. Form No. 1 THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT ‘ ; REPORT MADE AT i Savannah ~ TITLE CHAN GED: * o% ge \ FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Savannah 43-93  ddk FILE NO. -| DATE WHEN MADE — 6-10-h hy b= 28 525; 5-859, 10,11, 20-4) RMAN 3 JOHN sacebnosst ’ illians. zp ¢ 6 REPORT MADE BY TAYLOR, JACKSON ‘SIMS, III - CHARACTER OF CASE SELECTIVE SERVICE  TLLEGAL WEARING OF UNIFORM THOMAS HARVEY. Wao; r} Jack Dale “N oy i Pes . SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: Subjects interviewed: several times and told various - } t stories and untruths but subject GROSSI consistently i N Vv (4 ‘>- 2 UW stated that he was 18 and had not registered for ‘ r at Dé i Selective Service, AUSA Savannah dismissed IW 7. har ges against GROSSI on basis of additional infornma- & Tipwlpa tien tending to show that uniform GROSSI was wearing yo was not of USN. At later date, AUSA dismissed SS charges References Details: av ¢ “ott bi Ot VAeLIC BI BECELAED- ~H¥BBO APPROVED AND FORWARDED: Jaw m8 3 eSB ae vs. GROSSI on grounds he was only 16 years old. On basis of information received from probation authorities, GROSSI T Fygeleased to New Jersey State Home for Boys. Information filed against-subject HERMAN charging IWU (Navy uniform) | Ca HERMAN entered plea of guilty under juvenile delinquency so on such illegal wearing. Received two years' probation, Disposition sheet and probation flash submitted. No record Sagnetons De C. that either subject enlisted. USN. - Pe cages we and ie ale "Report ‘of SA Taylor J o Sims, Savannah, be 25s iF pede The title of this case is being marked. changed to reflect the _ ‘true name of the subject previously designated at Jack Dale Williams as* JOHN: JACK GROSSI, with alias Jack Dale, Williams. a he C aa ir © E I- TAYLOR JACKSON ‘STuS, IIT, Special ‘Agent Federal Bureau Bureau of of investigation Savannah, Geor Georgia BSIAL AGENT < IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES LAS YES Ain 2 Newark | Doold:32563819 -|@pareau (me) 1 USA, Savannah’ | 2 Savannah MN. went of nd EE ern os TE = =O > Ny ted — a § Page 1
SV ‘43-93 This agent can testify that on April 28, 19h, subject HERMAN gave the following signed statement: "Savannah, Ga. April 28, 19uk "J, Thomas Harvey Herman, make the following voluntary statement to _ Taylor J, Sims, who has identified himself as a Special Agent of the Fe Be Ie No threats or promises were made to get me to give this and I know it my be used in court. ‘When I gave Mr. Sims the signed statement about a month ago, I told him several things that are not the truth, Actually I was never on the S. S.. Mills and have never been in the Merchant Marine. Aliso I have obtained money by saying I was in the Navy, I did this six or seven times, and each time I was with Jack Williams, who was arrested with me here in. Savannah. I really don't know what his real name is. We got $10. to $12. to $15. each time, and I know that the people gave us the money because _ we had told them we were in the Navy. This happened in Norfolk, Baltimore, .and a few other places. I have had the Navy uniform about 9 months and was wearing it when I got the money from these people. ‘Ny mother's name is Glada Herman, and she last resided on 216 California Ave., Atlantic City, Ne Je My brother Gilbert Herman is in the Navy» I am 7 yrse old. , uy have read ‘the above statement which is true to the best of my knowledge. /3/ Thomas Herman . " Witness: Taylor J. Sims, ITI, FBI, Savannah, Ca. . Special Agent SIMS can also testify that subject GROSSI on April 28, 194k gave the following signed statements Ngavannah, Ga. April 28, 19hh "I, John Jack Grossi, make the following voluntary’ statement to Taylor J. Sins, who has identified himself to me as a Special Agent of the FHI. No threats or promises were made to me to give this statement and I know it may be used in courte - ; | Docld: 32563819 Page 2?
