37 Oswald’s interest in Soviet Union. In an interview with McMillan in Russia on November 16, 1959, Oswald recalled when he first became interested in the Russians, Marx, Engels, and the communists, after being handed a pamphlet on the streets of New York on the atomic spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. See McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 62. Also see the testimony of Priscilla Post Johnson (later McMillan), WC 11, pp. 446–60, and WC 20, Johnson (Priscilla) Exhibits 1 and 2, pp. 277–89 (written notes and article she wrote for the North American Newspaper Alliance on this interview). In addition, see WR, appendix 18, “Biography of Lee Harvey Oswald,” p. 694, and an interview with Aline Mosby in Moscow in November 1959, WC 22, CE 1385, pp. 701–10.
His fellow Marines called him Oswaldskovich. See the affidavit of James Anthony Bothelo, WC, p. 315. Also see the testimony of fellow Marines Nelson Delgado, WC 8, pp. 228–65, and Kerry W. Thornley, WC 11, pp. 82–115. Thornley would later publish two works—one fiction—on his relationship with Oswald: Oswald (Chicago: New Classics House, 1965) and The Idle Warriors (Avondale Estates, GA: IllumNet Press, 1991).
38 Oswald’s enlistment in the Marines. See Oswald’s military record of service, WC 19, pp. 656–768 (Folsom Exhibit 1, pp. 1–131). Also see the testimony of Allison G. Folsom, Lt. Col., USMC, WC 8, pp. 303–10.
38 Shooting himself. See WR, p. 683, and WC 19, pp. 747–52 (Folsom Exhibit No. 1, pp. 109–15). Also see the affidavit of his fellow Marine Paul Edward Murphy, who was in an adjoining cubicle, WC 8, pp. 319–20 (Oswald says, “I believe I shot myself”), and his Marine medical record, WC 19, Donabedian Exhibit 1, pp. 581–617.
39 Rifle scores. See WR, pp. 191–92, and appendix 13, pp. 681–82. Also see WC 16, CE 239, pp. 639–79 (Oswald’s Marine Corps Score Book); testimony of Lt. Col. Folsom, WC 8, pp. 310–11; testimony of Maj. Eugene D. Anderson, WC 11, pp. 301–5 (complete testimony 301–6); and the testimony of Sgt. James A. Zahn, WC 11, pp. 308 (complete testimony pp. 306–10).
39 Dependency discharge. Oswald used his mother to request a dependency discharge from the Marines. Marguerite sent her own affidavit attesting to her disabilities. Although he returned to his mother’s home, he did not stay long. See WC 19, Folsom Exhibit 1. Robert Oswald stated that his mother indeed had an accident reaching for a glass of candy. See Robert Oswald and Myrick Land, and Barbara Land, Lee: A Portrait of Lee Harvey Oswald by His Brother Robert Oswald (New York: Coward-McCann, 1967), pp. 93–95.
39 Travels to Soviet Union. In addition to McMillan, who happened to interview Oswald in the Soviet Union, one of the best sources for information on Oswald’s activities in Russia was Norman Mailer, who interviewed some of Oswald’s acquaintances and identified some of his interactions in Russia. See Norman Mailer, Oswald’s Tale: An American Mystery (New York: Random House, 1995). Also, Oswald kept a “Historic Diary,” which detailed his activities. See WC 16, CE 29, pp. 94–105. In addition, he wrote letters to his relatives. For another useful assessment of Oswald’s activities in the Soviet Union, see Edward J. Epstein, Legend: The Secret World of Lee Harvey Oswald (New York: Reader’s Digest Press, 1978).
39 Attempted suicide. See Oswald’s “Historic Diary,” WC 16, CE 24, pp. 94–95 (written in Russian in Oswald’s handwriting and then translated).
39 Tries to renounce citizenship. See WR, appendix 13, “Biography of Lee Harvey Oswald,” pp. 692–94, and appendix 15, “Oswald’s Attempts to Renounce His U.S. Citizenship,” pp. 747–51. Also see WC 16, CE 24, “Oswald’s Historic Diary,” pp. 96–98, and the diplomatic correspondence, WC 18, CE 908–10, pp. 97–105. In addition, see Oswald’s handwritten declaration, WC 18, CE 912 and 913, p. 109; testimony of Richard Edward Snyder, who at the time of the interview with Oswald was second secretary and consul at the American Embassy in Moscow, WC 5, pp. 261–70 (complete testimony, pp. 260–99); testimony of John A. McVickar, assistant to Richard Snyder, WC 5, p. 300 (compete testimony pp. 299–306); and memorandum to files summarizing conversation with Oswald, WC 8, CE 910, pp. 106–7.
