US Secret Service Protective Research Section Files
By William Kelly
There are many interesting and significant records
released in the October 26 batch, and while different documents have been
getting mainstream media attention, the release of the Secret Service
Protective Research files reviewed by the House Select Committee on
Assassinations (HSCA) are especially significant.
As Phil Melanson describes in his book "The Secret Service" (2002, Carrroll and Graff), “The Service’s Protective Research
data bank is crammed with files on groups, organizations, people and past event
and incidents, all of them indexed and cross indexed. What most Americans don’t
know is that a simple call or email from someone with a personal ax to grind
can land virtually anyone on the Watch List. Many thousands of citizens – most of
them harmless – are on file as having been checked out for one reason or
another a potential threat, and each year the file swells with several thousand
new names....”
“The system is, as the Service describes it, is ‘primarily
directed towards identifying dangerous individuals.’ There are over fifty
thousand Americans in the Protective Research files, ostensibly because of some
actual threat or some problem or characteristic that makes them potentially
dangerous. Cross-checked against lists of employees at the hotels and airports
where protectees appear the group is constantly monitored. When the president
is on the road, the file is whittled down to identify dangerous people in the
specific areas that he will visit. Dubbed the ‘Trip File,’ it may contain as
many as a hundred names…In their advance work, agents try to learn whether
these individuals are still in the area; whether they are in jail,
hospitalized, or at liberty; and what their current condition is, which usually
means seeking to interview them. Sometimes, if a red flag of some sort goes up
in the interview, a few people will actually be detained for the duration of
the president’s visit.”
“A second and more menacing list of names is
prepared for each trip: These are the individuals in the area who are
considered to be definitely dangerous, as opposed to potentially dangerous…”
Former Secret Service Agent Gerald Blaine, in his
book “The Kennedy Detail” (Gallary Books, 2010, p.59) writes: “The first stop
before any advance was always the PRS. Located in the Executive Office
Building, next door to the White House, the PRS office were the nerve center
for tracking threat cases. Any time there was a threat made against the
president’s life – whether it was a written letter, a phone call, details
gathered from an informant, field investigation, or an unstable person trying
to get inside the Northwest Gate of the White House – an investigative report
was initiated and a case file number is issued. A PRS agent would type the
report on carbon paper so there would be multiple copies, noting the threat
maker’s name, last known address, a synopsis of the threats made, a description
of the person, and their medical history, if known. Cases are analyzed and
categorized according to the seriousness of the threat.”
“The records room of the PRS office contained row
and rows of gray metal four-drawer file cabinets that held thousands of threat
suspect files, organized by case number. There were smaller file cabinets where
index cards of each suspect were organized both geographically and
alphabetically. The cards were cross-referenced to the case files. Thus if you
knew either the name of the suspect or their last known location you go to the
small index drawers, locate the card, which would have a case number on it,
then go to the large filing cabinets to get the master file.”
(p.76) “…Win Lawson had checked PRS for threat suspect
in Texas, specifically in the Dallas area, and had been pleasantly surprised to
find that there weren’t any.”
Melanson: "Dubbed the 'Trip File,' it may contain as many as a hundred names."
Melanson: "Dubbed the 'Trip File,' it may contain as many as a hundred names."
Rather than “pleasantly surprised,” Lawson was more
likely incredulous, as everyone knew that UN ambassador Adlai Stevenson was attacked
and beaten with posters by demonstrators in Dallas a few weeks before and the
President and his staff were repeatedly warned not to come to Dallas because of
the fever of hate.
As Melanson wrote, “In the weeks before Kennedy
arrived in Dallas, the Service did make a special effort to identify the
individuals who had fomented a near-riot by throwing rocks during the Adlai
Stevenson incident. Agents worked with the Dallas police, who found an
informant willing to identify the ring-leader of the demonstration by viewing
television film of the incident; then the Secret Service made still pictures of
these ringleader and distributed the images to agents and police who would be
stationed at Love Field and at the Trade Mart. None of these troublemaker was
ever spotted before or during the Kennedy visit.”
The late Phil Melanson, a good friend and colleague,
did not have access to this PRS file, as a number of these troublemakers were
identified at the Trade Mart and indeed arrested. They hailed from Grand
Prairie, where a local policeman was recruited to go undercover and infiltrate
their group, and did so.
