</s>AL 44-493 PAGE SEVEN, MIAMI NEW PEERLESS LAUNDRY, ONE ONE ZERO N.W ., FIFTYFIFTH AVENUE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA ., MODEL NO. H FIVE L FOUR, SERIAL NO. THREE TWO SIX ONE FOUR. TAMPA PALMACEIA CLEANERS AND LAUNDRY, SIX TWO ZERO SOUTH MC DILL, TAMPA, FLa .,MODEL NO ., H FIVEL L FOR, SERIAL NO. THREE TWO THREE EIGHT NINE, LINCOLN LAOUNDRY. ONE NINE ONE ZERO TWENTY SECOND AVENUE. TAMPA. FLA ,, MODel NO.H FIVE K ONE, SERIAL NUMBERS THREE ONE FOUE ONE ONE ONE, THREEONE FIVE TWO TWO: SPOTLESS CLEANER, SIK TWO ONE ZERO FLA. AVENUEL, TAMPO, FLAF ., MODELL NO. FIVE X ONE. SERIAL NUMBERE THREE ONE FOUR TWO SEVEN. THREE ONE X FOUR FIVE SEVEN ., THREE ONE FOR FUR SIX SIX, PRATHER'S, INCORPORATED, FT ., MYERS, FLAA ., model NO. H PIVE L ONE, SERIA NO. THREE ONE SIX THREE ONE AND THREE ONE SEVEN NINE THREE. END PAGE SEVEN 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigative efforts related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. A suspect named John Willard was identified as a white male aged 26–40, described as five feet eight to eleven inches tall, weighing 150–170 pounds, with dark brown or sandy hair, blue or green eyes, and a dark suit. He fled the scene after shooting King from a balcony, dropping a bag and weapon. The weapon was traced to Birmingham, Alabama, purchased March 20, 1968. Investigations into Willard’s background revealed he had worked for Robert Berney in Mobile, Alabama, and later at Rosenblatt and Sons, Inc., in San Diego, California, where he held a position as an electrical design draftsman since June 1967. His employment records and references were reviewed, but he was eliminated as a suspect during the relevant period (March 29–April 4, 1968).  

A separate inquiry focused on Robert L. Plunk, a white male aged 34, who was identified as a passenger on train number six to St. Louis, Missouri, and reportedly resembled an artist’s sketch of MLK’s assassin. Plunk claimed poor physical health due to a condition requiring medical attention, with records from the Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH) in St. Louis indicating difficulty moving and breathing. His residence in Michigan was noted, along with his ticket to St. Louis.  

Perry Castleberry, a new employee at Rosen Mills in Hawthorne, New Jersey, was also investigated for resembling an image in a newspaper article linked to MLK’s assassination. He had recently moved from Griffin, Georgia, following the death of his wife and was employed at Rosen Mills starting April 10, 1968. His whereabouts during March 29–April 4, 1968, were under review.  

Key People  
- John Willard: Suspect described as white male, 26–40 years old, with physical traits and employment history in Alabama and California.  
- Robert L. Plunk: Passenger on train to St. Louis, resembling the assassin’s sketch; claimed poor health.  
- Perry Castleberry: New employee at Rosen Mills, resembled MLK assassination image; recently relocated from Georgia.  
- John D. Willard (variant): Employed by Rosenblatt and Sons in San Diego; retired Navy chief petty officer.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK’s assassination.  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Weapon purchase location.  
- San Diego, California: Employment history of John Willard and Perry Castleberry.  
- Seattle, Washington: Work assignment for John Willard.  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Robert Plunk’s VAH records and train travel.  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: MLK shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis.  
- March 20, 1968: Weapon purchase in Birmingham traced to suspect.  
- March 29–April 4, 1968: Period under investigation for John Willard’s movements.  
- April 10, 1968: Perry Castleberry hired at Rosen Mills.  
- VAH records reviewed for Robert Plunk’s health and travel history.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations into suspects and evidence.  
- Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH), St. Louis, Missouri: Provided medical records for Robert Plunk.  
- Rosenblatt and Sons, Inc.: Employed John Willard and Perry Castleberry.  
- Textile Marking Machine Co., Syracuse, New York: Linked to laundry tags found at the assassination scene.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_01-04-part_06_of_10.pdf

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