39 Marries Marina and has child. See McMillan, Marina and Lee, pp. 88–99, 136–45.
39 Returns to United States. Oswald’s repatriation is a tale of bureaucratic complexities. See generally, WR, appendix 15, “Transactions between Lee Harvey Oswald and Marina and the U.S. Department of State,” pp. 752–731, and McMillan, Marina and Lee, pp. 100–135, 146–58.
39 Struggles with low-paying jobs. From the time Oswald arrived back in the United States on June 13, 1962, he was unable to keep steady employment. He lied on job applications, and his job performances were poor. He quit or was fired from the four low-paying menial jobs he held up until November 22, 1963. While he was out of work, he appeared at both the Texas Employment Commission and the Louisiana Department of Labor offices in his efforts to find a job, and he collected unemployment compensation. His acquaintances tried to help him find work, and he was interviewed for jobs he did not obtain. His job history is as follows:
• July 17, 1963, through October 8, 1962: sheet metal worker at Louv- R-Pak Division of the Leslie Welding Company in Fort Worth, Texas; hired through a lead by the Texas Employment Commission; quit employment.
See the testimony of foreman Tommy Bargas, WC 10, pp. 160–66. There were numerous witnesses from the Texas Employment Commission, and Commission exhibits related to Oswald’s employment history. See especially the testimony of Mrs. Helen P. Cunningham, WC 10, pp. 117–36, and the testimony of placement interviewer R. L. Adams, WC 10, pp. 117–36. Oswald’s inability to hold a job is also evident in the testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, pp. 6–29.
• October 12, 1962, through April 6, 1962: cameraman trainee at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall Co. (printing company) in Fort Worth, Texas, after a lead from the Texas Employment Commission; hired and fired by John Graef (because Oswald could not do the work “although he was trying” and could not get along with fellow employees).
See the testimony of the director of the photographic department, John G. Graef, WC 10, pp. 174–94, and the testimony of the president of the company, Robert L. Stovall, WC 10, pp. 167–74.
• May 10, 1963, through July 19, 1963: machinery greaser at the Reily Coffee Co. in New Orleans; in response to a newspaper advertisement; fired for his inefficiency and inattention to work.
See the testimony of maintenance man Charles Joseph Le Blanc, WC 10, pp. 213–19.
• October 16, 1963, through November 22, 1963, order filler at the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas; after a lead from Ruth Paine, who was informed by Linnie Mae Randle (the sister of Buell Wesley Frazier, who drove Oswald home on weekends to see his wife); abandoned job and left work early on November 22, 1963.
See testimony of Ruth Paine, WC 3, pp. 33–34; testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 29; and testimony of Roy Sansom Truly, superintendent and member of the Board of Directors, Texas School Book Depository, WC 3, pp. 213–14, as well as WR, p. 738.
39 Writes to Fair Play for Cuba Committee. See WC 20, Lee (Vincent T), Exhibits 1–9, pp. 511–32, and testimony of Vincent T. Lee, WC 10, pp. 86–95.
39 Stores rifle, sits with rifle, practices aiming. See the testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 21.
40 Arrest in New Orleans. Oswald was interviewed after his arrest, and a police officer, Lt. Francis L. Martello, testified before the Warren Commission. See WC 10, pp. 51–62. At the police station, Oswald also was interviewed by FBI agent John Lester Quigley. See WC 4, pp.431–40. In his own handwriting, Oswald discussed his activities in New Orleans. See WC 16, CE 93, pp. 341–43 (Oswald’s notes on his background).
40 Marina’s scorn. See testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 23.
40 Oswald’s brief TV interview by Bill Slatter of WDSU-TV as rebroadcast on NBC shortly after the assassination, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYcylHB7Z9k.
41 Oswald’s two radio interviews in New Orleans. See testimony of William Kirk Stuckey, WC 11, pp. 156–78.
41 Tracking Oswald down. Ibid., p. 160.
41 Stuckey’s first interview. F
or a complete transcript of the interview, see WC 21, CE Stuckey Exhibit 2, pp. 621–32. Stuckey interviewed Oswald for almost thirty-seven minutes, but the interview edited for broadcast was only four and a half minutes. Also see testimony of William Stuckey, WC 11, pp. 162–66.
