Lee Harvey Oswald Biography

Lee Harvey Oswald was born in New Orleans on October 18, 1939, two months after the death of his father.

Marguerite Oswald moved with young Lee to a rented home on Congress Street after renting out the family property on Alvar Street.

Marguerite Oswald purchased a modest frame house on Bartholomew Street, where the family lived while she attempted to support her children.

Oswald entered the Bethlehem Children's Home on December 26, 1942, and remained there for about thirteen months.

Marguerite withdrew Lee from the children's home and moved with him to a house on Victor Street in Dallas.

Lee entered first grade in the Benbrook Common School on October 31, 1945, with school records showing an incorrect birth date.

Lee entered Harris Hospital with acute mastoiditis and underwent an uncomplicated mastoidectomy before leaving four days later.

Lee enrolled at Covington Elementary School in September 1946 and repeated first grade because he had not completed the previous year's work.

Lee enrolled at Clayton Public School on January 27, 1947, and completed first grade there with generally good marks.

Lee entered Clark Elementary School on March 19, 1948, after leaving Clayton Public School during his mother's divorce proceedings.

Oswald transferred to Ridglea West Elementary School in September 1949 and remained there for three school years.

Marguerite and Lee moved to a one-room basement apartment on Sheridan Avenue in the Bronx after leaving John Pic's household.

Lee attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School briefly before irregular attendance led to his withdrawal in September 1952.

Lee enrolled in seventh grade at Public School 117 on September 30, 1952, after leaving the Lutheran school.

A school attendance officer located Lee at the Bronx Zoo during his period of persistent truancy from Public School 44.

By January 16, 1953, Oswald had attended only a small fraction of his scheduled days at Public School 117 and had failing grades in most subjects.

A school attendance officer filed a court petition on March 12, 1953, alleging that Oswald had been excessively absent from school.

Lee registered at Public School 44 on March 23, 1953, after court proceedings increased pressure for him to resume attendance.

Psychiatrist Renatus Hartogs recommended probation, child-guidance treatment for Lee, and family-agency assistance rather than immediate institutional placement.

While remanded to Youth House, Lee underwent psychological tests and interviews with a social worker, probation officer, and psychiatric staff.

A New York judge declared Oswald a truant on April 16, 1953, and remanded him to Youth House for psychiatric study.

Justice McClancy released Lee on parole until September 24 and requested referral to the Community Service Society for treatment.

Lee entered eighth grade at Public School 44 on September 14, 1953, while still under juvenile-court supervision.

The court continued Lee's parole and directed his probation officer to contact the Big Brothers counseling service for possible assistance.

Marguerite took Lee back to New Orleans before January 10, 1954, without first obtaining formal permission from the New York court.

A Big Brothers caseworker visited Lee and Marguerite at home, but Marguerite said further counseling was unnecessary.

Oswald enrolled in the eighth grade at Beauregard Junior High School on January 13, 1954.

The New York juvenile court dismissed Lee's truancy case on March 11, 1954, after he had returned to New Orleans.

Lee entered ninth grade at Beauregard Junior High School and earned mediocre but generally acceptable marks.

Achievement testing showed Lee performing well in reading and vocabulary but poorly in mathematics during ninth grade.

Lee briefly belonged to the Civil Air Patrol while living in New Orleans during his teenage years.

Lee worked mainly Saturdays for about ten weeks at the Dolly Shoe Company, where his employer remembered him as a stockboy.

On a school personal-history form, Lee listed military service among his future plans and stated that he had no close school friends.

Lee entered tenth grade at Warren Easton High School in the fall of 1955 but remained there only about a month.

Soon after his sixteenth birthday, Oswald tried unsuccessfully to enlist in the Marines using a false age affidavit.

Lee presented Warren Easton High School with a withdrawal note he had written himself and signed using his mother's name.

Lee began work as a messenger for Gerald F. Tujague, Inc., earning about $130 per month.

Lee worked for several months as a messenger at the Pfisterer Dental Laboratory before moving back to Fort Worth.

Lee worked briefly as an office boy for J. R. Michels, Inc., before taking messenger work at the Pfisterer Dental Laboratory.

Lee left Arlington Heights High School on September 28, 1956, less than a month before entering the Marine Corps.

