The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. McKenzie.
Is there anything, Mr. McKenzie, you would like to know about our
procedure that you are not acquainted with? It is very informal.
Mr. McKENZIE. Mr. Chief Justice, I will say this. This is the first
time I have had the privilege of appearing before such a distinguished
group of citizens of this country, headed by yourself, and that we are
ready to proceed.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Jenner?
Mr. JENNER. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
May I suggest the wisdom of identifying each of these series of four
letters with an exhibit number, and may the reporter supply me with the
next number.
The first letter mentioned by Mr. McKenzie is the letter dated February
17, 1964, addressed to Mr. McKenzie, and signed by Mr. Robert L.
Oswald, witnessed by Mr. Henry Baer, Joan Connelly, and Peter White.
That will be marked Commission Exhibit No. 272.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 272, for
identification.)
Mr. JENNER. The second letter mentioned by Mr. McKenzie is dated
February 18, 1964, also addressed to Mr. McKenzie, signed by Mrs.
Marina N. Oswald, and witnessed by Declan P. Ford, Katherine N. Ford,
and Joan Connelly. That will be marked Commission Exhibit 273.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 273, for
identification.)
Mr. JENNER. The next letter is dated February 18, 1964, and addressed
to Mr. James H. Martin, identified by Mr. McKenzie, and signed by Mrs.
Marina N. Oswald, witnessed by Mrs. Katherine Ford. Two pages.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 274 for
identification.)
Mr. JENNER. The next and last of the series is a letter of the same
date, February 18, 1964, addressed to Mr. Thorne, John M. Thorne,
signed by Mrs. Marina N. Oswald, and witnessed by Mrs. Katherine Ford,
two pages.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 275 for
identification.)
Mr. McKENZIE. Mr. Jenner, if I may at this time, I would like to make
one other statement to the Commission.
The CHAIRMAN. Before you do that, may I ask if you want those
introduced into evidence?
Mr. JENNER. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
I offer in evidence as Commission Exhibits 272 through 275, inclusive,
the documents that have been so identified and marked.
The CHAIRMAN. They may be admitted.
(The documents heretofore marked Commission Exhibits Nos. 272 through
275, inclusive, for identification, were received in evidence.)
The CHAIRMAN. Now, Mr. McKenzie?
Mr. McKENZIE. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
We have brought with us the original copies of various letters received
from--dating from 1959 through 1962, from Lee Harvey Oswald to Robert
L. Oswald, together with some copies of a contract between Mr.
Oswald--Robert Oswald, Marina Oswald, John Thorne, and James Martin. We
bring those voluntarily and gladly. I would like to give them to the
Commission with the understanding and stipulation that they will not
be released to the press or to any news media, with the exception and
understanding of your final report.
The CHAIRMAN. That is the only purpose we would have in having them,
and we will not release them to the press or to any other person.
Mr. McKENZIE. I understand that, sir. And the only reason I make that
stipulation is for the record.
The CHAIRMAN. Yes. With the understanding that the Commission will use
it for any purpose that is within the scope of the Executive order.
Mr. McKENZIE. Absolutely.
The CHAIRMAN. And for no other purpose.
Mr. McKENZIE. Absolutely.
The CHAIRMAN. Do you want to keep the originals and have copies made
for us, or do you want to leave the originals with us?
Mr. McKENZIE. Well, sir, we have already started making the copies this
morning.
The CHAIRMAN. That is all right. Either way you want to do it.
Mr. McKENZIE. Whichever way the Commission would prefer.
But we have started making copies this morning.
The CHAIRMAN. That is all right, then. You may do it that way.
Mr. Jenner, I guess you may proceed.
Mr. JENNER. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
We have made copies of a number of the originals, additional ones of
which are also being made. And as I identify the documents, I will be
asking leave to introduce photostatic or xerox copies of the originals,
and I will so indicate at the appropriate moment.
The CHAIRMAN. Very well.
Mr. JENNER. Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Dulles--we have had a very short
session with Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Oswald, which has been pleasant
and of the character indicated here, with full cooperation by both
gentlemen. And we have explained to Mr. Oswald that this particular
phase of the matter covers Lee Harvey Oswald's entire life, and I added
it also covered Mr. Oswald's life.
At times the particular thrust of the examination might not be
particularly apparent to Mr. McKenzie, but he is at liberty to inquire
as the case might be. But we are covering the entire lives.
Mr. JENNER. Mr. Oswald, would you be good enough to state your full
name?
Mr. OSWALD. Robert Edward Lee Oswald.
Mr. JENNER. And you reside now where?
Mr. OSWALD. At 1009 Sierra Drive, Denton, Tex.
Mr. JENNER. What is your present business or occupation?
Mr. OSWALD. I am employed by the Acme Brick Co. in the capacity of
sales coordinator.
Mr. JENNER. What city or town?
