"Oswald's" CIA Cryptonym: RX-ZIM

[Jim Hargrove]

Did CIA Officer David Atlee Phillips Coordinate Ruby's Activities to Kill Oswald?

KLIF radio founder Gordon McLendon was a former Naval Intelligence officer who was a close friend and confidant of CIA officer David Atlee Phillips.

Jack Ruby called McLendon’s unlisted phone number the day of the assassination. Ruby was overheard that very afternoon saying he could be reached at KLIF, and he continued writing letters to McLendon even from prison.

In 1975 McLendon and David Atlee Phillips formed the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO). The two men had known one another since childhood. And it was Phillips who was spotted by Antonio Veciana talking to LEE Oswald at the Southland building in Dallas in the summer of 1963.

And so we are starring at a direct chain of command from CIA’s David Atlee Phillips to former intel officer Gordon McLendon to McLendon’s close friend Jack Ruby.

From Harvey and Lee:

Around 1:15 am KLIF radio announcer Russ Knight approached the entrance
to the police station and asked if anyone had seen District Attorney Henry Wade. Jack
Ruby, who was milling around talking to people said, "I'll show you" and escorted
Knight to the basement. Before reaching the basement Ruby asked Knight, twice, to
ask District Attorney Wade if he thought Oswald was "insane." After reaching the base­-
ment Ruby once again approached Wade and told him that radio announcer Russ
Knight wanted to speak with him.142

As Knight began talking with Wade, Dallas Police Lieutenant James Gilmore
saw Ruby and asked him what he was doing at the police station after midnight. Ruby
told Gilmore that he was passing out sandwiches and planning to deliver sandwiches to
KLIF radio, the station owned by Gordon McLendon.143

NOTE: Jack Ruby listed Gordon McLendon, the owner of Dallas radio station KLIF,
as one of his six closest friends. McClendon had known career CIA officer David Atlee
Phillips since both men were in their teens and attended school in Fort Worth. In the
1970's McLendon joined Phillips to form the Association of Former Intelligence Offic-
ers (AFIO).

....

Jack Ruby-1:30 am to 6:00am

After Russ Knight finished talking with Henry Wade he and Ruby walked out
of the police station. Ruby asked Knight if he needed a ride to the KLIF station, but
Knight declined and walked to KLIF, while Ruby walked to his car.147

About 1:45am Ruby arrived at KLIF with sandwiches and soft drinks and again
talked with Knight. At 2:00am, with Ruby nearby, Knight went on the air and told ra­-
dio listeners, "Through a tip from a local nightclub owner I asked Mr. Wade the ques-
tion of Oswald's insanity."

Around 2:15am, following the radio broadcast, Knight and Ruby left the radio
station. On the steps of the building Ruby handed Knight the text of a speech called
"Heroism" from H.L. Hunt's LIFE Line radio program, broadcast on radio station
KRLD. Ruby told Knight there were elements such as Hunt's in Dallas that hated Presi­-
dent Kennedy.

Knight remembered the late night incident and said, "Ruby had the speech but
he didn't seem to be cognizant fully of what the speech was or actually what side that
he stood on ..... just mentioned like there is an element here that hates, that hated Mr.
Kennedy." When Knight asked Ruby if he meant the Hunt's, Ruby said nothing.148

NOTE: After Ruby shot Oswald, Knight began to think about the "Heroism" speech that
Ruby gave him and said, "It seemed to me like too much of a coincidence that he should
be carrying a speech called 'Heroism' and then for him to shoot Oswald on Sunday
mormng...."149

--From Harvey and Lee, pp. 904-905, Copyright © 2003 by John Armstrong.  All rights reserved.

[Linda Giovanna Zambanini]

Here is Wilcott's findagrave memorial. I uploaded a couple of photos of him there, one from his CIA file and one snipped from the 1980 documentary "On Company Business". Both he and his wife, Elsie, are seen in the opening minute or two of the video available on youtube. Uploading them below too in case findagrave removes them for some reason. 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1321428/james-wilcott

[Jim Hargrove]

Hi, Linda....

Thank you for your post and for your effort to give James Wilcott (and his wife Elsie) a semblance of the respect they both deserve on findagrave.com.

