In the months leading up to one of America’s darkest days, Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy, had a curious habit. He was reading Russian newspapers. But why would a young American be so interested in publications from the Soviet Union? Let’s dive into this mystery and see what we can uncover.
The Discovery of Oswald’s Russian Reading Material
A Surprising Find in the Mailroom
Imagine you’re a young lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, just going about your day in the mailroom. Suddenly, you spot something odd – a package addressed to one of your fellow Marines, but its writing is in Russian! This is exactly what happened in Oswald’s unit.
According to a story told by Bud Simco, a friend of Kerry Thornley (who served with Oswald), this discovery caused quite a stir. The lieutenant who found the package got very excited and tried to bring it to the attention of Oswald’s commanding officers.
The Officers’ Reaction
You might think that finding out one of their Marines was getting Russian newspapers would make the higher-ups worried. But surprisingly, there wasn’t much they could do about it. As Thornley recalled, “of course, there was nothing these people could do about it”.
What Was Oswald Reading?
Pravda or Something Else?
You might be wondering, “What exactly was Oswald reading?” The truth is, we’re not entirely sure. Some sources suggest it was Pravda, a well-known Russian newspaper. But Thornley, when recalling the incident, said, “Well, I don’t think—it was either Pravda or some other Russian publication”.
More Than Just Newspapers
Oswald was interested in more than newspapers. There’s evidence that he also subscribed to other Russian publications. This shows that his interest in Russian culture and politics went beyond casual curiosity.
Why Was This a Big Deal?
The Cold War Context
To understand why Oswald’s Russian subscriptions were so shocking, we must remember what was happening in the world then. This was during the Cold War, when tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were high.
Defections and Propaganda
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, people defecting (or switching sides) between East and West was a big deal. Both sides used these defections for propaganda. The Soviets were especially keen to counter the bad publicity they got when people from Eastern Europe defected to the West.
Oswald’s Interest in Russia: More Than Just Reading
Attempts to Defect
Oswald’s interest in Russian publications was just the tip of the iceberg. In October 1959, he actually tried to renounce his American citizenship and become a Soviet citizen. He even went to the American Embassy in Moscow to do this.
Living in the Soviet Union
Oswald didn’t just read about Russia—he lived there. From 1959 to 1962, he lived in the Soviet Union and even married a Russian woman.
The Human Side of the Story
A Journalist’s Encounter
In November 1959, an American journalist named Priscilla Johnson interviewed Oswald in Moscow. She found him to be a bit paranoid, thinking the U.S. Embassy was saying “nasty things” about him.
A Missed Opportunity?
Johnson tried subtly warning Oswald that he might get trapped in the Soviet Union. Looking back, she wondered if she could have done more to help or make him reconsider his actions. She felt that if she had known more about economic theory (which seemed to interest Oswald), she might have been able to connect with him better.
The Aftermath: Questions and Conspiracies
Unanswered Questions
Oswald’s interest in Russian publications and his time in the Soviet Union raised many questions after Kennedy’s assassination. People wondered:
- What exactly was Oswald reading in those Russian newspapers?
- Was he acting alone, or was he part of a larger plot?
- Could U.S. officials have prevented the assassination if they had taken different actions?
The Warren Commission
The official investigation into Kennedy’s assassination, known as the Warren Commission, looked into Oswald’s connections with Russia. However, many people felt that the full story was never uncovered.
Oswald’s Other Subscriptions: A Broader Picture
The Socialist Call
Interestingly, Oswald’s reading habits weren’t limited to just Russian publications. Evidence shows he also subscribed to “The Socialist Call,” an American left-wing publication.
The Militant
Oswald also had some connection to a publication called “The Militant.” However, despite some rumors to the contrary, there’s no evidence he ever sent them any photographs.
The Impact on Oswald’s Life
Trouble at Work
Oswald’s interest in Russian and socialist publications didn’t go unnoticed in his professional life. When he worked at a company called Jaggers-Chiles-Stovall, his coworkers didn’t like him because he was “propagandizing” and had been seen reading a foreign newspaper.
Difficulty Finding Employment
Later, when Oswald was looking for work, his past caught up with him. After hearing about Oswald’s interest in foreign publications and his time in Russia, one potential employer decided not to hire him.
What Can We Learn from This?
The Power of Reading
Oswald’s story shows us how powerful reading can be. The newspapers and magazines we choose to read can shape our views of the world and even influence the course of our lives.
The Importance of Understanding
At the same time, Oswald’s story reminds us of the importance of trying to understand others, even when their views differ from our own. Priscilla Johnson, the journalist who interviewed Oswald, wondered if she could have made a difference if she had connected with him better.
The Mystery Remains: What Was Oswald Really Reading?
Despite all we know about Oswald’s Russian subscriptions, many questions remain unanswered. What exactly was in those publications? How did they influence his thinking? And most importantly, did they play any role in the tragic events that unfolded on November 22, 1963?
As we look back on this piece of history, we’re reminded that sometimes, the smallest details – like a subscription to a foreign newspaper – can be part of a much bigger story. Oswald’s Russian reading material remains a fascinating and mysterious puzzle surrounding one of the most shocking events in American history.
