Wounding of Governor John Connally of Texas November 22, 1963� ,.7Jf" Cile1 AUG 1� 3C1C1Y-13 by JOHN NICHOLS, MD WERE NOT FOLLOWED

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Wounding of Governor John Connally of Texas November 22, 1963 ,.7Jf" CiLE1 AUG 1 3C1C1Y-13 By JOHN NICHOLS, MD WERE NOT FOLLOWED. ? KOLOis b4ED.Ct Ut4V3.6..61,11ichals is Aretierate tfessor of During a fateful six seconds be- the Governor's chest lateral to the Pathology in the Department of Path- ginning at 12:34) PM (Central right scapula, effecting a fracture ology and Oncology of the University of Kansas Medical Center, Rainbow Standard Time) in Dallas, TX on of the fifth rib posterior, traversed Blvd. at 39th St., Kansas City, KS 66103, Nov. 22, 1963, according to the the thorax right to left and where he should be contacted for re- now renowned Warren Commis- emerged below the right nipple. print and any other related data. The sion Report, Lee Harvey Oswald The bullet continued, fractured following article represents the AUTH- OR'S VIEWPOINT ALONE, and in no is alleged to have fired, within 5.6 the Governor's right wrist and is way ref lects the views or opinions of seconds, three shots—from above, presumed to have become en- the JOURNAL, the Medical and Chirurg- behind and to the right of a mo- tangled in his clothing, only later hal Faculty of the State of Maryland, the torcade in which then-Texas Gov- to faIl from his trousers on a university of Kansas or Cosi. Connally. ernor John Connally was riding stretcher at Parkland Hospital, also 281/2 inches directly in front of in Dallas. A fragment of this bul- Introduction President John F. Kennedy. let is considered to have detached The work described herein was and buried itself in the Cover- The first bullet is presumed to done entirely at the personal ex- nor'slitiglit femur. pense of the author: the findings, have entered the neck of the ideas, opinions and conclusions President from behind and Thekt&ond shot is considered do not necessarily reflect endorse- emerged at the midline in the to have missed, while the third ment or approval of any other per- front between tracheal rings three and last shot inflicted the Presi- son or organization. and four. Continuing, it entered dent's fatal head wound. (Figures 1 and 2.) This paper is a reassessment of Gov. Connally's wounds, taking into account hitherto ignored, but available, facts about his femur wound. From this, I hope, will emerge an awakening to the mag- nitude of what I consider to be the inadequacy and superficiality in probing the medical aspects of the assassination by the Warren Commission. After the tragic motorcade shoot- ing, the wounded President and Governor were taken to Parkland Hospital, the nearest fully-equip- ped, 900-bed teaching hospital, a division of the School of Medicine of the University of Texas; it had a full complement of Professors, Residents, Interns, Nurses a n d Technicians. As the shocking drama continued that fateful day, every decision and action of the staff and every incident (except that considered herein, in my opinion) has been subsequently sub- jected to critical scrutiny. Later, in an unauthored article by Park- land Hospital entitled Three Pa- tients al Parkland, it was correctly written: "Today . . . Parkland has a new reputation all over the ATTORNEY GENERAL ROBERT F. KENNEDY (left) and PRESIDENT JOHN F. world, and historians are typing its KENNEDY at the White House, 1962. (Photo by Cecil Stoughton, the White House.) name into manuscripts that will be in textbooks for generations to come." This appeared in the January, 1964 issue of the Texas Stine Journal of Medicine,1 which also reproduced a letter of gratitude from Gov. Connally dated Jan. 8, 1964, together with biographies of the several physicians and surg- eons who attended the late Presi- dent, the Governor and the late Mr. Oswald. In the course of analyzing and reenacting the assassination of President Kennedy and a study of the Warren Commission docu- ments, an alarming number of pre- viously-unnoticed or ignored errors have been found, Kaye. Some of these may have had a bearing on the guilt or innocence of the accused, had he been afforded the trial to which he was entitled. This preliminary account of some of the medical aspects brings to light, 4.• km* details of one of the errors of commission, an error which the late J. Edgar Hoover had on three occasions refused to all o w his agents to hear. Ismipaiime it bears directly on the validity of the Warren Commission's one-bullet theory to explain the President's neck wound, and all of Gov. Con- nally's injuries. • According to this one-bullet theory, a bullet subsequently desig- nated as Commission Exhibit (CE) 399 was allegedly fired from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. It traversed the President's neck from the rear. downward from right to left, and the Governor's chest downward from right to left, fractured the Governor's right wrist and injured his left thigh, only later to fall from his clothing in Parkland Hos- pital. (Figures 3 and 4.) Bullet CE 399 weighs 158.6 grains, while unfired bullets from identical ammunition weigh 161- 0.07 (standard error of the mean) grains. This leaves 2.4 grains of metal (lead ?) to be accounted for. Much speculation and confusion prevails from failure of attempts to make CE 399 fit into the one- bullet theory and to account for JOHN B. CONNALLY, former Governor of Texas. all the missing metal. (Pix by 011ie Atkins.) .46 Sniper's Perch Warehouse II.