Former TV reporter and later Mayor of Dallas Wes
Wise told me that he assisted the police and Secret Service in reviewing news
film of the Stevenson incident and helped isolate the troublemakers on the film,
so they could make still portraits of them that were distributed to police and
agents in the security detail at the Trade Mart, photos that are not in the JFK
collection at the NARA, as they should be. Now, thanks to the release of this file, we have their names.
In addition, shortly after the assassination, a
Secret Service agent at the Trade Mart identified one of the suspects as John
Martin from rural northern Louisiana (not Jack “Scruggs” Martin), but rather a young
college student who was considered one of the first suspects in the
assassination, and he called the John Rice, Special Agent in Charge of the New
Orleans Secret Service office. Rice was contacted at the Special Investigations
office at an Air Force Base in northern Louisiana, and instructed to go to John
Martin’s hometown to do a background check, which he did. When he was finished
he was told it wasn’t relevant as Lee Harvey Oswald was in custody.
This PRS file is important not only for identifying
those “troublemakers,” but because it indicates there were some individuals from
Texas who were in the files, not shared with Lawson, including James Parrott,
who the file indicates, was identified on November 21, the day before George
H.W. Bush visited Dallas and dropped a dime on Parrott, identifying him as a
potential suspect in the assassination, as detailed in Russ Baker’s “Family of
Secrets.”
Another odd aspect of this file, besides listing Cuban and Puerto Rican terrorists, mental cases, gate crashers and drunks, it includes Milteer, Nagell, Hemming, Echevarria, Bosch, Vallee, Oswald, JFK himself, Ruby, Oswald’s mother and family and close friends like Ruth and Michael Paine and George and Jeanne deMohrenschildt.
Another odd aspect of this file, besides listing Cuban and Puerto Rican terrorists, mental cases, gate crashers and drunks, it includes Milteer, Nagell, Hemming, Echevarria, Bosch, Vallee, Oswald, JFK himself, Ruby, Oswald’s mother and family and close friends like Ruth and Michael Paine and George and Jeanne deMohrenschildt.
This is one "Smoking File."
These records are from the index cards - we should FOIA the main files of key suspects.
docid-32241845.pdf
US Secret Service Protective Research Service File
180-10065-10379
HSCA
USSS
413 Pages
Secret Service Protective Cases established period
covering March-December 1963
HSCA comment:
“In reviewing the 413 computer
print out on Protective Research cases set up during the time period between
March and December, 1963, it became evident that the Secret Service paid some
attention to foreign assassinations. Case #401 on Thelma Estella King was
referred to the Service by the CIA on 3/8/63. Ms. King was alleged to be
involved in an assassination plot against JFK and the President of Panama
during a meeting in that country….However, it is questionable as to why the
Diem brothers’ assassination was not given a case number. Review of the files
showed no mention, whatsoever, of the assassination occurring in Vietnam prior
to the planned Chicago trip of Kennedy on November 2, 1963.”
SAMPLES of 413 Cases listed in this file:
SAMPLES of 413 Cases listed in this file:
INDIVIDUALS LISTED BY PROTECTIVE RESEARCH
Name
of individual: PEREZ-VEGA, VIRGILIO
Reason for PRS interest: FBI referred subject to USSS
in 1963 describing him as a pro-Castro Puerto Rican, in possession of an
automatic pistol and a knowledge of how to make bombs. Admits to being
Secretary in July 26 movement. Left 1961 since he did not like members.
Degree of threat:
Organizations to which individual belongs: Puerto Rican Nationalist PRN; Member of July
26 Movement in Washington D.C.
Nationalist Group: Puerto Rican
Date Called to Secret Service attention: 12-16-63
Referred by other agency: FBI
Action taken: Put under observation. Showed no
interest in President during inaugural, 1965. SA interviewed subject during surveillance
on 1/19/65 and subject voiced no animosities towards President. Considered not
dangerous 2/24/67. Has continued writing letter to political figures.
Location: Silver Springs, Md.
Name
of individual: HEMMING, GERALD PATRICK
Reason for PRS interest: Not given – looks like
result of JFK assassination and Hemmings association with Cuban elements. 4/61
part in Anti-Catro rev. activity, est. anti-CP legionnaires, set up training
camp in Fl. Everglades. 7/61 headed Interpen. In 1963 made derogatory remarks
about US govt. and suspected of being a Cuban agent. 7/70 involved in plan to
effect warfare between US-Cuba by having defecting Cuban military personnel
fire missile at USN Base Guantanamo Bay getting US into military takeover.
