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

Oswalds’ Arrival in Hoboken and Initial Aid

The Maasdam docked at Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 13, where Spas T. Raikin of the Traveler’s Aid Society—contacted by the Department of State—met the Oswalds. Raikin believed Oswald was trying to avoid meeting anyone. Oswald reported he had only $63 and no plans for the night or onward travel to Fort Worth, but he accepted the society’s help “with confidence and appreciation.” The couple passed through immigration without incident, and Raikin assisted them through customs. The society then referred them to the New York City Department of Welfare, which secured them a room at the Times Square Hotel. To the welfare representatives and Raikin, Oswald claimed he had been a marine stationed at the American Embassy in Moscow, had married a Russian woman, renounced his citizenship, worked in Minsk, discovered Soviet propaganda to be inaccurate, and waited more than two years for an exit visa for his wife and child, which he said he had paid for himself.

Oswalds’ Travel to Fort Worth

The New York welfare department called Robert Oswald’s home in Fort Worth; his wife answered and said they would help, and Robert sent $200 immediately. Oswald initially refused the money and insisted the department itself should pay the fare to Texas, threatening that they would travel as far as their $63 would allow and rely on local authorities for the rest. He ultimately accepted the money, and on the afternoon of June 14 the Oswalds left New York by plane for Fort Worth.

Reunion with Robert Oswald in Fort Worth

Oswald had originally indicated that he and his family would stay with his mother in Vernon, Texas, but his decision to stay with Robert in Fort Worth was prompted by his brother’s earlier letter. On an “Intake Interview” form for the welfare department he listed only his brother as a relative. Robert, his wife, and their children met Lee, Marina, and baby June Lee at Love Field in Dallas. Robert testified that Lee was noticeably balder and somewhat thinner than in 1959, had acquired “something of an accent,” but was otherwise “the same boy.” Lee seemed disappointed that no newspaper reporters appeared, though he later sought to avoid publicity. Robert drove the family to his home at 7313 Davenport Street. For a few days Lee seemed tense, but the brothers got along well, observing a tacit agreement not to discuss politics. Lee told Robert he hoped to have his undesirable Marine discharge corrected. Robert and his wife “took to Marina and June,” and Marina helped in the household while resting and caring for the baby. Apart from a trip to the library, Marina testified that Lee spent about a week “merely talking.”