Oswald & VD: An Intelligence Connection?

O ver the years there have been many insinuations that Lee Harvey Oswald was a member of the United States intelligence network.(1) A significant amount of evidence has been proffered over the years pointing toward the ONI, CIA or FBI. Unfortunately, most of the evidence has enabled us to only speculate on, rather than conclusively prove, the existence of a relationship between Oswald and intelligence activities. In fact some of the evidence has been utilized out of context to support the theory that Oswald was an agent. Whether Oswald was or was not an agent will continue to remain open to question for many years to come; however, further research and scrutiny of available evidence is needed in order to base the intelligence theory on legitimate facts.

One such misconception that collapses under further inspection is that Oswald's contracting of gonorrhea is conclusively linked to his activities as an intelligence operative. The cause of the speculation can be found among the Warren Commission's reproduction of Oswald's medical file during his service in the Marines from 1956-59.(2) The reason for this speculation is a diagnosis by Captain Paul Deranian, the senior medical officer at Atsugi, that Oswald contracted "Urethritis, Acute, due to gonococcus #0303." The Captain noted its origin as being "In line of duty, not due to own misconduct." While on the surface this notation might seem odd, especially to those not acquainted with military regulations and procedures involving law and medicine, there is no mystery surrounding this determination.

Regardless, the theory has now been promulgated for over two decades and was especially a favorite of Penn Jones Jr. during the days of his Forgive My Grief series. It has been tolled as the "final proof" of Oswald's intelligence activities. Indeed, even in Jim Marrs' compendium, Crossfire, the document is stated as providing "tantalizing evidence" that Oswald participated in intelligence work.(3) "Researchers view this astonishing comment as evidence that Oswald was ordered to consort with prostitutes while serving in Japan," wrote Marrs.(4) In fact, as recently as this past year, Jack White voiced his opinion during a sequence of his new video, "The Many Faces of Lee Harvey Oswald," that the document gave rise to an assumption of intelligence activities on the part of Oswald.

However, the statement of origin, which is actually a legal determination pertaining to the allocation of future benefits, is entirely innocuous and absolutely provides no substantive proof of intelligence activities on the part of Oswald. Therefore, with all due respect to Mr. Marrs, his statement that "the fact that Oswald was absolved of any responsibility in contracting gonorrhea astounds service veterans and is strong evidence that his extracurricular activities had the blessings of the military, if not the CIA"(5) is unfounded. Admittedly, however, this does not mean the conclusion drawn by the above authors does not possess a certain degree of merit when viewed in connection with other available evidence.

In order to properly evaluate the implications of the origin of Oswald's sexual promiscuity, it is necessary to review the sections pertinent to these circumstances which can be found in the Manual of the Judge Advocate General . What would constitute a finding of "line of duty" and "not due to own misconduct?" Was this determination unusual?

The Manual states that "to support an opinion of misconduct it must be established by clear and convincing evidence that the injury or disease was either intentionally incurred or was the proximate result of such gross negligence as to demonstrate a reckless disregard of the consequences."(6) Even conduct that "violates a law, regulation or order . . . does not, of itself, constitute a basis for a determination of misconduct."(7) Furthermore, "unless the injury or disease was incurred due to the member's own misconduct, or while the member was either incarcerated or absent without leave, the injury or disease will be found to be 'in line of duty.'"(8) A determination otherwise could threaten a serviceman's severance benefits.

Determinations involving misconduct and line of duty must be made when a member of the naval services incurs an injury which might result in a permanent disability or a physical inability to perform duty for a period exceeding twenty-four hours.(9) Specific consideration is given in the Manual to such cases as those involving mental defects, suicide attempts, intoxication, drug use, death and venereal disease. Most importantly, section 0809 (b) states:

"Any disability resulting from venereal diseases shall not support a misconduct finding if the member has complied with regulations requiring him to report and receive treatment for such disease." (emphasis added)

To that effect, Oswald's medical records indicate he first sought medical attention on September 10, 1958, complaining of a slight burn on urination.(11) Suspecting a type of venereal disease, Oswald was ordered to have a smear taken.(12) This was done on September 16, 1958, at which time he was diagnosed as possibly having gonorrhea; he was prescribed penicillin and returned to duty.(13) Oswald received further medical attention regarding this matter at least seven additional times.(14) Thus, it certainly appears that Oswald followed proper notification procedures.

