Steve Thomas

Bart, Bravo mon ami. Steve Thomas

Jim, Mr. Tobias was interviewed by FBI Agents, Allan Bray and Raymond Yalchak on January 28, 1964 at which time he showed them rent receipts which were examined, but there is no indication they took the receipts with them. https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=57771&search=Tobias#relPageId=27&tab=page The Tobiases were interviewed by the WC on April 2, 1964 at which time pages from the rent receipt book were read into the record, but the books themselves were returned to the Tobiases. Mr. Tobias said, "Mr. JENNER. I appreciate your cooperation. These are your original receipt books and we have recited them in the record and now return them to you and thank you very much for bringing them. Mr. TOBIAS. I have one of these I keep ever since I been in that apartment and I been there for 3 years and a half and I have got every receipt I ever wrote and I keep it on records and lots of times I have to go back to them and there's only one person that doesn't get into them and that's the credit department." Mrs. Tobias said, "Mr. JENNER. Excuse me--may I ask you a few questions about that--you keep a record of all receipts? Mrs. TOBIAS. Oh, yes; we have one--they get one and the owner gets one. Mr. JENNER. When a rent payment is made, you make an entry in the book you have before you of having received a certain amount of money. It's in duplicate or triplicate--the tenant gets a copy of the receipt, you retain one in your book and you send one of the owners of the building? Mrs. TOBIAS. Well, she gets the name of it..." I do not remember ever seeing any Elsbeth St. rent receipts in the inventory of items seized at 2515 W. Fifth or 1026 N. Beckley. I'm not aware of any of the earlier researchers from the early 1960's ever going back and asking to see them. Steve Thomas

Mr. JENNER. Well, there is a receipt here No. 0178, dated January 4, 1963, "issued to L. H. Oswald for $68 for the rent of Apartment No. 2 from January 3, 1963, to and including February 3, 1963," and it is signed M. F. Tobias, Sr. Mrs. TOBIAS. Okay. Now, I couldn't swear that that was who the guy was. Now, do you want me to leave the books with you? Mr. JENNER. Yes; leave the books and we will give them to your husband. Tobias Exhibit No. 1 is offered in evidence. Mrs. TOBIAS. Okay. WC testimony of Mr. Mahlon. F. Tobias, Sr. Manager of 602 and 604 Elsbeth http://jfkassassination.net/russ/testimony/tobias_m.htm Mr. JENNER. I appreciate your cooperation. These are your original receipt books and we have recited them in the record and now return them to you and thank you very much for bringing them. The only problem is that the receipt books are not in evidence. Tobias Exhibits 1 and 2 in Volume XXI of the WC Hearings are hand drawn maps of the Elsbeth St. neighborhood. Steve Thomas

Paul, David is right. Based on the evidence we have, Oswald was guilty as sin. Here's an example. This comes from Marina's testimony of February 6, 1964: "Mr. RANKIN. I offer in evidence Exhibit 135. The CHAIRMAN. It will be admitted. (The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 135, and received in evidence.) Mr. RANKIN. I call the Commission's attention to the fact that this is the coupon under which it appears the rifle was ordered, showing an enclosed $10 notation--"Check for $29.95, A. G. Hidell, age 28, post office box 2915, Dallas, Texas" And it is marked, "One quantity. Point 38 ST. W. 2 inch barrel, 29.95." and underlined is 29.95, and an arrow at that point." Ummmmm... Exhibit 135 is an order form for the pistol, not the rifle. CE 773 was the Klein's Order Form for the Rifle CE 788 was the Postal Money Order for the Rifle With that kind of evidence....... Steve Thomas

