Lee Harvey Oswald Was Shot While I Was Handcuffed to Him | The Man in the Tan Suit | James Leavelle

Please consider becoming an AVC Patreon member to receive exclusive content and perks. This funding goes directly into helping us capture more incredible stories with our nation's veterans: patreon.com/americanveteranscenter

I lived one house down from Jim and his lovely wife growing up. They treated me like I was their own child; shared so many meals with them in their home over the years. I had the privilege of hearing both of these stories in detail over the years, never grew tired of hearing them, he had an unbelievable memory. You were one of the great ones Jim, you will be missed my friend.

Very coherent and an almost perfect memory with such detail for a man that is 95 years old. Thanks for your service, James. RIP.

This brings back memories for me. 92 years of age now, served in the Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers and Submarines. Have a high regard for our American cousins.

I'm so thankful that channels like this exist. The stories of the earlier generations need to be told and shared while they're still fresh in history

As a route salesman for a Dallas/Ft. Worth vending company, I was filling the Coke machine in the Parkland Hospital cafeteria about a half hour before the motorcade rolled in. I was planning to stay and have lunch but the Friday special was liver and onions, and I NEVER order organ meat in a hospital cafeteria. If roast chicken had been the special, I would have been there when Kennedy arrived. By the way, I had filled the Coke machine in the lunchroom of the Texas School Book Depository that morning. That means that if the conspiracy theorists are correct and Lee Harvey Oswald was indeed in the cafeteria drinking a Coke moments after the assassination, it was placed in the machine by Yours Truly. The company I worked for closed early that day in observance of the national tragedy, so over the weekend, I had to make up the stops I didn't get to - including the Dallas Police Headquarters, which wasn't accepting deliveries on Saturday, so I postponed that one until Sunday. I'd just pulled my truck into the parking garage on Sunday when I spotted one of my regular customers, Jack Ruby -owner of the Carousel Nightclub where we had a couple of machines. He waved to me as I drove past. He was on his way on foot to somewhere in the garage.

Wow, he was 95 at the time of this interview. He aged really well. I hope I’m that sharp if I make it to that age. Great interview.

Why they walked Oswald through a crowd, why a crowd was even allowed to be there, makes you wonder if some in the government were culpable in Oswald's murder.

Watched this man on live television, as Oswald was shot, moments forever to be etched in my memory, as a 17 year old high school student. Thank you for this remarkable interview.

My father was a DPD officer when this occurred. Dad was working nights at that time and was awakened by my Mother who was an off duty nurse at Parkland. Dad got up and listened to T.V. news for a bit and told my Mother that he was going to go ahead and get ready because he knew they would ALL be called in to work. DPD did just that about 2 minutes later.. Dad knew Jim Leavelle very good and always spoke highly of him. I was 3 months old at that time!! Those were crazy times!

This gentleman saw more in his lifetime than many people could experience in 10 lifetimes.

A national treasure. Any person involved in this much history and his country's service, should be recognized.

In all of the photos and video footage of Lee Harvey Oswald’s assasination, the Deputy Sheriff with him always stood out. It is absolutely amazing that he is still alive today, and that someone took the time and effort to interview him. Thanks for sharing this very special, historic interview here on YouTube. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

I can’t imagine being involved in not one but two of the most shocking events in American history. Thank you Jim, for your service. And may you rest in God’s peace.

Such an incredibly detailed memory, I can barely recall what I had for lunch.

… like all o’y’all, I’ve seen many interviews over the years with this man.. He’s always struck me as such a kind, mature, professional, and respectful Texas gentleman.. we’re fortunate to have his accounts as a witness to history.

The Big Hat Guy! Thank you for this post. This is the best way to study history--hear it from who was there. RIP Mr. Leavelle.

I met him once. I was in prison in 86-88 I was 18and in the kick it program where I went all over tx to high schools talking to them about what prison life was for someone their age. And he senting a request to have me go to some schools around Beaumont Winnie and port Arthur.. was a really good guy. He told us the story about being handcuffed to oswal. Was a really good history lesson.

Thanks for conducting and posting this interview. It is so interesting to hear an eyewitness account of some of history’s most important moments. A big thank you to Mr. Leavelle for his service in WW2 and to the people of Dallas. RIP sir.

History must NEVER be forgotten...