The Kennedy Assassination Part II: The Death of Grant Stockdale

     Grant Stockdale first met John F. Kennedy in the late 1940's while working as an administrative assistant to Florida Congressman George Smathers.  Stockdale continued his involvement in Democratic politics in Florida and was elected to the Florida State House in 1948.  In addition to politics, Stockdale was also a businessman.

     Stockdale worked diligently on the Kennedy campaign in 1960.  After his election Kennedy rewarded Stockdale by appointing him to be Ambassador to Ireland.  Stockdale's appointment led to him being publicly scrutinized.  Questions were asked about Stockdale being given a $5,000 interest free loan from a Miami businessman who needed Stockdale's assistance in obtaining a building permit.  Kennedy demanded that Stockdale immediately pay the money back.  But allegations against Stockdale persisted.

     In the spring of 1961 Stockdale and his business partners are sued in court.  Stockdale was part owner of a vending machine business.  The lawsuit accused Stockdale and his partners of using undue influence to obtain government contracts for profit.  Stockdale immediately sold the company in hopes of avoiding a scandal.  

     Stockdale resigned as Ambassador to Ireland in July 1962.  He returned to private business in Florida.  Stockdale remained friendly with Kennedy after his resignation, joining him in January of 1963 at the Orange Bowl.

     On December 2, 1963, ten days after the assassination, Grant Stockdale plunged to his death in Miami.  Stockdale's death was ruled a suicide.  Senator George Smathers said Stockdale had been depressed over the assassination.

     I probably wouldn't have given a second thought to the ex-Ambassador or his unfortunate death if it were not for the vending machine scandal that he was involved in.  It reminded me of the Bobby Baker scandal, which also revolved around vending machines and government contracts among other things.  I find it more interesting to learn that Stockdale's business partner, Eugene A. Hancock, was the President of Bobby Baker's vending company.  Was Stockdale about to be implicated in the Baker scandal?  Was this what led to his suicide?

     As I dig deeper, however, I begin to question if Stockdale's death was actually a suicide.  Those who spoke with Stockdale in the days before his death say he was distraught, but also afraid of someone.  Stockdale's family said he thought he was being followed.  Then, shortly after Stockdale's death his home is broken into.  Mrs. Stockdale calls the police.  Nothing appears to have been taken, but an odd thing is discovered in the kitchen.  A machete and several knives were neatly arranged on the kitchen counter.  No one knew where they came from.  The police had no more left the house when the phone rang.  The voice on the other end of the line says, "I hear you had some trouble tonight".  Mrs. Stockdale demanded to know who the caller was to which he replied, "I'm going to get your daughter" before hanging up.  A local reporter said Stockdale asked for a meeting with him just before his death but the meeting hadn't taken place yet.  A lawyer friend said Stockdale also requested a meeting, but again the meeting hadn't taken place yet. 

     There's a lot of smoke surrounding the business dealings and death of Grant Stockdale, but is there a fire there?  I heard a compelling story about Stockdale being asked to deliver $50,000 in untraceable cash in a briefcase to Kennedy in the summer of 1963.  What was that about?  Was Stockdale involved in Kennedy's murder?  Did he have information on it?  Was he involved in the Bobby Baker scandal?  What, if anything did the Bobby Baker scandal have to do with the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

     I'm uncertain if Stockdale's death was in any way connected to Kennedy's assassination, but it again points me in the direction of the Bobby Baker scandal that was rocking Washington in the weeks before Kennedy's murder.  So, who is Bobby Baker and what can of worms was he threatening to open in 1963?