Oswald wrote to the Socialist Party of America on October 3, 1956, describing himself as a Marxist and requesting information about its youth league.

Oswald enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on October 24, 1956, six days after his seventeenth birthday.

Oswald reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego on October 26, 1956, for basic training.

Marine aptitude testing found Lee above average in reading and vocabulary but below average in arithmetic and pattern analysis.

Oswald scored 212 with the M1 rifle on December 21, 1956, qualifying as a Marine sharpshooter.

Lee reported to Camp Pendleton for further infantry training with A Company, First Battalion, Second Infantry Training Regiment.

Oswald reported to the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Jacksonville on March 18, 1957, for aviation fundamentals instruction.

The Marine Corps promoted Lee to private first class effective May 1, 1957, while he was completing aviation training.

Oswald received final clearance to the confidential level on May 3, 1957, after local record checks disclosed no derogatory information.

Lee completed Aviation Fundamental School in Jacksonville, ranking 46th among 54 students after six weeks of specialized instruction.

Lee completed the Keesler radar course on June 17, 1957, ranking seventh in a class of thirty Marines.

The Marine Corps assigned Lee the military occupational specialty of Aviation Electronics Operator on June 25, 1957.

Oswald departed from San Diego on August 22, 1957, en route to Yokosuka, Japan, for overseas duty.

Lee departed San Diego aboard the USS Bexar on August 22, 1957, traveling with Marine replacements bound for Japan.

After arriving in Japan, Oswald was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 1 at Atsugi as a radar operator.

The USS Bexar reached Yokosuka on September 12, after which Lee joined Marine Air Control Squadron 1 at Atsugi.

A privately owned .22-caliber pistol discharged from Oswald's locker on October 27, 1957, wounding him in the left elbow.

Five days after leaving the hospital, Lee's squadron embarked for military maneuvers in the Philippine Islands.

While deployed in the Philippines, Lee's Marine unit participated in exercises at Corregidor before returning to Japan.

Lee's unit departed Corregidor aboard the USS Wexford County on March 7, 1958, returning to Atsugi eleven days later.

Oswald faced a court-martial on April 11, 1958, for possessing an unregistered privately owned weapon in violation of orders.

Lee received a sentence including reduction to private and financial forfeitures following his first Marine court-martial.

A dispute with a Marine sergeant at the Bluebird Cafe led to charges that produced Lee's second court-martial.

Oswald was court-martialed a second time on June 27, 1958, after an altercation with a noncommissioned officer.

Lee remained confined following his second court-martial until August 13, 1958, after earlier suspended confinement was reinstated.

Oswald was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 9 at El Toro on December 22, 1958, and worked with a radar crew.

Oswald took a Marine foreign-language qualification test in Russian on February 25, 1959, and received poor ratings in all tested areas.

Lee was promoted again to private first class effective March 1, 1959, after having previously been reduced in rank.

Lee applied to Albert Schweitzer College in Switzerland for the spring 1960 term, listing philosophy, psychology, ideology, and writing among his interests.

Marine educational testing gave Lee an overall satisfactory rating, with his strongest scores in English composition and physical sciences.

A Marine hardship board recommended approval of Lee's request for early active-duty release because of his mother's claimed dependency.

Oswald applied for a United States passport on September 4, 1959, while preparing to leave active Marine service.

Oswald was released from active Marine duty on September 11, 1959, and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve.

Oswald booked passage from New Orleans to Le Havre aboard the freighter SS Marion Lykes on September 17, 1959.

Before sailing to Europe, Lee registered at the Liberty Hotel in New Orleans on the evening of September 17.

The SS Marion Lykes sailed from New Orleans early on September 20, 1959, carrying Oswald as one of four passengers.

Soon after reaching Moscow, Oswald told his Intourist guide that he wanted to leave the United States and become a Soviet citizen.

Oswald disembarked at Le Havre on October 8, 1959, and continued his journey toward northern Europe.

Oswald flew to Helsinki on October 9, 1959, after telling British customs officials that he planned to remain in Britain for a week.

Lee told British customs officials that he planned a week in Britain before attending school in Switzerland, then flew to Helsinki that day.

Lee probably applied for his Soviet entry visa at the Russian consulate in Helsinki on October 12, the first business day after arrival.