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FIGURE 1: Postcard view of Dealey Plaza showing route of the motorcade, le. alleged firing position of Mr. Oswald and presumed trajectory of the three shots. According to Commander J. J. assembled on Feb. 26-27. 1968, by tallic fragments" in the soft tissues Humes, Commander J. Thorn- the US Attorney General, Ramsey of the neck. This is difficult to ton Boswell and Lt. Col Pierre A. Clark, for a study of the X-ray films understand, because CE 399 is a Finck—the military medical officers and photographs taken at the au- military bullet with a hard lead who performed the subsequent autopsy, but not seen by the prosec- core and a full jacket 0.10m/. topsy on President Kennedy at the tors prior to their autopsy report thick. It is made of an alloy com- Bethesda Naval Hospital—the bul- of Dec. 6. 1963. The existence of posed of 90% Copper and 10% let which traversed the President's the 1968 Expert Review Panel Zinc,• being approximately the neck did not strike bone or leave was not made public until Jan. same composition as an American metal fragments. These prosectors 16, 1969, when a copy of its report penny. In this writer's experience, did not examine X-ray photo- (published in full as an appendix identical and similar jacketed bul- graphs of the neck at the time of to an article by Mr. Blaine Tay- lets do not leave metal fragments autopsy; however, Commander lor) was deposited with the Wash- in soft tissues when bone is not John H. Ebersole did so, and re- ington. DC, District Court. This struck. Even unjacketed lead bul- ported this by telephone prior to was part of a futile attempt by lets usually do not leave metal completion of the autopsy. The Attorney General Clark to forestall particles in soft tissues when bone prosectors, together with Dr. Eber- issuance of a subpoena requiring is not struck. A diverse view is sole, subsequently confirmed this the Archivist of the US to take taken by Lattimer at al;5 Dr. Lat- absence of fractures and metal par- artifacts of the assassination to New timer has studied the X-ray films ticles in the neck of the late Presk Orleans for use in the case of in the National Archives. dent during an inspection of the Louisiana vs. Shaw. (Mr. Clay These authors believe the metal X-ray films in the National Ar- Shaw was subsequently acquitted particles seen by the "Expert Re- chives in Wash.. DC on Nov. 1. of conspiracy in the assassination view Panel" are spicules of bone 1966.2 of the President.) broken from the transverse process An "Expert Review Panel," con- The Attorney General's experts of the sixth cervical vertebra after sisting of Drs. William H. Carnes, in Forensic Pathology and Radiol- having been struck by the bullet Russell S. Fisher, Russell H. Mor- ogy also agreed that a bullet did C E 399. They further believe gan and Alan R. Moritz, with not strike bones in the neck, but the spinal cord was contused, Counsel Bruce Bromley, Esq., was reported seeing "Several small me- which would have made serious subsequent complications had the President lived. The spinal cord is among the structures omitted from the autopsy reports It was abridged at the request of Robert F. Kennedy,s•l the President 's brother, and at that time US At-. torney General. This author has been refused permission to study the X-ray films in the Archives which were taken at autopsy of the late Presi- dents Vice President Nelson A. Rocke- feller's Commission on CIA Ac- tivities Within the US submitted its report' in June, 1975, in which it is mentioned that a second panel of experts consisting of Drs. Rich- ard Lindberg, Werner U. Spitz and Fred J. Hodges, together with Lt. Col. R. M. McMeekin and Alfred G. Olivier, VMD, had also studied the X-ray films and photographs taken at the President's autopsy. This autopsy review of the Vice President's Panel is being with- FIGURE 2: View through a telescopic sight at about the alleged time of the held.10 White House counsel has first shot inflicting the President's neck wound and the Governors advised this author: "These ma- several Injuries. During an FBI reenactment, the lateral firing angle terials from the files of the Com- is 9° 21' and the bullet, to emerge in the front between tracheal rings three and four, must strike the vertebral bodies. If It continues mission now belong to the White in a straight line (not having hit bone), it would hit the Governor in Rowe, and are under the con- the left chest and emerge below his diaphragm. trorof the President. As such, they are not subject to the Freedom of Mr. Specter: Are there any other closely related to bone, and I will Information Act, and cannot be X-rays of the Governor's wrist put back up here—(sic) (4 H 122). made available to you."11 which would aid the Commission Mr, Specter: What did you do, Therefore, the alleged bullet in its understanding of the injuries Dr. Gregory, with the missile frag- CE 399, after striking the Presi- to the wrist? ments which you removed from dent's neck from behind on the Dr. Gregory: Only to indicate his wrists? (sic). right, coursed 20°23' downward that there were two fragments of Dr. Gregory: Those were turned and at least 28° to the left, missing metal retrieved in the course of over to the operating room nurse the transverse processes disregard- dealing with this wound surgi- in attendance, with instructions ing Lattimer et at and emerged cally, for the subsequent X-rays of that they should be presented to in the midline between tracheal the same area after the initial the appropriate authorities pres- rings three and four (Figure 5). surgery indicate that these frag- ent, probably a member of the Then it is supposed to have en- ments are no longer there, and as Texas Rangers, but that is as Ear tered the Governor's chest lateral I stated. I thought I had retrieved as I went with it myself. to the right scapula, fracture his two of them—the major one or Mr. Specter: Dr. Gregory, does fifth rib posteriorly, traverse his ones now being missing. The small that report (CE 392) show the chest downward, right to left and one related to the bone or most name of the nurse to whom you emerge front the skin between the ribs below the right nipple—all without leaving metal particles! Note the following dialogue: Mr. Specter (Counsel to the Warren Commission): Was any metallic substance from the bullet left in the thoracic cage as a result of the passage of the bullet through the Governor's body? Dr. Show (Surgeon who operated on the Governor's chest) : No. We saw no evidence of any metallic material in the X-ray that we had of the chest, and we found none during the operation. (4 H 105)" Metal Fragments in Wrist After emerging front the Gov- ernor's chest, CE 399 is then alleged to have struck the Gover- 28 1/2" nor's right radius, distally, and to have left three metal particles in the soft tissues (Figure 6). The larger (two) of these particles were removed by Dr. Charles F. Gre- gory (died March 31, 1976), whose operative report reads, in part, as follows: "Small bits of metal were encountered at various levels throughout the wound and these were, wherever they were, identified and could be picked up, were picked up. and have been submitted to the Pathology Department for identification and examination." (CE 392.) The tesolts of this examination by the Pathology Department of Parkland Hospital have never been divulged, to my knowledge. FIGURE 3: (@ John Nichols. 1968.) The path a bullet must take If fired at 28' from the left in order to miss the transverse processes of the verte- Dr. Gregory subsequently testi- brae, emerge In the midline and Inflict Gov. Connally's Inurles. The fied before the Warren Commis- rear figure represents that of President Kennedy, the forward that of sion: the Governor. turned over the metallic fragments? (CE 2003) dated Nov. 23, 1963. of the Dallas Office of the FBI, Dr. Gregory: There are two This list sets forth items obtained who stated that he secured this nurses who are identified on this from Dallas Police Capt. William item from Capt. Will Fritz of the page. One is the scrub nurse. Miss Fritz and forwarded that date by Dallas Police Department. I do Rutherford, and the second is the FBI Special Agent Vincent Drain not know where Captain Fritz ob- circulating nurse, Mrs. Schrader. to headquarters in Washington. tained it. (5 1-1 72) There is no record of the chain of Mr. Specter: And is one or the Since Dr. Gregory removed the custody of this fragment (sic) larger (two) of the three metal other the nurse to who m you from Dr. Gregory to Capt. Fritz, turned over the metal fragments? particles, the one remaining in nor of its subsequent return to the Governor's wrist must, indeed. Dr. Gregory: I do not now re- Dallas as stated in CE 2003. Spe- be quite small, li.beirveb. member precisely to w hom I cial Agent Frazier stated that the handed them. I do not know (4 H fragment (sic) weighed 0.5 grain. Figure 7 is the official FBI 126) . It was subsequently assigned Com- photograph of the fragment (s) • mission Exhibit number 842. Mr. from the Governor's wrist. It Frazier also testified: must, 14CCI., have been taken after Written on the "foreign body May 6, 1964, when exhibit num- envelope" of Parkland Hospital Mr. Specter: Would you set ber 842 was assigned. The holo- (CE 842) is the name of an addi- forth from the records of the FBI, graphic notation by Parkland per- tional (third) nurse, Misi Bell, if you have those before you, the sonnel clearly reading "Bullet who is not mentioned in either chain of possession of the frag- fragments" (plural), was affixed at Dr. Shaw's operative report on the ment (sic) identified as CE 842, the time of removal on Novem- Governor's chest or in Dr. Thomas please? ber 22, 1963. It is impossible to Shires' operative report on t It c Mr. Frazier: CE 842, that is the count the fragments: are there one Governor's thigh. one from Governor Connally's or five? This is in violent contrast The fragment (sic) removed arm, was delivered to me in the with Figure 8 from page 147 of from the Governor's wrist next ap- FBI laboartory on Nov. 23, 1963 Professor Josiah Thompson's book pears captioned "Q9" on a list by Special Agent Vincent E. Drain Six Seconds in Dallas's published

