HSCA Record Number Agency File Number 013614 Originator-HSCA From: To: Date: 4/25/78 Pages: 5 Subjects: Boyers, Chester H. JFK autopsy Medical evidence Release Date: not on document Contents: Outside Contact Report by HSCA investigator Mark Flanagan on telephone interview of Chester H. Boyers, former CPO of the NNMC Pathology Dept. Document follows in full: Mr. Boyers was contacted because of his presence at the autopsy of President Kennedy. Boyers asked me if I was taping the conversation and I said no. I then asked this question of him and he replied negatively. Boyers said that in November, 1963, he was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital and was the Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Pathology Department. He said he had been at Bethesda for 2 or 3 years, having arrived there in 1959 or 1960. On November 22, 1963, Boyers said he happened to be on leave because his wife was in the hospital for surgery on her leg. Since he lived in the Washington area he was very close to Bethesda. [end of page one] Chester H. Boyers OCR 2 When Boyers heard that the President had been shot and that he was possibly coming to Bethesda, Boyers proceeded to the Pathology Department and the autopsy room, arriving at approximately 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. EST. Boyers recalled numerous people being present at the autopsy, but only can vaguely recall the names. Some included himself, Rudnicki, Commander Humes, Dr. Boswell, Karnei, Commander Ewing, General Curtis and the Chief of Neurosurgery. Boyers said he was there to "keep things going" and to "get things done." He helped out with the general procedures. Boyers moved around in the room frequently. He recalls that several Marines were present. In regard to the wounds Boyers recalls an entrance wound in the rear of the head to the right of the external occipital protuberance which exited along the top, right side of the head towards the rear and just above the right eyebrow. He also saw an entrance wound in the right shoulder blade, specifically just under the scapula and next to it. Boyers also noted a tracheotomy incision in the neck. Boyers next said the mortician arrived to [end of page two of document] Chester H. Boyers OCR 3 prepare the body at approximately 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Boyers recalled many X-rays and photographs being taken. He said the doctors kept searching for the bullet which entered the right shoulder blade. Boyers also believes that the pathologists used a metric ruler for any measurements. Boyers also believes that the pathologists performed a full autopsy. Boyers said he typed out a receipt to give the FBI present at the autopsy for the missile fragments recovered from the body during autopsy. Boyers said he has a Xerox copy of this receipt. Boyers said several fragments were given to the FBI, with the largest being 2m.m. [sic] He said even though the receipt states that a "missile" was recovered, this is in error; only fragments were recovered. Boyers never saw a fully intact missile. Boyers said that from the path of the bullet that entered the upper back that it seemed to indicate that the bullet exited through the tracheotomy. Boyers said very few people were coming in or going out. He didn't notice any family members being present or directing the autopsy in any manner. He said some phone calls were coming in but so far as he knows they were not from Parkland or from the family. [end of page three of document] Chester H. Boyers 4 He said the doctors concluded that two bullets struck the President. During the autopsy Boyers said the doctor examined the heart, lungs, etc. -- all the organs normally examined during an autopsy. Boyers said that he was involved in the microscopic examination of the materials retained during the autopsy. He said that shortly after the autopsy he made notes pertaining to his involvement. He said that these reflect that on November 24, 1963, he prepared 22 tissue sections (11 paraffin blocks) of all the organs normally retained for examination during an autopsy (including the brain). Boyers described the process as taking a little slice of an organ, 1" square by 1/4" thick, and placing it on slides. Boyers said that these small slices came from large pieces of organs that were removed during the autopsy and placed in jars. Boyers also said that on December 2, 1963, he prepared eight sections and six paraffin blocks of tissue taken from the brain. Boyers said that these sections showed the bullet path through the tissue of the brain. He described this as what you would expect from punching a pencil through a piece of paper. [end of page four of document] Chester H. Boyers OCR 5 Boyers said all of these materials were filed under Bethesda Naval Hospital Number A63-272. He speculated that they could still be there or are possibly at the AFIP. He emphasized, however, that he has no knowledge concerning their disposition. Boyers said that he has