by W. Tracy Parnell © 2025
Kerry Thornley: [LHO] looked upon history as God. He looked upon the eyes of future people as some kind of tribunal, and he wanted to be on the winning side so that ten thousand years from now people would look in the history books and say “Well, this man was ahead of his time.” … [he] was concerned with his image in history.
Mack Osborne: I once asked Oswald why he did not go out in the evening like the other men. He replied that he was saving his money, making some statement to the effect that one day he would do something which would make him famous. In retrospect, it is my belief--although he said nothing to this effect--that he had his trip to Russia in mind when he made this statement.
Monday, September 14, 1959: LHO arrives at Marguerite’s apartment in Fort Worth in the early morning hours (1 H 202, WCT Marguerite Oswald). Later in the day, he closes his account at the West Side State Bank in Fort Worth withdrawing $203.00 (CD 107, p. 37) and registers with Selective Service (CE 1135, 22 H 113). Around this time (probably the 15th), LHO would also visit Robert and Vada and have a photo taken with their daughter Cathy (Oswald with Land and Land, 95-96 and photo section).
Wednesday, September 16, 1959: LHO informs Marguerite that he is leaving for New Orleans (Oswald with Land and Land, 97; 1 H 212, WCT Marguerite Oswald).
Thursday, September 17, 1959: In New Orleans, LHO visits Travel Consultants Inc. where he books passage on the SS Marion Lykes, a freighter that accepts passengers that is due to set sail for La Havre, France the next day. He pays the one-way fare of $220.75, probably in cash (CE 2673, 26 H 29; CE 2665, 26 H 21). Traveling with him are Mr. and Mrs. George B. Church of Tampa, FL and Billy Joe Lord of Midland TX (CE 2665, 26 H 21). That evening, LHO registers at the Liberty Hotel on South Liberty Street in New Orleans (CE 2712, 26 H 86).
Friday, September 19, 1959, 3:15 PM: LHO boards the SS Marion Lykes, but the departure is delayed until the following day (CE 2711, 26 H 85; CE 2665, 26 H 21). Also that day, he posts a letter to Marguerite discussing his plans (CE 200, 16 H 580).
LHO: Dear Mother: Well, I have booked passage on a ship to Europe. I would of had to sooner or later and I think its best I go now. Just remember above all else that my values are very different from Robert’s or yours. It is difficult to tell you how I feel, just remember this is what I must do. I did not tell you about my plans because you could hardly be expected to understand. I did not see aunt Lillian while I was here. I will write again as soon as I land. Lee
Saturday, September 20, 1959, 6:24 AM (app. time): The Marion Lykes departs for France (CE 2711, 26 H 85).
Billy Joe Lord: In our first conversation, Oswald said that he was recently discharged from the Marines and that he had worked in some technical field while in the Marines. He indicated that he was somewhat bitter about the fact that his mother had to work in a drugstore in Fort Worth, Texas, and was having a difficult time. He also said that he would probably return to the United States to work. He gave no indication of this ultimate destination, although he said he was going to travel around in Europe and possibly attend school in Switzerland if he had sufficient funds. Also in this first conversation, we discussed religion. I do not know why we discussed religion except that possibly he noticed that I had a bible. Oswald maintained that he could not see how I could believe in God in view of the fact that science had disproved the existence of God, and that there was only matter.
Mrs. George B. Church: Oswald indicated that the purpose of the trip was to attend a university in Switzerland, but he evaded giving the name of the university and, he did not indicate any clear cut or positive courses of study other than a statement to the effect that he might study philosophy or psychology. His attitude seemed to be one of resentment. His roommate, Bill Lord, was going to attend a university in France and was studying French during the trip. Lord was quite exuberant about his course of study and purpose of life, in contrast to the attitude of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Monday, October 5, 1959, 5:54 AM: The Marion Lykes arrives at the La Pallice, France Pilot Station (CE 2711, 26 H 85).
9:00 AM: The Marion Lykes docks at La Pallice, France (ibid).
1:00 PM: Billy Joe Lord disembarks at La Pallice (ibid).
Monday, October 6, 1959, 5:06 PM: The Marion Lykes leaves the La Pallice dock (ibid).
6:18 PM: The Marion Lykes departs La Pallice (ibid).
Thursday, October 8, 1959, 3:48 AM: The Marion Lykes arrives at the La Havre, France Pilot Station (ibid).
6:30 AM: The Marion Lykes arrives at the Cotton Dock, Berth 3 at La Havre (ibid).
12:06 PM: LHO leaves the Marion Lykes at La Havre (ibid). That same day (WCR, 690) or early the next day (Mills, Chris. “A Flight of Fancy.”), he leaves for England, probably aboard the liner Liberte (Mills, op. cit.).
Friday, October 9, 1959: LHO arrives in Southampton, England (CE 946, 18 H 162).
8:00 PM (app.): After waiting at anchor, LHO takes a tugboat to the mainland. From there, he probably takes a train to London arriving in the late evening (Mills, op. cit.).
Saturday, October 10, 1959:LHO flies to Helsinki, Finland (Bugliosi, 570; Mills, op. cit.) It is unknown which flight LHO took to Helsinki, but there were two indirect flights (arriving at 5:05 and 5:35 pm) that he could have taken to arrive at Helsinki, pass through customs and still check into the Torni Hotel by midnight (Bugliosi, 570; Mills, op. cit.). It is doubtful that he took the direct flight from London to Helsinki since it arrived at 11:33 pm and he would not have had enough time to go through customs (Bugliosi, 570).
Midnight: LHO registers at the Torni Hotel (HSCA Segregated CIA Collection, Box 5, Document No. 768-333).
Sunday, October 11, 1959: LHO moves to the Klaus Kurki Hotel (CE 2676, 26 H 32).
Monday, October 12, 1959: LHO applies for a visa to enter the Soviet Union (WCR, 690). The indirect flight LHO probably took would have arrived in Helsinki too late in the day for him to visit the embassy on Saturday (26 H 88). Therefore, it is likely that he applied on Monday the 12th, the next business day.
Tuesday, October 13, 1959: LHO fills out a questionnaire as part of the process to obtain a Soviet visa (Nechiporenko, 26-27).
Wednesday, October 14, 1959: LHO receives a six-day tourist visa to visit the Soviet Union (CE 946, 18 H 164). The question of the apparent speed in which LHO was granted a visa was first pondered by the Warren Commission and later by numerous theorists. See Bugliosi, 570 for a discussion of the issue.
Thursday, October 15, 1959, 12:25 PM: LHO leaves Finland by train bound for the Soviet Union (CE 946, 18 H 163; Savodnik, 25). Author Peter Savodnik researched train routes used in the late nineteen fifties for his book The Interloper (Savodnik, 225). The trains traveled the same routes continually and the times would have been the same for LHO give or take a few minutes.
6:00 PM (app.): The train arrives at Vainikkala, just west of the Soviet border (Savodnik, 25).
8:35 PM (app.): LHO’s train arrives at Vyborg in the Soviet Union (time: Savodnik, 25; CE 985, 18 H 409).
9:40 PM (app.): The train leaves Vyborg (Savodnik, 25).
Friday, October 16, 1959, 12:40 AM (app.): LHO’s train arrives in Leningrad (Savodnik, 25).
1:27 AM (app.): the train departs Leningrad for Moscow (Savodnik, 25).
Moscow, Russia, USSR
8:55 AM: LHO arrives in Moscow where he is met by an Intourist representative (Intourist was the informal name for the USSR State Committee for Foreign Tourism, which closely monitored and controlled visitors to the Soviet Union and whose representatives reported to the KGB-Nechiporenko, 27) and taken to the Hotel Berlin by car. He registers as a student on a “five-day luxury” tour. (WR, p.690; CE 946, 18 H 163–164; CE 24, 16 H 94). That same day, LHO meets his Intourist guide Rimma Shirokova and tells her of his desire to defect to the Soviet Union. With Rimma’s help, he writes a letter to the Supreme Soviet asking for citizenship (CE 24, 16 H 94; Clinton-Yeltsin KGB Documents, 21).
LHO: I want citizenship because I am a communist and a worker; I have lived in a decadent capitalist society where the workers are slaves.
Saturday, October 17, 1959: LHO’s letter, accompanied by a cover letter marked “urgent,” is forwarded from the Chancellery of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet to the KGB deputy chairman, Aleksandr Perepelitsyn. That same day the KGB opens a control file on LHO and he is given the code name Nalim, meaning “turbot” or “river fish” (Nechiporenko, 31, 54).
LHO Diary: Rimma meets me for Intourist sightseeing, says we must continue with this although I am too nervous, she is "sure" I'll have an answer soon. Asks me about myself and my reasons for doing this. I explain I am a communist, etc. She is politely sympathetic, but uneasy now. She tries to be a friend to me. She feels sorry for me; I am something new.
Sunday, October 18, 1959: On LHO’s twentieth birthday, Rimma gives him a copy of Dostoevsky’s The Idiot (CE 24, 16 H 94; CE 1399, 22 H 738).
Monday, October 19, 1959: LHO is interviewed by Lev Setyaev of Radio Moscow, who is probably acting on behalf of the KGB (McMillan, 67; CE 827, 17 H 770; CE 1438, 22 H 848; Bugliosi, 574). One unresolved mystery about the Setyaev interview was if a recording was made and broadcast on Radio Moscow. In a series of questions and answers prepared for anticipated interviews with journalists upon his return to the US, LHO wrote "I made a recording for Radio Moscow which was broadcase the following Sunday in which [I] spoke about the beautiful capital of the socialist work and all its progress." Marina told the FBI that LHO had tried to contact Setyaev and when she asked about him LHO stated, "He was a man who helped him make some money shortly after his arrival in Moscow by assisting him in a broadcast for Radio Moscow." But if the interview was broadcast, both Richard Snyder at the American embassy and the Associated Press remained unaware of it. The likelihood is that any recorded interview was erased which is what Setyaev told journalist Peter Wronski in 1991. Interestingly, Setyaev also told Wronski that he saw LHO again after the interview and even attended a movie with him (The Third Decade, Volume 8, Issue 4).
Tuesday, October 20, 1959: Rimma tells LHO that the Visa and Registration Department (hereafter referred to by the Soviet acronym of OVIR) wants to see him (CE 24, 16 H 94). Later, he is interviewed by a Soviet official regarding the reasons for his citizenship request and is discouraged by the official’s attitude. LHO’s diary places this meeting on the 21st, but KGB records show it was the 20th. The official was named Abram Shaknazarov, who had worked for the KGB since the late twenties. So, unbeknownst to LHO, the meeting was essentially a KGB debriefing (Bugliosi, 575). LHO is told he will receive an answer to his request the following day (Nechiporenko, 32-34; CE 24, 16 H 94). That same day, the heads of both the First and Second Chief Directorates write to the KGB’s Registry and Archives Department advising against citizenship for LHO (Nechiporenko, 31-32).
LHO Diary: (am) Meeting with single official. Balding, stout, black suit, fairly good English, asks what do I want? I say Soviet citizenship; he asks why; I give vague answers about "Great Soviet Union." He tells me "USSR only great in Literature wants; me to go back home." I am stunned. I reiterate, he says he shall check and let me know whether my visa will be extended (it expires today).
Wednesday, October 21, 1959, 12:00 PM: The Hotel Berlin gives LHO (with Rimma present) a message from OVIR saying he must report there by 3:00 p.m. and that a ticket to Helsinki has been ordered for him. LHO says that he will come down from his room by two forty-five. (Nechiporenko, 34–35).
2:45 PM: When LHO does not appear, Rimma goes to his room and finds he has attempted suicide by slitting his wrist. A suicide note is found in his room (Nechiporenko, 34–35). LHO’s diary, which was not all written contemporaneously, is again in error about the times of events on this day according to Soviet records.
4:00 PM: LHO is admitted to Botkin Hospital and his wound is treated with four stiches. Later, he is transferred to the Psychiatric Ward for observation (CE 985 18 H 464, 470).
