</s>FD-302 REV. 11-27-70 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date of transcription 3-5-76 BETTY H. NEELY, Personnel Records, Georgia National Guard, Atlanta, Georgia, was contacted and furnished the following information! All of the records concerning individuals who had been in the National Guard during the 1950's have been reduced to the National Guards during the 1960's would only show background information such as the date of birth, place of birth. employment, enlistment date, discharge date, military occupation, and the amount of tour duty. The information contained in the medical field would be very sketchy and would not contain any medical history. After review of the Records, the following information was obtained from the National guard: Records showed that ARNOLD RAY GODFREY, born on at Copperhill, Tennessee, enlisted on January 9, 19yl, in a medical company attached with the 12nd Infantry. This unit was used to collect the evidence of the Civil War. discharged on January 6, 1954 after he completed his reserve obligation for three years. The reason for discharged was expiration of term served. GODFREEY was as discharged honorably the days of these tours of duty July 8, 1951, July 27 to and the days of the day of July 5-19, 1953. His occupation during service was a light truck operator. The address GODFREFY listed as his residence were 73 Cleveland Street, and 7/4 Atlanta Avenue. Interviewed on 2-24-76 Atlanta, Georgia File # Atlanta 44-2386-2/16 SA THOMAS J. WILSON:dd Date dictated 3-3-76 This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi and is loaned to your agency. and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency, 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into Arnold Ray Godfrey's military service records, his associations with Atlanta bars in the 1960s, and potential links to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Godfrey, a former National Guard member discharged honorably in 1954, was connected to Pete Davis’s bar in Atlanta. Claude Powell reported uncertainty about Davis’s presence during meetings but suggested Davis may have owned the bar. Leon Powell, Claude’s brother, mentioned initial contact between himself and Ray Godfrey regarding MLK’s assassination. Diane Brady, owner of The Office Bar, stated she never employed a band or recalled anyone playing guitar at the bar except possibly Godfrey. Records from Atlanta City Hall indicate Godfrey was on duty daily in October–November 1967 but had vacation days in April 1968. FBI communications note that Godfrey’s attorney refused further interviews, and the case was reviewed for potential federal grand jury involvement. Lee Carroll Godfrey, Arnold’s brother, had a criminal record including armed robbery and murder convictions. Family members of Godfrey denied knowledge of MLK or James Earl Ray. Bar licenses and ownership changes are documented, with Pete Davis selling the bar to Buck Bailey in 1975.  

Key People  
- **Arnold Ray Godfrey**: Former National Guard member, associated with Atlanta bars; discharged honorably in 1954.  
- **Claude Powell, Jr.**: Reported uncertainty about Pete Davis’s presence during meetings but suggested Davis may have owned the bar.  
- **Leon Powell**: Brother of Claude Powell; mentioned initial contact between himself and Ray Godfrey regarding MLK’s assassination.  
- **Diane Brady**: Owner of The Office Bar in Atlanta; stated she never employed a band or recalled anyone playing guitar at the bar.  
- **Lee Carroll Godfrey**: Arnold’s brother, arrested for theft in 1973 with an outstanding warrant.  
- **Pete Davis**: Allegedly owned a bar where meetings occurred; sold it to Buck Bailey in 1975.  
- **Buck Bailey**: Purchased Pete Davis’s bar and operated it until at least 1975.  
- **Ralph (last name unknown)**: Mentioned as someone who played guitar with Godfrey at a bar, though not confirmed by Brady.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Central to the investigation; locations include The Office Bar (Moreland Avenue), Pete’s Bar, and Bill Bailey’s Bar.  
- **Copperhill, Tennessee**: Home of Arnold Ray Godfrey’s family; mentioned as a place where some family members resided prior to moving to Atlanta.  
- **Blue Ridge, Georgia**: Lee Carroll Godfrey was incarcerated at Blue Ridge County Jail in 1974.  

Key Events  
- **National Guard Service (1950s–1960s)**: Arnold Ray Godfrey’s records show service with the 12th Infantry, discharged honorably in 1954.  
- **Bar Meetings and Potential Links to MLK Assassination**: Claude Powell reported initial contact between Leon Powell and Ray Godfrey regarding MLK’s assassination; uncertainty about Pete Davis’s involvement.  
- **Bar Ownership and Licenses**: Documentation of bar licenses for The Office Bar, Bill Bailey’s Bar, and others, including ownership changes from Pete Davis to Buck Bailey.  
- **Criminal Record of Lee Carroll Godfrey**: Arrested in 1973 for theft by receiving stolen property; warrant outstanding for his arrest.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Godfrey’s connections, bar activities, and potential involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **City of Atlanta, Environment and Street Services**: Provided records on city employee work schedules, including Godfrey’s service dates.  
- **Fannin County Sheriff’s Department**: Reported Lee Carroll Godfrey’s arrest and incarceration for theft.  
- **Cobb County Police Department**: Mentioned in records related to school crossing guards and other local law enforcement activities.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_164-04-part_3_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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