The HSCA was 14 years after the fact. Back in 1964... "Mr. RANKIN. Do you recall the first time that you observed the rifle? Mrs. OSWALD. That was on Neely Street. I think that was in February. Mr. RANKIN. How did you learn about it? Did you see it some place in the apartment? Mrs. OSWALD. Yes, Lee had a small room where he spent a great deal of time, where he read---where he kept his things, and that is where the rifle was. Mr. RANKIN. Was it out in the room at that time, as distinguished from in a closet in the room? Mrs. OSWALD. Yes, it was open, out in the open. At first I think---I saw some package up on the top shelf, and I think that that was the rifle. But I didn't know. And apparently later he assembled it and had it in the room. Mr. RANKIN. When you saw the rifle assembled in the room, did it have the scope on it? Mrs. OSWALD. No, it did not have a scope on it. Warren Commission testimony of Marina Oswald, 1964 http://jfkassassination.net/russ/testimony/oswald_m1.htm Mrs. OSWALD. Yes, Lee had a small room where he spent a great deal of time, where he read---where he kept his things, and that is where the rifle was. Mr. RANKIN. Was it out in the room at that time, as distinguished from in a closet in the room? Mrs. OSWALD. Yes, it was open, out in the open. At first I think---I saw some package up on the top shelf, and I think that that was the rifle. But I didn't know. And apparently later he assembled it and had it in the room. Mr. RANKIN. When you saw the rifle assembled in the room, did it have the scope on it? Mrs. OSWALD. No, it did not have a scope on it. Mr. RANKIN. Do you recall seeing the rifle when the telescopic lens was on it? Mrs. OSWALD. I hadn't paid any attention initially. I know a rifle was a rifle. I didn't know whether or not it had a telescope attached to it. But the first time I remember seeing it was in New Orleans, where I recognized the telescope. But probably the telescope was on before. I simply hadn't paid attention. I hope you understand. When I saw it, I thought that all rifles have that. I don't know whether he took it from the house or whether perhaps he even kept the rifle somewhere outside. There was a little square, sort of a little courtyard where he might have kept it." So, let me see if I've got this straight. Marina first saw the rifle in February, before it had even been purchased. She first told the FBI that she saw Lee cleaning the rifle in January, but then later told them that she was mistaken and that the cleaning had taken place in March. It was kept out in the open, but maybe he kept it outside. She never actually saw him take the rifle away from the apartment and never talks about seeing him bring it back. Lee took the rifle on Sunday, but the shooting (Walker) wasn't until Wednesday. Where was the rifle in the meantime? She said that Lee had told her her buried the rifle after the shooting. When did he go back and dig it up? When she saw the rifle, it didn't have a scope on it, but knew it had a scope because she recognized it. I read that Love Field is something like six miles from where they lived on Neely St., so he would have had to have taken the bus, unless someone was giving him rides – all the time while he working at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall. Lee was riding a bus for six miles with a rifle, several times. Steve Thomas

Paul, Thanks. That answers a question I've had in my mind for a long time. Steve Thomas

Stephanie, I've used this site a lot over the years: http://jfk.ci.dallas.tx.us/index.html The index is helpful, and after you use the documents for a while, you get a feel for which boxes contain which types of records. For non-JFK related police records, the DPD materials would probably be housed at the Texas State Archives at the Texas State Library in Austin. Steve Thomas

