Lee Harvey Oswald #72

Early Life and Background

Lee Harvey Oswald was born into a troubled family; his father died before he was born, and his mother struggled to provide for him and his two brothers. Oswald had a difficult childhood, marked by frequent moves and behavioral issues. He spent time in juvenile detention and was placed in a series of schools, where he was known for his introverted nature and difficulties fitting in.

Oswald developed an interest in Marxism and communism as a teenager, which set him apart from his peers during the height of the Cold War. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was trained as a radar operator. During his service, Oswald's behavior was erratic, and he was court-martialed twice—once for illegally possessing a handgun and another time for fighting with a sergeant. He was eventually honorably discharged in 1959, claiming he needed to care for his mother.

Defection to the Soviet Union

After his discharge, Oswald traveled to the Soviet Union, where he attempted to defect. He lived in the Soviet Union from 1959 to 1962, during which time he married a Russian woman, Marina Prusakova. Oswald became disillusioned with life in the Soviet Union and eventually sought to return to the United States. He returned in June 1962 with his wife and their infant daughter, settling in Dallas, Texas.

Life in the United States and Increasing Radicalism

Back in the United States, Oswald struggled to maintain steady employment and grew increasingly radical in his political beliefs. He was involved in pro-Castro activities, distributed pro-Cuban literature, and even attempted to establish a New Orleans chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Oswald's activities drew the attention of the FBI, and he was interviewed by agents, though no significant action was taken against him at the time.

The Assassination of President Kennedy

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. Oswald, who was working at the Texas School Book Depository, was identified as the prime suspect after witnesses reported seeing a gunman in the building and finding a rifle there that was traced to Oswald.

Arrest and Interrogation

Oswald was arrested on the same day of the assassination, not for Kennedy's murder but initially for the murder of Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit, who was shot shortly after the assassination. Oswald was captured in a nearby movie theater after a brief struggle with police.

During his interrogation, Oswald denied all charges, famously proclaiming, "I’m just a patsy." He was charged with the murders of both President Kennedy and Officer Tippit. Oswald's behavior during the interrogation was defiant and uncooperative, and he consistently denied involvement in the assassination. The investigation into his life revealed his discontent with the United States, his defection to the Soviet Union, and his support for Communist causes, which suggested a possible motive for the assassination.

Assassination by Jack Ruby

Two days after his arrest, on November 24, 1963, while being transferred from the city jail to the county jail, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner with alleged ties to organized crime. The murder was broadcast live on television, further fueling speculation and conspiracy theories about Oswald’s role in the assassination and whether he acted alone.

Legacy and Controversies

The assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent murder of Oswald have been the subjects of extensive investigation, speculation, and conspiracy theories. The Warren Commission, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson, concluded that Oswald acted alone in the assassination. However, many people remain unconvinced by this conclusion, and alternative theories continue to circulate.

Oswald's life and death have left a complex and controversial legacy. He remains a central figure in one of the most significant and tragic events in American history, and the mystery surrounding his motives and whether he truly acted alone continues to captivate and perplex historians, scholars, and the general public.