LHO Diary: Eve. 6.00-Receive word from police official. I must leave country tonight at 8.00 P.M. as visa expires. I am shocked!! My dreams! I retire to my room. I have $100 left. I have waited for 2 years to be accepted. My fondest dreams are shattered because of a petty official; because of bad planning I planned so much! 7.00 P.M. I decide to end it. Soak wrist in cold water to numb the pain. Then slash my left wrist. Then plunge wrist into bathtub of hot water. I think "when Rimma comes at 8 to find me dead it will be a great shock. Somewhere a violin plays as I watch my life whirl away. I think to myself, "how easy to die" and "a sweet death," (to violins) About 8.00 Rimma finds me unconscious (bathtub water a rich red color) she screams (I remember that) and runs for help. Ambulance comes, am taken to hospital where five stitches are put in my wrist. Poor Rimma stays by my side as interpreter (my Russian is still very bad) far into the night, I tell her "go home" (my mood is bad) but she stays; she is "my friend". She has a strong will; only at this moment I notice she is pretty.
Thursday, October 22, 1959: LHO is interviewed by a Psychiatrist (CE 985, 18 H 471).
LHO Diary: Hospital- I am in a small room with about 12 others (sick persons), 2 orderlies and a nurse; the room is very drab as well as the breakfast. Only after prolonged (2 hours) observation of the other patients do I realize I am in the Insanity ward. This realization disquiets me. Later in afternoon I am visited by Rimma; she comes in with two doctors, as interrogator she must ask me medical question: Did you know what you were doing? Answer, "yes". Did you blackout? No, etc. I then complain about poor food; the doctors laugh, apparently this is a good sign. Later they leave; I am alone with Rimma (amongst the mentally ill) she encourages me and scolds me, she says she will help me get transferred to another section of Hospital (not for insane) where food is good.
Friday, October 23, 1959: After the observation period determines he is not a danger to others, LHO is transferred to a common area called Ward 7 (CE 985, 18 H 466). There, he has a visitor (CE 24, 16 H 95).
LHO Diary: Transferred to ordinary ward (airy, good food), but nurses suspicious of me (they know). Afternoon. I am visited by Rosa Agafonova of the hotel tourist office who asks about my health; very beautiful, excellent English, very merry and kind; she makes me very glad to be alive. Later Rimma visits.
Saturday, October 24, 1959: LHO is visited by Rimma in the afternoon (CE 24, 16 H 95).
Sunday, October 25, 1959: LHO is again visited by Rimma in the afternoon (ibid).
Monday, October 26, 1959: An older American in the ward is suspicious of LHO. In the afternoon, Rimma again visits (ibid).
Tuesday, October 27, 1959: LHO’s stiches are removed (ibid).
Wednesday, October 28, 1959: LHO is released from Botkin Hospital (CE 985, 18 H 461). He travels by car to the Hotel Berlin. Later, he moves to the Hotel Metropole (CE 24, 16 H 95) room 233 (CE 294, 16 H 814). Rimma tells him that the Passport and Registration Office wants to see him (CE 24, 16 H 96).
LHO Diary: …all clothes packed, and money from my room (to the last kopeck) returned as well as watch, ring. Ludmilla Dimitrova (Intourist office head) and Rosa invite me to come and site and take with them any time. I get lonesome at new hotel. They feel sorry for me.
Thursday, October 29, 1959: LHO meets with officials from OVIR who inform him he can stay in the Soviet Union for the time being until the Supreme Soviet makes a permanent decision regarding his future (Nechiporenko, 37). LHO’s diary places this meeting on the 28th, but KGB records show it was the 29th.
LHO Diary: …Rimma and car pick me up and we enter the offices to find four officials waiting for me (all unknown to me). They ask how my arm is; I say O.K. They ask "Do you want to go to your homeland. I say no; I want Soviet citizenship. I say I want to reside in the Soviet Union. They say they will see about that. Then they ask me about the lone official with whom I spoke in the first place (apparently he did not pass along my request at all but thought to simply get rid of me by not extending my Soviet visa at the time I requested it.) I describe him (they make notes). What papers do you have to show who and what you are? I give them my discharge papers from the Marine Corps. They say wait for our answer. I ask how long? Not soon. Later Rimma comes to check on me. I feel insulted and insult her.
Saturday, October 31, 1959: Frustrated, LHO decides to take the initiative (CE 24, 16 H 96).
LHO Diary: I make my decision. Getting passport at 12:00, I meet and talk with Rimma for a few minutes. She says, "Stay in your room and eat well. I don't tell her about what I intend to do since I know she would not approve. After she leaves, I wait a few minutes and then I catch a taxi. "American Embassy," I say.
12:30 PM: LHO visits the American Embassy where he speaks to senior counsel Richard Snyder and asks to dissolve his American citizenship. Snyder is unimpressed and tells him to come back at a later time (CE 24, 16 H 96-97).
LHO Diary: I arrive American Embassy. I walk in and say to the receptionist, "I would like to see the Consular". She points at a large ledger and says, "If you are a tourist, please register". I take out my American passport and lay it in the desk. "I have come to dissolve my American citizenship," I say matter-of-factly. She rises and enters the office of Richard Snyder, American Head Consular in Moscow at that time. He invites me to sit down. He finishes a letter he is typing and then asks what he can do for me. I tell him I have decided to take Soviet citizenship and would like to legally dissolve my U.S. citizenship. His assistant (now Head Consular) McVickars looks up from his work. Snyder takes down personal information, asks questions, warns me not to take any steps before the Soviets accept me, says I am a "fool", and says the dissolution papers are a long time in preparing (In other words, refuses to allow me at that time to dissolve U.S. citizenship. I state "my mind is made up". From this day forward, I consider myself no citizen of the USA. I spend 40 minutes at the Embassy before Snyder says, "Now, unless you wish to expound on your Marxist beliefs, you can go." I wish to dissolve U.S. citizenship. Not today, he says in effect. I leave Embassy, elated at this showdown.
2:00 PM:After being tipped off by Snyder (Newman, Oswald and the CIA, 7), Robert Korengold, Moscow bureau chief for UPI, calls on LHO at his hotel room and asks for an interview which he refuses. Later, Korengold tells reporter Aline Mosby about LHO and she visits him at the hotel (CE 3098, 26 H 708; CE 24, 16 H 97).
LHO Diary: Returning to my hotel, I feel now my energies are not spent in vain. I'm sure Russians will accept me after this sign of my faith in them. At 2:00 PM a knock; a reporter by the name of Goldstein wants an interview. I'm flabbergasted - "How did you find out?" "The Embassy called us," he said. I send him away; I sit and realize this is one way to bring pressure on me. By notifying my relations in U.S. through the newspapers. Although they would say, "it’s for the public record." A half hour later, another reporter, Miss Mosby, comes. I answer a few quick questions after refusing an interview. I am surprised at the interest.
5:59 PM: Snyder sends a confidential cable to the State Department describing the meeting with LHO (Newman, op. cit., 16).
6:34 PM: The first of two telegrams from Robert Oswald arrives at the American Embassy in Moscow. Robert had learned of LHO’s situation that morning in Fort Worth from reporters, one of whom suggested that he send two telegrams; one to Secretary of State Christian Herter and one to LHO himself. (Newman, op. cit., 10).
FOR LEE HARVEY OSWALD FROM ROBERT LEE OSWALD. CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THROUGH THE FASTEST MEANS AVAILABLE.
7:20 PM: Aline Mosby files a UPI wire story describing LHO’s desire to become a Soviet citizen (time of story: Newman, op. cit., 16; CE 833, 17 H 789). Probably on Sunday another reporter, A.I. Goldberg, asked for an interview. Although Goldberg thought he was the first to contact LHO, it is clear from his FBI interview that he was not since he learned of the situation through a newspaper article.
Because of a Washington Capital News Service story on LHO’s defection, the FBI takes an operational interest in him for the first time. After consulting USMC and ONI files and determining there is no derogatory information on LHO, the FBI opens a file on him to gather information in the event he returns to the US as he would be considered a candidate for Soviet recruitment (CE 2718, 26 H 92).
LHO Diary: I get phone calls from "Time"; at night, a phone call from the States. I refuse all calls without finding out who they’re from. I feel nonplused because of the attention. 10:00 - I retire.
Sunday, November 1, 1959, 1:31 AM: Robert’s telegram to LHO arrives at the American Embassy (Savodnik, 42).
LEE, THROUGH ANY MEANS POSSIBLE CONTACT ME. MISTAKE. KEEP YOUR NOSE CLEAN.
A story about LHO’s defection entitled “Ex-Marine Requests Soviet Citizenship”, makes page 3 of the nation’s paper of record (New York Times, November 1, 1959, p.3).
Monday, November 2, 1959, 9:30 AM: Marie Cheatham, a secretary for Richard Snyder at the US Embassy, telephones LHO and asks him if he will stop by the embassy to pick up a telegram from Robert but he refuses the request. (CE 2659, 26 H 13)
11:05 AM: Cheatham again telephones LHO to ask if she may read the telegrams to him, as there are now two, and he again refuses (CE 2659, 26 H 13). The telegram was eventually delivered by registered mail (CE 2715, 26 H 88).
LHO Diary: 15 days of utter loneliness. I refuse all reports, phone calls. I remain in my room; I am racked with dysentery.
Tuesday, November 3, 1959: LHO writes to Richard Snyder at the US Embassy (CE 912, 18 H 108).
I, Lee Harvey Oswald, do hereby request that my present United States citizenship be revoked. I appeared in person, at the consulate office of the United States Embassy, Moscow, on Oct 31st, for the purpose of signing the formal papers to this effect. This legal right I was refused at that time. I wish to protest against this action, and against the conduct of the official of the United States consular service who acted on behalf of the United States government. My application, requesting that I be considered for citizenship in the Soviet Union is now pending before the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. In the event of acceptance, I will request my government to lodge a formal protest regarding this incident. Lee Harvey Oswald
Wednesday, November 4, 1959: LHO is visited by a man named Andrei Nikolayevich who is ostensibly from Intourist, but is actually with the KGB. He asks him about his reasons for requesting Soviet citizenship and promises to help him get settled in the Soviet Union after the November holidays. Later, after hearing nothing from Nikolayevich, LHO asks Rimma to try and arrange a meeting with him and is told there is no such person at Intourist. When Intourist contacts the KGB about the matter they are told Nikolayevich spoke to Oswald “on the subject of possible use abroad” (Nechiporenko, 37-38).
Friday, November 6, 1959: Snyder writes to LHO outlining the procedure to renunciate his American citizenship (CE 919, 18 H 117).
Sunday, November 8, 1959: LHO writes to Robert (CE 294, 16 H 814).
Dear Robert Well, what shall we Talk about, the weather perhaps? Certainly you do not wish me to speak of my decision to remain in the Soviet Union and apply for citizenship here, since I’m afraid you would not be able to comprehend my reasons. You really don’t know anything about me. Do you know for instance that I have waited to do this for well over a year, do you know that I speak a fair amount of Russian which I have been studying for many months.
I have been told that I will not have to leave the Soviet Union if I do not care to. This than is my decision. I will not leave this country, the Soviet Union, under any conditions, I will never return to the United States which is a country I hate. Someday, perhaps soon, and then again perhaps in a few years, I will become a citizen of the Soviet Union, but it is a very legal process, in any event, I will not have to leave the Soviet Union and I will never.
I received your telegram and was glad to hear from you, only one word bothered me, the word “mistake.” I assume you mean that I have made a “mistake” it is not for you to tell me that. You cannot understand my reasons for this very action. I will not speak to anyone from the United States over the telephone since it may be taped by the Americans. If you wish to correspond with me you can write to the below address, but I really don’t see what we could talk about, if you want to send me money, that I could use, but I do not expect to be able to send it back. Lee Harvey Oswald Metropole Hotel RM 233 Moscow U.S.S.R.
Monday, November 9, 1959: A telegram from John Pic arrives at the US Embassy (Oswald 201 File, Vol. 1, Folder 4, p. 234).
LEE OSWALD C/O AMERICAN EMBASSY MOSCOW PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR INTENTIONS. CONTACT ME IF POSSIBLE LOVE JOHN SGT. JOHN E. PIC TACHIKAWA AIRBASE, JAPAN
John McVickar from the US Embassy tries to hand deliver John Pic’s telegram but LHO is out. He would send it by registered letter along with Snyder’s letter of November 6th (CE 942–943, 18 H 156–157; 5 H 302, WCT John A. McVickar).
Saturday, November 14, 1959, 10:21 AM: Reporters try to setup a conference call between themselves, Marguerite and LHO but he refuses to talk (Bugliosi, 583), while Robert also tries to contact him by phone unsuccessfully (Oswald with Land and Land, 105).
LHO calls Aline Mosby, who had left her card at the earlier meeting, and offers to give her an interview. She accepts his offer and drives to the Metropole Hotel where she speaks to him for about two hours (CE 1385, 22 H 701–706. Mosby's article based on the interview places it on "Saturday" which would be the 14th).
