Steve Thomas

https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a236572.pdf Training and Organization of the US Army Reserve Components: A Reference Text for Total Force Trainers and a Guide to Other US Military Services 1988-1989. published 1991 Page 73 Fifth U.S. Army (19 USARF Schools) 4150TH USARF SCHOOL 10031 East Northwest Hwy (214) 346-6678Air Defense Artillery Dallas, TX 75238-4399 There were two reserve training centers in Dallas. Muchert Reserve Center 10031 E. Northwest Highway, Herzog Reserve Center at 4900 S. Lancaster. Jules E. Muchert Army Reserve Center 10031 E. Northwest Highway This Property was a part of the original boundaries of White Rock Lake Park. The City of Dallas sold the Property to the Federal Government in 1956 for an Army Reserve Training Center Site. http://www3.dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/briefings0607/QOL_061107_muchert.pdf Steve Thomas

From page 106: “The MI career branch was charged with nominating MI officers for division and higher G2 positions, worldwide. An extensive education program within the Continental Army Command's service schools on military intelligence was ordered, leading to assignment of MI officers to these schools as instructors and branch representatives.” And here is where the 4150th Training School in Dallas comes in. Steve Thomas

David, Thanks for this. I agree it's a pretty good read. From page 104 of the document: page 121 of the pdf file: https://fas.org/irp/agency/army/evolution.pdf “Cryptologic support paralleled that just described. In Europe, the 7th Army was supported by the 507th ASA Group, which in turn had the 318th and 319th ASA Battalions each supporting a corps. In Korea, the 508th ASA Group supported 8th Army.” Dennis Offstein worked with Oswald at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall On December 6, 1963 Thomas Crigler was interviewed by the FBI. He said that he met Ofstein “accidentally” on the street. See FBI interview of Crigler December 6, 1963: CD 205 p. 478 https://maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=10672#relPageId=481&tab=page Thomas H. Crigler, Jr., 1705 McAdams, advised he is currently a Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Security Agency, Field Representative, assigned to U.S. Army Recruiting Station, Dallas. He advised that he and Dennis Ofstein were assigned to the same U.S. Army branch in Europe and that he knew Ofstein from about June, 1960 to December, 1960 purely as another person attached to the same unit with him. He said that he had never become socially or well acquainted with Ofstein at that time. He said the caption of their group was the 507th USASA Group, Heilbron, West Germany.” However, he said later in his FBI interview that about a week after meeting Ofstein in the street in August, Ofstein and his family came to Crigler's house, and that twice more he and his wife visited Ofstein at his (Ofstein's) house. Steve Thomas

Paul, 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 http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/topic/6807-john-singlaub-and-the-chinese-connection/?page=2 “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.”” Remember the Colonel who was present during Nancy Perrin Rich's testimony to the WC? I think it was Castorr. Steve Thomas

Bill, They weren't. If I understand this right, the 316th was on a temporary duty assignment attached to the 112th around the 1963-1964 time period. I've seen a reference to them being sent over to Thailand in the later 1960's. US Army Units in Thailand http://www.geocities.ws/jackscorner2001/index2.html# 316th INTC Detachment No dates given Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Brotherhood http://tlc-brotherhood.com/wp/guestbook/ May 15, 2015 at 1:08 am Peter Lucier "Just found this site. Served with 316th INTC Det from April 1966 to Jan 1968. Love to hear from former members. Served as NCO IC for Joint US/Thai military intelligence training program." On the other hand, I've seen references to the 4150th Training school in Dallas from as early as the 1950's to as late as the 1990's. Steve Thomas

Paul, As weirdly coincidental as it is, these were two different men. William A's wife was named Ann. William R's wife was named Anna. (Like I said - weird). Obituary of Ann Westbrook March 8, 1942 - January 29, 2018 http://www.bmmfh.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=2066490 Floyce Ann Westbrook, age 75, of Italy passed away Monday, January 29, 2018 at Baylor Scott & White, Waxahachie. She was born March 8, 1942 in Lubbock, Texas to Lendon Truman and Wanda Frances (Blagg) Irwin. Ann was affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Memy” whom she adored. Ann married the boy next door, William A. “Sandy” Westbrook in Post, Texas on December 30, 1961. She earned her PHT (Putting Hubby Thru) degree from Texas A&M. Left to cherish memories are her loving husband of 56 years, William A. “Sandy” Westbrook... Ann was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church in Italy, where she lived out a life of serving by teaching children Funeral services will be 3pm Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Central Baptist Church in Italy with Pastor Joseph Barrett officiating. (Italy is 44 miles south of Dallas). William R. (Ralph) Westbrook http://reopenkennedycase.forumotion.net/t698-capt-william-r-westbrook Dallas Morning News, The (TX) - February 21, 1996 Deceased Name: Rites set for William Ralph Westbrook Services for William Ralph "Pinky" Westbrook , a retired Dallas Police Department captain, will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Go Ye Village in Tahlequah, Okla. Mr. Westbrook , 78, died Monday of cancer at his home in Tahlequah. His wife, Anna... Steve Thomas

