John F. Kennedy Assassination

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John Fitzgerald Kennedy is one of America's favorite presidents, a man whom held love for the country as well as the people who lived there. Being the leader of the country, Kennedy shined a light over us, connecting us together. On November 22, 1963, someone turned this light out. It is said to be a one man job, but many believe otherwise. Let’s investigate the murder and conspiracy theories of John F. Kennedy, most blaming the government, such as:

1. The Central Allegiance of Intelligence got mad about Kennedy backing out of assisting Cuba in Bay of Pigs though he did say he would help them overthrow Castro. This left many Cubans to lose their lives and the CIA put much effort into the operation. 

2. CIA had lost trust in Kennedy after this and feared he may allow Vietnam to fall to communism, as he did Cuba.

3. During his term Kennedy let many members of the Central Intelligence Agency go, a few remaining active in the Warren Commission, after Kennedy’s killing.

The possibilities of this world are limitless, but Oswald may have not been the only one behind the trigger during the murder of John F. Kennedy.

Character Analysis

John Fitzgerald Kennedy struggled with health issues throughout his life. Titled after his grandfather, Kennedy was often referred to as “Jack.” According to Rose, his mother, as a baby Jack was sick for a long-time suffering from a cough, measles, and chickenpox (“John F. Kennedy Kept These Medical Struggles Private.”1). Rose was known to have kept notecards in a box and wrote all the information she could about her children (1). On February 20, 1920, not yet three years old, Jack was indulged by Scarlet Fever (1). He was in the hospital for more than a month before they began to see signs of recovery (1). His father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy, was in the hospital every day waiting for him to get better (1).

John F. Kennedy has oftentimes proven himself to be a fighter. Kennedy had to adapt and overcome the complications of being ill and diagnosed with Addison’s disease at the age of 22(“John F. Kennedy Kept These Medical Struggles Private.”1). Addison’s is when your body does not produce enough cortisol, which is often tied with adrenaline insufficiencies as well (1). Though he had the family publicly deny the allegations (“The Medical Ordeals of JFK.” 1) of his disease, it slowly develops and can be life threatening, so no one on the outside could see the effects. Symptoms disrupt everyday life and cause much difficulty in mandatory tasks, for the effect of Addison’s is in appetite, abdominal pains, behavioral symptoms, blood pressure, blood sugar, joint pain, and nausea (“John F. Kennedy Kept These Medical Struggles Private.”1). Struggling through these conditions would no doubt be tiring, but Kennedy proceeded, despite this burden over him.

In relevance to his family, Kennedy held great belief in Christ. In his religion speech on September 12, 1960, Kennedy states, “So it is apparently necessary for me to state once again not what kind of church I believe in—for that should be important only to me—but what kind of America I believe in” (“Transcript: JFK’s Speech on His Religion.”1). Making history as America’s first Catholic president, Jack broke barriers for his entire religion. Although his religious title caused some setbacks in his campaign, this did no harm to his self-confidence, and he only strived harder to make marks disregarding the conflicts that would arise. People’s hatred for different beliefs infuriated Kennedy. The altered treatment John received for his beliefs led him to acquire a team dedicated to the issue (“John F. Kennedy with Ham.”1). Kennedy had much faith in resolving religious issues within the United States, he already had by being elected; imagine what he could have done with more than two years.

He took pride in his beliefs and he took pride in his appearance, as well. Kennedy was the youngest president we have had, along with his youth came his handsome looks (“John F. Kennedy.”1). Women drooled over the young president, his build, and facial structure. Kennedy knew of his fortune with genetics and he did not let this change anything, but his looks did compliment his wardrobe (1). In The Presidential Ham, William DeGregorio states, that Kennedy “had sensitive blue eyes.”. (“John F. Kennedy with Ham.” 1). His light brown hair, tan shade, and his tall and slender complexion was luring to women, but the pride Kennedy took in his wardrobe was admired by many (Transcript: JFK's speech on his religion 1). He changed clothes at least two times a day (1). Growing up in a family of moderate fortune, this was probably usual. Kennedy had very strong opinions of outside appearance. For example, Kennedy hated hats so much, he refused to wear the cowboy hat in Dallas, which is supposed to be an honor to presidents (1). Not only did he care strongly for his appearance, but his staff’s, as well. Because he did not like the look of long button-down collared shirts, he made the entire staff stop wearing them.

            Kennedy was not just looked to as a great man, but a great president. Before serving his last two years of life in office, Kennedy served in the Navy (“John F. Kennedy.”1). This may sound typical for a president, but not with the life standings he was in (1). This fact was much more critical to Kennedy’s life, for he was not even supposed to be in the military because of his medical conditions and retired as a hero (1).

There have been multiple claims of John lashing out against family, friends, coworkers, employees, etc. (“John F. Kennedy with Ham.”1). Behind closed doors, we are all different from what we portray to strangers. No one is perfect, just because your intentions and focuses may be honest, they may not always be the right ones. For instance, if you are trying to make new friends and you judge the options by what is on the outside. You may never find out if you had missed an amazing opportunity because you did not look deeper into your possibilities. Kennedy was commonly misinterpreted by those who did not know him on a level to understand his humor (1). To those around him often, he was a light because they understood where he was coming from with teasing. Kennedy loved to joke around and ultimately have the crowd chuckle with him (1). One of his aides spoke that, “He was the new kind of president the people were looking for that year, dignified and gentlemanly and well-educated and intelligent without the air of superior condescension.” (1). Though his jokes could be perceived as harsh, he found amusement in picking on those around, not out of intent of being mean, but to make people laugh.