[Mosby Interview Notes Excerpt] As he talked he held his mouth stiffly and nearly closed. His jaw was rigid. Behind his brown eyes I felt a certain coldness…Sometimes he looked directly at me, other times at the plush furniture. Now and then he gazed out the tall window, hung with lace curtains and gold draperies, to Sverdlovsk Square and the Lenin Museum and the gold onion-shaped domes of the ancient Kremlin churches beyond. He talked almost non-stop like the type of semi-educated person of little experience who clutches what he regards as some sort of unique truth. Such a person often does not expect anyone else to believe him and is contemptuous of other people who cannot see his “truth.” A zealot, he is not remotely touched by what anyone else says. In fact, at times in my two hours with Lee Harvey Oswald I felt we were not carrying [on] a conversation, but that two monologues were being delivered simultaneously.
LHO Diary: I decide to give an interview; I have Miss Mosbys card so I call her. She drives right over. I give my story, allow pictures, later story is distorted, sent without my permission, that is; before I ever saw and OKed her story. Again I feel slightly better because of the attention.
LHO Diary Addendum: I saw the American military hauling cannon up a mountain side, the tools of war and oppression. I learned to hate the U.S. imperialistic military.
Monday, November 16, 1959: LHO's diary indicates that on this date he receives a visit from a "Russian official" who informs him that he may remain in the Soviet Union until a "solution" is found.
Priscilla Johnson, a correspondent for the North American Newspaper Alliance, learns about LHO from John McVickar and goes to his room to ask for an interview. LHO makes an appointment to come to her room at the Metropole later that evening for the interview (CE 11 H 453-54, WCT Priscilla Mary Post Johnson; McMillan, 69).
8:00-9:00 PM: LHO arrives at Johnson’s room for the interview (McMillan, 69).
Tuesday, November 17, 1959, 2:00 AM (approx.): LHO returns to his room after the Johnson interview (McMillan, 71).
Thursday, November 26, 1959: LHO writes to Robert (CE 295, 16 H 816-17, 820-821).
I will ask you a question Robert. what do you support the American government for? What is the Ideal you put forward? Ask me and I will tell you I fight for communism. This word brings to your mind slaves or injustice. This is because of American propaganda. Look this word up in the dictionary or better still, read the book which I first read when I was fifteen, “CAPITAL,” which contains economic theories and most important the “communist manifesto.” I will not say your grandchildren will live under communism, look for yourself at history, look at a world map! America is a dying country, I do not wish to be a part of it, nor do I ever again wish to be used as a tool in its military aggressions.
I want you to understand what I say now, I do not say lightly, or unknowingly, since I have been in the military as you know, and I know what war is like: 1. In the event of war I would kill any American who put a uniform on in defense of the American government-any American. 2. That in my own mind I have no attachments of any kind in the U.S. 3. That I want to, and I shall, live a normal happy and peaceful life here in the Soviet Union for the rest of my life. 4. That my mother and you are (in spite of what the newspaper said) not objects of affection, but only examples of workers in the U.S.
Friday, November 27, 1959: Andrei Gromyko, minister of foreign affairs, and Aleksandr Shelepin, chairman of the KGB, offer their recommendation on the LHO affair in a joint memo to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Nechiporenko 315-16):
Considering that other foreigners who were formerly given Soviet citizenship (Sitrinell, Afshar) left our country after having lived here for a while and also keeping in mind that Oswald has not been sufficiently studied, it is advisable to give him the right to temporary residence in the USSR for one year, with a guarantee of employment and housing. In this event, the question of Oswald’s permanent residency in the USSR and granting of Soviet citizenship can be decided during the course of this term.
December, 1959: LHO spends over a month alone in a new room on an upper floor of the Metropole (new room: Mailer, 63; CE 24, 16 H 98).
LHO Diary (November 17 to December 30): I have bought myself two self-teaching Russian language books I force myself to study 8 hours a day I sit in my room and read and memorize words. All meals I take in my room. Rimma arranged that. It is very cold on the streets so I rarely go outside at all for this month and a-half I see no one speak to no-one accept every-now-and-than Rimma, who calls the ministry about me. Have they forgotten? During December I paid no money to the hotel, but Rimma told hotel I was expecting a lot of money from U.S.A. I have $28 left. This month I was called to the passport office and met 3 new officials who asked me the same questions I answered a month before. They appear not to know me at all.
Thursday, December 17, 1959: Robert receives another letter from LHO, this time a farewell of sorts (CE 297, 16 H 825).
Robert, I will be moving from this hotel, and so you need not write me here. I have chosen to remove all ties with my past, so I will not write again, nor do I wish you to try and contact me, I’m sure you understand that I would not like to receive correspondence from people in the country which I fled. I am starting a new life and I do not wish to have anything to do with the old life. I hope you and your family will always be in good health.
Monday, December 21, 1959: The KGB opens an espionage file on LHO ensuring that they will have the resources available to maintain proper surveillance during the remainder of his stay in the Soviet Union (Nechiporenko, 42-43).
Thursday, December 31, 1959: LHO brings in the new year with Rosa (CE 24, 16 H 98).
LHO Diary: New Year’s Eve, I spend in the company of Rosa Agafonova at the Hotel Berlin, she has the duty. I sit with her until past midnight, she gives me a small “Boratin” clown, for a New Year’s present She is very nice I found out only recently she is married, has small son who was born crippled, that is why she is so strangely tender and compelling.
Monday, January 4, 1960: By this date, LHO’s fate has been decided by a resolution passed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Nechiporenko, 41) and he is summoned to OVIR (CE 24, 16 H 98). The resolution was attached to the November 27 memo by Gromyko and Shelepin, but the date it was passed is unclear.
In regard to the petition by the American citizen Lee Harvey Oswald for Soviet citizenship, let it hereby be resolved: 1. To agree with the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the KGB to grant U.S. citizen Lee Harvey Oswald temporary residence status for one year and to resolve the questions of his permanent residency in the USSR and Soviet citizenship during this period. 2. To oblige the Belorussian National Economic Council to place Oswald in a job in electronics and the Minsk City Council of Worker’s Deputies to assign him his own small apartment. 3. To instruct the executive committee of the Societies of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent to assign five thousand rubles for equipping the apartment for Oswald and to issue him an allowance of seven hundred rubles a month over the course of one year.
LHO Diary: I am called to passport office and finally given a Soviet document not the Soviet citizenship as I so wanted, only a Residence document, not even for foreigners, but a paper called “for those without citizenship”. Still I am happy. The official says they are sending me to the city of “Minsk” I ask “is that in Siberia”? He only laughs: he also tells me that they have arranged for me to receive some money though the Red cross to pay my hotel bills and expenses. I thank the gentlemen and leave later in the afternoon I see Rimma she asks “are you happy” “Yes”.
Tuesday, January 5, 1960: LHO receives funds in anticipation of his move to Minsk (CE 24, 16 H 98).
LHO Diary: I go to Red Cross in Moscow for money with interrupter (a new one) I receive 5000 rubles a huge sum!! Later in Minsk I am to earn 70 rubles a month at the factory.
Also this day, LHO returns a $20.00 check that Marguerite had sent him along with a terse note. Marguerite is living at 1013 5th St. in Fort Worth as of December 18th, the day she wrote the check (CE 202, 16 H 583).
I can’t use this check, of course. Put the $20 bill in an envelope and send it to me I’m also short of cash and need the rest [$100 he had given her in September]. Love Lee.
In Minsk, KGB agents prepare for LHO’s arrival (Mailer, 70-73).
Wednesday, January 6, 1960: The First National Bank of Fort Worth lists Marguerite’s address as 1605 8th Ave., Fort Worth (FBI Oswald HQ File 105-82555, Section 58, p. 58).
Minsk, Belorussia, USSR
Thursday, January 7, 1960: LHO opens a new chapter in his life in the Soviet Union (CE 24, 16 H 99).
LHO Diary: I leave Moscow by train for Minsk, Belorussia. My hotel bill was 2200 Rubles and the train ticket to Minsk 150 Rubles so I have a lot of money & hope. I wrote my brother & mother letters in which I said “I do not wish to every contact you again” I am beginning a new life and I don’t want any part of the old. Arrive in Minsk, met by 2 women Red Cross workers. We go to Hotel “Minsk.” I take room, and meet Rosa and Stellina two persons from intourist in hotel who speak English. Stellina is in 40’s nice married young child, Roza about 23 blond attractive unmarried excellent English, we attract each other at once.
Friday, January 8, 1960: LHO meets a dignitary (CE 24, 16 H 99).
I meet the city mayor, Comrade Sharapov. who welcomes me to Minsk, promises a rent-free apartment “soon” and warns me about “uncultured persons” who sometimes insult foreigners. My interpreter: Roman Detkof Head Foreign Tech Institute next door.
Saturday, January 9, 1960: In the morning, LHO has a forty-five-minute conversation with an interpreter named Tanya and another person (Mailer, 76). Many of the details of LHO’s day to day life in Minsk come from KGB surveillance transcripts published in Mailer’s book Oswald’s Tale.
11:40 AM: LHO spends some time sightseeing in Minsk (Mailer, 76).
12:25 PM: LHO returns to the Hotel Minsk. (Mailer, 76).
4:40 PM: LHO has dinner at the hotel restaurant (Mailer, 76).
Sunday, January 10, 1960, 11:00 AM: LHO buys an electrical plug at a department store and looks at some suits (Mailer, 76-77).
11:25 AM: LHO is back at his hotel (Mailer, 76-77).
12:45 PM: LHO has lunch (Mailer, 77).
1:35 PM: LHO is back in his room (Mailer, 77).
6:10 PM: LHO has dinner (Mailer, 77).
6:45 PM: LHO is back in his room for the evening (Mailer, 77).
Monday, January 11, 1960: LHO visits the Belorussian Radio and Television factory, where he would work (CE 24, 16 H 99). His job there would variously be described as checker, adjuster, locksmith, metal worker (Bugliosi, 597) or regulator (Mailer, 78). The factory was a large facility about two miles north of Minsk that employed 5000 workers (Bugliosi, 597) who made televisions and radios for Soviet bloc consumers (Savodnik, 83). LHO was assigned to the experimental shop, which employed 58 workers, and his base salary was 700 rubles a month, a large sum when combined with his allowance from the Soviet Red Cross (Bugliosi, 597). LHO submits an autobiography as part of the job application process (CE 985, 18 H 427).
Autobiography I, Lee Harvey Oswald, was born Oct. 1939 in the city of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, United States of America, my parents are dead, I have no brothers or sisters. I was a student up to the age of sixteen. At seventeen years I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I served three years until Sept. 11, 1959. I was with the American army in Japan and the Philippine Islands. I served as a radar operator with an aviation unit. During the time I was with the American army, I attended two military schools concerned with Electronics. I arrived in the Soviet Union Oct. 16, I arrived in Minsk Jan. 7. Lee H. Oswald
LHO meets Alexander Ziger, who would become something of a mentor to him (CE 24 16 H 99; mentor: Holloway, The Mind of Oswald, 35).
LHO Diary: I visit Minsk Radio Factory where I shall work. There I meet Argentinian Immigrant Alexander Ziger born a Polish Jew. Immigrated to Argentina in 1938 and back to Polish homeland (now part of Belorussia) in 1955. Speaks English with American accent. He worked for American company in Argentina. He is Head of a department, a qualified Engineer, in late 40’s mild mannered likable. He seems to want to tell me something. I show him my temporary document and say soon I shall have Russian Citizenship.
Wednesday, January 13, 1960, 8:00 AM: LHO reports for his first day of work (Mailer, 78).
4:25 PM: After work, LHO takes the trolley to his hotel (Mailer, 78).
9:55 PM: LHO has dinner in the hotel restaurant (Mailer, 78).
10:25 PM: LHO is back in his room (Mailer, 79).
LHO Diary: I am learning Russian quickly. Now everyone is very friendly and kind. I meet many young Russian workers my own age they have varied personalities. All wish to know about me even offer to hold a mass meeting so I can say. I refuse politely. At night I take Rosa to the theater, movie or opera almost every day. I’m living big ad am very satisfied. I receive a check from the Red Cross every 5th of the month “to help”. The check is 700 rubles. Therefore, every month I make 1400 R. about the same as the director of the factory! Ziger observes me during this time. I don’t like. picture of Lenin which watches from its place of honor and physical training at 11.-11.10 each morning (compulsory) for all. (Shades of H. G. Wells!!)
