Mr. Jenner. What was Lee Harvey Oswald's assignment and activity service-wise at that period?
Mr. Thornley. At that time his assignments and activities were primary janitorial. He was—he had lost his clearance previously, and if I remember, he was assigned to make the coffee, mow the lawn, swab down decks, and things of this nature.
Mr. Jenner. What were the circumstances as you learned of them, or knew of them at the time, as to how or why he lost his clearance as you put it.
Mr. Thornley. Well, I asked somebody, and I was told, and I don't remember who told me, it was a general rumor, general scuttlebutt at the time, that he had poured beer over a staff NCO's head in an enlisted club in Japan, and had been put in the brig for that, and having been put in the brig would automatically lose his clearance to work in the electronics control center.
Mr. Jenner. I was going to ask you what losing clearance meant. You have indicated that—or would you state it more specifically.
Mr. Thornley. Well, that meant in a practical sense, that meant that he was not permitted to enter certain areas wherein the equipment, in this case equipment, was kept; that we would not want other unauthorized persons to have knowledge of. And on occasion information, I imagine, would also come to the man who was cleared, in the process of his work, that he would be expected to keep to himself.
Mr. Jenner. I assume you had clearance?
Mr. Thornley. Yes, sir; I was, I think, cleared for confidential at the time.
Mr. Jenner. Cleared for confidential. I was about to ask you what level of clearance was involved.
Mr. Thornley. I believe it was just confidential to work there at El Toro on that particular equipment.