That date of February 1958 is definitely wrong because Robert's brother Lee was definitely in the Far East at that time. From the time he left for Japan in August 1957 until his return from Japan in November 1958, he never had a leave which involved him returning to Texas. He NEVER returned to Texas and then returned to the Far East. Once he went to the Far East, he stayed in the Far East until he was done with the Far East. That isn't just my opinion. That is the official record of his military service, and it is not in dispute. The timeline below is quite detailed and includes everything of significance that happened to him from the time he left for Japan until he returned from Japan.
August 22, 1957: LHO departs for Japan.
September 12, 1957: He arrives in Japan at Yokosuka, where he is assigned to the
Marine Air Control Squadron #1, Marine Air Group 11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based in
Atsugi.
October 27, 1957: LHO accidentally shoots himself in the arm with a derringer.
November 15, 1957: LHO is discharged from the hospital at Yokosuka.
November 20, 1957: LHO’s unit sails for the Philippine Islands.
March 7, 1958: LHO's unit sails for Atsugi.
March 18, 1958: The unit reaches Atsugi.
April 11, 1958: LHO is court-martialed for the first time for illegal possession of a firearm.
June 27, 1958: LHO is court-martialed for the second time for assaulting a superior and
sentenced to the brig.
August 13, 1958: LHO is released from confinement.
September 14, 1958: LHO and his unit sail for the South China Sea.
September, 1958: LHO's unit arrives in Taiwan, where he suffers a nervous breakdown
and is sent back to Japan.
October 5, 1958: LHO arrives in Atsugi.
October 6, 1958: LHO is put on general duty.
October 31, 1958: LHO receives his last overseas rating, a 4.0.
November 2, 1958: LHO departs Japan.
November 15, 1958: He arrives in San Francisco.
November 19, 1958: LHO takes 30 days leave.
You notice that in February 1958, he was in the Philippines, and he may have been in the brig at that time because while in the Philippines, he got in trouble for firing his rifle into the jungle for no reason and had to serve 18 days in the brig. Considering that he was only gone for a year and three months, at no time did he return to the mainland on leave during that stint. Whatever days off he had, whatever leave time he had, he spent it over there. And that is not in doubt. It is not in dispute. It is not an issue of debate. Robert Oswald simply got it wrong.
Now, the only question is: was it an innocent mistake by Robert Oswald or did he lie? I don't know for sure, but I am inclined to believe that he lied. Consider that he referenced another person being there: the brother of his wife Vada. And he mentioned the Mercers being the owners of the farm where they were hunting, and the Mercers were his in-laws. So, we are talking about some very specific details there which would likely have triggered a correct recollection of the date.
But, we can put that issue aside because I know opinions will vary about that. But, what opinions cannot vary about is the fact that the date of February 1958 is wrong. Robert Oswald's brother Lee was definitely in the Far East at that time, not to return to San Francisco until late November. So, that picture would have to have been taken either the last week of November (which was Thanksgiving week that year) or in December. And if the squirrel hunting occurred any time close to Thanksgiving, you'd think he would have remembered the date correctly on that basis.
By the way, the timeline does not say anything about Oswald visiting Robert in Nov/Dec 1958, but it does mention it later.
September 11, 1959: LHO is released from active duty in the Marine Corps.
September 14, 1959: LHO arrives in Fort Worth.
September 15, 1959: LHO visits Robert and his family.
It could not have been in September because it's still very hot in Texas in September, and he looks warmly dressed in the picture by Texas standards.
But, let's remember something: "Lee" disappears after that. It's all "Harvey" from that point on. So, could Robert Oswald have been right about February but gotten the year wrong? But, it would have had to be Feb 1960 while Harvey was in Russia.
But, that's just speculation. What we know for sure is that RO was definitely wrong in citing February 1958 as the date of the picture. No chance, no way, no how.
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