REPORTS OF AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
FD-302 (Rev 3-3-59)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 11/23/63
LEE HARVEY OSWALD, 1026 North Beckley, Dallas, Texas, was interviewed by Captain WILL FRITZ of the Homicide Bureau, Dallas Police Department. Special Agents JAMES P. HOSTY, JR. and JAMES W. BOOKHOUT were present during this interview. When the Agents entered the interview room at 3:15 p.m., Captain FRITZ had been previously interviewing LEE HARVEY OSWALD for an undetermined period of time. Both Agents identified themselves to OSWALD and advised him they were law enforcement officers and anything he said could be used against him. OSWALD at this time adopted a violent attitude toward the FBI and both Agents and made many uncomplimentary remarks about the FBI. OSWALD requested that Captain FRITZ remove the cuffs from him, it being noted that OSWALD was handcuffed with his hands behind him. Captain FRITZ had one of his detectives remove the handcuffs and handcuff OSWALD with his hands in front of him.
Captain FRITZ asked OSWALD if he ever owned a rifle and OSWALD stated that he had observed a MR. TRUELY (phonetic), a supervisor at the Texas Schoolbook Depository on November 20, 1963, display a rifle to some individuals in his office on the first floor of the Texas Schoolbook Depository, but denied ever owning a rifle himself. OSWALD stated that he had never been in Mexico except to Tijuana on one occasion. However, he admitted to Captain FRITZ to having resided in the Soviet Union for three years where he has many friends and relatives of his wife.
OSWALD also admitted that he was the secretary for the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans, Louisiana a few months ago. OSWALD stated that the Fair Play for Cuba Committee has its headquarters in New York City. OSWALD admitted to having received an award for marksmanship while a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He further admitted that he was living at 1026 N. Beckley in Dallas, Texas, under the name of O. H. LEE. OSWALD admitted that he was present in the Texas Schoolbook Depository on November 22, 1963, where he has been employed since October 15, 1963. OSWALD stated that as a laborer, he has access to the entire building which has offices on the first and second floors and storage on the third and fourth, as well as the fifth and sixth floors. OSWALD stated that he went to lunch at approximately noon and he claimed he ate his lunch on the first floor in the lunchroom; however he went to the second floor where the Coca-Cola machine was located and obtained a bottle of Coca-Cola for his lunch. OSWALD claimed to be on the first floor when President JOHN F. KENNEDY passed this building.
After hearing what had happened, he said that because of all the confusion there would be no work performed that afternoon so he decided to go home. OSWALD stated he then went home by bus and changed his clothes and went to a movie. OSWALD admitted to carrying a pistol with him to this movie stating he did this because he felt like it, giving no other reason. OSWALD further admitted attempting to fight the Dallas police officers who arrested him in this movie theater when he received a cut and a bump.
OSWALD frantically denied shooting Dallas police officer TIPPETT or shooting President JOHN F. KENNEDY. The interview was concluded at 4:05 p.m. when OSWALD was removed for a lineup.
on 11/22/63 at Dallas, Texas File # DL 89-43
by Special Agents JAMES P. HOSTY, JR. and JAMES W. BOOKHOUT /wvm Date dictated 11/23/63
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI, and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FD-302 (Rev. 3-3-59)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 11/23/63
LEE HARVEY OSWALD, interviewed in offices of the Dallas Police Department, was advised that he did not have to make any statement, any statement he made could be used against him in court and of his right to an attorney. He was requested to furnish descriptive and biographical data concerning himself.
The following was obtained from his responses and examination of contents of his wallet:
OSWALD declined to explain his possession of a photograph of a Selective Service card in the name of “ALEK JAMES HIDELL”.
When interview had been substantially completed and OSWALD was asked as to his present employment, he stated he thought perhaps interview to obtain descriptive information was too prolonged, that he had declined to be interviewed by any other officers previously, and did not desire to be interviewed by this agent. He remarked “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.”
