A Sniper in the Tower Read Online Free PDF Page A

Rosenberg Herald-Coaster , 21 July 1960.
27 Ibid., 25 May 1961.
28 Ibid., 28 May 1961.
29 Austin American-Statesman , 2 August 1966; Newsweek , 15 August 1966; APD Files: Statement of Francis J. Schuck, Jr. , 13 September 1966 and The Daily Record of C. J. Whitman , entry of 23 February 1964.
30 Connally Report, p. 2; Texas Observer , 19 August 1966; Life , 12 August 1966.
31 Rosenberg Herald-Coaster , 19 July and 19 August 1962.
32 FBI Files: LeDuc Statement, pp. 35; unidentified Needville neighbor and Raymond W. Leissner quoted in Austin American-Statesman , 2 August 1966.

 

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2
The Soldier and the Teacher
I
After basic training, Charlie was stationed at what was then one of the most troubled spots in the worldGuantanamo Naval Base, Cubabeginning on 9 December 1959. At least one of his marine buddies believed that, above and beyond being in the marines, being at Guantanamo Bay placed a strain on Charlie. 1 Most likely, Charlie's desperation to free himself from his father's support and control made everything else secondaryeven Cuba's drift toward Communism. Yet he had entered another life of regimentation; he

 

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would still have to take orders. He may have been drawn to another form of strict authority after becoming conditioned to taking orders. More likely, a hitch in the marines resulted from an attempt at a dramatic, irrefutable rite of passage into adulthood. No one, not even C. A. Whitman, could seriously argue that a United States Marine was anything less than a man. For Charlie Whitman, taking orders probably seemed like a small price to pay.
At eighteen, he looked more like a toy soldier than a real one. He stood nearly six feet tall and was not overly muscular, but rather thin and boyish. His long, narrow face and his large smile caused his eyes to squint, and his blond crew-cut accentuated his youthful features. At first, his uniform and his gear looked oversized, but marine life would fill him out considerably. Charlie shortly reached his adult height of six feet, and his weight hovered around 198 pounds. He had been branded with an unsolicited nickname"Whit." As a young marine he was easy-going and prone to horseplay. During this first twenty-six-month period of active duty, Charlie underwent numerous routine physical examinations and each found him to be fit. 2
Throughout his marine career, Charlie attended numerous classes ranging from sanitation to history. He kept precise notes on military protocol, law and justice. Not surprisingly, much of his notetaking involved offensive and defensive combat. On 8 October 1959 he noted:
Individual movements while under enemy fire:
1) Rushing
2) Creeping
3) Crawling
Four phases of offensive combat:
1) Movement to contact
2) Attack
3) Consolidation
4) Exploration
Camouflage and concealment
Kinds
1) Natural
2) Artificial

 

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Ways to Camof. [camouflage]
1) Hide
2) Blend
3) Deceive 3
Fairly early in his marine career, Charlie established himself as very proficient with a gun. He took copious notes on the care and techniques of firing a 30-caliber M-1 Carbine. At the end of the detailed notes he scribbled in large letters "World's Finest!!!" On the firing range he scored 215 out of a possible 250 points and earned a "sharp shooter" rating. 4 His Marine Corps Score Book documents high scores on "rapid'' fire from long ranges. Remembered as "an excellent shot [who] appeared to be more accurate against moving targets during target practice sessions," he was also described as "the kind of guy you would want around if you went into combat." 5 Similar sentiments were echoed by Larry Phillips, who maintained that "Whit" was well-liked and would do anything for others in his squad. Once, Phillips and Charlie were involved in a serious jeep accident. Although it is not clear who was the driver, it would have been consistent with Charlie's history and personality to disregard dangers associated with the reckless operation of a vehicle. Regardless of who was