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{{Short description|American author and conspiracy theorist (1921–1996)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{Cite check|date=April 2009}}
{{Cite check|date=April 2009}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2009}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2009}}
}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Richard E. Sprague
| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|08|27}}
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1996|01|27|1921|08|27}}
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| occupation = [[Author]], researcher
}}
}}


'''Richard E. Sprague''' (August 27, 1921 - January 27, 1996) was an [[United States|American]] computer technician, researcher and author. According to American journalist Richard 'Dick' Russell, who dedicated seventeen years to the investigation of [[assassination of John Kennedy|John Kennedy assassination]], Sprague was "the leading gatherer of photographic evidence about the Kennedy assassination". Sprague published his investigation in 1976-1985 as three editions of ''The Taking of America, 1-2-3''.
'''Richard E. Sprague''' (August 27, 1921 – January 27, 1996) was an American computer technician, researcher and author. According to American journalist Richard Russell, who dedicated seventeen years to the investigation of [[assassination of John Kennedy|John Kennedy assassination]], Sprague was "the leading gatherer of photographic evidence about the Kennedy assassination". Sprague published his investigation in 1976-1985 as three editions of ''The Taking of America, 1-2-3''.


== Career ==
Born in Philadelphia on August 27, 1921, Richard E. Sprague graduated from [[Purdue University]] in 1942. During [[World War II]], he served with the [[U.S. Navy]], finishing with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). After the war, he was employed as an engineer at [[Northrup Aircraft]]. By 1950, he had left Northrup to help co-found the Computer Research Corporation located in [[Hawthorne, California]]. By 1960, he had moved on to become the Director of Computer Systems Consulting for Touche, Ross, Bailey And Smart which would later be simply known as [[Touche Ross]] until 1989.
Born in Philadelphia on August 27, 1921, Richard E. Sprague graduated from [[Purdue University]] in 1942. During [[World War II]], he served with the [[U.S. Navy]], finishing with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). After the war, he was employed as an engineer at [[Northrop Corporation|Northrup Aircraft]]. By 1950, he had left Northrup to help co-found the Computer Research Corporation located in [[Hawthorne, California]]. By 1960, he had moved on to become the Director of Computer Systems Consulting for Touche, Ross, Bailey And Smart which would later be simply known as [[Touche Ross]] until 1989.


Appeared as a contestant on the Groucho Marx radio quiz program "[[You Bet Your Life]]" on May 21, 1952.
Appeared as a contestant on the [[Groucho Marx]] radio quiz program "[[You Bet Your Life]]" on May 21, 1952.


After the assassination of [[John F. Kennedy]] took place on November 22, 1963, Sprague began investigating the deed on his own in 1966 upon seeing the [[Abraham Zapruder]] produced [[Zapruder film]].
After the assassination of [[John F. Kennedy]] took place on November 22, 1963, Sprague began investigating the deed on his own in 1966 upon seeing the [[Abraham Zapruder]] produced [[Zapruder film]].
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Sprague later worked as a full-time consultant to [[Battelle Memorial Institute]] of [[Frankfurt, Germany]].
Sprague later worked as a full-time consultant to [[Battelle Memorial Institute]] of [[Frankfurt, Germany]].


Richard E. Sprague died on January 27, 1996 with his last known address in Virginia. He was interred at Washington Park East Cemetery in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].
Richard E. Sprague died on January 27, 1996, with his last known address in Virginia. He was interred at Washington Park East Cemetery in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].


