On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. This tragic event has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate for decades. New evidence suggests there may be more to the story than just Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone gunman. One intriguing piece of this puzzle is the mystery of a .45 caliber bullet found at the scene.
The Forgotten Bullet
Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walthers’ Discovery
In the chaos following the assassination, Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walthers made a startling discovery. While searching the grassy area near Elm Street, Walthers found a .45 caliber bullet. This discovery is important because it contradicts the official story that says only rifle bullets were used in the shooting.
The Vanishing Evidence
Interestingly, when questioned by the Warren Commission, Walthers denied making any statement about finding a bullet. However, he didn’t explicitly say he hadn’t found one. This careful wording raises questions about what really happened that day.
Multiple Witnesses, One Bullet
The Motorcycle Officer’s Account
Walthers wasn’t the only one to notice something unusual. A motorcycle policeman reportedly heard a clanging noise on his motorcycle’s fender during the shooting. He saw a .45 caliber slug roll off into the street when he looked down. This officer was instructed not to report the incident, adding another layer of mystery to the story.
More Eyewitness Reports
Other witnesses also reported seeing evidence of a bullet strike. Dallas police officer Starvis Ellis reported witnessing a missile striking the ground near a motorcycle during the time of the assassination. These multiple accounts suggest that there may indeed have been more to the shooting than officially reported.
The Photographic Evidence
A Revealing Training Session
Years after the assassination, a former Dallas police officer named Mike Melson shared a fascinating story. During his training at the police academy, FBI agents showed trainees a photo of a bullet and a piece of bone lying by a street curb. The agents revealed that these photos were taken on the afternoon of November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, near where Kennedy had been shot.
The Implications
This photographic evidence is significant because it corroborates the accounts of Walthers and others who reported seeing a .45 caliber bullet at the scene. It also raises questions about why this information wasn’t included in the official investigation.
The Cover-Up Question
Missing Files and Destroyed Evidence
The story of the .45 caliber bullet becomes even more intriguing when we consider the possibility of a cover-up. Melson reported that when he tried to access police records on Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby, the files were missing, last checked out in 1963 and never returned. This suggests that important evidence may have been deliberately removed or destroyed.
The FBI’s Role
The FBI agents who showed the bullet photo to police trainees seemed puzzled that it wasn’t mentioned in the Warren Commission findings. They had made copies of the photos and negatives, possibly for self-preservation and historical record. This raises questions about why this evidence wasn’t included in the official investigation and what other information might have been withheld.
The Harlandale House Connection
A Mysterious Memo
Deputy Sheriff Walthers’ involvement in the case goes beyond the bullet discovery. He wrote a memo to his boss, Sheriff Bill Decker, about a house at 3126 Harlandale where Cubans had been having meetings. Walthers reported that Oswald had been seen at this house before the assassination.
The Cuban Connection
This information suggests a possible connection between Oswald and Cuban exiles, which could point to a broader conspiracy. Interestingly, the memo was introduced to the Warren Commission but never followed up on. This oversight adds to the suspicion that important leads were not thoroughly investigated.
Oswald’s Movements and Motives
The Bus Transfer Ticket
One of the most intriguing aspects of the case is Oswald’s movements after the assassination. He was seen taking a bus, then a taxi, before returning to his rooming house. A bus transfer ticket found in Oswald’s pocket led to speculation about his destination.
The Harlandale House Theory
Some researchers, including Jeff Meek, believe that Oswald was trying to reach the house on Harlandale Street. This theory is based on the timing of the bus transfer and the location where Oswald was heading. If true, it could provide a crucial link between Oswald and potential co-conspirators.
The CIA and Oswald
A False Defector?
There’s evidence to suggest that the CIA knew about Oswald long before the assassination. Some researchers believe Oswald may have been a false defector, sent to the Soviet Union as part of a CIA operation. This theory is supported by accounts from Oswald’s fellow Marines, who reported him leaving the base for two weeks at a time.
The Mole Hunt
The CIA’s interest in Oswald may have been part of a larger operation to uncover a suspected KGB mole within their ranks. If true, this could explain why there was so much confusion and secrecy surrounding Oswald’s background and activities.
The French Connection
A Mysterious Assassin
Adding another layer to the conspiracy theories is the possible involvement of a French assassin named Jean-René Souètre. Documents show that Souètre was in Fort Worth on the morning of November 22, 1963, and in Dallas that afternoon. He was quickly removed from the country after the assassination, raising questions about his role in the events of that day.
The Mafia and CIA Connection
Shared Interests in Cuba
The assassination may have involved a complex web of connections between the CIA, the Mafia, and Cuban exiles. These groups had shared interests in Cuba and had worked together on plots to assassinate Fidel Castro. Some researchers believe that these assassination teams may have turned their attention to Kennedy.
Where Does the Truth Lie?
As we approach the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination, many questions remain unanswered. The mystery of the .45 caliber bullet is just one complex puzzle that continues to fascinate and perplex researchers and the public alike.
While we may never know the full truth about what happened on that fateful day in Dallas, new evidence and testimonies continue to emerge. They challenge the official narrative and remind us that history is often more complicated than it first appears.
The story of the .45 caliber bullet serves as a powerful reminder that every detail matters in the pursuit of truth. It encourages us to keep asking questions, look beyond the official story, and never stop seeking answers to one of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century.
