Case Closed

1. Oswald's Troubled Youth Shaped a Rebellious Seeker

It is unsettling to think that a sociopathic twenty-four-year-old loser in life, armed with a $12 rifle and consumed by his own warped motivation, ended Camelot.

Unstable Beginnings. Lee Harvey Oswald's early life was marked by instability, frequent moves, and a domineering mother. His father's death before his birth, coupled with Marguerite's emotional unavailability and multiple marriages, created a sense of neglect and a "mean streak of independence." This tumultuous upbringing fostered a deep-seated resentment and a yearning for control.

Psychological Distress. Psychiatric evaluations during his adolescence revealed a "personality pattern disturbance with schizoid features and passive-aggressive tendencies." He was described as emotionally disturbed, intensely self-centered, and harboring a potential for explosive violence. These early warning signs were largely ignored, setting the stage for future tragedy.

Search for Identity. Lacking a stable family life and struggling to connect with others, Oswald sought solace in books and radical ideologies. He embraced Marxism as a way to understand the world and find a sense of belonging, a path that ultimately led him down a dark and destructive road.

2. Marine Corps Service Fueled Discontent and Ideological Shift

I feel very surely that the reason that Lee joined the United States Marine Corps was because of my service…

Failed Expectations. Driven by a desire for freedom and a need to emulate his brother, Oswald joined the Marines. However, the strict discipline and perceived incompetence of his superiors quickly disillusioned him. He felt misunderstood and undervalued, further fueling his resentment towards authority.

Radicalization. While stationed in Japan, Oswald's exposure to poverty and injustice solidified his communist beliefs. He began to question American values and saw the Soviet Union as a beacon of hope for the working class. This ideological shift marked a turning point in his life, setting him on a path towards defection.

Rebellious Behavior. Upon returning to the U.S., Oswald openly flaunted his communist leanings, studying Russian and subscribing to leftist publications. His rebellious behavior led to court-martials and demotions, further alienating him from the Marine Corps and pushing him closer to the idea of defecting.

3. Defection to the USSR: A Quest for Belonging and Purpose

For two years I’ve had it in my mind, don’t form any attachments, because I knew I was going away.

Careful Planning. Oswald's defection to the Soviet Union was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but a carefully planned endeavor. He saved money, studied Russian, and sought an early discharge from the Marines, all in preparation for his new life in the communist utopia.

Rejection and Despair. Upon arriving in Moscow, Oswald's request for citizenship was initially denied, shattering his dreams of a new life. This rejection led to a suicide attempt, which, ironically, garnered him the attention he craved and ultimately secured his temporary stay in the Soviet Union.

A Change of Heart. Despite his initial enthusiasm, Oswald grew disillusioned with the realities of Soviet life. He found the work tedious, the living conditions restrictive, and the society far from the classless utopia he had envisioned. This disillusionment prompted him to seek a return to the United States.

4. Life in Minsk: Disillusionment, Marriage, and a Yearning for Home

I am stating to reconsider my disire about staying The work is drab the money I get has nowhere to be spent.

Provincial Life. Relocated to Minsk, Oswald found himself in a drab industrial city, far from the excitement and intellectual stimulation he craved. His factory job was monotonous, and his attempts to integrate into Soviet society were largely unsuccessful.

Brief Happiness. A brief romance with Ella Germann ended in rejection, but he soon met Marina Prusakova, a young pharmacology student. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage, offering Oswald a sense of stability and belonging, albeit short-lived.

Reversal of Fortune. As his disillusionment with the Soviet Union deepened, Oswald began to yearn for home. He contacted the American embassy, seeking to return to the United States, a complete reversal of his earlier stance.

5. Return to America: A Misfit's Search for Meaning

In returning to the U.S. I have done nothing more or less than select the lesser of two evils.

Back to Square One. Upon returning to the U.S., Oswald found himself a misfit once again. He struggled to find work, clashed with his family, and felt alienated from American society. His attempts to reconcile his communist beliefs with the realities of American life proved futile.

Political Frustration. Oswald's attempts to engage in political activism were met with indifference or hostility. He sought to join leftist organizations but found himself isolated and marginalized, further fueling his sense of alienation.

Escalating Violence. Frustrated by his failures and consumed by a desire for recognition, Oswald's thoughts turned increasingly towards violence. He began to fantasize about making a mark on the world, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures.

6. Dallas: Violence Brews as Oswald's Frustrations Escalate

He wanted to be on the winning side so that 10,000 years from now people would look in the history books and say, ‘Well, this man was ahead of his time.’