Bill, I started one on 2/18/19, but put it aside until I could do more research. I'll be happy to plug in what I've come up with so far, if you'd like. Steve Thomas

Bill, Here are some names I have picked up in my research. I cannot say they were there at the same time Lumpkin was Commandant of the 4150th. I can give you the reference for each if you want - but mostly the reference says, "he attended the 4150th", or "he graduated from the 4150th" as part of his educational background, but doesn't say when that was. One small note: I just learned that ARSU stands for Army Reserve Service Unit, not U.S. Southern Command, as I posted on February 8th. I never could figure that out. I guess you learn something new every day, huh. B. David Hinds Adam W. Wenclewicz Col Robert Parker Andrews USAR Col. B.B. Smith Lt. Col. Oscar Long Colonel Denzil E. Hutson Lieutenant Colonel Milton Wade Johnston Herchel Eugene Lynch Colonel John C. Cole Major James R. Manis Westbrook, William A. (Sandy) 1968 4150M Dallas USAR Staff Officers School Roster Photo==Photo text: "General Staff Officer Course Phase X 4150th Dallas USAR School Section 3 Classes 68-3 Fort Levenworth, Kansas 21 July - 2 August 1968 http://ns2.petpeoplesplace.com/petstore/1968-4150m-Dallas-Usar-Staff-Officer-School-Roster-Photo-Leavenworth-worldwide-_123579497213.html The link below is to a 1966 Richardson (Texas) Daily News article that describes George Lumpkin as “Commandant of the 4150th ARSU Dallas United States Army Reserve School”. https://newspaperarchive.com/tags/george-lumpkin/?pc=24581&psi=94&pci=7&pt=23960&ob=1/ This was a 1966 newspaper article, so it's conceivable that this 1968 roster cited above would include people who were there at the same time Lumpkin was Commandant. An earlier 1962 newspaper article describes Lumpkin as the Commandant, so he was there as Commandant from at least 1962-1966. Winston Lawson told the WC that George Whitmeyer "taught army intelligence", so I'm assuming Whitmeyer taught out of the same Muchert Reserve Center 10031 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX training center where the 4150th was housed Training and Organization of the US Army Reserve Components: A Reference Text for Total Force Trainers and a Guide to Other US Military Services 1988-1989. published 1991 https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a236572.pdf Page 73 Fifth U.S. Army (19 USARF Schools) 4150TH USARF SCHOOL 10031 East Northwest Hwy (214) 346-6678Air Defense Artillery Dallas, TX 75238-4399 Steve Thomas

David, Obituary of Owen J. “Duke” Darnell https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-journalonline/obituary.aspx?n=owen-j-darnell-duke&pid=14533660 A celebration of a life of service for retired U.S. Merchant Marine Capt. Owen "Duke" J. Darnell, 84, South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, who died Monday, July 11, 2005, at The Regency House, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at the chapel of Pinello Funeral Home, 1036 Derbyshire Road, Daytona Beach. A reception will follow. Born July 27, 1921, to Joseph and Ethel (Pender) Darnell, Capt. Darnell was born in Cripple Creek, Colo., and moved to this area in 1984 from New Orleans. Capt. Darnell's father had been a gold miner in Talkeetna, Alaska, before the young couple moved to Cripple Creek where his father supervised several silver mine operations. Owen was only 15 years old when his father died of silicosis. In 1994 when his wife of 40 years died, Capt. Darnell characteristically found a way to help others coping with similar problems and loss. He became a speaker advocate for Alzheimer's caregivers and wrote a booklet, "A Room Without Doors," and was published in 1996 by the Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the American Alzheimer's Association. Capt. Darnell sailed in various unlicensed capacities on tankers, freighters and troop transports in North Africa and in the South Pacific. During World War II, he retired as a captain from the Merchant Marines. He then went to work with the Lykes Brothers Steamship Company and retired as a corporate level manager. He loved jazz, a good cup of coffee, big hugs, boxing, football, and poetry, but most of all, he loved people and helping people. He is survived by his companion, Patricia Bays; brother, Dr. Frank and Frances Darnell; three sisters, Minnie Perry, Mary Wank and Laura and Richard Murphy; 10 nieces and nephews, Sara McGee, Ann Hunter, Julia Archer and Sarah Robicheaux and Carol Guerrero-Murphy and Gail Coray, Richard Murphy, Joe Darnell, Al Darnell and Steven Owen. Capt. Darnell was predeceased by his wife, Esther, and his older brother, Richard. Capt. Darnell wishes were to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the Atlantic Ocean. Arrangements and services entrusted to Pinello Funeral Home, Daytona Beach. Army Intelligence considered him as a "source lead", rather than as a primary source of info. Steve Thomas

