In Cold War espionage, few stories are as intriguing as that of Lee Harvey Oswald and his time in the Soviet Union. While much has been written about Oswald’s role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, less is known about the financial support he received during his stay in Russia. This blog post delves into Oswald’s mysterious “Red Cross” payments after denouncing the United States and how these funds shaped his life in the USSR.
Oswald’s Journey to the Soviet Union
A Marine with a Mission
In 1959, Lee Harvey Oswald, a young Marine with a fascination for communism, made the bold decision to defect to the Soviet Union. He arrived in Moscow in October of that year, armed with his savings and a determination to start a new life behind the Iron Curtain.
The Defection Process
Upon arrival, Oswald applied for Soviet citizenship. He met with officials at the American Embassy in Moscow, where he dramatically announced his intention to renounce his US citizenship. This act set the stage for his acceptance as a resident alien in the Soviet Union.
The Mysterious “Red Cross” Payments
An Unexpected Windfall
After being accepted as a resident alien, Oswald received a surprising financial boost. According to his own “Historic Diary,” he was given 5,000 rubles (equivalent to $500 at the time) by an organization he referred to as the “Red Cross.” This substantial sum was ostensibly provided “for expenses.”
Not Your Average Red Cross
It’s crucial to understand that this “Red Cross” was not the international humanitarian organization we’re familiar with. In fact, Oswald himself later acknowledged that the “Red Cross” subsidy had nothing to do with the well-known International Red Cross. In notes he made during his return trip to the United States, Oswald frankly stated that the money was paid to him for having “denounced” the United States and that it had come from the “MVD” – the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Life in Minsk: A Soviet Subsidy
A Comfortable Existence
With his initial “Red Cross” payment, Oswald found himself in a comfortable financial position in Minsk, where he was sent to live and work. He described feeling “like a rich man” with the balance of slightly over 2,500 rubles after paying his hotel bill and purchasing a train ticket.
Ongoing Support
Financial assistance didn’t stop with the initial payment. Oswald regularly received 700 rubles ($70) per month from the Soviet “Red Cross.” This was in addition to his salary from his job at the “Byelorussian Radio and Television Factory,” where he earned between 700 and 900 rubles ($70-$90) a month.
Living Above Average
By Soviet standards, Oswald’s lifestyle was quite comfortable. He was given an apartment that he described as “almost rent free,” paying only 60 rubles ($6.00) monthly. His combined income from his job and the monthly subsidy allowed him to live well above the average Soviet citizen.
The Purpose of the Payments
Standard Practice for Defectors
While these payments might seem suspicious, the CIA confirmed that it was standard practice in the Soviet Union for Americans and other foreign defectors from countries with high standards of living to be “subsidized.” The goal was to make life sufficiently pleasant for foreign defectors so they would not become disillusioned and return to their native countries.
Surveillance and Control
It’s important to note that this financial support likely came with strings attached. The Commission investigating Kennedy’s assassination assumed that it was customary for Soviet intelligence agencies to keep defectors under surveillance during their residence in the Soviet Union. Oswald himself mentioned that Soviet police questioned his neighbors occasionally.
The End of the Subsidy
A Change in Circumstances
Interestingly, the “Red Cross” subsidy was not a permanent arrangement. According to Oswald’s papers, the payments were terminated as soon as he wrote to the American Embassy in Moscow in February 1961, asking to be permitted to return to the United States.
Savings and Support
Marina Oswald, Lee’s wife, confirmed that by the time she met him in March 1961, he was no longer receiving the monthly grant. However, she noted that he still had some savings accumulated from the months he received the payments.
The Bigger Picture: Cold War Context
A Tool in the Propaganda War
The Soviet Union’s treatment of Oswald can be seen as part of the larger Cold War struggle between the US and USSR. By providing a comfortable life for an American defector, the Soviet government could potentially use Oswald as a propaganda tool, showcasing the benefits of the communist system.
A Double-Edged Sword
However, this special treatment also had its risks. It could create resentment among ordinary Soviet citizens without such luxuries. Moreover, it could make the defector a target of suspicion if they ever decided to return to their home country.
Oswald’s Return to America
A Change of Heart
Despite the financial support and comfortable lifestyle, Oswald eventually decided to return to the United States. This decision surprised many, given the effort the Soviet Union had put into making his life comfortable.
Lingering Questions
Oswald’s return to America with a Russian wife and a history of receiving Soviet funds naturally raised eyebrows. It led to speculation about his true loyalties and whether he had been recruited as a Soviet agent.
The Legacy of the “Red Cross” Payments
A Piece of the Puzzle
The story of Oswald’s “Red Cross” payments is just one piece of the complex puzzle surrounding his life and the events leading up to the Kennedy assassination. While these payments don’t prove any direct link to the tragedy that would unfold in Dallas in 1963, they provide valuable insight into Oswald’s experiences in the Soviet Union and the complex world of Cold War politics.
Continuing Intrigue
Decades after these events, the story of Oswald’s Soviet subsidies continues to fascinate historians and conspiracy theorists alike. It reminds us of the intricate dance of international relations during the Cold War, when individuals could become pawns in a much larger game of global politics.
From Russia with Questions
The tale of Lee Harvey Oswald’s “Red Cross” payments is more than an interesting historical footnote. It’s a window into the shadowy world of Cold War defectors, the Soviet Union’s tactics for managing them, and the complex motivations that drove individuals like Oswald.
As we look back on these events, we’re left with a mix of answers and even more questions. What exactly did the Soviet Union hope to gain from supporting Oswald? How did these payments influence his worldview and subsequent actions? And how do we reconcile this period of his life with what came after?
While we may never have all the answers, stories like this remind us of the importance of looking beyond the surface of historical events. They encourage us to dig deeper, question our assumptions, and always be open to new information that might shed light on the mysteries of the past.
