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

Oswald’s Marine Corps Marxist and Russian Studies

Speculation suggested that a young private in the Marine Corps in the 1950s could not study Marxism, learn Russian, and read Soviet newspapers without adverse repercussions in his unit. The Commission found that while Oswald’s interest in the Soviet Union was well known, his interest in Marxism was apparently known to only a few fellow Marines, and while stationed in California, he studied Russian, taking an official proficiency test in February 1959 that rated him “Poor.” The reactions of fellow Marines aware of his Marxist and Soviet interests were apparently not antagonistic and did not deter him from pursuing them.

Oswald’s Marine Corps Russian Language Training

Speculation suggested Oswald learned Russian during his Marine Corps service as part of his military training. The Commission found that Oswald never received any Russian language training from the Marine Corps, and his Russian studies were entirely on his own time and at his own initiative.

Oswald’s 1959 Soviet Trip Savings

Speculation suggested Oswald could not have saved $1,600 from his Marine pay for his 1959 trip to Russia. The Commission found that in November 1959, Oswald told American reporter Aline Mosby in Moscow that he had saved $1,500 (not $1,600) while in the Marines, and it is consistent with Oswald’s known frugality that he could have saved the money from the $3,452.20 in pay he received. Additionally, despite his statement, he may not have actually saved $1,500, as the trip could have been made for considerably less.