Crossfire
Page 89
Surely no one believes it was sheer coincidence that the younger Kennedy was gunned down the very night he received the 1968 California Democratic nomination for president, which most probably would have clinched his national nomination.
While it may be too late for justice for John F. Kennedy, it is never too late for the truth. Camelot was killed from within, by men whose fear and ambition overpowered their faith in and loyalty to the US Constitution and the people it was designed to protect.
After assimilating the information in this book, the thoughtful reader can now perceive the truth of the Kennedy assassination. An apt precedent may be found in William Shakespeare’s immortal Julius Caesar, where Roman leaders—”all honorable men”—plotted to kill Caesar out of fear that they were losing total power in their country. Brutus defended his participation by explaining, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” Or to paraphrase the American officer in Vietnam who defended the destruction of a village there, “In order to save the country, they had to destroy it.”
Until the public forces politicians, academics, and the corporate mass media to confront the reality of Kennedy’s death and the power behind it, the wars, near-wars, the wasteful military buildup, foreign adventurism, death, squandered millions, trampled human rights, moral decline, environmental pollution, and the savaging of the US Constitution will continue.
The path to a confrontation with the evil that has gained a hold on America lies within each individual citizen—in our minds and, perhaps more important, in our hearts.
One can still hear the sad spirit of John F. Kennedy echoing from Dealey Plaza:
Et tu, Lyndon?
SOURCES AND NOTES
In a work such as this, extensive footnoting within the text can often impede the flow of ideas, reducing comprehension.
There are further problems in the case of the JFK assassination. Too often official government reports do not accurately reflect the actual evidence or statements of witnesses.
Major statements in this work or ones that contradict the official version of the assassination are attributed in this section. Usually only one reference is given, though multiple sources may be found in most instances.
Any statements without attribution or a source listing indicate historical fact or issues that are undisputed among the majority of credible assassination researchers.
Accounts of witnesses sometimes represent a synthesis of their words from more than one source. It should be pointed out that just because a statement is attributed to some source does not make that statement true. People’s accounts can result from mistakes as well as lies due to fear and intimidation.
WC Report refers to the Warren Commission Report, while its attendant hearings and exhibits are referred to by volume and page—for example, XXII.644. Similarly, the House Select Committee on Assassinations volumes will appear as HSCA VIII.64.
It is significant to add that while all assassination works—including this book—must rely heavily on official government reports and publications, such reports can often be called into question. Therefore, the burden of separating fact from fiction must unfortunately fall on the reader. This sad fact necessitates access to the broadest amount of information, often going far beyond official sources.
A comprehensive bibliography of sources for Crossfire may be found at the JimMarrs.com website.
PART I: THE KILL ZONE
Dallas—The Stage Is Set
The Thirty-fifth President
2JFK’s affair with suspected Nazi agent: John H. Davis, The Kennedys: Dynasty and Disaster 1848–1983, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1984, pp. 111–112.
3Joe Kennedy quote: Ibid., p. 135.
3Evelyn Lincoln on blackmail: www.viewzone.com/lbj/lbj2.html.
4Talk to ministers in Houston: David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace, The People’s Almanac, Garden City, New York, Doubleday & Company, 1975, p. 313.
4Slim margin of 1960 election: Ibid., p. 314.
4Comparison to Eisenhower: Wallechinsky and Wallace, p. 316.
5Yarborough: author’s interview, summer 1986.
5Kennedy’s sunshine comment: Report of the Select Committee on Assassinations of the US House of Representatives; Findings in the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Tex., November 22, 1963, p. 38.
Dealey Plaza—November 22, 1963
The Motorcade
8Organization of motorcade: WC Report, pp. 43–46.
8Yarborough’s comments: author’s interview, summer 1986.Press car moved: author’s interview with Dallas researcher Mary Ferrell, 1986. Her husband, Buck, had loaned his station wagon for press use in the motorcade.
9Amazed at crowd: Bob Hollingsworth, “Rapid Bang of Gun Changes History’s Course,” Dallas Times Herald, Nov. 23, 1963.
10Truly: III.220.
10Lawson: IV.351.
10Kellerman: H.73–74.
11Mrs. Connally: IV.147.
11Greer: 11.117.
11Connally: IV. 133.
11Connally’s cry: WC Report, p. 50.
11Mrs. Kennedy: Ibid., p. 49.
12Mrs. Kennedy on brains in hand: XVIII.730.
12Dr. Marion Jenkins: Richard B. Trask, Pictures of the Pain: Photography and the Assassination of President Kennedy, Danvers, Mass., Yeoman Press, 1994, p. 71.
