Steve Thomas

Bart, The 4th Army was based out of San Antonio and covered five states, I think. (either five or seven). I know Louisiana was also part of their district, which is why Jones had a record of LHO and his activities in New Orleans. Did you catch the reference to Harvey Lee Oswald in that Stringfellow memo, standing 5'10" and weighing 165lbs with blue eyes? Gee, how coincidental that that matches the description of the Tippit suspect that Gerald Hill testified to. *grin* Steve Thomas

Jim, In January, 1964, Waggoner Carr (the Attorney General of Texas), sent J.Lee Rankin three bound volumes of material that the Dallas Police had gathered in the JFK case. These three volumes were labeled A. B, and C and comprise CD 81. The DPD case file is 81b and starts on page 311 of CD 81. You see the number 94 at the bottom of the report you included? That's page 94 of CD 81b, or page 404 of CD 81 (somewhere along the way, the exact page numbering got mixed up a little). https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=10483#relPageId=404&tab=page The report was written up by H.H. Stringer, a Sergeant in the Personnel Bureau under Captain Westbrook. (Stringer's name was H.H. Stringer, not R.D. Stringer as Westbrook said in his WC testimony) Westbrook: "I just came off of vacation and they hit me with this this morning as soon as I got to the office. I can't recall whether or not it was the dispatcher's office, but I think it was--somebody in the dispatcher's office had told us they needed some more men at the Texas Depository Building, so I sent the men that were in my office, which were then Sergeants Stringer and Carver, and possibly Joe Fields and McGee,..." Mr. WESTBROOK. "After we reached the building, or after I reached the building, I contacted my sergeant Sgt. R. D. Stringer, and he was standing in front..." Steve Thomas

Some of the long string of vertical text that is appearing in this thread... "Career included assignment as the agency's station chief in Venezuela. Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Operation of a radio station on an island off the coast of Cuba during the early months of Fidel Castro's rule. And his... CIA career was conducted under deep cover. Meaning … He was never to be photographed except for his official identification for the CIA and U.S. State Department. (He worked under diplomatic cover in Me... CIA career was conducted under deep cover. Mexico City 1961 - 1965" Steve Thomas

Jim, It's funny. The report talks about the pickup with the engine running, but no mention of a driver. What's the possibility it's the same pickup observed by Julia Ann Mercer at the grassy knoll? Or the pickup parked on Commerce as seen in the Zapruder film? Steve Thomas

Gene, It's not just you. I've seen the same thing in posts by others. There's something going on with the Forum's software. Steve Thomas

Bart, There was a big meeting on the 21st that involved a lot of the heavies - SS, FBI, MI, DPD Department heads and Deputy Chiefs, etc. They went over the security arrangements. Somebody from the SS told the others that their help wouldn't be needed. I've been trying to determine whether that was Forrest Sorrels or Winston Lawson. I've about decided it was Sorrels. Now, I don't know whether that was hubris or something more sinister. http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-Oct2017/ARRB/JMASIH/WP-DOCS/TIM/112DALLA.WPD.PDF 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. Coyle recalled that, prior to the assassination, Pate (Coyle was not absolutely certain that it was Pate on this occasion, though he thought so) came back from such a meeting and advised them that security measures for the upcoming presidential visit had been discussed, but that the Secret Service and the Dallas Police Department said that they had everything under control and needed no additional help from other agencies. WC testimony of Jesse Curry http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/curry1.htm Mr. CURRY - Yes, sir. Also we had planned to have Captain Fritz and some of his homicide detectives immediately following the President's car which we have in the past, we have always done this. Mr. RANKIN - Now, would that be between the President's car and the Secret Service? Mr. CURRY - And the Secret Service. We have in past done this. We have been immediately behind the President's car. Mr. RANKIN - Did you propose that to someone? Mr. CURRY - Yes, sir. Mr. RANKIN - Who did you propose it to? Mr. CURRY - To Mr. Lawson and Mr. Sellers. (I'm pretty sure this should be Sorrels) Mr. RANKIN - What did they say about that? Mr. CURRY - They didn't want it. Mr. RANKIN - Did they tell you why? Mr. CURRY - They said the Secret Service would be there. WC testimony of Forrest Sorrels http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/sorrels1.htm Mr. STERN - You felt, then, that the local police forces would supply all the outside assistance you needed for this visit? Mr. SORRELS - Yes, sir; the Dallas Police Department, in my opinion, has some very good leaders, career men who have been there for many years, and due to the fact I have been located in Dallas for many, many years I know these people personally, and I have never yet called upon the Dallas Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, or the Department of Public Safety, for any assistance that we have not gotten and gotten cheerfully and willingly. Steve Thomas

