The testimony of Daniel Patrick Powers was taken on May 1, 1964, at
U.S. Courthouse, Chicago, Ill., by Mr. Albert E. Jenner, Jr., assistant
counsel of the President's Commission.
Daniel Patrick Powers, called as a witness herein, having been first
duly sworn, was examined, and testified as follows:
Mr. JENNER. This young man is Daniel Patrick Powers. He lives at 401
12th Avenue West, Menomonie, Wis. Did I correctly state those facts?
Mr. POWERS. That's correct.
Mr. JENNER. Mr. Powers, I have given you what supplements my telephone
conversation earlier in the week, Mr. Rankin's letter--he is general
counsel for the Commission--advising you of the creation of the
Commission and enclosing the Joint Resolution No. 137, which is a
resolution authorizing the creation of the Commission; and President
Johnson's Executive Order No. 11130, which did create the Commission;
and then the rules and regulations of the Commission itself for the
taking of depositions.
And from those papers and my conversation with you earlier, you are
aware, are you not, that the Commission has been enjoined and has the
duty of investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding and
involved in the assassination of our late President John Fitzgerald
Kennedy. We have been interviewing a number of witnesses, persons
who, by pure happenstance, had some contact with some of the people
involved, who became involved in that tragic event.
One of those persons is a man by the name of Lee Harvey Oswald. It is
our information that you had some contact with him while you were in
the Armed Forces of the United States, and I would like to ask you a
few questions if I might. You are an ex-service man?
Mr. POWERS. That's correct.
Mr. JENNER. And you were a member of the Marine Corps?
Mr. POWERS. Yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. And your number was 1497089.
Mr. POWERS. 1497089; that's correct.
Mr. JENNER. And the dates of your service, according to our records,
are December 18, 1954--that's wrong, or am I right? You entered the
Reserves of the Marines in December 18, 1954, and served in active duty
in the Marines November 1, 1956 to October 1, 1958?
Mr. POWERS. That's correct.
Mr. JENNER. Is that all correct?
Mr. POWERS. Yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. I think it will be well if you start out by telling us what
and who you are right at the moment.
Mr. POWERS. At the moment, presently I'm teaching at the Menomonie
Public School System in Wisconsin, and I'm teaching physical education
with the additional duties of head football and wrestling coach.
Mr. JENNER. And you are a married man?
Mr. POWERS. That's correct.
Mr. JENNER. And with a family?
Mr. POWERS. Of two children.
Mr. JENNER. Two children. And you're a native-born American?
Mr. POWERS. That's also correct.
Mr. JENNER. And where were you born?
Mr. POWERS. I was born in Minneapolis, Minn. Actually, I believe my
birth certificate says Minneapolis, Minn.; that's correct.
Mr. JENNER. And Mrs. Powers?
Mr. POWERS. Was born in St. Paul, Minn.
Mr. JENNER. Now, during your service in the Marines, did you become
acquainted with a man--fellow marine, known as Lee Harvey Oswald?
Mr. POWERS. Yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. And do you recall him now?
Mr. POWERS. Yes; I do.
Mr. JENNER. When did you--when did that acquaintance first arise?
Mr. POWERS. To the best of my recollection, this acquaintance first
arose when I was en route to Jacksonville--rather from Jacksonville,
Fla., to Biloxi, Miss.; attended school there, and he was a member of
the group that was--we were traveling together, and was a senior marine
in charge.
Mr. JENNER. Were you the senior marine in charge?
Mr. POWERS. That's correct.
Mr. JENNER. What was your rank at that time?
Mr. POWERS. At that time my rank was private first class.
Mr. JENNER. Now, when was that?