George Piazza

[Matt Allison]

 

Here's a strange one I had never heard about before; at the time of the Garrison investigation, George Piazza was known as the lawyer for James Lewallen, who was being looked at in the New Orleans probe. Piazza died in a bizarre, bonkers and horrible plane crash:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_9877

 

But it's interesting to note that the below doc suggests he was a member of CAP with Oswald and a close friend of Ferrie himself:

http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg Subject Index Files/F Disk/Ferrie David William/Item 84.pdf

 

[Ron Bulman]

"Ferrie seemed to be able to handle young boys very well".  Why he was fired from Eastern Airlines.  A fiend of Shaw?

[Benjamin Cole]

On 5/23/2023 at 10:35 AM, Matt Allison said:

 

Here's a strange one I had never heard about before; at the time of the Garrison investigation, George Piazza was known as the lawyer for James Lewallen, who was being looked at in the New Orleans probe. Piazza died in a bizarre, bonkers and horrible plane crash:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_9877

 

But it's interesting to note that the below doc suggests he was a member of CAP with Oswald and a close friend of Ferrie himself:

http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg Subject Index Files/F Disk/Ferrie David William/Item 84.pdf

 

https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/2018/180-10128-10002.pdf

This says Piazza was also a former asst. DA with Garrison. And represented a Dante Marachini an "early witness" before the Grand Jury. 

 

[Matt Allison]

Another interesting thing about the David Pierce Magyar interview I posted is that he says he received his Mexican tourist visa in New Orleans the same day as LHO and Gaudet got theirs, September 17th, 1963. He states that he got his around 2:30 PM, so it would be helpful to check the list of the applications that day in order to see if LHO got his before or after him.

[Steve Thomas]

On 5/24/2023 at 5:44 PM, Matt Allison said:

Another interesting thing about the David Pierce Magyar interview I posted

Matt,

If, in your research on Magyar or Piazza, etc., you run across the name George L. Whitmeyer, would you let me know?

These newspaper articles date from 1954 and 1955. I wonder how many of the Civil Air Patrol units in Louisiana answered Whitmeyer's call for "interested young men". Did they come and listed to his pitches? Did David Ferrie take his group of cadets?

The Monroe News-Star from Monroe, Louisiana · Page 13

March 15, 1954

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/90445615/

George L. Whitmeyer, whose wife, Frances Whitmeyer, resides here at 217 Pargoud Drive, has recently completed a 17-week Associate Infantry Office Advanced Course in Fort Benning, Ga., which is given to company and field grade officers to enable them to return to their units with a more thorough understanding of their command positions. Whitmeyer, in service for 12 years, has served in Hawaii, Europe, Korea, and Japan, and been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.

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.

 

By1955, he has been promoted to the rank of Major.

 

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 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.)

 

Steve Thomas

 

[Matt Allison]

For sure, Steve, will do