Organizations to which individual belongs: mercenary
Date Called to Secret Service attention: 12/5/63
Action taken: It does not look like S.S. has taken
any action. Hemming is under investigation by ATF and DEA for weapons and drug
violations since 1/77. Information on this subject has probably been obtained
from other agencies.
Last location: Opalocka, Fl.
Name
of individual: ECHEVARRIA, HOMER S.
Reason for PRS interet: Nov. 1963, informant advised
Chicago office that subject was a member of anti-Castro Cuban group. Subject
allegedly approached informant to provide machine guns for Cuba rev. 11//21/63
subject allegedly told informant “We now have plenty of money - - our new
backers are Jews – as soon as ‘we’ or ‘they’ take care of Kennedy….” Subject expressed
favorable attitude toward LBJ.
Action taken: Investigation by Chicago office did
not disclose any violations under our jurisdiction and check-ups never
initiated. Subject not interviewed.
Name
of individual: BOCH-AVILA, ORLANDO
Reason for PRS interest: subject head of MIRR in
Miami reportedly planned to picket Pres. 11/18/63 with Cuban fighter widows.
Dec. 1963 arrested possession of bombs – planning air raid on Castro. Involved
in bombing of homes of wealthy Cubans in Miami area for extortion. Extensive
files on this man – most dealing with the 70’s. No mention of his plan to
attack AF1. Kissinger plot is mentioned.
Action taken: S.S. kept tabs – considered him dangerous
Last location: Caracas, Venezuela ’78
Name of individual: ALEX, NICHOLAS H.
Reason for PRS interest: 1963 telegram to Pres.
Attempted to visit Pres at hotel 10-30-63
-mild mental case. No diagnosis.
Action taken: Interviewed 5/5/64. Deemed not
dangerous
Last location: Haverford, Pa. ‘75
Name
of individual: TONE, JOHN
Reason for PRS interet: 5/63 WH visitor who said he
had no friends in the world. President was only place he could get help.
Schizophrenic-paranoid type - Black
Date called to Secret Service attention: 5/10/63
Action taken: Committed from WH, 5/63 and confined
until 2/64. Had been arrested in past for carrying a pistol and had cut a man
up badly.
Location of subject lat: Dallas, Tx. ‘66
Name
of Individual: VALLEE, THOMAS ARTHUR
Reason for PRS interest: 10-30-63 subj was reported
by confidential source to have made critical remarks re JFK adm. Subj alleges
to be a member of JBS and previously hospitalized in VA hosp as schizo Not considered
dangerous. Owns rifle and member of a gun club. Interviewed ’63 and ’66 In ’68 interview
spoke irrationally
Danger of threat: 3 (out of 3)
Organizations to which individual belongs: John
Birch Society
Action taken: SA interviewed him 10-30-63. No
mention of danger. Does show that he was arrested 11/2/63 for traffic and CCW.
Apparently from reports, Vallee was not dangerous. In 11/26/68 interview, SA
did not consider him to be of further protective interest. No interest in
protectees was shown. QI’s ’63 to ’68 Attempt to locate him in re to Brezhnev’s
visit proved negative.
Last location: Houston ’71
[p.173]
Name
of individual: PARROTT, JAMES MILTON
Reason for PRS interest: 11/21/63 info rec’d that
subj stated in ’61 “If I had a chance to kill him, I would” referring to JFK.
Since then appeared to various high officials about communism, etc. Came to S.S. HQ complaining about SS.
Degree of threat: 2 (out of 3)
Organizations to which individual belongs: John
Birch Society – Minuteman – Freedom of Action Society
Date called to Secret Service attention: 11/21/63
Action taken: Interviewed 1/28/64 and subj denied
above statement. QI’s initiated; discont. 5/6/70. Deemed not of protective
interest. S.S. kept tabs of doings, however.
Last location: Jacinto City, Tx. ’77
Name
of individual: NANCE, ERNEST ROSCOE
Reason for PRS interest: 11-19-63 Austin P.D. reported that suspect
had called them and said he’d throw a bomb in LBJ’s face.
Degree of threat: 2 (out of 3)
Alcoholic
Date called to Secret Service attention: 11/21/63
Action taken:
Interviewed 11/25/63. Cooperative. Dislikes the Pres. Was drunk when call was made.
