MILITARY ACTIVITIES (1943-46)
In September 1941, Jack Ruby was apparently classified 1-A[A16-194] and declared eligible for the draft. Subsequently he appeared before a local board and was reclassified 1-H or 3-A.[A16-195] Between August 31, 1941, and November 19, 1942, when it was abolished, the 1-H classification applied to registrants who had reached their 28th birthday and were, therefore, no longer liable for service.[A16-196] The 3-A deferment applies to persons whose entry into military service presents financial hardship to dependents. Because of the length of time involved and the destruction of local draft board records, Ruby’s precise status or the reason for his deferment could not be ascertained.[A16-197] According to one somewhat unreliable report, Ruby, immediately prior to his physical examination, feigned a hearing disability and occasionally wore a hearing aid.[A16-198] Hyman Rubenstein, who testified that Jack was deferred because of economic hardship since he was “the only one home,” specifically denied the truthfulness of this allegation.[A16-199] Early in 1943, Ruby was again classified 1-A, and, following an unsuccessful appearance before his appeal board, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Forces on May 21, 1943.[A16-200] Jack was the last of the Rubenstein brothers to enter the service. Previously, Earl had enlisted in the Navy, Sam was in Army Air Force Intelligence and Hyman was in the field artillery.[A16-201]
Except for 5 weeks in Farmingdale, N.Y., Ruby spent his military days at various airbases in the South.[A16-202] He received the basic training given all recruits and advanced training as an aircraft mechanic.[A16-203] On August 2, 1943, he passed marksmanship tests with the .30 caliber carbine and the .45 caliber submachinegun, but failed with the .30 caliber rifle. On February 10, 1944, he earned a sharpshooter’s rating for his firing of an M1 .30 caliber carbine. His character and efficiency ratings, when determined, were excellent.[A16-204] After attaining the rank of private first class and receiving the good conduct medal, Ruby was honorably discharged on February 21, 1946.[A16-205]
Two persons who recalled Ruby while he was in the Army Air Forces asserted that he was extremely sensitive to insulting remarks about Jews.[A16-206] When, during an argument, a sergeant called Ruby a “Jew bastard,” Ruby reportedly attacked him and beat him with his fists.[A16-207]
There is conflicting evidence about the zeal with which Ruby performed his military duties. One associate indicated that Ruby, who at 34 was the oldest in his group, always worked harder than the others to prove that he could keep up with them.[A16-208] Another recalled, by contrast, that Ruby had “no liking for work” and carefully avoided situations requiring him to dirty his hands.[A16-209] However, there is no basis in the record for the inference that Ruby was in any way anti-American.
Ruby frequently expressed to some fellow soldiers his high regard for Franklin Delano Roosevelt.[A16-210] Two independent sources reported that he cried openly when informed of Roosevelt’s death in April 1945.[A16-211] This did not indicate any sudden political interest, however, since none of his known military associates reported such an interest, and Ruby’s admiration for President Roosevelt anteceded his military days.[A16-212]
While in service, Ruby is reported to have continued his promotional ventures. One person recalled that in 1944, Jack received punchboards and chocolates from someone in Chicago and peddled these items through the base to make extra money. This person also indicated that Ruby enjoyed card and dice games in or near the barracks.[A16-213]