Document date: 04/17/2018
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Form NO. 1

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT

REPORT MADE AT

Savannah

CHANGED:

Savannah

DATE WHEN MADE

6-10-44

FILE NO.

43-93 dok

THOMAS HARVEY HERVAN; JOHN JACK

Wao, Jack Dale Willians.

PERIOD FOR

REPORT MADE BY

M 2, 29,5-8,9,

10, 12, 2014

TAYLOR. JACKSON SIMS, III

GROSSI,

CHARACTER OF CASE

SELECTIVE SERVICE

ILLEGAL WEARING OF UNIFORM

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:

113-1.40.22

F. I. DA

icons

MON

JUL

Subjects interviewed several times and told various

stories and untruths but subject GROSSI consistently

stated that he was 18 and had not registered for

Selective Service. AUSA Savannah dismissed IWU

charges against GROSSI on basis of additional informa

tion tending to show that uniform GROSSI was wearing

was not of USN. At later date, AUSA dismissed SS charges

vS. GROSSI on grounds he was only 16 years old.

of information received from probation authorities, GROSSI

released to New Jersey State Home for Boyso Information

nfiled against subject HERMAN charging IU (Navy uniform)

Cánd HERMAN entered plea of guilty under juvenile delinquency

29

gaact on such illegal wearing.

Received two years' probation.

Disposition sheet and probation flash submitted. No record

Washington, D. Co that either subject enlisted Us.

•P.

@CORD

Reference:

Details:

changed to reflect the

true name of the subject previously designated at Jack Dale

92121219 AS JOHN CH CO3ãt, Mata alias Jack DaZe, MAi

N2 ON DE T02LICE

= BI

BECE AED-HUBBO

3 25 bW alri

TAYLOR JACKSON SIMS, III. Special Agen

Federal

Bureau of Investigation

Savannah,

Georgia

FORWARDED:

JAL AGENT

IN CHARGE

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

6359-2

RECORDt!

COPIES OF THIS REPORT 12

3 Bereau (Enco) arsi

2 Newark

1 USA, Savannah!

2 Savannah

51

18 3 7104

7

& MUN 14 1940

2034

1-10 33305

DocId: 32563819

Page 1

---

## Page 2

SV '43-93

This agent can testify that on April 28, 1944, subject HERMAN gave the

following signed statement:

"Savannah, Ga.

April 28, 1944

"I, Thomas Harvey Herman, make the following voluntary statement to

Taylor Jo Sims, who has identified himself as a Special Agent of the

F. B. Io

No threats or promises were made to get me to give this and

I know it may 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. So

Mills and have never been in the Merchant Marine. Also 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.

"My mother's name is Glada Herman, and she last resided on 216 California

Ave., Atlantic City, N. Jo My brother Gilbert Herman is in the Navyo

I am 17 yrse old.

"I have read the above statement which is true to the best of my knowledge.

/s/ Thomas Herman"

Witness: Taylor J. Sims, III, FBI, Savannah, Ga.

Special Agent SIMS can also testify that subject GRUSSI on April 28, 1944

gave the following signed statement:

"Savannah, Ga.

April 28, 1944

"I, John Jack Grossi, make the following voluntary statement to Taylor 3.

Sims, who has identifiea himself to me as a Special Agent of the FBI.

NO

threats or promises were made to me to give this statement and I know it

may be used in courte

- 2-

and losse

DocId:32563819

Page 2

---

## Page 3

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 Grossi. 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 Mi. Sins 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, No J. I was arrested in Pennsylvania, the town of

Media.

I was arrested for running away from home.

"I also stated in my first statement that my home was in Florida, but

this is not true. My home is 268 17th Ave., Patterson, N. Jo where my

mother, Mrs. Rose Grossi, Lives.

Corps,

My brother, albert, is in army Air

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 1 gave

for ny mother. My father, John Grossi,

is in the Army. Also I have never

been on the S. 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, No Co,

Washington, D. Co, 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 true, 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 uniforn during

that time, and he has never been a Merchant seaman. I don't remember getting

any money by this means in Savannah..

"I have read the above statement of nearly 2 pages and it is true to the

best of my knowledge. 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. Jo and try me best to enter in the armed forces

imnediately.