12Decker: “President Dead, Connally Shot,” Dallas Times Herald, Nov. 22, 1963.
12Ellis: HSCA XII.23.
13Landis: XVIII.758.
13Bennett: XXIV.542.
13Hill: 11.138–141.
14Powers: VII.473.
14Mrs. Cabell: VII.486–487.
15Yarborough: author’s interview, summer 1986.
1511.2 mph limousine speed: WC Report, p. 49.
15Atkins: “JFK Assassination Film No One Wanted to See,” Midnight, March 1, 1977, pp. 21–22.
The Crowd
16Hathaway, Lawrence, and Owens: XXIV.211, 214, and 220.
16Mercer: XIX.483.
18Smith: XIX.516.
18West: author’s interview, April 1978.
18Rowland: II.165–190.
19Walther: Anthony Summers, Conspiracy, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1980, p. 74.
20Earl Golz, “Was Oswald in the Window?” Dallas Morning News, Nov. 28, 1978.
20Carr: interview with researcher Gary Shaw, April, 1975; HSCA XIII.8–9.
20Henderson: XXIV.524.
21Bronson film: Earl Golz, “JFK Film May Reveal Two Gunmen,” Dallas Morning News, Nov. 26, 1978.
21Prisoners: Earl Golz, “Witnesses Overlooked in JFK Probe,” Dallas Morning News, Dec. 19, 1978; http://derosaworld.typepad.com/derosaworld/2009/11/30-days-of-jjfk-assassination-facts-windows-and-witnesses.html.
22Similas: Harold Weisberg, “Photographic Whitewash,” pp. 223–235; J. Gary Shaw with Larry R. Harris, Coverup, p. 51.
22Fischer: VI.195.
22Edwards: VI.204.
22Betzner: XIX.467–468.
23Willis: VII.493–497; Jim Marrs, “JFK Killing Witness Not Surprised Tests Indicated 2nd Gunman,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec. 22, 1978; author’s interview, October 1978.
24Linda Willis: Author’s interview, October 1978.
25Brennan: XXIV.203.
25Brennan again questioned by WC: III.211.
25Speaker: author’s interview, July 1987.
26Euins: WC Exhibit 367.
26Terry: author’s interview, 1978.
26Truly: III.220.
26Campbell: XXII.638.
26Mrs. Reid: III.273.
26Arce: VI.365.
27Baker: VII.508–509.
27Woodward: Mary E. Woodward, “Witness from the News Describes Assassination,” Dallas Morning News, Nov. 23, 1963.
27Calvery and Westbrook: XXII.638 and 679.
28Millican: XIX.486.
28Speaker: author’s interview, July 1987.
28Mrs. Chism: XIX.472.
Two Suspicious Men
29Robert Cutler: The Flight of CE-399: Evidence of Cons
piracy, Beverly, Mass., Cutler Designs, 1970.
31Witt: HSCA IV.432–433.
32Kounas: XXII.659.
32Altgens: VII.517–518.
33Altgens mistaken: WCR, p. 112.
34Brehm: Mark Lane and Emile de Antonio’s film of assassination witnesses, Rush to Judgment, 1966.
34Nix: Ibid.
The Babushka Lady
35Oliver: “Area Woman to Testify in JFK Slaying Probe,” Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, April 10, 1977; Interview with researcher J. Gary Shaw 1970; author’s interviews, 1988–2011.
37Hill: VI.207; author’s interviews, 1986–1991.
38Newman: XIX.490; author’s interview, April 1988.
38Merriman Smith: http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/gk_name.htm.
38Price: XIX.492; Lane, Rush to Judgment, p. 33.
39FBI statements: CE 1381.
The Texas School Book Depository
40Oswald’s job: WC Report, pp. 737–738.
40Truly: III.237.
40Frazier: II.225–228.
41Oswald’s denial: WC Report, p. 604.
41Dougherty: VI.376.
The Distracting Seizure
42Belknap: Jerry D. Rose, “The Epileptic Seizure,” Penn Jones’s The Continuing Inquiry, Feb. 22, 1984, pp. 8–22.
43Rike: author’s interviews, 1978, 2002, 2008.
43Geneva L. Hine: VI.695.
44Wilson: XXII.685.
44Dorman: XXII.644.
44Garner: XXII.648.
44Adams: VI.388.
44Styles: XXII.676.
44Frazier: 11.234.
The Man in the Doorway
45Oswald Innocent Campaign: www.os-wald-innocent.com.