no knowledge concerning Dr. George Burkley. In concluding, Boyers said that the pathologists concluded that the President was shot from behind with two missiles. [end of page five and final page of document] HSCA Record Number 180-10105-10398 Agency File Number 014462 Originator-HSCA From: Boyers, Chester H. To: Date: 04/25/78 Pages: 9 Subjects: Boyers, Chester H. JFK autopsy Bullets Release Date: 12/13/93 Contents: HSCA notes on interview of Chester H. Boyers by HSCA investigator Mark Flanagan. Contents in full follows: Chester H. Boyers April 25, 1978 7:30 PM Route 1, Box 447 Smithfield, Virginia 23430 INTERVIEW: I contacted Chester Boyers regarding his presence at the autopsy of President Kennedy. Mr. Boyer's [sic] address is Route 1, Box 447, Smithfield, Virginia 23430. After confirming that Mr. Boyers did receive the letters rescinding the orders of silence and explaining the Committee's mandate, Mr. Boyers agreed to answer questions concerning the autopsy. Mr. Boyers said he was the Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Pathology Department at Bethesda Naval Hospital in November 1963. He said he arrived at Bethesda in 1959 or 1960 and has had this assignment ever since. On the evening of the autopsy Mr. Boyers said he was at home on leave. Upon hearing that the President had been shot and killed and anticipating that the President's body would possibly be brought to Bethesda, Mr. Boyers went to Bethesda around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. After arriving he proceeded to the laboratory and then to the autopsy room where he prepared the area for possible use. During the actual autopsy Mr. Boyers said it was his [end of page one] Chester H. Boyers Interview Page 2. responsibility to "keep things going" and to "get things done" from a technical viewpoint. Mr. Boyers insured that Marines guarded the room to check on persons leaving and entering. After the autopsy Mr. Boyers wrote down some of the persons who were present. These included Jan Rudnicki, Commander Humes, Commander Boswell, Robert Karner [sic], Commander Ewing of the X-ray Department, an Army General FNU Curtis (not positive about this), and the Chief of Neurosurgery. Mr. Boyers said that he was constantly moving about the room. Concerning the wounds of President Kennedy, Mr. Boyers stated that there was a large wound to the right side and towards the rear of the head. Another wound was located in the upper back just under the scapula. Mr. Boyers also noticed that a tracheotomy had been performed. During the autopsy Colonel Finck of the U.S. Army arrived. At this point Mr. Boyers also mentioned that the mortuary arrived at approximately 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Mr. Boyers stated that many X-rays and photographs were being taken. He could not provide any additional details concerning these two activities. During the autopsy Mr. Boyers said that the doctors kept looking for the bullet that entered the upper back. He also mentioned that the doctors used a metric ruler to measure the wounds. Mr. Boyers was the person who typed out the receipts for [end of page two] Chester H. Boyers Interview Page 3. the missile fragments which the F.B.I. agents Sibert and O'Neill received. Mr. Boyers currently has a copy of this receipt. He stated that he submitted several missile fragments, probably three or four, all of which came from President Kennedy's head. He also stated that even though the receipt only stated that "a" missile was given to Sibert and O'Neill, several fragments of a missile were submitted and that he only prepared one receipt. Mr. Boyers commented that the path of the missile tract originating in the upper back seemed to indicate that the missile exited through the tracheostomy. Regarding other persons in the autopsy room, Mr. Boyers said very few people were leaving and entering and that no family members were present in the actual room. Mr. Boyers also said that he was answering the phone and that no phone calls came from the family or from Parkland Hospital. Mr. Boyers stated that he recollects the doctor concluding that only two bullets struck the President from the rear. He estimated the massive wound in the head measured 3 inches by 3 inches. Mr. Boyers believes that the doctors performed a complete autopsy. The internal organs and the brain were examined. Mr. Boyers again commented that he took notes following the autopsy. [end of page three] Chester H. Boyers Interview Page 4. Following the actual autopsy, Mr. Boy ers stated that he prepared the tissue slides of the internal organs and of the brain. On November 22nd he prepared eleven blocks of twenty-two sections from the heart, lungs, kidney, stomach, intestines, and skin (from the wounds). He then gave the material to Dr. Boswell. He described this procedure by saying that during the autopsy the doctor would cut a piece of an organ and then save it for sectioning at a subsequent time. Mr. Boyers also said that on December 2nd he