In the Spring of 1963, it was Marina who James Hosty was tracking. Did he think she was another Lydia Dimytruk? Lydia Dimytruk is Kleinlerer's girlfriend. (Alexander Kleinlerer visited Marina When she was living with Elena Hall in the Fall of 1962. He helped load the U-Haul trailer to move the Oswalds from Fort Worth to Elsbeth St. in Dallas. For more information on Lydia Dimytruk, see: (she is a piece of work!) http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/FBI%20Records%20Files/105-82555/105-82555%20More%20Referrals/105-82555%20More%20Referrals%203-04.pdf pp. 13-33, Suspected of being a Russian spy. Formerly married to Vasily Kostenko, also suspected of being a Russian spy. She marries Pavel Dimytruk in 1956. Emigrates to the U.S. In 1959 and divorces him in 1960. Sound familiar? James Hosty told the WC: http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/hosty.htm Mr. STERN. Did you take over from Agent Fain or in some other way? Mr. HOSTY. No, sir; I did not take over directly. When Agent Fain retired directly from the Bureau he had closed the case. He had a case which we call a pending inactive case on Mrs. Marina Oswald. This case I did take over. It was in what we call a pending inactive status, that is, nothing was to be done for a period of 6 months. Then at the end of the 6-month period it was then turned into a pending case and I went out and attempted to locate Mrs. Marina Oswald for the purpose of interviewing her. I might add that it is the practice of the FBI to interview immigrants from behind the Iron Curtain on a selective basis, and she was so selected to be one of these persons to be interviewed. Mr. STERN. When was this? Mr. HOSTY. This was March 4, 1963, when I began my inquiry as to her present whereabouts. I determined on March 4, 1963, through the Immigration and Naturalization Service records that she had moved from Fort Worth to the Dallas area. She was living on a street called Elsbeth Street in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. Mr. STERN. What happened in connection with the case of Lee Harvey Oswald? Mr. HOSTY. This case was closed at this time. It was closed. On March 11, 1963, I made inquiry at this Elsbeth address, and determined from the landlady, I believe her name was Mrs. Tobias, that she had just evicted Lee and Marina Oswald from her apartment building because of their alleged fighting and his alleged drinking. They caused a disturbance and she had asked him to leave on March 3, 1963. She told me they had moved a short distance away. She didn't know where. On that same date, I was able to determine from the postal authorities that they had changed their address to 214 Neely Street, also in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. On the 14th of March, I verified that Oswalds were residing at this address when I found the mailbox with the name of Lee and Marina Oswald at this address, 214 Neely Street. Did the apartment house at 214 Neely have mailboxes? Would the Oswalds have a mailbox with their name on it if LHO was getting mail at a PO Box? The only record I have found is the original application for P.O. Box 2915 in October, 1962 where Lee lists 3519 “Fairimore Av” as his home address. (I think he meant to write 3519 Fairmount – Gary Taylor’s address). There is no change of address card in Volume 20 of the Hearings and Exhibits (20H176). https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=1137 Was it never entered into evidence? Is James Hosty lying? Is he getting his info from somewhere else? A Record from Mary's Database https://www.maryferrell.org/php/marysdb.php?id=7651 Record: POST OFFICE BOXES Sources: ----- Mary's Comments: LHO - P.O. Box 2915, Dallas, rented October 9, 1962, closed May 1963 (WC Vol 20, p. 176); LHO - P.O. Box 6225, Dallas, rented Nov 1, 1963 (WC Vol 22, pp. 185, 291); Steve Thomas

I'll just add this: In her HSCA testimony, Marina couldn't remember the first time she saw the rifle. http://jfkassassination.net/russ/jfkinfo4/jfk12/marinade.htm Marina's HSCA testimony http://jfkassassination.net/russ/m_j_russ/hscamar1.htm When do you first recall seeing Lee with a rifle in the United States? Mrs. PORTER. I cannot pinpoint exact month, you know, date of any kind. Mr. McDONALD. Where did you first see it? Mrs. PORTER. I do not remember where or when, but I can say that Lee did have a rifle during life in the United States. Mr. McDONALD. When you refer to the "closet," what apartment are you referring to? At what apartment are we talking about? Mrs. PORTER. I do not recall any apartment, but maybe one in Dallas. Mr. McDONALD. The one on Neely Street? Mrs. PORTER. Neely Street; yes. Mr. McDONALD. Did you ask him where he obtained this rifle? Mrs. PORTER. No, I didn't. Steve Thomas

Jim, I'd chalk it up to a hazy memory, but she said the same thing to two different federal agencies just two weeks apart. Makes you go, hmmmm... Steve Thomas

Paul, It's from his book, "Marina Oswald". You can find an online copy here: https://archive.org/details/MarinaOswaldByJoachimJoesten1967/page/n45 Gayle may have written "an" essay about the George's of Neely, but I think that was in 2014. The essay I referenced was written in 2003. Steve Thomas

