Other activities.—The evidence indicates that Ruby led a normal social life during these years. Virginia Belasco stated that while Ruby was selling punchboards in New York during November 1941, he entertained her each weekend.[A16-177] Other reports indicate that Ruby fancied himself a “ladies’ man,” enjoyed dancing, almost always had female accompaniment and was “very gentlemanly” with women.[A16-178]
Ruby, with several friends, frequently attempted to disrupt rallies of the German-American Bund.[A16-179] One acquaintance reported that Ruby was responsible for “cracking a few heads” of Bund members.[A16-180] Apparently he joined in this activity for ethnic rather than political reasons. The young men in the group were not organized adherents of any particular political creed, but were poolhall and tavern companions from Ruby’s Jewish neighborhood who gathered on the spur of the moment to present opposition when they learned that the pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic Bund movement was planning a meeting.[A16-181] Hyman Rubenstein testified that Ruby would fight with any person making derogatory comments about his ethnic origins, and others have stated that Ruby would fight with anyone he suspected of pro-Nazi or anti-Semitic tendencies.[A16-182]
During this period Ruby, though temperamental, apparently engaged in no unusual acts of violence. However, he did interfere on several occasions when he thought someone was treated unfairly. A friend who described Ruby as “somewhat overbearing regarding the rights and feelings of others,” reported that Ruby fought two college students who insulted a Negro piano player.[A16-183] Another friend reported that Ruby had a “bitter” fight with a man who was abusing an older woman.[A16-184]
Maintaining his friendship with Barney Ross, and still an ardent sports fan, Ruby associated with various figures in the boxing world and regularly attended the fights at Marigold Gardens.[A16-185] He frequented the Lawndale Poolroom and Restaurant, a rallying point for the anti-Bundists and chief “hangout” of many of Ruby’s friends.[A16-186] In addition, Ruby, described as a “health nut”[A16-187] who earnestly contended that he could hit harder than Joe Louis,[A16-188] exercised at several athletic clubs.[A16-189]
Despite Ruby’s participation in “shady” financial enterprises, his association with a labor union subsequently disciplined by the AFL-CIO, his participation in violent anti-Bund activities, and his connection with a poolroom, the evidence falls short of demonstrating that Ruby was significantly affiliated with organized crime in Chicago. Virtually all of Ruby’s Chicago friends stated he had no close connection with organized crime.[A16-190] In addition, unreliable as their reports may be, several known Chicago criminals have denied any such liaison.[A16-191] The Commission finds it difficult to attach credence to a newspaper reporter’s contrary statement that his undisclosed “syndicate sources” revealed Ruby was connected with organized crime and confidence games.[A16-192] Ruby was unquestionably familiar, if not friendly, with some Chicago criminals,[A16-193] but there is no evidence that he ever participated in organized criminal activity.
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.