The Soviet consulate issued Oswald a visa on October 14, 1959, permitting a single visit of no more than six days.

Lee traveled by train from Helsinki and crossed the Finnish-Soviet border at Vainikkala on October 15.

Oswald arrived in Moscow on October 16, 1959, and registered at the Hotel Berlin as a student.

Intourist assigned Rima Shirokova as Lee's Moscow guide shortly after his arrival, and she assisted him with Soviet authorities.

With assistance from his Intourist guide, Lee mailed a letter to the Supreme Soviet requesting Soviet citizenship.

Following his wrist injury, Lee spent three days in Botkinskaya Hospital's psychiatric ward before doctors transferred him to another department.

After being told to leave Moscow, Oswald cut his left wrist and was taken unconscious to Botkinskaya Hospital.

On October 21, 1959, Soviet officials informed Oswald that his visa had expired and ordered him to leave Moscow within two hours.

After leaving the hospital, Lee checked out of the Hotel Berlin and registered at Moscow's Metropole Hotel.

Lee appeared at the American Embassy and declared that he wanted to renounce his United States citizenship.

Lee wrote the American Embassy requesting revocation of his citizenship after consular officials had delayed his attempted renunciation.

United Press International reporter Aline Mosby interviewed Lee for about two hours regarding his decision to remain in the Soviet Union.

Journalist Priscilla Johnson interviewed Lee at the Metropole Hotel for roughly five hours about his politics, defection, and Soviet citizenship hopes.

Soviet authorities issued Oswald an identity document for stateless persons on January 4, 1960, and assigned him to live in Minsk.

A Soviet agency described as the Red Cross gave Lee 5,000 rubles before his relocation from Moscow to Minsk.

Oswald arrived in Minsk on January 7, 1960, where Soviet officials arranged accommodation and employment.

Oswald began work at the Belorussian Radio and Television Factory on January 13, 1960, as a metal worker.

Soon after receiving his hunting license, Lee purchased a single-barrel sixteen-gauge shotgun in Minsk.

Lee obtained a Soviet hunting license on June 18, 1960, while living and working in Minsk.

The Marine Corps Reserve changed Lee's discharge status to undesirable on September 13, 1960, while he was living in the Soviet Union.

After spending New Year's Day with Ella German's family, Lee proposed marriage to her the following evening and was rejected.

On January 4, 1961, Oswald told Soviet officials that he no longer wanted Soviet citizenship and requested only an extension of his residence permit.

In February 1961, Oswald asked the American Embassy to return his passport and said that he wanted to return to the United States.

Oswald met Marina Prusakova at a trade-union dance in Minsk around March 17, 1961, and began seeing her soon afterward.

Oswald married Marina Prusakova in Minsk on April 30, 1961, after completing the required civil registration procedures.

Patrice Lumumba Friendship University rejected Lee's application because the institution was reserved for students from developing regions.

The American Embassy received Lee's letter announcing his marriage and asking about possible prosecution if he returned to the United States.

After an embassy interview in July 1961, officials concluded that Oswald had not expatriated himself and returned his American passport.

Lee appeared unexpectedly at the closed American Embassy on July 8 and contacted consul Richard Snyder by telephone.

Lee and Marina submitted the numerous certificates, photographs, and forms required for Soviet permission to leave the country.

Lee wrote Senator John Tower seeking help because Soviet authorities had not yet allowed him and Marina to leave.

On December 25, 1961, Marina was informed that Soviet exit visas would be granted to her and Oswald.

Lee asked the International Rescue Committee for $800 to finance travel from Moscow to Texas for himself and Marina.

Lee wrote John Connally asking for help overturning his Marine discharge, mistakenly believing Connally remained Secretary of the Navy.

Lee became a father when Marina gave birth to their daughter June Lee in Minsk on February 15, 1962.

Lee received notice that immigration authorities had approved Marina's application for a United States visa.

At his request, Lee left his job at the Belorussian Radio and Television Factory as the family's departure plans neared completion.

Lee collected his Soviet exit visa on May 22 and prepared to travel with Marina and June to Moscow.

Lee and Marina completed documents at the American Embassy in Moscow, where Marina received her United States visa.

Oswald hired public stenographer Pauline Bates to type notes about his Soviet experiences shortly after his return to Fort Worth.