I have found 4 instances of Marina Oswald either testifying to or insinuating that the Oswalds were living on Neely St. in January, 1963. (1) Warren Commission testimony of Marina Oswald February 3, 1964, http://jfkassassination.net/russ/testimony/oswald_m1.htm Mr. RANKIN. Do you recall seeing any guns at Mercedes Street while you were there? Mrs. OSWALD. No. Mr. RANKIN. Did you observe any guns in your things when you moved? (From Fort Worth to Elsbeth) Mrs. OSWALD. No. Mr. RANKIN. While you were at Elsbeth Street do you recall seeing any guns in your apartment? Mrs. OSWALD. No. Mr. RANKIN. When did you move to Neely Street from the Elsbeth Street apartment? Mrs. OSWALD. In January after the new year. I don't remember exactly. Mr. RANKIN. Do you recall the first time that you observed the rifle? Mrs. OSWALD. That was on Neely Street. I think that was in February. For whatever reason, this can't be true. The Oswalds moved from Elsbeth to Neely on March 3rd and according to the postal money order, the rifle wasn't ordered until March 12th. (2) Two weeks later, Marina told the FBI on February 17, 1964 that she saw Oswald practicing with the rifle at the Neely Street address in the beginning of January, 1963 and that he had been cleaning the rifle that same day. CD 735 page 441 https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=11133#relPageId=450&tab=page At the bottom of CD 735, there is the handwritten notation “CE 1156”. This interview was conducted by FBI Agents, Anatole Buguslav and Wallace Heitman. (CE 1156 Warren Commission Hearings, Volume XXII p. 197). https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=1317#relPageId=227&tab=page CE 1156 is confusing because it includes this information in an interview the FBI conducted of Marina on January 29 1964 and dated February 1, 1964. This January 29th interview was conducted by FBI Agents, Richard Wiehl and Wallace Heitman. But On February 18, 1964 the FBI agents went back to Marina at the offices of her attorney, and said, “Uh, we’ve got a problem. You told us yesterday that you saw Lee cleaning his rifle in January, but he didn’t buy it until March”. http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=1317#relPageId=815 On February 18, 1964 she told the FBI that she was mistaken on February 17th about the date, and that the rifle cleaning incident had really taken place in March, 1963. That suggests three possibilities: a) she was genuinely mistaken about the date; or, b) the FBI caught her in a lie and confronted her; or, c) that since her statement of the 17th was already part of the official record, the FBI went back to her and helped her coordinate her story to set the record straight. (3) Marina told the WC that she first met Ruth Paine at a party in January, but the party didn’t take place until February 22, 1963 Mr. RANKIN. Can you tell us approximately when you first met Ruth Paine? Mrs. OSWALD. Soon after New Years I think it was in January. Mr. RANKIN. Would that be 1963? Mrs. OSWALD. Yes. Mr. RANKIN. Did Mrs. Paine ever visit you at Elsbeth Street? Mrs. OSWALD. At Neely, on Neely Street. Mr. RANKIN. But not at Elsbeth? Mrs. OSWALD. We moved soon after that acquaintance. (4) Here is the translation of CE993, Marina's Narrative of life with Lee: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=1135#relPageId=610&tab=page I started reading this narrative, and was immediately struck by how similar it is in linguistic style to Oswald's Daily Diary. Read his entry for October 21st, when he attempts "suicide" to the sound of violins playing. https://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh16/pdf/WH16_CE_24.pdf One other thing struck me. On pp. 626-627, she writes of moving to Neely St. after New Years, and then writes of meeting Ruth Paine. Officially, she met Ruth on February 22nd, prior to her Neely St. move. Is Marina once again putting herself on Neely St. in January, when they didn't actually move there until March? Ruth Paine's testimony before the WC: Mr. JENNER - Now you are acquainted, became acquainted with Marina Oswald, did you not, in due course in Irving, Tex.? Mrs. PAINE - No. I first met her and her husband at a gathering of people in Dallas at the home of Everett Glover. Mr. JENNER - I will get to that in a moment. Mr. JENNER - You met Marina for the first time when. Mrs. PAINE - I judge it was the last of February, towards the end of February of 1963. Mr. JENNER - Now would you please relate the circumstances under which the meeting between yourself and Marina Oswald first occurred in February of 1963. Mrs. PAINE - I was invited to come to the home of Everett Glover to meet a few friends of his, and I Judge that was on the 22d of February looking back at my calendar. Mrs. PAINE - It was Friday evening. Mr. JENNER - Friday evening? Mrs. PAINE - The 22d was Friday It's a puzzle. Steve Thomas

