In this report the Commission submits the results of its investigation. Each member of the Commission has given careful consideration to the entire report and concurs in its findings and conclusions. The report consists of an initial chapter summarizing the Commission’s basic findings and conclusions, followed by a detailed analysis of the facts and the issues raised by the events of November 22, 1963, and the 2 following days. Individual chapters consider the trip to Dallas, the shots from the Texas School Book Depository, the identity of the assassin, the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald, the possibility of a conspiracy, Oswald’s background and possible motive, and arrangements for the protection of the President. In these chapters, rather than rely on cross references, the Commission on occasion has repeated certain testimony in order that the reader might have the necessary information before him while examining the conclusions of the Commission on each important issue.

With this report the Commission is submitting the complete testimony of all the witnesses who appeared before the Commission or gave sworn depositions or affidavits, the accompanying documentary exhibits, and other investigative materials which are relied upon in this report. The Commission is committing all of its reports and working papers to the National Archives, where they can be permanently preserved under the rules and regulations of the National Archives and applicable Federal law.

Contents

Page
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL[vii]
FOREWORD[ix]
Chapter I. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS[1]
Narrative of Events[1]
Conclusions[18]
Recommendations[25]
Chapter II. THE ASSASSINATION[28]
Planning the Texas Trip[28]
Advance Preparations for the Dallas Trip[29]
Preventive Intelligence Activities[29]
The Luncheon Site[30]
The Motorcade Route[31]
Dallas Before the Visit[40]
Visits to Other Texas Cities[42]
Arrival at Love Field[42]
Organization of the Motorcade[43]
The Drive Through Dallas[46]
The Assassination[48]
The Time[48]
Speed of the Limousine[49]
In the Presidential Limousine[49]
Reaction by Secret Service Agents[50]
Parkland Memorial Hospital[52]
The Race to the Hospital[52]
Treatment of President Kennedy[53]
Treatment of Governor Connally[56]
Vice President Johnson at Parkland[56]
Secret Service Emergency Security Arrangements[57]
Removal of the President’s Body[58]
The End of the Trip[59]
Swearing in of the New President[59]
Return to Washington, D.C.[59]
The Autopsy[59]
Chapter III. THE SHOTS FROM THE TEXAS SCHOOL BOOK DEPOSITORY[61]
The Witnesses[61]
Near the Depository[63]
On the Fifth Floor[68]
At the Triple Underpass[71]
The Presidential Automobile[76]
Expert Examination of Rifle, Cartridge Cases, and Bullet Fragments[79]
Discovery of Cartridge Cases and Rifle[79]
Discovery of Bullet at Parkland Hospital[79]
Description of Rifle[81]
Expert Testimony[84]
The Bullet Wounds[85]
The President’s Head Wounds[86]
The President’s Neck Wounds[87]
The Governor’s Wounds[92]
The Trajectory[96]
Films and Tests[96]
The First Bullet That Hit[97]
The Subsequent Bullet That Hit[109]
Number of Shots[110]
The Shot That Missed[111]
The First Shot[111]
The Second Shot[115]
The Third Shot[115]
Time Span of Shots[117]
Conclusion[117]
Chapter IV. THE ASSASSIN[118]
Ownership and Possession of Assassination Weapon[118]
Purchase of Rifle by Oswald[118]
Oswald’s Palmprint on Rifle Barrel[122]
Fibers on Rifle[124]
Photograph of Oswald With Rifle[125]
Rifle Among Oswald’s Possessions[128]
Conclusion[129]
The Rifle in the Building[129]
The Curtain Rod Story[129]
The Missing Rifle[130]
The Long and Bulky Package[131]
Location of Bag[134]
Scientific Evidence Linking Rifle and Oswald to Paper Bag[135]
Conclusion[137]
Oswald at Window[137]
Palmprints and Fingerprints on Cartons and Paper Bag[140]
Oswald’s Presence on Sixth Floor Approximately 35 Minutes Before the Assassination[143]
Eyewitness Identification of Assassin[143]
Oswald’s Actions in Building After Assassination[149]
Conclusion[156]
The Killing of Patrolman J. D. Tippit[156]
Oswald’s Movements After Leaving Depository Building[157]
Description of Shooting[165]
Eyewitnesses[166]
Murder Weapon[171]
Ownership of Revolver[172]
Oswald’s Jacket[175]
Conclusion[176]
Oswald’s Arrest[176]
Statements of Oswald During Detention[180]
Denial of Rifle Ownership[181]
The Revolver[181]
The Aliases “Hidell” and “O. H. Lee”[181]
The Curtain Rod Story[182]
Actions During and After Shooting[182]
Prior Attempt To Kill[183]
The Attempt on the Life of Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Walker[183]
Richard M. Nixon Incident[187]
Oswald’s Rifle Capability[189]
The Nature of the Shots[189]
Oswald’s Marine Training[191]
Oswald’s Rifle Practice Outside the Marines[192]
Accuracy of Weapon[193]
Conclusion[195]
Conclusion[195]
Chapter V. DETENTION AND DEATH OF OSWALD[196]