David, Thanks. Steve Thomas

David, First: Where is Owen Darnell mentioned? I'd like to add that to my Lykes Steamship file. Second: Veciana: Posted by James Richards on July 11, 2007 (edited) in the Education Forum http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/topic/10469-sam-kail/ "In 1960, he was stationed in Havana and according to Antonio Veciana, Maurice Bishop sent Veciana to meet with Kail regarding official support. Kail said they would speak in more detail in Dallas later. I'm not sure if that meeting ever took place but Veciana felt that Kail and Bishop were well acquainted." Third: Oswald's passport. On September 4, 1959, Oswald applied for a passport to attend the Albert Schweitzer College. He said that he would be leaving on the Grace Lines. A week later, he booked passage on the Lykes Lines. Why? Fourth: Lykes Steamship: Orest Pena WC testimony: http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/pena_o.htm Mr. LIEBELER - When did you leave Cuba? Mr. PENA - I left Cuba in September 1946. Mr. LIEBELER - Have you been back to Cuba since that time? Mr. PENA - Yes. Mr. LIEBELER - Would you tell us when? Mr. PENA - Oh, many times I went to Cuba. My last time I went to Cuba was about 8 months, I believe, after Castro took over, but before, I used to go very often because all my family is in Cuba, my mother, my father-- before my father died, I used to go to Cuba many times. I was a seaman, too. I used to ship out with the United Fruit Co. and the Lykes Brothers Co. That's before Castro took over. Mr. LIEBELER - You stopped working as a seaman in 1957? Mr. PENA – Yes. And you mentioned George DeMohrenschildt. OBITUARY of Frances Whitmeyer: Whitmeyer, Frances Raby was born February 21, 1922 and passed away April 4, 2009. Frances was born in Athens, Alabama to S.W. and Donna Raby. She graduated from Alabama Women's College in Athens. She moved to New Orleans and worked for the Lykes Steamship Co. and also for the City of New Orleans helping to translate French law into English. She later married George Whitmeyer and they moved to Germany where he was stationed after the war. They moved to Fort Worth in 1961 and then to Dallas in 1963. Interesting confluence of people. Steve Thomas

"Remembering the burglary that broke COINTELPRO" https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2019/mar/08/fbi-media-anniversary/ Steve Thomas

David, The file you referenced mentions Opa Locka a lot. From page 6 of the file: Cryptonym: JMFIG JMFIG is defined as the "Opa-locka Naval Base. Opa-locka CAC (note: Caribbean Admissions Center) https://www.maryferrell.org/php/cryptdb.php?id=JMFIG 198-10004-10157 MOVEMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN ADMISSION CENTER (CAC) 1 Background on the use of the Opa-locka facility. "The Caribbean Admission Center was established in March 1962 as a joint DOD/CIA operation under CIA operational control and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) cover..." See https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=19773#relPageId=10&tab=page - it shows that "CIA's Domestic Contact Division (DCD) had primary responsibility for obtaining positive intelligence interest from refugees." DCD officers conducted interviews with refugees at the CAC. 124-90019-10155: No Title Deputy Chief of the CAC is Colonel Sam Kail. 198-10004-10153: TRIP REPORT Colonel Sam Kail and Lt. Col. Trudencio Ulibarri are described as "the two top men" at CAC. 104-10069-10185: OPERATIO.NAL: AGREED ACTIVITIES W/ACSI See this document for further details on Kail and Ulibarri and the relationship between CIA and DOD. 198-10004-10153: TRIP REPORT 6/30/63 from Lt. Col. James Patchell to Joseph Califano: Describes visit to CAC, operations led by Colonel Sam Kail and Lt. Col. Ulibarri. Julian Gleichauf, CIA chief of field office, is also the Director of CAC. "It is a military operation under CIA management." Steve Thomas

See also the Spartacus entry for William C. Bishop here: https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKbishopW.htm Steve Thomas

Paul, I wonder if this should be an entry in the Colonels thread? Steve Thomas Russell, Dick On the Trail of the Assassins. Skyhorse, Nov 22, 2008. https://books.google.com/books?id=RmctAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT405&dq=%22Colonel+William+Bishop%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYwMDp5YHhAhXn8YMKHRAVBk8Q6AEIQDAE#v=onepage&q=%22Colonel%20William%20Bishop%22&f=false

Michael, That was probably in this thread: Two Dallas cops were involved in the pre-arranged murder of Tippit... beginning on page 34:http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/topic/22875-two-dallas-cops-were-involved-in-the-pre-arranged-murder-of-tippit/page/34/ Steve Thomas

