CURRENT THEORY - SUMMARY SCENARIO
In the Matter of the Murder of Harold Eugene Vest
on 27 Jun 1946 in Gainesville, TX

This document is strictly confidential.  It is designed to document an independent assessment of the facts and theories surrounding the death of Harold “Buddy” Eugene Vest on June 28, 1946 in order to discover the truth.  This document necessarily includes a significant amount of personal information – some of which may not be accurate – in order to analyze investigative leads.  This document and its information are not designed to impugn anyone.  Readers must understand that many of the statements in this summary are not factual, but rather are opinions, impressions and speculations based on assumptions and interpretations of existing and necessarily incomplete information.  Further, the information contained in this summary is not warranted to be accurate and we assume no responsibility for damages arising from the publication, distribution, use of, or reliance on any such information.  This document is being provided confidentially in order to further the investigation.  It is a living document, and as such remains subject to change without notice. 

BEFORE GOING TO THE THE EUROPEAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS

Buddy was born on  29 May 1921 in Osawatomie, Miami County, KS. His father, Lloyd Samuel Vest,¹ served on active duty in World War I from  3 Jun 1918 to 11 Jun 1919 as a carpenter’s mate,  2nd class in the Navy (SN: [withheld]). Lloyd’s civilian occupation was carpenter. His mother, Helen M. Kern,² was a third-generation German-American. Helen’s civilian occupation was homemaker.

In 1930, the Buddy lived with his parents, his brother Earl L. Vest, ³ and his sister, Virginia R. Vest⁴ at 7747 Woodlawn Ave. in Chicago, Il..

In 1938, Buddy left Chicago’s Tilton High School, where he studied woodworking, to assist the family financially. He worked at Krinssink Brothers Manufacturing Co. in Chicago where he made wall shelves and bookcases for over four years.⁵ By the time of his induction into the Army, Buddy was a supervisor at the shop.       

I conducted numerous interviews with Ruth, Buddy’s sister, and cousins. These interviews revealed the following:

Physical description at date of death: Harold “Buddy” Eugene Vest was 25 when he died on 28 Jun 28 1946. His eyes and hair were brown. He stood 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 150 pounds. He had no distinguishing marks or scars. He had amblyopia (lazy eye) in the left eye that caused him to occasionally wear glasses during childhood.

Interests: Fishing, hunting, photography, playing the guitar, country music, and watching airplanes take off and land at an airfield in Chicago.
 
Character: Buddy apparently did not have any vices, such as gambling, excessive debts, excessive spending, excessive drinking, illegal drugs, womanizing, etc. He apparently had a normal childhood. There is no evidence of parental abuse or traumatic experiences. There is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in his past.

He apparently demonstrated a normal interest in sex. There is no indication that he ever practiced or requested bondage or cross-dressing during sex. There is no indication that he had an interest in sadomasochistic activities, sadomasochistic pornography or books on torture. He apparently exhibited no signs of a thrill-seeking personality.

There is no indication of his being disciplined while in the service. He received an Honorable Discharge.

Political Beliefs: There is no indication that Buddy held any firm political beliefs or was a member of any political party. There was no indication that he was affiliated with or maintained associations with members of subversive groups such as communist, socialists or fascists. All interviews indicated that he was a loyal American.

Religious Beliefs: Buddy’s mother was Catholic. His father was a non-practicing Christian. There is no indication that he held any extreme religious beliefs or affiliations. Ruth stated that they seldom attended church services.

Buddy was inducted into the Army at Fort Sheridan, IL (SSN [withheld] ASN [withheld]) on  21 Nov 1942. Following Limited Assignment School ⁶ at Camp McCoy, WI with the 2nd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army, he was transferred to Camp Custer at Battlecreek, MI  at the end of December 1942. There, he met his wife, Edna Ruth Blakely ⁷ in a Post Exchange. His last known address prior to induction was 7328 Woodlawn Ave, Chicago.

Ruth was in Battlecreek with her sister Billy Dan Blakely Seright ⁸ and brother-in-law, Herbert Aaron Seright⁹ . Herbert, an enlisted man, was stationed at Camp Custer, prior to being shipped overseas to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), where he served as a truck driver.

In Feb 1943, Buddy was promoted to T/5 (same grade as corporal). His Military Occupational Specialty was foreman, construction (059) (a critical occupational specialty).

Buddy took a short leave to marry Ruth on  4 Apr 1943 in her hometown of Henrietta, TX.

Buddy and Ruth took up residence with the family of Wilburn A. Smith (“Smitty”), Buddy’s First Sergeant, in Battlecreek. Buddy was the company clerk under Smitty for the 1605 Service Unit at Camp Custer.

Sometime in January 1944, Buddy took leave for approximately one week and traveled by train with his pregnant wife to Henrietta, Clay County, Texas.

Ruth gave birth to Herbie Darwin Vest on 12 Aug 1944 in Battlecreek, MI. In a family photo taken soon after the birth, Buddy is seen in his uniform bearing the patch of the 6th Service Command, Quartermaster Corps.

Ruth’s mother had come to Battlecreek to help her with the post-birth duties. The next month, Ruth returned to Henrietta with her mother and remained there until Buddy was discharged in January 1946. Buddy stayed at Camp Custer until he received orders to be shipped to the ETO.