Monday, January 25, 1960: The FBI discovers that Marguerite has transferred money to LHO (CE 2718, 26 H 92).
Wednesday, January 27, 1960: The National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as 1605 8th Ave., Fort Worth (CD 205, p. 571).
Saturday, January 30, 1960, 7:30 AM: LHO takes the trolley from his hotel to Pobedy square where he walks the remaining distance to work (Mailer, 86).
4:05 PM: LHO leaves the factory and takes the trolley back to his hotel (Mailer, 86).
5:55 PM: LHO goes to the hotel lobby and gets a haircut (Mailer, 86).
Thursday, February 18, 1960: According to a KGB report, LHO does not find his work at the experimental shop very interesting and states an interest in learning foreign languages. After reading a summary of a speech by President Eisenhower that suggests the US is more technologically advanced that the Soviet Union, LHO says Eisenhower is lying and expresses the opposite opinion (Mailer, 91).
Monday, February 22, 1960: John and Margaret Pic's third child, James, is born (11 H 1, WCT John Edward Pic).
Sunday, March 6, 1960: After not hearing from LHO in some time, Marguerite writes to her congressman, Jim Wright, asking for help in locating him. Wright would forward her request to the State Department which sent it to the American embassy in Moscow (CE 1138, 22 H 118).
Monday, March 7, 1960: Marguerite writes to Secretary of State Christian Herter about locating LHO (CE 206, 16 H 594–595).
Lee is probably stranded, and even if he now realizes that he has made a mistake he would have no way of financing his way home. He probably needs help.
Wednesday, March 16, 1960: LHO is given an apartment (#24) overlooking the Svisloch River that is especially nice by Soviet standards (Bugliosi, 599).
LHO Diary: I receive a small flat one-room kitchen-bath near the factory (8 min. walk) with splendid view from 2 balconies of the river. Almost rent free (60. rub. a mon) It is a Russian’s dream.
At about this same time, LHO meets a man who would be one of his closest friends in the Soviet Union (CE 24, 16 H 99).
LHO Diary: I meet Pavel Golovachev. A young man my age friendly very intelligent an excellent radio technician his father is Gen. Golovachev, Commander of Northwestern Siberia. Twice hero of USSR in W.W.2.
March 22, 1960: The Albert Schweitzer College writes LHO informing him of a change in schedule for the third term (CE 229, 16 H 626).
Monday, March 28, 1960: The American embassy responds to the State department concerning Marguerite’s request to locate LHO. They say they have no idea of his whereabouts and she should write a letter to him in care of the embassy which they could forward to the Soviet officials (CE 923, 18 H 122; CE 927, 18 H 126).
Wednesday, March 30, 1960: George Haselton of the State Department writes Marguerite stating that he has forwarded her request for help in locating LHO to the American embassy in Moscow (CE 207, 16 H 596).
Wednesday, April 6, 1960: Marguerite writes the Albert Schweitzer College asking if LHO has been there (CE 231, 16 H 630).
Tuesday, April 26, 1960: Marguerite writes the Marine Corps requesting a “stay of action” regarding LHO’s discharge status (CE 205, 16 H 593). Also on the 26th, the Albert Schweitzer College replies to Marguerite stating that LHO has not appeared to start classes there (CE 232 16 H 361). Also on the 26th, the National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, TX (CD 205, p. 571).
Wednesday, April, 27, 1960: Robert is interviewed by the FBI (CE 821, 17 H 701).
Thursday, April 28, 1960: Marguerite receives word from the Marine Corps that they are considering removing LHO from reserve duty and changing his discharge to undesirable (CE 204, 16 H 585).
Marguerite is interviewed by the FBI (CE 821, 17 H 702).
Sunday, May 1, 1960: LHO enjoys his first Soviet holiday (CE 24, 16 H 100). May 1, 1960 was also the date of a seminal event in the cold war-the Soviet downing of a U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
10:00 AM: LHO walks to Pobedy Square where he watches the May Day parade (Mailer, 101).
11:00 AM: LHO is back home and is seen on his balcony several times by the KGB (Mailer, 101).
1:35 PM: LHO takes the trolley to Central Square where he visits a bakery and has coffee (Mailer, 101).
2:20 PM: LHO is back home (Mailer, 101).
4:50 PM: LHO walks to the Ziger’s house where he attends a party. Alexander Ziger advises him to return to the US (Mailer, 101).
May Day came as my first holiday All factories etc. closed after spectacular military parade All workers parade past reviewing stand waving flags and pictures of Mr. Khrushchev etc. I follow the American custom of marking a holiday by sleeping in in the morning. At night I visit with the Ziger’s daughters at a party thrown by them. About 40 people come many of Argentine origin. We dance and play around and drink until 2 AM. when party breaks up. Leonora Ziger oldest daughter 26 formally married, now divorced, a talented singer. Anita Ziger 20 very gay, not so attractive but we hit it off. Her boy-friend Alfred is a Hungarian chap, silent and brooding, not at all like Anita. Ziger advises me to go back to U.S.A. It’s the first voice of opposition I have heard. I respect Ziger, he has seen the world. He says many things, and relates many things I do not know about the U.S.S.R. I begin to feel uneasy inside, its true!!
Friday, May 27, 1960: The National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as 1410 Hurley, Fort Worth (CD 205, p. 571).
June, 1960: LHO is falling in love, perhaps for the first time in his life, with coworker Ella Germann (CE 2759, 26 H, 144). Note that while LHO had June 1960 as the time of their aquaintence, Ella told Mailer that she remembered discussing the U-2 incident right after it happened (Mailer, 110).
LHO Diary: A silky black haired Jewish beauty with fine dark eyes skin white as snow a beautiful smile and good but unpredictable nature. Her only fault was that at 24 she was still a virgin, due entirely to her own desire. I met her when she came to work at my factory. I noticed her, and perhaps fell in love with her, the first minute I saw her.
June 6, 1960: Marguerite writes the Albert Schweitzer College asking if LHO will receive a refund (CE 233 16 H 632).
Saturday, June 18, 1960: LHO obtains a hunting license and would later buy a 16-gauge shotgun (CD 321, 65).
LHO Diary: Summer months of green beauty, pine forest very deep. I enjoy many Sundays in the environments of Minsk with the Zigers who have a car. “Mosivich” Alfred always goes along with Anita, Leonora seems to have no permanent boyfriend, but many admirers. She has a beautiful Spanish figure, long black hair, like Anita. I never pay much attention to her She’s too old for me. She seems to dislike my lack of attention for some reason. She is high strung. I have become habituated to a small cafe which is where I dine in the evening The food is generally poor and always exactly the same menu in any cafe at any point in the city. The food is cheap and I don’t really care about quality after three years in the U.S.M.C.
Also on the 18th, Marguerite writes to the State Department asking them to follow up on her request for help in locating LHO (CE 208, 16 H 597).
Wednesday, June 22, 1960: V. Harwood Blocker of the State department replies to Marguerite saying they have no news on LHO (CE 209, 16 H 598).
Saturday, July 2, 1960, 2:30 PM: LHO leaves work and has lunch at an automat in Pobedy Square (Mailer, 110).
3:00 PM: LHO is back home (Mailer, 110).
4:00 PM: LHO takes the trolley to Central Square and gets out through a back door to avoid the fare. While there, he buys a newspaper and visits several other shops without buying anything. By 4:50 p.m. he is back home (Mailer, 110-111).
8:20 PM: LHO walks to the opera house and then to the square where he meets Ella. They talk briefly before she returns home while LHO waits in the square. Ella returns and they walk to the Circus Theatre where they see what movies are playing and then spend 35 minutes walking and talking. (Mailer, 111).
9:45 PM: Ella and LHO enter the theatre and see the American film Lili (Mailer, 111).
11:45 PM: LHO walks Ella home and is home himself by midnight (Mailer 111).
Sunday, July 3, 1960, 10:35 AM: LHO takes the trolley to a bakery shop where he has cake and coffee. He later buys a newspaper caller Banner of Youth that he discards after reading and buys another newspaper before going home (Mailer, 112).
1:30 PM: LHO walks to Gorky Street where he buys a portable radio before returning home. Later, he visits several other shops and buys some records (Mailer, 112).
Thursday, July 7, 1960: John T. White of the State department writes Marguerite laying out several ways in which LHO could lose his citizenship (CE 210, 16 H 599). Also on the 7th, the First National Bank of Fort Worth lists Marguerite’s address as 1407 8th Ave., Fort Worth (FBI Oswald HQ File 105-82555, Section 58, p. 58).
Friday, July 8, 1960: Tanya of Intourist files a service report on LHO. She states that LHO is happy with his apartment, which is suitable for a bachelor despite the fact it is undecorated. LHO tells Tanya that he bought boots because he wants to look like a Russian and loves everything Russian. He shows her photographs of the friends he has made including the Zigers. Tanya’s impression of LHO is that his understanding of the arts and Marxist-Leninist theory is poor. He is however, trying to enroll in the Foreign Languages Institute and hopes to study German. On the romantic side, Tanya notes that LHO prefers blondes who speak English and that he thinks he deserves a kiss from her after six months. She does not satisfy this demand, possibly because she finds him somewhat stingy. (Mailer, 112-113).
Saturday, July 16, 1960: Marguerite writes to John White of the State Department asking him when and where LHO obtained his passport (CE 211, 16 H 600).
Monday, July 18, 1960: The First National Bank of Fort Worth lists Marguerite’s address as 1410 Hurley, Fort Worth (FBI Oswald HQ File 105-82555, Section 58, p. 58).
Thursday, July 21, 1960: John White of the State Department writes to Marguerite answering her questions about LHO’s passport (CE 212, 16 H 601). Also on the 21st, the National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as 1407 8th Ave., Fort Worth (CD 205, p. 572).
Friday, August 12, 1960: LHO applies for membership in his shop’s trade union and begins paying dues the following month (CE 1109, 22 H 67).
LHO Diary: As my Russian improves I become increasingly conscious of just what sort of a society I live in. Mass gymnastics, compulsory after work meeting, usually political information meeting. Compulsory attendance at lectures and the sending of the entire shop collective (except me) to pick potatoes on a Sunday, at a state collective farm; a “patriotic duty” to bring in the harvest. The opinions of the workers (unvoiced) are that it’s a great pain in the neck. They don’t seem to be especially enthusiastic about any of the “collective” duties a natural feeling. I am increasing aware of the presence, in all thing, of Libezin, shop party secretary, fat, fortyish, and jovial on the outside. He is a non-nonsense ‘Party’ regular.
September, 1960: LHO meets Ernst Titovets, an English speaking medical student who would become one of his best friends in Minsk, at the Zigers house (Titovets, Chapter 9, The Author Meets Oswald). In his book, Oswald: Russian Episode, Titovets gives a detailed description of this gathering at the Ziger’s house as well as his other meetings with LHO.
Saturday, September 3, 1960: The Albert Schweitzer College writes Marguerite informing her that they have not seen LHO and his deposit cannot be refunded (CE 236 16 H 636).
Sunday, September 4, 1960: LHO sees the film The Wind at the Letny movie house. Later, he attends a party (Mailer, 114).
Tuesday, September 6, 1960: LHO sees the film Babetta is Going to War at the Mir movie house (Mailer, 114).
Wednesday, September 7, 1960: LHO sees the film A Partisan’s Spark at the Pobeda movie house (Mailer, 114). Also on this day, the First National Bank of Fort Worth lists Marguerite’s address as Box 305, Boyd, TX (FBI Oswald HQ File 105-82555, Section 58, p. 58).
Thursday, September 8, 1960: LHO again sees the film Babetta is Going to War at the Mir movie house (Mailer, 114).
Friday, September 9, 1960: LHO sees the film The Commander of the Detachment at the Letny movie house (Mailer, 114).
September 10, 1960, 5:20 PM: LHO, armed with a shotgun and a bag lunch, meets with seven members of a hunting club and they leave the city in one car (Mailer, 114-115).
Monday, September 12, 1960: The National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as Box 305, Boyd, TX (CD 205, p. 572).
Wednesday, September 28, 1960: LHO entertains his new friend Ernst Titovets at his apartment (Titovets, Chapter 10, At Lee’s Place).
