HSCA Record Number 180-10116-0052 Agency File Number 002504 Originator-HSCA From: Warren Commission To: Pages: 2 Subjects: JFK Autopsy Medical Evidence Autopsy X-rays Release Date: -- Contents: Two memos signed by Admiral George G. Burkley on One piece of paper. The second is undated. 11/27/63 5:15 p.m. Just received a small Neman [sic] Markus box about 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" containing material which had been discussed previously with them. A letter of the full report will be made. This material will be deposited with the Commanding Officer of the Bethesda Naval Hospital for subsequent retention with other material of similar nature. Material was received in the presence of Dr. James M. Young and me. The contact with the FBI was Roy Jevous at Code 175 x 353. /s/ GGBurkley [sic] G. G. Burkley, M.D. Received from Robert I. Bouck, Special Agent in Charge, U. S. Secret Service, specimen of bone that appears to be from a skull, turned over to Secret Service by David Burros. It was apparently found on the parkway near the scene of the assassination (marked Fragment No. 2 for identification). Both above described specimens to be turned over to Naval Hospital by Dr. Burkley for examination, analysis, and retention until other disposition is directed. /s/ George G. Burkley G. G. Burkley, M.D. [the name of Robert I. Bouck appears under Burkley's but has been "X"ed out with the typewriter] [end of document] RECORD NUMBER 180-10101-10237 AGENCY FILE NUMBER 013296 ORIGINATOR-HSCA TO: Purdy, Donald A., Jr. FROM: Burkley, George G. DATE: 11/21/78 PAGES: 7 SUBJECTS: Burkley, George G. Kennedy, John, Autopsy RELEASED: not on document CONTENTS: Affidavit and letter from Purdy. Both documents follow in full. Select Committee on Assassinations U.S. House of Representatives 3359 House Office Building, Annex 2 Washington, D.C. 20515 November 21, 1978 Dr. George G. Burkley Jonathon Club 545 South Figeroa Los Angles, California 90701 Dear Dr. Burkley: Thank you for sending me a rough draft of your affidavit. In accordance with our understanding, I have had your draft typed and have enclosed it. If for some reason you have changes to make, please make them in the presence of the notary public and initial and date each change. Otherwise, please sign this affidavit in the presence of a notary public, have it notarized, and return it in the enclosed envelope. You have obviously given thoughtful consideration to my request that you submit an affidavit. Your cooperation and assistance are most greatly appreciated. With best wishes, I am Sincerely yours, /s/ Andy Purdy Donald A. Purdy, Jr. Staff Counsel Enclosure DAP:br [end of letter] AFFIDAVIT I, VICE ADMIRAL GEORGE G. BURKLEY (M.C.) (Ret.) living in Los Angeles, California, being duly sworn make oath as follows: I was interviewed in January, 1978 by T. Mark Flanagan, Jr. and Donald A. Purdy, Jr. of the staff of the Select Committee on Assassinations. During the interview I set forth the substance of the information which follows. At this time I reaffirm that this information is accurate and truthful to the best of my knowledge. This statement is made freely, voluntarily, and without threats, promises, assurance, or renumeration from any source. I was Personal Physician to President John F. Kennedy in November 1963 and accompanied President Kennedy on the Texas trip. I was at Parkland Hospital and later at Bethesda Naval Hospital on the evening of November 22, 1963. I saw President Kennedy's wounds at Parkland Hospital and during the autopsy at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. There was no difference in the nature of the wounds I saw at Parkland Hospital and those I observed at the autopsy at Bethesda Naval Hospital. 1. I was with President Kennedy in Dallas. I arrived at the Parkland Hospital within five minutes of the President's arrival. I checked the President's physical condition, gave the doctors working with the President the blood [end of page one] -2- type and some adrenal medication (Sol U Cortef) to place in the intravenous blood and fluids which were being administered. My findings clearly indicated that death was certain and imminent. 2. One of the doctors reported to me vital signs of life no longer could be elicted. I rechecked the vital signs of President Kennedy and there was no sign of life. I reported to Mrs. Kennedy who was nearby in the treatment room that President Kennedy was dead. 3. I remained with the President's body in the treatment room until the body was placed in the coffin and I saw it closed. There was no movement or manipulation of the body other than removal of the intravenous equipment during that time. 4. In Dallas I traveled from the hospital to the [sic] Air Force One in the ambulance with the President's body in the casket and also in the plane; the casket was neither opened or [sic] disturbed in any way. 5. I had ordered the United States Naval Hospital to be prepared for performing an autopsy on the body of John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, the permission having been granted by Mrs. Kennedy while enroute. It was to be a complete autopsy with no limitations and curtailment in the time necessary for completion. 6. I traveled from Andrew's Air force Base in the [end of page two] -3- ambulance with the President's body to the Bethesda Naval Hospital and accompanied the coffin to the autopsy laboratory and saw the body removed from the coffin and placed on the autopsy table. 7. I directed the autopsy surgeons to do a complete autopsy and take the time necessary for completion. I supervised the autopsy and directed the fixation and retention of the brain for future study of the course of the bullet or bullets. 8. The autopsy material was retained in a secure area and subsequently turned over by Cpatain [sic] Stover USN to me and a member of the Secret Service. We took this material immediately to the EOB Building where it was placed in a locked file cabinet by the Secret Service. 