FIGURE 4: Diagrams prepared under the direction of Gov. Connalty's physicians Intending to show, the author states, in A (GE 679) the location of multiple entrance and exit wounds, as well as the site of the "fragment located in bone" of the sett thigh. The initials "R.R.S." are those of Dr. Robert Shaw, who places the exit wound on the anterior cheat higher and nearer the right nipple. The drawing B (CE 689) to Intended to show the manner In which all three of these wounds arose from the single missile {CE 399) being fired downward at an angle of about 45°. The Initials "R.R.S." indicate the trajectory believed by Dr. Shaw (Mr. Oswald's depressed firing angle was 20' 23'.) it must be remembered that, from the US Army ballistic measurements and similar ones of the author the missile as It emerged from the Governor's wrist and struck his left thigh was moving at about the speed of 1,500 tt per second. Jan. 8. 1968, in which two frag- Parkland Hospital at 3 PM, exam- fitting marks compatible with ments are dearly seen. This photo- ined the Governor's thigh wound having been fired in Mr. Oswald's graph, perforce, must have been and studied the X-ray films, and alleged Mannlicher-Carcano rifle, taken by the Archivist, I believe. at 4 PM began his 20-minute op- serial number C 2766. Figure 10, a Figure 9 is a photograph of CE 842 eration.) Dr. Shires reports a frag- photograph of the base of CE 399 also taken by the Archivist on ment of bullet still remains em- taken explicitly for the author by July 17, 1968, according to the bedded in the Governor's left the Archivist, shows the mutilated author's explicit request. The ex- femur. condition of the base, the extent hibit, at that time, consisted of In order to properly evaluate of which is not generally known. three fragments. Correspondence Governor Connally's thigh wound. The nose is pristine. The widely- with the Archivist on this has been some further considerations of circulated, official FBI photograph unrewarding; however, Mr. Clar- CE 399 and its alleged damage are omits details of the base. Quite ence Kelley. currently FBI Direc- needed, I feel. This bullet, weigh- clearly suds mutilation would have tor, on March 5, 1974 wrote that, ing 158.6 grains and forwarded to prevented this bullet from being when received, the specimen was a FBI headquarters on Nov. 23. 1963 fired in any gun, so the mutilation single fragment. under code number "Q1.- has had to occur after being fired, girl. Since, according to Special Agent Frazier, the larger• fragment weighs 0.5 grain, the two smaller fragments combined could not, in my opinion, weigh more than an estimated 0.1 grain (photographic comparison and visual inspection of the actual specimens. CE 399 was weighed Dec. 22, 1963, prior to removal of a portion of its nose jacket for spectrographic analysis, a fragment of lead from its base for spectrographic analysis and a fragment of lead at the atomic energy installation in Oak Ridge, TN for neutron activation analysis. The FBI refuses to divulge the amounts removed. A flake of metal fell from the base in January. 1967, 2.8 while being photographed. The Archivist refuses to weigh CE 399 or its flake, and also refuses to weigh the fragments constituting CE 842. He further refuses to per- mit this author to weight them. Allowing a maximum of 0.3 grain loss in firing from friction in the gun barrel," together with the fact that CE 399 lost 2.4 grains, there are still 1.5 grains (972 milligrams) of metal to be accounted for. This is about the weight of lead in a number 7 shotgun pel- let. Ballistics

Shortly after Dr. Gregory re- 0 moved the metal fragments from the Governor's wrist, Dr. Thomas Shires operated on the Governor's left thigh. (Dr. Shires, a Professor of Surgery, was, at the time of the assassination, attending meetings FIGURE 5: (C4 John Nichols, 1968.) The required path of a bullet through the President's neck to miss the transverse processes and emerge in of the Western Surgical Associa- the midline. The minimum lateral angle to do this is 28°; this is in- tion in Galveston,.TX. After learn- compatible with Oswald's lateral firing angle of 9°21'. The depressed ing of the tragedy, he returned to firing angle is 20°23'. — being the distance of the first neck slightly extruded, but was other- The 1,373 foot-pounds of energy shot from the Texas School Book wise normal. possessed by these 161 grain mis- Depository window. This extent of penetration has siles moving at the speed of 1,960 The force and energy of such also been observed by Lattimer et feet per second is generally not a bullet may partially he realized 4" who found that such bullets recognized. (Foot-pounds of ki- in the accompanying Figure 11, regularly penetrate, longitudinal to netic energy equals (weight of bul- where it can be seen to have pene- the grain (?) ,25" of "Toughest let) times (speed of bullet) 2 over trated 61 pine (Pinta ponderosa) knotty elm wood" (Ulmus tomasil). (2 times 32.16) times 7,000 equals boards of heart wood, devoid of On recovery, the bullets were con- 1,373. When: Weight of bullet is knots, for a distance of almost four sistently found to be pristine, but 161 grains. Speed of bullet, by feet before all of its energy was were not weighed before and after chronograph, is 1,960 feet per sec- absorbed. Figure 12 is an X-ray firing. He also found that such ond at 195 feet, the distance of the photograph of this bullet before bullets will penetrate, cross grain. [first] neck shot. (2x32.16) is a dismantling the laminated block three telephone poles and emerge physical constant relating to the ac- and sawing it sagitally. It can be "Completely undeformed." Tele- celeration of a free-falling body. seen that the bullet is essentially phone poles in the New York area 7,000 grains equals one pound pristine, and no metal tract is are usually 11-12" in diameter at , avoirdupois.) US Army ballistic present to X-ray examination. The the base and are creosoted South- experts found this to be the speed bullet lost 51 milligrams (5/6 ern pine (Pines rigida), which (and energy) of a bullet from au- grain) of weight; its surface has a fiber strength of 8.000 thentic ammunition when fired showed many scratches, as if by pounds per square inch, while Pon- from Oswald's gun at 195 feet, this sharp needles; the lead core was cleosa pine has a fiber strength of 6,000 pounds per square inch." Drs. A.G. Olivier and J.J. Dzie- rnian, in their official penetration studies, foundIT that meat simulating the President's neck retarded such bullets only 121 feet per second; a goat thorax simulating Governor Connally's chest retarded it only 265 feet per second and a robust cadaver wrist retarded it only 82 feet per second. • About this Dr. Olivier testified: Mr. Specter: What substance did you prepare to simulate that portion (neck) of the President's body? Dr. Olivier: We determined the distance on various people by to eating this anatomical region (neck), and using people of various sizes we found that, regardless of general body build, the distance penetrated was around 13IA to 141/2 an. As a consequence, If used gelatin blocks of 20% gelatin cut at 1214. cm. lengths, and also used horsemeat and goanneat placed in a box so that—this was a little harder to get the exact length, but that varied between 11,4 and 1-44, cm. of muscle tissue. Mr. Specter: Did that simulate. then, the portion of the President's body through which the bullet is reported to have passed. as closely as you could for your testing pur- FIGURE 6: A LogEtronice print of a poor preoperative second generation X-ray film (C E 691) showing Gov. Connally's right wrist wound with poses? three metal fragments. Dr. Olivier: As closely as we