prepared six blocks of eight or twelve sections of the brain. He claims that these slides show the path of the bullet through the brain tissue. He described the slides as being one inch square by one-fourth inch thick. Mr. Boyers stated that the normal procedure would be to store these slides in the permanent file section of Bethesda Naval Hospital. He commented that the material would be filed under the autopsy number, in this case 863-727 [sic]. Mr. Boyers speculated that the President's tissue material could still be there or that they may have been given to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Concerning the brain, Mr. Boyers said that to section the brain it must be removed during the autopsy and "set" for approximately one week. Usually it is suspended in a bucket on a net in several gallons of formaldehyde. After sectioning any material that isn't utilized is normally incinerated. Mr. Boyers said that after the sectioning he gave the brain slides [end of page four] Chester H. Boyers Interview Page 5. to Dr. Humes and Dr. Boswell. Mr. Boyers also mentioned a Mr. Benson as someone who may have been involved in the sectioning. Further, Mr. Boyers said that Humes and Boswell only gave him tissue material that was to be prepared into slides; he did not see or perform the actual cutting. He consequently does not know what happened to the remainder of the brain. He did mention, however, that he does not believe the brain or other tissue slides were immediately filed according to normal procedures. He thinks Humes or Boswell may have temporarily placed them in a safe for security reasons. Mr. Boyers also mentioned that the 6" x 8" stainless steel containers described in the inventory list of the autopsy materials was too small for the brain; he said that such a container was normally used to place the smaller parts of all the other organs removed during the autopsy. Mr. Boyers said he had not contact with or knowledge of Dr. Buckley [sic]. [end of page five and end of document] HSCA Record Number 1012010362 Agency File Number 014834 Originator-HSCA From: Boyers, Chester To: Date: 12/4/78 Pages: 14 Subjects: Boyers, Chester H. JFK autopsy Bullets Medical evidence Release date: Not on document Contents: Six separate documents all relating to Chester H. Boyers and the JFK autopsy. Document #1 -- A typed letter from Boyers to Flanagan of the HSCA. Document #2 -- A typed and notarized affidavit, on the events of November 22, 1963, issued by Chester H. Boyers. 5 pages Document #3 -- Typed notes made by Boyers during course of HSCA 1 page Document #4 -- Handwritten notes made by Boyers during the course of the HSCA Document #5 -- Photocopy of the Sibert and O'Neill receipt for "missile" typed by Boyers 1 page Document #6 -- two "receipts" related to the autopsy, both appearing on one page. All six documents follow in full. [DOCUMENT # ONE IN TOTAL:] Rt. 1, Box 557 Smithfield, VA 23430 4 December 1978 Mr. T. Mark Flanagan Select Committee on Assassinations U.S. Hourse [sic] of Representatives 3369 House Office Building, Annex 2 Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Mr. Flanagan: Enclosed is a Xerox copy of the notes I wrote down regarding the autopsy on President Kennedy and of the missile receipt I furnished to the FBI men. Sincerely yours, /s/ Chester H. Boyers Chester H. Boyers Encls. [end of document number one] [DOCUMENT # TWO IN TOTAL:] AFFIDAVIT I, Chester H. Boyers, being duly sworn make oath as follows: That this statement is made freely, voluntarily, and without threats, promises, assurances or renumeration from any source. 1. My name is Chester H. Boyers. My mailing address is Route 1, Box 447, Smithfield, Virginia 23430. 2. In November, 1963, I was enlisted in the United States Navy and was serving as Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Pathology Department at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. 3. During the morning and afternoon of November 22, 1963, I was on leave and therefore not physically present at Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital. Upon learning that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated and that an autopsy might be performed at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, I proceeded to the morgue at [end of page one] Affidavit of Chester H. Boyers page two approximately 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. EST 4. Since I was stationed at t he Pathology Department and therefore knew the procedures to be employed in connection with an autopsy, I remained in the autopsy room except for making a telephone call and typing a receipt for FBI [note: from the word "except" to the word "FBI" this has been typed in using a "carat" and initialed and dated "4 Dec 1978"] during the autopsy of President Kennedy to provide assistance in ensuring that all general procedures progressed smoothly. 