Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Marina’s Return to Oswald and Strained Russian Community Ties

Several acquaintances felt Marina would be better off alone. George Bouhe offered help if she promised to leave Oswald permanently. In early November, with De Mohrenschildt assistance, Marina moved into Anna Meller’s house intending not to return. Oswald was upset and temporarily did not know her location. After meeting at De Mohrenschildt’s house, Oswald asked her to return, but she insisted he change; he said he could not. Marina then moved to Katherine Ford’s house (November 11-17), then briefly to Mrs. Frank Ray’s home. When Oswald professed his love and cried, begging her return, she agreed to come back. Russian community members felt their efforts had been in vain, with Bouhe so irritated that he never helped the Oswalds again. Contacts with the community diminished, and Lydia Dymitruk testified she saw them only once. Mrs. Ford testified Marina had contemplated suicide during this period.

Oswald’s Thanksgiving Reunion with Robert and John Pic

In an effort to renew family ties, Robert Oswald wrote to Lee and John Pic on November 17, inviting them to Thanksgiving dinner. Lee accepted, and he and Marina traveled to Fort Worth by bus on Thanksgiving Day, where Pic and Robert met them. Pic, who had not seen his half-brother in ten years, observed Lee’s good parenting. After dinner, Paul Gregory hosted them for sandwiches before their return. Robert maintained limited contact afterward but did not see Lee again until after the assassination.

Oswald’s Correspondence with Soviet and Leftist Political Organizations

Despite his disillusionment with Soviet life, Oswald maintained interest in Russia, writing to the Soviet Embassy to subscribe to Russian periodicals. In December 1962, the Oswalds sent New Year’s greetings to Embassy staff. He also corresponded with the Communist Party, U.S.A. and the Socialist Workers Party, subscribing to the Worker in August 1962 and offering his photographic skills to these organizations and the Hall-Davis Defense Committee, though his offers were not accepted. The Socialist Workers Party had no Texas branch.

Oswald’s Reading Habits and Russian Christmas Gathering Attendance

Oswald read extensively on diverse subjects. Bouhe testified his fare consisted of Marx, Lenin, and similar works. Marina reported he read H. G. Wells’ “Outline of History” and biographies of Hitler, Kennedy, and Khrushchev. Despite the break with the Russian community, the De Mohrenschildts brought the Oswalds to a Russian Christmas party at the Fords’ home, where Oswald spoke at length with Yaeko Okui. The Oswalds were not invited to three other Russian Christmas gatherings. Marina visited the De Mohrenschildts after Christmas, and in February 1963, the De Mohrenschildts hosted a dinner attended by Oswald. On February 22, Everett Glover held a gathering to introduce the Oswalds to his friends studying Russian.

Marina’s Meeting with Ruth Paine and Developing Friendship

At Glover’s February gathering, Marina met Ruth Paine, who had recently separated from her husband Michael Paine, a Bell Helicopter research engineer, and was studying Russian. Mrs. Paine obtained Marina’s address and wrote to arrange a visit, which Marina accepted. Marina and Mrs. Paine began exchanging visits in March, with Mrs. Paine inviting the Oswalds for dinner and taking them on a picnic on April 20. When Oswald was absent, the women discussed marital problems, and Marina disclosed her pregnancy. Marina wrote warmly of these visits, the companionship for June, and Lee’s enjoyment of fishing.

Oswalds’ Move to Neely Street and Oswald’s Night School Enrollment

The Oswalds moved from Elsbeth Street to an upstairs apartment at 214 West Neely Street on March 3, 1963, after Oswald responded to a “For Rent” sign. The rent was $60 monthly plus utilities. They moved themselves, carrying belongings and using a baby stroller. Marina preferred the new apartment for its porch and suitability for June. On George Bouhe’s earlier advice, Oswald enrolled in a typing course at Crozier Technical High School night school on January 14, beginning attendance on January 28, though he attended irregularly and stopped around March 28.