In the annals of American history, some stories slip through the cracks, forgotten by time and overshadowed by larger events. One such tale is that of Eugene B. Dinkin, a young soldier who tried desperately to warn the world about the impending assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This is his story – a tale of cryptic messages, government cover-ups, and a race against time that ended in tragedy.
Who Was Eugene B. Dinkin?
Eugene B. Dinkin was no ordinary soldier. A psychology graduate of the University of Chicago, Dinkin joined the army and quickly found himself working in cryptology—the art of breaking codes. By 1963, he was stationed at a U.S. Army base in Metz, France, where his job was to analyze what the military called “psychological sets.”
But what exactly were these “psychological sets”? In simple terms, they were early forms of subliminal messaging. Dinkin’s job was to look at magazines like Life, Look, Newsweek, and others, searching for hidden messages in articles, headlines, and even photographs. This might sound strange, but it was serious business for the military at the time.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
In September 1963, Dinkin made a chilling discovery. As he pored over magazines and decoded secret messages, he began to piece together a terrifying puzzle. He believed he had uncovered evidence of a plot to assassinate President Kennedy.
Here’s what Dinkin claimed to have found:
- A photo of JFK in Ireland with a headstone in the background that read “John F. Kennedy”.
- A picture of a motorcade in Germany where it looked like the back of JFK’s head was blown out.
- Articles with black borders dripping with red ink, like blood.
- Headlines asking if JFK was “soft on communism” and whether his service should end.
Based on all this evidence, Dinkin concluded that President Kennedy would be assassinated in Dallas, Texas in November 1963. At first, he thought it would happen on November 28th, but he later narrowed it down to November 22nd.
A Desperate Attempt to Warn the World
Realizing the gravity of his discovery, Dinkin knew he had to act fast. He began a frantic attempt to warn anyone who would listen. Here’s what he did:
- He wrote a registered letter to Robert F. Kennedy, the President’s brother and Attorney General.
- He traveled to Luxembourg to try and meet with the U.S. Ambassador.
- He went to Bonn, Germany to speak with journalists at the Overseas Weekly newspaper.
But at every turn, Dinkin was met with disbelief or indifference. No one seemed to take his warnings seriously.
The Cover-Up Begins
As Dinkin’s warnings fell on deaf ears, something strange began to happen. James Angleton of the CIA intercepted his letter to Robert Kennedy in Washington. Suddenly, high-ranking officials were scrambling to contain the situation.
In a shocking turn of events, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson himself boarded Air Force Two with a small team and flew to Luxembourg. Why would the Vice President of the United States make such a sudden trip over the warnings of a low-ranking soldier? The answer remains a mystery to this day.
The Aftermath: Silencing a Whistleblower
After the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963 – exactly as Dinkin had predicted – things took a dark turn for the young soldier. He was quickly taken into custody and placed in a psychiatric ward.
On November 23rd, just one day after the assassination, Dinkin was visited by the Secret Service. They asked him a single question: had he predicted the assassination would be carried out by the left or the right? When Dinkin answered “the right,” they simply left.
Over the next few months, Dinkin was subjected to harsh treatment:
- He was given electroshock therapy.
- His personal documents were confiscated without a receipt.
- He was diagnosed with “schizo assassination prognostication disease” – a conveniently specific mental illness.
The Truth Behind Dinkin’s Warnings
But there may have been more to Dinkin’s warnings than just magazine clippings and gut feelings. As a cryptologist, Dinkin’s job also involved breaking codes – specifically, the codes of the French OAS (Secret Army Organization).
Some researchers believe that Dinkin may have intercepted actual plans for the assassination while decoding these messages. If true, this would explain the panicked reaction of high-ranking officials to his warnings.
The Long Road to Recognition
For decades, Dinkin’s story remained buried. The Warren Commission, tasked with investigating Kennedy’s assassination, refused to call him as a witness. His name doesn’t even appear in the index of their report.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that Dinkin began to fight back. He sued under the Freedom of Information Act to get access to his own records and reached out to the House Select Committee on Assassinations. But even then, his story was largely ignored or dismissed.
Why Dinkin’s Story Matters
Eugene B. Dinkin’s tale is more than just a footnote in history. It raises troubling questions about what our government knew before Kennedy’s assassination and why they failed to act. It’s a stark reminder of the power structures that can silence individuals who dare to speak out.
Moreover, Dinkin’s story highlights the often-overlooked role of lower-ranking personnel in major historical events. While we often focus on presidents, generals, and spies, it was a young PFC (Private First Class) who came closest to preventing one of the most shocking events in American history.
The Echoes of the Past
Today, Eugene B. Dinkin’s name remains largely unknown. He lived out the rest of his life in Encino, California, passing away sometime around 2012. But his story continues to resonate, particularly in an age where whistleblowers and government secrets are constantly in the news.
As we look back on the Kennedy assassination and the tumultuous era it ushered in, we must remember Eugene B. Dinkin. He stands as a testament to the power of individual conscience and the steep price that some pay for speaking truth to power.
In the end, Dinkin’s story reminds us that history is not just made by the famous and powerful. Sometimes, it’s shaped by ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances – people who see something wrong and decide to speak up, no matter the cost.
A Warning from History
The tale of Eugene B. Dinkin serves as a stark warning from history. It shows us the lengths to which power structures will go to protect themselves, and the steep price paid by those who dare to challenge them.
As we move forward, we must remain vigilant. We must question official narratives, protect whistleblowers, and never forget the lessons of the past. For in doing so, we honor not just the memory of Eugene B. Dinkin, but all those who have risked everything to bring truth to light.
In a world where secrecy and power often go hand in hand, Eugene B. Dinkin’s story reminds us of the importance of transparency, accountability, and the courage to speak up. It’s a lesson we would do well to remember today and always.