5. During the autopsy people were frequently moving around. In regard to the wounds inflicted upon President Kennedy, I recall an entrance wound situated near the external occipital protuberance in the rear of the head which exited on the right side of the head above the right eyebrow and towards the rear. Another wound was located near the right shoulder blade, more specifically just under the scapula and next to it. I also observed that a tracheotomy had been performed on the President. 6. During the autopsy many X-rays and photographs were taken. The pathologists kept searching for the missile which entered the right shoulder, but could not locate it. [end of page two] Affidavit of Chester H. Boyers page three 7. I recall that in the course of the autopsy the pathologists recovered several minute missile fragments from the head of the President, the largest of which I recall being approximately 2 mm. I ty ped out a receipt for these fragments which acknowledged that the FBI men present at the autopsy had received and were in custody of them. The receipt went to the Commanding Officer of the Naval Medical School, Captain John H. Stover. Although the receipt states that "a missile" was transferred, this is in error; only several fragments were given to the FBI men. I do not recall a fully intact missile being transferred to anyone or being recovered from the body of the President. 8. I remember that the pathologists examined all the organs normally examined during an autopsy and that they performed a complete autopsy. The pathologists concluded that the President had been struck by two missiles from the rear. 9. I do not recall the Kennedy family directing the [end of page three] Affidavit of Chester H. Boyers page four course of or attempting to limit the autopsy. 10. I frequently answered the calls coming in over the telephone that was located in the autopsy room. I do not remember any phone calls from Parkland Hospital, Dallas, or from the Kennedy family. 11. Sometime after November 22, 1963, I wrote down some notes related to my participation in and knowledge of the autopsy. I still have these notes. 12. I assisted in preparing for microscopic examination the various segments of organs and tissue removed during the autopsy. In this regard I recall preparing on November 24, 1963, twenty-two sections from the heart, lung [sic], kidney [sic], intestines, stomach, skin and other tissues normally removed during an autopsy. 13. I do not have any knowledge concerning the disposition of these microscopic sections or of any other physical materials retained during the autopsy. [end of page four] Affidavit of Chester H. Boyers page five 14. A true and accurate copy of the notes referred to in paragraph eleven are attached to this affidavit. I understand that this affidavit may be introduced into evidence by the Select Committee on Assassinations of the United States House of Representatives, and may lead them to make various findings of fact, and the statutes applicable to Congressional investigations, including but not limited to those concerning false statements, obstruction, or misleading, would subject me to criminal penalties for not telling the whole and complete truth in this affidavit. Further affiant saith not. /s/ Chester H. Boyers CHESTER H. BOYERS Sworn and subscribed to before me on this 4 day of December 1978 . /s/ Wilma B. Ingram NOTARY PUBLIC My Commission Expires: May 27, 1979 [end of page five] [Note: beneath the notary's signature on this final page, written in long hand is "(married 8/16/75)". Just below that a faint `shadow' of the notary's seal can be seen.] DOCUMENT NUMBER THREE IN TOTAL Persons involved with the autopsy of President Kennedy as I recall, after speaking with a Mr. Andy Purdy of the Select Committee on Assassination on 22 August 1977. Present in the autopsy room: C. H. Boyers (myself) Lab Department HM3 Rednicki [sic] Lab Department Dr. Humes Lab Department Dr. Boswell Lab Department Dr. Karni [sic] Lab Department Dr. Ewing X-ray Department An Army General Curtis? [sic] Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (Navy) FBI Officers O'Neill & Siebert [sic] X-ray technicians, names unknown to me An Army Major from the Forensic Medicine Unit of the A.F.I.P (whose name I cannot recall) Mortuary persons preparing the body. Many x-ray [sic] were taken to locate the bullet which entered the President's right shoulder area. There included whole body [emphasis as in the original] x-rays [sic]. Persons whom I recall that were involved with the case that were not [emphasis as in the original] present in the autopsy room. HM1 B. O. Turner, Lab Technician Mrs. Gorman, Dr. Humes Secretary Mr. L. Benson, Civilian Supervisor, Laboratory Department HM1 Herring of the X-ray Department Dr. Fobies [sic], Laboratory Dept. I recall during the autopsy there was much use of metal probes trying to locate the passage of the bullet from the right shoulder entrance. I donot [sic] believe the actual passage was proven [emphasis as in the original] to have exited, at the site of the tracheotomy, i.e., by