MEMO:'AMERICAN DEFECTORS TO THE USSR'
Originator: CIA
From: BENDER, J.L.
To: THE RECORD
Document date: 12/05/1966
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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1704-10433-10111

2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

SEVEL

5 December 1966

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT® "American Defectors to the USSR!

10.

The attached material was part of a soft file entitled

"American Defectors to the USSR", which was set up by sim

(support around 1960 and maintained by various a components

until ca. 1963.

The compilations were derived from a variety

of sources, and contain both elassified and overt data.

2. In the fall of 1966, the files were turned over to St

Stalf. In most instances, basic information was then abstracted

Fathe defector Machine.Progsan. In all instances in which

the material was unique, or represented a valuable collation effort,

it has been incorporated into the appropriate 201 file, along with

a copy of this memorandum.

3. It is suggested that any dissemination of this data should

be coordinated with $B-Division and with GrOwtf/©#/MR®), in

view of the frequently inadequate sourcing and of the fact that

disseminations have already been made towg! tHe USefecto

Viashie+Program

Senato

Mainen

Orig - Oi/MRo

1 - RAFT

1 - SEYRVO

1 - GiR&A Bender

VOT

JEBerden

Document Number

1031-405

for FOlA Review on

SEP 1976

CS COPY;

SEUREY

7248

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OSWATD, Ide Harvey

Date of Births 18 Dotober 1939.

New Orleans, Loulajana

Data of Defections October 1959

Educations:

ligh school. Always a studious typo, read books that were

conaldered "deep".

Military Servioes

Jolned the Martnes at 17. Saya he did this because he didn't

want to be a burden on his mother. Becane a PFC, radar operatory

I4 months service Japan and the Pbilipplnes.: Honorable discharge

on 3 Septansar- 195% (dependenoy disasarge, i

Backgrounds

Father, an insurance salesman, died bafore lee was bora.

las

a brother who lo a aslesman at Acme Brick Company, Fort Worth, Texas,

and a half brother John Barard Ple age 28, a US Air Force Staff Sargeant

statlored In Japan, Mother Is Orrently employed as a supply mother at

(DBR 494703 25 94y4960

According to newspaper artiola, rensons for his defection vere a combi

nation of family poverty, what he considers the plight of US negroes, and

the US Marines or American Impertalisu abroad. At 15 or so he read

"Das Kapital" and agreed with its theorias. A year before his diacbarge,

he began to prepare for 11fa in the Sovlet Union by using a Berlitz

grannar to teach hinself how to road and write Fussian. Never, however,

did he consider deserting the Marine Corps.

Aster disobargo from the Marines, lee visited his nother in fort Worth

for about: 3 days, then laft for New Orleans where he planned to resume

employment.with an export-import company for which he had worked prior

to an in at the are a ng the or board a la go to loops,

that he was doing something he felt he must do. His arrival in Moscow

came as a shock to the family.: Travel money probably came from that

saved while In the Marines.. Ha had never expressed any sympathy for

the Soviet Unlon or Comminis. He had been interested in Cube and South

Ameries and his fantly would have expected him to go there, 1f anywhere.

Nail sent to him since his defection has been addressed to the Hotel

Matropole, Moscon.. He schnowledged receipt of his mail in 1959, but

latters sent. In 1960 bave been returned to the senders.

(010 49490)

In November 1959 the Sovlets were Investigating the possibility of

sending lse to a Soviet highor technical instituto.

May 1960 Mrs. Oswald received a lotter fron the Albert Schweltzar College

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=2 -

in Switzerland, and which was addressed to Loe, which said in effact

hat this college was expaoting Les Oswald on 20 April 1900. Alti

receipt o1 tha latter, Mrs:. Usuald planned to vilta to the collaga.u

learn 1f her son was in astual attandanco there.

The Soviats nelther ancouraged nor discouraged Oswald'a desira to become

a Soriot altizen.. The Amertor Embassy wanted him to think it over.

before hearing his oath renouncing American altizenship. As a result,

at a bet bored ha desi har i a stay a that gard

back to the USti

Real da did a can on dar carta condon Late as presi a)

born July 1941, Ma letousk,

with O'swald

Unleas to noted, into 1a fron the Hashlagton Evening Star, 26 Nov. 1959.

accuss arrased of Brecedent John 7, Kennely. 2220

en. Del,

sun need i hate one as none nes while

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