According To The Warren Investigation, Who Was Responsible For The Assassination Of President Kennedy?A. Jack Ruby B. Lyndon Johnson C. Lee Harvey Oswald D. Fidel Castro

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The Warren Commission's Findings: Unraveling the Mystery of President Kennedy's Assassination

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, remains one of the most significant and enduring mysteries in American history. The Warren Commission, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. However, various conspiracy theories have emerged over the years, pointing to other individuals or groups as being responsible for the president's death. In this article, we will examine the Warren Commission's findings and explore the evidence that led them to conclude that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin.

The Warren Commission's Investigation

The Warren Commission was established on November 29, 1963, just seven days after Kennedy's assassination. The commission was tasked with investigating the events surrounding the president's death and determining the facts of the case. The commission's investigation was led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, who was appointed by President Johnson to head the inquiry.

The Warren Commission's investigation was extensive and thorough, involving interviews with over 550 witnesses, examination of physical evidence, and analysis of ballistic and forensic data. The commission's report, released in September 1964, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building.

Lee Harvey Oswald: The Lone Assassin

Lee Harvey Oswald was a 24-year-old former Marine who had a history of Marxist and communist sympathies. He had defected to the Soviet Union in 1959, but returned to the United States in 1962. Oswald was employed at the Texas School Book Depository building on the day of the assassination, where he had access to a sixth-floor window with a clear view of the president's motorcade.

The Warren Commission's investigation found that Oswald fired three shots from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building, striking Kennedy in the head and neck. The commission concluded that Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy, and that there was no evidence to support the existence of a conspiracy.

Evidence Supporting the Warren Commission's Findings

The Warren Commission's report presented a wealth of evidence supporting their conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy. Some of the key evidence includes:

  • Ballistic evidence: The commission found that the bullets used in the assassination were fired from a Mannlicher-Carcano rifle, which was found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. The commission concluded that the rifle was fired from the sixth floor, and that the bullets were fired in rapid succession.
  • Witness testimony: The commission interviewed numerous witnesses who saw or heard the shots being fired from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. Many of these witnesses identified Oswald as the shooter.
  • Physical evidence: The commission found a number of physical clues that supported their conclusion that Oswald acted alone. These included a rifle cartridge case found on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building, and a bullet fragment found in the president's car.

Alternative Theories: A Review of the Evidence

Despite the Warren Commission's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy, various alternative theories have emerged over the years. Some of these theories include:

  • The Grassy Knoll Theory: This theory suggests that there was a second shooter on the "grassy knoll" in Dealey Plaza, who fired shots at Kennedy from the front. However, there is no credible evidence to support this theory.
  • The Umbrella Man Theory: This theory suggests that the "umbrella man" in Dealey Plaza, who was seen opening an umbrella on a clear day, was a signal for the assassination. However, there is no evidence to support this theory.
  • The CIA/NSA/FBI Conspiracy Theory: This theory suggests that one or more of these government agencies was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy. However, there is no credible evidence to support this theory.

The Warren Commission's investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. While various alternative theories have emerged over the years, there is no credible evidence to support these theories. The Warren Commission's findings remain the most widely accepted explanation for the events surrounding Kennedy's assassination.

  • Warren Commission Report (1964)
  • The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Gerald R. Ford (1964)
  • The Warren Commission and the Assassination of President Kennedy by Robert F. Kennedy (1964)
  • The Grassy Knoll Theory by Mark Lane (1966)
  • The Umbrella Man Theory by Vincent Bugliosi (1966)
  • The CIA/NSA/FBI Conspiracy Theory by Mark Lane (1966)
  • The Warren Commission's Report (available online)
  • The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Gerald R. Ford (available online)
  • The Warren Commission and the Assassination of President Kennedy by Robert F. Kennedy (available online)
  • The Grassy Knoll Theory by Mark Lane (available online)
  • The Umbrella Man Theory by Vincent Bugliosi (available online)
  • The CIA/NSA/FBI Conspiracy Theory by Mark Lane (available online)
    Frequently Asked Questions: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy ====================================================================

Q: Who was responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?

A: The Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building.

Q: What was the motive behind the assassination?

A: The Warren Commission found that Oswald's motive was likely a combination of his Marxist and communist sympathies, as well as his desire for fame and notoriety.

Q: What was the role of the CIA, NSA, and FBI in the assassination?

A: There is no credible evidence to support the theory that one or more of these government agencies was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy.

Q: What was the significance of the "grassy knoll" in Dealey Plaza?

A: The "grassy knoll" is a small hill in Dealey Plaza where some witnesses reported hearing shots coming from. However, there is no credible evidence to support the theory that there was a second shooter on the "grassy knoll".

Q: What was the role of the "umbrella man" in Dealey Plaza?

A: The "umbrella man" was a man who was seen opening an umbrella on a clear day in Dealey Plaza. Some theories suggest that he was a signal for the assassination, but there is no credible evidence to support this theory.

Q: What was the significance of the Zapruder film?

A: The Zapruder film is a 26-second film that captures the assassination of President Kennedy. It is one of the most important pieces of evidence in the case, and it provides a clear and graphic view of the events surrounding the assassination.

Q: What was the role of the autopsy in the investigation?

A: The autopsy was a critical part of the investigation, as it helped to determine the cause and manner of President Kennedy's death. The autopsy report concluded that Kennedy was shot from the front, which supports the Warren Commission's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

Q: What were the findings of the Warren Commission?

A: The Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building. They also found that Oswald's motive was likely a combination of his Marxist and communist sympathies, as well as his desire for fame and notoriety.

Q: What were the criticisms of the Warren Commission?

A: The Warren Commission was criticized for its handling of the investigation, including its failure to interview key witnesses and its reliance on incomplete and inaccurate information. Some critics also argued that the commission's conclusions were based on a flawed assumption that Oswald acted alone.

Q: What are the implications of the Warren Commission's findings?

A: The Warren Commission's findings have significant implications for our understanding of the events surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy. They suggest that the assassination was the result of a lone gunman, rather than a larger conspiracy. However, the commission's findings have also been the subject of controversy and debate, and continue to be the subject of ongoing research and investigation.

Q: What are the ongoing investigations and research into the assassination?

A: There are several ongoing investigations and research projects into the assassination of President Kennedy, including the Assassination Records Review Board and the National Archives and Records Administration. These efforts aim to uncover new information and shed new light on the events surrounding the assassination.

Q: What can we learn from the assassination of President Kennedy?

A: The assassination of President Kennedy is a tragic and pivotal event in American history. It highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government, and the need for ongoing investigation and research into significant events. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our democracy and upholding the rule of law.