The Sinatra Files (5 page)
Authors: Tom Kuntz
I instructed McKee not to take any further action in this matter. He said he would submit a letter today covering the above.
Respectfully,
G. C. Callan
A more detailed letter to Hoover disclosed that at Sinatra’s induction physical, he left the chief clerk of his local draft board in Hudson County, N.J., with the impression that he knew he’d be rejected. And it detailed how many times Sinatra had denied being emotionally unstable before claiming, in December 1943, that he was
.
February 10, 1944
Director, FBI
Re: FRANK ALBERT SINATRA
SELECTIVE SERVICE
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to the telephone message from Mr. Christopher Callan at the Seat of Government on February 8, 1944 concerning the receipt by the Bureau of an anonymous letter alleging, in effect, that $40,000 had been paid to the doctors who examined FRANK ALBERT SINATRA and thereafter gave an opinion that SINATRA had a perforated eardrum and was unsuitable for military service.
In accordance with instructions, the investigation was limited to an examination of SINATRA’s Selective Service File in order to obtain from that file certain information as set forth below. On February 9, 1944, the file was examined by Special Agent
at Local Draft Board #19 for Hudson County, Room 308, 26 Journal Square, Jersey City, New Jersey. The Chief Clerk of this board is Mrs. MAE E. JONES.
(1) PRESENT CLASSIFICATION: 4F as of December 11, 1943.
(2) REASON FOR THAT CLASSIFICATION: D.S.S. Form #221, “Report of Physical Examination and Induction,” carries under Section 4, “Physical Examination Results,” the following certification: “78. I certify that the above-named registrant was carefully examined, that the results of the examination have been correctly recorded in this form, that to the best of my knowledge and belief: … (e) FRANK ALBERT SINATRA is physically and/or mentally disqualified for military service by reason of: 1. chronic perforation [left] tympanum; 2. chronic mastoiditis.”
This was supported by the stamped name, “J. WEINTROB, Captain, M.C., Assistant Chief Medical Officer.” Immediately following
“79…. (b) FRANK ALBERT SINATRA was on this date rejected for service in the Army of the United States.”
This statement was supported by the typewritten name, “R. G. WALLS, Captain, Infantry.” The certification and statement carried the place and date of Newark, New Jersey, December 9, 1943.
More detailed notations appeared in Section 4, “Physical Examination Results,” as follows:
“40. EAR, NOSE, THROAT ABNORMALITIES: Chronic perforation lt. drum. Hist of repeated discharge from ear—mastoid areas show coating in remaining cells and deformity of canal. Marks sclerosis in mastoid area….
“50. MUSCOLOSKELETAL DEFECTS: Fracture deformity 3rd finger rt.
N.D.”
“55. MENTAL: Emotional instability.
N.D
….
“64. HEIGHT: 67K inches….
“65. WEIGHT: 119 lbs….
“75. BLOOD PRESSURE: (a) Systolic: 122; (b) Diastolic: 78.”
(3) GENERAL APPEARANCE OF FILE, ETC.: On its face, the file appeared to be in regular order. Mrs. Jones said that the Local Board had been particularly careful not to afford SINATRA special treatment and where any question of
importance arose, the Board would immediately communicate with the State Headquarters for advice in view of the “position” held by SINATRA. Mrs. Jones also said that although it had been reported over the radio and otherwise that SINATRA had had a pre-induction physical examination and knew two weeks before the date set for his induction examination that he would be rejected, no such pre-induction examination was ever given by her board for any registrant. It had been the impression of Mrs. Jones that SINATRA had had the belief that he would be rejected inasmuch as he had continued to make plans for his new radio show, but she had readily explained that to herself through the thought that he had probably had his own physician examine him.
The following inconsistencies appeared in the file: In his Selective Service Questionnaire executed December 17, 1940, under series 2, “Physical Condition,” SINATRA wrote in under “Have No”—“To the best of my knowledge, I have no physical or mental defects or diseases.” In an undated Current Selective Service Questionnaire which was to be returned prior to November 7, 1941 and in answer to the question, “Do you have any physical or mental defects or diseases?,” SINATRA wrote “No.” On October 22, 1943, in the “Extract for D.S.S. Form #221—Report of Physical Examination and Induction,” SINATRA answered Question #5, “What Physical or Mental Defects or Diseases Have You Had in the Past, if any?” by the one word, “No.” In answer to Question #6, “Have you ever been treated at an institution, sanitarium or asylum?” SINATRA wrote, “No.” On October 22, 1943, Local Board Examining Physician A. POVALSKI, M.D., Jersey City, found that SINATRA had none of the defects set forth in Parts 1 or 2 of the List of Defects (form #220).
