(Testimony of Ilya A. Mamantov)
Mr. Jenner.
least at that phase of your career you were not pursuing your profession or your particular calling?
Mr. Mamantov.
Right, because I just came from Europe as a displaced person and I didn't speak English enough.
Mr. Jenner.
All right, I got back to where I was going to go faster than I thought.
Mr. Mamantov.
I'll put it this way--you want it in details--my life--approximately at that time?
Mr. Jenner.
Not in great detail, but start out this way--I am a native of such and such country--and just tell us about yourself.
Mr. Mamantov.
All right. I am a native of Russia. When I was 7 my parents came to Latvia.
Mr. Jenner.
They immigrated to Latvia?
Mr. Mamantov.
Right, and there I was raised and educated and I received my geological education and training. In 1945, excuse me, 1944, we left for Germany with the retreating German Army and I went to South Germany, stayed until the American Army moved in Peissenberg, P-e-i-s-s-e-n-b-e-r-g [spelling], Germany and in August of that year, excuse me, of 1945, we went to a DP camp.
Mr. Jenner.
"DP" meaning displaced persons?
Mr. Mamantov.
Displaced persons camp near Guenzburg, G-u-e-n-z-b-u-r-g [spelling], Germany.
Mr. Jenner.
You say "we", at the time were you married?
Mr. Mamantov.
I, oh, I was married all time.
Mr. Jenner.
When did you marry?
Mr. Mamantov.
1938.
Mr. Jenner.
A native of Latvia or of Russia?
Mr. Mamantov.
Latvia, and my wife is Latvian--native Latvian.
Mr. Jenner.
By the way, what is your age, sir?
Mr. Mamantov.
50 and, so, I am--my mother-in-law was also with us.
Mr. Jenner.
Who is she--what is her name?
Mr. Mamantov.
Dorothy Gravitis, G-r-a-v-i-t-i-s [spelling].
Mr. Jenner.
And is she in this country?
Mr. Mamantov.
Right.
Mr. Jenner.
All right. I'll ask you some more questions about her later.
Mr. Mamantov.
And her husband was arrested by the Communist in 1941 and we haven't heard of him since that time.
Mr. Jenner.
You say "arrested by the Communist" do you make a distinction when you use the word description "Communist" as something different from the Russians?
Mr. Mamantov.
Oh, yes; nothing to do with the nation. As you know, Communists are in Latvia, Communists are in Russia, and Communists are in Germany, and nothing to do with the nation. I am using this as an occupational force I'll put it this way.
Mr. Jenner.
All right.
Mr. Mamantov.
Or way of government.
Mr. Mamantov.
That's correct.
Mr. Jenner.
And where did you receive your higher education?
Mr. Mamantov.
In Riga, R-i-g-a [spelling], Latvia, which is the capital of Latvia, and the name of the university was the University of Latvia.
Mr. Jenner.
And have you had graduate school education?
Mr. Mamantov.
That's where I got my graduate school. My degree is approximately equivalent to a local Ph. D--it's actually between master's and Ph. D.
Mr. Jenner.
When did you settle in Dallas?
Mr. Mamantov.
In September 1955.
Mr. Jenner.
And have you and Mrs. Mamantov resided in Dallas ever since?
Mr. Mamantov.
No; my wife still was in Roswell, N. Mex., at that she moved to Dallas immediately after the Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. JENNER. In 1955?
Mr. Mamantov.
Right. You see, we received our citizenship in November of 1955 at Roswell, N. Mex.
Mr. Jenner.
Both you and your wife?
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