OSWALD was advised questions were intended to obtain his complete physical description and background. Upon repetition of the question as to his present employment, he furnished same without further discussion.
| Race | White |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1939 |
| Place of Birth | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Height | 5’ 9” |
| Weight | 140 |
| Hair | Medium brown, worn medium length, needs haircut |
| Eyes | Blue-gray |
| Scars | No tattoos or permanent scars |
| Relatives | Mother—MARGUERITE OSWALD, unknown address, Arlington, Texas, practical nurse (has not seen for about one year) |
| Father—ROBERT LEE OSWALDdeceased, August 31, 1939, New Orleans, Louisiana | |
| Wife—MARINA; two infant children | |
| Brothers—JOHN OSWALD, address unknown, last known at Fort Worth, Texas, five or six years ago, age about 30, works with pharmaceuticals, but not graduate pharmacist; ROBERT OSWALD, 7313 Davenport, Fort Worth, Texas (wife—VADA, two small children), works for brick company (believed Acme) | |
| Dress at Time of Interview | Black trousers, brown “salt and pepper”, long sleeved shirt, bare-headed |
| Contents of Wallet | Had card in possession, LEE HARVEY OSWALD, Social Security No. 433-54-3937 |
| Photo of Selective Service System card with photo of OSWALD, “Notice of Classification” and name “ALEK JAMES HIDELL, SSN 42-224-39-5321”. Card shows classification IV____(?). Bears date February 5, 1962, reverse side shows card from Texas Local Board, 400 West Vickery, Fort Worth, Texas. Card shows erasures and retyping of the information indicated and bears longhand signature “ALEK J. HIDELL”. Signature of member or clerk of local board (indistinct, may be GOOD____). | |
| Local Board 114, Forth Worth, LEE HARVEY OSWALD, SSN 41-114-39-532, address 3124 West 5th Street, Fort Worth, Texas, registered September 14, 1959. Date of birth October 18, 1939, New Orleans, 5’ 11”, 150 lbs., blue eyes, brown hair. Mrs. ZOLA Z. BURGER, Clerk. | |
| Snapshot photo of woman, apparently wife | |
| Snapshot photo of infant | |
| White card with longhand, “Embassy USSR, 1609 Decatur, NW, Washington, D. C., Consular REZHUYEHKO” (indistinct) | |
| Department of Defense Identification No. N4,271,617, issued to LEE H. OSWALD, expiration date December 7, 1962, Private First Class, E-2, MCR/INAC, Service No. 1653230. Card shows date of birth October 18, 1939, 5’ 11”, 145 lbs., brown hair, gray eyes. | |
| Dallas Public Library card, undated, expiration date December 7, 1965, issued to LEE HARVEY OSWALD, 602 Elsbeth, Dallas, school or business—Jaggers—Chiles—Stovall, followed by the name JACK L. BOWEN, 1916 Stevens Forest Drive, WH 8-8997. | |
| U. S. Forces, Japan Identification card issued to LEE H. OSWALD, Private, Service No. 1653230, organization—MACS-1 MAG-11 1st MAW. Identification card #00646, issued, May 8, 1958. Date of birth October 18, 1939, American. | |
| Card, “Compliments GA—JO Enkanko Hotel, telephone number ED 5-0755 of reverse side. | |
| Certificate of Service in Armed Forces of United States, issued to LEE HARVEY OSWALD, 1653230, reflected honorably served on active duty, U. S. Marine Corps, October 24, 1956—September 11, 1959. | |
| Card of “Fair Play for Cuba Committee,799 Broadway, New York 3, New York, telephone ORegon 4-8295”, issued to LEE H. OSWALD, May 28, 1963, filed by V. T. LEE as Executive Secretary | |
| Card of “Fair Play for Cuba, New Orleans Chapter”, issued to L. H. OSWALD, June 15, 1963, filed by A. T.(?) HIDELL, Chapter President (note name HIDELL on fictitious Selective Service card) | |
| Selective Service notice of classification card to LEE HARVEY OSWALD, Selective Service No. 41-114-39-532, IV-A; dated February 2, 1960, from Local Board 114, Fort Worth, Texas | |
| $13.00 in currency, consisting of one $5.00 bill and eight $1.00 bills | |
| Residence | 2515 West 5th Street, Irving, Texas, phone BL 3-1628 (residence of wife for past five weeks) |
| Room in rooming house, 1026 North Beckley, for about five weeks. Phone number unknown. | |
| Previous Residences | 4706 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, no phone (about three months) |
| 602 Elsbeth, no phone (about seven months), Dallas, Texas | |
| Unrecalled street in Fort Worth, Texas, (a few months), with brother in Fort Worth, Texas, for a few months. | |
| Previously in Soviet Union, until July, 1962. | |
| Occupations | Photography—Jaggers—Chiles—Stovall,522 Browder, Dallas, Texas |
| Factory worker, William B. Riley Company (Coffee and Coffee Canisters), 644 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana | |
| Unemployed for several months | |
| Employed with Texas State Book Depository, Dallas, Texas, September, 1963, stock work, filing orders, etc. |
on 11/22/63 at Dallas, Texas File # 89-43
by Special Agent MANNING C. CLEMENTS /mac Date dictated 11/23/63
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FD-302 (Rev 3-3-59)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 11/25/63
LEE HARVEY OSWALD was interviewed at the Homicide and Robbery Bureau, Dallas Police Department, by Captain J. W. FRITZ in the presence of Special Agent JAMES W. BOOKHOUT, Federal Bureau of Investigation. OSWALD was advised of the identity and official capacity of said agent and the fact that he did not have to make any statement, that any statement he did make could be used in a court of law against him, and that any statement made must be free and voluntary and that he had the right to consult with an attorney.