Lee signed a promissory note for a $435.71 United States repatriation loan to finance the family's return journey.

Oswald, Marina, and their daughter crossed the Soviet frontier at Brest on June 2, 1962, while traveling toward Western Europe.

Lee, Marina, and June departed Holland aboard the SS Maasdam on June 4, beginning their Atlantic crossing to the United States.

The Oswald family arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, aboard the Maasdam on June 13, 1962.

New York welfare officials helped the returning Oswald family obtain a room at the Times Square Hotel after their arrival from Europe.

Oswald, Marina, and their daughter flew from New York to Texas on June 14, 1962, after receiving family assistance with the fare.

Robert Oswald met Lee, Marina, and June at Love Field after their flight from New York to Texas.

After initially resisting family assistance, Lee accepted money sent by his brother Robert to help finance the trip from New York to Texas.

Oswald met Peter Gregory on June 19, 1962, demonstrated his ability to read Russian, and obtained a letter supporting his language skills.

FBI agents questioned Lee about his Soviet residence; he declined to explain why he had gone there and denied providing intelligence information.

Oswald obtained work as a sheet-metal worker with the Louv-R-Pak Division of Leslie Welding Company during July 1962.

Peter Gregory invited the Oswalds to a dinner attended by members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Russian-speaking community.

Lee subscribed to the Worker and continued corresponding with American socialist and Communist organizations after returning from the Soviet Union.

The FBI interviewed Oswald on August 16, 1962, about his Soviet residence, and he denied making any agreement with Soviet representatives.

Oswald registered with the Texas Employment Commission in Dallas on October 9, 1962, while seeking new work.

Lee stopped reporting to Leslie Welding and moved to Dallas, later asking the company to forward wages owed to his post office box.

Lee rented post office box 2915 at Dallas's main post office while separating temporarily from Marina and seeking employment.

The Texas Employment Commission referred Oswald to Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall on October 11, 1962, for a photoprint trainee position.

Lee began work as a photoprint trainee at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall, producing advertising prints after being selected from several applicants.

Lee moved into the Dallas YMCA on October 15 and stayed there for several nights while beginning work at Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall.

Lee and Marina traveled by bus to Fort Worth for Thanksgiving dinner with Robert Oswald and John Pic.

Oswald rented an apartment at 604 Elsbeth Street in Dallas on November 3, 1962, and reunited there with Marina.

Oswald enrolled in a typing course at Crozier Technical High School on January 14, 1963, and began attending classes later that month.

Using the name A. J. Hidell, Oswald dated an order for a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver on January 27, 1963.

Oswald and Marina attended Everett Glover's gathering on February 22, 1963, where Marina met Ruth Paine.

Marina photographed Oswald at the Neely Street residence holding the rifle and political newspapers with the revolver strapped to his belt.

During the weekend of March 9-10, Oswald photographed areas around General Edwin Walker's Dallas residence while planning an attack.

The Oswald family moved to 214 West Neely Street on March 3, 1963, carrying their belongings without hired assistance.

Using the name A. Hidell, Oswald ordered a rifle from Klein's Sporting Goods in Chicago on March 12, 1963.

After irregular attendance, Lee stopped attending his evening typing course at Crozier Technical High School around March 28.

During his return to New Orleans, Lee visited the cemetery where his father was buried and searched for surviving paternal relatives.

Jaggars-Chiles-Stovall dismissed Lee for inadequate work and difficulty getting along with fellow employees.

According to Marina's testimony and the Warren Commission, Oswald fired a rifle at General Edwin Walker on April 10, 1963, but missed.

Texas employment officials denied Lee's unemployment claim because he lacked sufficient wage credits.

The FBI's New York office was advised that Oswald had contacted the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and claimed to have distributed its literature in Dallas.

Lee left Dallas by bus for New Orleans after failing to secure new employment in the Dallas area.

After reaching New Orleans, Lee stayed temporarily with his aunt Lillian Murret while searching for work.

Oswald registered with the Louisiana Department of Labor on April 26, 1963, seeking work in photography, shipping, or darkroom occupations.

Oswald applied for membership in the Fair Play for Cuba Committee after obtaining literature from the organization's national office.

Oswald wrote the Fair Play for Cuba Committee requesting authority to create a New Orleans chapter and offered to rent a small office at his own expense.

