Lost in the Shadow of Fame
Page 19
Autopsy:
The results of the official autopsy report, conducted by the post surgeon at Fort Richardson’s 183rd Station Hospital in Alaska were completed on June 4, 1943, 3.00 PM; the afternoon following his demise. The Clinical Diagnosis stated:
“Wound, gunshot, head, perforating, caliber unknown, entrance through soft palate, exit through the parietal bone, course through the posterior pharynx upward through the condylar portion of occipital bone, perforating the medulla and occipital lobe of brain on left.
The report continued: Wound, perforating, through condylar portion of occipital bone and in posterior region of parietal bone near mid-line. The findings stated the time of death at 11:30 AM and noted:
There is a ragged perforating wound in mid-line of soft palate extending through the upper posterior pharynx which easily admits a surgical instrument 1 ½ centimeters in diameter. Just in the mid-line in the posterior parietal region there is a ragged wound 2 centimeters in diameter.
The report also states: “The right thumb has been amputated at the 1st interphalangeal joint”. A thumb was amputated from Kermit’s hand in the 1920s resulting from radium poisoning acquired when he was treated for an earlier infection.
A .45 caliber army service pistol of the type used in Kermit’s death.
However, an earlier clinical abstract from the Fort Richardson post hospital stated the left thumb was amputated (read amputation issue under item 3 of Provost Marshall report following). The report claims Kermit was inebriated at the time of his death stating “Blood alcohol studies on postmortem blood revealed 2.5 mgm. per cc. alcohol.”
The stated size of the wound channel “that easily admits a surgical instrument 1 ½ centimeters in diameter” and a “ragged wound 2 centimeters in diameter” raises a question. The official investigation report lists a .45 caliber service pistol as the suicide weapon. The military .45 used 230 grain ball ammunition with a diameter of .452 inches. A 2 centimeter hole is .8 inches in diameter, 56 percent larger. Even a 1 ½ centimeter hole is .6 of an inch. The standard .45 full metal jacketed round will acquire very little expansion upon impact, even when hitting a surface much more dense than soft tissue and thin bone.
However, if a non-military soft point bullet was used it would expand considerably more than .452 with the little resistance presented by the soft tissue in Kermit’s head.
The size of the wound in regard to the stated suicide weapon is questionable unless civilian ammunition was used, a type which is outlawed for military use and one which is unlikely that Kermit had access. So why such an extensive wound channel? Additionally, no mention is made of any gun residue which should have been in profusion within Kermit’s mouth and within the wound channel, and why and how was the autopsy report completed a mere three and a half hours following his stated death?
Death Certificate:
The Territory of Alaska Death Certificate lists the name entry for the deceased’s father and mother as “Unknown” despite the form requiring “Every item, carefully supplied.” Clearly, as Kermit was the ex-President’s son, the sitting President’s cousin and a national figure in his own right, why was his parentage listed as “unknown?”
Synopsis Report of the Official Investigation:
On June 4 an official investigation of the cause(s) of Kermit’s death began and included the testimony taken from witnesses by Claims Officer Colonel Morris R. Moore who was ordered to head the investigation through the Inspector General’s Office.
Curiously, the investigation report places the time of death at approximately 8 AM, which is in conflict with the autopsy report statement of 11:30 AM. The findings of the investigation were as follows:
“Although intoxication was a contributing cause it was not the proximate cause. At the time of and just prior to his death the deceased was suffering from an abnormal mental condition which was caused by worry over ill health and the frustration of his desire for active field duties, which rendered him not susceptible to ordinary human motives or appreciations of right or wrong and incapable of the normal control of his actions, and is considered to be as a result of military service.”
According to the synopsis of testimony prepared by Moore, at 12:40 PM on June 4, the body of Kermit was found on his bed;
“All evidence indicated that he had shot himself with a .45 caliber automatic pistol which was clasped in his hands at the time the body was found. There were no indications of foul play or that there had been a struggle in the room or that robbery was a motive as no valuables had been taken.”
The testimony synopsis went on to state:
“Due to worry over his physical condition and the fact that he was to be deprived of the opportunity to perform active field duties, the deceased at the time of and immediately prior to his death became mentally unbalanced to such an extent as to not realize the direct physical or moral consequence of his acts or having such realization was unable to refrain there from because of the derangement of the reasoning or volitionary faculties.