Conspiracy Theories

            Most of the conspiracies surrounding Kennedy’s death include Cuba’s involvement. After his death, there was a formation of a Warren Commission including much of those who served Kennedy and the government during his short term. This group formed quickly and began passionately seeking answers. The leader was Lyndon Johnson, the president of the United Sates, and the chief was Justice Earl Warren (“Warren Commission Report and Hearings” 1). The Commission investigated the situation carefully, speaking to over 500 witnesses and gathering evidence. The report was 920 pages long, made official September 23, 1964 (1).

Obviously backed by his country, most blame theories are falling on Cuba, but a few convincing ideas have been tossed around including the CIA and angry pro/anti-Castro supporters. Some theories fall back to the CIA because of some of Kennedy’s decisions in office and insecurity that the president would commit a “betrayal” (“Vietnam Vet Oliver Stone Still Thinks the CIA Killed JFK.” 1). During the Bay of the Pigs, Kennedy was going to assist Cuba against their communist leader, by sending military enforcements, but changed his mind after the CIA had formed plans and prepared to send out the troops (“Assassination of John F. Kennedy - Conspiracy Theories” 1). When Kennedy set the same plan to assist Vietnam, the CIA feared the same thing would happen. With suspicion of Kennedy leaving office to fight in the Cold War, the CIA wanted to avoid having to cleaning his mess and working for a traitor, in their eye (“Vietnam Vet Oliver Stone Still Thinks the CIA Killed JFK.” 1).  Some members of the group joined the Warren Commission to avoid suspicion. Putting Oswald behind the trigger completely diverts the blame from people loyal to the country, such as those who work for the government especially.

One theory is that Cuba discovered the CIA had attempted assasination on Fidel Castro, a Cuban leader, multiple times (“Assassination of John F. Kennedy - Conspiracy Theories” 1).  Castro posed that that would have put the United States at a risk at losing relations with Cuba (1). This theory also connects to Oswald’s trip to Mexico City in September 1963, returning early October and made many attempts to reach Cuban and Soviet consultants. (1).

There is also an organized assassination theory, putting Cuba behind the murder (“Assassination of John F. Kennedy - Conspiracy Theories” 1). The CIA was trying to recruit the Mafia to kill Castro (1). There was a revelation exposing organized crime in Cuba, this spiked attention towards them with fault (1). Kennedy’s brother, General Robert F. Kennedy investigated this, finding no hard proof, just hints (1).

Protests were uprising during the years of Kennedy’s death, mostly encouraging, or striking at Castro supporters (“Column: Why Castro Was so Deeply Loved by Some, and Hated by Others.” 1). Castro had caused the controversy of the decade by his acts as a leader. Castro was a communist whose morals strictly go against the United States regime. (1). The leader was feared by his own country, he tore apart families and gave the citizens no choice, but to be imprisoned, if they defied (1). Cubans saw depth in racial analysis, so some were against looking to America for help, but most desired to be able to live a normal life again. In New Orleans, anti-communists wanted to be heard, including Oswald and Clay Shaw. Those who were with Oswald had passed, but Shaw was found not guilty of involvement in ’69. (“Warren Commission Report and Hearings” 1).

Without depth, it seems Oswald acted alone as someone who supported communism. There is much hate for a free country by those who desire control and power. Kennedy only wanted to see what America’s progression would be without limitations over the people. A man loved by an entire country lost his life to a “magic bullet.”:

1. What did a man, with optimistic views for everyone in his presence, do to die?

2. Did he really have everyone in his country supporting him?

3. Was it a one man act or a well-covered mass attempt?

With the most motive belonging to Castro, his priorities have lead to suspicions he organized the death of one of the biggest one-man threats he had. The man leading a free country with optional support of the population will always threaten a man taking options away from his people.

Works Cited

“John F. Kennedy.” The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-           house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2021.

“John F. Kennedy Kept These Medical Struggles Private.” PBS NewsHour, 22 Nov. 2019, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/john-f-kennedy-kept-these-medical-struggles-private.

“John F. Kennedy with Ham.” Presidentialham.Com, https://presidentialham.com/u-s-presidents/john-f-kennedy-with-ham/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2021.

Dallek, Robert. “The Medical Ordeals of JFK.” The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2013, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/08/the-medical-ordeals-of-jfk/309469/.

N, et al. “Transcript: JFK’s Speech on His Religion.” NPR, 5 Dec. 2007. NPR, https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16920600.

President John F. Kennedy: Physical Description, Behavior and Personality. https://www.trivia-library.com/a/president-john-f-kennedy-physical-description-behavior-and-personality.htm. Accessed 18 Nov. 2021.

“Warren Commission Report and Hearings” Govinfo.Gov, 23 May 2016, https://www.govinfo.gov/features/warren-commission-report-and-hearings

“Column: Why Castro Was so Deeply Loved by Some, and Hated by Others.” PBS NewsHour, 28 Dec. 2016, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/castro_loved-hated.

Assassination of John F. Kennedy - Conspiracy Theories | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/assassination-of-John-F-Kennedy/Conspiracy-theories. Accessed 7 Dec. 2021.

Barber, James. “Vietnam Vet Oliver Stone Still Thinks the CIA Killed JFK.” Military.Com, 13 July 2021, https://www.military.com/off-duty/movies/2021/07/13/vietnam-vet-oliver-stone-still-thinks-cia-killed-jfk.html.