OSWALD stated that he did not own any rifle. He advised that he saw a rifle day before yesterday at the Texas School Book Depository which MR. TRULY and two other gentlemen had in their possession and were looking at.
OSWALD stated that on November 22, 1963, at the time of the search of the Texas School Book Depository building by Dallas police officers, he was on the second floor of said building, having just purchased a Coca-cola from the soft-drink machine, at which time a police officer came into the room with pistol drawn and asked him if he worked there. MR. TRULY was present and verified that he was an employee and the police officer thereafter left the room and continued through the building. OSWALD stated that he took this Coke down to the first floor and stood around and had lunch in the employees lunch room. He thereafter went outside and stood around for five or ten minutes with foreman BILL SHELLY, and thereafter went home. He stated that he left work because, in his opinion, based upon remarks of BILL SHELLY, he did not believe that there was going to be any more work that day due to the confusion in the building. He stated after arriving at his residence, then he went to a movie, where he was subsequently apprehended by the Dallas Police Department.
OSWALD stated that his hours of work at the Texas School Book Depository are from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., but that he is not required to punch a time clock. His usual place of work in the building is on the first floor; however, he frequently is required to go to the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh floors of the building in order to get books and this was true on November 22, 1963, and he had been on all of the floors in the performance of his duties on November 22, 1963.
on 11/22/63 at Dallas, Texas File # DL 89-43
by Special Agent JAMES W. BOOKHOUT /wvm Date dictated 11/24/63
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FD-302 (Rev 3-3-59)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 11/25/63
LEE HARVEY OSWALD was interviewed by Captain J. W. FRITZ, Homicide and Robbery Bureau, Dallas Police Department. OSWALD was advised of the identity of SA JAMES W. BOOKHOUT, and his capacity as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was informed of his right to an attorney, that any statement he might make could be used against him in a court of law, and that any statement which he might make must be free and voluntary. He furnished the following information in the presence of T. J. TULLY, U.S. Secret Service; DAVID B. GRANT, Secret Service; ROBERT I. NASH, United States Marshall; and Detectives BILLY L. SENKEL and FAY M. TURNER of the Homicide and Robbery Bureau, Dallas Police Department.
Following his departure from the Texas School Book Depository, he boarded a city bus to his residence and obtained transfer upon departure from the bus. He stated that officers at the time of arresting him took his transfer out of his pocket.
OSWALD advised that he had only one post office box which was at Dallas, Texas. He denied bringing any package to work on the morning of November 22, 1963. He stated that he was not in the process of fixing up his apartment and he denied telling WESLEY FRAZIER that the purpose of his visit to Irving, Texas, on the night of November 21, 1963, was to obtain some curtain rods from MRS. RUTH PAINE.
OSWALD stated that it was not exactly true as recently stated by him that he rode a bus from his place of employment to his residence on November 22, 1963. He stated actually he did board a city bus at his place of employment but that after about a block or two, due to traffic congestion, he left the bus and rode a city cab to his apartment on North Beckley. He recalled that at the time of getting into the cab, some lady looked in and asked the driver to call her a cab. He stated that he might have made some remarks to the cab driver merely for the purpose of passing the time of day at that time. He recalled that his fare was approximately 85 cents. He stated that after arriving at his apartment, he changed his shirt and trousers because they were dirty. He described his dirty clothes as being a reddish colored, long sleeved, shirt with a button-down collar and gray colored trousers. He indicated that he had placed these articles of clothing in the lower drawer of his dresser.
OSWALD stated that on November 22, 1963, he had eaten lunch in the lunch room at the Texas School Book Depository, alone, but recalled possibly two Negro employees walking through the room during this period. He stated possibly one of these employees was called “Junior” and the other was a short individual whose name he could not recall but whom he would be able to recognize. He stated that his lunch had consisted of a cheese sandwich and an apple which he had obtained at MRS. RUTH PAINE’s residence in Irving, Texas, upon his leaving for work that morning.