could for these test purposes, yes. Dr. Olivier: Well, it means that was used.) Mr. Specter: What measurement the bullet that passed through the Mr. Specter: And what distance was obtained as to the entrance President's neck had lost very little was utilized? velocity of the bullet at t h e of its wounding potential and was Dr. Olivier: On the goat the distance of 60 yards which you capable of doing a great deal of distance was 70 yards. described? damage in penetrating. I might Mr. Specter: And was there any Dr. Olivier: The striking vel- mention one thing showing how covering over the goat? ocity at an average of three shots great its penetrating abilty was: Dr. Olivier: Yes. There was a was 1,901 feet per second. that, say, on one of the gelatine suit, shirt and undershirt. Mr. Specter: And what was the shots, it went through a total— Mr. Specter: What was the en- average exit velocity on each of counting the gelatine block it trance velocity of the bullet? the substances used? went through, plus the backing-up Dr. Olivier: Striking velocity of Dr. blocks of gelatin—it went through Olivier: For the gelatin, the an average of 11 shots was 1,929 average exit velocity-was 1,779 feet a total of 721/2 centimeters (24V., feet per second. per second; for the horsemeat. the inches) of gelatin, was still travel- Mr. Specter: And what was the average exit velocity was 1.798 ing and buried itself in a mound exit velocity? feet per second and for the goat- of earth, so it has terrific pene- meat, the average exit velocity was trating ability. This means that Dr. Olivier: The exit velocity 1.772 feet per second. had the bullet that passed through was 1,664 feet per second. Mr. Specter: Are there any other the President's neck hit in the car (For the simulation of Gov. conclusions which you would care or anywhere, you would have seen Connally's wrist wound, cadaver to add to those which you have the evidence—a good deal of evi- wrists were used.) already indicated, resulting from dence. Dr. Olivier: The average strik- the tests you have heretofore de- (For the simulation of Gov. Con- ing velocity was 1,858 feet per scribed? nally's chest wound, a goat's thorax second (at 70 yards.) •LLAS COUNTY huor Wii#F4-rjrr.- FOFE1 BODY ENVELOPES DATE: / TIMEs e- e2,

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Commission Exhibit No. 842

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COMMISSION EXHIBIT

FIGURE 7: Official FBI photograph of fragments from Gov. Connally's wrist. Note the holographic notation "Bullet fragments" {plural) affixed by Parkland personnel at time of removal on Nov. 22, 1963. FBI Chief Clarence Kelley advises it was a single fragment when received in the FBI laboratory. How many are there now: one or five? The photograph must have been taken, /1.407/1. after May 6, 1964. when exhibit numbers wore assigned. The caption for this figure reads "Small fragment of metal from Wrist of Gov. Connally." Mr. Specter: What exit velocity These figures of Dr. Olivier are the unarmored partition between did you get on the average? consistent with those I obtained by the driver and passenger compart- Dr. Olivier: Average exit vel- chronograph in each of three ments of the limousine was not ocity was 1.776 feet per second. firings through appropriate ana- even scratched; yet, according to This was for an average of seven. tomical specimens of neck and of the theory set forth by Mr. Arlen We did 10. We obtained velocity wrist at Lake City Army Ordin- Specter and adopted by the War- on seven. (5 H 76 et seq.) ance Plant in Missouri in March, ren Commission, CE 399 became • 1968; however, the retardation of entangled in the Governor's cloth- All bullets recovered after firing 265 feet per second is about three ing, only to subsequently fall out through cadaver wrists were grossly times that obtained by myself in unobserved on a litter at Parkland mutilated in front and pristine at a single firing through a thorax. I Hospital. the base, four of which are shown believe such a bullet as CE 399 Thigh Wound in Figure 13. This is a finding from authentic ammunition. if This author's interest was uniformly observed by the author. fired from Mr. Oswald's g u n, aroused quite early by the opera- It will be recalled that CE 399 is would penetrate several Presi- tive report (Figure 14) of Dr. pristine in the front and mutilated dents' necks and several Governors' Shires and his three assistants: at the base. wrists. The upholstery covering Drs. Robert N. McClelland, Charles R. Baxter and Ralph D. Pa tman. Their report clearly states that a bullet fragment was "embedded" in the Governor's left femur; however, examination of X-ray films published in the Warren Commis- sion Report (CE 695. 696) and on deposit in the National Archives fails to reveal injury to the bone or a foreign body near the bone, as I interpret them. The purpose of their operation was for debridement and removal of the fragment. A metal fragment was not recovered. Dr. Shires subsequently confirmed on several occasions that the fragment remains embedded in the Governor's femur—it did not become an exhibit of the Warren Commission. Dr. Shires, in his sworn deposi- tion (rules of evidence were observed in testimony taken by the Warren CommisSion for subsequent possible use in court) taken in Dallas on March 23, 1964. where he had access to the X-ray films, the Governor's clinical chart and his colleagues, testified: Mr, Specter: And what did you A observe as to the wound on the thigh? Dr. Shires: The wound on the thigh was a peculiar one. There was a I-cm. punctate missile wound over the junction of the METRICI middle and lower third of the leg and the medial aspect of the thigh. The peculiarity came in that the X-rays of the left leg showed only FIGURE 8: (t Josiah Thompson, 1967, IwIth permIssion.J) Photograph of CE 642 a very small 1-mm. bullet frag- from Prof. Thompson's book, Six Seconds In Dallas. It can clearly ment embedded in the femur of be seen that the exhibit at that time consisted at two fragments. This photograph had to have peen taken by the National Archivist...L.- the left leg. Upon exploration of 4440m! this wound, the other peculiarity was that there was very little soft tissue damage, less than one would expect from an entrance wound of a centimeter in diameter, which was seen on the skin. So it appeared. therefore, that the skin wound was either a tangential wound or that a larger fragment had penetrated or stopped in the skin and subsequently fallen out of the entrance wound. Mr. Specter: What size fragment was there in the Governor's leg at that time? Dr. Shires: We recovered none. The small one that was seen on X-ray—and it was still in the femur and being that small, with no tissue damage after debridement —it was thought inadvisable to remove this small fragment. Mr. Specter: Is that fragment in the bone itself at the present time? Dr. Shires: Yes. Mr. Specter: Would you have any estimate as to the size of that fragment? Dr. Shires: One millimeter in diameter—one to two. (Dr. Shires uses the term "diameter," imply- ing that the fragment is spherical. FIGURE 9: (ID John Nichols, 1968. A photograph of the (now) three fragments The formula for a sphere is of metal removed from the Governor's wrist, the larger of which 4/3 a- r5 and lead has a density of weighs igt grain (32.4 milligrams CE 842.) Compare with pencil point. 11.4: therefore a 1 lair.. sphere Photograph by Archivist on July 17, 1968. weighs 6 milligrams or 1/10 of a ing an arrow drawn to a foreign assistants operated. grain and a 2 mm. sphere weighs 48 body overlying the femur. The About such wounds Dr. Gregory milligrams or 3/4 of a grain. femur shows no damage. Two testified: "No effort, incidentally, Mr. Specter: Would you have more X-ray films, CE 694 and CE any estimate as to how much that 695, were taken of the Governor's might weigh in grains? left thigh in the A-P projection. Dr. Shires: In grains—a fraction A bullet fragment is not seen in of a grain, maybe, a tenth of a either of these films; however, ex- grain—very small. amination of the copies in the Mr. Specter: A tenth of a grain. National Archives clearly shows a Dr. Shires: Yes. (6 1-1 106.) partly-erased arrow drawn to a • non-metallic fragment tying sub- Prof. Thompson. on page 149 cutaneously on the medial aspect of his book, Six Seconds in Dallas, of the thigh. Quite clearly, be- writes: ''In a conversation on May cause there was no bullet frag- 31, 1967, he (Dr. Shires) confirmed ment, in my view, the four sur- to the author (Thompson) that geons, led by Dr. Shires, were un- a fragment was indeed embedded able to recover any fragment from in the bone." the bone in their surgical attempt. Dr. John Lattimer" reports that Dr. Gregory opines that operat- Dr. Shires, on May 6, 1974, again ing for such a small bullet frag- reconfirmed the presence of the FIGURE 10: (C/ John Nichols, 1968.) ment is, in any event, questionable metallic fragment embedded in Base of bullet C E 399 surgery unless complications ensue. the Governor's left femur. showing extensive mutila- Certainly Dr. Gregory did not hesi- tion, which would prevent X-ray Films tate to leave a metal particle in It from having been fired In any gun In this condi- CE 696 is a photograph of a the Governor's wrist, which was tion. This mutilation had to poor copy of a lateral X-ray film more accessible than the "one' occur after tiring; the nose of the Governor's left thigh, show- for which Dr. Shires and his three is pristine. FIGURE 12: Photograph of an X-ray 'Him of the bullet in the block before dismantling the block and sawing each board sagittally for reassembly. T h e bullet was ''pristine," except for 47 INCHES 019 CENTIMETERS) many surface scratches, and the lead core some- what extruded from the rear. The bullet lost 51 milligrams of weigh t. More than 16 attempts were required to achieve this result; most bullets deviated to the sides, top or bottom, and were not caught.