Do you have more information on an actual polygraph exam taken by Mr. Wilcott for the HSCA, or are you referring to the "Cuban [voice] stress analysis" mentioned in the staff notes?  The only information I have is that he appeared to be more than willing to take a polygraph examination.

 

[Linda Giovanna Zambanini]

Hi, Jim,
You're welcome!  I'm glad you asked me about his HSCA polygraph results because looking back through my bookmarks for his HSCA testimony and his other Mary Ferrell records, it appears i was incorrect about that. I swore i had read somewhere that he took a polygraph confirming the veracity of his Oswald claims, but i must've been remembering the document you posted along with the mentions of 4 other polygraphs he had while working for the CIA: 2 in the late '50s when he joined, and 2 in the mid '60s  when he was associating with some antiwar and (horrors!) civil rights activists.  It looks like he passed all of those, but i can't find any proof he actually took one in the '70s for the HSCA. (Although his willingness to take one at that time bodes well for his veracity in my opinion.) I'll revise my findagrave post in that regard. Thanks for the heads up and for all the great research you post on here! 

PS Btw...in his Mary Ferrell records i found an interesting document that on 11/22/64 Wilcott was arrested for drunkenness. It was documented that he was not a drinker and this was an isolated incident of which he was very embarrassed. Also was surprised to see that in the early '60s before he retired from the CIA he was posted at JMWAVE, of all places.  So many coincidental JFK connections for this man! 

Edited April 11, 2018 by Linda Giovanna Zambanini

[Jim Hargrove]

Thank you, Linda, for updating this information.  I've asked JA to help me update the H&L website with the latest and most complete data available on James and Elsie Wilcott.  My guess is that he'll be more than happy to do so and that the new information should be up within a few days.

[David Andrews]

Jim - Thanks for the link to the Wilcott documents.  I just caught up with them.

I remember, just after it happened, reading about the man injured in the Contra protest with Wilcott.

Edited May 25, 2018 by David Andrews

[Michael Clark]

I started transcribing Wolcott's testimony, it is largely copy-pastable...I didnt want to presume that readers of this thread would appreciate it here, but, I didn't want to chance losing it with a fat thumb, so I clicked save...

 

 

The subcommittee met at IO:20 a.m., pursuant to notice, in room 2344 of the Raybum Office Building, the Honorable Richard Preyer (Chairman of the subcommittee), presiding.

Present: Representatives Preyer (presiding), Dodd and Sawyer.

Also Present: Michael Goldsmith, Counsel, and Gary Cornwell, Counsel.

Also Present: Elizabeth Berning, Chief Clerk, and Charles Berk, Betsy Wolf and James Wolf.

Mr. Preyer. Thank you for being here today, and I will call the subcommittee to order at this time.

I will ask if you will stand and be sworn.

Do you solemnly swear that the evidence you are about to give before this subcommittee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Wilcott. I do. 

Mr. Preyer. I would like before we begin to read a
written statement concerning the subject of the investigation.

We are operating under House Resolution 222, which man- dates the Committee to conduct a full and complete investi- gation and study of the circumstances surrounding the assas- sination and death of President John F. Kennedy, including determining whether the existing laws of the United States concerning the protection of the President and the investiga- tory jurisdiction and capability of agencies and departments

are adequate in their provisions and enforcement; and whether there was full disclosure of evidence and information among agencies and department of the United States Government and whether any evidence or information not in the possession of an agency of department would have been of assistance in investigating the assassination and why such information was not provided or collected by that agency or department, and

to make recommendations to the House if the Select Committee deems it appropriate for the amendment of existing legislation
or the enactment of new legislation. 

 

That is what we are attempting to accomplish, which is quite a big order.

We appreciate your being here today, Mr. Wilcott.

(Whereupon, a recess was taken while the members of the Committee went to the floor of the House for a vote.)

3 

 

Mr. Preyer. We will come to order.

We will resume the session, and I will recognize Counsel to begin his questioning.

TESTIMONY OF JAMES B. WtLCOlT, A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY:

Mr. Goldsmith. For the record, would you please state your name and address and occupation?

Mr. Wilcott. My name is James B. Wilcott. My address
is 2761 Atlantic Street, in Concord, and my occupation is electronic technician.

Mr. Goldsmith. Where is Concord located?

Mr. Wilcott. It is a little bit east of Oakland, California.