In fact, Article 22-17 of the Manual of the Medical Department only leads one to conclude that, while the military sought to "prevent the spread of military diseases," ordinary procedures were established to deal with those servicemen who did contract a disease.(15) Article 22-18, which is cross -referenced to JAG section 0809 (b), sets forth provisions for adequate support staff to provide education and treatment for venereal diseases. What then can be inferred from this incident? Is there anything mysterious behind the whole affair?

Examining the document in light of Oswald's activities in Japan and Formosa has provided two different interpretations of an implied intelligence linkage of Oswald. First, according to authors Marrs and Epstein, it is possible Oswald was consorting with a Japanese hostess on orders of naval intelligence. It appears that Oswald had informed a fellow Marine that he was dating a beautiful Japanese girl who served as a hostess at the Queen Bee night club in Tokyo, one of the three most expensive night clubs in the city.(16) It was thought that Navy Intelligence was interested in the possibility that the Queen Bee hostesses were being used to garner intelligence information from U.S. servicemen, particularly since this specific night club was often frequented by an elite clientele that included U-2 pilots.(17)

In an interview with author Mark Lane, one of Oswald's former Marine buddies related a story supporting this theory. According to David Bucknell, while both men were stationed in California in 1959 the men were approached by two women in a bar looking for conversation. This incident led Oswald to relate a similar experience he encountered in Atsugi.(18) Oswald stated that, while in a Japanese bar, he had been been approached by an attractive woman who was asking questions regarding U-2 flights. After reporting this to a superior officer, Oswald was informed by a man dressed in civilian clothes to deliver false information to this woman. Thus, Oswald was encouraged to continue seeing this woman and supposedly was given the money to do so.(19) Unfortunately, there is no supporting evidence of Bucknell's account presently known.

Second, it has been suggested that the disability was a actually a sickness ploy, frequently used by intelligence agencies, to cover an agent's operations. Author Anthony Summers noted that unrelated research had led him to discover that British Naval Intelligence had often used "illness of expediency" as a standard intelligence technique.(20) Summers theorized that the "contraction" of gonorrhea could conceivably have been an excuse to get Oswald out of circulation for other purposes.(21) In fact, although Oswald had accompanied his unit to Formosa after the Chinese Communists began shelling the islands of Quemoy and Matsu on September 14, 1958, Oswald was suddenly flown by military aircraft back to Atsugi on October 5, 1958.(22) The only explanation given was "medical treatment." However, the venereal disease which Oswald had contracted was mild in nature and the prescribed penicillin should have been enough to counteract any of the effects within a-brief period of time. Why then was he abruptly returned to Atsugi for continuing treatment?(23) So far, a sufficient or conclusive answer has not been offered.

What then have we learned from this document? As is so often true of Warren Commission documents, particularly those concerning Oswald, the document raises more questions than it provides answers. Whether or not Oswald was involved with intelligence activities at Atsugi or elsewhere remains a viable question. What this article does prove, however, is that with careful and detailed analysis speculations that have developed throughout the years can be properly placed into their true context. The assassination of President Kennedy remains replete with mysteries, but the true researcher will strive to. dispel unsubstantiated rumors as well as state the facts. After all , the hope is to solve the murder and not to create a solution.

From The Third Decade, July 1992. Posted here with the permission of Mark Zaid.

Notes

1. For background, see generally, Philip Melanson Spy Saga (1990), Jim Marrs, Crossfire (1989), pp. 101-112; Anthony Summers, Conspiracy (1980), pp. 1-92-181; E.J. Epstein, Legend (1978).