Paul, Here are some notes I have about Castorr. He is one of those Reserve Colonels that have made this case so interesting to me: Merrill's Marauders, China/Burma connection, oil and gas industry, anti-Castro Cubans... the list goes on. St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri October 2, 1967 Page 16. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/142274942/ The Federal Government is attempting "to make you a scapegoat for . . . high food prices, " members of the Missouri Retail Grocers Association were told today. ' L. Robert Castorr, assistant to the president of the National Federation of Independent Business, told the grocers at their convention here that consumers are "paying through the nose because of the labor and tax policies" of the Government He urged grocers to place advertisements indicating the exact amount of money taken by taxes for each item sold. Castorr also urged the independent grocers here to oppose "the advent of the cooperative store." He said that the co-operative concept is ...” The Express from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania · November 18, 1969 Page 2 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/5749791/ The formation of National Taxation, Inc., was announced today as a non-profit organization of taxpayers and taxpayer organizations with the declared aim of providing a voice in Washington for "the guy who pays the bill." Elected president was Col. L. Robert Castorr, retired army officer and former executive of the United States Chamber of Commerce and regional supervisor of the National Federation of Independent Business. Castorr said the so-called revolt of the taxpayers is "the greatest grassroots movement of our times." Taxpayer pressure cannot bring instant tax relief, he said in a statement, but "can slow the spending spree and over a period of time can restore fiscal responsibility." Taxaction's 18-member board of governors includes Dr. Emerson P. Schmidt, former chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; E. Edward Stephens, tax lawyer and columnist; Arthur B. Brandt Jr., Bloomfield Hill, Mich., Dr. William Steuart McBirnie, Glendale, Calif., and Dr. Hans Senn- holz, economist at Grove City College, Pa. The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio June 23, 1966 Page 23 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/104334059/ WASHINGTON A National Federation of Independent Business official Monday charged that the National Commission on Food Marketing has failed-in its authorized purpose to find why food prices go up while farmers get less of the increase. L. Robert Castorr, retired Air Force colonel and assistant to the president of the organization, in a prepared address before the Pennsylvania Retail Grocer's Association, has likened the commission's task to a certain bungling government researcher. The researcher, Colonel Castorr . said, trained an eight-legged flea to Jump over a matchstick on command. Then, progressively pulled off a pair of legs of the flea, until the flea failed to respond when told to jump. The researcher raised his voice, but without response from the flea. "So this staff researcher then prepared a report to the Congress stating that fleas with only two legs are completely stone deaf," Colonel Castorr said. . He warned the grocers to beware of efforts to make the retailers ' "scapegoats" in the controversy over the spread in prices (between what the) consumer pays and the farmer receives. He noted that 42 states levy inventory taxes, declaring that the "farmer is not told that such a tax increases the spread between farm and consumer price. The housewife is not told this increases her grocery bill. It is quite doubtful that the National Commission on Food Marketing will explain this either." In addition, Colonel Castorr contended that the commission report which Is due July 1, would not explain that in a unionized food store it may cost the store one-third as much as it gets for the can of food in order to pay a boy union wages to stock the goods on shelves. Critical of the "truth in packaging" proposals, Colonel Castorr suggested .placing on packaging the tax and labor costs as well, efforts to end "special deal packs" from "monoply-minded manufacturers." From David Boylan in the Education Forum 5/18/2006 http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?/topic/6807-john-singlaub-and-the-chinese-connection/&page=2 John Singlaub and the Chinese Connection LUCIEN CONEIN Lucien Emile Conein (born, November 29, 1919), a veteran of the French Foreign Legion, described his military career: "Starting as a recruit I September 1941, was advanced to a Non-Commissioned Officer in 1942, and later chosen for Officer Candidate School February 1943. Graduated and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant February (OSS) on July 26, 1943. Served European Theater of Operations October 1943, to December 1944. Parachuted behind enemy lines in civilian clothes, France, August 1944. Transferred China, Burma, India Theater, February 1945. Assigned German occupation February 1947 to August 1953, as an intelligence officer. 