The New York Times Digitizes Over a Century’s Worth of Archival Photographs Into High Resolution Images https://laughingsquid.com/the-new-york-times-digitizes-photo-archive/ For better nerds than I am, this is how it works: https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/ai-machine-learning/how-the-new-york-times-is-using-google-cloud-to-find-untold-stories-in-millions-of-archived-photos I can't determine if these are available online yet to the general public. Steve Thomas

I'm sorry. This should be Constant. Eugene Constant. Steve Thomas

Paul, You're right. One has to take many of the CIA documents with a grain of salt. Some parts are believable and some are not. That's why it's a good idea to cross check as much as you can. The point I was trying to make with this memo is that, if the CIA is talking "to" Souetre, then he's not "from" the CIA. He's not part of it. As far as the Dallas/Souetre memo, I read it as the CIA saying, "that's what the French said". Did the French actually say that, or did the CIA say "that's what the French said". You and I have talked about the language of that memo and how it changes for that one particular declarative sentence. Up to that point, the memo is relating things in the third person. That particular sentence switches to a declarative statement, then the memo reverts back to third person narrative again. I am suspicious. Steve Thomas

Paz, This is from L'Orchestre Noir pp. 140-141: Roughly translated, by me this reads: “I was recruited for this operation in Brussels, where I was living, by Captain Souetre, whom I knew from the epoch of the OAS”, explained Jacques Depret, a curious personnage, formerly of the French special services, passed to the OAS during the Algerian War. “Souetre had been charged by Surac as commander of the mercenaries recruited into the Aginter cadre. He proposed to me to be his information officer. I accepted immediately.” Jean René Souetre, former Captain of the air commandos, was yet again in the epoch of one of the celebrities of the ex-OAS. Guérin-Serac had been engaged on the occasion of this operation which had been conferred to him the organization and the command. Under the pseudonym of “Constant”, Captain Souetre, for this circumstance, had been promoted Major. In several months, he had reunited in Lisbon fifty men, for the most part, Belgians and Frenchmen, formerly of the OAS or of Katanga... The staffing of this small army was constituted as follows: Souetre, called Constantine Comanders: Piret, a Belgian mercenary, and Delamichel, a South-African mercenary. Captains: Duculster (A Belgian mercenary who was killed several months later in Bukavu), Jacques Depret, and Jacques Maury. Lieutenant: “Walter” Bonnet-Gauthier, etc. Theoretically, the operation should have taken place in the month of June. “An air operation had been planned on Elizabethville”, recounted a member of the staff, under the code name, “Matou”, souvenir of the air commandos in Algeria.... (Just a side note from me: “Matou” was the code name of a helicopter-based assault strike force started by Souetre in 1960. Matou translates as Tomcats. It was unique at the time because it brought infantry directly into front-line battle. It would later be adopted throughout the French air commando units). Steve Thomas

The thing that bothers me about Hunt is that in his career, he specialized in what, propaganda? For me, that makes everything he says kind of suspect. Steve Thomas