Treatment of Oswald in Custody[196]
Chronology[198]
Interrogation Sessions[199]
Oswald’s Legal Rights[200]
Activity of Newsmen[201]
On the Third Floor[201]
Oswald and the Press[206]
The Abortive Transfer[208]
Possible Assistance to Jack Ruby in Entering the Basement[216]
Adequacy of Security Precautions[225]
News Coverage and Police Policy[231]
Responsibility of News Media[240]
Chapter VI. INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE CONSPIRACY[243]
Circumstances Surrounding the Assassination[245]
Selection of Motorcade Route[245]
Oswald’s Presence in the Depository Building[246]
Bringing Rifle Into Building[247]
Accomplices at the Scene of the Assassination[248]
Oswald’s Escape[252]
Background of Lee Harvey Oswald[254]
Residence in the Soviet Union[254]
Associations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Community[280]
Political Activities Upon Return to the United States[287]
Contacts With the Cuban and Soviet Embassies in Mexico City and the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C.[299]
Investigation of Other Activities[312]
Oswald Was Not an Agent for the U.S. Government[325]
Oswald’s Finances[328]
Possible Conspiracy Involving Jack Ruby[333]
Ruby’s Activities From November 21 to November 24, 1963[333]
Ruby and Oswald Were Not Acquainted[359]
Ruby’s Background and Associations[365]
Conclusion[374]
Chapter VII. LEE HARVEY OSWALD: BACKGROUND AND POSSIBLE MOTIVES[375]
The Early Years[377]
New York City[378]
Return to New Orleans and Joining the Marine Corps[383]
Interest in Marxism[388]
Defection to the Soviet Union[390]
Return to the United States[394]
Personal Relations[400]
Employment[402]
Attack on General Walker[404]
Political Activities[406]
Interest in Cuba[412]
Possible Influence of Anti-Kennedy Sentiment in Dallas[415]
Relationship With Wife[416]
The Unanswered Questions[421]
Conclusion[423]
Chapter VIII. THE PROTECTION OF THE PRESIDENT[425]
The Nature of the Protective Assignment[426]
Evaluation of Presidential Protection at the Time of the Assassination of President Kennedy[428]
Intelligence Functions Relating to Presidential Protection at the Time of the Dallas Trip[429]
Liaison With Other Government Agencies[444]
Other Protective Measures and Aspects of Secret Service Performance[444]
Recommendations[454]
Assassination a Federal Crime[454]
Committee of Cabinet Officers[456]
Responsibilities for Presidential Protection[457]
General Supervision of the Secret Service[460]
Preventive Intelligence[461]
Liaison With Local Law Enforcement Agencies[465]
Inspection of Buildings[466]
Secret Service Personnel and Facilities[466]
Manpower and Technical Assistance From Other Agencies[467]
Conclusion[468]
Appendix I. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11130[471]
Appendix II. WHITE HOUSE RELEASE[472]
Appendix III. SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 137[473]
Appendix IV. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS[475]
Members of Commission[475]
General Counsel[476]
Assistant Counsel[476]
Staff Members[477]
Acknowledgments[481]
Appendix V. LIST OF WITNESSES[483]
Appendix VI. COMMISSION PROCEDURES FOR THE TAKING OF TESTIMONY[501]
Resolution Governing Questioning of Witnesses by Members of the Commission Staff[501]
Appendix VII. A BRIEF HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION[504]
Before the Civil War[504]
Lincoln[505]
The Need for Protection Further Demonstrated[507]
Development of Presidential Protection[510]
Appendix VIII. MEDICAL REPORTS FROM DOCTORS AT PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DALLAS, TEX.[516]
Appendix IX. AUTOPSY REPORT AND SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT[538]
Appendix X. EXPERT TESTIMONY[547]
Firearms and Firearms Identification[547]
General Principles[547]
The Rifle[553]
Rifle Cartridge and Cartridge Cases[555]
The Rifle Bullets[557]
The Revolver[558]
Revolver Cartridges and Cartridge Cases[559]
Revolver Bullets[559]
The Struggle for the Revolver[560]
The Paraffin Test[560]
The Walker Bullet[562]
Fingerprints and Palmprints[563]
General Principles[563]
Objects in the Texas School Book Depository Building[556]
Questioned Documents[566]
The Mail Order for the C2766 Rifle, the Related Envelope, and the Money Order[569]
Mail Order for the V510210 Revolver[570]
Post Office Box Applications and Change-of-Address Card[570]
The Spurious Selective Service System Notice of Classification and U.S. Marine Corps Certificate of Service[571]
The Hidell Notice of Classification[571]
The Hidell Certificate of Service[576]
The Vaccination Certificate[577]
The Fair Play for Cuba Committee Card[578]
The Unsigned Russian-Language Note[578]
The Homemade Wrapping Paper Bag[579]
Wound Ballistics Experiments[580]
Purpose of the Tests[580]
The Testers and Their Qualifications[580]
General Testing Conditions[581]
Tests on Penetration Power and Bullet Stability[581]
Tests Simulating President Kennedy’s Neck Wound[582]