There were no facts available to the investigating officer from which to determine if the unsound mental condition existed prior to his entry into the service.”
Nothing in Kermit’s medical reports for the year leading up to his death indicate any mental problems. Despite his multiple hospital stays, no psychological examination was administered. Additionally, the findings of the official investigation including the motive for his death were written by a claims officer, not a medical doctor. During the investigation, a number of sworn witnesses testified to his mental stability as being normal in conflict with the official version with two exceptions (see Witness Testimony).
The Medical Report
Although the report was signed on June 5, only one day following the death and one day after the autopsy, the report states the caliber of the weapon was unknown despite the large size hole and the immediate opinion of the officers (including doctors) who found the body and who investigated the death scene immediately after the discovery; all who claimed the caliber was .45.
The autopsy report claims the death occurred at 11:30 AM. Testimony of the investigating officers (including the official report) claim the death was at 8:00 AM- a three and a half hour discrepancy. One investigating officer, 1st Lt. Gordon D. Skeoch, a doctor who was Chief of Out Patients at the post hospital investigated the body shortly after 1:00 PM and stated: “The body was cold with considerable rigor mortis giving evidence of having been dead several hours.” Rigor mortis characteristically begins about three hours following death. If the body was investigated by a doctor a mere hour and a half following the autopsy report of death at 11:30, why was the body cold with rigor mortis and why did others claim (including the official report) the death was at 8:00 AM in conflict with the autopsy report?
On June 9, five days following the death, a Captain R. S. Aronson, Chief of Laboratory Services at Barnes General Hospital in Vancouver notified Fort Richardson with a request for data: “If an autopsy was done, we shall be, of course, greatly interested in receiving autopsy material for histologic examination in accordance with existing regulations.” When not receiving the report by November 13, five months later, Aronson sent another letter to the 183rd Station Hospital in Fort Richardson requesting: “…two copies of a statement indicating the decision of the investigating officer as to the gunshot wound being accidental, suicidal or homicidal.”
It appears that there was a considerable delay in following established protocol in defining the details of Kermit’s death to the authorized officials in Vancouver. Why a delay?
Provost Marshal report:
On June 4 the Fort Richardson Provost Marshal, Major Edmund Meagher produced a two-page report on the initial findings. In the report he states the death was by a .45 caliber bullet that was found:
“in the pillow under his (Kermit’s) head. A single ejected shell was found under the bureau about eight feet away. A Caliber 45, Model 1911 Colt service pistol, No. 95112 was found on his chest, mu
zzle pointing toward his chin. His right thumb was placed near the trigger. The fingers of the right hand were over the rear of the butt. The left hand was clasped over the barrel. The left thumb, which was near the ejection slot was stained with what is believed to be gunpowder.”
This report raises questions and considerable doubt on the feasibility of his statements. The assertion that his body was discovered with the pistol in his hands and the manner in which the report claims that the body grasped it is totally improbable and raises questions as to who actually fired the piece:
#1 - A .45 caliber 1911 pistol is a very powerful handgun with a considerable recoil.
The gun generates 7.9 foot pounds of energy with a recoil velocity of 15 feet per second. A 30-30 hunting rifle is only slightly above in energy with 10.6 foot pounds and 9.5 feet per second in recoil velocity. The .45 has a recoil operated slide such that when fired, the slide will instantly slam rearward, ejecting the spent shell and then strip a fresh round of ammunition from the magazine into the chamber on its forward, spring actuated motion. This action releases much energy, such that many people find the pistol difficult to use. One reason the American military discontinued its use as the standard service sidearm in the 1980s, selecting the 9 millimeter instead is due to the recoil being less violent, hence more accurate bullet placement.
If Kermit used this weapon for suicide, would he still be clutching the weapon in the manner stated? Or more probably would the recoil energy have displaced the piece and been thrown out of his hands?
The author believes that considering the foregoing, he would no longer be grasping the gun post mortem in the manner (officially stated) as when he initially fired the weapon.
Furthermore, the report states the left thumb was located near the ejection slot with a possible gunpowder stain. If clutching the gun as described, his thumb probably would not be near the ejection slot. A test of the same type of pistol by the author indicated the ejection slot on the .45 does not emit any gunpowder residue.