==Research on the Kennedy assassination==
==Research on the Kennedy assassination==
⚫
In the May 1970 issue of ''[[Computers And Automation]]'', Sprague said that he used computer analysis of still photographs and movie film from Dealey Plaza to determine that at least four gunmen and fifty conspirators were involved in Kennedy's assassination.<ref name="Spokane Daily Chronicle; May 2, 1970">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Computer "Clears" Oswald; Kennedy Case Studied |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SF4zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1650%2C378833 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=AP |page=1 |date=May 2, 1970 |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref> Sprague stated that the evidence indicated six shots were fired at John F. Kennedy.<ref name="Spokane Daily Chronicle; May 2, 1970"/> According to Sprague, President Kennedy was hit by four shots, Connally was hit by another, and one missed.<ref name="Spokane Daily Chronicle; May 2, 1970"/> Five years later in September 1975, Sprague and [[L. Fletcher Prouty]] stated that their study of still photographs and film of the assassination revealed that no shots were fired from the [[Texas School Book Depository]]'s sixth floor window and that [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] was framed by planted and altered evidence.<ref name="Milwaukee Sentinel; September 4, 1975">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=2 Claim Conspiracy Proof in JFK's Death |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SiMWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6431%2C544045 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin |agency=UPI |page=2 |date=September 4, 1975 |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref>


⚫
Much of Sprague's information and conclusions had already been published in the magazines ''Computers And Automation'' and ''People and The Pursuit of Truth'' before Sprague wrote ''The Taking of America, 1-2-3''.<ref>[https://www.ciadidnotkilljfk.com/copy-of-part-1-setting-the-stage?lightbox=dataItem-ji9ac3ny Richard Sprague ''Computers and Automation'' May, 1970].</ref>
⚫
In the May 1970 issue of ''[[Computers And Automation]]'', Sprague said he used computer analysis of still photographs and movie film from Dealey Plaza to determine that four gunmen and at least 50 conspirators in Kennedy's assassination.<ref name="Spokane Daily Chronicle; May 2, 1970">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Computer "Clears" Oswald; Kennedy Case Studied |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SF4zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1650%2C378833 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=AP |page=1 |date=May 2, 1970 |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref> He stated that the evidence indicated six shots were fired at John F. Kennedy.<ref name="Spokane Daily Chronicle; May 2, 1970"/> According to Sprague, the 35th U.S. President was hit by four of the shots, Connally was hit by another, and one missed.<ref name="Spokane Daily Chronicle; May 2, 1970"/> Five years later in September 1975, Sprague and [[L. Fletcher Prouty]] stated that their study of still photographs and film of the assassination revealed that no shots were fired from the [[Texas School Book Depository]]'s sixth floor window and that [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] was framed by planted and altered evidence.<ref name="Milwaukee Sentinel; September 4, 1975">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=2 Claim Conspiracy Proof in JFK's Death |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SiMWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zhEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6431%2C544045 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin |agency=UPI |page=2 |date=September 4, 1975 |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref>


⚫
According to Sprague's research, because of the location of the great [[oak]] tree with dense [[Crown (botany)|crown]] that crossed the [[trajectory]] of the shot from the 6th Floor of the building onto Elm Street, it is unlikely that [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] could fire from the window near where [[John F. Kennedy assassination rifle|the rifle]] was subsequently found.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bratishka.ru/zal/sniper/3_2.php|format=|script-title=ru:Антиснайперы и снайперы|publisher=Bratishka magazine|date=|accessdate=2009-03-24|language=ru|archive-date=2009-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209140402/http://bratishka.ru/zal/sniper/3_2.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
Much of the information in ''The Taking of America, 1-2-3'' had been published by Sprague before in the magazines ''Computers And Automation'' and ''People and The Pursuit of Truth''.<ref>[https://www.ciadidnotkilljfk.com/copy-of-part-1-setting-the-stage?lightbox=dataItem-ji9ac3ny Richard Sprague ''Computers and Automation'' May, 1970].</ref>

⚫
According to Sprague's research, because of the location of the great [[oak]] tree with dense [[Crown (botany)|crown]] that crossed the [[trajectory]] of the shot from the 6th Floor of the building onto Elm Street, it is unlikely that [[Lee Harvey Oswald]] could fire from the window near where [[John F. Kennedy assassination rifle|the rifle]] was subsequently found.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bratishka.ru/zal/sniper/3_2.php|format=|script-title=ru:Антиснайперы и снайперы |publisher = ''Bratishka'' magazine|date= |accessdate=2009-03-24|language=ru}}</ref>