44 Second interview (debate). For a complete transcript of the debate, see WC 21, CE Stuckey Exhibit 3, pp. 633–41. Two of the participants in this debate also authored books: Ed Butler, Revolution Is My Profession (New York: Twin Circles, 1968), and Carlos Bringuier, Red Friday: November 22nd, 1963 (Chicago: Chas. Hallberg, 1969). For audio of these two interviews, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd_JChyrXkU&list=SPDA8542A28B0E6185. There were also several commercially released long-playing phonographic recordings of these interviews.
47 Oswald’s mispronunciations and misspellings. Several professionals, including those who interacted with him, attempted to develop a psychological profile and assess his capacity for violence. See the testimony of clinical psychologist Renatus Hartogs, WC 8, pp. 214–24, and his book: Renatus Hartogs and Lucy Freeman, The Two Assassins (New York: Crowell, 1965). Also see Abrahamson David, Our Violent Society (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1970), “Lee Harvey Oswald: Psychological Capacity for Violence and Murder,” pp. 129–60.
50 Stuckey takes Oswald for a drink. See testimony of William K. Stuckey, WC 11, p. 171.
50 Oswald’s description of his activities with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee (FPCC), printing of handbills, proud of media coverage. See WC 16, CE 93, p. 343 (notes by Oswald on his background).
51 Oswald’s description of himself. See WC 16, CE 93 (notes of Oswald on his background). Also see his manifesto, entitled “The Collective,” wherein he writes: “Lee Harvey Oswald was born in Oct 1939 in New Orleans La. the son of a Insuraen [sic] Salesman whose early death left a far mean streak of indepence [sic] brought on by negleck [sic],” WR, p. 395, and WC 16, CE 92, p. 285 of “Oswald’s Typed Narrative Concerning Russia” (complete document, pp. 285–336).
52 Marina’s comments of Oswald sitting with rifle. See the testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 65, and McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 362.
52 Oswald cleaning his rifle. WC 1, p. 14.
53 Oswald wanted to go to Cuba, and Marina’s response. Ibid., p. 22.
53 Oswald’s fantasy of killing Nixon. Robert Oswald testified that Marina stated that Lee Harvey Oswald had the “intention to shoot Richard M. Nixon and that Marina Oswald had locked Lee in the bathroom for the entire day.” See WC 1, p. 335. In her second appearance before the Warren Commission, Marina confirmed this threat. She mentioned a pistol and also stated that the entire incident took about twenty minutes and he was in the bathroom for about five minutes until he “quieted down.” See WC 5, pp. 392–93. Her memory was less solid as to whether there were locks on the door or whether Lee could get out when he wanted. See WC, p. 389. This testimony was confirmed by FBI interviews: Robert Oswald, WC 22, CE 1357, pp. 596, and Marina, WC 22, CE 1404, p. 786.
53 Oswald wanting to hijack aircraft and studying airline schedules. Testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, pp. 22–23.
53 “I cannot conclude he was against the President.” Ibid., p. 22.
54 Marina on Lee’s “sick imagination” and delusions of grandeur. Ibid.
54 Oswald’s interest in biography and statesmen, comparing himself to them. Ibid., pp. 22–23.
CHAPTER 3: “SHOW THESE TEXANS WHAT GOOD TASTE REALLY IS”
55 Kennedy image and style. Numerous works have focused on JFK’s charisma. See John Hellmann, The Kennedy Obsession: The American Myth of JFK (New York: Columbia University Press, 1997); Henry Fairlie, The Kennedy Promise: The Politics of Expectation (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1973); David M. Lubin, Shooting Kennedy: JFK and the Culture of Images (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003); and Thomas Brown, JFK: The History of the Image (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1988).
57 Death of Patrick. See O’Donnell, Johnny, pp. 377–78.
57 Marina moves to Dallas and lives with Paines. See the testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 26, the testimony of Ruth Hyde Paine, WC 3, pp. 4–7, and WR, p. 730.
57 Carrying the rifle. See the testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 26.
58 Oswald’s trip to Mexico City. With regard to Oswald’s activities in Mexico City, see WC, pp. 730–37. The FBI conducted an extensive investigation of Oswald’s trip. See CE 2121, FBI Report, May 18, 1964, pp. 570–659. The FBI indentified and interviewed numerous people who interacted with Oswald. Several individuals remembered Oswald on the bus to Mexico and spoke with him. See the affidavit of two British tourists, John Bryan and Meryl McFarland, WC 11, pp. 214–15, and the testimony of Pamela Mumford, a secretary from Los Angeles, WC 11, pp. 215–24.