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Bart, In the 1950's and 60's, "Red Squads" or "Special Services Bureaus" were formed in many of the major cities in the U.S. (I think the idea started in New York City, but I wouldn't swear to that). One of their duties was to provide extra protection for visiting dignitaries. In 1963, Captain Gannaway was the Head of Dallas' Special Service Bureau. Here's a memo from Lieutenant Kaminsky to Gannaway outlining how he was going to provide Special Service Bureau protection along the motorcade route. Notice how he was only going to provide one man per block. Not much protection in my mind. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth190029/m1/1/ Captain Perdue Lawrence testified before the Warren Commission on July 24, 1964. He was the Captain of the DPD' Traffic Division's Accident Prevention Bureau. He was being questioned about the security measures for JFK's visit. W.P. “Pat” Gannaway was the Captain of the Special Service Bureau. During his testimony, he stressed several times that his role was to keep the motorcade flowing. Actual security being provided against threats to the President would be coming from someone else. http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/lawrence.htm Mr. GRIFFIN. Now, did you receive another set of instructions or orders after that? Captain LAWRENCE. Yes; on the evening of November 21, this was the first time that I had attended any security meeting at all in regards to this motorcade. At approximately 5 p.m. I was told to report to the conference room on the third floor, and when I arrived at the conference room the deputy chiefs were in there, there were members of the Secret Service--Mr. Sorrels, Captain Gannaway, Captain Souter of radio patrol, and Capt. Glen King, deputy chiefs, assistant chiefs, and Chief Curry, and one gentleman, who I assume was in charge of the security for the Secret Service. Mr. GRIFFIN. Was anything said in that meeting about any special precautions that should be taken in connection with protecting the President? Captain LAWRENCE. Yes; there was some discussion that centered more around the security down at the Trade Mart than any other place and Captain Gannaway was in charge of the security in that area, and then Chief Stevenson, I believe, was there, and they mentioned that they would have detectives stationed along the route--along the motorcade route, especially in the downtown area. Mr. GRIFFIN. And what were they to be looking for? Captain LAWRENCE. They were taking care of security, all right, but they did not go into any discussion in my presence. I assume that this had all been, discussed earlier, in fact, when I was called up there, these people were already meeting. “I assume that some instructions have been given to some members of the CID, the criminal investigation division, and to the men from the special service bureau, and the men specifically assigned to security duties instead of traffic duties. It would be my assumption that this was a part of the assignments given.” So, Sorrell's told the group that the Secret Service and Dallas PD would take care of everything; and that the SS didn't need any help from the FBI, ONI, OSI, the 112th, or anybody else. Steve Thomas

Bart, It appears to me that it wasn't a case of being ordered to "stand down", it was Sorrells of the Secret Service who told military intelligence that they weren't needed. http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-Oct2017/ARRB/JMASIH/WP-DOCS/TIM/112DALLA.WPD.PDF 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. “Coyle recollected that Lieutenant Colonel Roy Pate, commander of the 112th’s Dallas Regional Office, attended monthly meetings with the heads of the various local law enforcement and military intelligence agencies within the Dallas community, and that upon his return from such meetings would commonly assemble the office’s personnel to pass on to them any important information he had picked up. Coyle recalled that, prior to the assassination, Pate (Coyle was not absolutely certain that it was Pate on this occasion, though he thought so) came back from such a meeting and advised them that security measures for the upcoming presidential visit had been discussed, but that the Secret Service and the Dallas Police Department said that they had everything under control and needed no additional help from other agencies. Coyle thought that Pate expressed some surprise at this, but thought there was nothing unusual or sinister about it.” http://brinvest.ch/2017/11/a-look-at-new-jfk-documents-and-new-thoughts-on-fletcher-prouty-on-the-ochelli-effect-mike-swanson-10312017/ Subject: Interview with William McKinney (Colonel) Body: CALL REPORT: PUBLIC Document’s Author: Christopher Barger/ARRB Date Created: 05/02/97 "However, he (McKinney) said that when he reported to the 316th in January 1964, he found that “there were still people who were upset…angry…or just unhappy, that the 112th… had been told that perimeter security wasn’t needed by them.” (Col. McKinney wasn't in Dallas, or even in Texas in November, 1963.) Steve Thomas

Bart, See her for a Forum thread about Stephan Weiss: http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/topic/25187-stephan-weiss-the-112th-mi-group/ Larry Hancock asked, " Has Malcolm verified that he really was a Lt. in the 112th and if so where was he stationed?" I don't think he got an answer. There have been references on several threads about a cable sent on the evening of 11/22 from Fort Sam Houston to Strike Command, McDill AFB in Florida. In the cable, reference was made, to information obtained by Detective Don Stringfellow of the Dallas Police Department. I managed to locate a copy of the cable, which you can find here: https://archive.org/details/nsia-ArmyIntelligenceJFK I think this is in the Weisberg collection. L.D. Stringfellow was a Detective in the Dallas Police Department's Special Service Bureau of which Revill was a Lieutenant. http://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh19/pdf/WH19_Batchelor_Ex_5002.pdf Note the reference in this military intelligence file's cable to Harvey Lee Oswald Steve Thomas

Cory, I don't know who wrote the Christchurch article you linked to, but I think in their zeal, or haste, or bad proofreading, they got the year wrong. http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/prouty2.txt "In a long account in the "Christchurch Star' about Lee Harvey Oswald -- which included that fine studio portrait in a business suit, white shirt, and tie -- these press services provided . . ." This photograph appeared on page two of The Fort Worth Press, 11/16/59 with an article by Kent Bifle entitled "Turncoat Hangs Up on Mother." https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/the-christchurch-star-23-november-1963/ Again it was widely reported when Oswald, now with a Russian wife and child, returned to the United States in 1962. The portrait of him in The Christchurch Star had appeared in The Fort Worth Press on 16 November 1963. Steve Thomas