(Signed) John Jack Grossi "

Witness:

Taylor J. Sins, III, FBI

Savannah

can 3 -

DocId:32563819

Page

---

## Page 4

SV: 43-93

Special Agent SIMS can also testify that on May 8, 1944 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

truth 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, 19hl, he interviewed

subject HERVAN at the Chathan lounty 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

and he did not know where she was located at the present time.

address

WILLIAM CO

LASSITER,

Ito

a vanany Georgia-

Naval Reserve

It. 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 unifom 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

T. S. Navyo 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 such. 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 uniforn did not have such three small

stripes:

- 4-

gost

DocId: 32563819 Page 4

---

## Page 5

SV 43-93

PROSECUTIVE ACTION

The facts concerning the uniform worn by subject GRUSSI as related by It.

WILLIAM C. LASSITER, U. S, Naval Reserve, were discussed with Assistant

U. So Attorney JULIAN HARTRIDGE, 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 GROSSI for Illegal Wearing of

the Uniform. He stated that the Selective Service charge would be continued

against him, however.

On May 8, 19444, Mr. HARTRIDGE advised he had received inforation from the

GrossI is only 1o years of age and that accordingly there was no violation

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. S. 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 Jamesburg, New Jersey.

Mro 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. Navy. On May 11, 1944 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.

11

By teletype dated May 2, 1944, 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 24, 1922, Cuba, home

address 342 Taft Sto, Bristol, Pa., serving aboard the USS Thomas Jefferson,

might be HERMAN'S brother®

-5.0

SA-334

DocId: 32563819 Page 5

---

## Page 6

SV 43-93

ENCLOSURES

TO THE BUREAU - one disposition sheet for GROSSI.

one probation flash letter for HERMAN.

PEN

DIN

G

6-

DocId: 32563819

Page

---

## Page 7

SV 43-93

- UNDEVELOPED LEADS -

THE NEWARK FIELD DIVISION:

AT JAMESBURG, NEW JERSEX, 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, 1944 and May 16, 19440)

- PENDING -

-7=

DocId: 32563819

Page 7

---

## Page 8

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FILE NO.

Form NO. 1

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT

REPORT MADE ÄT

Savennah

TITLE

CHAN CAXEE

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:

Reference:

Dotails:

Barenndo

DATE WHEN MADE

610-1,14

PERIOD FOR

NHICH MADE

1-23,29358,9

20,22,20-444

THOMS HARVEY INGRIAM; JOEL

dace crossly,

wang Jack Dale Williang.

13-93

dole

REPORT MADE BY

TAYLOR JACKSON SIS, DIT

CHARACTER OF CASE

SELECLIVE SEEVICE

ILLEGAL WEARING OF INFOLE

Subjocts intervieved several tines and told various

stories and untruthe but subject CROSSI consistently

statod that he was 10 and had aot registered for

Solective sorvice®

AUSA Savannah dismissed INU

charges against GROSSI on basis of additional inform-

sion tending to show that antfor CROSST was wearing

was not of USt. At later data, AUSA dismissed SS charges

T3. GROSSI on grounda he was only 16 Joars olde

On basis

infornation received frow probation authoritios,

OROSSI.

released to New Jaraey State Hose for Eys.

Information

filed against subject STRUMN charging MIU (Navy uniforn)

and. HERMAX

entered plea of guilty under juranile delinquency

act on such illogal roaring. Received two joars' probation.

Disposition shoot and probation flash subnitted. No record

Tashington, Do Ge that eithor subject anitated US.

•P.

Report of SA Taylor J, Sing, Savannab,

425-440

The title of this came is being marked changed to rafleet the

true nano of the subjcet previoualy designated at lack vale

Willams 2 SOUl JACK CROSSI, Bith alias Jact: Dale Willians.

APPROVED AND

FORWARDED:

PANION 2ACNSCY 335

III, Spectal, Arent

Federal, Surent of Investitation

Savannah:

tanrela

SPECIAL AGENT

IN CHARGE

COPIES OF THIS REPORT

3

Beroau (Bnce)

2

• NovarE

1 Uang Savannab

2. Savannah

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

43-53592

FILE COPY

DocId: 32563819

Page 8

---

## Page 9

SV 13 93

Thie agent can teatify that on Apr11 20, J9l Dubject EMAY gave

following signed staterant:

#Savannah,

08g

April 23g 1941

*I, Those Farvay Fernan,

nake the following voluntary statement to

Taylor Io Sins, who has identifled himself as a ipecial Agent of the

Fo Bo. Io

No threats or promicos vere sade to

gao me to sava this and

I know it may be used in courto

*Then I gave It. Sine the

signed statement about a nonth ago, I told hia

sovaral things that are not the truth. hotually I was never on the S. Sa

unide and hava never been in the berchant Marino, Aleo I havo obtained

monoy by soying I was in the lavy, I did this ain or seven times, and

oach time I was with Jack WiZlians, who rag arrested with ne here in

Savannaho

I roally don't know what his roal nase 16.