2. Donabedian Exhibit No. 1, Warren Commission Hearings and Exhibits, vol 19, p. 605. (References to this source cited hereafter in format: 19H605.) Captain George Donabedian was the staff medical officer at the United States Marine Corps Headquarters in 1964. He had never had any personal contact with Oswald but testified before John Ely, a Commission staff member, to explain the medical notations contained in Oswald's Marine file. See 8H311-315.

3. Marrs, Crossfire, p. 309 (photograph immediately preceding).

4. Marrs, Crossfire. Many prominent researchers subscribe to this theory. High Treason author Robert Groden indicated in a January 15, 1992 interview with this author that he agrees with this conclusion.

5. Marrs, Crossfire, p. 105.

6. Manual of the Judge Advocate General, section 0803 (a) (hereafter referred to as JAG). In fact, "it is presumed that injury or disease suffered by a member of the naval service is not the result of his own misconduct. Clear and convincing evidence is required to overcome this presumption." (JAG section 0803 (b) (emphasis added). The same standard of proof is required for a showing of "not in line of duty." In order to grasp the meanings of the different standards of proof, in basic criminal law it is explained that clear and convincing evidence can be statistically stated as about 75%. The standard required at a criminal trial, that of "beyond a reasonable doubt," would be about 90-100%.

7. JAG, section 0803 (a).

8. Letter from K.E. Vogelhuber, Lt. Commander, JAGC, USN, Deputy Special Assistant for Medico-Legal Affairs, to author (September 8, 1989).

9. JAG, section 0805.

10. Letter from H.C. Hewson, Commander, JAGC, USN, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Investigations) to author (January 24, 1992).

11. 19H601.

12. "A smear is to diagnose the cause of the infection, the cause of the discharge, to see what type of bacteria is present. 8H313 (testimony of Capt. Donabedian).

13. Technically, there is no legal proof that Oswald had gonorrhea because the doctors took a smear rather than a culture. Dr. Donabedian testified (8H313-14) that normally the doctors would use the smear method and, if the results appeared to be gonorrhea, would just assume it was and treat it as such, regardless of whether it might actually have been a different bacteria involved.

14. 8H603-4. By October 6, 1958, whatever Oswald was complaining of was not gonorrhea (8H314).

15. This is quoted from the pre-1960 regulations, to which Oswald was subject. Commander John K. Heneberry, JAGC, USN, Staff Judge Advocate, responded under directions of the Surgeon General of the Navy to my January 10, 1992 FOIA request for the requisite information. While the current regulations are slightly different from those Oswald was subject to, both are administered to deal more with control after contraction than with prevention methods. As many servicemen of that era will inform you, contraction of venereal diseases was not uncommon, especially overseas.

16. Epstein, Legend, p. 71; Marrs, Crossfire, p. 103, note 1. Oswald was supposedly seen at the base with her by several other Marines.

17. According to Epstein, to date a hostess required not only paying for the date, but reimbursing the night club for the business lost during the girl's absence. An evening at the Queen Bee could cost from $60-100. Oswald's monthly salary was less than $85. Epstein, Legend, p. 72.

18. Marrs, Crossfire, p. 104.

19. Marrs, Crossfire, p. 104.

20. Summers, Conspiracy, p. 156.

21. Summers, Conspiracy, p. 156.

22. Unexplainably, the Department of Defense told the House Select Committee that Oswald had remained at Atsugi when his unit left. (Melanson, Spy Saga, p. 9, citing the HSCA Report, p. 220). Yet, one of Oswald's officers, Lieutenant Charles R. Rhodes, distinctly remembers Oswald in Formosa.

23. This has been confirmed by a licensed pharmacist. However, had Oswald only contracted a mild case of gonorrhea? Among the many items of Oswald's possessions confiscated by the Dallas police from Ruth Paine's house were several bottles of "Pentids 400," a type of penicillin (15H336, 340). The problem exists that the amount of penicillin found was of a quantity sufficient for over a year's worth of treatment. What is the explanation? Is there one? The doctors who treated Oswald have stated they have no recollection of these events since to them they were of routine nature. Epstein, Legend, p. 284 fn13.