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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XI - Page 302« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Maj. Eugene D. Anderson)

Mr. Specter.
Proceed to do so.
Major ANDERSON. I am a master with the pistol in the National Rifle Association. I am not classified with the rifle.
Mr. Specter.
And does your classification as a distinguished marksman apply to the rifle?
Major ANDERSON. To the rifle, yes.
Mr. Specter.
I now hand you a document which has heretofore been introduced into evidence as Commission Exhibit No. 239.
Mr. Specter.
I ask you if you have heretofore had an opportunity to examine that document?
Major ANDERSON. Yes; I have.
Mr. Specter.
And would you describe for the record what that document is, please?
Major ANDERSON. This is a U.S. rifle, caliber 30, M-1 and U.S. carbine, caliber 30, M-l-A1 record scorebook that is maintained by a shooter who is training for firing for qualification or requalification in the Marine Corps.
Mr. Specter.
Is that a standard record scorebook which the Marine Corps makes available to every Marine who shoots under those circumstances?
Major ANDERSON. It was standard at the time of issuance of this particular book.
Mr. Specter.
And what was that time?
Major ANDERSON. In December 1956.
Mr. Specter.
And does the name of any specific Marine appear on the front page of that document?
Major ANDERSON. Yes; Oswald.
Mr. Specter.
And are there any initials?
Major ANDERSON. It appears to be "L. H."
Mr. Specter.
Would you outline the marksmanship training, if any, which a Marine recruit receives in the normal course of Marine training?
Major ANDERSON. He goes through a very intensive 3 weeks training period. During this 3 weeks for the first week he receives a basic training in the care and cleaning of the weapon. He learns sighting and aiming. He learns manipulation of the trigger.
He is exposed to various training aids. He goes through a series of exercises in what we call dry firing in which he assumes all of the positions that he is going to use in the full firing of the rifle over the qualification course. Normally in about the middle of the second week or the latter part of the second week he conducts some firing with a .22 rifle and .22 pistol to familiarize himself with live ammunition and to give the coaches an opportunity to check on his previous training. He then proceeds to the rifle range and he zeros the rifle in normally at 200 yards.
This consists of a few rounds being fired at a target, and the sights are changed so that at this particular range, either 200 or 300 yards, this rifle will strike the bull's-eye at the sight setting so indicated when there is no wind blowing and all the conditions for firing are ideal.
Then the following week he goes out to the range and he fires over the course completely, consisting of firing at 200, 300, and 500 yards. He will normally fire possibly 60 rounds the first day, which is 10 rounds over the required amount to fire the course. This firing is normally done at 200 yards. The following days, possibly the second or third day he may fire as much as 70 rounds each day, giving him an opportunity to acquire more practice with the gun, and to get a better opportunity to find out the zero of his weapon and where the strike of his bullet is going to be under any given circumstances.
Then on Thursday he will fire preliminary day, in which he will fire over the course one time under all circumstances exactly as he will do the following day for record day, except that on preliminary day he is allowed to have a coach on the range with him on the firing line to assist him in all phases.
The following day on record day, he fires over the course 50 rounds for his qualification score record. At this time the coach may give him any assistance possible as long as he is behind the firing line. Once he steps onto the firing line. assumes the firing position, then he is completely on his own. He cannot be helped by any gestures or comments or in any way given any assistance from
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