity to glorify himself and
added that everything he did was designed to place his name in history. She
expressed the belief that his statement that he was a Marxist was incorrect and
was only a statement her husband made to direct attention to himself.
According to Mrs. Oswald, her husband was
a self-contained person with no friends and was avidly interested in studying
various systems of civil authority. She said Oswald frequently spoke in favor of
Castro and indicated a desire to live in Cuba. She denied, however, any
knowledge of her husband's attempting to obtain a visa to travel to that country
or of his trip to Mexico in late September and early October, 1963. Mrs. Oswald
commented that she knew her husband would not like Cuba. She volunteered that
the only place he would like would be the moon, where there are no people.
III. Associates
Set forth below is the additional information received from and developed about individuals known to have been associated with Oswald in one way or another prior to the time of President Kennedy's assassination.
A. George and Jeanne De Mohrenschildt
Information was developed during the course of investigation that George
and Jeanne De Mohrenschildt, current residents of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, were
considered the closest friends the Oswalds had in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
following Oswald's return from the Soviet Union. At the request of the FBI, an
official of the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince interviewed them and obtained
the following information.
The De Mohrenschildts, American citizens
who have been residing at Port-au-Prince since the spring of 1963, became
acquainted with the Oswalds during the summer of 1962 through some friends who
had become interested in helping the Oswalds financially. Thereafter, they saw
them on a number of occasions at Fort Worth and Dallas between the summer of
1962 and early 1963.
When they first met the Oswalds, the
latter were in dire financial straits, because Oswald had lost his job as a
sheet-metal worker. Sometime in 1962, Oswald gave George De Mohrenschildt a
typed resume of about 20 pages which detailed his experiences in a factory in
Minsk, Russia, and criticized many aspects of Soviet life. In response to Mr. De
Mohrenschildt's question as to why he returned to the United States, Oswald
commented, "I did not find there what I was looking for."
Mrs. De Mohrenschildt obtained the
impression that Oswald opposed segregation and that he was favorable toward the
policies of the United States Government. Oswald did express admiration for
Castro as an individual but never gave any indication he was connected with any
type of organization.
Both De Mohrenschildts considered Oswald
to be a "complete lone-wolf." They further considered him
"cuckoo" but not "bad" in the sense of being likely to
resort to physical violence. However, they both stated that the general
impression of people in Dallas who knew Oswald was one of distaste and even fear
of him because of his brutality toward his wife and his "mental
instability" Oswald resented the sympathies and interest accorded his wife
by various people in Dallas, and he would sometimes insult those who were trying
to assist his family.
According to Mrs. De Mohrenschildt,
sometime in the Fall of l962, while she was visiting Mrs. Oswald, the latter
stated, "Look how crazy he is, now he has bought a gun." On that
occasion, Mrs. De Mohrenschildt said, she saw a gun, which she described as
being about "four feet long" but she did not handle it or closely
examine it. She did not know whether it was a rifle or a shotgun and was not
certain whether it had a telescopic sight.
Mrs. Oswald has stated that she recalls
the incident described by Mrs. De Mohrenschildt but remembers that it definitely
occurred at the Oswald residence at 214 West Neely Street, Dallas. This would
fix the time as March or April, 1963. Mrs. Oswald added that she knows of no
rifle her husband had, other than the one which has been identified as the
assassination weapon.
Arrangements were made to have the De
Mohrenschildts reinterviewed on December 19, 1963, concerning the gun Mrs. De
Mohrenschildt said she had seen. Upon reflecting further about the matter, both
she and her husband agreed the incident had occurred around Easter in April,
1963. In addition, Mrs. De Mohrenschildt recalled the apartment in which the
Oswalds had been living at the time and consulted her personal telephone list
which gave the Neely Street address in Dallas.
B. Alexandra Taylor
Alexandra Taylor, Dover Plains, New York, who is employed as an attendant
at the Harlem Valley State Hospital, Wingdale, New York, advised on November 30,
1963, that her father, George De Mohrenschildt, called her in September, l962,
and asked if she could put up Marina Oswald for a short while, stating that
Oswald and his wife had recently arrived from Russia and were without funds.
Taylor was then residing with her husband, Gary, in Dallas, Texas. Marina Oswald
and her baby stayed with the Taylors for about two weeks, but Oswald, she
believed, resided at the YMCA. Oswald did visit occasionally during Marina's
stay with the Taylors, at which times Gary Taylor and Oswald had frequent heated
political discussions.
Mrs. Taylor obtained the impression that
Oswald considered himself to be a socialist, but she was of the opinion he
disliked both the United States and Russia and, in fact, disliked almost
everything. Oswald, however, never expressed any dislike for President Kennedy
but did express a personal antipathy toward Governor Connally of Texas. She did
not know why Oswald disliked Mr. Connally. Alexandra Taylor became friendly with
Oswald's wife and expressed the opinion that Marina had married Oswald to get
out of the Soviet Union.
Mrs. Taylor said that Oswald was strongly
anti-religious and berated his wife for having their child baptized in the
Russian Orthodox Church. She described Oswald as "bright," one who
could argue logically and persuasively, and who was positive in his ideas and
strong in his convictions. she said she found it hard to believe he would want
to kill President Kennedy.