FIGURE 11: ((a John Nichols, 1968.) Photograph showing that a bullet from authentic ammunition has enough kinetic energy to penetrate 47" of laminated Ponderosa pine. The first subject has the same measurements as the late President, viz., weight 18i pounds, height 6"1-, neck 151/2" circumference. The rifle in the foreground is a Mannlicher- Carcano model 91138, calibre 6.5mm., identical with that attributed to Mr. Oswald.

C FIGURE 13: Reproduction of Figure A 13 from Oliver and Dziemian's reporter showing mutilation of the nose of bullets recovered after firing through cadaver wrists. All such bullets caught were similarly multilated. This is the extent of mutilation also observed by the author after firing bullets from authentic ammunition through cadaver wrists. Bullet B was considered by the Warren Commission and was assigned number 856. (Photo- graphic Inset frcm picture by the Archivist.) Bullets A, C and 0 were not considered by the Warren Com- mission and did not acquire C E numbers. (The US Army refuses to photograph A, C and 15 for the author.)

ROOM: 220 STATUS: Pvt.

PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL NAME: Connally, John

OPERATIVE RECORD UNIT • 263699 A #24842

DATE; Nov. 22, 1963 AGE: RACE: W/M

PRE-OPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Gunshot Wound, Right Chest, Right Wrist, Left Thigh

POST-OPERATIVE same OIAGNOSIS. Exploration and Debridement of (*See below)

AM. AM. 16:00 16:20

OPERATION: Gunshot Wound of Left Thigh BEGAN: ENDED- NU

G G General 13:00 Geisecke

TIN ANESTHETIC: BEGAN: AN ESTHESIOLOGIST• LA

SURGEON: Dr. Shires DRAINS:

IACU C T T Dra. McClelland, Baxter and Patman APPLIANCES•

D• ASSISTANTS:

TI. Deming and

I SCRUB CI RC. Oliver Schrader

NURSE• NURSE: C ASTS/ SPL IN TS: OW,- OW,- C I. V. FLUIDS AND BLOOD

SPONGE COUNTS: 1ST Correct. PS DRUGS 1111 1111

TO TO 2140

*This portion of the operation is involved only with the operation on COMPLICATIONS: the left thigh. The chest injury has been dictated by Dr. Shaw, the orthopedic injury to the arm by Dr. Gregory. CONDITION OF PATIENT:

ChnicalEralumicm: There was a 1 cm. punctate missile wound over the juncture of the middle and lower third, medial aspect, of the left thigh. X--rays of the thigh and leg revealed a bullet fragment which wan imbedded in the body of the femur in the distal third. The leg was prepared with Phisohex and I.O. Prep and was draped in the usual fashion. Oprotive Findings: Following this the missile wound was excised and the bullet tract was explored. The missile wound was seen to course through the subcutaneous fat and into the veatua medialis. The necrotic fat and muscle were debrided down to the region of the femur. The direction of the missile wound was judged not to be in the course of

W W DosaimianolOperation: the femoral vessel, since the wound was distal and anterior to

Hunter's canal. Following complete debridement of the wound and irri- OIO

PI gation with saline, the wound was felt to be adequately debrided enough

1U so that three simple through-end-through, stainless steel Aloe 028 wire LT LT

I sutures were used encompassing skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle D D

fascia on both sides. Following this a sterile dressing was applied. YI

TA The doraalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses in both legs were quite

