</s>May 1,1968 Kentennas, I would appreciate, possible, a copy of the wanted Flyer 442, (F81# 405992 6) for the capture of James Earl. Ray. I will use the Flyer for display, probably in my car to help circulate knowledge of the hunt for James Carl Ray. Thank yous. Marvin Harris 735 Walton Ave. Brona, N.y. 10451 4/4 1609 504 SEARCHED SEARCHIZED SEARCHID SERIALIZED FILLED WAY 3 1993 23 FEB-NEW YORK Shanley 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities and potential connections to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including flight tracking, phone number verification, and dissemination of identification materials. Marvin Harris requested wanted flyers for Ray, prompting FBI distribution of photographs and guidance for informants. Flight records for AAL Flight 338 were checked, and phone call logs linked to Ray’s alleged movements were analyzed. An informant report mentioned a Communist Party meeting in New York City on April 15, 1968, attended by figures like Gus Hall, though this is unrelated to the MLK investigation. FBI records from May 3, 1968, included phone call details tied to Ray’s travel routes and financial inquiries. Eric S. Galt of Birmingham, Alabama, was noted for a canceled book order, while Thomas Randall, linked to American Airlines Flight 38, raised concerns about his activities in Dallas, Texas. George Makrilos’ potential connection to Houston-based contacts and John Ray’s employment inquiry with the State Liquor Authority were also investigated.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination; subject of FBI tracking and identification efforts)  
- Marvin Harris (requestor of wanted flyer for Ray)  
- César A. Galarza (sent letter to FBI questioning evidence against Ray)  
- Eric S. Galt (Birmingham, Alabama; canceled book order with Modern Photo Bookstore)  
- Thomas Randall (linked to American Airlines Flight 38 and Dallas, Texas)  
- Dennis Zervos (Houston, Texas; potential connection to George Makrilos)  
- George Makrilos (Greek seaman; alleged contact with Zervos)  
- Donald S. Hostetter (State Liquor Authority, New York; bartender inquiry)  
- Gus Hall (Communist Party speaker; mentioned in unrelated informant report)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central to Ray’s alleged activities and MLK’s assassination)  
- New York City (FBI offices, hotel Diplomat for Communist Party meeting)  
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (report on Thomas Randall)  
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Ridgeway Tours)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Eric S. Galt’s address)  
- Houston, Texas (Dennis Zervos’ location)  
- Dallas, Texas (Thomas Randall’s connection)  
- Fort Bliss, Texas  

Key Events  
- FBI release of photographs of James Earl Ray for public identification (May 7, 1968)  
- Flight tracking efforts for AAL Flight 338 and verification of phone numbers linked to Ray’s movements  
- Distribution of wanted flyers for Ray to aid in his capture  
- Informant report detailing a Communist Party meeting in New York City (April 15, 1968)  
- FBI surveillance of phone calls tied to Ray’s alleged travel routes (May 3, 1968)  
- César A. Galarza’s correspondence questioning evidence against Ray and requesting further investigation  
- Modern Photo Bookstore’s handling of Eric S. Galt’s canceled book order  
- Inquiry into George Makrilos’ potential connection to Houston-based contacts  
- State Liquor Authority (SLA) investigation into John Ray’s employment history  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted surveillance, tracked flight records, and investigated MLK’s assassination  
- American Airlines: Referenced in telecommunication logs related to Ray’s travel  
- Modern Photo Bookstore (division of Amphoto): Handled book orders linked to Eric S. Galt  
- State Liquor Authority (SLA), New York: Involved in employment inquiry for John Ray  
- Communist Party: Mentioned in unrelated informant report about a meeting in New York City

MLK Declassified Files

44-ny-1609_sec_004_ser_481-600-part_2_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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