Bart, What the Smurf is this all about? 4 people? Far East? Steve Thomas

Tom, I don't know if you are still following this topic, but it was a different Tippit. The Tippit who knew Jack Ruby was G.M. Tippit. He worked in the Special Service Bureau. See page 3 of Bachelor's Exhibit 5002 (page 4 of the pdf file). https://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh19/pdf/WH19_Batchelor_Ex_5002.pdf One of the focuses (or foci) of the Special Service Bureau was Vice, and as such, G.M. would drop in on the Carousel occassionally. G.M.'s first name was Gayle, and he was sort of embarrassed by that and preferred to be called, "Tip". I corresponded with Tip for about six months, 15 or 20 years ago. He told me he liked Jack. He thought he was a "character". Tip was up on the fourth floor when Jack shot Lee Oswald, and didn't speak with Jack afterwards. Steve Thomas

Paul, The Evian Peace Accords had been signed in March. A nation-wide referendum in France had been held in 1961 and an overwhelming number had voted to allow Algeria to become independent. Charles DeGaulle worked to make that a reality. The right-wing factions of Algerie Francais, or French Algerians did not want to see that happen. They wanted Algeria to remain a Department of France. By 1960, Algeria had been a part of France for 130 years. It was one of France's 13 Departments (similar to our 50 States). The Europeans in Algeria did not want to see Algeria become an independent country. I read once that Europeans owned 90% of the arable land in Algeria. The OAS grew out of that resistance. At first, that resistance was against the FLN, or pro-Moslem, pro-independence movement. By 1962, that OAS had turned against the French State iteslf. Steve Thomas

In the past, I've been asked how the OAS got its money. This would be one way. This article appeared in the March 24, 1962 issue of the Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, MD page 1 https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-mar-24-1962-p-1/ Jean-Rene had made his escape from the prison camp in February, so I do not know if had successfully made his way to Spain by March, or if he had had a hand in this bank robbery in Algeria. I do not know if this money made its way into the coffers of the main OAS headquarters in Spain. There is a long article about the day-long battle between the OAS and the French Army. The newspaper article was in a Saturday issue, and they speak of the heavy fighting that took place on Friday, so I'm assuming it happened on March 23rd. The article says that this marked the first time the OAS had battled the French Army directly. This was some serious stuff. From page 2: By this time in 1962, 2060 people had died, and another 4, 044 had been wounded in this year alone. Steve Thomas

David, Go their home page: https://www.muckrock.com/ Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on the word Financials. That lists the source of their funding and even provides three years of 990 Statements. Steve Thomas

Muckrock https://www.muckrock.com/ "MuckRock is a non-profit collaborative news site that gives you the tools to keep our government transparent and accountable." Subjects Matter: FBI Files https://www.muckrock.com/project/subjects-matter-fbi-files-10/ "This project aims to sift through the hundreds of thousands of pages of FBI archival material we've released, so we can better understand why the Bureau had an eye on these people - and through that, better understand who they're keeping tabs on today." Examples: James Angleton Jim Garrison E. Howard Hunt Angleton's CIA consulting contract (extended beyond 1975 - contrary to what Colby and Angelton both told the Church Committee) https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2017/oct/19/angleton-return/ The Interagency Feud https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2018/oct/30/fbi-angleton-fabian-society/ “In the late ‘50s, a former Army Intelligence chief alleged that a secret cabal of socialists and Communists were infiltrating the government. As part of these allegations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received 122 names, 119 of whom had a total of over 5,500 references in FBI files. Of these, there was derogatory information on 105 individuals, including some senior officials and even hardline anti-communists such as Central Intelligence Agency spymaster James Angleton. The Bureau dismissed the accusations as the result of an interagency feud, and performed minimal research into them. However, the FBI did congratulate itself on having already been aware of most of the individuals and their alleged subversive tendencies, which included their sometimes having thoughts similar to those of socialists.” “The Bureau believed that the allegations resulted from, or at least related to, what it described as a “feud” between CIA and G-2 (Army Intelligence).” Steve Thomas

Bill, I spoke too quickly. I do have a copy of 197-10002-10234. You read it here: pp 27-34. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HWZoEXgUY8HyfMyxGrCIPOiWpB9-86_r/view Steve Thomas

Bill, See this document starting on page 3 explaining the relationship of the 316th with the 112th. http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-Oct2017/ARRB/JMASIH/WP-DOCS/TIM/112DALLA.WPD.PDF You might be interested in this database listing: https://www.maryferrell.org/php/jfkdb.php?field=recordseries&value=NARA+RG319%3A+ACSI+G2%2C+COUNTERINTELLIGENCE+ORGANIZATIONS I do not have any of the documents listed there. I personally think Crichton's 488th was a legend in his own mind. There are others who think differently. Steve Thomas

Paul, Would you happen to know if Shelley was still in the Reserves as late as 1963? Steve Thomas