No got 110. to 612.

to 915, each ting, and I know that the people gavo us the money becauso

we had told than we were in the Navy Thin happened in Mortol, balticoro,

and a few other places.

LeinE it on or the one to too posa.

I have had the Mavy uniform about 9 monthe and

my nother's nano da Clada leman, and ahe last resided on 216 Califoria

AVda

Atlantic City, No Jo My brother O11bere Hernan 18

In the Ravy®

I an 1l 720e Oldo

"I have road the above statonent mich is true to the bost of my inonladge..

/s/ Thorse Hernan

Wa tneag:

Taylor Jo Sins, III, PBX, Savarnah, Ca.

Special Agent SUlS con also tostify that sabjeot GROSSI on Apr1l 25, 19h4

saTe the folloring signod statement:

"Savannah,

Cas

ApriL 209 2944

may be usod in court.

Sorr-103041

DocId: 32563819

Page 9

---

## Page 10

• SV 48-93

"Then. I was firat questloned by lze Sina around the laut of larch thin

yoar, I told hin that ny name voe Jock Tale Willians, bud thie le not

* did thie bacuase I didn't

Zike the nano and bacause. I didn't want my nethor to know about ny trouble.

I also told 12. Sins boforo that I had

no oriminal rocord, but this alao

18 not true because I was arrested and placed in New Jorsey State Fore for

Boys at Jannabard,

I was arrested in Peraylvania, the tom of

Mediao

"I also statod in my firat atatonent that my home was in Florida, buu

this ia not true, My hong to 268 17th Ave:, Patterson, Me do where my

mother, Mrce Rosa Crossi, Lives.

My brother, Albert, 18 in Arny Air

Corpa, and my siater, Jean lagolly tivos wish ny notere

I told Sing

bafore that I had no

brother or sister, and made up the tires nane i gave

for my nothere

My father, John Crossi, io in the Army, 11a0 I have nevar

boon on tho 5. S. Mlls no I firat saide

"As' I said before I have not rogistered for the draft although I an 16

years olde

"About six tines during post year I havo told people I was in the Navy and

by means of such statoment I have asired and received from than various

suns of nonoy ranging from 110, to 31ß, each tino. Usually thie happened

while Thonde Harvay Farnan and I word hitchhiking.

Tho Pirot tire ma

coming out of Philadolphia, and other tinos in Baltimore, Raleigh, No Cog

of courso noither Hernan or I have

ever boen in the Navy At those tures we wore tearing the unlonce so wer

wearing man firet pieted up here in Savannah. It ma not tive, ea I firt

that & juat bought the uniform a nonth ago. I have had it about & or

9 monthse

I oan't zonouber any of the paoplo tho gave un the nouey, but

I do lnow that shoy gavo me the money boçaune I said I was in the lavy and

because I had the uniforn one

. Borman was also woaring his uniforn during

that tine, and ho has nover boon & Merchant gearan®

any money by this manno in Savannaho

*I have road the above stateuent of noarly ? pages and 10 ia true to the

best of my lmowledges

I waild also like to boy at thie tine, that auy

mercy shom by the couxt will ba vary deply appreciatade Il released, I

hope to rotum to lo d, and try se boat to enter in the armed forees

Ammodiatelye

(S1gned) John Jack Grous "

Ka nesot

Taylor Jo Sing, III, FBI

Savannah

-3-

DocId: 32563819

Page 10

---

## Page 11

Sv 42-93

Special Agont sIus can also testify that on May 8, 194h he interviewed

mabject GROSSI ad the Chathan County Jaily Savannah, Gaorgia, and thit

at such tine subject GROSSI was agairi given an opportunity to toll tho

truth concerning his age. Subject ORpsSt atated that ho fully realized

that he would not ba millty of a violationi: of the Seloctive Training and

Soxvice Aot of 1940 1f he was not 13 joars old, He stated that it would

certainty bo his destro to ptate that he wa bom in 1927 in order to

Training and Sarvice Aote At such time ho nas questioned carofully about

whother he was a paroles or an escapes fron the fow Jersey State Hone

for Boys at Jarethurg, let Jersey.

To stated that he vas only a paroles

and he had never escaped tron such home.

Spocinl Agent SDS can also beatify that on lay &, 39L4, he interviowed

subject letter at tho Chathan County Jail, Savannah, Goorla, et which

time ho auntia tat severa. racts he nad previouely gavan were not

tries nanesy, that he ras living at the loung note connessed venue

Atlantic Ciuy, when ho not subject olesat and that ne had previously zun

• from hone because his nother, wise Cunth the finang

226 California

Atlantie City.

had nade him stay hones

He stated that she vas nog

dead as ho had first told tre agent.

lie stated that he had later gone

back and trted to locato his mother but that she had moved from such addres

and he did not know whore she was located at the present tine.

