</s>1 SL 44-775 EJ/M/leh RE: SUSPECT ERNEST SUMPTER GALT AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI A review on April 12, 1968, of the personnel records, National Personnel Records Center (Civilian Personnel Records), St. Louis, Missouri, as a IC EDWARD J. MERCEN, indicated that ErnEST SUN, Missouri), as a Hospital Center (CIVILIAN PERSONNEL Records), March 18, 1942, as an IC EDWARD J. MerCEN. Indicated that ERNEST SUNS, Missouri is a Hospital Assistant with the Veterans Ad- ministration, at North Little Rock, Arkansas. This employment was terminated on July 13, 1942. It was a Hospital Attendant, by reason to be terminated by July 13. 1942, a report for duty. Attendant was employed on December 5, 1947, as A Hospital Attender, by (Menthal) (Menthol) on December 6, 1947. A Hospital Assistant, by Veterans Administration Hospital, Ward, at north Little Rock. Arkansas, Effective October 14, 1948, he was suspended for a period of five days for making 12, 1949, and was suspended from the employment was five days or making 12. 1949. This Employment was by reason for resignation because of leaving the State of (Cental), Arkansas due to illness in the family. He was employed by December 13, 1951, as as a Deckhand, when actually employed, with the Department of Commerce, Inland Waterways Corporation, Federal Barge Lines, Marine Division, St. Louisiana, Federal Bureau Lines, and Marine Division. 28, 1952, asa Deckhand because of separation for abandonment of position - failed to return from authorized leave. He was Employed on March 4, 1952. as a deckhand, when actually Employed with March 4. 1952, of Deckhand. Waterways Corporations, Federal Barges Lines, as of Commerce. Inland at St. Louis. Corporation, federal Barge Lines, Marine division July 21, 1952 as a Deckhand by reason of separation from an-an- donment of position - failed to return as authorized. Leave. He wasemployed on May 25, 1953, as deckhand, when actually employed with the Dept. of Commerce ,, inland Waterways, Corporation, with a Department of Marine Division St.Louis, Corporation. Federal Bargo Lines, from Marine Division , October 19, 1953 as a Decker, as by reasonof reduction in force "Action taken because of sale of Barge lines necessary abolishment of all position, by commuting area in accordance with provisions of Act of Act in Congress ... (63) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains personnel records and investigative reports on Ernest Sumpter Gault, detailing his employment history with government agencies such as the Veterans Administration and Department of Commerce, along with military service in the U.S. Army and Air Force. It includes multiple arrests for burglary, larceny, assault, and desertion, alongside disciplinary actions like suspensions, court-martial sentences, and rank reductions. The record also notes his family members, residences, and a redacted social security number. No content related to Martin Luther King Jr., the assassination investigation, or associated individuals is present.  

Key People  
- Ernest Sumpter Gault  
- W.O. Gault (father)  
- Lula "Gauldy" (spouse)  
- Florence H. Gault (wife)  
- Evan Hoffman (father-in-law)  
- Cleo (sister)  
- Lorraine E. Carter (sister-in-law)  
- J.C. Gault (brother)  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri  
- Little Rock, Arkansas  
- Saginaw, Michigan  
- Fort Bliss, Texas  
- Fort Ord, California  
- Sacramento, California  
- Sierra Madre, California  

Key Events  
- Arrests for burglary, grand larceny, assault and battery, petit larceny  
- Military discharge due to undesirable traits  
- Disciplinary actions including suspensions, court-martial sentences, reduction in rank  
- Employment terminations for absenteeism and misconduct  

Key Organizations  
- Veterans Administration  
- Department of Commerce  
- U.S. Army  
- U.S. Air Force  
- Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)  
- Missouri Sport Service, Inc.  
- Metropolitan Life Insurance Company  

Summary  
The documents detail investigations into James Earl Ray’s background, arrests, and associations. Key findings include his 1955 arrest for postal money order fraud in Hannibal, Missouri, linked to Walter Terry Riff and Catherine Doris Buskirk. Ray’s military service records from the U.S. Army (February 1946–December 1948) show assignments in Germany and disciplinary actions, including a Special Court-Martial for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. His post-office arrest involved stolen money orders cashed in St. Louis, with records indicating use of forged identities, including "Willard M. Bride." Ray’s conditional release from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in 1958 is noted, along with his residence at the Blackstone Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, and correspondence with his aunt, Mrs. Lucille Ryan.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- Walter Terry Riff (co-defendant in postal fraud case)  
- Catherine Doris Buskirk (associate of Ray)  
- JAMES A. DUFFEY (Special Agent conducting investigations)  
- JOHN L. BRENNAN (Chief, United States Probation Officer)  
- LUCILLE RYAN (Ray’s aunt, listed as his contact during probation)  

Key Locations  
- Hannibal, Missouri (arrest site for postal fraud)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (military service records, probation office)  
- Quincy, Illinois (Ray’s family connections, residences)  
- Alton, Illinois (Ray’s birthplace, military service)  
- Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Kansas (Ray’s incarceration)  

Key Events  
- 1955 arrest for postal money order fraud in Hannibal, Missouri  
- Military service with the U.S. Army (February 1946–December 1948), including assignments in Germany  
- Special Court-Martial conviction for drunkenness and disorderly conduct  
- Conditional release from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in 1958  
- Probation supervision under John L. Brennan, with contact via aunt Lucille Ryan  

Key Organizations  
- United States Postal Inspection Service (investigated Ray’s postal fraud)  
- U.S. Army Military Personnel Records Center (provided service records)  
- United States Probation Office (monitored Ray’s probation post-release)  
- Veterans Administration (recorded Ray’s military service claims)  

Summary  
The document details James Earl Ray’s employment history and a 1959 robbery investigation in St. Louis, Missouri. It includes records of Ray’s attempts to secure employment as a baker between 1958–1968, including interactions with local bakeries and unions. On October 9, 1959, Ray was arrested for participating in an armed robbery at a Kroger store. The robbery involved two men who stole cash using a .765 caliber Belgium Browning Automatic Rifle and a revolver. Ray’s accomplice, James Owens, admitted to the crime and described their plan to switch vehicles after the robbery. Ray was charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest, while Owens faced similar charges. The document also notes that the St. Louis Police Department had no prior record of Ray at the time of his arrest.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- James Owens (accomplice in the robbery)  
- Edward McGrath (police officer involved)  
- Frank Moskus (Gaslight Bar proprietor)  
- Richard Mutrux (former owner of Gaslight Bar)  
- Donald Schaffer (store manager)  
- SA Harry C. Jung, SPURGEON J. PETERSON (investigating agents)  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri  
- Glen Echo Country Club (employment reference)  
- 2023 Park Avenue (Ray’s residence)  
- Kroger store at 3417 Ohio Avenue, St. Louis  
- Inched Automobiles (abandoned car location)  

Key Events  
- Ray’s employment inquiries at bakeries in St. Louis (1958–1968)  
- Robbery of a Kroger store on October 9, 1959  
- Arrest and subsequent charges against James Earl Ray and James Owens  
- Investigation into the stolen vehicles and weapons used in the robbery  
- Interactions with local bakeries, unions, and police departments  

Key Organizations  
- St. Louis Police Department  
- Bakers Union #4, AFL-CIO  
- Kroger Bakery Company  
- Commercial bakeries in St. Louis (e.g., American Bakeries, The Continental Baking Company)

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_05-01-part_3_of_5.pdf

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