Lee applied to William B. Reily Company and listed two apparently fictitious references, Robert Hidell and J. Evans.

Lee began work at the Reily coffee company at 640 Magazine Street, earning $1.50 per hour.

The Fair Play for Cuba Committee replied that a New Orleans chapter would need more participants before a formal charter could be issued.

Using the name Lee Osborne, Oswald ordered Fair Play for Cuba Committee leaflets, applications, and membership cards for a proposed New Orleans chapter.

Using the name Lee Osborne, Oswald ordered handbills, applications, and membership cards for the New Orleans Fair Play for Cuba Committee chapter he was attempting to create.

Oswald distributed Hands Off Cuba literature near the USS Wasp at the Dumaine Street wharf, one of his earliest documented public FPCC activities in New Orleans.

Oswald applied for a new United States passport while planning foreign travel that eventually developed into his September journey toward Mexico City and a hoped-for visit to Cuba.

The State Department routinely approved Oswald's passport application; the Warren Commission later found no evidence that special intervention accelerated its issuance.

Oswald visited Carlos Bringuier's store on August 5, 1963, and presented himself as willing to assist anti-Castro Cuban activities.

Oswald told Bringuier that his Marine experience included guerrilla-warfare training and offered to help train Cubans opposed to Castro.

Oswald returned to Bringuier's store and left his Marine guidebook after discussing possible assistance to opponents of Fidel Castro.

A confrontation developed when Carlos Bringuier and other anti-Castro Cubans encountered Oswald distributing pro-Castro literature.

Oswald distributed Fair Play for Cuba Committee literature in downtown New Orleans, bringing his pro-Castro activity into direct contact with anti-Castro Cuban exiles.

New Orleans police arrested Oswald after the confrontation surrounding his Fair Play for Cuba Committee leafleting.

Police arrested Oswald on August 9, 1963, after a confrontation with Cuban exiles while he distributed Fair Play for Cuba leaflets.

At Oswald's request, FBI agent John Quigley interviewed him in jail about his background and Fair Play for Cuba Committee activities.

During the FBI interview, Oswald falsely described a larger New Orleans FPCC membership and referred to the fictitious A. J. Hidell as its president.

Oswald pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace on August 12, 1963, and paid a ten-dollar fine.

Oswald pleaded guilty to the disturbing-the-peace charge arising from the August 9 confrontation and paid a ten-dollar fine.

Oswald again distributed Fair Play for Cuba literature on August 16, 1963, this time outside the International Trade Mart.

Oswald distributed Fair Play for Cuba Committee literature outside the International Trade Mart with hired assistance.

Local television news filmed Oswald's Fair Play for Cuba Committee leafleting, giving his pro-Castro campaign wider public exposure.

Broadcaster William Stuckey recorded a radio interview with Oswald on August 17, 1963, concerning the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.

William Stuckey recorded an interview in which Oswald discussed the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and presented himself as its New Orleans spokesman.

During the WDSU debate, Oswald was confronted publicly with his years in the Soviet Union, weakening his effort to present the FPCC as a local political movement.

Oswald debated Carlos Bringuier and Edward Butler on WDSU's Conversation Carte Blanche program on August 21, 1963.

Oswald debated Carlos Bringuier and Edward Butler on WDSU, defending the Castro government and his Fair Play for Cuba Committee activity.

The Commission concludes that Oswald apparently attended one or more motion pictures during his Mexico City stay.

Oswald became agitated during unsuccessful visa discussions, and Cuban consul Eusebio Azcue rejected his demand for immediate permission to enter Cuba.

Cuban officials told Oswald that a Cuban transit visa depended on his obtaining Soviet permission for onward travel to the Soviet Union.

Restaurant evidence indicates that Oswald chose low-cost lunches and spent roughly forty to forty-eight cents per meal.

Because the Soviet and Cuban diplomatic compounds were distant from his hotel, Oswald repeatedly crossed a substantial part of Mexico City.

The Hotel del Comercio maid recalls that Oswald was generally gone by the time she arrived for work at about 9 a.m.

Notes in Oswald's dictionary and city map suggest that he considered attending a jai alai match but probably did not go.

The Hotel del Comercio night watchman recalls that Oswald usually returned to the hotel around midnight.