1953 to 1956 served as U.S. Military advisory group, Vietnam, as intelligence and operations officer." The Mexia Daily News from Mexia, Texas · Page 1 November 7, 1957 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/11876796/ Mexia Man Receives Appointment Earl McKeilh, (center) is pictured with L. Robert Castorr, of Dallas, Southwestern division manager of the National Federation of Independent Business, and Si N. Meadow, district manager of the organization from Austin. “Earl McKeith was coming out of a local bank Tuesday and came face to face with a man who was one of his fellow Army officers in the early thirties. Earl didn't recognize him but L. Robert Castorr, of Dallas, immediately grabbed Earl's arm and said "I know you." Mr. Castorr. who is now a- colonel in the Active Reserve serving as inspector and advisor to the 90th Division in Texas., and Mr. McKeith, a Reserve. Army captain, were first lieutenants when they served with each other in the Second Infantry Division. They last saw each other in 1930. Col. Castorr served with Merrill's Marauders in Burma during World War II.” “Mr. Meadow was accompanied to Mexia by L. Robert Castorr, the Southwestern division manager for the National Federation of Independent Business. Mr. Castorr formerly served in the U. S. Army with Mr. McKeilh.” From David Boylan in the Education Forum May 18, 2006 “And the Burma connection. I had some info (but lost it ) that Nestor Sanchez was also in Burma. Here's some notes on two others that were in Burma: Harold Weisberg’s Grand Jury testimony on the History matters website. – Col Castorr. Harold describes Castorr as “political agent who is keeping the Cuban people stirred up.” And “Father McChann tells the Secret Service that Col. Castorr’s actions are consistent with that of an intelligence agent.” Castorr was L. Robert Castorr of Dallas, Texas and Arlington, Virginia (and Maryland) Harold also noted that “Col. Castorr who was a friend of General Walker told a mutual friend that he was involved in a sideline of running guns to Cuba – a profitable sideline – and this is all part of the Odio story.”” Posted by Greg Parker in the Reopen the Kennedy Case Forum May 30, 2010 http://reopenkennedycase.forumotion.net/t57-the-parkland-cuban-colonel-l-robert-castorr “Although she (Lucille Connell) did not mention the Parkland Cuban, she did pass on the information that General Edwin Walker and Colonel [Robert] Castorr had been "trying to arouse the feelings of Cuban refugees in Dallas against the Kennedy administration policies." Harold Weisberg picked up on these leads in the 1960s.” Governor Price Confers with L. Robert Castorr... with photo (1958) The Denison Press (Denison, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, June 20, 1958 Page: 4 of 22 https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth329083/m1/4/ May 8, 1998November 20, 1998 January 27, 1998December 31, 1998 Registrations by Lobbyists An article from CQ Almanac 1970 Following is a list of persons and organizations that filed lobby registrations from Dec. 23, 1969 (the date of adjournment of the First Session of the 91st Congress) to Jan. 3, 1971 (the date of adjournment of the Second Session of the 91st Congress) NATIONAL TAX ACTION INC., 1033 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. Filed 1/16/70. Registered for itself. Legislative interest—“Appropriations, taxation and economy in Government. In general, opposed to increased spending without more economy. Favor less international commitments, and less taxation.” Expenses—“Anticipated, $100 each for two agents, totaling $200 monthly to cover expenses.” Lobbyist—L. Robert Castorr, president, same address as employer. Filed 1/16/70. Legislative interest—“Economy in Government.” Compensation and expenses—“Anticipated $100 monthly to cover expenses and fees.” Previous registrations by lobbyist—None. Lobbyist—Robert M. Bartell, vice president, same address as employer. Filed 1/16/70. Legislative interest—“Economy in Government.” Compensation and expenses—“Anticipated $100 monthly to cover expenses and fees. Previous registrations by lobbyist—None. These were the first three registrants for the employer. Washington Post Obituary Sunday, April 10, 2005; Page C09 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40644-2005Apr9_4.html?noredirect=on L. Robert Castorr, 92, a retired executive with a number of business groups and a retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, died April 7 after a heart attack at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Mr. Castorr, a resident of Bethesda, was born in Detroit and enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 18 in 1930. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps for a year, then after further military training and education moved to active duty in 1940. During World War II, he served in North Africa and in the Burma campaign as an infantry combat commander. After the war ended, he briefly served as chief of staff and spokesman for Gen. George C. Marshall at the Pentagon. He left active duty in 1947 but stayed in the reserves until 1973. Mr. Castorr worked as a field manager for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as national field manager and assistant to the president for the National Federation of Independent Business, handling legislation and public relations, through the 1960s. He later moved to the Small Business Administration, where he was assistant to its president and oversaw its program for retired executives. In later years, he worked for himself as an international trade consultant. Mr. Castorr was an official with the World Conference of Mayors during the 1980s. He served as an officer with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the Knights of Malta, and was a member of the Order of St. Stanislas, a philanthropic organization. His first two marriages, to Dorothy Castorr and Gertrude A. Castorr, ended in divorce. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Dorothy Vasco Castorr of Bethesda; two sons from his second marriage, William Castorr of Battle Creek, Mich., and John Castorr of Dallas; two brothers; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Steve Thomas