, . SV. 43-93 “When I was first questioned by Mr. Sims around the last of March this year, I told him that my name was Jack Dale Williams, but this is not true and my real name is John Jack Grossie I did this becuase I didn't . like the name and because I didn't want my mother to know about my trouble. I also told Mr. Sims before that I had no criminal record, but this also is not true because I was arrested and placed in New Jersey State Home for Boys at Jamesburg, Ne J. I was arrested in Pennsylvania, the town of Media. I was arrested for running away from home. "T also stated in my first statement that my home was in.Florida, tut this is not tiue, My home is 268 17th Ave., Patterson, N. Je where my mother, Mrs. Rose Grossi, lives. My brother, Albert, is in Army Air Corps, and my sister, Jean Engold, lives with my mother. I told Sims— before that I had no brother or sister, and made up the first name I gave for my mother, My father, John Grossi, is in the Army Also I have never — _been on the Se S. Mills as I first said. "As I said before I have not registered for the draft although I am 18 years old. "About six times during past year I have told people I was in the Navy and by means of such statement I have asked and received from them various sums of money ranging from $10. to $18. each time, Usually this happened while Thomas Harvey Herman and I were hitchhiking, The first time was coming out of Philadelphia, and other times in Baltimore, Raleigh, N. C., Washington, D. Ce, and Norfolk, Va. Of course neither Herman or I have ~ ever been in the Navy. At these times we. were Wearing the uniforms we were _ wearing when first picked up here in Savannah, It was not tpue, as I first said, that I just bought the uniform a month ago, I have had it about 8 or 9 months, I can't remember any of the people who gave us the money, but I do know that they gave me the money because I said I was in the Navy and because I had the uniform on. ‘Herman was also wearing his uniform during that time, and he has never been a Merchant seaman. I don't remember getting any money by this means in Savannahe. ~ “'T have read the above statement of nearly 2 pages and it is true to the best of my knowledgee I would also like to say at this time, that any mercy shown by the court will be very deeply appreciated. If released, I hope to return to N. Je and try me best to enter in the armed forces immediately. . } ; . (Signed) John Jack Grossi "% Witness: Taylor J. Sims, III, FBL Savannah | Docld:32563819 Page 3
A SV"43-93 Special Agent SIMS can also testify that on May 8, 194 he interviewed subject GROSSI at the Chatham County Jail, Savannah, Georgia, and that at such time subject GROSSI was again given an opportunity to tell the tauth concerning his age. Subject GROSSI stated that he fully realized that he would not be guilty of a violation: of the Selective Training and. Service Act of 1940 if he was not 18 years old. He stated that it would. certainly be his desire to state that he was born in 1927 in order to avoid such prosecution but he again stated that he was born July 5, 1925 at Patterson, New Jersey and that he had never registered under the Selective Training and Service Act. At such time he was questioned carefully about whether he was a parolee or an escapee from the New Jersey State Home for Boys.at Jamesburg, New Jersey. He stated that he was only a parolee and he had never escaped from such home, Special Agent SIMS can also testify that on May 8, 194k, he interviewed Subject HERMAN at the Chatham Bounty Jail, Savannah, Georgia, at which time he admitted that several facts he had previously given were not true; namely, that he was living at the Young Hotel, Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, when he met subject GROSSI and that he had previously run away from home because his mother, MRS. GLADA MAE HERMAN, 216 California Avenue, Atlantic City, had made him stay home. He stated that she was not dead as he had first told the agent. He stated that he had later gone back and tried to locate