Tests Simulating Governor Connally’s Chest Wounds[582]
Tests Simulating Governor Connally’s Wrist Wounds[583]
Conclusions From Simulating the Neck, Chest, and Wrist Wounds[584]
Tests Simulating President Kennedy’s Head Wounds[585]
Hairs and Fibers[586]
General Principles[588]
Photographs[592]
Appendix XI. REPORTS RELATING TO THE INTERROGATION OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD AT THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT[598]
Appendix XII. SPECULATIONS AND RUMORS[637]
The Source of the Shots[639]
The Assassin[642]
Oswald’s Movements Between 12:33 and 1:15 p.m.[648]
Murder of Tippit[650]
Oswald After His Arrest[654]
Oswald in the Soviet Union[655]
Oswald’s Trip to Mexico City[658]
Oswald and U.S. Government Agencies[659]
Conspiratorial Relationships[661]
Other Rumors and Speculations[664]
Appendix XIII. BIOGRAPHY OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD[669]
Early Years[669]
Marines[681]
Soviet Union[689]
Fort Worth, Dallas, New Orleans[713]
Mexico City[730]
Dallas[737]
Appendix XIV. ANALYSIS OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD’S FINANCES FROM JUNE 13, 1962, THROUGH NOVEMBER 22, 1963[741]
Appendix XV. TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN LEE HARVEY OSWALD AND MARINA OSWALD, AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE[746]
Issuance of Passport in 1959[746]
Oswald’s Attempts To Renounce His U.S. Citizenship[747]
Return and Renewal of Oswald’s 1959 Passport[752]
Negotiations Between Oswald and the Embassy[752]
Legal Justification for the Return and Reissue of Oswald’s Passport[759]
Authorization for Marina Oswald To Enter the United States[761]
Negotiations Between Oswald and the Embassy[761]
Legal Justification for the Decisions Affecting Marina Oswald[766]
Oswald’s Letter to Senator Tower[769]
The Loan From the State Department[770]
Oswald’s Return to the United States and Repayment of His Loan[773]
Issuance of a Passport in June 1963[773]
Visit to the Russian Embassy in Mexico City[777]
Conclusion[777]
Appendix XVI. A BIOGRAPHY OF JACK RUBY[779]
Family Background[779]
Childhood and Youth (1911-33)[780]
Psychiatric Report[781]
Placement in Foster Homes[782]
Subsequent Home Life[783]
Education[784]
Activities[784]
Temperament[785]
Young Manhood (1933-43)[786]
San Francisco (1933-37)[786]
Occupations and Activities[786]
Chicago (1937-43)[787]
Military Activities (1943-46)[790]
Postwar Chicago (1946-47)[791]
Dallas (1947-63)[792]
The Move to Dallas[792]
The Change of Name[793]
Nightclub Operations[794]
Employee Relationships[796]
Financial Data and Tax Problems[797]
Other Business Ventures[799]
Arrests and Violations[800]
Police Associations[800]
Underworld Ties[801]
Travels[801]
Character and Interests[802]
Family Relationships[802]
Social Relationships[803]
Affection for Dogs[804]
Religious Interests[804]
Physical Activities and Violence[804]
Generosity to Friends and the Need for Recognition[806]
Appendix XVII. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION OF JACK RUBY[807]
Preliminary Arrangements[807]
Administration of the Test[809]
Interpretation of the Test[813]
Appendix XVIII. FOOTNOTES[817]
INDEX[880]

CHAPTER I
Summary and Conclusions

The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy on November 22, 1963, was a cruel and shocking act of violence directed against a man, a family, a nation, and against all mankind. A young and vigorous leader whose years of public and private life stretched before him was the victim of the fourth Presidential assassination in the history of a country dedicated to the concepts of reasoned argument and peaceful political change. This Commission was created on November 29, 1963, in recognition of the right of people everywhere to full and truthful knowledge concerning these events. This report endeavors to fulfill that right and to appraise this tragedy by the light of reason and the standard of fairness. It has been prepared with a deep awareness of the Commission’s responsibility to present to the American people an objective report of the facts relating to the assassination.

NARRATIVE OF EVENTS

At 11:40 a.m., c.s.t., on Friday, November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy, and their party arrived at Love Field, Dallas, Tex. Behind them was the first day of a Texas trip planned 5 months before by the President, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, and John B. Connally, Jr., Governor of Texas. After leaving the White House on Thursday morning, the President had flown initially to San Antonio where Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson joined the party and the President dedicated new research facilities at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. Following a testimonial dinner in Houston for U.S. Representative Albert Thomas, the President flew to Fort Worth where he spent the night and spoke at a large breakfast gathering on Friday.