Defense Department Queried on Participation of Military in Nazi Party

Chairman Lyndon Johnson of the Senate Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee today officially requested the Defense Department to explain its position on “active participation” of U.S. military personnel in Lincoln Rockwell’s American Nazi party.

Senator Johnson, Texas Democrat, is Senate majority leader as well as chairman of the Investigating Subcommittee concerned with military preparedness. The subcommittee request was sent directly to Secretary of Defense Thomas S. Gates, Jr.

Senator Johnson told Secretary Gates that the subcommittee had disturbing information about the permitted participation of servicemen, including a Marine stationed at Quantico, Va., in neo-Nazi activities in the national capital area. The Defense Department was asked for a detailed explanation and a statement of its policy toward neo-nazism.

The subcommittee probe followed disclosure by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the Marine Corps failed to deter Pfc. John C. Patsalas from marching in neo-Nazi formations attired in a brownshirt uniform and swastika armband, publicly rendering the “Sleg Heil” Nazi salute, picketing the White House with obscenely anti-Semitic placards, and openly assisting Rockwell to conduct mass anti-Semitic rallies. The military police arrested Pfc, Patsalas several weeks ago but the Marine Corps dismissed all charges and told him he was free to continue in the Nazi group.

Judge George D. Neils on today found two of Rockwell’s neo-Nazi “stormtroopers” guilty of disorderly conduct for using profanity against anti-Nazis and fined each $10 and costs. The two men, both in their twenties, admitted arrogantly that they were Nazis and claimed that they were not guilty because of “free speech.” Police officers and a witness testified that the accused used profane and abusive language at an anti-Semitic mass rally near the national archives building.