his mother but that she had moved from such address and he did not know where she was located at the present time. WILLIAM C. LASSITER, Lt. U. Se Naval Reserve _ ‘Savannah, “Georgia. Lt. LASSITER who had originally questioned the two subjects on the day they were apprehended by military police authorities was interviewed by the writer concerning the uniform that subject GROSSI was wearing at the time of his apprehension. Lt. LASSITER advised that it was his opinion that the uniform itself was a Merchant Marine uniform and not one of the U. Se Navye He stated that since GROSSI was not wearing any Navy insignia that such uniform, although it appeared very similar to a regular Navy uniform, would not be classed by the Navy as suche He stated that he could not say as to whether the two red service stripes which GROSSI had on one of the sleeves of the uniform which he was wearing were Navy stripes although it was his opinion that ordinary Merchant Seamen do not wear such service stripes, He stated that the main distinguishing feature between the uniform of the two subjects was that the Navy uniform which HERMAN was wearing. con- tained three small stripes around the collar which definitely designated it as.a Navy uniform, and that GROSSI'S uniform did not have such three small stripes. aN Docld: 32563819 Page 4
SV 43-93 PROSECUTIVE ACTION The facts concerning the uniform worn by subject GROSSI as related by Lt. WILLIAM C, LASSITER, U. S. Naval Reserve, were discussed with Assistant | Ue. S. Attorney SULTAN HARTREDGE, Savannah, Georgia, who advised that it. was his opinion also that the ‘uniform which subject GROSSI was wearing was not the uniform of the U.S. Navy and that he was dismissing the charges which had been brought against the subject GROSSE for. Tllegal Wearing of the Uniform. He stated that the Selective Service charge would be continued against him, however. On May 8, 19), Mrs HARTRIDGE advised he had received information from the U.S. Probation Officer at Savannah, Georgia, to the effect that subject GROSSE is only 16 years of age and that accordingly there was no violation of the Selective Training and Service Act for failure to register on the part of the subject and that. he was dismissing such charges. He stated that the subject would be held for the New Jersey State Home for Boys and that GRUSSI would be returned to the custody of such institution. MR. EDWIN C. HARDISON, U. Se Probation Officer,Savannah, Georgia, advised the writer. that he had received information from the probation officials to the effect that GROSSI is actually only 16 years old and that he served some time for juvenile delinquency at the New Jersey State Home for Boys at Jamesturg, New Jerseye , ' Mr. SCOTT A. EDWARDS, clerk, U.S. District Court, Savannah, Georgia, _ presented court records on THOMAS HARVEY HERMAN which reflected that a criminal information was filed by the U. S. Attomey on one count for violation of the juvenile delinquency act in that HERMAN did unlawfully, wilfuly and knowingly wear the duly prescribed uniform of an enlisted man of the U.S. Navye On May ll, 19h) he entered a plea of guilty to such charge and was given two years probation with the exception that he would be discharged from probation on and after his entry in military service of the United States for the period of such service. ir By teletype dated May 2, 194i, Washington Field Division advised that a check of the records in the Navy Department failed to reflect any Navy enlisted personnel record issued for either of the subjects but it was stated that one GILBERT ARTHUR HERMAN, born November 2l;, 1922, Cuba, home address 342 Taft St., Bristol, Pa., serving aboard the USS Thomas Jefferson, might be HERMANtS brother. wis sk | Docld: 32563819 Page 5
A SV’ 43-93 _ ENCLOSURE: TO THE BUREAU =- one disposition sheet for GROSSI. one probation flash letter for HERMAN. - PENDING - | pocta:32563819 Page 6