Mr. Goldsmith. Have you received a copy of the Committee’s rules?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes. 

 

Mr. Goldsmith. And a copy of the relevant House Resolutions?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes.

Mr. Goldsmith. And, Mr. Wilcott, is it true that you
are a former employee with the CIA and that you are here today testifying voluntarily without a subpoena?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes. 

Mr. Goldsmith. During what years did you work for the CIA? 

 

Mr. Wilcott. Iworked from the years, May, of 1957 to, April, of 1966.

Mr. Goldsmith. And in what general capacity did you work with the CIA?

Mr. Wolcott. All in the finance -- in accounting all of the time.

Mr. Goldsmith. How did you become employed with the CIA?

Mr. Wrlcott. I was recruited from the school in Syracuse
New York, where I was taking a course in accounting and busi- ness administration.

Mr. Goldsmith. Very generally now, what were your responsibilities as a finance employee with the agency? 

 

Mr. Wilcott. Well, from May of 1957 to January of 1960 -

Mr. Goldsmith - excuse me, just answer the question
very generally, without referring to anything right now, and please describe generally what your responsibilities were as a finance officer.

Mr. Wilcott. My. responsibilities were primarily record keeping and disbursing of funds.

Mr. Goldsmith. Mr. Wilcott, are you here with Counsel today?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes, I am.

Mr. Goldsmith. Would your Counsel identify himself for the recorder?

Mr. Shapp.  My name is William Schapp. And I am an Attorney here in Washington.

I will give my card to the Committee.

Mr. Goldsmith. Mr. Wilcott, did I ask you to prepare
a list indicating the dates that you were employed with the CIA and where you were stationed?

Mr. Wrlcott. Yes, you did.
Mr. Goldsmith. Did you prepare such a list? Mr. Alcott. Yes, I did.
Mr. Goldsmith. Do you have that list with you? Mr. Wilcott. Yes. I do.

Mr. Goldsmith. Referring to that list, would you tell
the Committee where you were stationed during your period with the CIA? 

Mr. Wrlcott. Certainly, from May of 1957 to January of
1960, I was in the pre-fab building on the Potomac in finance. During the period, it was unvouchered funds, and my duties

were general accounting, and my rate in status was GS-5.

From about January of 1960 to about June of 1960, I
was transferred to Finance Field Payroll, also, in this same building, on the Potomac. This was making payments and keeping pay records.

From June of 1960 to June of 1964, I was stationed at
XXXXXXX Station, and my primary duty was finance and cash disbursements. This was all cash payments and record keeping for the station. And during that period, I had been promoted GS-7 and also gained a career status.

From June of 1964 to about December of 1964, I was at Roseland. This was just prior to moving to Langley, in

finance, and my duties there were policing accounts, and included auditing of special accounts.

From January of 1965 to about March of 1965, I was at Langley in the same area, in finance, policing accounts and 

auditing of special accounts, and I was promoted up to GS 9.

 

From April of 1965 to April of 1966, I was at Miami Station in finance, and I was handling the staff payroll. This was preparing and reconciling payrolls.

In April of 1966, I resigned from the CIA.

Mr. Goldsmith. I take it, from your testimony, that
in November of 1963, you were stationed in XXXXXXXXXXXXX Station, is that correct?

Mr. Wilcott. That is right.

Mr. Goldsmith. Drawing your attention to the period immediately after the assassination of President Kennedy,
at that time, did you come across any information concerning Lee Harvey Oswald’s relationship with the CIA?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes, I did.

Mr. Goldsnith. And will you tell the Committee what that relationship was? 

 

Mr. Wrlcott. Well, it was my understanding that Lee
Harvey Oswald was an employee of the agency and was an agent of the agency.

Mr. Goldsmith. What do you mean by the term “agent”?

Mr. Wilcott. That he was a regular employee, receiving a full-time salary for agent work for doing CIA operational work.

Mr. Goldsmith. How did this information concerning Oswald first come to your attention?

Mr. Wolcott. The first time I heard about Oswald being connected in any way with CIA was the day after the Kennedy assassination. 

Mr. Goldsmith.  And how did that come to your attention?

 

Mr. Wrlcott. Well, I was on day duty for the station.
It was a guard-type function at the station, which I worked

for overtime. There was a lot of excitement going on at the station after the Kennedy assassination.

