(Testimony of Kerry Wendell Thornley)
Mr. Thornley.
That is correct, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Mr. Thornley, where do you reside now?
Mr. Thornley.
At 4201 South 31st Street in Arlington, Va.
Mr. Jenner.
Did you at one time reside at 1824 Dauphine Street in New Orleans?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
What is your present occupation?
Mr. Thornley.
I am a doorman at the building where I reside, Shirlington House.
Mr. Jenner.
Doorman.
Mr. Thornley.
At the building where I reside.
Mr. Jenner.
What is the name of that building?
Mr. Thornley.
Shirlington House. I also work on the switchboard there three nights a week.
Mr. Jenner.
I see. By the way, Mr. Thornley, you received, did you not, a letter from Mr. Rankin, the general counsel of the Commission in which he enclosed--
Mr. Thornley.
Confirming this appointment--
Mr. Jenner.
Copies of the legislation, Senate Joint Resolution No. 137, authorizing the creation of the Commission and President Johnson's Order 11130, bringing the Commission into existence and fixing its powers and duties and responsibilities?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
And also a copy of the rules and regulations of the Commission for the taking of depositions?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
I take it you understand the basic obligation placed upon the Commission is to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding and bearing upon the assassination of President Kennedy, and events collateral thereto.
In the course of doing that the Commission and its staff, and I, Albert E. Jenner, Jr., a member of the Commission legal staff, have been interviewing and taking the testimony of various persons who, among other things, came in contact with a man named Lee Harvey Oswald. We understand that you had some contact with him, fortuitous or otherwise as it might be. Are we correct in that?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Would you tell us the may I ask you this first. Were you born and reared in this country?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Are you married or unmarried?
Mr. Thornley.
Unmarried.
Mr. Jenner.
Unmarried you said?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
What is your age?
Mr. Thornley.
I am 26.
Mr. Jenner.
When was your birthday?
Mr. Thornley.
April 17, this last month.
Mr. Jenner.
April 17 of this last month? I am poor in mathematics, what year was your birth?
Mr. Thornley.
1938.
Mr. Jenner.
When did you first become acquainted with him?
Mr. Thornley.
I was---it was around Easter of 1959, either shortly before or shortly after.
Mr. Jenner.
Let's see. He was in the Marines at that time?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
I take it you also were?
Mr. Thornley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
How long had you been in the Marines?
Mr. Thornley.
At that time I had been in the Marines over half a year. I had been in the Reserve for many years. I had been on active duty for over half a year.
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