Shane, In your work, or in Dick Russell's, were you able to pinpoint the exact date Veciana was in Dallas and met with "Bishop"? I have been trying, unsuccessfully I might add, to establish a cross-reference between the Veciana/Bishop meeting and a picnic held for Cuban exiles at White Rock Lake Park in September of 1963. Weinstein questioned the Castorrs about this picnic and showed them still pictures taken from TV outtakes which allegedly show Oswald being at this picnic. Steve Thomas

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Josh, One possible (and I say possible) name to look at is Harry R. McCall. ALLEGED CONTACT BY LEE HARVEY OSWALD TO PURCHASE CAR AT DOWNTOWN LINCO Oswald 201 File Vol 52 page 19 FBI interview of Harry Randolph McCall - automobile salesman at the downtown Lincoln-Mercury car dealership - along with Albert Bogard, and Jack Lawrence. https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=110333&relPageId=19&search=%22South_Carolina%20minister%22 Steve Thomas

Shane, In his review of your book, Dick Russell wrote, " Was the cover-up for fear of secrets being divulged, from a Washington call-girl ring to the Kennedy assassination? " In your view, what secrets relating to the Kennedy assassination was the cover-up designed to conceal? Steve Thomas

David, I'm sorry. That was a typo on my part. His name was Mentzel. His call sign was 91. You can find a copy of the DPD radio districts in the Putnam Exhibit# 1 at 21H274 here: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=1138#relPageId=298&tab=page I'm pretty sure 10th and Patton was in his District. Oak Cliff is in the southwest substation. You'll find all these guys in the Second Platoon roster 8:00AM to 4:00PM shift: Batchelor 5002 page 126 of his report, page 10 of the pdf file https://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh19/pdf/WH19_Batchelor_Ex_5002.pdf Steve Thomas

David, I wrote an essay on a possible Rambler lead that you can read here, if you're interested: https://myjfksite.weebly.com/ The upshot was that one of the officers of the Dallas chapter of Alpha66/SNFE that met at the house on Harlendale owned a Rambler. Steve Thomas

David, Probably, but I don't think it's part of the JFK Collection. A researcher might be able to pick up info on this from: DALLAS POLICE ARCHIVES 1885 - 1978. Personnel records, arrest and jail logs, criminal circulars, traffic accident reports correspondence, reports, procedure documents, photographs, and equipment. Access to some items is restricted due to condition or age. Please consult with the archivist. Manuscript/Archives Collections - D Dallas Public Library https://dallaslibrary2.org/dallashistory/archives/d.php Who normally worked that area? Wentzel? Steve Thomas

David, This Portal to Texas History (a digital repository hosted by the University of North Texas Libraries.) picture was obtained from the Dallas Municipal Archives JFK Collection. It's part of a series of photos of the Tippit shooting scene. You can find these in the DPD Archives in Box 12. In particular, this is one of the photos in Box 12, Folder# 45, Items 15, 16, and 17. http://jfk.ci.dallas.tx.us/box12.htm It's a view looking south on Patton from the 10th and Patton intersection. This takes me back quite a few years, but I think I remember that it was established that the accident at this intersection took place several days before November 22nd, and had nothing to do with the Tippit shooting. Steve Thomas

David, You posted: Bentley said he gave Oswald's wallet to T.L. Baker of the Homicide and Robbery Bureau. Hill says here that he kept the suspect's gun in his possession for at least an hour after Oswald was brought in to police headquarters. So; Bentley, Hill, Carroll and C.T. Walker are all hanging around Westbrook's office after they got back from the Theater. The suspect's wallet, the gun and the shells were turned over to Lt. Baker, and not the crime lab. On the 22nd, a coat was found on Industrial Blvd. It was turned over to Lieutenant Kaminski, who turned it over to Homicide and Robbery. Westphal and Parks were in the Special Service Bureau. Westbrook told the WC that he gave the jacket that was found in the parking lot behind the gas station to some officer, whose name he didn't remember. It's unknown how this jacket got to the crime lab where it was entered into evidence and given to the FBI on the 26th. It gives one reason to pause. Steve Thomas