Towards the end of my tour of duty, I heard certain
things about Oswald somehow being connected with the agency, and I didn’t really believe this when I heard it, and I
thought it was absurd. Then, as time Went on, I began to
hear more things in that line.

Mr. Goldsmith. I think we had better go over that one more time.

When, exactly, was the very first time that you heard
or came across information that Oswald was an agent?

Mr. Wilcott. I heard references to it the day after the assassination.

 

. Goldsmith. And who made these references to Oswald being an agent of the CIA?

Mr. Wilcott. I can’t remember the exact persons. There
was talk about it going on at the station, and several months following at the station.

Mr. Goldsmith. How many people made this reference to Oswald being an agent of the CIA? 

Mr. Wilcott. At least - there was at least six or
seven people, specifically, who said that they either knew or believed Oswald to be an agent of the CIA.

Mr. Goldsmith. Was Jerry Fox one of the people that made. this allegation?

Mr. Wrlcott. To the best of my recollection, yes.

Mr. Goldsmith. And who is Jerry Fox? 

Mr. Wilcott. Jerry Fox was a Case Officer for his branch
the Soviet Russia Branch, XXXXXXXXXX Station,  who purchased information from the Soviets.

 

Mr. Wilcott. Yes, you did.
Mr. Goldsmith. Did you prepare such a list?
Mr. Wilcott. Yes, I did.
Mr. Goldsmith. Is that list complete and does it have 

every CIA Case Officer who worked XXXXXXXXXX in 1963?

Mr. Wilcott. Oh, no. It doesn’t have every one. It has every one that I can remember. 

 

Mr. Goldsmith. Did you bring that list with you today?

Mr. Wrlcott. Yes, I did. 

 

Mr. Goldsmith. Were any of these people on your list
possible subjects who made references to Oswald being a CIA agent? 

 

Mr. Wrlcott. Yes.

Mr. Goldsmith. Would you read the list to the Committee?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes.

Mr. Goldsmith. Only of Case Officers.

Ms. Beming. I think we ought to state that the record
shows that Mr. Sawyer is a member of the Kennedy Subcommittee

Preyer. We will.

Mr. Goldsmith. Upon your memory and the list that your
brought with you today, will you tell the Committee the names
of the CIA Case Officers who you remember working XXXXXXXXXX in 1963? 

 

Mr. Wilcott. Yes. There was XXXXXXXXXXXX Branch, who had XXXXXXXXXXX cover. 

 

Jerry Fox, SR Branch, Soviet Russia Branch --

 

Mr. Goldsmith. Excuse me, please proceed very slowly.

Mr. Wrlcott. Jerry Fox, SR Branch, Reid Dennis, Chief
of Soviet Satellite Branch; and XXXXXXXXXX, China Branch, 

and he also had a cover.

John P. Horton, XXXXXXXXX Section; XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Branch; and Chester Ito, XXXXXXXXX Branch; and Kan Takai, XXXXX Branch; and Jim Delaney, China Branch; and Bob Rentner, SR Branch -- and there is some question about that, the branch
he was with.

Larry Watanabi, XXXXXX Branch, Senior Case Officer; and XXXXXXXXXXX, deep commercial cover agent.
There was a person, Dave, who was a Deputy Chief.

Dave - I can’t remember his last name, Deputy Chief of the
China Branch; and then a person whose last name was XXXXXXXXX in the XXXXXXXXX Branch.

Mr. Goldsmith. Do you remember which of these individuals if any, made the specific allegation or reference that Oswald was an agent? 

 

Mr. Wtlcott. It has been 15 years, and I can’t remember specifically who said what, but certainly I am sure that Jerry Fox, for instance, had at least made some mention of it.

Mr. Goldsmith. At the time that this allegation first came to your attention, did you discuss it with anyone?

Mr. Wilcott. Oh, yes. I discussed it with my friends and the people that I was associating with socially.

Mr. Goldsmith. Who were your friends that you discussed this with? 

 

Mr. Alcott. XXXXXXXXXXXX George Breen, Ed Luck, and xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Goldsmith. Who was George Breen?

Mr. Wrlcott. George Breen was a person in Registry,
who was my closest friend while I was in XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

Mr. Goldsmith. Was he a CIA employee? Mr. Wilcott. Yes, he was.

