Dr. Kenneth Everett Salyer

Testimony of Dr. Kenneth Everett Salyer

The testimony of Dr. Kenneth Everett Salyer was taken at 6:15 p.m., on March 25, 1964, at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Arlen Specter, assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. SPECTER. May the record show that Dr. Kenneth Salyer is present in response to an inquiry that he appear to have his deposition taken in connection with the inquiries being conducted by the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, which is looking into all facets of the shooting, including the wounds of the President and the care he received at Parkland Hospital.
With that preliminary statement of purpose, Dr. Salyer, will you stand up and raise your right hand?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will give before the President's Commission in the course of this deposition will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Dr. SALYER. I do.
Mr. SPECTER. Have you had an opportunity to examine the document or the Executive order creating the President's Commission and Rules for the taking of testimony?
Dr. SALYER. Yes; I have.
Mr. SPECTER. And are you willing to have your deposition taken today without having the formal three days of written notice, which you have a right to, if you wish?
Dr. SALYER. Yes.

Mr. Specter.

You are willing to waive that right, is that right?
Dr. SALYER. Yes.

Mr. Specter.

Would you state your full name for the record, please?
Dr. SALYER. Kenneth Everett Salyer.

Mr. Specter.

What is your profession?
Dr. SALYER. Physician.

Mr. Specter.

Are you duly licensed to practice medicine by the State of Texas?
Dr. SALYER. Yes; I am.

Mr. SPECTER. And would you outline briefly your educational background, please?
Dr. SALYER. A B.S. degree at the University of Kansas, an M.D. degree at the University of Kansas, and internship at Parkland, and now a first year resident in surgery at Parkland Hospital.
Mr. SPECTER. In what year did you graduate from the University of Kansas Medical School?
Dr. SALYER. 1962.

Mr. Specter.

And how old are you, Dr. Salyer?
Dr. SALYER. I am 27.

Mr. SPECTER. Will you relate briefly the circumstances surrounding your being called in to assist in the treatment of President Kennedy?
Dr. SALYER. Well, for the month of November, as part of our rotation on surgery, I spent that month on neurosurgery, and being on call that day for any emergencies which come in to our emergency room related to neurosurgical problems, we would be called down to the emergency room to see these, and I was upstairs viewing a movie when I heard that the President had arrived and so I thought I should go down to the emergency room and see what the situation was.

Mr. Specter.

And, upon your arrival at the emergency room, who was present?
Dr. SALYER. Oh, I don't recall--I know that there were a room full of doctors--I could list specific ones that I remember if you would like.

Mr. Specter.

Would you please?

Dr. SALYER. I don't really think I could give you every one, but I remember Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Perry and Dr. Baxter, and also Dr. Bob McClelland and Dr. Carrico and Dr. Crenshaw, and I think a Dr. Gene Akin was there also---at that time, when I first came in.