AFFIDAVIT OF HENRY J. ROUSSEL, JR.
The following affidavit was
executed by Henry J. Roussel, Jr., on May 25, 1964.
PRESIDENT'S
COMMISSION
ON THE
ASSASSINATION OF
AFFIDAVIT
PRESIDENT JOHN
F. KENNEDY
STATE OF
LOUISIANA,
Parish of Baton
Rouge, ss:
I, Henry J. Roussel, Jr., 2172
Elissalde Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, being first duly sworn, depose and
say:
That while in
the United States Marine Corps I served for approximately
three or four
months with Lee Harvey Oswald in MACS-9 in Santa Ana, California.
On one occasion I arranged a
date for Oswald with my aunt, Rosaleen Quinn, an airline stewardess who,
because she was interested in working for the American Embassy in Russia, had
taken a leave from her job in order to study Russian. I arranged the date
because I knew of Oswald's study of the Russian language. I also arranged a
date for my aunt with Lieutenant John E. Donovan. I am under the impression
that prior to studying Russian, Oswald had studied German.
I recall no serious political
remarks on the part of Oswald. On occasion, however, Oswald, when addressing
other Marines, would refer to them as "Comrade." It seemed to me and,
as far as I know, to my fellow Marines--that Oswald used this term in fun. At
times some of us responded by calling him "Comrade." Oswald also
enjoyed listening to recordings of Russian songs.
My recollection of Oswald is to
the effect that he was personally quite neat, and that he stayed to himself.
Oswald complained about orders that he was given, but no more than did the
average Marine. I regarded Oswald as quite intelligent, in view of the fact
that he had taught himself two foreign languages. I do not recall Oswald's
having any dates other than the one which I arranged for him with my aunt.
I do not remember Oswald's
getting into any fights. I have no recollection concerning Oswald's reading
habits, religious beliefs, or trips off the post. I do not remember his reading
a Russian newspaper, and do not recall his having any nicknames. (I was
nicknamed "Beezer.") I do not remember Oswalds having his name
written in Russian on his jacket, and have no recollection of any visitors
received by Oswald.
Signed this 25th day of May,
1964, at Baton Rouge, La.
(S) Henry J. Roussel, Jr.,
HENRY J. ROUSSEL, Jr.