C. Gary E. Taylor
Gary E. Taylor, 4115 Falls Drive, Dallas, Texas, on interview on December
2, 1963, confirmed the information furnished by Alexandra Taylor. In addition,
he stated that from his first discussion with Oswald, he had gained the
impression that Oswald was looking for a Utopia, and he felt that what Oswald
regarded as a good government was impractical. Oswald had admitted that the
Soviet-type government was not his ideal because the people were repressed.
Oswald believed people should have as much power as those who governed them;
that people should live on an equal basis, receive the same wages, and live in
the same size houses. Most of Taylor's discussions with Oswald were long and
drawn out, usually ending up exactly where they began. According to Taylor,
Oswald never mentioned President Kennedy or Governor Connally or their
administrations or policies in his presence.
The Taylors, who are now separated, were
the individuals who described her parents, the De Mohrenschildts, as possibly
the closest friends the Oswalds had.
D. Ruth Hyde Paine
Ruth Hyde Paine, 2515 West 5th Street, Irving, Texas, who was separated
from her husband, Michael Ralph Paine, when interviewed, furnished the following
information on November 23, 1963, and subsequent dates.
Mrs. Paine first met the Oswalds about
February, 1963, at a social gathering in Dallas. About two months later, Oswald
and his wife had dinner at Mrs. Paine's residence. She developed a friendship
with Mrs. Oswald because Mrs. Oswald spoke only Russian and Mrs. Paine, who also
speaks Russian and teaches the Russian language, wanted someone to converse with
in that language to improve her own knowledge of it.
After Oswald lost his job at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall
in Dallas and went to New Orleans to seek another, Mrs. Paine drove Oswald's
wife and child to New Orleans to join him. In September, 1963, Mrs. Paine picked
up Marina Oswald and the child at New Orleans and drove them to the Paine
residence in Irving, Texas, where they remained until November 22, 1963. Oswald
visited his family on weekends at Irving, but paid none of the expenses
connected with his wife's stay at the Paine home.
In conversations with Mrs. Paine, Oswald
claimed to be a Marxist, but she considered him to be nothing more than
some-what odd. Although she did not regard him as a very logical person, she
said that at no time did he ever give any indication to her that he would commit
violence or murder. She said her friendship with the Oswalds was based on her
fondness for Mrs. Oswald.
The April 26, 1958, issue of the
"Friends Journal," a Quaker weekly published by the Friends Publishing
Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reported that "Young Friends"
had made final plans for a six-week summer visit of four Russians to the United
States. The article stated that six Americans were to accompany the Russians by
automobile, and their plans included contact with Friends, visits to industry,
farms, and schools, as well as visits to areas of public interest to Soviet
young people. The article identified the members of the planning group, among
them being the name "Ruth Hyde Paine."
On December 18, 1963, Mrs. Paine advised
that in 1958 when she was a member of a Quaker youth group known as "Young
Friends" three Russian students visited in Philadelphia. According to Mrs.
Paine, the only contact she had with these three Russians occurred at a party
held at an unrecalled location in Philadelphia. At that time she could not speak
Russian and she had only limited conversation with them. Mrs. Paine advised that
with the exception of Marina Oswald, these three Russian students are the only
Russian nationals she has ever met.
E. Michael Ralph Paine
Michael Ralph Paine, 2377 Dalworth Street, Apartment 17, Grand Prairie,
Texas, separated at the time of interview from his wife, Ruth Hyde Paine,
furnished the following information on November 22, 1963, and subsequent dates:
He first met the Oswalds on April 2, 1963, when they had dinner at the Paine
residence in Irving, Texas. After the first meeting, he saw Oswald on
approximately five occasions, during the course of which he had several
discussions with him. Paine could not recall exactly on which date Oswald made
certain statements but he did recall a composite of his several discussions with
him.
Oswald told Paine that he had left the
Soviet Union because he did not like his job and did not like to be told where
to live. He said that in the Soviet Union a person could not own a rifle, but
could own a shotgun. Oswald expressed an objection to the restriction on rifles.
Oswald claimed that he became a Marxist in
the United States and that he learned Marxism from reading books. Oswald said
that he had never met a communist before he went to the Soviet Union, but he did
not mention whether he had met any communists in the United States after his
return. He stated that he did not believe in the exploitation of man by man, and
he quoted frequently from Karl Marx. Paine mentioned to Oswald during one
discussion that he opposed violence in any form, but Oswald did not elaborate on
Paine's comment.
According to Paine, Oswald was very
disrespectful to Marina, his wife, acted extremely angry towards her on
occasions, and insulted her frequently.
Michael Ralph Paine's father, George Lyman
Paine, Jr., and latter's wife, Frances Paine, are members of the "Johnson
Faction," which is also known as "Correspondence." The
"Johnson Faction" is an offshoot of the Johnson-Forest Group which, in
turn, broke away from the Trotskyite Socialist Workers Party (SWP) in 1951. The
"Johnson Faction," which has completely divorced itself from the SWP,
has a membership of less than ten individuals, and the current activities of
George and Frances Paine are limited to nominal membership and financial
contributions.
Investigation has developed no information
indicating any subversive activities on the part of Michael Paine or any close
association between him and George and Frances Paine, who are located in the Los
Angeles area. However, the records of the Military Personnel Records Center, St.