Interviewed 11/25/63. Cooperative. Dislikes the Pres. Was drunk when call was made.
Last location: Austin ‘69
Name
of individual: OSWALD, LEE HARVEY
Reason for PRS interest: 11/22/63 killed JFK
Date called to Secret Service attention: 11/22/63
Name
of individual: KENNEDY, JOHN F.
Reason for PRS interest: ASSASSINATED
Name
of individual: RUBY, JACK LEON
Reason for PRS interest: 11/24/63 subject killed JFK
assassin
Name
of individual: OSWALD, MARGUERITE CLEAVERIE
Reason
for PRS interest: OSWALD, ROBERT LEE (JR)
PIC,
JOHN EDWARD
DEMOHRENSCHILDT,
GEORGE
DEMOHRENSCHILDT, JEANNE
DEMOHRENSCHILDT, JEANNE
PAINE,
MICHAEL RALPH
PAINE,
RUTH HYDE
LANE
MARK
Name
of individual: MCLARRY, RUSSELL WENCE
Reason for PRS interest: 11/21/63 prior to visit of
JFK to Dallas subj said, “I will be waiting with my high power rifle for the
president.”
Date called to Secret Service attention: 11/22/63
Action taken: Interviewed 12/17/63; said he probably
did make such a statement; that if he did it was a joke. He was not sorry he
said it and was glad JFK was dead. Antagonistic. Arreted 12/19/63 under 871.
Brought before a Grand Jury. Last interviewed 9/67; expressed no dislike for
the Preident. Appeared rational.
Last location: Arlington, Tx ‘67
Name
of individual: NAGELL, RICHARD CASE
Reason for PRS interest: 11/21/63 subject wrote the
FBI and requested to speak to the S.S. about an urgent matter. Subject confined
in jail after attempting to rob a bank and firing shots.
Degree of threat: 3 (of 3) (in jail)
Paranoid.
Action taken: 1/3/64 SA interviewed subject who
claims he knew LHO and wife socially and did not want to be associated with
Oswald’s crime. 6/9/64 subj sentenced to 10 years for robbery. 11/8/67 SA
determined subject no longer of protective interest. Check of file shows no
substantiation for his remark that he knew the Oswalds. Marina was shown his
photo and claimed to have never seen him. In late 60’s went to Europe and
caused scene. Has Oswald fixation but not of protective interest.
Last location: Manhattan Beach, CA ’74
Name
of individual: JOINTER, GARY DWAYNE
Reason for PRS interest: Arrested 11/22/63 while
picketing Trade Mart in Dallas. After assassination. In company of 4 others
Degree of threat: 3 (of 3)
Organizations: Indignant White Citizen’ Council
Date called to Secret Service attention: 11/21/63
#343
JOINTER, RAYMOND LEE
GUINN,
GENE AUDRA
JOINTER,
ROY EUGENE
Location of subject last: Grand Prairie ’63
#364
Name of individual: MILTEER, JOSEPH ADAMS
Reason for PRS interest: Subject on 11/9/63 is
alleged to have said that plans were in the making to kill JFK, and further to
kill Martin Luther King. He was reportedly jubilant over the death of the
President, but on interview by FBI 11/27/63, he denied all above statement or knowledge
of same. Considered to be an outspoken segregationist.
Degree of threat: 2 (of 3)
Organizations: Affiliated with: Constitution party
of the US, KKK, The White Citizen’s Council and the Congress of Freedom
Action taken: SA’s conducting background and QI’s do
not feel that he is a danger to protectees.
341
Name of individual: JOINER, BOBBY SAVELLE
Reason for PRS interest: Arrested with Gene Audra , Gary Dwayne Joiner,
Raymond Lee Joiner and Roy Eugene Joiner immediately after the assassination
while picketing the Trade Mart in Dallas. FBI reported that he tried to get Roy
Joiner to shoot JFK
Degree of threat: 2 (of 3)
Organizations: Indignant White Citizen’s council
Organizations: Indignant White Citizen’s council
Date called to Secret Service attention: 11/21/63
Action taken: Interviewed by FBI on 6/8/64. Feels
strongly against integration. Denied any involvement with assassination.
Claimed he held Pres. In high regard. Has been arrested several times, once
shot boy with pellet gun.
Location of subject last: Grand Prairie, Tx ‘66
