Steve Thomas Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 My thanks to Mark Valenti for pointing this out to me. Is it possible that George Whitmeyer, of the motorcade pilot car fame, might have interacted with or maybe at least have been aware of Lee Harvey Oswald in the mid-1950's in Louisiana trough the Civil Air Patrol? Lee Oswald joined the CAP in New Orleans in 1955. George Whitmeyer was a “unit advisor” to the U.S. Army Reserves in Monroe, LA. at least from 1954 to 1956. By 1955, Captain Whitmeyer has been promoted to Major. The Louisiana National Guard also had a military base at Selman Field. Could their paths have crossed somehow? The Monroe News-Star from Monroe, Louisiana · Page 7 April 13, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/90448363/ “Captain George L. Whitmeyer, local project officer for Armed Forces Day, said today that plans are already well advanced for Monroe participation in the annual observance honoring our young men and women in uniform. All veterans’ organizations, civic clubs, and other patriotic groups are invited to take part in the Armed Forces Day program. Representatives of organizations who wish to participate may contact Captain George L. Whitmever at building T-39-2 Selman Field or telephone 9960. In his forma! proclamation designating May 15 as Armed Forces Day in 1954, President Eisenhower said, “I call upon my fellow citizens, not only to display the flag of the United States on Armed Forces Day, but also to manifest their recognition of the sacrifice and devotion to duty of the men and women in the armed forces by attending and participating in the local observances of the day conducted by the armed forces and the civil authorities.” Local activities presently in the planning stage include a parade, open house, air display and participation by local well known former and present members of the armed forces Suggestions for projects which will best demonstrate Monroe's interest in the purposes of Armed Forces Day are welcomed by the project officer. Although coordinated by the department of defense. Armed Forces Day is endorsed and supported by leading national organizations whose cooperation in past years has assured the success of the occasion.” The Monroe News-Star from Monroe, Louisiana · Page 5 March 25, 1955 https://newspaperarchive.com/monroe-news-star-mar-25-1955-p-5/ “Army Aviation Flight Training Men Are Lacking The commanding general, Fourth army, has announced that .there is a critical shortage of applicants for Army aviation flight training which has resulted in serious programming difficulties for the Army aviation program. The scope of the present Army aviation program and the increased emphasis toward combat employment of Army aviation re|quire maximum command support of this vital program. All company grade officers are eligible to participate in this program. The Army primary flight training course is conducted at Gary Air Force base, San Marcos, I I Texas and the Army aviation tactics course at Camp Rucker. Ala. Those reserve officers interested in this program are urged to contact Major George L. Whitmeyer at the office of the unit advisor, United States Army Reserve, building T-39-2, Selman Field, or phone 9960.” The Monroe News-Star from Monroe, Louisiana · Page 3 September 21, 1955 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/89404823/ “...the opportunity of this type of enlistment throughout the entire United States and Major Whitmeyer states that any young man in the age group would be well advised to explore its possibilities thoroughly. The reserve armory office at Selman field is prepared to answer any inquries relative to the plan, and such inquiry, without obligation, is encouraged. Vacancies in the high school student draft deferment group still exist in the reserve army, Major George L. Whitmeyer, army reserve advisor, said Wednesday. This program, provided for in the new armed forces reserve act of 1955. provides that young men in the age group 17 to 18 years, may enlist in the army reserve and during the eight - year period of their enlistment remain in a draft - deferred status. During the eight - year period, they will be required to serve on active duty for a period of six months instead of the two years required by the draft. This will constitute their entire military obligation during their inlistment, except that they will be required to remain active in the reserve while not on active duty. This six - month perod of duty on active service will also be deferred while the enlistee is satisfactorily pursuing high school studies, is engaged in seasonal employment or until 20 years of age.” The Whitmeyer's were still living in Monroe as of 1956. The Monroe News-Star from Monroe, Louisiana · Page 3 October 23, 1956 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/84343273/ William F. Pipes, Jr. right, was promoted from first lieutenant to captain in the U. S. Army Reserves at ceremonies Monday night at the USAR training center, Selman Field. Looking on as Capt. Pipes reads his new commission is Major George L. Whitmeyer, unit advisor. (Staff photo by John I. Fogleman.) 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. In his passport application of September 4, 1959 to attend college in Switzerland, Oswald said that intended to travel to Europe on the Grace Lines leaving on September 21, 1959. When he left New Orleans on September 20, 1959, on the SS Maasden, he used the Lykes Shipping Line. Why? Steve Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Brancato Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Interesting question about Oswald’s choice of Lykes. Seems like you dug up at least something on Whitmeyer. Stationed in Germany after the war. Moved to Ft. Worth in 1961. Presumably lived in Louisiana at least by1954. Can we fill in some gaps in his timeline? I’ve tried, but you’ve gotten further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Thomas Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 1 hour ago, Paul Brancato said: Interesting question about Oswald’s choice of Lykes. Seems like you dug up at least something on Whitmeyer. Stationed