45Lovelady: VI.338–339; “Time Gives Back Identity,” Dallas Times Herald, Nov. 21, 1971.
46Shelley: VI.329.
46Sarah Stanton: XXII, p. 675.
461971 reenactment: Trask, p. 324.
47Shelley says no more work: WC Report, p. 182.
47Ralph Cinque: www.oswald-innocent.com/wrap.html.
47Curry’s quote: “‘Not Sure’ on Oswald, Author Curry Indicates,” Dallas Morning News, Nov. 6, 1969.
48Oswald on first floor: WC Report, p. 600.
48Williams: III.175.
48Norman: III.191.
48Jarman: III.205.
50Arnold: XXII.635; Summers, p. 108; Dallas Morning News, Nov. 26, 1978.
The Oswald Encounter
52Baker: III.246.
53Reid: III.273.
53Oswald tells of Coca-Cola: WC Report, p. 600.
54Bookhout and Hosty report: WC Report, p. 613.
54Bookhout reports Coca-Cola: WC Report, p. 619.
54Mooneyham: XXIV.531.
55Report dismisses Adams: WC Report, p. 154.
55Garner 2011 interview: http://mysite.verizon.net/restu5kb/id1.html.
56Stroud’s letter: Ibid.
56Molina: VI.371.
The Triple Underpass
57Foster: VI.251.
58White: VI.255.
Smoke on the Grassy Knoll
58Holland: VI.243; Lane, Rush to Judgment film.
59Simmons, Dodd, etc.: Ibid.
61Brown: VI.233.
61Skelton: XIX.496.
61Miller: XIX.485.
The Third Wounded Man
62Tague: VI.553; author’s interviews, 1977, 1988, 2002.
62Haygood: VI.297.
63Walthers: XIX.518.
64Stroud: Sylvia Meager, Accessories After the Fact: The Warren Commission, the Authorities, and the Report, New York, Bobbs-Merrill, 1967; Vintage, 1976, pp. 6–7.
The Grassy Knoll
The Zapruder Film
66Zapruder: VII.571.
67Timing of shot: WC Report, p. 105.
67Kennedy turned to wave: Paul Mandel, “End of Nagging Rumors: The Six Critical Seconds,” Life, December 6, 1963.
69Film compromised: David S. Lifton, Best Evidence: Disguise and Deception in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, New York, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980, footnote, p. 557.
72Newman: XXII.842; Author’s interview, April 1988.
72Journalism major: Cheryl McKinnon, “My Last Look at Mr. President,” San Diego Star News, Nov. 20, 1983. Hudson: VII.559.
73Hudson: VII.559.
The Black Dog Man
75Hargis: VI.294.
75Weitzman: VII.106.
76Smith: VII.535.
76Smith smells gunpowder: Summers, p. 62.
77Bowers: VI.287; Lane’s Rush to Judgment.
79Arnold: “SS ‘Imposters’ Spotted by JFK Witnesses,” Dallas Morning News, August 27, 1978; author’s interview, summer 1985.
The Badge Man
81Attempts to study “Badgeman”: author’s interview with Jack White and Gary Mack, 1984; Turner documentary.
A Grassy Knoll Witness
83Hoffman: author’s interview, summer, 1985; FBI Airtel and memorandum, June 28, 1967, and April 5, 1977. (These FBI documents were obtained Dec. 2, 1985, after a FOIA request was filed with the bureau by researcher J. Gary Shaw.)
87M. Duke Lane: http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/FreeWayman.htm.
PART II: MEANS, MOTIVES, AND OPPORTUNITIES
Lee Harvey Oswald—Assassin or Patsy?
A Mother in History
90Marguerite Oswald’s reaction to HSCA: “Panel’s Finding Pleases Mother of Lee Oswald,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec. 31, 1978.
90Marguerite Oswald background: WC Report, pp. 669–681; author’s interviews, 1974–1979.
92Complaints on son’s death: “Mother of Oswald Blames Officers,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec. 2, 1963.
92FBI shows her picture: 1.152–153.
93Marguerite Oswald on Watergate: “Marguerite Oswald Not Bitter After 10-Year Infamy,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Nov. 18, 1973.
95Marguerite on payment: author’s interview, 1974.
95Lee’s bed: E. Graham Ward, Transcripts I: An Interview with Marguerite Oswald, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973, p. 35.
96No potential assassin: WC Report, p. 379.
96Dr. Hartogs on Oswald: Gerald Posner, Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK, New York Random House, 1993, p. 12.
96Hartogs to WC: VIII, pp. 216–219.