probing - due probably to deflection by bone structure. This was the reason for the whole body x-rays [sic] - in trying to ascertain if the missile was still present in the body. During procedures of the examination there were bullet-missile-fragments recovered. These were placed in a specimen container and delivered to me. The FBI were there and wanted them. I typed a receipt note from the FBI to my Commanding Officer acknowledging receipt of a missile. The tissue of the autopsy were processed - on 23/24 November 1963 by HM3 Rednicki [sic] and I. Monday morning HM3 Rednicki [sic] and I were summoned to Capt [sic] Stover's office where we took an "Oath" not to reveal anything we had seen or done. [this page of the document continues on next page of this file] 2 December 1963 - we received sections of brain from A63-272. These were processed and sent to CDR Humes office. I noted while cutting the tissue there is a definite picture of the way the missile passed. "A pencil effect" i.e., push a pencil through a piece of paper and note the results. [end of page and document] [DOCUMENT NUMBER FOUR IN TOTAL] Nov 1978 these are my notes as requested by Mr. [these words appear in a circle in the top left hand corner of the first page of notes] Persons involved with the autopsy of President Kennedy as I recall after speaking with a Mr. Andy Purdy of the Select Committy [sic] of Assassinations on 22 August 1977 Present in the autopsy room myself C. H. Boyers Lab Dept HM3 Rednicki " " Dr. Humes " " Dr. Boswell " " Dr. Karni " " Dr. Ewing X-ray Dept An Army General Curtis? [emphasis as in the original] Chief of the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery (Nav) FBI Officers O'Neil [sic] & Siebert [sic] XX X-ray technicians names unknown to me Medical technicians " " " " An Army Major from the Forensic Medicine Unit of the A.F.I.P. Mortuary persons preparing the body xx Many X-rays were taken trying to locate the bullet which entered the president's [sic] right shoulder area. These included whole-body X-rays. [emphasis as in the original] [end of first page of hand written notes.] [beginning of second page of handwritten notes] Persons who I recall who were involved with the case who were not [emphasis as in the original] present in the autopsy room HM1 B. O. Turner lab technician Mrs. Gorman, Dr.Humes [sic] Secretary Mr. L. Benson civilian supervisor laboratory dept Dr. Fobes laboratory Dept. III I recall during the autopsy this [sic] was much use of metal probes trying to locate the passage of the bullet from the right shoulder entrance. I do not believe the actual passage was proven [both words underlined in the original] to have exited, at the site of the tracheotomy!! ie [emphasis as in the original] by probing - due probably to deflic [sic] by bone structure == this was the reason for the whole body X-rays in trying to ascertain if the missile was still present in the body. IIII During procedures of the examination there were bullet-missile-fragments [emphasis as in the original] recovered these were placed in a specimen contan [sic] and delivered to me. the [sic] FBI was their [sic] and wanted these- [end of second page of handwritten notes] [beginning of third page of handwritten notes] I typed a receipt note from the F.B.I. to my commanding officer acknowledging receipt of a missile. V. the tissue of the autopsy were processed - on 23/24 Nov 19 [remainder of year has been cut off by copying done by either the HSCA or the National Archives] HM3 Rednicki [sic] & I (Saturday I believe) processed the tissue. VI. Monday morning, "we," HM3 Rednicki [sic] and I were summoned to Capt. Stover's office where we took an "Oath" not to reveal anything we had seen or done. VII. 2 December 1963 We received sections of brain from A63-272. These were processed and sent to Cdr. Humes office -- I noted while cutting the tissue there is a definite picture of the way the mi [sic] passed -- "a pencil effect" (i.e.) push a pencil through a piece of paper & note the results. [end of last page of handwritten notes] [DOCUMENT NUMBER FIVE IN TOTAL] 22 November 1963 From: Francis X. O'NEILL, Jr., Agent FBI James W. SIBERT, Agent FBI To: Captain J. H. STOVER, Jr., Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Medical School, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 1. We hereby acknowledge receipt of a missle [sic] removed by Commander James J. HUMES, MC, USN on this date. /s/ Francis X. O'Neill, Jr. Francis X. O'NEILL, Jr. /s/ James W. Sibert James W. SIBERT [end of document] [DOCUMENT NUMBER SIX AND SEVEN IN TOTAL] 24 November 1963 A62-272 [autopsy # crossed out in longhand] Embedded (13) pieces of tissue into (11) blocks. (22) sections were cut. Two slides per block. J. Rudnicki HM3 C. Boyers HMC [no signatures] December 2 1963 A62-272- [sic] (8) Sections of brain were embedded into (6) Blocks. (12) sections were cut. (2) sections cut on block #A62-272-2. C.H. Boyers HMC [no signature] [end of HSCA document number 014834]