Oswald later describes sightseeing during the period when he was no longer occupied continuously with visa applications.

After returning to Texas, Oswald tells Marina that he visited museums during his stay in Mexico City.

Witnesses at the hotel and nearby restaurant report seeing Oswald alone rather than in the company of known associates.

Despite a reminder in his dictionary, Oswald does not buy the Mexican phonograph records Marina had asked him to obtain.

Oswald eats several inexpensive lunches at a small restaurant immediately beside the Hotel del Comercio.

Unable to communicate comfortably in Spanish, Oswald orders food at a nearby restaurant by pointing to the menu.

Oswald brings Marina a bracelet bearing her name, although the Commission doubts that the item was actually purchased in Mexico.

Oswald buys postcards showing bullfights and tourist attractions and later brings them back to Marina.

The Mexican consulate in New Orleans issued Oswald a tourist card on September 17, 1963, for travel to Mexico City.

Oswald applied for a Mexican tourist card as he prepared a trip that he hoped would enable travel through Cuba to the Soviet Union.

The Warren Commission later rejects an allegation that Oswald appeared at an Austin Selective Service office during his journey.

The Warren Commission reconstruction places Oswald on the afternoon Continental Trailways service from New Orleans toward Houston.

Oswald left New Orleans by bus for Mexico, carrying documents intended to support his efforts to obtain Cuban and Soviet travel permission.

Oswald left New Orleans by bus on September 25, 1963, beginning his journey toward Mexico City.

Oswald tells Mrs. Twiford that he belongs to the Fair Play for Cuba Committee while trying to arrange a meeting with her husband.

Oswald tells Mrs. Twiford that he cannot wait for her husband's return because he says he is flying to Mexico.

After cashing the unemployment check, Oswald has about $200 available for his trip through Mexico.

The Commission finds no airline record supporting the claim that Oswald diverted from his bus journey to visit Austin.

Oswald asks Mrs. Twiford how her husband obtained his name and address from Socialist Labor Party contacts.

During the journey west, Oswald telephones the home of Socialist Labor Party member Horace Elroy Twiford.

Oswald cashes his unemployment check at a store near Magazine Street, increasing the funds available for his journey.

Oswald collects a $33 Texas unemployment compensation check from his New Orleans post office box before beginning his Mexico trip.

Oswald checks his larger bag through toward Mexico City under baggage claim number 320435.

During the long bus trip, Oswald gets off at stops to eat and is repeatedly observed dining alone.

Oswald boards Continental Trailways bus 5133 at 2:35 a.m. for Laredo by way of Corpus Christi and Alice.

Oswald tells fellow passengers that he is secretary of the New Orleans branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.

During the bus journey, Oswald says that he hopes to meet Fidel Castro after reaching Cuba.

Oswald boards Flecha Roja bus 516 at Nuevo Laredo for the overnight journey to Mexico City.

Oswald tells two Australian passengers that the Hotel Cuba in Mexico City is inexpensive and clean.

Oswald crosses from Laredo into Nuevo Laredo between about 1:30 and 2 p.m. during his journey south.

Witnesses conclude that Oswald speaks little or no Spanish, consistent with notes later found among his travel materials.

Oswald tells Australian passengers that he had stayed at the Hotel Cuba before, a claim the Commission considered false.

Oswald asks another passenger how to say a simple offer of help in Spanish when two women board with heavy luggage.

Oswald arrived in Mexico City and quickly began visiting Cuban and Soviet diplomatic offices in pursuit of transit permission.

According to evidence reviewed by the Commission, Oswald claims Communist Party membership while presenting documents to Cuban officials.

Oswald carries his 1963 United States passport, which is stamped invalid for travel to Cuba.

Oswald carries the address and telephone number of a Cuban airline in his address book.

Oswald sought a Cuban transit visa and represented his Fair Play for Cuba Committee activity as evidence that he was friendly to the Cuban Revolution.

Oswald visited the Cuban Embassy on September 27, 1963, seeking permission to travel through Cuba on his way to the Soviet Union.

Oswald copies Silvia Duran's name and the Cuban diplomatic telephone number into his address book.

Oswald presents his Fair Play for Cuba Committee activity as evidence that Cuban officials should regard him as friendly to the revolution.