OSWALD stated that MRS. PAINE receives no pay for keeping his wife and children at her residence. He stated that their presence in MRS. PAINE’s residence is a good arrangement for her because of her language interest, indicating that his wife speaks Russian and MRS. PAINE is interested in the Russian language.
OSWALD denied having kept a rifle in MRS. PAINE’s garage at Irving, Texas, but stated that he did have certain articles stored in her garage, consisting of two sea bags, a couple of suitcases, and several boxes of kitchen articles and also kept his clothes at MRS. PAINE’s residence. He stated that all of the articles in MRS. PAINE’s garage had been brought there about September, 1963, from New Orleans, Louisiana.
OSWALD stated that he has had no visitors at his apartment on North Beckley.
OSWALD stated that he has no receipts for purchase of any guns and has never ordered any guns and does not own a rifle nor has he ever possessed a rifle.
OSWALD denied that he is a member of the Communist Party.
OSWALD stated that he purchased a pistol, which was taken off him by police officers November 22, 1963, about six months ago. He declined to state where he had purchased it.
OSWALD stated that he arrived about July, 1962, from USSR and was interviewed by the FBI at Fort Worth, Texas. He stated that he felt they overstepped their bounds and had used various tactics in interviewing him.
He further complained that on interview of RUTH PAINE by the FBI regarding his wife, that he felt that his wife was intimidated.
OSWALD stated that he desired to contact Attorney ABT, New York City, indicating that ABT was the attorney who had defended the Smith Act case about 1949-1950. He stated that he does not know Attorney ABT personally. Captain FRITZ advised OSWALD that arrangements would be immediately made whereby he could call Attorney ABT.
OSWALD stated that prior to coming to Dallas from New Orleans he had resided at a furnished apartment at 4706 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. While in New Orleans, he had been employed by WILLIAM B. RILEY Company, 640 Magazine Street, New Orleans.
OSWALD stated that he has nothing against President JOHN F. KENNEDY personally; however in view of the present charges against him, he did not desire to discuss this phase further.
OSWALD stated that he would not agree to take a polygraph examination without the advice of counsel. He added that in the past he has refused to take polygraph examinations.
OSWALD stated that he is a member of the American Civil Liberties Union and added that MRS. RUTH PAINE was also a member of same.
With regard to Selective Service card in the possession of OSWALD bearing photograph of OSWALD and the name of ALEK JAMES HIDELL, OSWALD admitted that he carried this Selective Service card but declined to state that he wrote the signature of ALEK J. HIDELL appearing on same. He further declined to state the purpose of carrying same or any use he has made of same.
OSWALD stated that an address book in his possession contains the names of various Russian immigrants residing in Dallas, Texas, whom he has visited with.
OSWALD denied shooting President JOHN F. KENNEDY on November 22, 1963, and added that he did not know that Governor JOHN CONNALLY had been shot and denied any knowledge concerning this incident.
on 11/23/63 at Dallas, Texas File # DL 89-43
by Special Agent JAMES W. BOOKHOUT /wvm Date dictated 11/24/63
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
FD-302 (Rev. 3-3-59)
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 11/25/63
LEE HARVEY OSWALD was interviewed at the Homicide and Robbery Bureau, Dallas Police Department, at 6:35 p.m., by Captain J. W. FRITZ in the presence of Special Agent JAMES W. BOOKHOUT, Federal Bureau of Investigation. OSWALD was advised of the identity and official capacity of said Agent and the fact that he did not have to make any statement, that any statement he did make could be used in a court of law against him, and that any statement made must be free and voluntary and that he had the right to consult with an attorney.
Captain J. W. FRITZ exhibited to LEE HARVEY OSWALD a photograph which had been obtained by the Dallas Police Department in a search, by starch warrant, of the garage at the residence of MRS. RUTH PAINE, located at Irving, Texas, which photograph reflects OSWALD holding a rifle and wearing a holstered pistol. OSWALD was asked if this was a photograph of himself. OSWALD stated that he would not discuss the photograph without advice of an attorney. He stated that the head of the individual in the photograph could be his but that it was entirely possible that the Police Department had superimposed this part of the photograph over the body of someone else. He pointed out that numerous news media had snapped his photograph during the day and the possibility existed that the police had doctored up this photograph.
OSWALD denied that he had purchased any rifle from Kleins Store in Chicago, Illinois.
OSWALD complained of a lineup wherein he had not been granted a request to put on a jacket similar to those worn by some of the other individuals in the lineup.
on 11/23/63 at Dallas, Texas File # DL 89-43
by Special Agent JAMES W. BOOKHOUT /wvm Date dictated 11/24/63
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
