Lillian Murret
Lillian Murret’s testimony, along with that of her daughter Marilyn Dorothea Murret, provides an aunt’s perspective on the Oswald family, including descriptions of the family home, the address (later changed to 809 French Street), Lee’s activities in New Orleans, his possible participation in the Sea Scouts (probably a confusion with the Civil Air Patrol), and family relationships during Lee’s developmental years.
Edwin Ekdahl
Edwin Ekdahl, Marguerite Oswald’s second husband, is described in testimony from Marguerite, Robert Oswald, Julian Evans, Lillian Murret, and John Pic. Evidence indicates that Ekdahl was already in Boston with Lee when the family moved to Dallas, contradicting Robert’s belief that Ekdahl was already in Dallas at that time. The family subsequently moved to the Benbrook area, with Lee returning to New Orleans during this period.
Early Life in New Orleans
The section on early life in New Orleans draws on testimony and records concerning the family’s residence at 1010 Bartholomew Street, neighborhood relationships, and Lee’s early childhood experiences. The evidence includes statements from family members, neighbors, and supporting witnesses, as well as school and community records documenting the family’s presence in the city before their move to New York.
Move to New York
The move to New York is documented through Marguerite Oswald’s testimony, John Pic’s testimony, and Lillian Murret’s recollection of the address change to 809 French Street. The period in New York is also associated with Lee’s placement in a home, the circumstances of which are explained variously by Mrs. Oswald’s conduct, and records of Marguerite’s activities during this interval, including her visits and communications regarding Lee.
Truancy and Youth House
Truancy and Youth House proceedings are documented through extensive citations to John Carro’s deposition, CE 1384, CE 2224, and related exhibits. Lee’s truancy from school led to court proceedings, with Dr. Renatus Hartogs of Youth House conducting an evaluation. The evidence covers multiple truancy incidents, the court’s response, recommendations made for Lee, and his eventual return to school, with the matter discussed in more detail in chapter VII.
Dr. Renatus Hartogs
Dr. Renatus Hartogs, staff member at Youth House, conducted the evaluation of Lee Oswald during his stay there. His recommendations are discussed in detail in chapter VII (pp. 379-380), and his deposition (Hartogs DE 1) provides professional assessment of Lee’s condition and circumstances, along with descriptions of Youth House from Evelyn Grace Strickman Siegel’s testimony and deposition.
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol participation is documented through testimony from Edward Voebel, Frederick S. O’Sullivan, William E. Wulf, Bennierita Smith, Lillian Murret, Marilyn Dorothea Murret, and Marguerite Oswald. The evidence covers Lee’s activities, his reading habits (Edward Voebel noting Lee was not a “great reader” and read only “comic books and the normal things that kids read”), and his organizational involvement, with Lillian Murret’s testimony about the Sea Scouts likely representing a confusion with the Civil Air Patrol.
Military Service
Military service is documented through FBI reports (Folsom DE 1), commission exhibits (CE 239, 1961, 2205, 2239, 2240, 1873 series), and testimony from Marguerite Oswald, Robert Oswald, and Folsom himself. The evidence covers Lee’s units and duty stations (with abbreviations explained in CE 1961, pp. 3-5), his assignments, transfers (including to the newly built Ridglea West facility), and military records from the period of his service.
Source References and Citations
Source references and citations throughout the chapter include Commission exhibits (CE 1384, 1386, 1413, 1873 series, 1958-1963 series, 2197-2240 series, 2205, 2206, 2207, 2208, 2211-2213, 2217-2222, 2224-2230, 2231-2239, 2240), depositions (Folsom DE 1, Pic DE 1-5, Hartogs DE 1, Carro DE 1, Siegel DE 1, John Carro DE 1), Warren Commission hearing volumes (1 H, 7 H, 8 H, 10 H, 11 H, 15 H), and references to other chapters and appendices within the report. Cross-references appear throughout, including references to chapters VII and XIV, and to the Dallas Morning News of November 28, 1963.
KAPITEL VIII.
CHAPTER VIII traces Lee Harvey Oswald’s trajectory from his United States Marine Corps service through his defection to the Soviet Union, his residence in Minsk, his employment, and his courtship and marriage to Marina Prusakova. The chapter draws on Folsom deposition exhibits, Commission exhibits, and testimony of fellow Marines, State Department and consular officials, and Soviet acquaintances to reconstruct Oswald’s military conduct, intellectual preoccupations, reasons for defection, the formalities of citizenship renunciation, daily life in the USSR, and the events leading to his wedding.
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