| DoclTd:32563819 Page 7 SV 43-93 - UNDEVELOPED LEADS - - “THE NEWARK FIELD DIVISION: | | Oo _ AT JAMESBURG, NEW JERSEY, will obtain from the records of the New ‘Jersey State Home for Boys, subject GROSSI'S legal residence, his birth date, place of birth, identity of relatives, It is also requested that the Bureau of Vital Statistics be checked to further verify subject GROSSI'S birth date. (This lead was set forth in Teletypes to Newark dated May 8, 19k and May 16, 19h.) y - PENDING-
NL FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Form No, 1 THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT . Sovar ant ‘ . FILE NO. — hy REPORT MADE AT . : DATE WHEN MADE PERIOD FOR REPORT MADE BY WHICH MADE | Savannsh 6-10: 1se28e 29555809 TAYIOR JACSON SING, ITT CHANGED: THOMAS HARVEY iiRUAN, JOR TA arossr, | Wao, Jack Pale Villianss — SETECTIVE SERVICE oo ILLEGAL WEARING OF UWIFORE CHARACTER OF CASE Subjects interviewed several tines ard told various stories and untraths but subject GROSST consistentiy stated that he was 15 and had not registered for Selective Se: “vieee AUSA Savannah dismissed IW z charges agai inet. 6 OSSE on basis ef additional inforsa- ; tion teading™ te shee that uniform GROSST was wearing was not of USE. At later date, AUSA dismissed SS charges v5. GROSSY on ground he was only 16 years old. On basis of information received from srobation atithorities, COROSST released to New Jersey State Howe for Hoyse. Information fled against subject HURMAY charging TAU (Navy uniform) @ HERWAN antered plea of guilty under juvenile delinquency act en such illegal wearinge - Received two years! probation. - Disposition shect and p orobation flash subnitted. lo record Washington, De Ce that either subject enlisted USHe ‘SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: Referencar Report of SA Taylor J J, Sins, » Savannah 2% -tybe Deteilsr The t4 tle. of this ease is being marked changed to raflect the ON true nase of the subject previously designated at Jack Dale | Willians ag. GO JACK GROSET, § with alias Jack Dale Willians. 1 TAYION J j ies it, Sg eeial & A ont Federal Qk 2 “Hurean re] oF “nveatigation , Sanh Georgia - APPROVED AND SPECIAL AGENT FORWARDED: : ‘ . IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES COPIES OF THIS REPORT — 3 Buroau (Bnc.) 2 Howark 11 USA. Savannah 2 Savannah | Docld:327563819 Page &
SV 13-93 | This agent can teatify that on April 235. Whi subject MERUAT eave ‘the . following signed statevent: "Savannah, , da. pri 28 19d "[, Themag Harvey Hernan rake ‘the following voluntary statexent to Taylor J. Sims, who has identified hinself as a Special Agent of the Fe Be Ie No threats or promises wore sale ‘to et ne to give thig and I knew 1: may ke need in courte '. When I gave a Sine the signed statenont about a “nonth Ag, I told hin several things that are not the truth. Actually I was never én the 8, S. Wills and have never been in the Horchant. Marines Algo I have obtainad money by @aying I was in the Navys I did thie six or seven tinea, and euch time I was with Jack Willians, whe was arrested with me here in Savannahs I really don't know what bis real nasa ia, We got $10. to (12, to 215. each time, and I knew that the people gave ug the money because we had told then we were in the Navy, This happeried in Norfolk, Baltinore, and a few other places, I have had the Navy uniform about 9 aonths and was wearing it when I got the money from theae people. ity mother's neme is Gleda Homan, and she last resided on 216 California AV@e, Atlantic City, Ne Jo My brother Silbert Herman is in the Ravye i am 17 VE8e Odds ; . ny nave road the. above statenent which ‘4s true to the boat of ny knongledee a . /s/ Thowas Herman” a Witness: Taylor Je Sine, Tid, FBI, Savannahs Cas Special Agent SINS can also tostity that subject | Ross on April 28, 19h4 _ gave the following signed statene "Zavannaht, Od. April, 28, 9uk "'T, Jehn Jack Grossi, make the following voluntary statenent to taylor Je. Sina, who has identified himself to me as a Special Agent of the FAT, No threats or orowlses wore made to me to give this statenan’ and I knéw it . may be used in courts ae | Qh sero | Docld: 32563819 Page 3
