Testimony Of Comdr. J. Thornton Boswell, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy

The Chairman.

Commander Boswell, will you raise your right hand and be sworn, please?
Do you solemnly swear the testimony you give before this Commission will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Commander Boswell.

I do, sir.

The Chairman.

Be seated, please.

Mr. Specter.

Will you state your full name for the record, please?

Commander Boswell.

J. Thornton Boswell, Commander, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy.

Mr. Specter.

What is your profession?

Commander Boswell.

Physician.

Mr. Specter.

And where did you obtain your medical degree, please?

Commander Boswell.

At the College of Medicine, Ohio State University.

Mr. Specter.

And what experience have you had in your professional line subsequent to obtaining that degree?

Commander Boswell.

I interned in the Navy and took my pathology training at St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York. I was certified by the American Board of Pathology in both clinical and pathological anatomy in 1957 and 1958.

Mr. Specter.

And what is your duty assignment at the present time?

Commander Boswell.

I am the Chief of Pathology at the National Naval Medical School.

Mr. Specter.

Did you have occasion to participate in the autopsy of the late President Kennedy?

Commander Boswell.

I did.

Mr. Specter.

And did you assist Doctor Humes at that time?

Commander Boswell.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Specter.

Have you been present here today during the entire course of Doctor Humes testimony?

Commander Boswell.

I have, sir; yes.

Mr. Specter.

Do you have anything that you would like to add by way of elaboration or modification to that which Doctor Humes has testified?

Commander Boswell.

None, I believe. Doctor Humes has stated essentially what is the culmination of our examination and our subsequent conference, and everything is exactly as we had determined our conclusions.

Mr. Specter.

And are you one of the three coauthors of the autopsy report which has been previously identified as a Commission Exhibit?

Commander Boswell.

Yes; I am.

Mr. Specter.

All the facts set forth therein are correct in accordance with your analysis and evaluation of the situation?

Commander Boswell.

Yes.

Mr. Specter.

And specifically, as to the points of entry and points of exit which have been testified to by Doctor Humes, do his views express yours as well?

Commander Boswell.

They do, yes.

Mr. Specter.

Doctor Boswell, would you state for the record what your conclusion was as to the cause of death of President Kennedy?

Commander Boswell.

The brain injury was the cause of death.

Mr. Specter.

And in the absence of brain injury, what, in your view, would have been the future status of President Kennedy's mortality, if he had only sustained the wound inflicted in 385?

Commander Boswell.

I believe it would have been essentially an uneventful recovery. It could have been easily repaired, and I think it would have been of little consequence.

Mr. Specter.

Those are my only questions, Mr. Chief Justice.

The Chairman.

Does anyone have any questions of the Commander? If not, Commander, thank you very much, indeed. You have been very helpful to us.

Mr. Specter.

Colonel Finck.

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