From Marina Oswald’s testimony, as well as the documents she produced, it was confirmed that Oswald had indeed visited Mexico City. See the testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, pp. 27–28 and CE 3073, FBI report, Oct. 15, 1964, pp. 667–72. Oswald visited the Cuban Embassy to request a visa. See WC 25, CE 2564, pp. 813–18 (documents that were given to the United States by the Cuban ambassador). Oswald also visited the Soviet Embassy. In a typed note, signed by Oswald on November 9, 1963, he recalled his failed efforts during his visit to Mexico City to get a visa to go to Cuba. See WC 16, CE 15, p. 33. This was drafted with the help of Ruth Paine. See the testimony of Ruth Paine, WC 3, pp. 13–18, 51–52, and WC 9, p. 95.
59 Test ban treaty. See Joint Statement by the Heads of the Delegations to Moscow Nuclear Test Ban Meeting, July 25, 1963; Radio and Television Address to the American People on the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, July 26, 1963; Special Message to the Senate on Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, August 8, 1963; and Remarks at the Signing of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, October 7, 1963, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy: January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963, pp. 599–601, 601–6, 622–24, 765–66.
59 Oswald hired at the Texas School Book Depository. Ruth Paine was informed by Linnie Mae Randle, the sister of Buell Wesley Frazier, who worked at the Texas School Book Depository, that there might be an opening. Paine called Roy Truly, who then interviewed and hired Oswald. He began work on October 16, 1963. See the testimony of Ruth Paine, WC 3, pp. 33–34; testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 29; and the testimony of Roy Truly, WC 3, pp. 213–14, WR, p. 738. It was happenstance that Oswald was assigned to the Book Depository. He easily could have been selected to work at the other building, “the Warehouse,” located at 1917 Houston Street, a few blocks away from the Book Depository. Both Oswald and another individual started work that same day, and according to Truly, he chose Oswald to work at the Book Depository. See the testimony of Roy Truly, WC 3, p. 237; Donald Jackson, “Evolution of an Assassin,” Life, Feb. 21, 1964, p. 78; and Bugliosi, Reclaiming History, p. 1455.
59 Oswald moves to boardinghouse at 1026 N. Beckley Avenue. See testimony of housekeeper, Mrs. Earlene Roberts, WC 6, pp. 436–37; testimony of landlord, Mrs. Arnold Carl (Gladys J.) Johnson, WC 10, pp. 293–94; and WR, p. 737.
59 Birth of new daughter. Marina Oswald wrote: “Monday evening Lee visited me in the hospital. He was very happy at the birth of another daughter and even wept a little. He said that two daughters were better for each other—two sisters. He stayed with me about two hours.” See WR, p. 738 (this is CE 904, not printed in WC).
59 Oswald attends Walker rally. See testimony of Michael Paine, WC 2, pp. 398–401.
60 Angry note to FBI. Hosty destroyed this note, and it was not known until around the time of the HSCA investigation. See testimony of James Patrick Hosty Jr., WC 4, pp.440–76, and James P. Hosty Jr., Assignment Oswald (New York: Arcade Publishing, 1996). Also see U.S. Senate, The Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Government Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities (Church Committee), book 5, The Investigation of the Assassination of John F. Kennedy: Performance of the Intelligence Agencies (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976), appendix B, “The FBI and the Destruction of the Oswald N
ote,” pp. 95–97.
60 Decision to visit Texas. JFK’s advisers knew that Texas would be a key to his 1964 election. At the time, there were political tensions between the liberal and conservative factions within the Texas Democratic Party. In June 1963, Kennedy convened a private meeting with both LBJ and Governor Connally in El Paso, Texas. Neither Johnson nor Connally wanted the president to visit or meddle in local Texas politics. JFK viewed this visit, among other things, as a fund-raising opportunity. There was an October 4, 1963, meeting at the White House with Connally—Johnson was excluded. A five-city visit was planned, San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Austin, concluding with JFK staying overnight at the LBJ Ranch on the evening of November 22, 1963. See “Why Kennedy Went to Texas,” by Governor John Connally Jr., Life, Nov. 24, 1967, p. 86. Also see Steven M. Gillon, The Kennedy Assassination—24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pivotal First Day as President (New York: Basic Books, 2009), pp. 12–15, and William Manchester, The Death of a President: November 20–November 25, 1963 (New York: Harper & Row, 1967), pp. 21–25.
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