Jim, You might be thinking of this essay: http://neelyst.blogspot.com/ I'm sorry. I don't know who the author is. I have about 12 pages of Neely St. notes and discrepancies I'v e found over the years if you're interested. For example: Steve Thomas

Stephanie, For the most part, people in this Forum are pretty kind and will gladly share what they know or have learned over the years. This is an Educational Forum more than a debating class after all. Occasionally, you will run across someone who is rude or unkind. The best you can do is just ignore them and move on. Steve Thomas

For those too young to remember, trust me: who killed Kennedy is indeed a big deal. A nation, like an individual, is as sick as its secrets. — Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) October 26, 2017 Twitter feed of Marianne Williamson, Democratic candidate for President. Steve Thomas

I just read a fascinating piece on Ernest Hemingway's anti-fascist actions in Cuba during WWII and his work with Naval Intelligence. " From February to November of 1942, the Germans sank over 400 ships worldwide, and 263 of these were in the Caribbean." "With much of its fleet destroyed by the Japanese Pearl Harbor bombing or engaged in the aftermath in the Pacific, the United States Navy found itself outgunned and ill prepared to defend against the imminent threat of German torpedo boats in Caribbean waters, so it called for yachtsmen and small boat owners to arm themselves as auxiliaries in the fight, offering federal funds for those who joined up. As one of the first yachtsmen to respond, Ernest received 500 dollars per month from the US Navy for his reconnaissance. The money equipped the Pilar with depth charges and machine guns (and bait and alcohol), transforming his boat into an emergency defense vessel that would patrol the Cuban coast. He named this mission “Operation Friendless,” after his favorite cat." " Ernest considered mounting heavy machine guns to the Pilar but later recognized this idea as impractical. Instead, his crew would have to lure the “Krauts” to the surface, direct fire at the U-boat’s steel hull (to suppress use of their 88 mm deck guns), and move in just close enough for one of his jai alai players to lob a grenade in the conning tower with his special skills. " Hoover was not impressed. https://lithub.com/what-was-hemingway-doing-in-cuba-during-world-war-ii/ Steve Thomas

Cory, It could be that not many people responded because they are appalled by what has happened in the last 48hours or so. It sort of begs the question; who ordered the air strike in the first place? The answer is frightening no matter how you look at it. Did Trump cancel an air strike he himself had ordered not 4 or 5 hours beforehand? I so, then military engagements are being decided on the spur of the moment, with no thought to the planning. An article came out that Trump cancelled the air strike, while the planes were in the air, when he learned that there would be civilian casualties. An estimate of casualties on both sides should be part of any initial planning for a military strike. Does that mean that there was no initial planning? Is Trump deciding things on a whim? If Trump didn't order the air strike, then who did? Who is ordering military action around the world on our behalf? Like I said. It's frightening no matter how you look at it. Steve Thomas

Ron, I was reading through the "Rubygate" box on page 49 of the article (page 4 of the pdf) concerning Ruby's purchase of spy equipment, and the fact that his safe deposit box was empty. Wasn't there something about Ruby having a safe installed in his office - a floor safe? Maybe he was storing tapes there. Steve Thomas

