How the JFK files challenge the traditional ‘lone gunman’ narrative

Share this text

The Trump administration launched greater than 1,100 declassified PDF information associated to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination on the Nationwide Archives web site right this moment, revealing new particulars that complicate the normal lone gunman narrative.

What Is the Lone Gunman Idea?

The “lone gunman” principle posits that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy, with no involvement from different conspirators or exterior businesses.

Nonetheless, the brand new information, with their revelations of worldwide contacts, intelligence failures, and inner debates, problem this simplistic view by suggesting that the assassination was a way more tangled affair.

Earlier than the Assassination

Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused murderer of President Kennedy, wasn’t merely a shadowy determine. US intelligence intently tracked his worldwide actions. In Mexico Metropolis, for instance, the CIA monitored a person on the Soviet embassy who claimed to be Oswald. But, the proof didn’t add up. One file reveals:

“Pictures of a person visiting the Soviet Embassy claiming to be Oswald didn’t match his identified look, and intercepted calls in ‘damaged Russian’ solely deepened the confusion.”
(JFK File 198-10005-10018)

This evident discrepancy means that what US intelligence believed about Oswald’s whereabouts might have been flawed.

In the meantime, Oswald’s conduct within the Soviet Union was removed from typical. Not like most instances—the place solely transient foreigners or college students have been concerned—a uncommon occasion unfolded when Oswald, the alleged lone gunman, departed the USSR along with his Soviet spouse, Marina. A gathering between a CIA official and a Warren Fee staffer famous:

“Most comparative instances concerned overseas college students or transient individuals—not defectors like Oswald. Solely 4 out of 26 instances had Soviet wives go away with overseas husbands.”
(JFK File 1704-104.70213)

Including to the thriller, within the days main as much as November 22, Oswald reportedly hinted at “one thing massive.” One FBI report chillingly states:

“Oswald hinted at ‘one thing massive’ occurring weeks earlier than JFK was killed.”
(JFK File 180-10143-10227)

Described by a supply as “nervous” and “agitated,” he even tried to contact Pavel Yatskov, a Soviet intelligence official, setting the stage for a story that might later be stuffed with doubts.

An extra twist comes from a CIA memo that means Jack Ruby, the nightclub operator identified for killing Oswald on stay tv, may need met Oswald weeks earlier than the assassination:

“A CIA memo says a supply instructed investigators that Jack Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald met at a nightclub weeks earlier than JFK was killed.”
(JFK File 194-10012-10030)

And FBI data present that brokers rigorously watched Oswald’s interactions with Soviet defectors, consultants who had fled communist regimes, in Texas:

“FBI data present brokers intently watched Lee Harvey Oswald’s interactions with Soviet defectors in Texas…”
(JFK File 198-10007-10013)

These pre-assassination particulars trace that Oswald was related to broader worldwide networks quite than being an remoted particular person.

Throughout and Instantly After the Assassination

On November 22, 1963, as President Kennedy was shot, the nation plunged into chaos. Oswald was rapidly recognized because the shooter, cementing the narrative of a “lone gunman.” Nonetheless, the story took one other dramatic flip shortly after when Jack Ruby, the person with deep mob connections, fatally shot Oswald on stay tv.

FBI data later revealed deep-seated issues about Ruby’s background. One file bluntly states:

“Ruby’s connections to the mob made individuals suppose JFK’s assassination was a part of an even bigger plot.”
(JFK File 198-10007-10021)

Furthermore, an informant’s account added one other layer of thriller:

“Ruby mentioned he needed to kill Oswald.”
(JFK File 197-10002-10190)

These remarks indicate that Ruby’s actions may not have been as spontaneous as as soon as thought, elevating questions concerning the pressures and influences behind his deed.

After the Assassination

Within the aftermath of the assassination, US intelligence businesses scrambled to piece collectively what had occurred, but vital gaps continued. The lack to verify Oswald’s id in Mexico Metropolis, evidenced by mismatched pictures and “damaged Russian” calls, left lingering doubts concerning the reliability of the information collected. This hole stays a haunting reminder of potential oversights within the investigation.

Inner debates additionally surfaced. A placing inner memo, stamped “19 JUL 1967,” regarding John Garrett Underhill Jr., a former intelligence agent, and Samuel George Cummings, an adviser with deep army ties, contained provocative allegations:

“The day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a rush. Late within the night he confirmed up on the dwelling of mates in New Jersey. He was very agitated. A small clique throughout the CIA was answerable for the assassination, he confided, and he was in grave hazard. He thought he in all probability must go away the nation.”

“J. Garrett Underhill had been an intelligence agent throughout World Battle II and was a retired main in Military Intelligence. … mates of Underhill and Cummings got here ahead with the declare that the gun utilized by Oswald—an Italian Carcano allegedly—was bought by Oswald.”
(Underhill Memo [Stamped: 19 JUL 1967])

Although this memo attracts on a Ramparts journal report, it exhibits that even insiders whispered about doable conspiracies.

The information additionally reveal the advanced world of covert operations. One doc particulars the work of AMFAUNA-1, a Cuban nationwide turned spy, who constructed an intensive community in Havana:

“AMFAUNA-1, a Cuban nationwide, constructed a community of over 20 sub-agents, sending again 140 secret messages,” and was cautioned that “He might sooner or later fall right into a G-2 lure baited with Cuban guerrillas.”
(JFK File 1104-10070-10079)

This operation underscores the high-stakes nature of Chilly Battle espionage, the place US intelligence was concerned in dangerous, clandestine actions.

Share this text