Sprague's analysis of [[Abraham Zapruder]]'s film was used in "The Guns of Dallas" article written by [[L. Fletcher Prouty]].
Sprague's analysis of [[Abraham Zapruder]]'s film was used in "The Guns of Dallas" article written by [[L. Fletcher Prouty]].
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==External links==
==External links==

* [http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKspragueE.htm "Richard E. Sprague (ie: From where much of this material is drawn)"]
* [http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKspragueE.htm "Richard E. Sprague (ie: From where much of this material is drawn)"]
* [https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/finding-aids/sprague-papers.html "Richard E. Sprague Papers"]
* [https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/finding-aids/sprague-papers.html "Richard E. Sprague Papers"]
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[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Writers from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:John F. Kennedy conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:American conspiracy theorists]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 2 September 2024

Richard E. Sprague
Born(1921-08-27)August 27, 1921
Philadelphia, U.S.
DiedJanuary 27, 1996(1996-01-27) (aged 74)
OccupationAuthor, researcher
NationalityAmerican

Richard E. Sprague (August 27, 1921 – January 27, 1996) was an American computer technician, researcher and author. According to American journalist Richard Russell, who dedicated seventeen years to the investigation of John Kennedy assassination, Sprague was "the leading gatherer of photographic evidence about the Kennedy assassination". Sprague published his investigation in 1976-1985 as three editions of The Taking of America, 1-2-3.

Career

[edit]

Born in Philadelphia on August 27, 1921, Richard E. Sprague graduated from Purdue University in 1942. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy, finishing with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). After the war, he was employed as an engineer at Northrup Aircraft. By 1950, he had left Northrup to help co-found the Computer Research Corporation located in Hawthorne, California. By 1960, he had moved on to become the Director of Computer Systems Consulting for Touche, Ross, Bailey And Smart which would later be simply known as Touche Ross until 1989.

Appeared as a contestant on the Groucho Marx radio quiz program "You Bet Your Life" on May 21, 1952.

After the assassination of John F. Kennedy took place on November 22, 1963, Sprague began investigating the deed on his own in 1966 upon seeing the Abraham Zapruder produced Zapruder film.

Sprague served a year as photographic expert in the 1966-1969 investigations conducted by New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison.

In 1968 he co-founded the Committee to Investigate Assassinations with Bernard Fensterwald.[citation needed] That same year, he also set up Sprague Research And Consulting.

Sprague later worked as a full-time consultant to Battelle Memorial Institute of Frankfurt, Germany.

Richard E. Sprague died on January 27, 1996, with his last known address in Virginia. He was interred at Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Research on the Kennedy assassination

[edit]

In the May 1970 issue of Computers And Automation, Sprague said that he used computer analysis of still photographs and movie film from Dealey Plaza to determine that at least four gunmen and fifty conspirators were involved in Kennedy's assassination.[1] Sprague stated that the evidence indicated six shots were fired at John F. Kennedy.[1] According to Sprague, President Kennedy was hit by four shots, Connally was hit by another, and one missed.[1] Five years later in September 1975, Sprague and L. Fletcher Prouty stated that their study of still photographs and film of the assassination revealed that no shots were fired from the Texas School Book Depository's sixth floor window and that Lee Harvey Oswald was framed by planted and altered evidence.[2]

Much of Sprague's information and conclusions had already been published in the magazines Computers And Automation and People and The Pursuit of Truth before Sprague wrote The Taking of America, 1-2-3.[3]

According to Sprague's research, because of the location of the great oak tree with dense crown that crossed the trajectory of the shot from the 6th Floor of the building onto Elm Street, it is unlikely that Lee Harvey Oswald could fire from the window near where the rifle was subsequently found.[4]

Sprague's analysis of Abraham Zapruder's film was used in "The Guns of Dallas" article written by L. Fletcher Prouty.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Computer "Clears" Oswald; Kennedy Case Studied". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. AP. May 2, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  2. ^ "2 Claim Conspiracy Proof in JFK's Death". Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. UPI. September 4, 1975. p. 2. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  3. ^ Richard Sprague Computers and Automation May, 1970.
  4. ^ Антиснайперы и снайперы (in Russian). Bratishka magazine. Archived from the original on 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
[edit]
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