Does anyone know if there is an online repository of HSCA JFK Documents aside from the NARA? For example, if you saw an HSCA footnote that read that such and such FBI interview of so and so can be found in JFK Document 012741, or JFK Document 007236, is there any way to look that up? I've never been able to figure that out. Steve Thomas

deleted Steve Thomas

Paul, You wrote: "The 112tn and 316th were active duty. I asked about the size of the Detachment because you have previously stated that on the basis of an interview you conducted you concluded that a Detachment would normally be 8-10 men, making Jack Crichton’s description of his 488th MID less believable. The 316th had 38 men. But the other factor is we are comparing active duty to reserved." I don't know what to tell you. All I know is that in his 1991 study of MID's, https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a233391.pdf , Thomas Cagley wrote that 90% of MID's were comprised of 9 men. (see p. 11). Military units were constituted and re-constituted so often, it's hard to keep track of them in their various permutations.. For example, see the lineage of the 112th: HEADQUARTERS 112TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BRIGADE https://history.army.mil/html/books/060/60-13-1/cmhPub_60-13-1.pdf pp. 222-223 LINEAGE: (inactive) Constituted 10 May 1946 in the Army of the United States as the 112th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment. Activated 21 May 1946 at Dallas, Texas. Allotted 26 February 1951 to the Regular Army. Re-designated 1 August 1957 as the ll2th Counter Intelligence Corps Group. Re-designated 25 July 1961 as the 112th Intelligence Corps Group. Re-designated 15 October 1966 as the ll2th Military Intelligence Group. Inactivated 30 June 1974 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Re-designated 1 July 1987 as Headquarters, 112th Military Intelligence Brigade; concurrently transferred to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and activated at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Inactivated 30 January 1993 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. When you look at a military unit, you have to be aware whether it's an MID or an INTC or a Brigade, or what not, at the time you are looking at it. Steve Thomas

Paul, One of the things that struck me about Roy Truly's WC testimony (http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/truly1.htm), was the dispassionate, almost disinterested way he referred to Marrion Baker as "the officer", vs. his reference to George Lumpkin by name. Little alarm bells started going off in my head. Mr. TRULY. I heard a policeman in this area along here make a remark, "Oh, goddam," or something like that. I just remember that. It wasn't a motorcycle policeman. It was one of the Dallas policeman, I think-- words to that effect. I wouldn't know him. I just remember there was a policeman standing along in this area about 7, 8, or 10 feet from me. But as I came back here, and everybody. was screaming and hollering, just moments later-I saw a young motorcycle policeman run up to the building, "I was trying to show the officer the pathway up," Mr. TRULY. "When I reached there, the officer had his gun pointing at Oswald." "He came over. And some time about then I said, "Officer, I think"--let's back up." "I believe the officer told me as we walked down into the seventh floor, "Be careful, this man will blow your head off."" "And I told the officer that I didn't feel like the shots came from the building." "Mr. BELIN. Then what did you do after you got that information? Mr. TRULY. Chief Lumpkin of the Dallas Police Department was standing a few feet from me. I told Chief Lumpkin that I had a boy missing over here "I don't know whether it amounts to anything or not." And I gave him his description. And he says, "Just a moment. We will go tell Captain Fritz." Mr. BELIN. All right. And then what happened? Mr. TRULY. So Chief Lumpkin had several officers there that he was talking to, and I assumed that he gave him some instructions of some nature I didn't hear it. And then he turned to me and says, "Now we will go upstairs"." Steve Thomas

Paul, <QUOTE> MEMORANDUM (Updated version as of February 21, 1997) To: Jeremy Gunn cc: David Marwell; Chris Barger; Doug Horne; Brian Rosen; Joan Zimmerman From: Tim Wray Subject: Army Intelligence in Dallas Here's some of what we've learned so far about Army intelligence in Dallas http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-Oct2017/ARRB/JMASIH/WP-DOCS/TIM/112DALLA.WPD.PDF 3. 316th INTC Detachment. The 112th INTC Group’s personnel total given above does not include members of the smaller 316th INTC Detachment, which had an authorized strength of 38 in 1963. The 316th INTC Detachment was transferred from Fort Jackson, South Carolina to Fort Sam Houston and attached to the 112th INTC Group in December, 1962. <END QUOTE> Steve Thomas

Paul, I believe that Ambulance 603 was going to Baylor for an entirely different reason that had nothing to do with Tippit. Something about a blood bank for some reason I think. Jim and Paul, While I think the 1:10 timestamp may have been a typo, I can't get around the fact that Dr. Liquori at Methodist gave the the time of his death as shown on his death certificate as 1:15 PM https://22novembernetwork.wordpress.com/2014/11/15/the-murder-of-j-d-tippit-by-s-r-dusty-rohde/ Steve Thomas