Key Age Facts at a Glance
Lee Harvey Oswald was 24 years old at the time of his arrest for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. He was born on October 18, 1939, and died on November 24, 1963, at age 24 after being shot by Jack Ruby. The following table summarizes core age-related milestones verified by date.
| Event | Date | Age | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | October 18, 1939 | 0 | Birth record |
| Assassination of JFK | November 22, 1963 | 24 | Official police reports |
| Arrest | November 22, 1963 | 24 | Law enforcement logs |
| Transferred to county jail | November 24, 1963 | 24 | Hospital records |
| Death | November 24, 1963 | 24 | Coroner’s report |
What We Mean by Age in This Context
Age in this profile is stated in completed years based on the Gregorian calendar, using birth and event dates recorded in official documents. His age at each event is calculated by elapsed years since birth, and verified through arrest booking forms, autopsy reports, and municipal records. These sources are treated as authoritative for age confirmation.
Biographical Context Leading to November 1963
Oswald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and spent parts of his childhood in Dallas, New York City, and the Soviet Union. By the time of the assassination, he had lived across multiple cities and countries, which shaped public and investigative interest in his background. His age at the time of the assassination is consistently documented as 24 in official reports, reflecting only elapsed time from birth to event.
Why Age Is Often Revisited in Investigations and Public Discourse
Understanding his age helps frame timelines, legal proceedings, and historical context. Because the assassination occurred in November 1963 and Oswald died the following day, his age is often cited when discussing the speed of investigations, chain of evidence, and procedural decisions. Age also serves as a fixed point for correlating other biographical milestones.
Common Points of Clarification
- Age reported at arrest and during early news coverage was 24, based on birth date of October 18, 1939.
- After transfer to Parkland Memorial Hospital on November 24, he remained 24, as he had not yet reached his next birthday.
- Official photographic and written records align on these dates, reinforcing consistency across sources.
Relationship of Age to Other Key Facts
Age interacts with location, employment, and travel history in investigations. For example, his youth and prior relocation history were noted during hearings and research reviews. The table above isolates age from other attributes to prevent overinterpretation while illustrating how it fits into broader documentation.