Within about an hour of arriving in Mexico City on September 27, 1963, Oswald registered at the Hotel del Comercio.

Oswald is assigned room 18 at the Hotel del Comercio, where he remains throughout his Mexico City stay.

At the Hotel del Comercio, Oswald registers his occupation simply as photo.

Oswald's room at the Hotel del Comercio costs $1.28 per day, consistent with his economical travel arrangements.

Oswald later refers to a Soviet official as Kostin, which the Commission interprets as a reference to Valeriy Kostikov.

Oswald uses proof of marriage to Soviet citizen Marina Oswald as evidence supporting his request for onward travel.

The bus carrying Oswald reaches Mexico City at about 10 a.m., roughly fifteen minutes behind schedule.

The Commission finds evidence that Oswald never visited the Cuban airline office whose details appeared in his address book.

On reaching Mexico City, Oswald has neither a regular Cuban visa nor an in-transit Cuban visa.

During a recorded consular telephone exchange, Oswald says that he needs visas in order to go to Odessa.

Oswald returns to the Cuban diplomatic compound later in the day carrying passport photographs for his application.

Oswald tells Cuban consular staff that he intends to travel to Cuba on September 30.

Oswald states that he expects to remain in Cuba for about two weeks or longer before continuing toward the Soviet Union.

Oswald presents letters written in Russian as part of the documentary case supporting his visa application.

Oswald visits the Soviet diplomatic compound and seeks a visa for entry into the Soviet Union.

A caller later identified as Oswald telephones the Soviet Embassy at about 10:37 a.m. seeking consular assistance for visas.

During his Mexico City visit, Oswald went to the Soviet Embassy and unsuccessfully sought a Soviet visa.

Oswald presents his previous Soviet residence as supporting evidence while seeking permission to travel through Cuba.

Oswald fails to obtain a Soviet visa during his initial visit to the Soviet diplomatic compound.

Oswald shows a Russian-language work permit from his Soviet residence while pressing his Cuban visa request.

Oswald becomes angry when informed that the Cuban visa cannot be issued before Soviet entry permission is obtained.

Oswald again contacts the Soviet and Cuban diplomatic establishments after failing to secure the required visas on his first day.

By the end of September 28, Oswald has still failed to obtain either Soviet entry permission or a Cuban in-transit visa.

Marina later recalls Oswald saying that he attended a bullfight while in Mexico City, most plausibly on Sunday afternoon.

The return-bus reservation is recorded as H. O. Lee, apparently from the name order shown on Oswald's tourist card.

Oswald purchases international exchange orders for bus travel from Mexico City to Laredo and onward to Dallas.

The travel orders for Oswald's return journey cost $20.30, covering Mexican and United States bus segments.

Oswald's travel agency reservation assigns seat 12 for the northbound Transportes del Norte journey.

A travel agency reserves Oswald a seat on Transportes del Norte bus 332 scheduled to leave Mexico City on October 2.

Oswald pays his Hotel del Comercio account through the night of October 1 before departing the following morning.

A fellow passenger hears Oswald complain about Mexican immigration officials after he is allowed to return to the bus.

The Commission determines that Oswald did not travel on Transportes Frontera bus 340 despite a later-added Oswld entry on its manifest.

A passenger recalls Oswald hurriedly eating a banana near customs, apparently believing he could not carry the fruit into the United States.

Oswald left Mexico City by bus on October 2, 1963, beginning his return journey to the United States.

The hotel night watchman recalls helping Oswald obtain a taxi at about 6:30 or 7 a.m. for his departure.

Mexican officials temporarily remove Oswald from the bus at the border because of an alleged irregularity in his tourist papers.

At Monterrey, Oswald and other passengers transfer to relief bus 373 for the continuing journey toward Laredo.

Transportes del Norte bus 332 leaves Mexico City at about 8:30 a.m. with Oswald aboard.

A fellow passenger remembers Oswald keeping his overhead light on to read during the late-night return bus journey.

Oswald arrives in Dallas at about 2:20 p.m. after returning from Mexico by bus.

Oswald boards Greyhound bus 1265 from Laredo to Dallas at about 3 a.m.

Oswald crosses the International Bridge into Texas at about 1:35 a.m. on October 3.

After reaching Dallas, Oswald visits the employment commission and files another unemployment compensation claim.