Louis, Missouri, concerning Michael Ralph Paine contain the following statement:
"The following inductee, Paine, Michael R., was inducted today, 15 July 1952, but refused to take the oath of allegiance". He was honorably released from active duty in the U. S. Army on April 28, 1954.
F. Paul Gregory
Paul Gregory, 1318 1/2 Garfield Street, Norman, Oklahoma, a graduate
student at the University of Oklahoma who is majoring in Russian, stated on
November 27, 1963, that in about June, 1962, Oswald contacted Gregory's father,
a teacher of Russian at the Fort Worth, Texas, public library, to obtain a
letter certifying that Oswald was proficient in the Russian language. Following
that contact, Gregory arranged to take Russian language lessons from Oswald's
wife, Marina, in August and early September, 1963, for which he paid $35.
On each occasion that Gregory visited the
Oswald's residence, both Oswald and his wife were present and the three of them
engaged in general conversation frequently dealing with political matters.
During those discussions, Oswald expressed his dissatisfaction with both the
American and the Soviet system of government, but at no time did Oswald indicate
any particular dislike for President Kennedy. Gregory obtained the impression
that Oswald did not associate with anyone and was strictly a "loner."
He considered Oswald a quiet individual and one who would never commit an act of
violence. He was completely shocked when he learned that Oswald was implicated
in the assassination of the President.
Many additional individuals who knew
Oswald were located and interviewed; however, none were able to furnish any
additional information bearing on the assassination of President Kennedy.
IV. Finances
|
Income Source |
Date |
Amount |
|
Gerard F. Tujague, Inc. New Orleans , Louisiana |
November 10, 1955 - January 14, 1956 |
$260.00 (approximately) |
|
J.R. Michels, Inc. New Orleans, Louisiana |
One week in January 1956 |
$80.00 |
|
Dolly Shoe Company New Orleans, Louisiana |
Briefly in 1956 |
Unknown |
|
Pfisterer Dental Laboratory New Orleans, Louisiana |
Briefly in 1956 |
Unknown |
|
Leslie Welding Company Fort Worth, Texas |
July 16, 1962 - October 8, 1962 |
$626.25 |
|
Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall, Inc. Dallas, Texas |
October 12, 1962 - April 6, 1963 |
$1, 590.14 |
|
William B. Reily Company, Inc. New Orleans, Louisiana |
May 10, 1963 - July 19, 1963 |
$548.41 |
|
Texas Employment Commission Austin, Texas (unemployment compensation) |
Paid during period May 21, 1963 - October 8, 1963 |
$369.00 |
|
Texas School Book Depository Dallas, Texas |
October 16, 1963 - November 22, 1963 |
$208.82 |
Estimated total $3, 682.62
From June 13, 1962, when Oswald returned to the United States from the Soviet Union, until November 22, 1963, he received a total of approximately $3,342.62 in wages and unemployment benefits. As of November 22, 1963, he was due an additional $43.37 from the Texas School Book Depository.
B. Expenditures
Persons interviewed advised that Lee Harvey Oswald lived a very frugal
life.
During the period from late September,
1963, to November 22, 1963, when his family resided at the Paine residence,
Oswald contributed nothing toward their support. At this time, he resided in a
room which cost $8 a week and usually prepared his own meals consisting of
bread, lunch meat, and jelly.
Investigation disclosed that despite his
modest income, he had sufficient funds to defray the expense of all of his known
activities, including his trip to Mexico.
No evidence has been obtained to show that
Oswald lived beyond his means or that he had any sources of income other than
his known employment or his unemployment benefits.
No current bank accounts, safe deposit
boxes, or other;. places for maintaining funds have been located. The only
previous bank account located was a savings account which was opened by him at
the West Side State Bank in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 8, 1958, with an
initial deposit of $200. Three dollars in interest was credited to his account
on June 3, 1959. The account was closed on September 14, 1959, with a withdrawal
of $203.
In connection with the Oswalds' plans to
return to the Soviet Union, Marina Oswald, on February 17, 1963, had written to
the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D. C., and requested financial assistance.
C. Internal Revenue Service Records
Records of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) contain the following information concerning Oswald for the period 1955-1962:
Oswald's 1955 income tax return has been destroyed but IRS records show
that Oswald, 126 Exchange Place, New Orleans, filed a 1955 tax return and
received a refund of $41.80.
His 1956 income tax return, which bears
the date February 7, 1957, listed a total income of $772.46 derived from
following employment:
• Pfisterer Dental Laboratory Company New Orleans, Louisiana $612.00
• Gerald F. Tujague New Orleans,
Louisiana $80.46
• J.R. Michels, Jr. New Orleans,
Louisiana $80.00
He listed a total tax of $81.70 withheld from these earnings and
requested that $64.70 be refunded to him. He claimed one exemption (himself).
Oswald's 1958 income tax return, dated
February 11, 1959, shows a total income of $980.09, all derived from the United
States Marine Corps. He claimed only himself as an exemption.
His 1962 income tax return dated January
29 (no year is shown) listed a total income of $1354.06 received as follows:
• Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall $727.81
• Leslie Welding Company Fort Worth,
Texas $626.25
On this return, he claimed three exemptions and showed that a $57.40 withholding tax had been deducted from his wages. Attached to his 1962 return is an undated letter as follows: (Note: Errors in original)
"Internal Revenue Bureau
"Dear Sirs,
"I arrived in the U. S. from an extended trip abroad on 13/6/62.
with wife & child, i. e., two dependents. My total wages for 1962 therefore
was $1356.06 with 3 examtions (sic).