u BY 43-93 When I was fivet questioned by Mrs Sine arcund the last of March this year, 1 told hin that my nane wae Jack Male Willians, but this is not true and my veal, naxe ig Joba Jack Groesi, 2 did this becuase T didn't like the name and bacaube. I didn't want my mother te know about my troubles I algo told ie, Sins before that I ued no eriminal record, tit this also © 4g not tiue because I was arrested and placed in New Jersey State Home for Boye. at Javesbarg, Ny Je IT was. avrested in Pemeylvaniay the town of Media, < was arrested for running away from home. Xy SY algo stated in ny first statement that uy hone was in Florida, but this is not teue, My hone ie 268 17th Ave., Patterson, Ne Je where ny mother, Uxr®e Rosé Grossi, Lives. “y brother, Albert, is in Army Air Covpa, and my sieter, dean Engold, lives with ay nother, I teld Sine before that I had no brother ox sister, arid made-up the first. name 1 gave for ay mother. vy father, John Grossi; is inthe Army. Also I have never been on the S. S. ¥ille ac I first said.’ . . . Mag T sald before I have not registered for thd draft although I an 16 years olds “About six tines during past year I have told people Iwas in the Navy and by means of sueh statement 1 have asked and received from than varloud gumg of money ranging frou (10, to $18. each timo, Usually thie happened while Thomas Harvey Herman and 1 werd hitehhiking, The first tize waa coming out of Philadelphia, and other tines in Baltimore, Raleighy No Cog Washington, De Cey and Norfolk, Vas Of course neither Hernan or {have ever been in the Navy, At those tires we were Wearing the uniforse we were wearing whan fire$ picked up here in Savannah, It was not true, as 1 first said, that i just bought the unifors a month agoo T have had 1% about 8 or 9 monthas I can’ remeuber any of the people who gave us the money, mut L do know that they gave me tho money because I said 1 was in the Havy and because I had the unifora one Hexman was algo wearing his uniform during that tine, and he has newer heen a Merchant aeamano I don't renexber getting | any money by this meang in Savannah. #Y have xead the above statewant-of nearly 2 pages and it is true te the best of my knowledges TI would aleo Mike to say at this tine, thad any mercy ehown by the court will be vary deeply appreciated. If released, I hope to rotumn to Ne Je and try me best to enter in the armed forees — immeadiatelys ., re Lo _ (Signed) John Jack Grossi * ” Witnesa: Taylor J» Sisa, III, Fat - . : sot mee Wye: . | Docld:32563819 Page 10
SV 43-93. ‘Special Agont STHS can also testify that on May 8, I9hl he interviewed gabjoct GROSST at the Chatham County Jail, Savannah, Ceorgia, and that. at such tine subject GROSSI was agai given an opportunity to tell the truth conceming his age. Subject GROSSE atated that ho fully realized that he would ‘not ba guilty of a violation? of the Selective Training and Service Act of 190 1f he wag not 18 years olds He stated that it would certainly be his ‘desire to state that he waa born in 19297 in order to alvoid such prosecution but he again stated that he was born duly 5, 1925 at Pattergon, New Jersey and ‘that. he had nevar registered under the Selective Training and Services Act. Ab such time he was questioned carefully about whether he weg a paroles or an escapee: frou. the Few Jersey State Hone for Boya at Jamenburg, New Jerseye ‘He stated that he was ony a parales and he had never escaped from such hom@. - Special Agent SIMS can also teetify that on May §, ‘gh, he interviewsd — subject HERMAN at. the Chatham County Jail, Savannah, Ceorgia, at which timo he admitted that several. facta he had praviously given were no}: trues nanely, thet he was living at the Young Hotel, Tennessee. Avene) Atlantic Clty, when he met subject CROSS and thot he’ had previously xan away from hore beeaune hie vother, 855 GLADA “ HERMAN, 216 California Avameé, Atlantic City, had nade hin stay homée He stated that she was not dead as he had firgt told the agents. He stated ina he had later gone back and