Oswald returned to the Dallas area after failing to obtain the Cuban and Soviet visas he had sought in Mexico City.

Oswald's Greyhound journey to Dallas passes through San Antonio and substantially follows the Interstate 35 corridor.

Oswald spends the night at the YMCA and registers as a serviceman to avoid paying the membership fee.

Marina later testifies that Oswald returned disappointed and discouraged because his effort to reach Cuba had failed.

The day after returning from Mexico, Oswald applies for work as a typesetter trainee at Padgett Printing.

Oswald rented a room at 1026 North Beckley Avenue on October 14, 1963, registering under the name O. H. Lee.

Roy Truly interviewed Oswald at the Texas School Book Depository on October 15, 1963, and hired him as a temporary order filler.

Oswald began work at the Texas School Book Depository on October 16, 1963, filling customer book orders for $1.25 an hour.

On November 21, 1963, Oswald asked Buell Wesley Frazier for a ride to Irving, saying that he wanted to collect curtain rods.

Oswald spent the evening of November 21 at the Paine home, attempted to reconcile with Marina, watched television, and retired around 9 p.m.

Linnie Mae Randle saw Oswald approaching Frazier's car on November 22 carrying a long brown paper package.

Police began interrogating Oswald at about 2:30 p.m. on November 22, starting a series of questioning sessions lasting about twelve hours in total.

Oswald left the Paine residence at about 7:15 a.m. on November 22, 1963, before Marina or Ruth Paine saw him leave.

The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald left the Texas School Book Depository at approximately 12:33 p.m., before police sealed the building.

The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald discarded his light-colored zipper jacket while fleeing from the Tippit shooting scene.

The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald boarded a Dallas bus after leaving the Depository and rode for only several minutes before getting off.

Dallas Police identification personnel took Oswald's fingerprints and palmprints during his first evening in custody for comparison with recovered evidence.

Witnesses identified Oswald as the armed man who fled from the Tippit shooting area toward Jefferson Boulevard.

Later on November 22, Dallas authorities charged Oswald with murdering President John F. Kennedy.

Dallas Police administered paraffin tests to Oswald's hands and right cheek in an attempt to detect residues associated with recently firing a weapon.

Before the first identification lineup, police searched Oswald and removed five cartridges and additional personal property from his pockets.

Oswald returned to his North Beckley roominghouse at about 1 p.m. on November 22 and left again a few minutes later.

Shortly after the assassination, Officer Marrion Baker encountered Oswald near the second-floor lunchroom, and Roy Truly identified him as an employee.

Charles Givens testified that he saw Oswald on the sixth floor around 11:55 a.m. on November 22, carrying a clipboard.

Dallas police arrested Oswald inside the Texas Theatre at approximately 1:50 p.m. on November 22, 1963.

Oswald entered the Texas Theatre without purchasing a ticket while police searched the Oak Cliff area for Tippit's killer.

The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald shot and killed Dallas Patrolman J. D. Tippit at about 1:16 p.m. on November 22.

Dallas authorities charged Oswald with the murder of Patrolman J. D. Tippit on the evening of November 22, 1963.

After leaving the bus, Oswald took a taxicab driven by William Whaley toward Oak Cliff and got out near North Beckley Avenue.

With Oswald's consent, Dallas Police identification personnel collected fingernail scrapings and hair specimens for possible forensic comparison.

While in custody, Oswald sought New York attorney John Abt to represent him and declined an immediate Dallas Bar Association offer of counsel.

Police brought Oswald back to Fritz's office for an evening interrogation that included renewed questioning about the rifle photographs and related evidence.

Investigators questioned Oswald during three interrogation sessions on November 23, totaling about three hours.

Lee Harvey Oswald was declared dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital at 1:07 p.m. on November 24, 1963, after being shot by Jack Ruby.

Dallas police brought Oswald into the basement on November 24 for his announced transfer to the county jail.

Jack Ruby shot Oswald in the Dallas police basement at about 11:21 a.m. on November 24, 1963, during his transfer to the county jail.

Oswald was brought from jail to Fritz's office for the final questioning session attended by Dallas detectives and federal investigators before the planned transfer.

Oswald underwent a final period of questioning on November 24 before his planned transfer from the city jail to the county jail.