Saturday, October 1, 1960, 6:30 PM: Ernst meets LHO at his apartment. At 7:00 p.m. they would see The Queen of Spades at the local opera house (Titovets, Chapter 11, The Queen of Spades).
Friday, October 14, 1960: Marguerite closes her account at the First National Bank of Fort Worth (FBI Oswald HQ File 105-82555, Section 58, p. 58).
LHO Diary: The coming of Fall, my dread of a new Russian winter, are mellowed in splendid golds and reds of fall in Belorussia. Plums peaches apricots and cherries abound for these last fall weeks. I am a healthy brown color and stuffed with fresh fruit (At other times of the year unobtainable).
Tuesday, October 18, 1960: LHO celebrates his birthday (CE 24, 16 H 101).
LHO Diary: My 21st birthday see’s Rosa, Pavel, Ella at a small party at my place Ella a very attractive Russian Jew I have been going walking with lately, works at the radio factory also. Rosa and Ella are jealous of each other it brings a warm feeling to me. Both are at my place for the first time. Ella and Pavel both give ashtray’s (I don’t smoke) We have a laugh.
Friday, October 21, 1960: LHO is having a sexual affair (CE 2759, 26 H 144). CE 2759 was a separate page in LHO’s diary reserved for descriptions of his amorous activities. LHO continued to date other girls despite his interest in Ella, who he would eventually propose to.
LHO Diary: Inna Tachina blond, frail, feminine, from Riga, Estonia [actually Latvia]. Studying at Conservatory I met her in 1960 at the Zigers. Her family (who sent her to Minsk) apparently well off. Enna loves fancy clothes well-made shoes and underthings. In October 1960, we began to get very close and culminating in intercourse on Oct. 21. She was a virgin and very interesting. We met in such a fashion on 4 or 5 occasions ending Nov. 4, 1960. Later upon completion of her last year at the Music Conservatory, she left Minsk for Riga.
November, 1960: LHO has another affair (CE 2759, 26 H 144).
LHO Diary: Nell [Nellya Korbinka]…large, five ft. 11. inch, 150 lbs., built proportionally, large…breast hips wide and lovely but very pleasingly proportioned, from a village near the polish border of strictly Russian peasants stock. Gentle, kind, womanly and understanding, passionate in heart…she combined all the best womanly features with the kind, simple, Russian hearth. I began to notice Nell seriously only after I had parted ways with Inna. Nell at first [does] not seem to warrant attention since she is rather plain looking and frighteningly large. But I felt at once that she was kind and her passions were proportional to her size. After a light affair lasting into January and even February, we [continued] to remain on friendly but conventional terms.
Monday, November 7, 1960: LHO and Ernst attend a violin concert at the Music Conservatory (Titovets, Chapter 14, At the Musical Conservatory).
Saturday, November 12, 1960: Ernst meets LHO at his apartment and they take a bus to Ernst’s house for dinner (Titovets, Chapter 12, A Philosophical Dispute).
November 15, 1960: LHO continues his Soviet social life (CE 24, 16 H 101).
LHO Diary: In November I make the acquaintance of four girls rooming in the Foreign Languages dormitory in Room 212. Nell is very interesting, so are Tomka, Tomis, and Alla. I usually go to the Institute dormitory with a friend of mine who speaks English very well. Erich [slang for Ernst] Titovets is in the fourth year at the Medical Institute. Very bright fellow. At the dormitory, we six sit and talk for hours in English.
Thursday, December 22, 1960: LHO begins a vacation (Nechiporenko, 54).
Friday, December 23, 1960, 1130 AM: LHO takes a bus to the department store where he tries out some hats, buys safety razors and has coffee and cake at the bakery. After visiting several other stores, he takes a trolley to Ploshchad Pobedy and has lunch at the automat. By 12:45 p.m. he is back at home (Mailer, 128).
8:45 PM: LHO meets Ella at her house and they walk along the Svisloch River to his place (Mailer, 128).
11:10 PM: LHO and Ella walk back along the river holding hands and embracing along the way. At 11:40 p.m. they say goodbye for the night (Mailer, 128).
Saturday, December 31, 1960: LHO’s romance with Ella is coming to a climax (CE 24, 16 H 101).
LHO Diary: New Year’s Eve I spend at home of Ella Germann. I think I’m in love with her. She has refused my more dishonorable advances; we drink and eat in the presence of her family in a very hospitable atmosphere. Later I go home drunk and happy. Passing the river homeward, I decide to propose to Ella.
Monday, January 2, 1961: LHO proposes (ibid).
LHO Diary: After a pleasant hand-in-hand walk to the local cinema, we come home. Standing on the doorstep, I propose. She hesitates, then refuses. My love is real but she has none for me. Her reason, besides lack of love— I’m an American and someday might be arrested simply because of that example of Polish intervention in the 1920s that led to the arrest of all people of Polish origin in the Soviet Union. “You understand the world situation, there is too much against you and you don’t even know it.” I am stunned. She snickers at my awkwardness in turning to go. (I’m too stunned to think!) I realize she was never serious with me but only exploited my being an American in order to get the envy of other girls, who consider me different from the Russian boys. I am miserable.
Tuesday, January 3, 1961: LHO consoles himself (CE 24, 16 H 102).
LHO Diary: I am miserable about Ella. I love her, but what can I do? It is the state of fear which is always in the Soviet Union.
Wednesday, January 4, 1961: LHO makes a decision concerning his Soviet Citizenship (ibid). One must wonder how much Ella’s rejection had to do with this decision as well as the disenchantment with Soviet life he expressed during this period.
LHO Diary: One year after I receive the Residence document, I am called into the Passport Office and asked if I want citizenship (Russian). I say no— simply extend my residential passport, [they] agree, and my documents are extended until January 4, 1962.
In his next diary entry dated January 4-31, LHO expresses his displeasure with Soviet life and hints that he has decided to leave the USSR (ibid).
LHO Diary: I am stating to reconsider my desire about staying. The work is drab. The money I get has nowhere to be spent. No nightclubs or bowling alleys. No places of recreation accept the trade union dances I have had enough.
Thursday, January 5, 1961: LHO’s vacation ends (Nechiporenko, 54). Also on this day, Marguerite deletes LHO from her health insurance policy and changes the beneficiary of her life insurance policy from her estate to Robert (CE 2205, 25 H 85).
Sunday, January 8, 1961: Ernst stops by LHO's apartment where they play cards and discuss girls and sociology (Titovets, Chapter 17, Girls and Sociology).
Friday, January 13, 1961: Ernst meets LHO at his place where they discuss whether the US or the Soviet Union has the better military (Titovets, Chapter 18, Whose Army is Best).
Saturday, January 14, 1961: LHO holds a party at his place attended by Ernst as well as Tomka and Alla from the Foreign Languages dormitory (Titovets, Chapter 19, Just a Party for Four).
Thursday, January 26, 1961: Marguerite travels to Washington D.C. in hopes of speaking to President Kennedy in regard to finding LHO. She is told the President is unable to see her and speaks with officials from the Passport Office, Office of Special Consular Services, and the Office of Soviet Union Affairs instead (1 H 204–206, WCT Marguerite Oswald; CE 1138, 22 H 118–119; CE 2748, 26 H 124). Never one to waste a captive audience, Marguerite took the opportunity to inform the officials that she believed her son was a secret agent for the American government. She also sought to gain compensation from government officials because she was “destitute” (Bugliosi, 607-08).
Wednesday, February 1, 1961: LHO writes to the American embassy in Moscow (CE 931–932, 18 H 131–133).
Dear Sirs; Since I have not received a reply to my letter of December, 1960, [refers to a previous request from December which went unanswered. The KGB apparently intercepted that letter and it was later found in their files (The KGB Oswald Files, Nightline, ABC, November 22, 1991) This shows LHO was entertaining the idea of returning to the US by December, even before he had proposed marriage to Ella.] I am writing again asking that you consider my request for the return of my American passport. I desire to return to the United States, that is if we could come to some agreement concerning the dropping of any legal proceedings against me. If so, then I would be free to ask the Russian authorities to allow me to leave. If I could show them my American passport, I am of the opinion they would give me an exit visa. They have at no time insisted that I take Russian citizenship. I am living here with nonpermanent type papers for a foreigner. I cannot leave Minsk without permission, therefore I am writing rather than calling in person. I hope that in recalling the responsibility I have to America that you remember yours in doing everything you can to help me since I am an American citizen. Sincerely, Lee Harvey Oswald
Also on the 1st, the State Department writes to the American embassy in Moscow asking them to seek the help of the Soviet Foreign Ministry in finding LHO (CE 930, 18 H 130).
Tuesday, February 21, 1961: The FBI contacts the Retail Merchants Credit Association of Fort Worth for background information on LHO but there is no record (CE 2718, 26 H 94).
Tuesday, February 28, 1961: Richard Snyder of the American embassy in Moscow replies to LHO (CE 933, 18 H 135).
Inasmuch as the question of your present American citizenship status can be finally determined only on the basis of a personal interview, we suggest that you plan to appear at the Embassy at your convenience.
Sunday, March 12, 1961: LHO replies to the American embassy (CE 251, 16 H 702-703).
Dear Sirs: In reply to your recent letter. I find it inconvenient to come to Moscow for the sole purpose of an interview. In my last letter I believe I stated that I cannot leave the city of Minsk without permission I believe there exist in the United States a law in regards to resident foreigners from Socialist countries, traveling between cities. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to request to leave Minsk in order to visit the American Embassy. In any event, the granting of permission is a long drawn out affair, and I find that there is a hesitation on the part of local officials to even start the process. I have no intention of abusing my position here, and I am sure you would not want me to. I see no reason for any preliminary inquiries not to be put in the form of a questionnaire and sent to me. I understand that personal interviews undoubtedly make to work of the Embassy staff lighter, than written correspondence, however in some cases other means must be employed.
LHO Diary: I now live in a state of expectation about going back to the U.S. I confided with Ziger he supports my judgment but warns me not to tell any Russians about my desire to return. I understand now why.
Also on the 12th, LHO and Ernst attend a concert by the University of Michigan band at the Officer’s House (Titovets, Chapter 23, The University of Michigan Band). On January 14, 1964, University of Michigan band member Katherine Mallory of Ann Arbor, Michigan told the FBI that a man had offered to act as an impromptu interpreter for her following a performance at the Minsk Polytechnic Institute in March, 1961. Mallory said that the man told her he was a former Marine from Texas and that he despised America and planned to stay in Minsk. The man, who interpreted for her for about 15 or 20 minutes, was well dressed and had the distinguishing characteristic of an unusual mouth according to Mallory. Much of this sounds like LHO but some parts of her story do not fit the evidence. For example, Mallory remembered that the mystery man first spoke in a “Texas twang” and then in a “British accent” which LHO certainly did not have. Furthermore, after viewing a mug shot of LHO, Mallory said that she would be unable to swear to the fact that the photo represented the man she encountered who seemed to have more hair and a fuller face. Finally, it seems unlikely that LHO, who was exploring the process of returning to America at the time, would risk bad mouthing the same (CD 334; Affidavit of Katherine Mallory, 11 H 220-21).
Friday, March 17, 1961: LHO meets his future wife, Marina Prusakova, at a dance at the Palace of Culture in Minsk (McMillan, 59). Marina gave conflicting statements about the date of her first meeting with LHO as well as many other important events in their life. In the absence of other documentary evidence, I have given preference to what Marina told McMillan for Marina and Lee since McMillan would have helped her to reconstruct events using both her own recollections and the evidence the Warren Commission obtained during their investigation with the assistance of the FBI, Secret Service and other agencies.
LHO Diary: I and Erich [Ernst] went to a trade union dance, boring, but the last hour I was introduced to a girl with a French hairdo and red dress with white slippers. I dance with her, and ask to show her home. I do, along with five other admirers … we like each other right away. She gives me her phone number and departs home with a not-so-new friend in a taxi. I walk home.
Marina Oswald: …when Lee invited me to dance, and we started to talk, I decided he was from one of the Baltic countries, since he talked with an accent. But later that same evening I found out that Lee was an American … I liked Lee immediately. He was very polite and attentive, and I felt that he liked me too…
Wednesday, March 22, 1961: The State Department informs Marguerite of LHO’s address in the Soviet Union and that he wants to return to the United States (CE 213, 16 H 602).
Friday, March 24, 1961: The American embassy responds to LHO reiterating that he should come to Moscow in person and advising that he show the embassy’s letter to Russian officials and ask for permission to travel to there (CE 940, 18 H 152; date of letter: CE 252, 16 H 705).
