(Testimony of Mrs. Marguerite Oswald Resumed)
Mrs. Oswald.
So then I will read the answer to my letter.
Is that satisfactory?
Mr. Rankin.
Yes. Mr. Liebeler is going to get the copy that he has. Now, can you tell the Commission when you first learned about this matter?
Mrs. Oswald.
It would be on the envelope, sir. The envelope is mailed, Glenview, April 29, Illinois. But, as you see, it had gone to a lot of addresses, because I had moved around quite a bit. So we would have to say I got it some time later than the original.
Mr. Rankin.
Now, does this involve the question of the undesirable discharge?
Mrs. Oswald.
Yes, sir; it does.
Mr. Rankin.
And did you ever write to Secretary Connally about that, later Governor Connally?
Mrs. Oswald.
No, sir, I never did write to him.
Mr. Rankin.
All right. Will you tell us what happened?
Mrs. Oswald.
I wrote a letter, and was told how to write the letter.
And this is the answer to the letter.
I won't read it all, because you have a copy. But I have a few points to make here.
Mr. Rankin.
Do you recall who told you that--the name of the man?
Mrs. Oswald.
It was the Marine Base in Fort Worth, Tex., one of the captains there.
Mr. Rankin.
Thank you.
Mrs. Oswald.
Told me who to write to.
Mr. Rankin.
You don't remember the name?
Mrs. Oswald.
No, sir; I do not.
Mr. Rankin.
All right.
Mrs. Oswald.
The letter to Commandant, Marine Air Reserve, 50 JTMGR, 26 April 1962, "to your son was prompted 'by his request for Soviet citizenship. An investigation concerning this matter has been conducted by military authorities and the case will be placed before a board of officers which will recommend that your son be retained in or separated from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Your son, of course, has the right to appear in person or to present any facts or evidence which would assist the board in reaching its decision. The letter of 26 April 1960 informed him of his rights. In view of the fact that he has not been informed--that he has not informed this headquarters of his current address, and that he has left the United States without permission, it is considered that a letter sent to the last address on file at this headquarters is sufficient notification. A letter will be sent by certified mail informing your son of a convening date of the board. Should you be aware of any facts or information which would assist the board in evaluating your son's ease, it is suggested that you forward them to this headquarters. It is regretted that action of this nature must be taken in your son's ease. M.G. Letscher, First Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, Administrative Office, Aviation Class 3, Reserve Section."
Now, my letter is important.
Now, this was addressed to me. This is what I want the Commission to know. This was addressed to Lee, the original. Then I wrote in behalf of my son, and this was addressed to me.
Then I received a letter addressed to Mr. Lee Harvey Oswald.
By now, I am corresponding with these people, and I ask for--I need my letter. And I ask for the reason for the dishonorable discharge, and said that I would act in behalf of my son, because I have pertinent information to that fact.
Mr. Rankin.
Mrs. Oswald, I will ask the reporter to mark this as the next number.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 204, for identification.)
Mr. Rankin.
This is correspondence with regard to the dishonorable discharge. Mrs. Oswald, will you look at a photostatic copy of that correspondence?
Mrs. Oswald.
Yes, that is the letter I just read. That is the back of the envelope. And this letter.
Mr. Rankin.
That is a very poor copy.
Mrs. Oswald.
Is this the letter we taped?
Mr. Liebeler.
I don't believe so, no.
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