"I believe if you check your records
to substanate (sic) these figures you will find I should get a substantial
refund from the taxes taken from my wages for fiscal 1962.
"L. H. Oswald, S/S No 433-54-3739, P.O. Box 2915 Dallas, Texas."
V. Affiliations
A. Fair Play for Cuba Committee
On December 6, 1963, Vincent T. Lee, national director of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee (FPCC), furnished the FBI material relating to Oswald. Included in this material were six letters from Oswald describing his activities in behalf of the FPCC in Dallas and New Orleans; three change-of-address cards for Oswald; a membership application blank; a newspaper clipping describing Oswald's arrest in New Orleans; an affidavit of the Municipal Court, New Orleans, specifying the charge against Oswald and the three Cuban refugees with whom he was involved in an altercation on August 9, 1963; and an FPCC throwaway. Examination by the FBI Laboratory has determined that the handwriting and hand-printing on these documents were prepared by Oswald. Copies of Oswald's letters to the FPCC are included in Part Three of this Supplemental Report (Exhibits 61 - 66).
B. Socialist Party
On December 18, 1963, Dr. Benjamin E. Powell, Librarian, Duke University Library, Durham. North Carolina, advised that during routine processing of inactive files of the Socialist Party of America in possession of the Duke University Library Manuscript Collection, the following items were found:
(1) A handwritten letter as follows:
"Oct. 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. (sic), 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 "(Address over)
The second page of the handwritten letter contained the following in hand-printing:
"Send to; Lee Oswald 4936 Collinwood Fort Worth, Tex."
(2) An advertisement coupon of "The Socialist Call," 303 4th Avenue, New York 10, New York. This coupon was checked opposite a statement, "I want more information about the Socialist Party." The coupon was filled out in hand-printing:
Name: Lee Oswald Address: 4936 Collingswood City: Fort Worth Zone: - State: Texas
The coupon contained a handwritten notation "sent additional lit.
10-9-56."
With the exception of this last notation,
the FBI Laboratory has concluded that the handwriting and hand-printing
described above were prepared by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Dr. Mattie Russel, Curator of Manuscripts,
Duke University Library, advised on December 18, 1963, that the October 3, 1956,
letter by Lee Oswald and its accompanying advertisement coupon were acquired by
Duke University on January 2, 1959, from Stephen Siteman, Executive Secretary,
Socialist Party of America, 112 East 19th Street, New York, New York. She
further advised that the Socialist Party of America in 1957 merged with another
group and became the Socialist Party - Social Democratic Federation. She
observed that the Y. P.S. L. referred to in the Oswald letter stood for the
Young Peoples Socialist League.
According to "The New York
Times" for June 17, 1963, the Socialist Party is the Party that six times
nominated Norman Thomas for President and the Social Democratic Federation is a
wing that rejoined in 1957 after a split in 1936.
On December 27, 1963, Robinson Jones,
Secretary, Socialist Party - Social Democratic Federation, 1182 Broadway, New
York City, advised that a review of the files of that organization did not show
any correspondence pertaining to Socialist Labor party Lee Harvey Oswald. Jones
stated that it may have been possible that Oswald had written to the
organization requesting literature and the same would have been sent to him, but
no record would have been maintained.
Socialist Labor Party
The address book of Lee Harvey Oswald contained this data: "Horace
Twiford, 7018 Schley, MI 9-8500, WA 3-5492."
The above individual has been identified
as Horace Elmy Twiford, a seaman, who resides at 7018 Schley, Houston, Texas.
Interviews with Twiford and his wife reveal that both are active in the
Socialist Labor Party (SLP), the headquarters of which is located in New York
City, and that both distribute literature of the SLP.
Twiford reported he mailed to Lee Harvey
Oswald on September 11, 1963, a copy of the Labor Day issue of the newspaper
issued by the SLP known as "Weekly People." This action was predicated
upon receipt by him of a notice from SLY headquarters that Oswald had made
inquiry of the New York Labor News Company, New York City, which company
publishes material for the SLP.
Mrs. Twiford stated that in late September
or early October, 1963, she received a telephone call from Oswald requesting to
speak with her husband. Twiford, however, was on a voyage. Oswald then told Mrs.
Twiford he was flying to Mexico and had hoped to talk a few hours with Twiford
before he left. Mrs. Twiford told Oswald that he could correspond with her
husband if he so desired.
The SLP, founded in 1877, was the first
American Marxist Party of any consequence to survive more than a few years.
During the first 15 years of its existence, it was beset with internal
factionalism. The present party dates its founding from the advent of the
leadership of Daniel De Leon in 1890. Its program emphasized militant
trade-unionism and called for political action. In 1895, it organized the
Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance in opposition to the American Federation of
Labor. It participated in the organization of the Industrial Workers of the
World in 1905.
By 1900, its influence began to decline,
for in that year a number of its members withdrew and organized the Socialist
Party. This decline was accelerated by the death of De Leon in 1914.
The "Weekly People," a weekly
newspaper, is described in its masthead as the official organ of the SLP.
