(Testimony of Daniel Patrick Powers)
Mr. Jenner.
But he did say something to the effect that he'd just as soon stay in Japan?
Mr. Powers.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Rather than return to the United States?
Mr. Powers.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Were you given liberty when you were at Atsugi the way you were given liberty at Biloxi, that is, at certain hours of the day or on weekends, you would have liberty?
Mr. Powers.
Gee, you have to secure liberty cards to get off the base at Atsugi, and by doing this, some weekends you had a duty weekend, and---but you have to be all squared away as far as your duty weekend, and have disciplinary action or anything of this nature against you before you got your liberty card, and then you checked out to the sergeant on duty and went liberty.
Mr. Jenner.
And how often were you permitted this liberty?
Mr. Powers.
As I recall, you could get it on every day.
Mr. Jenner.
And what about weekends?
Mr. Powers.
And, say, weekends, and possibly once a month you had duty weekend, so 3 weekends out of the month.
Mr. Jenner.
So you would have 3 out of the 4?
Mr. Powers.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Per month?
Mr. Powers.
Possibly every fifth one we stood, but I think it was 3.
Mr. Jenner.
In other words, three out of four you had liberty, and 1 of the weekends, the fourth one you stood on duty at camp?
Mr. Powers.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Did Oswald tend to take all the liberty that he could get?
Mr. Power.
I couldn't truthfully say.
Mr. Jenner.
All right. What was that operation called in the Philippines, Operation Strong Back?
Mr. Powers.
I believe the second one was Strong Back, yes.
Mr. Jenner.
When you say "second one," what do you mean by that?
Mr. Powers.
The first one they went down to--when I stayed down to play football; I don't remember what that was.
Mr. Jenner.
But the one that you attended was Operation Strong Back?
Mr. Powers.
I think so; yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Were you boys ever sent to Formosa?
Mr. Powers.
Yes, we this was on our way home. Now, this wasn't--he was still in Japan, as I remember; he must have yes, he was still in Japan, and on our way home, we went to Formosa and no one got off the ship; we just picked up some civilians, I believe, there.
Mr. Jenner.
But Oswald was not there with you?
Mr. Powers.
No. And then we just went on across----
Mr. Jenner.
While you continued to have acquaintance and contact with Oswald, did his rank change from private to private first class?
Mr. Powers.
I don't recall.
Mr. Jenner.
Do you recall Oswald having received discipline as a result of the court-martial involving the discharge of the .22 caliber pistol?
Mr. Powers.
I think this came after, if it did come, it probably came after I left Japan.
Mr. Jenner.
I see.
Mr. Powers.
I arrived home on the 4th of July, so I must have been en route most of June.
Mr. Jenner.
But you don't recall any punishment that was meted out to him?
Mr. Powers.
I don't know; no, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Off the record.
(Whereupon, discussion was had off the record.)
Mr. Jenner.
Back on the record. Now, in connection with your remarks that he stated to you that he'd just as soon stay in Japan, do you recall, was there any scuttlebutt in the squadron that he applied for an extension of his stay in Japan?
Mr. Powers.
I don't know. I can't say that I recall anything because a lot of
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