Mr. Goldsmith. And would he corroborate your obser- vation that Oswald was an agent?

Mr. Wilcott. I don’t know.

Mr. Goldsmith. At the time that this allegation first
came to your attention, did you learn the name of Oswald’s Case Officer at the CIA?

Mr. Wilcott. No. 

 

Mr. Goldsmith. Were there any other times during your
stay with the CIA at XXXXXXXXXX Station that you came across information that Oswald had been a CIA agent?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes.
Mr. Goldsmith. When was that?

Mr. Wrlcott. The specific incident was soon after the
Kennedy assassination, where an agent, a Case Officer -- I am sure it was a Case Officer - came up to my window to draw money, and he specifically said in the conversation that
ensued, he specifically said, “Well, Jim, the money that I
drew the last couple of weeks ago or so was money,” either

for the Oswald project or for Oswald.

Mr. Goldsmith. Do you remember the name of this Case Officer? 

Mr. Wilcott. No, I don’t. 

Mr. Goldsmith. Do you remember when specifically this conversation took place?

 

Mr. Wrlcott. Not specifically, only generally.

Mr. Goldsmith. How many months after the assassination was this?

Mr. Wilcott. I think it must have been two or three omths (sic) after the assassination.

Mr. Goldsmith. Do you remember where this conver- sation took place?

Mr. Wilcott. It was right at my window, my disbursing cage window.

Mr. Goldsmith. Did you discuss this information with anyone?

Mr. Wilcott. Oh, yes.
Mr. Goldsmith. With whom? 

 

Mr. Wtlcott. Certainly with George Breen, XXXXXXXXXXX the circle of social friends that we had.

Mr. Goldsmith. How do you spell XXXXXXXXXX last name? Mr. Wilcott. XXXXXXXXXXXXX (spelling).

Mr. Schaap. For the record, I have made a list of all
of these spellings of the names which have been mentioned, which I will give to the stenographer so that he will have them correctly.

Mr. Goldsmith. Did this Case Officer tell you what Oswald’s cryptonym was?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes, he mentioned the cryptonym specifically under which the money was drawn.

Mr. Goldsmith. And what did he tell you the cryptonym was?

 

Mr. Wrlcott. I cannot remember.

Mr. Goldsmith. What was your response to this revelation
as to what Oswald’s cryptonym was? Did you write it down or do anything?

Mr. Wilcott. No; I think that I looked through my
advance book -- and I had a book where the advances on projects were run, and I leafed through them, and I must have at least leafed through them to see if what he said was true.

Mr. Goldsmith. And are you saying then that you attempted to investigate this allegation?

Mr. Wilcott. No, I am not saying that. It was more of a casual kind of thing, to my way of thinking.

Mr. Goldsmith. Did you check your cash disbursement files?

Mr. Wrlcott. Not the files, no. 

Mr. Goldsmith. I am not sure I am following, then, what specifically you did check.

Mr. Wtlcott. It was a book that I had. At the end of the day we would list all of the advances that were made in an advance book. It was just a three-ring binder, and we would list down the advances by cryptonym and the amounts and then reconcile that with the daily disbursements.

Mr. Goldsmith. How long were these records maintained?

Mr. Wilcott. They were maintained on a thirty-day
basis, and then they were closed off at the end of the month.

Mr. Goldsmith. So, does that mean you were able to check back only thirty days from the time that you were given this information? 

Mr. Wilcott. Yes 

 

Mr. Goldsmith. I realize this is testimony 15 years
after the fact. However, if you received this information
two or three months after the assassination, at a time that Oswald was already dead and had been dead for two or three months, what purpose would have been served by checking records that were only 30 days old?

Do you follow the question? Mr. Wilcott. No.

Mr. Goldsmith. Well, in other words, if you got the
information three months after the assassination, Oswald had already been dead for three months, is that right?

Mr. Wrlcott. Yes.
Mr. Goldsmith. Answer “yes” or “no” for the recorder. Mr. Wtlcott. Yes. 

 

Mr. Goldsmith. You testified that your records were only kept for thirty days, is that correct?

Mr. Wilcott. Yes.

Mr. Goldsmith. Then, by checking your records, which
only went back thirty days, isn’t it true that you wouldn’t
have gotten any information concerning Oswald anyway because Oswald had already been dead for one or two months?

