I don’t agree with the logic of the quote from Hosty’s book that: “...DeBruey's deduction of Lee's alias of A.J. Hidell made a trace of the rifle hat killed the president possible" They had the serial number of the rifle (from the rifle itself) and they needed to find out who Kleins Sporting Goods sold it to. Searching Kleins’ records for that serial number wasn’t impossible without the name “Hidell”. Also, DPD and the FBI already had the name Hidell from the identification card in LHO’s wallet. So, how do you figure that Hosty thinks that deBrueys’ deduction “made the trace possible”?
And as far as how deBrueys came up with the name, LHO used that name on some of his literature in New Orleans, he was arrested in New Orleans and possibly had the Hidell identification card on him at that time. (A look at the arrest records and the FBI files might indicate if the authorities took note of this alias at that time.) Regardless, I don’t understand why Hosty thought it was the key to the search at Kleins Sporting Goods.
Charles: The New Orleans police detective who interviewed Oswald after his arrest said Oswald had these documents on him:
1. Social Security Card bearing #433-54-3937 in the name of LEE HARVEY OSWALD.
"2. Selective Service draft card in the name of LEE HARVEY OSWALD bearing #41-114-395-32, classification---4A. (I do not know what draft board was registered with.)
"3. Card bearing name LEE HARVEY OSWALD reflecting he was a member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee; address listed as 799 Broadway, New York 3, New York; telephone #ORegon 4-8295, headquarters for Fair Play for Cuba Committee. Card was signed by V. T. LEE, Executive Secretary; card issued 5/28/63.
"4. Card for the New Orleans Chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in name of LEE HARVEY OSWALD signed by A. J. HIDELL, Chapter President, issued June 6, 1963.
Interesting that Oswald had a Selective Service card in his name. The # on it was different than the Selective Service card with the Hidell name on it.
Link here:
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/russ/testimony/martell1.htm