tried te locate his mother but thet she had noved frou such address and he did not know where she was located at the present timeo WILLIAM 0. LASSITER, a Be st Le Lhe Lassrem + who had originally questioned the two subjects on the day they were apprehended by military police authorities was interviewed by the writer concerning the unifors that subject. OROSSI was wearing at the time of hig apprahensions Lt, LASSITER advised that it was his opinion that, the uniform itself was a Yerchant Marine unifora and not one of the Uo So Kavye He stated that sincd GROSSI was not wearing any Navy tinoigia that guch uniforn, although 4t appeared vory sinilar to a rogular Navy uniform, would not be classed by the Navy as such, He stated that he could not say as to vhother the two red service stripes which GROSSE had on ond of the sleeves of the uniforin which he was wearing were Navy stripes although it wae his ‘opinion that ordinary Merchant Seaman do not. wear such service stripes. fe Stated that the main distinguishing feature between. the uniforn of the two subjects wag that the Navy uniforn which HERUAY wae wearing con- tained three onnll etripes around the collar which definitely designated it as.a Navy wniforuy and that’ GROSEING uniford did not havo gueh three sxall stripes. . f= 5. No Ss wo tba Syd Nap | Docld:32563819 Page 11
i & it By talet Syps aated | May Be AGhk5* Washington Yield Division advised that SV 43-93 PROSECITAVE 2emat *L “The. facts ‘concerning ‘the untfous worn > by. aabsect onoger ae related by The BI ELTAM Co: IASSITER, Uy. 8,. Naval Reserve; were discussed with Ansiatart . Ue b. Attomay: SOLTEN VARTRINGE, ‘Savanndhy Georgia, “who advised that Lt . nog his opinion alae that. the wd foe. which subject: GROSST was wearing | wae not .the uniform of the Us Se Hawy and that he was dionissing the charges whieh had been browght avainet the. subject GROSSE for egal Vearing of the Unifors., est tated. toes the Selsctive Servi ce. eharge - would be continued against fahiay however s on vay 8, 19by Ure WARERIDOS adv sed he hod received trifornation | fron the | Ve Be Probats on Officer‘at Savannak,’ Gaorgiag . to the effect. that subject GROSSE is only 16 years, of age.and that: accordingly there was. ro violation of the Select as) Pralriog and. Sarviee"Act for failure te register on the part of the. mbject and: that ha was dismissing mich charges. He stated . that the subject trould be held for the New Jersey: ‘State Home for Boys and that GROSST would be totamned GO the. eastedy of such Anatitatten, a Wk, BOWIN Cy RARDISON, iy Ue Se Probation Officer, Savanah, Coors By adviged - i the. vert ter that he had roeeived information from the ‘probation officials ‘: to the effect. that GROSST is actually only 16 years old and that he : served sowe time for | Juvenile dedinquency at the New Jergay State Home | for Boys at Janestargy enw Jerseys Mp, SCOTT A. EDN TANDS, ‘elere, Ce 8. Dieted a ¢ Court, Savarmah, Georgi, presented court records on HO) JS HARVEY HERMAN which reflected that a erininal inforsation wag filed by the U. S. Attemey on one count for vielation of the juvenile delinquency act in that MERUAN did unlawfally, wilftaly and knowingly wear the duly presorLved uniform of an enlisted ean . of the 0.5. avy. On May 11, 19h) he entered & plea of guilty to such - charge and wag given two years probation with the exception that he would | be discharged from probation on and after his entry in military service of the United States for the period of such service, . check of the racords in the Navy Departacnt failed to reflect any } Navy enlisted pergornel record: issued for either of the subjects bat it was stated that one GILBERT ARTHIR HERMAN, born Noverbor 2h, 1922, Cuba, hone address 312 Taft Ste, Bristol, Pas, serving aboard the USS Thonsg Jatforson, _ might be HERMAN'S brothers | | | | e ee oy ‘ \ , Docld: 325635819 Page 12
SY 493 ENCLOSURE: TO THN BURBAU~ one Cispesition sheat for CROSST. one probation Mash Lotter for HERAT. - PENDING -— Co ee Qo we I ij | Docld: 32563619 Page 153