Mr. Wtlcott. That is true.
Mr. Goldsmith. So, then, really, no purpose would have Mr. Wilcott. That is right.
Mr. Goldsmith. And did you check any other records? Mr. Wilcott. No.

 

Mr. Preyer. I understand this might be a good place 

for us to break and go and vote, so that we will take another recess for about ten minutes. I am sorry. 

 

Whereupon, a recess was taken while the members of the Committee went to the floor of the House for a v 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 25, 2018 by Michael Clark

[B. A. Copeland]

On 3/27/2018 at 5:23 AM, Jim Hargrove said:

And so we are starring at a direct chain of command from CIA’s David Atlee Phillips to former intel officer Gordon McLendon to McLendon’s close friend Jack Ruby.

I remember reading many books, coming across Ruby and McClendon and I remember my heart sort of stopping because I thought I had remembered that this was the same McClendon that Phillips knew (and that I read in another book)....naturally I wondered if this was a CIA/Ruby link. I'll never forget first pondering this.

Edited May 25, 2018 by B. A. Copeland

[Paul Brancato]

On March 27, 2018 at 5:23 AM, Jim Hargrove said:

Did CIA Officer David Atlee Phillips Coordinate Ruby's Activities to Kill Oswald?

KLIF radio founder Gordon McLendon was a former Naval Intelligence officer who was a close friend and confidant of CIA officer David Atlee Phillips.

Jack Ruby called McLendon’s unlisted phone number the day of the assassination. Ruby was overheard that very afternoon saying he could be reached at KLIF, and he continued writing letters to McLendon even from prison.

In 1975 McLendon and David Atlee Phillips formed the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO). The two men had known one another since childhood. And it was Phillips who was spotted by Antonio Veciana talking to LEE Oswald at the Southland building in Dallas in the summer of 1963.

And so we are starring at a direct chain of command from CIA’s David Atlee Phillips to former intel officer Gordon McLendon to McLendon’s close friend Jack Ruby.

From Harvey and Lee:

Around 1:15 am KLIF radio announcer Russ Knight approached the entrance
to the police station and asked if anyone had seen District Attorney Henry Wade. Jack
Ruby, who was milling around talking to people said, "I'll show you" and escorted
Knight to the basement. Before reaching the basement Ruby asked Knight, twice, to
ask District Attorney Wade if he thought Oswald was "insane." After reaching the base­-
ment Ruby once again approached Wade and told him that radio announcer Russ
Knight wanted to speak with him.142

As Knight began talking with Wade, Dallas Police Lieutenant James Gilmore
saw Ruby and asked him what he was doing at the police station after midnight. Ruby
told Gilmore that he was passing out sandwiches and planning to deliver sandwiches to
KLIF radio, the station owned by Gordon McLendon.143

NOTE: Jack Ruby listed Gordon McLendon, the owner of Dallas radio station KLIF,
as one of his six closest friends. McClendon had known career CIA officer David Atlee
Phillips since both men were in their teens and attended school in Fort Worth. In the
1970's McLendon joined Phillips to form the Association of Former Intelligence Offic-
ers (AFIO).

....

Jack Ruby-1:30 am to 6:00am

After Russ Knight finished talking with Henry Wade he and Ruby walked out
of the police station. Ruby asked Knight if he needed a ride to the KLIF station, but
Knight declined and walked to KLIF, while Ruby walked to his car.147

About 1:45am Ruby arrived at KLIF with sandwiches and soft drinks and again
talked with Knight. At 2:00am, with Ruby nearby, Knight went on the air and told ra­-
dio listeners, "Through a tip from a local nightclub owner I asked Mr. Wade the ques-
tion of Oswald's insanity."

Around 2:15am, following the radio broadcast, Knight and Ruby left the radio
station. On the steps of the building Ruby handed Knight the text of a speech called
"Heroism" from H.L. Hunt's LIFE Line radio program, broadcast on radio station
KRLD. Ruby told Knight there were elements such as Hunt's in Dallas that hated Presi­-
dent Kennedy.