Saturday, March 25, 1961: LHO and Marina once again see each other at a Palace of Culture dance. They agree to meet again the following week and LHO obtains her phone number (McMillan, 77). The day they were to next meet is unclear. Marina told McMillan it was Thursday, but in her WC testimony she said Friday, which seems more likely.
Monday, March 27, 1961: Marguerite writes George Haselton of the State Department asking about LHO’s return to the US (CE 214, 16 H 603). Also on the 27th, the National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as 1612 Hurley, Fort Worth (CD 205, p. 572).
Thursday, March 30, 1961, 10:00 AM: LHO is admitted to Clinical Hospital No. 4 suffering from chronic otitis media, an infection of the middle ear (CE 985, 18 H 450). He leaves a message for Marina asking her to visit him (McMillan, 77). McMillan says on page 77 of her book that LHO called saying he was in the hospital on Wednesday the 29th, but since Soviet medical records show he was not admitted until Thursday the 30th, the call had to be on Thursday or Friday.
Friday, March 31, 1961: Marina visits LHO at the hospital bringing a jar of apricots (McMillan, 77).
Saturday, April 1, 1961: LHO has his adenoids removed (CE 985, 18 H 450). Marina again visits him and would continue to do so during his stay. During one of the visits, LHO kisses Marina for the first time but she initially does not share his feelings (McMillan, 78).
Friday, April 7, 1961: The State Department gives Marguerite a status report on LHO (CE 215, 16 H 604).
Sunday, April 9, 1961: Marguerites to George Haselton of the State Department complaining about her financial situation and that Robert refuses to help LHO (CE 216, 16 H 605-606).
Tuesday, April 11, 1961: LHO is released from the hospital (CE 985, 18 H 450). Marina takes him home for dinner and to meet her Aunt Valya and Uncle Ilya Prusakov. LHO is polite and respectful toward the older couple and Valya likes him. Later, LHO kisses Marina again and she is more receptive to his advances (McMillan, 78-79).
Uncle Ilya: Take care of this girl. She has plenty of breezes in her brain.
Wednesday, April 12, 1961: Marina visits LHO at his apartment with several other friends. Later one of her friends, Lyalya Petrusevich, speaks glowing of LHO which raises Marina’s opinion of him (McMillan, 79).
Thursday, April 13, 1961: Marina visits LHO at his apartment and they would continue to see each other over the next few days although she would also see Anatoly, another suitor (McMillan, 80).
Tuesday, April 18, 1961: LHO proposes to Marina (McMillan, 80). LHO’s diary, much of which was not written contemporaneously, places the proposal on the 15th.
Wednesday, April 19, 1961: Dressed in his finest clothes, LHO visits Ilya to ask permission to marry Marina and after making sure that she is willing, Ilya consents (McMillan, 81-82).
Thursday, April 20, 1961: LHO and Marina apply for permission to marry at ZAGS, the Soviet bureau for marriages, divorces, births and deaths (McMillan, 82; CE 994, 18 H 606).
Thursday, April 27, 1961: After LHO grows inpatient, Marina goes to ZAGS and finds the marriage application has been approved (McMillan, 83).
Sunday, April 30, 1961: LHO and Marina are married at ZAGS (CE 824, 17 H 734). The witnesses are Marina’s friend Lyalya and her boyfriend Valentin. After first moving the newlywed’s things to LHO’s apartment, the wedding party returns to the Prusakovs’ where a reception is held (McMillan 88).
Marine Oswald: It was one of the happiest days in my life. Alik, too, I think, was very happy that we were allowed to get married. He only calmed down on the day of our marriage; before that he went every day to ZAGS to find out if we were to get permission. Only after our wedding did he finally believe that what we wanted had really happened … I remember that Lee bought me some early narcissi, and we went to the ZAGS with our friends. We came back on foot; the sun was shining; it was a warm Sunday, and everything was beautiful.
LHO Diary: After a seven-day delay at the Marriage Bureau because of my unusual passport, they allow us to register as man and wife. Two of Marina’s girlfriends act as bridesmaids. We are married at her aunt’s home. We have a dinner reception for about twenty friends and neighbors, who wish us happiness (in spite of my origin), which was in general rather disquieting to any Russian since foreigners are very rare in the Soviet Union, even tourists. After an evening of eating and drinking in which Uncle Wooser started a fight and a fuse blew on an overloaded circuit, we take our leave and walk fifteen minutes to our home. We lived near each other. At midnight we went home
Monday, May 1, 1961: LHO and Marina visit her friends, an older couple, and they drink and discuss politics (McMillan, 91).
Tuesday, May 2, 1961: LHO and Marina visit the Zigers where she learns of their disenchantment with Soviet life (McMillan, 92-93).
Wednesday, May 3, 1961: LHO and Marina settle into a routine; LHO rises at 7:00 a.m., gets ready for work. At 9:30 a.m., Marina does the same (McMillan, 93).
LHO Diary: Found us thinking about our future. Despite the fact I married Marina to hurt Ella, I found myself in love with Marina. The transition of changing full love from Ella to Marina was very painful esp. as I saw Ella almost every day at the factory but as the days & weeks went by I adjusted more and more my wife mentally. I still haven’t told my wife of my desire to return to the U.S. She is madly in love with me from the very start. Boat rides on Lake Minsk walks through the parks evening at home or at Aunt Valya’s place mark May”
Also on the 3rd, LHO learns that his application to attend the University of the Friendship of Nations has been denied (CD 429, 26).
Friday, May 5, 1961: LHO writes Robert, his first contact with his older brother since December 1959. (CE 298, 16 H 826).
Dear Robert, It’s been a long time since I have written you, more than a year, a lot has happened in that time. I am now living in the city of Minsk which is located about 400 miles S-W of Moscow. Minsk is the capital city of the Soviet State of Belorussia. I shall have been living here already a year and three months. I came to live in Minsk after I wrote my last letter to you. I have been working at the local radio-television plant as a metal-smith. On April 30 of this year, I got married. My wife is nineteen years old, she was born in the city of Leningrad, which is the second largest city in the U.S.S.R., her parents are dead-and she was living with her aunt and uncle here in Minsk when I first met her. Not too long ago I received a letter from mother but I lost the address. I would like you send it to me if you write. We have a small flat near my factory and are living nicely. In general I have found the living conditions here to be good but there is a lot of things still to be done. I hope to send you some things from here if you like. the Soviet Union is one of the most interesting country’s I have seen in my travels. You should try to visit us some time I sometimes meet American tourist here especially in the summer. Well that’s about all for now hope to hear from you soon. regards to Vada and Kathy.
Monday, May 15, 1961: Marguerite starts work at Ables Cleaners in Fort Worth as a seamstress (CD 206, 146).
Tuesday, May 16, 1961: LHO writes to the US embassy in Moscow asking their assistance for both himself and Marina regarding a move to the US (CE 252, 16 H 705–707; CE 936, 18 H 140).
Dear Sirs, In regards to your letter of March 24. I understand the reasons for the necessity of a personal interview at the Embassy, however, I wish to make it clear that I am asking not only for the right to return to the United States, but also for full guarantee’s that I shall not, under any circumstances, be prosecuted for any act pertaining to this case. I made that clear from my first letter, although nothing has been said, even vaguely, concerning this in my correspondence with the Embassy. Unless you honestly think that this condition can be met, I see no reason for a continuance of our correspondence, Instead, I shall endeavor to use my relatives in the United States, to see about getting something done in Washington. As for coming to Moscow, this would have to be on my own initiative and I do not care to take the risk of getting into an awkward situation unless I think it worthwhile. Also, since my last letter I have gotten married. My wife is Russian, born in Leningrad, she has no parents living, and is quite willing to leave the Soviet Union with me and live in the United States. I would not leave here without my wife so arrangements would have to be made for her to leave at the same time as I do. The marriage stamp was placed on my present passport., after some trouble with the [local] authorities, so my status as far as the U.S.S.R. is concerned, is the same as before, that is, “Without citizenship.” So with this extra complication I suggest you do some checking up before advising me further. I believe I have spoken frankly in this letter. I hope you do the same in your next letter. Sincerely Yours Lee Harvey Oswald
Wednesday, May 24, 1961: Marguerite is fired from Ables Cleaners (CD 206, 146).
Thursday, May 25, 1961: The State department writes Marguerite saying there are no new developments regarding LHO (CE 217, 16 H 607).
Friday, May 26, 1961: Snyder writes to the State Department (CE 936, 18 H 140).
In view of the possibility that the Department may receive further inquiries from Oswald’s mother or from other persons in his behalf concerning his case, the Embassy would be glad to have the Department’s comments before replying to Oswald. Should [LHO] be found not to have lost American citizenship, he would be entitled to return to the United States under the laws and regulations applicable to all American citizens.
Wednesday, May 31, 1961: LHO writes to Robert (CE 299, 16 H 827–829).
Dear Robert, I was glad to hear from you, and really surprised that you have a new son, that really is great. congratulations to you and Vada My wife’s name is Marina. I am sorry I forgot to write it last time. Marina works in a pharmacy at one of the hospitals here. (almost all girls and women in the U.S.S.R. have some kind of profession and work at it.) She sends her regards to you and Vada and the kids. I’m glad you have a good job and are thinking about the future. My work here is also not too bad, but in the USSR there is no unemployment so a job is not an exceptional thing. There’s nothing you can send me, thanks anyway, maybe you could send something, real small to Marina as a sort of wedding present I think she would get a kick out of something coming from the states. And let us have some pictures of the new baby, I still have Cathy’s picture, but I guess she is all grown up by now. Also a picture of the house, since here 90% of living is done in apartment house’s, like we have, they are comfortable, but still a house is a home. I can’t say whether I will ever get back to the States or not, if I can get the government to drop charges against me, and get the Russians to let me out with my wife, then maybe I’ll be seeing you again. But, you know it is not simple for either of those two things. So I just can’t say for now. I am in touch with the American Embassy in Moscow so if anything comes up I’ll know. Well, that’s about all for now. say hello to Robert Lee Jr. for me.
June, 1961: Marina believes she is pregnant (CE 994, 18 H 607-08).
Sometime in the middle of June we were out on Lake Minsk … lying in the sun and swimming. That was a wonderful day [and] Lee told me that he was sure that … we would have a baby. I did not believe it, but a week later we were eating in a café and I fainted. I think this was the first sign … It was a great joy for us and for my aunt … but the doctors told me that I might lose the baby since I have Rh negative blood. Lee was very upset by this, but when he had his own blood checked, it turned out that he was also Rh negative. Only a very small percentage have Rh negative blood, and this very unusual coincidence— in which husband and wife were both Rh negative— pleased us very much.
LHO Diary: we draw closer and closer, and I think very little of Ella. In the last days of this month I reveal my longing to return to America. My wife is slightly startled. But then encourages me to do what I wish to do.
Wednesday, June 7, 1961: Marina is treated for minor upper respiratory symptoms (CE 985, 18 H 477).
Wednesday, June 14, 1961: The National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as Box 608, Crowell, TX (CD 205, p. 572).
Wednesday, June 21, 1961: The State Department writes Marguerite saying that LHO has married (CE 218, 16 H 608).
Sunday, June 25, 1961: LHO receives a letter from Robert (CE 300, 16 H 831).
LHO mails an undated letter to Marguerite (CE 180, 16 H 530-31).
Dear Mother, Received your letter today and was surprised that you are working on a ranch. Where is Cromwell Texas anyway? How is it you decided to go there? I am glad you think Marina is beautiful and I shall be good to her. She doesn’t have a mother and father. They are dead. But she has lots of aunts and uncles here in Minsk and also in Leningrad where she was born. She was living at her aunt’s place when I met her they are real nice people. her uncle is a major in the Soviet army. She works as a druggist She finished the university two years ago for that occupation. We are in good health and I’m glad you are with good people also.
Monday, June 26, 1961: LHO writes to Robert (CE 300, 16 H 831-32).
Dear Robert, Received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you and we were very interested in the Pictures. Marina says you don’t look very much like me in the picture, but I told her we look like two peas in a pot. I assume the government must have a few charges against me, since my coming here like that is illegal. But I really don’t know exactly what charges. In a few days you should get a package from us. I’m sorry It shall be so modest, we bought some perfume and other stuff but the post office would not except them because they are breakable. I see you have a new car It sure is nice looking. What kind is it? a Ford? when did you get it? Marina says she would like to see America and meet you and the family. I received a letter from Ma yesterday she is working on a ranch in Cromwell Texas. Do you see her? Well that’s all for now.