In a political advertisement appearing in
the "New York Times" for March 4, 1958, the SLY stated that
"Socialism is literally the hope of humanity" and the capitalist
system must be abolished. It called for this revolutionary transformation
peacefully through the ballot.
In its literature, the SLP states that it "has no
affiliation or association with the so-called Socialist Party, the Communist
Party, the American Labor Party, nor with any other party or group in this
country or abroad."
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was organized in 1920 in order
to "maintain throughout the United States and its possessions, the rights
of free speech, free press, free assemblage and other civil rights, and to take
all legitimate action in furtherance of such purposes." The ACLU has not
been investigated by the FBI.
On November 24, 1963, Michael Paine
advised that in October, 1963, he took Oswald to a meeting of the ACLU held at
Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Following the meeting, Oswald told
Paine that he could not join an organization such as the ACLU, since it had no
political function.
On November 23, 1963, Oswald claimed,
during an interview by the FBI, that he was a member of the ACLU.
On November 23, 1963, inquiry at the
United States Post Office, Terminal Annex, Dallas, determined that on November
1, 1963, Oswald obtained Post Office Box 6225 at this station in his own name
showing the name of his firms as "Fair Play for Cuba Committee" and
"American Civil Liberties Union." The kind of business was listed as
"nonprofit."
By letter dated November 26, 1963, to the
Attorney General of the United States, Ernest Angell, Chairman, Board of
Directors, ACLU, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City, furnished Oswald's original
application for membership in the ACLU, as well as a handwritten note requesting
his enrollment as an associate member and advice as to how he could contact the
ACLU group in Dallas. The FBI Laboratory has established that the handwriting on
Oswald's application and the note requesting enrollment as an associate member
in the ACLU is that of Oswald.
On December 9, 1963, Mr. Angell said that
records of the ACLU indicated Oswald's application for membership was received
at ACLU headquarters on November 4, 1963. His application was accompanied by $2
in cash and a short letter. Angell stated, however, that Oswald's application
had not been processed and, accordingly, he had not been entered on the
membership rolls.
VI. Forged Documents in Oswald's Possession
The initial report in this matter made reference on page 12 to a
Selective Service card found in Oswald's possession at the time of his arrest.
The card, in the name of Alek James Hidell, was determined to be fraudulent and
counterfeit by the FBI Laboratory.
In addition to the Selective Service card,
there was also found in his possession a photograph of a Certificate of Service
issued by the United States Marine Corps in the name of Alek James Hidell. The
FBI Laboratory has determined that this was not a photograph of a legitimate
Marine Corps Certificate of Service but is, in fact, a fraudulent and
counterfeit photograph made directly or indirectly from the retouched negatives
of a United States Marine Corps Certificate of Service Identification card in
the name of Lee Harvey Oswald, 1653230. The retouched negatives were also found
among the personal effects of Oswald during the search at the time of his
arrest. It appears that Oswald either photographed or had photographs made of
his Marine Certificate of Service card after his true name was blocked out.
Thereafter, the name Alek James Hidell was typed on the photograph and this
photograph was rephotographed to make the card which was found in his
possession.
VII. Travel to Mexico
A. Trip on Bus
On December 12, 1963, the FBI located Dr. and Mrs. John McFarland,
British nationals, 10 Fulwood Park, Liverpool, England, who traveled from
September 25 through the morning of September 27, 1963, from Jackson,
Mississippi, to Mexico City by bus. The McFarlands, who traveled from Jackson to
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, via Continental Trailways bus, identified Oswald as an
individual who boarded the bus at Houston, Texas, in the early hours on the
morning of September 26, 1963. Oswald told them he had left New Orleans on the
afternoon of September 25. On the afternoon of September 26, the McFarlands and
Oswald transferred to the Red Arrow bus en route to Mexico City.
Records of the Flecha Roja (Red Arrow), a
Mexican bus line at Nuevo Laredo, disclosed that a Lee H. Oswald departed Nuevo
Laredo at 2 p.m. on September 26, 1963, on bus number 516 en route to Mexico
City.
According to the McFarlands, Oswald was
traveling alone and told them he was on his way to Mexico City so he could
travel to Cuba to meet Castro, as he could not get to Cuba from the United
States. He said he was secretary of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New
Orleans.
On December 27, 1963, Patricia Winston and
Pamela Mumford, both of 153 North New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles, California,
stated that Oswald was on the Red Arrow bus and introduced himself to them after
they boarded it at Monterrey. They said that Oswald claimed to have lived in
Russia for two years and to have had a difficult time leaving Russia. He said he
was from Fort Worth or Dallas. They noticed he was traveling alone and had one
piece of baggage. Oswald recommended to the young women that they stay at the
Hotel Cuba in Mexico City, as he had stayed there several times and had found it
inexpensive.
Inquiry has established that there is a
Hotel Cuba in Mexico; however, records of that hotel failed to disclose any
registration for Oswald under his true name or known aliases from June, 1962, to
October, 1963.
The McFarlands, Patricia Winston, and
Pamela Mumford all immediately recalled Oswald upon reading the accounts of his
arrest and death in conjunction with the assassination of President Kennedy.
