PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION
ON THE ASSASSINATION OF
PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
STATE OF NEW YORK,
_County of Erie, ss_:
I, Allen D. Graf, 31 East Utica Street, Buffalo, New York, being first
duly sworn, depose and say:
That I served in the United States Marine Corps from 1948 to 1961.
While stationed in California, I was Lee Harvey Oswald's Platoon
Sergeant.
Oswald often complained about the Marine Corps; he seemed to me to
resent all military authority. He also seemed narrow-minded, refusing
to listen to the views of others.
Once, at the rifle range, I had a long discussion with Oswald
concerning why he found it difficult to adapt to the Marine Corps. He
explained that his mother had had a great deal of trouble during the
depression and that when he was young, he had often not had enough to
eat. He felt that he had been forced to accept responsibility at a
premature age. He remarked that he was tired of being "kicked around."
Oswald never gave to me any indication of favoring Communism or
opposing capitalism.
It was difficult to judge the level of Oswald's intelligence, because
he seldom stated his opinions. However, with regard to his job in the
Marine Corps, Oswald learned quickly.
Oswald went to a great many movies, and did not often engage in sports.
It is my recollection that Oswald enjoyed firing a rifle, and scored in
the "high expert" range.
Oswald did not drink excessively, and kept his temper--if indeed he had
a temper--in check.
I have no recollection of Oswald's studying foreign languages; of
where he went when he had time off; of his reading habits or religious
beliefs; or of any nicknames for him. Nor do I remember his having any
dates.
Signed this 15th day of June, 1964, at Buffalo, N.Y.
(S) Allen D. Graf,
ALLEN D. GRAF.