The Findings of the Warren Commission

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 23 views

Introduction

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, sent shockwaves across the United States and the world. The event led to a massive investigation, known as the Warren Commission, which aimed to uncover the truth behind the tragic incident. In this article, we will delve into the findings of the Warren Commission and explore the conclusions they reached.

The Warren Commission: A Brief Overview

The Warren Commission was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 29, 1963, just seven days after Kennedy's assassination. The commission was tasked with investigating the events surrounding the assassination and determining the facts. The commission was led by Chief Justice Earl Warren and consisted of seven members, including:

Chief Justice Earl Warren (Chairman)
Senator Richard Russell (D-GA)
Senator John Cooper (R-KY)
Representative Hale Boggs (D-LA)
Representative Gerald Ford (R-MI)
General Lyman Lemnitzer (US Army)
Allen Dulles (former CIA Director)

The Findings of the Warren Commission

After a thorough investigation, the Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in targeting Kennedy. The commission found that Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, had fired three shots from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building in Dallas, Texas. The commission also concluded that Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner, had acted alone in shooting Oswald two days later.

The Commission's Conclusions

The Warren Commission's report, released on September 24, 1964, outlined the following key findings:

Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone: The commission concluded that Oswald had fired the shots that killed Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building.
Jack Ruby acted alone: The commission found that Ruby had shot Oswald in the basement of the Dallas Police Department headquarters on November 24, 1963.
No conspiracy: The commission concluded that there was no evidence of a conspiracy involving government agencies, organized crime, or other individuals.
Oswald's motives: The commission found that Oswald's motives for killing Kennedy were likely related to his Marxist and pro-Cuban sympathies.

The Commission's Methodology

The Warren Commission used a variety of methods to gather evidence and reach their conclusions. These included:

Witness testimony: The commission interviewed over 550 witnesses, including those who were present in Dealey Plaza on the day of the assassination.
Physical evidence: The commission examined the physical evidence related to the assassination, including the bullet fragments and the rifle used by Oswald.
Document analysis: The commission analyzed documents related to the assassination, including Oswald's writings and correspondence.

Criticisms of the Warren Commission

Despite the Warren Commission's conclusions, many have questioned the validity of their findings. Some of the criticisms include:

Lack of transparency: The commission's investigation was criticized for being too secretive and lacking in transparency.
Inadequate evidence: Some have argued that the commission's conclusions were based on inadequate evidence and that they failed to consider alternative theories.
Conflict of interest: The commission's chairman, Chief Justice Earl Warren, was criticized for having a conflict of interest due to his close relationship with President Johnson.

Legacy of the Warren Commission

The Warren Commission's report was a significant event in American history, marking the first time that a presidential commission had investigated a presidential assassination. While the commission's conclusions have been widely criticized, their report remains an important document in understanding the events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Warren Commission's findings were that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in targeting Kennedy, and Jack Ruby had acted alone in the shooting of Oswald. While the commission's conclusions have been widely criticized, their report remains an important document in understanding the events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As we continue to learn more about this tragic event, it is essential to consider the complexities and nuances of the Warren Commission's findings.

References

Warren Commission Report (1964)
The Warren Commission: A Critical Analysis by Gerald Posner (1993)
The Assassination of President Kennedy: A Critical Review by Mark Lane (1966)
The Warren Commission: A Study in Conspiracy by Harold Weisberg (1967)
The Warren Commission: A Q&A Guide =====================================

Introduction

The Warren Commission's report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has been a topic of debate and discussion for decades. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Warren Commission and its findings.

Q: What was the Warren Commission?

A: The Warren Commission was a presidential commission established by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 29, 1963, to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Q: Who was on the Warren Commission?

A: The Warren Commission consisted of seven members, including:

Chief Justice Earl Warren (Chairman)
Senator Richard Russell (D-GA)
Senator John Cooper (R-KY)
Representative Hale Boggs (D-LA)
Representative Gerald Ford (R-MI)
General Lyman Lemnitzer (US Army)
Allen Dulles (former CIA Director)

Q: What were the Warren Commission's findings?

A: The Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in targeting Kennedy and that Jack Ruby acted alone in shooting Oswald two days later. The commission also found that there was no evidence of a conspiracy involving government agencies, organized crime, or other individuals.

Q: What was the significance of the Warren Commission's report?

A: The Warren Commission's report was a significant event in American history, marking the first time that a presidential commission had investigated a presidential assassination. The report provided a detailed account of the events surrounding the assassination and helped to establish a narrative about the events.

Q: What were some of the criticisms of the Warren Commission?

A: Some of the criticisms of the Warren Commission include:

Lack of transparency: The commission's investigation was criticized for being too secretive and lacking in transparency.
Inadequate evidence: Some have argued that the commission's conclusions were based on inadequate evidence and that they failed to consider alternative theories.
Conflict of interest: The commission's chairman, Chief Justice Earl Warren, was criticized for having a conflict of interest due to his close relationship with President Johnson.

Q: What were some of the alternative theories about the assassination?

A: Some of the alternative theories about the assassination include:

The Grassy Knoll Theory: This theory suggests that there was a second shooter on the "grassy knoll" in Dealey Plaza.
The Umbrella Man Theory: This theory suggests that the umbrella man in Dealey Plaza was a signal for the assassination.
The CIA/NSA/FBI Conspiracy Theory: This theory suggests that one or more of these agencies was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy.

Q: What was the impact of the Warren Commission's report on American society?

A: The Warren Commission's report had a significant impact on American society, helping to shape the public's perception of the assassination and its aftermath. The report also helped to establish a narrative about the events surrounding the assassination, which has been widely accepted by the public.

Q: What are some of the ongoing debates about the Warren Commission's report?

A: Some of the ongoing debates about the Warren Commission's report include:

The authenticity of the Zapruder film: Some have questioned the authenticity of the Zapruder film, which is a key piece of evidence in the Warren Commission's report.
The role of the CIA and FBI: Some have argued that the CIA and FBI were involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy and that the Warren Commission's report was a cover-up.
The existence of a second shooter: Some have argued that there was a second shooter on the "grassy knoll" in Dealey Plaza and that the Warren Commission's report was incorrect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Warren Commission's report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has been a topic of debate and discussion for decades. While the commission's conclusions have been widely accepted by the public, there are still many ongoing debates about the report and its findings.