Entry into Mexico
The official records of the Mexican Government indicated that one Lee
Harvey Oswald had entered Mexico on September 26, 1963, at Nuevo Laredo,
Tamaulipas, and bad departed Mexico at the same place on October 3, 1963. The
Mexican Tourist Card (Form FM-8) used for the entry of this person into Mexico
bears No. 24085 and was issued on September 17, 1963, by the Mexican Consulate
General in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was issued in the name of Lee, Harvey
Oswald. It would appear that the comma was placed on the card in error inasmuch
as the signature appearing on the original and duplicate portions of the card is
Lee H. Oswald.
In applying for the Mexican Tourist Card,
Oswald listed his profession as "photographer," stated he was 23 years
of age and married, and presented a birth certificate in proof of his
citizenship. The card was valid for a single journey to Mexico for a period of
fifteen days.
It is noted that Oswald's letter to the
Soviet Embassy dated November 9, 1963, states as follows:
"I was unable to remain in Mexico indefinitely because of my Mexican visa restrictions which was for 15 days only. I could not take a chance on requesting a new visa unless I used my real name, so I returned to the United States.
According to rubber stamp impressions appearing on both the original and
the duplicate copy of the Tourist Card, Oswald was admitted at Nuevo Laredo on
September 26, 1963, by a Mexican Immigration Service employee Darned Helio Tuexi
Maydon. A rubber stamp impression on the original of the Tourist Card indicated
that he departed Mexico at Nuevo Laredo on October 3, 1963, his departure having
been handled by Mexican Immigration Service employee named Alberto Arzamendi
Chapa.
By way of general information, Mexican
Tourist Cards are issued in duplicate. The duplicate copy of the card is picked
up at the time of entry into Mexico of the bearer of the card. The latter
retains the original of the card until departure from Mexico, at which time the
original is picked up at the port of departure. Both the original and the
duplicate copy of the card are stamped at the port of entry and in addition the
original is stamped at the port of departure.
The registry hook of a small second class
hotel called the Hotel Del Commercio, located at Calle Sahagun 19 in Mexico
City, contained an entry indicating that on September 27, 1963, one Lee, Harvey
Oswald, proceeding from the U.S.A. (Texas), a photographer, and a United States
citizen, had registered at the hotel. No home address was given. The FBI
Laboratory has concluded that the signature Lee, Harvey Oswald in the hotel
registry dated September 27, 1963, was prepared by Oswald.
The name of Lee Harvey continued to be
carried in the registry book as a guest at the hotel through October 1, 1963.
According to the manager of the hotel, Guillermo Garcia Luna, Oswald paid his
bill on October 1, 1963. This payment included the night of October 1, and
presumably Oswald stayed at the hotel that night and departed on October 2,
1963, although the hotel manager and the only two other employees of the hotel,
a desk clerk and a maid, had no independent recollection on this point.
On December 12, 1963, information was
obtained from the Jobco Employment Agency in Dallas, Texas, concerning a
"cotton picking application" for Lee H. Oswald, dated October 4, 1963.
This application was submitted to the FBI Laboratory which concluded that the
signature en the reverse side of the application was prepared by Lee Harvey
Oswald. This is additional evidence establishing his presence in Dallas October
4, 1963, and his efforts to obtain employment there.
VIII. Activities in USSR
There has been much speculation regarding Oswald's activities in the
Soviet Union during the period from October, 1959, to June, 1962. The file which
the Soviet Embassy made available to the State Department contained only
correspondence between the Soviet Embassy in the United States and Oswald and
his wife after their return to this country in June, 1962, and related primarily
to their efforts to return to the Soviet Union during 1963. The Soviets have not
made available their files pertaining to Oswald while he was residing in the
Soviet Union.
The initial report which was prepared in
this matter made reference to a diary maintained by Oswald during his stay in
the Soviet Union and other writings of Oswald prepared either while he was in
the Soviet Union or after his return to the United States. The diary and the
other writings were made exhibits to the initial report.
The diary, which contains a chronological
account of Oswald's stay in the Soviet Union, indicates that, during the period
October 16, 1959, to January 7, 1960, he was in Moscow and was in contact with
Soviet official on several occasions in an effort to obtain Soviet citizenship.
On January 7, 1960, he was sent to Minsk, where he was given employment in a
radio factory. He remained in Minsk through the last entry, March 27, 1962, and
continued his employment at the radio factory.
There is nothing in his diary or any other
writings indicating that he was ever recruited by Soviet intelligence for any
type of mission. His diary does refer to the receipt of 5,000 rubles in Moscow
on January 5, 1960, and monthly receipts of 700 rubles in Minsk through the
"Red Cross.' This was in addition to his monthly salary at the radio
factory of approximately 700 rubles a month. His later writings indicate that
this money was in payment for his "denunciation" of the United States
and that the payment was arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). His
writings reveal that this "Red Cross allotment' was cut off after he
started negotiations with the American Embassy for his return to the United
States.
The other documents and the material found
among Oswald's personal effects, as well as letters turned over to the Secret
Service by his mother, Marguerite Oswald, and his brother, Robert Oswald, have
been reviewed in an effort to determine if there is confirmation of Oswald's
diary and other writings concerning his activities in Russia. Certain data noted
below seem to support his writings and his contention during interviews that he
was never recruited nor given training of any kind by Soviet intelligence.
A. Oswald's Break with Family
An entry in Oswald's diary for January 7, 1960, shows that he left Moscow
on that date by train for Minsk. He added: "I wrote my brother and mother
letters in which I said 'I do not wish to ever contact you again: I am beginning
a new life and I don't want any part of the old.'"
