</s>1 SL 44-775 HRD/leh RE: SUSPECT ERNEST SUMPER GAULT AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AT ST ., LOUISS, MISSOURI A. FRENCH, on April 11, 1968: The following investigation was conducted by SA JACK The following Investigation was conductedby SA JACK A. French, on April 11, 1988: Mr. LOUS F. CLOVIS, Official of the Seafarers Inter- national and inland Boatmen's Union, 805 Delmar, St. Louis, Missouri, advised that a thorough search of the records of his union failed to disclose any record for an individual named ex-GALVIN'S GALVINS stated he was not acquainted with any person that that he was named after. Mr. BARRY WILSON, Official Of the National Maritime Union, 2033 North 7th Street, St Louis, Missouri, advised what an ERNERT S. GAULT, born an employee during the early Street, ST. Louis. Missouri, and advised that in Arkansas, had been employees during the Early Street, with waterways Corpora- tied to the West, Missouri area. His records disclose that in the Wt. Louis Missouri, Missouri. He records discolose that ERNEST GAULT has Z5959231-01. His residence as of 1953 was indicated as 1911 West West Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas. No social security number for him appeared in the file. Mr. WILSOON stated he has not accepted with GAULT and had no additional information concerning him. 62 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail investigations into Ernest Sumper Gault, Jerome Wallis Vernon, and James Earl Ray, focusing on their backgrounds, associations, and potential links to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Ernest Gault’s records include employment with the Veterans Administration (1942–1948), military service in the U.S. Army (August 1942–January 1946), and multiple arrests in Arkansas for burglary, larceny, and assault between 1941 and 1959. His Social Security number Z5959231-01 is noted but not included. Gault’s residences in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Saginaw, Michigan, are documented, along with family members including his parents, wife Florence H. Gault, and siblings. A Veterans Administration claim file (C-686895) was reportedly missing from records. The FBI noted that fingerprint evidence did not match Gault. Jerome Wallis Vernon’s military service in the Army (1953–1954) and Air Force (1961–1964) includes disciplinary actions for misconduct, including a Special Court-Martial for absence without leave and a discharge due to an anti-social personality diagnosis. His residences in Sierra Madre, California, and Sacramento, California, are listed, along with marriages and children. A Social Security number [SSN REDACTED] is noted. James Earl Ray is mentioned as a suspect but lacks detailed information in the documents. Additional records detail Ray’s military service (February 1946–December 1948), conviction for drunkenness and misconduct, arrest in 1955 for forging postal money orders after a burglary at a post office in Kellerville, Illinois, and three years in prison. Post-release, he lived with his aunt, Mrs. Lucille Ryan, in St. Louis, Missouri, under probation supervision. Employment as a cook’s helper and plans to emigrate are noted. Associations include Walter Terry Rife and Catherine Buskirk, arrested for the 1955 postal fraud case. Ray’s address and physical description (height: 5'10", weight: 180 pounds, eye color: blue) are documented. A separate section details a 1959 armed robbery investigation involving Ray and James Owens, including weapons found in Ray’s room (a .765 caliber Belgium Browning Automatic Rifle, serial number 57195; revolver, serial number 249), and the stolen 1958 Plymouth sedan identified as property of Owens. FBI agents conducted employment checks for Ray in St. Louis bakeries and unions in April 1968.  

Key People  
- **Ernest Sumper Gault**: Subject of investigation; employed by Veterans Administration, military service records, multiple arrests in Arkansas.  
- **Jerome Wallis Vernon**: Military and Air Force service records, disciplinary actions, marriages, and residences in California.  
- **Florence H. Gault**: Wife of Ernest Gault; listed as residing in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  
- **William O. Gault**: Father of Ernest Gault; residence in Little Rock, Arkansas.  
- **Lula Gault**: Mother of Ernest Gault; residence in Little Rock, Arkansas.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect linked to MLK assassination; military service, 1955 postal fraud arrest, probation supervision, and 1959 armed robbery.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Arrested with Ray for postal fraud.  
- **Catherine Buskirk**: Arrested with Ray for postal fraud.  
- **Mrs. Lucille Ryan**: Ray’s aunt; provided housing post-release in St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **John Shicker**: Postal Inspector involved in 1955 case.  
- **J. Lee Simpkins**: Probation Officer overseeing Ray’s release.  
- **James Owens**: Co-conspirator in 1959 robbery; identified as car owner.  
- **SA Harry C. Jung**: FBI agent conducting employment checks.  
- **SA Spurgeon J. Peterson**: FBI agent involved in bakery investigations.  
- **Donald Schaffer**: Kroger store manager reporting the 1959 robbery.  

Key Locations  
- **North Little Rock, Arkansas**: Residences and employment records for Ernest Gault.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Investigation conducted by SA Jack A. French and IC Edward J. Mergen; Ray’s probation supervision and housing.  
- **Sierra Madre, California**: Residence of Jerome Wallis Vernon.  
- **Sacramento, California**: Residences and civilian employment for Jerome Wallis Vernon.  
- **Hannibal, Missouri**: Arrest site in 1955.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Ray’s residence during military service and post-release.  
- **Kellerville, Illinois**: Site of 1955 postal burglary.  
- **2023 Park Avenue**: Address linked to Ray’s residence and stolen car.  
- **4023 Olive Street (St. Louis Rescue Mission)**: Alleged meeting location for Ray and Owens.  
- **Kroger store at 3417 Ohio Avenue, St. Louis**: Site of the 1959 robbery.  

Key Events  
- **April 1968**: FBI employment checks for James Earl Ray in St. Louis bakeries and unions.  
- **1942–1948**: Ernest Gault’s employment with Veterans Administration and subsequent arrests in Arkansas.  
- **1953–1954**: Jerome Wallis Vernon’s Army service, including discharge for anti-social personality diagnosis.  
- **1961–1964**: Jerome Wallis Vernon’s Air Force service, including disciplinary actions and desertion apprehension by FBI.  
- **1955**: Ray arrested for forging postal money orders after burglary at Kellerville, Illinois post office; served three years in prison.  
- **Conditional release from federal prison (1958)**: Ray under probation supervision in St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **October 10, 1959**: Armed robbery at Kroger store involving Ray and Owens; pursuit leading to discovery of weapons and stolen car.  
- **Confession by Owens**: Identified Ray as providing the revolver used in the robbery.  

Key Organizations  
- **Veterans Administration (VA)**: Maintained records on Ernest Gault’s claim file (C-686895) and employment history.  
- **U.S. Army**: Documented military service and disciplinary actions for both suspects.  
- **U.S. Air Force**: Recorded Jerome Wallis Vernon’s service, including court-martial and discharge.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in fingerprint identification, apprehension of Vernon as a deserter, and employment checks for Ray.  
- **United States Postal Service (USPS)**: Investigated Ray’s postal fraud case.  
- **United States Probation Office**: Supervised Ray post-release.  
- **Kroger Bakery Company**: Subject of the 1959 armed robbery investigation.  
- **Bakers Union #4, AFL-CIO**: Reviewed for Ray’s employment history.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_81-01-part_3_of_9.pdf

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