97Lee’s favorite TV show: Robert L. Oswald, Lee: A Portrait of Lee Harvey Oswald, p. 47.
97Lee’s Marxism: Ibid., pp. 71–72.
97Oswald’s introduction to communism: Don Delillo, Libra, New York, Penguin Books, 1988, p. 12.
97Robert Oswald: www.reference.com/browse/lee+harvey+oswald.
Oswald’s Library Card
99Ferrie asks about card: Summers, p. 497.
99Secret Service questions Ferrie: Jim Garrison, Heritage of Stone, New York, Berkley Medallion Books, 1975, p. 103.
99False affadavit: WC Report, p. 680.
100Oswald on communism: Ibid., p. 384.
100Oswald’s military service: Ibid., pp. 681–689.
Semper Fidelis
100Sherman Cooley: Henry Hurt, Reasonable Doubt, New York, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1985, p. 99.
100Nelson Delgado: Lane, pp. 388–389.
101Oswald’s absences: Edward J. Epstein, Legend: The Secret World of Lee Harvey Oswald, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1978, p. 65.
Oswald Overseas
102Race Car: Ibid., pp. 53–55.
102Secrets interest: Ibid., p. 68.
102Slawson and Coleman report: www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcmem-os/pdf/Oswald_Foreign_2_Soviet.pdf.
102Oswald and “Queen Bee”: Epstein, pp. 71–72.
102Bucknell: Interview with Mark Lane, April 1978; “The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy—How the CIA Set Up Oswald,” Hustler, October 1978, p. 50.
103Hemming: Summers, p. 172.
103Wilcott: “Couple Talks About Bad Days in CIA,” San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 12, 1978; HSCA Report, pp. 198–199.
103Oswald’s VD: IX.603; VII.313; XIX.601.
103Executive session: Tra
nscript of Warren Commission proceedings, Jan. 27, 1964. (This transcript was classified “top secret” and made public only in 1974 after suit was filed by a private researcher.)
104Bagshaw and Connor: Summers, p. 155.
104John Wayne: Epstein, p. 76.
104Rodriguez: Ibid., p. 78.
105Rhodes: Ibid., pp. 81–82.
106Dejanovich: Ibid., p. 82.
Oswaldskovich the Marine
106Oswaldskovich: WC Report, p. 686.
106Thornley: Kerry Thornley, “Oswald,” pp. 23–32.
106Officer’s reaction: Ibid., p. 21.
106Thornley’s comment: WC Report, p. 389.
107Botelho: Lane, op. cit., p. 94.
107Bucknell: Ibid., p. 94.
108Botelho on assignment: James W. Douglass, JFK and the Unspeakable, Maryknoll, N.Y., Orbis Books, 2008, p. 40.
108Oswald’s letter and trip: WC Report, pp. 689–690.
Russians
109Powers deployed: Wallechinsky and Wallace, p. 650.
Oswald and the U-2
110Oswald’s letter: XVI.871.
110Ofstein: X.203.
110Defectors: Summers, p. 176.
Robert E. Webster—Another Oswald?
111Webster: Summers, pp. 177–178.
111Marchetti: Ibid., p. 174.
112Otepka: Bernard Fensterwald with Michael Ewing, Coincidence or Conspiracy?, p. 231.
A Phony Defection
113Sweden: Summers, p. 557, Note 38.
113Shirokova: WC Report, pp. 690–691.
113Attempted defection: Ibid., pp. 392–393.
114McVickar: XVIII.155.
114Johnson: FBI Memorandum from A. Rosen to Mr. Belmont, Nov. 23, 1964.
115“Historic Diary”: WC Report, p. 258.
116Rankin: Warren Commission Executive Session transcript, Jan. 27, 1964.
Comrade Oswald
116MVD funds: WC Report, p. 272.
116Life in Russia: WC Report, pp. 697–712; author’s interview with Jeanne DeMohrenschildt, 1978.
117Hoover warning: Summers, p. 409.
118Marguerite Oswald: author’s interviews, 1974–1979.
A Whirlwind Romance
119Didenko: Priscilla Johnson McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 205.
120CIA concerns: Addendum to CIA document, Nov. 25, 1963; Epstein, p. 138; Summers, p. 192.
120New identity: Epstein, p. 139.
121Relationship cooled: WC Report, p. 395.
122Raikin: Summers, p. 217.
123Marina Oswald: Myrna Blyth and Jane Farrell, “Marina Oswald—Twenty-Five Years Later,” Ladies’ Home Journal, November 1988.