In a letter, made available to the Secret
Service by Robert Oswald, which was undated but was received on December 17,
1959, Oswald advised his brother that he was moving from his hotel and had
chosen to remove all ties with his past. He would, therefore, not write again
and did not wish his brother to try and contact him. He stated "I am
starting a new life and I do not wish to have anything to do with the old
life."
B. Residence and Employment in Minsk
A Soviet work book found among Oswald's personal effects indicates that
he was enrolled on January 13, 1960, in the experimental shop of the Minsk Radio
Factory as an adjuster first class. The second entry in this book is dated May
18, 1962, and discloses that he was released of his own desire. This document
was notarized May 22, 1962, at the First Minsk State Notarial Office.
Another official Russian document among
Oswald's effects entitled "Record of Registration and Cancellation of
Registration" reveals that he was registered January 13, 1960, in the
Electric Power Plant and Electric Industry Worker's Union at the Minsk Radio
Factory and was removed from the register on May 17, 1962.
A union membership booklet for the
Electric Power Plant and Electric Industry Workers shows dues payments by Oswald
for the period September, 1960, through April, 1962. It also shows that he was
taken off the register of the Minsk Radio Factory on May 17, 1962.
Correspondence sent by Oswald to his
mother and brother while he was in the Soviet Union also indicates that he was
employed in the Minsk Radio Factory.
C. Possession of Weapon in Soviet Union
In September, 1961, Oswald's brother Robert advised an FBI agent that
Oswald had stated in a letter that he owned a gun and had been hunting in the
Soviet Union. A letter dated August 21, 1961, from Oswald to his brother Robert,
which was made available by the latter to the Secret Service, contains the
following: "I went hunting last weekend, we have a lot of pine forest here,
I shot a couple of birds with my single-barrel 16 gauge shotgun, but I couldn't
find them."
A Russian document found among Oswald's
personal effects entitled "Belorussian Society of Hunters and
Fishermen--Certificate of a Hunter and Fisherman" indicates that Oswald
resided in Minsk and had a hunting certificate issued by the Minsk Society of
Hunters and Fishermen, Collective Number 3, on July 18, 1960, for which Oswald
had paid 61 rubles. Under a section entitled "Registration of Hunting
Weapons" the following was set forth: "System: Single barrel; firm
(manufacturer): IZhK-59 Caliber (gauge): 16; Number N64621. In the space for
recording issuance of ammunition, no entries were made.
In this connection, Oswald, in a
conversation with an associate, stated that citizens of Russia were not
permitted to own rifles. This statement was made to Michael Paine during one of
their conversations after April 2, 1963.
On July 27, 1963, while speaking to a
group of students at the Jesuit House of Studies, Spring Hill College, Mobile,
Alabama, Oswald stated that he had joined a factory-sponsored hunting club in
Minsk.
D. Marriage to Marina Prusakova
Entries in Oswald's diary disclose that he first met Marina Prusakova in
March, 1961, and married her on April 30, 1961, in Minsk. Letters to his mother
and his brother written while he was in Russia indicate that he married Marina
Prusakova on April 30, 1961, that she was a pharmacist, and that a daughter June
Lee Oswald was born to them on February 15, 1962. Among the documents found
among Oswald's personal effects was a marriage certificate showing that the
Oswalds were married on April 30, 1961, in Minsk. Another document was the birth
certificate of June Lee Oswald, who was born February 15, 1962.
Still another document was a diploma
issued to Marina Nikolaevna Prusakova from the Leningrad Pharmaceutical School
showing that the State Examining Commission on June 29, 1959, had awarded her
the "qualification of a pharmacist." Other documents indicate that
Marina Nikolaevna Prusakova was a member of the Trade Union of Medical Workers.
Her Work Book indicates that it was issued on March 12, 1960; that her
profession was pharmacist; and that she was employed at the United Third
Clinical Hospital of Minsk as an analytical chemist of pharmacy from October 29,
1959, to August, 1960, when she was transferred to the position of assistant of
pharmacy, which she retained until March 20, 1962, when she was released from
work "according to an application filed."
The foregoing data is consistent with the
information contained in the material made available to the State Department by
the Soviet Embassy after the assassination of President Kennedy.
E. Oswald's Negotiations to Leave Soviet Union
Oswald's diary reveals that in January, 1961, he began to reconsider his desire to stay in the Soviet Union, and on February 1, 1961, he indicated to the American Embassy that he would like to return to the United States. In correspondence to his brother dated May 31 and June 26, 1961, he also discloses that he was considering returning to this country. Correspondence to his brother also confirms Oswald's diary entries and material in the State Department file to the effect that he and his wife went to the American Embassy in Moscow in July, 1961, to negotiate his return and her entry into the United States. The correspondence also confirms a diary entry indicating that in December, 1961, the Soviet Government agreed to permit departure of the Oswalds from the USSR for the United States.
F. Soviet Denial of Permission to Attend University
Found among Oswald's personal effects was a letter dated May 31, 1961, on the letterhead of the Patrice Lumumba Friendship University in the USSR, which is quoted as follows:
"Dear citizen Harvey Oswald!
"Please excuse us for delaying our answer to your application for
enrollment at the Patrice Lumumba Friendship University.