9. Senator Robert Kennedy, representing Mrs. Kennedy and the Kennedy family, directed that the autopsy material be transferred to the National Archives. This was done on April 26, 1965. See attached letter of transmittal with listing of individual items. The notation under Item #9, one stainless steel container, 7" in diameter x 8", containing gross material represents the container of the brain. This material was accepted and signed for by Mrs. Evelyn Lincoln and witnessed by three people. Signed copies [end of page three] -4- of these affidavits are attached. I understand that this affidavit may be introduced and received by the Select Committee on Assassinations of the United States House of Representatives, and may lead them to make various [sic] 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. __________________________________________________ Vice Admiral George G. Burkley (M.C.) USN (Ret.) Personal Physician to President John F. Kennedy Signed and sworn to before me this _____ day of ________________, 1978. __________________________________________________ NOTARY PUBLIC [end of page four and document] Record Number 180-10104-10271 Agency File Number 013416 Originator-HSCA From: Burkley, George To: Date: 11/28/78 Pages: 8 Subjects: Evidence, Medical JFK, Treatment at Parkland Hospital JFK, Autopsy Wound, Ballistics JFK, Return of Remains to Washington Burkley, George, G., M.D. Date of Release: 12/14/93 Contents: Hand written note to Andy Purdy of HSCA staff and affidavit. Contents of documents follows in full. ___ __, 1978 [date cut off by National Archives] Dear Andy Purdy: The affidavit was delayed in arriving due to zip code error which is 90071. The affidavit covers all the essential points. Had the Warren Commission deemed to call me, I would have stated why I retained the brain and the possibility of two bullets having wounded President John F. Kennedy's brain would have been eliminated. Sincerely; /s/ George G. Burkley AFFIDAVIT I, VICE ADMIRAL GEORGE G. BURKLEY (M.C.) (Ret.) living in Los Angeles, California, being duly sworn make oath as follows: I was interviewed in January, 1978 by T. Mark Flanagan, Jr. and Donald A. Purdy, Jr. of the staff of the Select Committee on Assassinations. During the interview I set forth the substance of the information which follows. At this time I reaffirm that this information is accurate and truthful to the best of my knowledge. This statement is made freely, voluntarily, and without threats, promises, assurance, or renumeration from any source. I was Personal Physician to President John F. Kennedy in November 1963 and accompanied President Kennedy on the Texas trip. I was at Parkland Hospital and later at Bethesda Naval Hospital on the evening of November 22, 1963. I saw President Kennedy's wounds at Parkland Hospital and during the autopsy at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. There was no difference in the nature of the wounds I saw at Parkland Hospital and those I observed at the autopsy at Bethesda Naval Hospital. 1. I was with President Kennedy in Dallas. I arrived at the Parkland Hospital within five minutes of the President's arrival. I checked the President's physical condition, gave the doctors working with the President the blood [notary seal] /s/ George G. Burkley [end of page one] -2- type and some adrenal medication (Sol U Cortef) to place in the intravenous blood and fluids which were being administered. My findings clearly indicated that death was certain and imminent. 2. One of the doctors reported to me vital signs of life no longer could be elicted. I rechecked the vital signs of President Kennedy and there was no sign of life. I reported to Mrs. Kennedy who was nearby in the treatment room that President Kennedy was dead. 3. I remained with the President's body in the treatment room until the body was placed in the coffin and I saw it closed. There was no movement or manipulation of the body other than removal of the intravenous equipment during that time. 4. In Dallas I traveled from the hospital to the [sic] Air Force One in the ambulance with the President's body in the casket and also in the plane; the casket was neither opened or [sic] disturbed in any way. 5. I had ordered the United States Naval Hospital to be prepared for performing an autopsy on the body of John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, the permission having been granted by Mrs. Kennedy while en route. It was to be a complete autopsy with no limitations and curtailment in the time necessary for completion. 6. I traveled from Andrew's Air force Base in the [notary seal] /s/ George G. Burkley [end of page two] -3- ambulance with the President's body to the Bethesda Naval Hospital and accompanied the coffin to the autopsy laboratory and saw the body removed from the coffin and placed on the autopsy table. 7. I directed the autopsy surgeons to do a complete autopsy and take the time necessary for completion. I supervised the autopsy and directed the fixation and retention of the brain for future study of the course of the bullet or bullets. 8. The autopsy material was retained in a secure area and subsequently turned over by Cpatain [sic] Stover USN to me and a member of the Secret Service. We took this material immediately to the EOB Building where it was placed in a locked file cabinet by the Secret Service. 9. Senator Robert Kennedy, representing Mrs. Kennedy and the Kennedy family, directed that the autopsy material be transferred to the National Archives. This was done on April 26, 1965. See attached letter of transmittal with listing of individual items. The notation under Item #9, one stainless steel container, 7" in diameter x 8", containing gross material represents the container of the brain. This material was accepted and signed for by Mrs. Evelyn Lincoln and witnessed by three people. Signed copies [notary seal] /s/ George G. Burkley [end of page three] -4- of these affidavits are attached. I understand that this affidavit may be introduced and received by the Select Committee on Assassinations of the United States House of Representatives, and may lead them to make varous [sic] 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. /s/ George G. Burkley Vice Admiral George G. Burkley (M.C.) USN (Ret.) Personal Physician to President John F. Kennedy STATE OF CALIFORNIA : ss COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES Signed and sworn to before me this 28th day of November, 1978. /s/ Ruth F. Lawless NOTARY PUBLIC [notary seal] My Commission Expires: April 20, 1980 [end of page four and document]