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Lee Harvey Oswald

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Lee Harvey Oswald was an American man who changed history through a single violent act. He was the person who assassinated John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. This event occurred on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Oswald's life was defined by instability, frequent moves, and a search for political identity. His actions led to massive government investigations and a lasting debate in American society.

Oswaldneworleans
Oswaldneworleans

Oswald's early years were marked by a lack of a steady family structure. He was born in New Orleans on October 18, 1939. His father, Robert Edward Lee Oswald Sr., died just two months before Lee was born. In 1942, Lee and his two older brothers were placed in an orphanage. His mother, Marguerite, eventually brought him home in 1944. However, the family continued to move frequently. By the time he was a teenager, Oswald had attended 12 different schools and moved 21 times.

Magazine Street Jessie James Garner Bldg Sept 2009
Magazine Street Jessie James Garner Bldg Sept 2009

Psychologists and social workers studied Oswald's behavior during his youth. When he was twelve, he was placed in juvenile detention for truancy. A psychiatrist named Dr. Renatus Hartogs assessed him during this time. Hartogs described Oswald as having a "personality pattern disturbance." He noted that Oswald suffered from emotional isolation and a lack of affection. A social worker named Evelyn D. Siegel also observed him. She noted that Oswald seemed to have detached himself from the world because his needs for love were not met.

Lho-133A
Lho-133A

As Oswald entered his late teens, he sought structure in the military and politics. In October 1956, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He was 17 years old at the time. He trained in radar operation, a technical skill that required a security clearance. During his service, he faced disciplinary issues and was court-martialed twice. In 1959, he was discharged from active duty. He then traveled to the Soviet Union, where he lived in Minsk. There, he married a Russian woman named Marina and had a daughter.

Lee Harvey Oswald-USMC
Lee Harvey Oswald-USMC
OSWALD'S APARTMENT BUILDING - MINSK - BELARUS
OSWALD'S APARTMENT BUILDING - MINSK - BELARUS

Oswald returned to the United States in June 1962. He settled in Dallas, Texas, where he and Marina had a second daughter. On November 22, 1963, Oswald shot President Kennedy from a sixth-floor window. This window was located in the Texas School Book Depository.

SchoolbookDepository
SchoolbookDepository

The President was traveling in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza when the shots were fired. About 45 minutes later, Oswald shot Dallas police officer J. D. Tippit on a street.

J. D. Tippit Dallas PD photo distributed in 1963
J. D. Tippit Dallas PD photo distributed in 1963

Oswald was eventually caught after he entered a movie theater.

Following his arrest, the legal and social consequences were immediate and intense. Oswald denied that he killed the President. He claimed he was a "patsy," a term for someone framed for a crime. Two days later, while in police custody, Oswald was murdered by Jack Ruby. Ruby was a local nightclub owner. This killing happened on live television in the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters.

This event prevented Oswald from ever standing trial to explain his actions.

Multiple official investigations were launched to find the truth. The Warren Commission was established to look into the assassination. In September 1964, the Commission concluded that Oswald and Ruby acted alone. This finding was supported by the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Dallas Police Department. Later, the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) also investigated the case in 1979. Despite these findings, many Americans remain skeptical. Many people believe there were other people involved, which has led to many conspiracy theories.

Carcano Rifle of Lee Harvey Oswald
Carcano Rifle of Lee Harvey Oswald
Family of Lee Harvey Oswald at his Gravesite
Family of Lee Harvey Oswald at his Gravesite
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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Lee Harvey Oswald-USMC.jpg
Lee Harvey Oswald-USMC.jpg
File:OSWALD'S APARTMENT BUILDING - MINSK - BELARUS.jpg
OSWALD'S APARTMENT BUILDING - MINSK - BELARUS.jpg
File:Carcano Rifle of Lee Harvey Oswald.jpg
Carcano Rifle of Lee Harvey Oswald.jpg
File:Magazine Street Jessie James Garner Bldg Sept 2009.JPG
Magazine Street Jessie James Garner Bldg...
File:Oswaldneworleans.jpg
Oswaldneworleans.jpg
File:Pizzo Exh B-Oswald leaflets FPFC-WH Vol21 139.jpg
Pizzo Exh B-Oswald leaflets FPFC-WH Vol21 139.jpg
File:SchoolbookDepository.jpg
SchoolbookDepository.jpg
File:HowardBrennan.jpg
HowardBrennan.jpg
File:J. D. Tippit Dallas PD photo distributed in 1963.jpg
J. D. Tippit Dallas PD photo distributed...
File:Simulated Positions of Lee Harvey Oswald and JD Tippit on November-22-1963.png
Simulated Positions of Lee Harvey Oswald...
File:.38 Caliber Revolver Belonging to Lee Harvey Oswald Allegedly Used to Shoot Dallas Policeman J. D. Tippit - NARA - 305138 (page 2).gif
.38 Caliber Revolver Belonging to Lee...
Lee Harvey Oswald death newsreel.webm

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