Testimony of Thomas M. Ray

The testimony of Thomas M. Ray was taken at 12:10 p.m., on March 25, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Wesley J. Liebeler, assistant counsel of the President's Commission. Robert T. Davis, assistant attorney general of Texas, was present.

Mr. Liebeler.

Mr. Ray, would you rise and raise your right hand?
(Complying.)

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Ray.

I do.

Mr. Liebeler.

My name is Wesley J. Liebeler. I am a member of the legal staff of the President's Commission investigating the assassination of President Kennedy. The Commission has authorized staff members to take the testimony of witnesses pursuant to authority which was granted to the Commission by Executive Order 11130 dated November 29, 1963, and Joint Resolution of Congress No. 137. It is my understanding that Mr. Rankin wrote to you and your wife last week and told you I would contact you to table your testimony.

Mr. Ray.

Oh, yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Enclosed with that letter were copies of the Executive order and joint resolution and a copy of the rules of the Commission's procedure relating to the taking of testimony. Did you receive the fetter?

Mr. Ray.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did it contain copies of the documents I referred to?

Mr. Ray.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Technically, the Commission's letter requires the witness to be given 3 days' notice prior to the time they have to testify although that notice can be waived. I understand you did not receive the letter until Monday because it was misdirected to the wrong post office.

Mr. Ray.

That's right.

Mr. Liebeler.

But I assume you are prepared to go ahead with your testimony at this time?

Mr. Ray.

I sure am; don't want to come over here again.

Mr. Liebeler.

The testimony we want this time from you relates basically to some conversations that were had in late 1962 concerning the background of Lee Harvey Oswald. First of all, would you state your full name for the record?

Mr. Ray.

Do I have to give my middle name?

Mr. Liebeler.

If you don't ordinarily use it, you don't.

Mr. Ray.

Thomas M. Ray.

Mr. Liebeler.

Thomas M. Ray. What is your address, sir?

Mr. Ray.

Route 3, Detroit.

Mr. Liebeler.

Texas?

Mr. Ray.

Yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

What is your employment, sir?

Mr. Ray.

We have a dairy farm which my wife operates with the help of a hired hand and my supervision and I also am a commission salesman for Sam Weiss in Paris who is the consignee of Gulf Oil in Paris, and right now I am right in the middle of changing my place of employment. I am going on the road for Paris Milling Co. the 15th of this next month as assistant sales manager and I have been with Mr. Weiss for about 9 1/2 years.

Mr. Liebeler.

You are a native-born American, aren't you, Mr. Ray?

Mr. Ray.

Right; born in Paris, Tex.

Mr. Liebeler.

You are married to Natalie Ray, is that correct?

Mr. Ray.

That is right.

Mr. Liebeler.

And your wife is a native of Russia, is that right?

Mr. Ray.

That is right.

Mr. Liebeler.

Would you tell us briefly the circumstances under which you met and married your wife?

Mr. Ray.

Well, I was stationed in Wiesbaden and as you probably already know there were a lot of displaced persons over there, and the army used these