WOMAN GO

Nevad

"ROSS

Lte

savanna ta

Lio Insole who had originally queationod the two subjecte on the day

they wore approhended by nilitary police authorition was interiered by

the writer concorning the uniforn that subjeet. GROSSI was waring at the

tico of his apprehensione

It, LASSITER advised that it was his opinion

that the uniforn itsolf has a

Morchant Karine uniform and not one of the

Vo So Navye

He stated that ginco GROSSI was not woaring any Navy traignia

that such unifors, although it appeared vory sinilar to a rogular Navy

unifom; would not bo classed by the lavy as suche

He stated that he could

not say us to whether the tro red service stripes which GROSSI had on ono

of the alcoves of the uniforn which ho was resring wero Navy stripes although

it uns his opinion that ordinary Morchant Seanin de not wear such service

stripess

He Stated that tho nain distingulahing foature botroon the unifor

of the tro mbjects was that the lavy unifor which HeAr was wearing cor

tained throg analt etpipes around the collar thich dotinitaly designated

It as a Wavy uniforng and that GROSSI!S uniforn did not have ouch three suall

stripes,

= 41.00

DocId: 32563819

Page 11

---

## Page 12

30 43-93

PROSACRIVE ACTION

The facts concerning

the unttom worn by subject oRosst ae related by lio

FILLIAL Go LAS5I28R

Do 5. Mayal Rosarvo, more discussed with Assistant

Vo Bo Attomoy JOLTIE VARTEOU

Savannah,

Georgis, who advieed that it

no hie opinion aleo that the uniforn which subject CROSSI was maring

T0o 20t: tha triform

of the to so fary and that he ms dismlesing the charges

which and boon broache apedned the aubjent crosst

for Illegal Fearing of

the uniforme

He stated that the solcotivo

Sarvico barge would be continued

against him, horever.

On Voy 8, 2909 Mr NTRIDOS advised he had recolved information from the

Vo So Probation Officer gu Savannat, Coongie, to the effect that subject

oRossy is only 16 spare of ega and that accordingly there no no violation

of the Solective Training and Sarvice see for failure to recister on the

part of the subject and that he was disminsing nich charges.

Ho stated

that the subject would be hold for tho Now Jersey State Home for Boys and

thas GRuSSI would bo returned to the custody of such instititions

the writer that he had rocoived infomation fron the probation officials

to the effect that crosst is actually only 16 jourg old and that he

served sone sino for juvonile delinquancy at the Naw Jersey State Home

for loys at Janesburg, New Jerady.

clerkg

Do 6o Metried Courty Savarnan, 090rgl2g

presented cours recorde on THOMAS HARVEY HEIAN which raflected that a

onudnal infomation was filed by the U. So Attomay on one count for

violation of the tuvenile delinquency act in that MuRAl did unlamfullys

mitruly and imomingly rear the dufy prasoriod unifom of an enlisted man

of the Dob, Navye

On May 1lg 19l4 he antered a plea of quilty to such

of the United States for the pariod of muca service. .

By talotyps dated May 2, 1944g Mashington Mold Division advised that a

chock of the rocords in the Navy Department failed to reflood any Navy

oniisted perpormol record issued for aithar of the subjecto but it was

stated that one GILDuNt ARENUR MERKAN, born Movember 214g

1,922, Cube, home

address 342 taft Stes Eriotol,

carving aboard the liSS Thoras Jeffarson,

mighu be HERJAI'S brothere

DocId: 32563819

Page 12

---

## Page 13

Sy 48-93

ENCLOSURE:

TO TRE BUREAU - one disposition sheat for CROSsTe

one probation flash lotter for Kno

DIN

- 6.

DocId: 32563819

Page 13

---

## Page 14

SV 43--93

= 15087840282

THIS NEMANE PIULD DIVISION:

AL JAIRSBORO, HLY VERSEX, Will obtain from the zaoards of the

Now

Jaraoy Stato Hone for Boye, subject O90SS1YS logal rosideuce,

h3o

birth deta, place of birth, identity of rolatives..

It 1e also roquooted that the

Bureau of Vital Stotlutica be chocod

,to further varity subject ChOSSI'S birth date.

(Ilio load was sot forth

in Jolotypos to Howark dated May , 194l and May 16, 1944c)

no: PAIDING

DocId: 32563819

Page 14

---