Mr. OSWALD. Denton, Tex.
Mr. JENNER. What is the nature of your employment by that company?
Mr. OSWALD. I am in the market department of the Acme Brick Co.,
coordinating between the marketing and plant department, scheduling the
plant's production, processing and handling all orders, correspondence
relating to the orders, and generally following through in the line
of customers service, from prior to placing the orders by various
customers, architects, home builders and so forth, to the completion of
the invoices.
Mr. JENNER. And how long have you been so employed by the Acme Brick
Co.?
Mr. OSWALD. April of this year, 1964, will be 4 years.
Mr. JENNER. And I think it might be helpful at this point--what is the
date of your birth?
Mr. OSWALD. April 7, 1934, sir.
Mr. JENNER. Can you tell me how many years old you are?
Mr. OSWALD. I will be 30 years old April 7, 1964.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Jenner, if you excuse me now, I am going to attend
a session of the Supreme Court. And if you are here this afternoon, I
will be back to be with you.
Mr. DULLES (presiding). You may proceed, Mr. Jenner.
Mr. JENNER. Thank you. Mr. Dulles.
Would you identify your family--Mrs. Oswald, and your two fine children?
Mr. OSWALD. Thank you. My wife's name is Vada Marie Oswald. My
daughter's name is Cathy Marie Oswald, and my son's name is Robert Lee
Edward Oswald, Jr.
Mr. JENNER. The ages?
Mr. OSWALD. Cathy is 6 years old, and Robert Lee will be 3 years old
this April.
Mr. JENNER. Would you give us Mrs. Oswald's maiden name?
Mr. OSWALD. Vada Marie Mercer.
Mr. JENNER. She is a native of your present town?
Mr. OSWALD. No, sir. She is from Keeter, Tex. My wife was raised
on a farm. This community is located close to Boyd, Tex., which is
approximately 35 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Mr. JENNER. All right.
Your father's full name?
Mr. OSWALD. Robert Edward Lee Oswald.
Mr. JENNER. Edward?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. And he is now deceased?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct, sir.
Mr. JENNER. And as I recall, he died in August of 1939.
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct.
Mr. JENNER. You were then about what--5 years old?
Mr. OSWALD. Five years old, sir.
Mr. JENNER. Now, your mother is Marguerite Oswald?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct, sir.
Mr. JENNER. Do you recall her middle name?
Mr. OSWALD. Claverie.
Mr. JENNER. And what was her maiden name?
Mr. OSWALD. I don't remember.
Mr. JENNER. I think it was Claverie. You have a brother, John Pic?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct. John Edward Pic.
Mr. JENNER. And he is a stepbrother?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir; that is correct.
Mr. JENNER. And born of a marriage of your mother with whom?
Mr. OSWALD. Pardon me. He is a half brother.
Mr. McKENZIE. He is a half brother, Mr. Jenner.
Mr. JENNER. I am sorry to say that meant the same thing to me. But I am
probably in error. A half brother.
Mr. OSWALD. I am sorry. I didn't hear the next question.
Mr. JENNER. That is all right. You correct me when I am wrong. Don't
hesitate to do that.
Your half brother's father was whom?
Mr. OSWALD. This I do not know. I don't know his full name.
Mr. JENNER. Was it John, to the best of your recollection?
Mr. OSWALD. I would be of the opinion it was John.
Mr. JENNER. Have you ever met him?
Mr. OSWALD. No, sir; I have not.
Mr. JENNER. You never had any acquaintance with him?
Mr. OSWALD. No, sir. I might further say I don't believe I have ever
seen a picture identified as being John's father.
Mr. DULLES. You are speaking of the father now?
Mr. JENNER. That is correct, sir.
And your half brother, John Pic, is older than you, is he not?
Mr. OSWALD. That is correct.
Mr. JENNER. Do you happen to recall his age?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir; he is now 33 years old. His birthday is January
17, 1932.
Mr. JENNER. During your lifetime, you have had contact with him, have
you not?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. And as boys, the family lived together?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. Now, your mother, Mrs. Marguerite Claverie Oswald, was
married a third time, was she not?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir; that is correct.
Mr. JENNER. To whom?
Mr. OSWALD. Mr. Edwin, I believe his middle initial was M. Ekdahl.
Mr. JENNER. When did that marriage take place, to the best of your
recollection?
Mr. OSWALD. 1944 or early '45.
Mr. JENNER. Were you present on that occasion?
Mr. OSWALD. No, sir; I was not.
Mr. JENNER. Had you become acquainted with him prior to the time of the
marriage of your mother to Mr. Ekdahl?
Mr. OSWALD. Yes, sir; I certainly did.
Mr. JENNER. Would you indicate the general circumstances?
Mr. OSWALD. Well, we was residing at Dallas, Tex. I don't recall the
address. It was Victor Street.