LC good. The thoracic procedure bad been completed at thia time, the

1 O 1 debridement of the compound fracture in the arm was still in progress

■ at the tine this soft tissue injury repair was completed. TO TO

17)1 fa Tom Shires;"' I 1(1'7

FIGURE 14: Surgical report by Dr. Shires and his assistants. Ors. McClelland, Baxter and Patman, together with Anesthesiolo- gist Geisecke, giving details of the operation on the Governor's left thigh when the sought fragment was not found. (C E 392.)

is made to dissect for these frag- the Warren Commission and given diem, because on May 19, 1964, ments. . . . They are proverbial an exhibit number? the Warren Commission wrote needles in haystacks, and we know In preparation for testimony be- both physicians for copies of the from experience that small flakes fore the Warren Commission, 1)r. films to which CE numbers had of metal of this kind do not or- Robert Shaw, on Apr. I5, 1964, was been assigned. On May 29, 1964, dinarily produce difficulty in the requested to bring the Governor's Mr. C. J. Price, the Administrator future, but that the extensive dis- X-ray films to Washington. as was of Parkland Hospital, was thanked section required to find them may Dr. Gregory, for testimony. These for sending the topics which are produce consequences, and so we two physicians, presumably, after now in the National Archives. choose to leave them inside unless giVing testimony on Apr. 21, 1964, Whether or not the physicians we chance upon them, and on this took the films back to Dallas with took to Washington any part of the occasion, those bits of metal recovered (by Dr. Gregory from the 14.111 MUM. MEAD OF INVEST IOASION wrist) were simply found by chance in removing necrotized ma- Doe 11/29/63 terial." (4 H 123.) The poor quality films on deposit in the National Archives are The following copy of in E-ray negative was received from Mr. JACK REYNOLDS, Adminiatrator„ Parklesd•Icepital, on copies made by usual photographic somber 29. 1961, which reflected an x-ray of the left thigh processes and, of course, lack the Of Governor JOggib. COSJALLT, which maim taken on November 22, 1963. clarity of the originals made on Dr. JACK LITPOLDS furnished the following letter which portable equipment at Parkland a c,ampnaled thin x-ray negative which le sot out ma follows: Hospital. The chain of custody of "SUPPLEMMETA23 UFO= DZSCILIMINO IN DETAIL TOE these films is unclear. At least one APPIAAARCII AID LOCATIOM OF A SMALL METALLIC DESIIITY SUPERIMPOSED ON copy of a film showing absence of TEX SOFT TISSUE wham OW TEE MEDIAL ASPECT OF TSB LIFT TEIGE the alleged foreign body in the OF DOMINO* JOEN)i. 031KALLY ON FILMS DATED November 22, 1923. femur was for-warded to FBI Head- "AP and lateral fitma of the distal parties of the hit thigh were obtained and luclilde the distal portioa ed the shaft quarters by Special Agent Vincent and the regios of the knee, One film le is the AP projection Drain (Figure 15) on Nov. 30, and the other the lateral projection with the direction of the beam from medial to lateral and the film lying adjacent to the 1963, eight days after the event. lateral aspect of the thigh. The fate of this X-ray plate is "No fractures are seen. A ley punctate and linear nebulous. Early in 1969, 1 re- deamitiem are seem on the film but theme are ince-natant. and appear am one and not the other and therefore are interpreted quested permission from the Ar- as artifacts. chivist to examine it and was arriew There is, however, one deamity whICh resell= constant advised that it had been returned om both films mad appears to lie beneath the akin La the region to the FRI. On Feb. 2, 1976, 1 of the mubcotameaue fat in the medial magnet of Cho thigh. By meaeuremente on these film, without correction for target again requested permission to ex- file diatonic* mod object his distance, this small deosity live 15.2 cm. above the distal and of the sundial femoral condyle on amine it and was again advised the AP film and, om this film, Iles 6 eme bementh the external that it had been returned to the surface of the skin. It 1. 6.25 cue medial tothe femoral abaft. On the lateral film, the center of this small metallic deceit,' lies FBI. Appliattion to the FBI in 15 cme above the distal end of the medial femoral ccadyle. It February, 1976 for permission to lire 4.9 cms posterior to the akin of the anterior surface of the thigh and It le superimpoeed on the shaft of the femme. In relatl.= examine it resulted in a letter, to the femur, the density im superimposed on a point 1.5 cam posterior more than a year later, on March to the exterior of the anterior cortex. 29, 1977, from Director Kelley ad- vising: "Please be informed that a 14/29/63 Delia., search of the indices to our central el Tell.. Pt 69-43 records system revealed no information other than what was men- hy5mmelemeer YINCEIM A. DIA16/atd D 4Iee,H 11/29/62

tioned in S. A. Drain's report." fair ••■■■•• •■ r•I. r •■••■■ MO PM moms. ma Era io OMOIraraml mt... 4 mi. moor. On Apr. 5, 1977. the Archivist, C without solicitation, wrote: ". . X-ray film mentioned in Drain's re- 'The shape of this density is irregular but is roughly oval. Precise meamureneutm are difficult but it is port has never been in the posses- estimated that the greatest length in the AP projectile I. sion of the National Archives and abort 3.5 awe and the greatest .kith about 1.3 MM. was therefore not 'returned' to the "SISBUrAmpinta of the density in the lateral projection FBI." rev.al the greatest length to be about 2 Ir. And the greatest 'width to be about 1.6 Ems. The long azis of the metallic In other words, both the X-ray object I. oriented geoaral3y along the ails of the femur." plate and Dr. Jack Reynolds' orig- This copy of as X-ray negative ram delivered to inal report have been lost or de- the PSI Laboratory on Sorember 30, 1963. steayed, but the pregnant question FIGURE 15: Report of FBI Special Agent Drain In which a part of Dr. Jack remains, Why? Also, why was S. A. Reynolds' divergent X-ray Interpretation of Gov. Connally's thigh Drain's report not considered by wound was copied. An exhibit number was not assigned .

1 Governor's clinical chart, includ- Jour.: FL CONNALLY ing the roentgenographic reports, 70nrr Curt Nwratp.s. Th..... is not known; at least they did not it;,urror., TC.11.4“ 77002 refer to it. Starting in early 1965, postal and March 14, 1969 telephonic requests by this writer for permission to study the original X-ray films at Parkland Hos- Dr. John Nichols Associate Professor of Pathology pital were ignored. Unable to University of Kansas Medical Center reads by telephone any person who Kansas City, Kansas would admit knowledge, I was, on several occasions, variously told Dear Dr. Nichols: that the films "Are in the vault," In reply to your letter of January 21, 1969 and your "Are in the Archives in Washing- wire of March 2, 1969, this is your authority to examine ton," "The Warren Commission any of the Parkland Hospital records of my injuries. has them," "The Secret Service has them," "The FBI has them,- I do not know what the policy of Parkland Hospital "The Government has them," etc. is with respect to these records, but consistent with Written and telegraphic re- those policies you have my authorization to review the files involving me. quests to Mr. Price for permission to study the X-ray films together I an returning the various photographs, exhibits and with the Governor's clinical record the money order which you sent me. were ignored and/or refused, despite the fact that I forwarded I am not unwilling to meet with you personally, but Xerox® copies of Gov. Connally's I don't know what I could tell you that would be helpful to you. Basically all that I know I told the Warren consent (Figure 16) , obtained on Commission report and those records are available to you; March 14, 1969. but if after reviewing the records of Parkland you think My last four requests were an- an interview would be productive, we will try to find a swered as follows: "Although we mutually agreeable time to do it. are not familiar with the X-ray plates published in the Warren Sincerely, Report, the original X-ray plates are still on file here at Parkland Memorial Hospital. R. G. Hol- J-61-In B. Connally comb, FACHA. Assistant Admin- istrator, June 27, 1968." JBC/amt • Enclosures "This will acknowledge receipt FIGURE 16: Gov, Connally's permission for this author to study his X-ray films of your letter of March 5, 1969, and clinical chart, but which request has been repeatedly denied and the attached money order to by Parkland Hospital In Dallas, TX. Mr. R. G. Holcomb. relative to your proposed visit to Dallas to plates are not available. C. J. Price, Louisiana vs. Shaw during the review the clinical record of Gov. FACHA, Administrator, Apr. 10, summer of 1969, the prosecution John Connally. Mr. Holcomb is 1969." obtained a court order directing no longer with the Hospital Dis- A Xerox® copy of Gov. Con- the Archivist to take Gov. Con- trict_ nally's permission (Figure 16), was nally's X-ray films and other arti- "Your American Express Money included in my request of March facts of the assassination to NEW Order in the amount of $1 is re- 30th. Orleans for evidence in the trial. turned herewith. The Hospital • This order was immediately ap- District is obligated to maintain "This will acknowledge receipt pealed by the Archivist, with the these reports, as well as those of all of your letter of July 3, 1971, and result that efforts were directed to of our patients in the strictest of your check No. 5680 in amount of Dr. Robert Shaw to bring the or- confidence, therefore these records P.50. Your check is hereby re- iginal films from Parkland Hos- are not available. turned and we are sorry, but the pital from which to testify. About "A complete statement is in- answer is still no. Very truly yours, this, Mr. William Alford, Assistant cluded in the Warren Commission C. J. Price, FACHA, Administra- District Attorney, wrote:1s Report. Yours very truly, C. J. tor, July 7, 1971." "That during the week of Feb. Price, FACHA, Administrator, A second Xerox® copy of Gov. 10-14, 1969, 1 was in contact with Nfarch 11, 1969." Connally's permission (Figure 16) Dr. Robert Shaw, the attending • was included in my request of July physician of Gov. John Connally "In response to your letter of 3, 1971. in November, 1963. Dr. Slaw had March 30, 1969, regarding the X- • been ordered to appear as a wit- ray plates of Gov. Connally, the In preparation for the trial of ness in New Orleans in the case of State of Louisiana vs. Clay L. of this "bullet fragment." Such ac- Shaw, and was attempting to de- tivity may now cease, I believe. termine what medical records he There have been others who pre- should bring. 1 suggested that he viously questioned the likelihood bring the X-rays of the Governor, of a bullet fragment being em- along with the medical record of bedded in the femur. They, like 1. Parkland Hospital. Dr. Shaw in- asked. ''How can a missile, with formed me that he had already only enough energy and velocity attempted to locate the X-rays, but to merely break the skin, throw off had been unsuccessful, as he had a fragment with enough energy been told by Parkland officials that and velocity to penetrate deep these were in the possession of through the muscle and embed the US Archivist in Wash.. DC. itself in bone?" "1 then contacted Mr. Wilson Dr. Jack Reynolds, the Radiolo- Johnston, an Assistant District At gist at Parkland Hospital, held to torney for Dallas County, Mr. a different interpretation of CE Johnston informed me that Park- 696. His supplementary report. land officials would require a sub- copied (at least in part, Figure poena duces tecum for the medical 15) by Special Agent Drain, not record of Gov. Connally, and considered by the Warren Commis- further that the X-rays of the Gov- sion and now lost, clearly sets out ernor apparently were not in the his finding that the foreign body possession of the hospital. is only 8mm. (113 of an inch) "Due to the fact that Dr. Shaw's under the skin and 6.25 centi- testimony was never required in meters (21/2 inches) medial to the the Clay L. Shaw trial, no further femoral shaft, If the Warren Com- inquiry was made relative to the mission considered this X-ray film, location of the X-rays." Dr. Reynolds' supplementary report and/or Special Agent Drain's In any event, copies of the X-ray copy, no record exists. films in the National Archives were Postoperative X-ray films of the placed in the public domain when Governor's thigh have never been they were published in the volumes mentioned. Of course, the whole of the Warren Commission as CE problem may easily be resolved if 681, 682, 691, 692. 693, 694, 695 and the Governor were to have a new 696. Copies of these poor second X-ray study. During a visit on generation films were prepared Apr. 18, 1970,. 1 made such a re- specifically for this writer by the quest which he declined (as he did LogEtronicn enhancement process again in August. 1977.) at the Armed Forces Institute of A study of the written X-ray Pathology in April, 1968. Examin- FIGURE 17: A LogEtronlc® print of diagnoses and of the Governor's ation of the enhanced copy of the the famous second generation lateral X-ray film (C E 696} alleged to show clinical chart at Parkland Hospital lateral film (Figure 17) lah.edisiasi a bullet fragment "embedded" in the by independent medical investiga- posierirlsraiialsamias confirms the Governor's left femur. Note the ab- tors will yield valuable data to presence of a foreign body to sence of bone damage, This photo- seekers of the truth. 1 believe, such which an arrow has been drawn. graph is widely utilized to account for as the newly-created US House of It also reveals normal, undamaged the missing metal from C E 399; a feeble attempt which can now be bone. Representatives Select Committee abandoned, iirmelmiew, on Assassinations. Examination of the A-P projection (Figure 18) again reveals the by the heavy metal particles in Conclusions bone to be without damage and the Governor's wrist (Figure 6). After reviewing the meager avail- without any foreign body; how- The object is dead) not heavy able material, it is the opinion of ever, on the medial side of the metal from a bullet, but, I believe, this writer that a bullet fragment thigh, a faint shadow of a non- is something like a fragment of is not embedded in the left femur metallic foreign body can be seen bone (from the wrist), a fragment of Gov. Connally, contrary to elm, located beneath the skin. An arrow of glass or of a button, sand, etc. ofkistidaimafs one of his attending has been drawn to it; the faintness In most books dealing with the physicians, his colleagues and suggests attempts at erasure. in assassination, a photograph of the Parkland Hospital. Therefore, in this projection, where the X-ray poor copy of CE 696 is used in an regard to this, the conclusions of beam strikes the foreign body attempt to account for the missing the Warren Commission are in without intervention of bone, the metal from CE 399. Considerable error and the "one-bullet theory" shadow is quite faint, and con- effort in all parts of the world has is further weakened, iewigiudg- trasts to the dense shadows cast gone into speculating the weight paset. This challenge could have been avoided if independent med- When one considers studies. per- in Louisiana vs. Shaw. 198-059; 1426- ical talent had been utilized by the taining to the velocity, energy :. nd (30), Section C. Criminal District Court, Parish of Orleans, LA 1969. Warren Cornrnission, and if Park- penetrating power of authentic am- 3. land Hospital had provided rele- munition using anatomical speci- Taylor, Blain: The Case of the Out- spoken Medical Examiner or An Ex. mens and simulations, it is difficult vant portions of the Governor's elusive Journal Interview with Rus- clinical chart. to reconcile these results, in my sell S. Fisher. MD, Chief Medical It is feasible to remove the view. with the conclusions of the Examiner of the State of Maryland, surgically-accessible foreign body Warren Commission regarding per- Maryland State Med. J., 26:59.77, March, 1977. present 8mm. under the skin on formance of CE 399 and its recov- the medial side of the Governor's ery in Parkland Hospital. 4. Winchester® division of Olin® In- dustries to Nichols, Jan. 17. 1975- left thigh. It could subsequently be References identified and compared with the 5. Lattimer, John K.; Schlesinger, Ed- 1. Three Patients at Parkland. TX ward B. and Merritt. Houston IL: metal in bullet CE 399 by neutron State J. Med.. 60:60-74, 1964. President Kennedy's Spine Hit by activation. 2. Finch, Lt. Col. Pierre A.: Testimony First Bullet. Buil. NY Acad. Med., 53:280291. 1977. 6. Autopsy Report and Supplemental Report (M3-272). Appendix IX, Report of the President's Commis- sion on the Assassination of Presi- dent John F. Kennedy. US Gov. Printing Office, Wash., DC. 1964, pp. 938-541. 7. Medical Sleuth Deduces Diagnosis in Kennedy. Med. World News, 8:21- 22, July, 1967. 8. Nichols vs. US, 325 F. Supp. 130. 1971; 460 F 24 671, 1972; certoran denied US 34 L Ed., 2d, 232. 1972. 9. Report to the President by the Com- mission on CIA Activities Within the US. US Cov. Printing Office Wash., DC, 1975. 10. Office of the Vice President to Nichols, Sept. 30, 1975. 11. White House to Nichols, Nov. 3, 1975. 12. Prefix = volume; suffix = page number thus, 4 H 105 means Vol. tune 4, page 103. of Hearings Before the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. US Gov. Printing Office, Wash., DC, /964. 13. Thompson, Josiah: Six Seconds in Dallas, Bernard Geis Associates. 1968 14. Nichols, John: Assassination of Presi- dent Kennedy, Practitioner, 211:625- 633, 1973. 15. Lattimer, Gary; Lattimer, John K. and Laitinier. Jon: The Kennedy- Connally One-Bullet Theory, Med. Times, 102:53-56, November, 1974. 16. Sou thwestern Bell [telephone com- pany] to Nichols, Jan. 8, 1975. 17, Olivier. A.G. soil ilziendan, Wound Ballistics of 63 mm Mann- Lieber Carcano Ammunition (U). Chemical Research and Development Laboratories Technical Report 3264, 1965. US Army Edgewood Arsenal. [Declassified March 27, 1978]. FIGURE 18: LogEtronic® print of a poor second generation X-ray film in the A- P projection of the Governor's left thigh (C E 695), in which a faint 18. Alford, William R.: Affidavit of the "foreign body" can be seen 8 mm. subcutaneous on the medial side Assistant District Attorney for the as described by Dr. Jack Reynolds. Note the partially-obliterated Parish of Orleans, LA. May 8, 1969, arrow. in author's flies. C3c -Ce 33. CONFIRMATION COPY PLEASE MAIL TO • x ip IR. JOHN NICHOLS ar rc-, (JD .■ 1 r. I. _, r. 8008 REEDS Re », Jto. r• PRAIRIE VILLAGE KS 62208 XI. r.,4" .. :o.-."- en LO " r) in 0 . --X, 0) M 02153 P8. KANASCITy MO 100 04-16 455P CST le 47 PMS G THOMAS SHIRES M.D., PROFESSOR OF SURGERY REPORT DELIVef ---.1 CORNELL UNIVERSITY MEDICAL COLLEGE 1300 YORK AVE NEW YORK CITY NY 10021

FROM f■TY PRIOR CORRESPONDENCE YOU WILL RECALL THAT I AM WRITING ON MEDICAL ASPECTS OF PRESIENT KENNEDY'S ASSASSINATION INCLUDING GOVERNOR CONNALLy'S WOUNDS. WOULD APPRECIATE LEARNING IF METAL FRAGMENT REMAINS IN CONNALLy'S LEFT FEMUR. MY PREVIOUS INQUIRES TO YOU ON THIS POINT REMAIN UNANSWERED, JOHN NICHOLS, M.D. UNIVERSITY •KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS PH 513 NI 2-5460 FIGURE 19: Photograph of telegram, being the author's last futile attempt to obtain details of the "fragment embedded in the lemur" from Dr. Shires. The telegram remains unanswered.

VINSON & ELKIN5 ATTO KKKKK AT

HOUSTON. TEXAS 77003

...••■••••••,..• • •• , ... .•• LOAOT16 'TN clAliAt.e •Aat •••04 elro.o• “ATAA.T. OPP ITA,NT •1401..11. riAlt

July 26, 1977

0r. John Nichols Associate Professor of Pathology The University of Kansas Medical Center College of Health Sciences and Hospital Rainbow Boulevard at 39th Ransaa City, /lenses 66103

My dear Dr. Nichols:

I an ture you think I an uncooperative with respect to the article you are writing, but I frankly don't want to go over the galley proofs of your article.

You've done the research; you have your own Ideas, and I don't want to be in a position of asking you to change your article, or leave the impression that I have read it and agree with it, if in fact I don't. I certainly don't want to discourage you iron uriting whatever you wish about the matter, but I don't want to be In a position of either affirming or objecting to what you do say.

JUG:nb

FIGURE 20: Author's last communication from Gov. Connally in which he sets forth his reasons for not wanting to review this article in galley lorm.fl

ftrimrs1,4 ft* yi.wri Slate Meth..? Joetwerl, Ortolorr 1977. (g) 1977 by IA. Mrdiral exol 1.birurpiral it... :now of Mar, Llml. Ho 11 im.orr , Maryland. I'moirtl la U.S.A.