Mr. Bellocchio.

That's correct.

Mr. Hubert.

Thank you very much for coming, Mr. Bellocchio, and I appreciate your help.

Mr. Bellocchio.

Thank you.

John Henry Branch

Testimony of John Henry Branch

The testimony of John Henry Branch was taken at 1:30 p.m., on June 26, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Leon D. Hubert, Jr., assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Hubert.

This is the deposition of John Henry Branch.

Mr. Branch.

Yes; that's right.

Mr. Hubert.

Mr. Branch, my name is Leon D. Hubert. I am a member of the advisory staff of the general counsel on the President's Commission. Under the provisions of Executive Order 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and the Joint resolution of Congress No. 137, and the rifles of procedure adopted by President Johnson's Commission in conformance with the Executive order and the joint resolution, I have been authorized to take a sworn deposition from you. I state to you now that the general nature of the Commission's inquiry is to ascertain, evaluate, and report upon the facts relative to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent violent death of Lee Harvey Oswald.
In particular as to you, Mr. Branch, the nature of the inquiry today is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any other pertinent facts you may know about the general inquiry, and about Jack Ruby and his operations and associates and movements on the dates in question.
I think you have appeared here by virtue of a letter written to you by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, general counsel of the staff of the President's Commission, asking you to be present, is that correct?

Mr. Branch.

That's correct.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you know the date of the letter, do you remember the date?

Mr. Branch.

I have it here it's the 22d.

Mr. Hubert.

When did you receive it?

Mr. Branch.

Yesterday.

Mr. Hubert.

Yesterday?

Mr. Branch.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, under the rules of the Commission every witness is entitled to a 3-day written notice, dating actually from the date of the letter, but in any case the rules of the Commission provide that a witness may waive that 3-day notice and testify, and I ask you now if you are willing to testify and if you are willing to waive the 3-day notice?

Mr. Branch.

Yes; that's all I can do.

Mr. Hubert.

You. have no objection to testifying now?

Mr. Branch.

No, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Would you stand then and let me administer the oath to you?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give in this matter will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth; so help you God?

Mr. Branch.

I do.

Mr. Hubert.

Will you state your name, please?

Mr. Branch.

John Henry Branch.

Mr. Hubert.

Where do you live, Mr. Branch?

Mr. Branch.

3722 Greenleaf.

Mr. Hubert.

That's in Dallas?

Mr. Branch.

Dallas, Tex.

Mr. Hubert.

. How old are you?

Mr. Branch.

Fifty-three.

Mr. Hubert.

What is your occupation, sir?