Saturday, July 8, 1961: LHO, impatient at the lack of response from the US embassy to his last letter, takes his vacation and flies to Moscow in the morning (McMillan, 103).
3:00 PM: LHO arrives at the embassy and finds it closed. He is able to contact Snyder by phone and is told to come back Monday (CE 24, 16 H 103).
While LHO is in Moscow, Marina has a sexual fling with an old boyfriend (McMillan 104-05).
Marguerite writes to LHO telling him she is sending a package including toiletries and household items. She also discusses her job in Crowell, TX.
Sunday, July 9, 1961: Marina receives a call from LHO telling her to join him in Moscow (McMillan, 105).
Monday, July 10, 1961: In the morning, Marina arrives in Moscow and joins LHO at the Hotel Berlin (McMillan, 105). In the afternoon LHO and Marina go to the embassy. After an interview by Snyder to determine if he has committed any expatriating acts and after signing the necessary forms, LHO has his passport returned (Bugliosi, 617-18).
Foreign Service Dispatch July 11, 1961
FROM: Am. embassy, Moscow Dept. No. 29
TO: The Department of State, Washington
SUBJECT: Citizenship and Passports: Lee Harvey Oswald
Oswald … was questioned at length concerning his activities since entering the Soviet Union. No evidence was revealed of any act on his part which might have caused loss of American citizenship. He exhibited Soviet internal “stateless” passport … No. 311479 … which is prima facie evidence that he is regarded by the Soviet authorities as not possessing Soviet citizenship. Oswald stated that despite the wording of the statement which he handed to the Embassy on October 31, 1959 … he never in fact actually applied for Soviet citizenship …
Oswald stated that he has never been called upon to make any statements for radio or press or to address audiences since his arrival in the Soviet Union and that he has made no statements at any time of any exploitable nature concerning his original decision to reside in the Soviet Union … When queried about a statement which he had made to the interviewing officer on October 31, 1959, to the effect that he would willingly make available to the Soviet Union such information as he had acquired as a radar operator in the Marine Corps, Oswald stated that he was never in fact subjected to any questioning or briefing by the Soviet authorities concerning his life or experience prior to entering the Soviet Union, and never provided such information to any Soviet organ. He stated that he doubted in fact that he would have given such information if requested despite his statements made at the Embassy.
Oswald indicated some anxiety as to whether, should he return to the United States, he would face possible lengthy imprisonment for his act of remaining in the Soviet Union. Oswald was told informally that the Embassy did not perceive, on the basis of information in its possession, on what grounds he might be subject to conviction leading to punishment of such severity as he apparently had in mind. It was clearly stated to him, however, that the Embassy could give him no [complete] assurance … Oswald said he understood this. He had simply felt that in his own interest he could not go back to the United States if it meant returning to a number of years in prison, and had delayed approaching the Soviet authorities … until he “had this end of the thing straightened out.”
Tuesday, July 11, 1961: LHO and Marina return to the embassy where John McVickar helps them begin the process of admitting her to the US as an immigrant (Bugliosi, 618; McMillan, 109-110). On Wednesday night or Thursday, they fly back to Minsk (McMillan, 110).
Friday, July 14, 1961: LHO writes to Robert (CE 301, 16 H 833).
Dear Robert, On the 8th of July, [actually the 10th] I and my wife went into the American Embassy. I cannot write you what went on there, because the Russians read all letters going in and out. But anyway I have the American Passport and we are doing everything we can to get out. You don’t know what a test this is. I could write a book about how many feeling have come and gone since that day. The Russians can be cruel and very crude at times. They gave a cross-examination to my wife on the first day we came back from Moscow, they knew everything because they spy, and read the mails. but we shall continue to try and get out. We shall not retreat. As for your package we never received it, I suppose they swiped that too, the bastards. I hope someday I’ll see you and Vada but if and when I come, I’ll come with my wife. You can’t imagine How wonderfully she stood up.
Saturday, July 15, 1961: LHO writes to the American embassy and again mentions Marina’s troubles at work (CE 1122, 22 H 87).
Dear Sirs: As per instructions I am writing to inform you of the process and progress of our visas. We have approached the local “OVEEP” office and the results are not discouraging. However there have been some unusual and crude attempts on my wife at her place of work. While we were still in Moscow, the foremen at her place of work were notified that she and I went into to Embassy for the purpose of visas. Then there followed the usual “enemy of the people” meeting, in which in her absence, she was condemned and her friends at work warned against speaking with her. However, those tactics are quite useless, and my wife stood up well, without getting into trouble. We are continuing the process and will keep you informed as to the overall picture.
Monday, July 17, 1961: LHO and Marina are under pressure after their decision to emigrate to the US as evidenced by KGB surveillance transcripts. The KGB may have installed listening devices during the Oswald’s trip to Moscow since the earliest transcripts are from July, 1961 (Mailer, 222). Marina is rethinking her decision and is concerned LHO won’t be able to find work (Mailer, 211-212).
Wednesday, July 19, 1961: According to KGB surveillance transcripts, LHO and Marina again argue, this time about her ability to cook (Mailer, 212).
Friday, July 21, 1961: LHO and Marina quarrel about housework according to KGB surveillance transcripts (Mailer, 213-215).
Monday, July 24, 1961: LHO and Marina ironically discuss KGB surveillance (Mailer, 216).
Wednesday, July 26, 1961: LHO and Marina discuss the pressure she is receiving from work regarding her decision to leave the Soviet Union (Mailer, 216-218).
Friday, July 28, 1961: LHO writes to Robert on Marina’s behalf (CE 302, 16 H 834).
Dear Vada and Robert Today we received your gift and I am very glad to have such a nice present. I like the necklace very much. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Earlier we received your photographs of little Robert. He is a very cute tot. It is surprising such a trim and delicate woman can have such fine and healthy children. Now a little about ourselves. We are getting ready to see you and your children. I hope it shall be soon. To the near meeting, with best wishes. Marina
August 3, 1961: LHO and Marina again quarrel according to KGB surveillance transcripts, this time over the cleanliness of the floors (Mailer, 226-227).
Thursday, August 10, 1961: LHO is inadvertently photographed by American tourists near the Palace of Culture in Minsk (Affidavit of Mrs. Monica Kramer, 11 H 222; Affidavit of Rita Naman, 11 H 223; CD 859-A, p. 1; CD 859-C, p. 1; CD 859-D, p. 1). In Not in Your Lifetime, Anthony Summers maintains that Kramer and Naman saw LHO twice-once in Minsk on August 10th, and once in Moscow in “early August.” His source for this information is an interview with Naman. But neither Naman, Kramer or a third woman who rode with them, Mrs. Marie Hyde, mentioned the earlier meeting in their statements to the Warren Commission or the FBI. And as this timeline shows, LHO was not in Moscow in early August, as he left the city no later than the 13th of July and wrote a letter postmarked from Minsk to his brother Robert on the 14th confirming the fact that he and Marina had left Moscow (CE 301, 16 H 833).
Friday, August 11, 1961: LHO and Marina quarrel about going to America (Mailer, 230-233).
Saturday, August 12, 1961: Marina is examined by a doctor after complaining of heart palpitations (CE 985, 18 H 477).
Wednesday, August 16, 1961: The State department writes Marguerite saying that LHO has informed the Moscow embassy that he is in communication with his family (CE 219, 16 H 609).
Friday, August 18, 1961: The State Department sends an operations memo to the American embassy in Moscow (CE 979 18 H 382).
…we concur in the conclusion of the Embassy that there is no information and/or evidence to show that Mr. Oswald has expatriated himself under the pertinent laws of the United States. [his application for the renewal of his passport to return to the U.S.] is authorized.
Friday, August 25, 1961: Marguerite writes to the State Department (CE 220, 16 H 610. Also on the 25th, the National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as 1808 Eagle St., Apt. # 3, Vernon, TX (CD 205, p. 572).
Sunday, September 10, 1961: LHO writes to Robert (CE 305, 16 H 838-840).
Dear Robert, Well, apparently I was too optimistic in my last letter … The Russians are holding me up and are giving me some trouble about the visas, so for now I can only wait. In general, for an ordinary Russian, it’s impossible to leave the USSR simply because he wants to. However, I and my wife have the possibility because of the fact I am still an American citizen and have the U.S. passport … Robert Lee sounds like he is growing into a fine boy and Cathy is … already four years old. It hardly seems possible. I remember when Mother phoned me to say she was born, August 21 or 22. [I was] getting ready to leave for Japan … A lot has changed since then!! … Keep writing. Your brother, Lee
Wednesday, September 20, 1961: Marina is hospitalized after being overcome by gas fumes and is kept there for five days as a precaution because of her pregnancy (McMillan, 125).
Monday, September 25, 1961: LHO listens to President Kennedy's speech before the United Nations general assembly. He would later discuss the speech with Marina’s Uncle Ilya and criticize US foreign policy toward Cuba (McMillan, 126-127).
October, 1961: Marina takes her vacation and visits her Aunt Polina in Kharkov. Her relatives there advise against her going to America (McMillan, 128). The exact dates of Marina’s departure for Kharkov and her return to Minsk are unclear. LHO said in his diary that she returned on November 2, but it likely was at least somewhat sooner since she had only three weeks’ vacation.
Wednesday, October 4, 1961: After some time elapses with no action by Soviet authorities regarding his plan to return to America, LHO writes to the US embassy in Moscow asking for help (CE 1122, 22 H 88).
Dear Sirs, … I believe there is justification for an official inquiry, directed to the department of “Internal Affairs, Prospect Stalin 15, Minsk,” and the offices of the “address and passport office,” Ulitsa Moscova, Colonel Petrakof, Director. Also, I believe it is doubly important for an official inquiry, since there have been systematic and concerted attempts to intimidate my wife into withdrawing her application for [a] visa. I have notified the Embassy in regard to these incidents by the local authorities in regard to my wife, these incidents had resulted in my wife being hospitalized for a five-day period, on September 22, for nervous exhaustion… I think [it] is within the lawful right, and in the interest of, the United States government, and the American Embassy, Moscow, to look into this case on my behalf. Yours very truly, Lee H. Oswald
Thursday, October 12, 1961: The US embassy responds to LHO’s letter advising patience in his quest to return to America (CE 1087, 22 H 35).
Saturday, October 14, 1961: LHO writes Marina (CE 66-I, 16 H 226).
Dear Marina, I was very glad to receive your letter today. I was also glad to learn that everything is all right with you at Aunt Polina’s. I hope you dress well because it is already very cold here. While you are in Kharkhov, of course I am very lonesome, but I see Erich [Ernst Titovets] often and I also go to the movies … Weather here is cold and wind is cold too. I eat at the automat after work or at the factory dining room. Well, enough for the present! Please write! (I received your telegram also on Tuesday.) I kiss you, Alik
Wednesday, October 18, 1961: On his 22nd birthday, LHO sees his favorite opera, The Queen of Spades (CE 24, 16 H 104). Also on the 18th, LHO writes to Marina (CE 56, 16 H 196).
Dear Marina, Today I received presents from you. Thanks a lot. They are very, very nice and I shall always remember this day. Well, are you returning soon? I will be glad to see you again- I will love you so!! Well, again, thanks for the presents. You selected so well the records and books and frames which I will always hold. So long, Your husband, Alik
Sunday, October 22, 1961: LHO writes Marina (CE 55, 16 H 193-194).
My dearest girl! Today I received your postcard; thank you, dear, only I do not like your talk that you have a feeling that you will lose me. You will never lose me and that’s all! Today also I received a letter from Mother. She sent me several books. She also tells me that you should learn to speak English. I wrote back and told her that you do not want to … I sent her regards from you. You can’t tell when you will return. Tell me as early as you can. The weather is here cold and rainy. And our personal affairs: I went, but they say, “No answer yet.” But that’s all right. You will be home soon again. It will be so good to be with you. I am glad that the baby is so active; that’s good. Well, so long, write, Your husband, Alik
Monday, December 11, 1961: A report is issued on LHO’s performance on the job by the Radio and Television factory for the Minsk City Militia Department (CE 985, 18 H 433).
During his employment as regulator his performance was unsatisfactory. He does not display the initiative for increasing skill as a regulator. Citizen Lee Harvey Oswald reacts in an over-sensitive manner to remarks from the foremen and is careless in his work. Citizen L. H. Oswald takes no part in the social life of the shop and keeps very much to himself.
