Lee Harvey Oswald | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : December 09, 2024

Who is Lee Harvey Oswald?

Lee Harvey Oswald was a significant figure in American history, primarily known for his alleged role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Born on October 18, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Oswald had a tumultuous childhood marked by the early death of his father and his mother's struggles as a single parent. His upbringing led him to feel emotionally detached, a trait that later characterized him as an adult. After joining the U.S. Marines in 1956, where he demonstrated skill as a marksman, he defected to the Soviet Union, cultivating an interest in socialism that would shape his political views.

Upon returning to the U.S. in 1962 with his wife, Marina Prusakova, and their newborn daughter, Oswald became increasingly radicalized and expressed pro-Cuban sentiments. He acquired firearms and was linked to several violent incidents prior to the assassination of JFK on November 22, 1963. Oswald allegedly shot the president from the Texas School Book Depository while the motorcade passed through Dallas. His subsequent arrest and the two-day interrogation ended abruptly when he was murdered by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner with alleged mob connections, preventing any trial and leaving many questions about the circumstances surrounding both Kennedy's death and Oswald's role unanswered.

Early Life and Education

Lee Harvey Oswald was born on October 18, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Marguerite and Robert Oswald Sr. Tragically, his father passed away just two months before his birth, leaving his mother to raise him and his two older brothers as a single parent. Due to financial difficulties, Marguerite was compelled to send her children to an orphanage for a time. Later, after remarrying briefly, Marguerite moved her family to the Bronx, New York City. During these formative years, Oswald faced challenges at home; his mother's extended work hours left him to navigate his youth largely on his own, fostering an emotionally detached personality and a tendency for mischief.

Oswald's education was marked by a lack of stability and focus. He struggled academically and was frequently absent from school. Eventually, his behavior caught up with him, leading to his placement in a detention hall, where social workers noted his isolation and lack of guidance. As he transitioned into adolescence, Oswald's curiosity about the world grew, particularly regarding socialist ideologies, which he began to explore while living in New York. This blend of emotional detachment and burgeoning political curiosity would shape his identity, laying the groundwork for his later controversial actions.

Military Service and Move to the Soviet Union

Lee Harvey Oswald's military service began when he joined the U.S. Marines in 1956, where he demonstrated a talent for marksmanship that marked him as a better-than-average shooter. However, his time in the Marines was marred by disciplinary issues; he was court-martialed twice for offenses, including possession of an illegal weapon and showing violent tendencies. These actions foreshadowed the troubled nature of his personal life and mindset, as he grappled with various radical ideologies during and after his service. His experience in the military would later shape his views on the government and politics, leading to significant turns in his life.

In 1959, yearning for a drastic change, Oswald defected to the Soviet Union, a move that would further complicate his already tumultuous life. He arrived in Moscow, where he expressed his desire to renounce his U.S. citizenship and live in the USSR permanently. After some consideration from Soviet officials regarding whether he might be a spy, he was permitted to stay in Minsk, where he was closely monitored by the KGB. During his time in the Soviet Union, Oswald married Marina Prusakova in 1961, but, dissatisfied with the oppressive lifestyle, the couple returned to the United States in 1962, setting the stage for the events that would follow.

Radical Behavior Back in America

Lee Harvey Oswald returned to America in June 1962 with his wife Marina and their newborn daughter, where they settled in Dallas, Texas. In this period, his political ideology shifted from an interest in communism to a growing support for Cuba. Oswald adopted the alias Alek J. Hidell and began to exhibit increasingly radical behaviors. He ordered a .38 handgun through the mail and acquired a rifle, ultimately posing for a photograph with the weapons—a picture that would later serve as crucial evidence linking him to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

In April 1963, Oswald attempted to assassinate right-wing ex-general Edwin A. Walker, shooting at him from a window but missing his target. After a brief return to New Orleans, he traveled to Mexico City, where he sought a way to travel to Cuba and the Soviet Union, but these pursuits proved unsuccessful. Upon returning to Dallas, Oswald secured employment at the Texas School Book Depository, which would become infamous in the wake of the Kennedy assassination. During this time, his family lived nearby, and Marina gave birth to their second daughter in October, just weeks before the tragic events of November, when Oswald's life would irrevocably change.

Assassination of JFK

Lee Harvey Oswald is infamously known for his alleged role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. On that fateful day, Oswald was working at the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas when Kennedy’s motorcade passed by. Positioned on the sixth floor, Oswald reportedly fired three shots, with two bullets striking the president. The assassination shocked the nation and led to immediate chaos, as Kennedy was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Texas Governor John B. Connally was also injured during the attack, amplifying the tragic impact of the event.

Following the assassination, Oswald fled the scene and, within hours, encountered Officer J.D. Tippit, whom he allegedly shot and killed. Subsequently, Oswald was apprehended at the Texas Theater, where he was found hiding. Throughout the two days leading up to his death, he faced intense interrogation, maintaining his innocence regarding the assassination. However, Oswald never reached trial; he was shot and killed by Jack Ruby on November 24, 1964, while being transferred to the county jail. This brutal act further fueled speculation, as many conspiracy theories surrounding both Oswald and the assassination endure to this day.

Personal Life: Married Life | Wife | Children

Lee Harvey Oswald's personal life was marked by significant events that intertwine with his tumultuous political journey. In April 1961, while residing in the Soviet Union, Oswald married Marina Prusakova, a Russian woman he met while living in Minsk. Their bond was initially characterized by the excitement of an international romance, but it soon faced the challenges of living in a politically charged environment. Despite having differing cultural backgrounds and political beliefs, the couple tried to forge a life together. Marina accompanied Oswald when he decided to return to the U.S. in 1962, where they settled in Dallas.

The couple welcomed their first daughter, June, shortly after their return to America, marking a new chapter in their lives. Later, they had another daughter, Rachel, born in October 1963. As Oswald increasingly became detached from stable employment and engaged in radical activities, Marina found herself caught in a whirlwind of fears and uncertainties. While Oswald sought to promote his political ideologies, Marina struggled to maintain a semblance of normalcy and protection for their children amid the chaos that surrounded her husband in the months leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Net Worth and Earning: Salary

Lee Harvey Oswald's financial situation during his lifetime was largely a reflection of his turbulent personal and political life. Born on October 18, 1939, in New Orleans, Oswald grew up in a lower-middle-class family that faced financial instability following the death of his father. After joining the U.S. Marines, Oswald earned a modest military salary, but his erratic behavior and legal troubles led to his court-martial, further complicating his financial prospects. Following his defection to the Soviet Union and subsequent return to the United States with his wife, Marina, and their newborn child, Oswald struggled to find consistent employment and often relied on his wife’s income to support their family.

Oswald took on various temporary jobs, including one at the Texas School Book Depository where he worked at the time of President Kennedy’s assassination. His salary from this employment was modest, and coupled with the political radicalization that characterized his later years, he found it challenging to attain financial stability. The events leading up to and following the assassination of JFK overshadowed any financial pursuits he may have had, turning attention from his earnings to his role as one of history’s most controversial figures. After his death on November 24, 1964, the topic of his net worth became irrelevant, as he left behind a legacy shrouded in mystery and speculation rather than financial wealth.