"We understand your desire to study
at the Friendship University; unfortunately, however, we are unable to satisfy
your request in view of the fact that the University was established exclusively
for the youth of underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. As
to citizens of other countries or stateless persons, they may be accepted at any
other institution of the higher learning in the Soviet Union according to
existing regulations.
"Yours very truly,
"Chief of the Information and Student Enrollment Section
(typewritten signature) P. Chikarev (handwritten signature) Voloshin
The date that Oswald made application to attend this university is not known although the contents of this letter point to the fact that some time elapsed between his application for enrollment and the denial of his application.
IX. Plans to Return to USSR
Found among Oswald's effects as a result of searches conducted subsequent to his arrest were three letters directed to him in September and October, 1963, from friends in Minsk, USSR, in which the addressers referred to Oswald's plans to return to the Soviet Union. On September 9, 1963, in a letter from a male who signed his name Erick the writer spoke of hearing of Oswald's plan to return to the USSR. In a September 29, 1963, letter to Mrs. Oswald from a Pavel Golovachov, of Minsk, the writer spoke of Oswald's request to return to the USSR and said he did not think his request would be denied if he appealed to the Soviet Embassy. The writer suggested, however, that Oswald be reminded he could not easily change continents. In a September 30, 1963, letter to Oswald, Golovachov warned him concerning his plans to return to the USSR and suggested that under socialism, a system of production for use rather than for profit, his return to the USSR might be his last transatlantic trip.
X. Murder of Patrolman J.D. Tippit
A. Survey of Route
On November 29, 1963, FBI Agents followed the route taken by Oswald from the Texas School Book Depository Building to the scene of the murder of Patrolman J. D. Tippit of the Dallas Police Department. This route survey determined that Oswald would have had sufficient time, even allowing for delays in traffic, to have traveled from the building to the bus stop at Murphy and Houston Streets, to the cab stand at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, to his residence at 1026 North Beckley Street, and from there to the scene of the murder at Tenth Street just east of Patton Street. President Kennedy was shot at approximately 12:29 p.m. and the shooting of Patrolman Tippit was reported to have taken place at about 1:18 p.m.
B. Oswald's Pistol
The four cartridge cases recovered by the Dallas Police Department
shortly after Patrolman Tippit's murder were identified as having been fired in
the revolver taken from Oswald. The only bullet sent to the FBI Laboratory from
Tippit's body was a .38 Special copper-coated lead bullet of the same type as
some of the cartridges in Oswald's revolver when he was arrested. The surface of
this bullet -was so badly mutilated that it did not bear sufficient marks for
identification. It was determined that Oswald's revolver produces rifling
impressions such as are on the bullet from Patrolman Tippit.
The revolver, a .38 Special Smith and
Wesson, Victory Model, serial number V510210, was originally made for the United
States Armed Forces but was sent to England during World War II because of a
shortage of weapons in that country. It was chambered for the British .38/200
cartridge (which is the same caliber as the American .38 Smith and Wesson).
After the war, the revolver was bought by George Rose and Company (which also
does business as Seaport Traders, Inc.), Los Angeles, California. George Rose
and Company shortened the five-inch barrel to 2 1/4" before selling the gun
to Oswald for $29.95.
Oswald purchased the revolver from Seaport
Traders, Inc., Los Angeles, California, through a mail order coupon signed by
him, using the name "A. J. Hidell." It was shipped to A. J. Hidell,
Post Office Box 2915, Dallas, Texas, on March 20, 1963. This box had been rented
by Oswald on October 9, 1962.
XI. Scope of Investigation
Since the assassination of President Kennedy, more than 2,000 people have
been interviewed by the FBI In the investigation of Lee Harvey Oswald. These
individuals have included (1) his wife and relatives; (2) schoolmates; (3)
associates and acquaintances both before and after his trip to Russia; (4)
fellow employees both before and after his trip to Russia; (5) fellow Marines;
(6) persons. who traveled with him on the ship to Europe in 1959 and on the
buses to and from Mexico City in 1963; (7). witnesses to the assassination; (8)
persons connected with organizations with which Oswald was in communication; (9)
persons connected with financial institutions, communication facilities, and
business concerns who were considered as possibly having information relating to
Oswald; (10) individuals who volunteered information concerning Oswald or
persons or situations which they believed were connected with Oswald.
In addition, investigation has included a
detailed examination and analysis of Oswald's personal effects and
correspondence, and analyses of his finances and connections with other persons
and organizations.
Investigation has (1) developed detailed
background information concerning Oswald from his birth to his death; (2)
strengthened the evidence that Oswald was the assassin of the President although
no clear-cut motive has been established; and (3) despite numerous allegations
which have been investigated, developed no sound evidence indicating that he
received any financial assistance or that any other person, group, or foreign
government inspired or directed the assassination or was cognizant of his plan
to assassinate President Kennedy. On the contrary, the data developed strongly
indicates that he acted on his own initiative or impulse with little advance
planning. Also, investigation has disclosed no evidence that Oswald, while
residing in Russia, was recruited by the Soviet intelligence services or
received any assignment or training from the intelligence services. Further,
investigation has developed no proof of any prior contact or association between
Oswald and his murderer, Jack Leon Ruby.
Leads are still being covered, and the FBI
will continue to check out any additional allegations or information which come
to its attention.