Targeting Walker. Consumed by his warped ideology, Oswald targeted right-wing General Edwin Walker, viewing him as a symbol of fascism. He meticulously planned an assassination attempt, gathering intelligence and preparing for the act.

Failed Attempt. On April 10, 1963, Oswald fired a shot at Walker, narrowly missing his target. The failed attempt only intensified his frustration and further fueled his desire for recognition.

A Shifting Focus. After the Walker shooting, Oswald's attention shifted towards Cuba and Fidel Castro. He sought to join the Cuban revolution, viewing it as a more promising path to achieving his ideological goals.

7. Dealey Plaza: The Convergence of Fate and a $12 Rifle

There is more than enough evidence available on the record to draw conclusions about what happened in the JFK assassination.

A $12 Weapon. With his plans to travel to Cuba thwarted, Oswald found himself working at the Texas School Book Depository, overlooking the planned route for President Kennedy's motorcade. Armed with a mail-order Carcano rifle, he saw an opportunity to make a mark on history.

The Sniper's Nest. On November 22, 1963, Oswald positioned himself in a sixth-floor window of the Depository, creating a makeshift sniper's nest from cardboard boxes. From this vantage point, he had a clear view of the motorcade as it approached Dealey Plaza.

Three Shots. As the President's limousine passed by, Oswald fired three shots, forever altering the course of American history. The shots struck President Kennedy and Governor Connally, leaving a nation in shock and disbelief.

8. Oswald's Capture: A Smirk Amidst the Fury

I protest this police brutality!

Flight and Apprehension. After the assassination, Oswald fled the Depository, attempting to blend in with the crowds. However, his erratic behavior and the description broadcast by police led to his identification as a suspect in the shooting of Officer J.D. Tippit.

The Texas Theater. Cornered in the Texas Theater, Oswald resisted arrest, attempting to shoot another officer before being subdued. His capture marked the end of his brief reign of terror and the beginning of a new chapter in the unfolding tragedy.

"Which One Are You?" When confronted with his dual identities, Oswald's smirk and defiant challenge to "figure it out" encapsulated his complex and enigmatic nature, a puzzle that would continue to confound investigators for decades to come.

9. Ruby's Act: Justice or a Desperate Grasp for Significance?

Well, they say it just takes a second to die.

A Nightclub Owner's Obsession. Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner with a history of violence and a desperate need for attention, was deeply affected by the President's assassination. He saw Oswald as a symbol of evil and a threat to the city he had come to call home.

A Calculated Act? Driven by a volatile mix of grief, anger, and a desire for recognition, Ruby made his way into the police headquarters and shot Oswald at point-blank range. His act was seen by some as a heroic act of vengeance, while others viewed it as a calculated move to silence a potential conspirator.

"I Am Jack Ruby." Ruby's words after the shooting, "I am Jack Ruby. You all know me," revealed his yearning for recognition and his belief that his actions would somehow elevate his status in the eyes of the world.

10. The Warren Commission: A Quest for Truth Amidst Suspicion

The only casualty is truth, especially in a society where far too many people are content to receive all their knowledge on an important issue from a single article or a three-hour movie.

A Nation in Mourning. In the wake of the assassination, a cloud of suspicion and doubt hung over the nation. To quell the rampant speculation and restore public trust, President Lyndon Johnson appointed the Warren Commission to investigate the events in Dallas.

A Mammoth Undertaking. The Commission, comprised of prominent figures from across the political spectrum, conducted an extensive investigation, interviewing hundreds of witnesses and reviewing thousands of documents. Their goal was to uncover the truth and provide a definitive account of what had happened.

A Controversial Conclusion. After months of investigation, the Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President Kennedy. However, the report was met with skepticism and criticism, fueling decades of conspiracy theories and debate.

11. The Lingering Questions: Conspiracy Theories and the Search for Meaning

But apparently most Americans, despite the strength of the evidence, do not want to accept the notion that random acts of violence can change the course of history and that Lee Harvey Oswald could affect our lives in a way over which we have no control.

A Culture of Doubt. The Warren Commission's conclusions failed to satisfy many Americans, who found it difficult to believe that such a momentous event could be the work of a single, disturbed individual. This skepticism paved the way for a proliferation of conspiracy theories, each offering a more elaborate and sinister explanation for the assassination.

The Entertainment Business. The JFK assassination has become a source of entertainment, with board games, shopping-mall research centers, and souvenir T-shirts. This commercialization has further obscured the truth and made it difficult to have a serious discussion about the case.

The Enduring Mystery. Despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to Oswald's sole guilt, the questions and doubts surrounding the Kennedy assassination persist. The search for meaning and understanding in the face of senseless violence continues to captivate the American imagination.

Last updated: April 10, 2025