in Germany after the war. Moved to Ft. Worth in 1961. Presumably lived in Louisiana at least by1954. Can we fill in some gaps in his timeline? I’ve tried, but you’ve gotten further. Paul, I don't have a service record for Whitmeyer, so I don't know where he was stationed in Germany, but I do have this: 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: Brandy: Our Man in Acapulco: “...in December, 1953 he (Brandstetter) and several other officers were attached to different units for the first three months of 1954 assigned as “Inspector/Advisors” " Hood County News-Tablet from Granbury, Texas · Page 8 July 8, 1965 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/57597412/ “Gets Texas National Guard Commission Gary T. Grogan of Rising Star, technician with the local Soil Conservation Service office, received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Texas National Guard in ceremonies at the Municipal'. Auditorium in Austin Saturday evening, June 1). He was awarded his commission at the conclusion of a Texas Officer Candidate School which he attended at Camp Mabry, Texas. He was assigned to the 1st Bn,. 142nd Inf., Brown-wood, Texas, as battalion antitank platoon leader. Presentation of the diplomas was made by Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Bishop, Texas adjutant-general, Major. Gen: .. William. R. Calhoun commanding , general of the Eighth U.S. Army Corps, was the speaker for the evening. Dallas Morning News 11-16-1965 10 Dallas reserve Units Included In Inactivation By Gene Ormsby Fourteen Army Reserve units in Dallas, including 10 in the 90th Infantry Division, are scheduled to be inactivated immediately, Major Gen. William R. Calhoun commander of the Eighth U.S. Army Corps said Monday in Austin. Lt. Col. George L. Whitmeyer, deputy East Texas sector commander said the same units were listed more than a month ago by Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara as the ones to be disbanded. Were these guys attached to the 90th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard? Steve Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Thomas Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 (edited) David Harold Byrd, owner of the TSBD: David Harold "Dry Hole" Byrd (24 April 1900 – 14 September 1986) was a noted Texan producer of petroleum, and a co-founder of the Civil Air Patrol. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Harold_Byrd Whitmeyer was a “Unit Advisor” to some unit of the Louisiana U.S. Army Reserves in 1955. Oswald was in the Civil Air Patrol in Louisiana in 1955. Ed Voebel told the FBI that Oswald quit attending the Moisant Airport CAP meetings sometime after being enrolled as a member because another' CAP unit (at New Orleans Lakefront Airport) would be closer to home. George Whitmeyer seemed to be based out of Selman Field in Monroe, LA. How big a geographic area was he an Advisor for? Harold Byrd was a co-founder of the Civil Air Patrol. Harold Byrd owned the TSBD Oswald took a job at the TSBD in 1963. Whitmeyer's wife worked at the Lykes Steamship Company. Oswald was supposed to go to France on the Grace Lines Company, but went instead on a Lykes Steamship Company ship in 1959. The Whitmeyers moved to Fort Worth in 1961, and to Dallas in 1963. Oswald was in Russia in 1961. Oswald moved to Fort Worth in 1962 and Dallas in 1963. I don't know, is there something there? Steve Thomas Edited February 23, 2019 by Steve Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Thomas Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 Why did Oswald change his itinerary two weeks after getting his passport in 1959? Why did Lt. Colonel Frank Church travel from Tampa, FL to New Orleans to take a steamship to France? Why not book it out of Tampa? Affidavit of George B. Church https://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh11/pdf/WH11_GeorgeChurch_aff.pdf p. 115 Why did Church and his wife book passage on a steamship that only carried 4 passengers, when its normal complement was 12? Why, when Billy Lord was interviewed by the Secret Service about his shipmate aboard that trip, was LHO identified as Harvey Lee Oswald seven times in the same document? Commission Document 498 - SS Rowley Memorandum of 13 Mar 1964 Forwarding Reports https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=10898&search=%22Harvey_Lee+Oswald%22#relPageId=37&tab=page pp. 37-38. The anomolies keep piling up. Steve Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Brancato Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 On 2/23/2019 at 12:49 PM, Steve Thomas said: Why did Oswald change his itinerary two weeks after getting his passport in 1959? Why did Lt. Colonel Frank Church travel from Tampa, FL to New Orleans to take a steamship to France? Why not book it out of Tampa? Affidavit of George B. Church https://www.history-matters.com/archive/jfk/wc/wcvols/wh11/pdf/WH11_GeorgeChurch_aff.pdf p. 115 Why did Church and his wife book passage on a steamship that only carried 4 passengers, when its normal complement was 12? Why, when Billy Lord was interviewed by the Secret Service about his shipmate aboard that trip, was LHO identified as Harvey Lee Oswald seven times in the same document? Commission Document 498 - SS Rowley Memorandum of 13 Mar 1964 Forwarding Reports https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=10898&search=%22Harvey_Lee+Oswald%22#relPageId=37&tab=page pp. 37-38. The anomolies keep piling up. Steve Thomas Steve - I know you and the rest are focusing on other parts of the Oswald Russian speaker, but did you see my post regarding Lykes Steamship? You asked good questions here which no one has taken on, like why did Oswald change his plans from taking Grace lines to taking Lykes? Why did the US Army Lt. colonel travel from Tampa to New Orleans to get on the same boat? If Oswald’s destination on boarding was Helsinki does this route make sense? Interesting connections between ACSI and the Lykes rep in Puerto Rico, Whitmeyer’s wife etc. All of these connections are US Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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