Knight remembered the late night incident and said, "Ruby had the speech but
he didn't seem to be cognizant fully of what the speech was or actually what side that
he stood on ..... just mentioned like there is an element here that hates, that hated Mr.
Kennedy." When Knight asked Ruby if he meant the Hunt's, Ruby said nothing.148

NOTE: After Ruby shot Oswald, Knight began to think about the "Heroism" speech that
Ruby gave him and said, "It seemed to me like too much of a coincidence that he should
be carrying a speech called 'Heroism' and then for him to shoot Oswald on Sunday
mormng...."149

--From Harvey and Lee, pp. 904-905, Copyright © 2003 by John Armstrong.  All rights reserved.

•  

Jim - another lifelong friend of Gordon McLendon was Army Colonel Frank M. Brandstetter. Brandy was a member of the 488th Military Intelligence Detachment founded by Jack Crichton. 'Brandy' joined the 488th in 1959 at the suggestion of Colonel Rose, Assistant Chief of Staff Intelligence, to which office Brandy reported on Intelligence matters for 20 years beginning in 1956. Crichton claimed that 40-50 members of the Dallas Police (and I think nearly all of the detectives) were members of his unit, including Westbrook and Lumpkin. Although documents showing the history of the 488th are hard to find, the info on Brandy being a member comes from his own co-written autobiography. The link to key members of the DPD would be significant if it could be proven. I've asked some key researchers if they have more info. The 488th was also apparently in charge of the communications bunker under the Dallas Fairgrounds. 

[Jim Hargrove]

On 5/25/2018 at 12:39 AM, Paul Brancato said:

Jim - another lifelong friend of Gordon McLendon was Army Colonel Frank M. Brandstetter. Brandy was a member of the 488th Military Intelligence Detachment founded by Jack Crichton. 'Brandy' joined the 488th in 1959 at the suggestion of Colonel Rose, Assistant Chief of Staff Intelligence, to which office Brandy reported on Intelligence matters for 20 years beginning in 1956. Crichton claimed that 40-50 members of the Dallas Police (and I think nearly all of the detectives) were members of his unit, including Westbrook and Lumpkin. Although documents showing the history of the 488th are hard to find, the info on Brandy being a member comes from his own co-written autobiography. The link to key members of the DPD would be significant if it could be proven. I've asked some key researchers if they have more info. The 488th was also apparently in charge of the communications bunker under the Dallas Fairgrounds. 

Thank you, Paul.  My buddy John convinced me decades ago that this was basically a CIA officer’s plot to provoke a U.S. invasion of Cuba.  But I‘ve always felt there was some military complicity, though hard evidence is sure hard to find.  I’ve read about the 488th MI Detachment and Jack Cricthon before, and I’ll look at it again. Crichton was the apparent outsider who set up Ilya Mamantov as Marina's "interpreter," whether she really needed one or not.  Crichton, Bush, and Charles Cabel were probably involved in setting up the CIA's Cuban invasion army.  As you suggest, there is a lot of smoke here.

[Jim Hargrove]

Violinist Paul Krassner, who according to Wikipedia is STILL at age 6 the youngest human being ever to have played solo at Carnegie Hall, had this to say nearly three decades ago via Paul Kangas....

 

[Michael Clark]

1 hour ago, Jim Hargrove said:

Thank you, Paul.  My buddy John convinced me decades ago that this was basically a CIA officer’s plot to provoke a U.S. invasion of Cuba.  But I‘ve always felt there was some military complicity, though hard evidence is sure hard to find.  

I wish I could post the two following references, one from Fletcher Prouty (video) and the other, a recent document that I believe I transcribed; but, suffice it to say that it was policy to scoop the cream of the military and transfer it to the CIA. It, the document, is a profound statement as to what happened. The Fletcher video emphasizes a new breed of military man who was asked to fight a war that had no trenches, never had a bullet whiz by his head and never had a buddy get his torso blown out from between his head and hips. 

Its a recipe for ugly...

[Paul Brancato]

I had no idea he played violin. Thanks for sharing that. 

[Paz Marverde]

On 5/31/2018 at 3:22 AM, Paul Brancato said:

I had no idea he played violin.

Music, something you well know 

[Jim Hargrove]

Thanks, much belatedly, Gene.

Even after all these years, I'd like to thank Bill Simpich for inserting the following, however cautiously, into the Mary Ferrell Foundation JFK database:

https://www.maryferrell.org/php/cryptdb.php?id=RXZIM

This is progress!  Thanks again, Bill!