The testimony of Maj. Eugene D. Anderson was taken at 4:30 p.m., on
July 24, 1964, at 200 Maryland Avenue NE., Washington, D.C., by Messrs.
J. Lee Rankin, general counsel; and Arlen Specter, assistant counsel of
the President's Commission.
Mr. SPECTER. May the record show that this is a deposition proceeding
of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President
Kennedy, and that our witnesses today are Maj. Eugene D. Anderson and
M. Sgt. James A. Zahm of the U.S. Marine Corps who have been asked to
testify about their knowledge of the capabilities of a marksman using a
rifle with a scope.
With that preliminary statement of purpose, would you stand, Major
Anderson and raise your right hand please. Do you solemnly swear that
the testimony you shall give before the President's Commission in this
deposition proceeding will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
Major ANDERSON. I do.
Mr. SPECTER. Would you state you full name for the record please.
Major ANDERSON. Eugene D. Anderson.
Mr. SPECTER. What is your occupation or profession, sir?
Major ANDERSON. I am a major in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. SPECTER. How long have you been in the Marine Corps.
Major ANDERSON. Twenty-six years 3 months.
Mr. SPECTER. Of what do your current duties consist?
Major ANDERSON. I am assistant head of the Marksmanship Branch,
Headquarters Marine Corps.
Mr. SPECTER. And where is your current duty station?
Major ANDERSON. In Navy Annex, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington,
D.C.
Mr. SPECTER. How long have you held that position?
Major ANDERSON. I have been stationed here for 2 years.
Mr. SPECTER. Would you outline briefly your qualifications, if any, in
marksmanship?
Major ANDERSON. I have been working in marksmanship training for
approximately 18 years. I am a distinguished rifle shot in the Marine
Corps, master rifle shot, National Rifle Association of America.
Mr. SPECTER. Would you outline briefly the qualifications or tests
which must be achieved in order to qualify as a distinguished shot?
Major ANDERSON. A man must have acquired a minimum of 30 points from
winning medals in certain specified high-caliber matches. To win
these points he must have placed among the top 10 percent of the
nondistinguished shooters participating in the match. By winning a gold
medal he can earn 10 points. By winning a silver medal he can earn
eight points. By winning a bronze medal he can win six points.
Mr. SPECTER. And what qualifications must be displayed to obtain the
classification as master of the National Rifle Association of America?
Major ANDERSON. You have to fire in a minimum number of National Rifle
Association sponsored matches.
(Discussion off the record.)
Major ANDERSON. I want to correct the record.
Mr. SPECTER. Proceed to do so.
Major ANDERSON. I am a master with the pistol in the National Rifle
Association. I am not classified with the rifle.
Mr. SPECTER. And does your classification as a distinguished marksman
apply to the rifle?
Major ANDERSON. To the rifle, yes.
Mr. SPECTER. I now hand you a document which has heretofore been
introduced into evidence as Commission Exhibit No. 239.
Mr. SPECTER. I ask you if you have heretofore had an opportunity to
examine that document?
Major ANDERSON. Yes; I have.
Mr. SPECTER. And would you describe for the record what that document
is, please?
Major ANDERSON. This is a U.S. rifle, caliber 30, M-1 and U.S. carbine,
caliber 30, M-1-A1 record scorebook that is maintained by a shooter
who is training for firing for qualification or requalification in the
Marine Corps.
Mr. SPECTER. Is that a standard record scorebook which the Marine Corps
makes available to every Marine who shoots under those circumstances?
Major ANDERSON. It was standard at the time of issuance of this
particular book.
Mr. SPECTER. And what was that time?
Major ANDERSON. In December 1956.
Mr. SPECTER. And does the name of any specific Marine appear on the
front page of that document?
Major ANDERSON. Yes; Oswald.
Mr. SPECTER. And are there any initials?