Independently of this investigation, it had come to the attention of Special Agentthat FRANK SINATRA had a criminal record in Bergen County. From
Bergen County Jail, Hackensack, New Jersey, there was obtained an enclosed picture of FRANK SINATRA and the following information regarding the two occasions on which SINATRA was held in the Bergen County Jail: FRANK SINATRA, Arrest # 42799, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Hackensack, New Jersey was arrested on November 26, 1938 charged with Seduction. Disposition was marked, “Dismissed.” FRANK SINATRA, Arrest #42977, was arrested on December 22, 1938, charged with Adultery. The disposition on this charge was not listed.stated that the fingerprints taken at the time of the listed arrests were submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C.
The following description of SINATRA was obtained from the Selective Service File:
| Name: | FRANK ALBERT SINATRA |
| Race: | White |
| Age: | 28 or 29 |
| Date of birth: | December 12, 1915 is listed in two forms; December 12, 1916, in one. |
| Place of birth: | Hoboken, New Jersey |
| Residence: | 220 Lawrence Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey |
| Height: | 5’7½” |
| Weight: | 119 lbs. |
| Build: | Slight |
| Hair: | Dark Brown |
| Eyes: | Blue |
| Complexion: | Ruddy |
| Scars and Marks: | Scar on left side of chin below mouth |
| Occupation: | Vocalist |
| Education: | 4 years high school, one year business school |
| Marital Status: | Married 2-4-39, Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Immediate relatives: | Wife, Mrs. NANCY R. SINATRA, same address; Daughter, NANCY SANDRA SINATRA, born 6-8-40 (no record of second daughter appears in Selective Service File); Father, ANTHONY SINATRA, age 52, Hoboken, New Jersey; Mother, NATALIE SINATRA, age 49, Hoboken, New Jersey. |
| Social Security #: | 138-16-0442 |
| Nationality: | United States citizen … |
This office has not received any rumors which would substantiate the allegations made in the anonymous letter.
Because of the limited investigation requested, no additional investigation is contemplated by this office.
Very truly yours,
S. K. MCKEE
SAC
McKee’s discovery of an old sex case against Sinatra prompted further inquiry, even though the seduction incident was unrelated to the original draft-dodging allegation
.
DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 1944
TO: MR. D. M. LADD
FROM: MR. G. C. CALLAN
SUBJECT: FRANK SINATRA—SELECTIVE SERVICE
I called SAC McKee of the Newark Office and asked if he could determine the disposition of two cases for which Sinatra was arrested, one for seduction on November 26, 1938, which was reported dismissed, and the other for adultery on December 22, 1938. The Bureau has a record of the first case but there is no record of the second case.
McKee advised that he would obtain the disposition of these cases and would advise me as soon as possible.
Handwritten notation by Hoover:
“We should be certain that there is nothing irregular in this case. Note Newark’s letter, which is attached. H.”
The FBI withheld the complainant’s name. But books by Sinatra’s daughter Nancy
(Frank Sinatra: An American Legend)
and by Kitty Kelley
(His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra)
identify her as Antoinette Della Penta. Then twenty-five, she was estranged from her husband and had dated the budding singer, four years her junior. Based largely on interviews with the woman, Kelley’s book reported that she had him arrested for seduction to avenge her humiliation when he reneged on a marriage proposal in favor of the woman who would become the first Mrs. Sinatra, Nancy Barbato. She withdrew that charge, the Kelley book said, after Sinatra promised to apologize to her; when he didn’t, she went to his house, caused a commotion, was herself arrested, and then filed the adultery charge. She later dropped that one, too
.
McKee’s version of events was somewhat different
.
February 17, 1944
Director, FBI
RE: FRANK ALBERT SINATRA
SELECTIVE SERVICE
Dear Sir:
Mr. William Guthrie, Clerk of the Second Criminal Judicial District of the County of Bergen, County Court House, Hackensack, New Jersey, furnished Special Agentthe following information regarding SINATRA:
