JFK Assassination Figure. A Navy pathologist, he is remembered as one of the three prosectors at the autopsy of President Kennedy. An Oklahoma native, he received his M.D. from Ohio State University, interned in the Navy, and took his pathology residency at Naval Hospital, St. Albans, New York. Dr. Boswell earned his board certification in 1957 and on November 22, 1963, was chief of pathology at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Upon learning that the President's body was being returned to Washington Dr. Boswell recommended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) as the site for the autopsy but was informed that Bethesda had already been chosen and was directed to perform the autopsy in conjunction with Dr. J.J. Humes, the chief of laboratory services. The two physicians brought in Dr. Pierre Finck, head of wound ballistics at AFIP, and conducted the examination with Dr. Humes performing most of the actual procedure, Dr. Boswell making the drawings and writing most of the notes, and Dr. Finck giving advice. Dr. Boswell testified before the Warren Commission and other investigative bodies over the years and never changed his original assertions, namely that Kennedy arrived in a bronze casket which did in fact contain his body, that there was no outside control of the autopsy save for instruction to leave the adrenal glands alone (JFK suffered from Addison's Disease, a fact mostly concealed and denied during the 1960 campaign), that there was no particular pressure to "keep quiet" beyond what is routine in any military situation, and that the Warren Commission "got it right" in stating that the President was shot twice from behind by a lone gunman. After retiring from the Navy Dr. Boswell lived out his days in the Washington suburbs.
JFK Assassination Figure. A Navy pathologist, he is remembered as one of the three prosectors at the autopsy of President Kennedy. An Oklahoma native, he received his M.D. from Ohio State University, interned in the Navy, and took his pathology residency at Naval Hospital, St. Albans, New York. Dr. Boswell earned his board certification in 1957 and on November 22, 1963, was chief of pathology at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Upon learning that the President's body was being returned to Washington Dr. Boswell recommended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) as the site for the autopsy but was informed that Bethesda had already been chosen and was directed to perform the autopsy in conjunction with Dr. J.J. Humes, the chief of laboratory services. The two physicians brought in Dr. Pierre Finck, head of wound ballistics at AFIP, and conducted the examination with Dr. Humes performing most of the actual procedure, Dr. Boswell making the drawings and writing most of the notes, and Dr. Finck giving advice. Dr. Boswell testified before the Warren Commission and other investigative bodies over the years and never changed his original assertions, namely that Kennedy arrived in a bronze casket which did in fact contain his body, that there was no outside control of the autopsy save for instruction to leave the adrenal glands alone (JFK suffered from Addison's Disease, a fact mostly concealed and denied during the 1960 campaign), that there was no particular pressure to "keep quiet" beyond what is routine in any military situation, and that the Warren Commission "got it right" in stating that the President was shot twice from behind by a lone gunman. After retiring from the Navy Dr. Boswell lived out his days in the Washington suburbs.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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