Also on the 11th, The National Banker's Life Insurance Company of Texas lists Marguerite's address as Box 982, Vernon, TX (CD 205, p. 572).
Monday, December 18, 1961: After learning from friends a few days before that their exit visas will be approved, Marina sees Colonel Axyanov of OVIR who assures her that she and LHO will get visas (McMillan, 132-133).
Monday December 25, 1961: Marina is summoned to OVIR and officially informed that the exit visas have been approved. LHO records the news in his diary (McMillan, 135).
LHO Diary: Marina is called to the passport & visa office. She is told we have been granted Soviet exit visas. She fills out the completing blank and then comes home with the news. It’s great (I think?)
Tuesday, January 2, 1962: LHO writes Marguerite asking her to contact the Red Cross (CE 189, 16 H 554-556).
Dear Mother, Well, I have pretty good news we shall receive our visa’s about the middle of February, which means we may arrive in the U.S. about the 1st of March give or take a month or so. I would like you to do something important for us, get in touch with the Red Cross in Vernon. ask them to contact an organization, called “International Rescue Committee”, or any organizations which aid’s persons from abroad get resettled. There are many such organizations. We need $800.00 for two tickets from Moscow to New York and from N.Y. to Texas. You show them the enclosed letter from the American Embassy. You can tell the Red Cross that at this writing my wife has been granted non-quota immigration status for entrance into the United States, and that both of us have now received Soviet exit visas to leave the Soviet Union. These visas will be good until about the middle of April. Tell them all outstanding documentation has already been resolved. We only need the money for the tickets now. Ask them to contact the American Embassy, Moscow for information and if they send money to send it; c/o U.S. Embassy, Moscow U.S.S.R. I want you to try to get the money through some organization, and not try to collect it yourself, alone. Do not, of course, take any loan only a gift. and don’t send your own money. A lot of such organizations exist which help people in our case, so it won’t do any harm to take a try. We received you Christmas card with photo’s they were very good, both of us enjoyed them very much. Write soon
Friday, January 5, 1962: The US embassy writes to LHO advising that he return to the US alone and send for Marina later in order to simplify the process (CE 1078, 22 H 26).
Friday, January 12, 1962: The State Department wires Marguerite the address of the International Rescue Committee (CE 221, 16 H 611).
Saturday, January 13, 1962: LHO writes to the International Rescue Committee in New York asking for $800.00 (CE 2680, 26 H 38-39).
Tuesday, January 16, 1962: LHO replies to the US embassy (CE 256, 16 H 717-718).
Dear Sirs: In reply to your informative letter of January 5. Since I signed and paid for an immigration petition for my wife in July 1961, I think it’s about time to get it approved or refused. I hope you will inform me if any other documents are needed and not wait until the last minutes. The enclosed affidavits are as close as I can come to meeting the requirements under the law, Section 212A15(c) Form OSL-845, I hope they will suffice for now. You suggest that because of the documentation necessary I go to the United States alone. I certainly will not consider going to the U.S. alone for any reason, particularly since it appears my passport will be confiscated upon my arrival in the United States. I would like for all documentation to be completed, at or by, the Embassy in Moscow. We have not had an easy time getting our exit visa’s from the Soviet authorities, as the Embassy well knows. I would not like this whole thing repeated because of a lack of this or that on anybody’s part, I’m sure you understand. Also, we will have a child in March and although the Russian processing in this case will be to write in age, sex and place of birth of the child, on my wife’s travel passport, (a process of four days, in Moscow,) I would like to know what you will require in this event. Sincerely, Lee Oswald
Thursday, January 25, 1962: The State Department writes to Marguerite providing the latest information regarding LHO’s quest to return to the US (CE 222, 16 H 612).
Saturday, January 27, 1962: LHO again writes the International Rescue Committee this time asking for $1000 (CE 2680, 26 H 36-37).
Tuesday, January 30, 1962: LHO writes to Robert saying that he has heard from Marguerite that the Marine Reserves have given him a dishonorable [actually undesirable] discharge (CE 314, 16 H 865). Also on the 30th, he writes to John Connally, whom he mistakenly believes is still Secretary of the Navy, but is then actually Governor of Texas (Folsom Exhibit No. 1, 19 H 713). The letter is misdated 1961.
Dear Sir, I wish to call your attention to a case about which you may have personal knowledge since you are a resident of Ft. Worth as I am. In November 1959, an event was well publicized in the Ft. Worth newspapers concerning a person who had gone to the Soviet Union to reside for a short time, (much in the same way E. Hemingway resided in Paris.) This person in answers to questions put to him by reporters in Moscow criticized certain facets of American life. The story was blown up into another “turncoat” sensation, with the result that the navy department gave this person a belated dishonorable discharge, although he had received an honorable discharge after three years’ service on Sept. 11, 1959 at El Toro, Marine corps base in California These are the basic facts of my case. I ask you to look into this case and take the necessary steps to repair the damage done to me and my family. For information I would direct you to consult the American Embassy, Chikovski St. 19/21, Moscow, USSR. Thank you, Lee H. Oswald
Thursday, February 1, 1962: The State Department writes to Marguerite providing the latest information regarding LHO’s quest to return to the US (CE 223, 16 H 613).
Thursday, February 15, 1962, 9:00 AM: After her water breaks in the early morning, Marina and LHO leave by bus for the hospital (CE 994, 18 H 610).
9:55 AM: Marina gives birth to a daughter who is named June Lee Oswald (CE 994, 18 H 611).
Friday, February 23, 1962: LHO sees June for the first time when he arrives at the hospital to take Marina and the baby home (McMillan, 140; CE 24, 16 H 105).
Texas Governor John Connally replies to LHO advising him that he has forwarded his letter to the current Navy Secretary Fred Korth (Folsom Exhibit No. 1, 19 H 711).
Uncle Ilya meets with a KGB representative and assures him that he has spoken to Marina about never doing anything in the US that could be used as anti-Soviet propaganda (Mailer, 273-274).
Saturday, March 3, 1962: The US embassy in Moscow receives an undated letter from LHO applying for an $800.00 repatriation loan (CE 1093, 22 H 40).
Friday, March 9, 1962: A loan of $500.00 is authorized for LHO and his family (CE 2682, 26 H 40).
Thursday, March 15, 1962: LHO receives notification that Marina's visa to enter the US has been approved (CE 249, 16 H 697-698).
Tuesday, March 20, 1962: Marina, who had taken maternity leave in January (McMillan, 139), quits her job in anticipation of the move to the US (CE 22, 16 H 80).
Thursday, March 22, 1962: LHO writes to the Department of the Navy asking for a further review of his Marine discharge status and is referred to the Navy Discharge Review Board (Folsom Exhibit No. 1, 19 H 695).
Friday, March 23, 1962: LHO writes the US embassy saying that he and Marina will not be coming to Moscow as they previously suggested in a March 9 letter, at least until their trip to the US is eminent (CE 249, 16 H 697-698).
Saturday, March 31, 1962: Marina is treated for pain in her left breast (CE 985, 18 H 479).
Wednesday, April 4, 1962: LHO writes two postcards, one to Marguerite (CE 240, 16 H 680) and one to Robert (CE 321, 16 H 885).
Dear Mother, Well, there’s nothing much new. We are just waiting for the Embassy to finish up the paperwork and give us the word, they are very slow about it. Weather here is good. June is getting big. Marina is O.K. and so am I. Will write when something new comes up.
Dear Robert, Well, nothing new to report on our move. We are just waiting for the Embassy to finish up their paper work. They are very slow. June is getting real big and cute she’s almost 3 months old now. Marina says “Hello” and we are all well. See you soon.
Thursday, May 10, 1962: The US embassy writes LHO asking him to come to Moscow with Marina to sign papers for the trip (CE 1313, 22 H 485).
Wednesday, May 16, 1962: LHO writes his resignation letter to the Minsk Radio Factory effective May 18th (CE 1314, 22 H 486).
Friday, May 18, 1962: LHO is released from work as he requested (CE 1108, 22 H 66).
Vada Oswald is interviewed by the FBI and informs them that LHO and Marina plan to relocate to the US permanently. She promises to inform the FBI when they arrive. (CE 823, 17 H 725).
Baby June receives a smallpox vaccination (CE 73-B, 16 H 235).
Tuesday, May 22, 1962: LHO receives his exit visa at MVD in Minsk (CE 946, 18 H 165). Later that day, he mails a letter to Robert (CE 318, 16 H 880–881).
Dear Robert, Well, we have finally gotten the word from the U.S. Embassy and shall leave for Moscow tomorrow we will be 10-14 days in Moscow and then leave for England where we shall board a ship for America. The transatlantic trip will take another two weeks so all in all it’ll be another month before where actually arrive in American, probably in New Orleans. We’ll inform you as soon as we arrive. This will be the last letter you get from us from the USSR. In case you hear about our coming, or the newspapers hear about it (I hope they won’t), I want to warn you not to make any comment whatsoever about us. None at all!! I know what was said about me when I left the U.S. as mother sent me some clippings from the newspaper, however, I realize that it was just the shock of the news which made you say all those things. However, I’ll just remind you again not to make any statements or comments if you are approached by the newspapers, between now and the time we actually arrive in the U.S. Hope to see you soon Love to family.
Wednesday, May 23, 1962: After saying goodbye to family and friends, Lee, Marina and June leave by train for Moscow (Bugliosi, 631).
Hotel Berlin, Moscow
Marina would later say that they first stayed at the Hotel Ostankino and transferred to the Berlin since it was closer to the center of town (CE 994, 18 H 614).
Thursday, May 24, 1962: The Oswalds arrive in Moscow and visit the embassy where Marina receives her American visa and LHO has his passport renewed and amended to include June (CE 2656, 26 H 11; CE 946, 18 H 167). The embassy would make arrangements for the Oswalds to travel by train from Moscow through Poland and Germany to Rotterdam, Holland where they would board a ship to New York (Bugliosi, 631-632).
Friday, May 25, 1962: Marguerite writes two letters to the State Department asking for help regarding LHO’s entry to the US (CE 224, 16 H 614-615; CE 225, 16 H 617-618).
Wednesday, May 30, 1962: LHO writes to Marguerite (CE 198, 16 H 578).
Dear Mother Well, here we are in Moscow getting ready to leave for the U.S.A., I’ll be sending a telegram or otherwise informing you as to where we shall embark and so forth, everything is O.K. so don’t worry about us we shall be leaving from Holland by ship for the U.S. on June 4th. However, I expect to stay over in New York for a day or so and also Washington D.C. for sightseeing. See you soon.
Thursday, May 31, 1962: The Oswalds visit Marina’s friends from Minsk, Yuri and Galina Belyankin, at their Moscow residence (McMillian, 152).
An FBI investigation of LHO is started to determine if he has been recruited by Soviet intelligence (CE 2718, 26 H 92).
Friday, June 1, 1962: LHO signs a promissory note at the American embassy and after contributing 90 rubles receives the Russian equivalent of $435.71, the amount of his loan from the State department. (CE 1098, 22 H 47).
Late in the afternoon, the Oswalds board their train at Moscow’s Belorussian station with Galina Belyankin seeing them off (McMillian, 152).
George Haselton of the Department of State sends Marguerite a “speed letter” informing her of LHO’s impending departure for the US (CE 226 16 H 619).
Saturday, June 2, 1962: The Oswald's train makes a stop at Minsk in the early morning hours where Marina, after wiring ahead, hopes to see Aunt Valya one last time but she fails to appear (McMillian, 152).
Sunday, June 3, 1962: The Oswalds pass through Poland and Germany before arriving in Rotterdam where they spend the night (McMillian, 152-153).
Monday, June 4, 1962: The Oswalds board the SS Maasdam for the journey to New York (CE 29, 16 H 143; CE 1099, 22 H 48).
Marina spends most of her time during the journey in their cabin caring for June. LHO frequents the ship’s library where he spends his time writing and re-writing his answers to questions that he anticipated would be asked of him by reporters or government interrogators as well as a summary of his current political beliefs (McMillian, 153-157).
Thursday, June 7, 1962: Robert Owen of the Department of State writes Marguerite in reply to her letter of May 25 also informing her of LHO’s departure (CE 227 16 H 620).
Tuesday, June 12, 1962: The FBI confirms through INS that the Oswalds are on the advance manifest of the SS Maasdam (CE 2718, 26 H 93).
Splendid job!
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