#2 - The various reports of the inquiry (as stated earlier) conflict as to which hand was missing his thumb.
Available photographs of Kermit show his left hand containing a full thumb. In fact one photo where he is sitting down indicates a perhaps vainful attempt to consciously conceal his right hand below a table he is sitting near in the picture . The service .45 contains, as a safety feature, a grip safety along the back of the pistol’s handle that requires the shooter to squeeze the gun’s grip as he pulls the trigger. With a part (or all) of his thumb missing, this could/would indeed make firing the gun in the stated manner difficult but perhaps not impossible.
#3 - The report claims the spent bullet was found in the pillow below his head. In testimony by another officer at the scene, the bullet was found on the pillow. In either case, finding the bullet so close to the body is improbable.
The .45 caliber, military ball ammunition will penetrate between 27 and 29 inches of ballistic gelatin. This bullet, supposedly penetrating only a few inches of soft tissue and a human skull (with an average thickness of only a quarter inch) would probably penetrate the two pillows, the bed, and possibly the wall behind the bed and perhaps other surfaces beyond the wall before expending all of its energy. Hence, the travel distance would be considerably longer than a few inches.
#4 - The left thumb was stained with what appeared to be gunpowder according to the report. There is no mention if the residue was analyzed to determine just what it was. Perhaps dirt from Kermit’s rambling around drunk the night before, if he was in fact drunk? For the gun to be fired as stated with the bullet’s trajectory angling up into his pallet and skull, he probably would have to be holding the gun upside down and angled into his mouth.
Interestingly, nothing is mentioned in either the autopsy report or the investigation of any powder burns or residue on the inside of Kermit’s mouth where it surely would be deposited in profusion if the gun muzzle was close by when fired. Considering the recoil of the .45, if the muzzle was in his mouth, the gun would no doubt have dislocated his front teeth. Even if close to his mouth, the muzzle blast would have a high probability of displacing his teeth. No mention is made in the autopsy of any dislocated teeth.
#5 - In his report the Provost Marshall mentions that on a visit to Kermit’s room the night of June 3 at 7:10 PM a Lt. Collins said he “observed a bloody footprint in the middle of the floor and a spot on the pillow. It is assumed that the Major had suffered a hemorrhage.”
During sworn testimony Collins did not mention this nor did the Provost Marshall mention this in his testimony or state if the footprint remained the next day following discovery of the body.
No mention is made of any effort to analyze the footprint, if it existed, to see if it conforms to Kermit’s shoe size or any analysis of the blood.
#6 - The report states Kermit visited a civilian friend, Mr. Zack Loussac, off base the night before his death and that Loussac called a cab for an intoxicated Kermit and sent him home sometime after midnight. Loussac mentions nothing of this in his sworn testimony. Nor is he questioned about this.
Official Investigation:
The formal investigation of the suicide lasted four days and included the testimony of fifteen military personnel and two civilians. Seven “exhibits” were included: two letters, one transmitting the report, the other the report of death; the witness testimony; synopsis of testimony; a medical form; autopsy report; duty status certificate and assignment certificate.
Witness Testimony:[27]*
Similar to the other aspects of the investigation, the paneling of witnesses was conducted in a slipshod manner. Important questions were not asked and conflicts in testimony surfaced which were not challenged. For example: Contrary to the report implying Kermit’s mind was imbalanced, much testimony found no indication that he was not in full control of his actions. Additionally, testimony relating to his supposedly drunk condition on the morning of his death conflicts.
Z. J. Loussac (civilian friend)-
Q. “State what acquaintance you have had with him?”
A. “I first met Major Kermit Roosevelt about seven years ago when he was hunting in Alaska, and renewed our acquaintance about a year ago when he was sent here with the Armed forces. During the last year I have seen him on many occasions at my apartment as well as at the different homes in Anchorage. Upon his return from the Barnes Hospital he came up to my apartment. He was apparently in good spirits and fully recovered from his recent Illness. He seemed to be quite happy over a new assignment he expected.”
Q. “What would you say as to his mental condition and do you know whether he used intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs and if so, to what extent?”
A. “I know he did not use drugs. Before Major Roosevelt went to the hospital I saw him refuse to drink on many occasions either before or after dinner. After he came back and just recently, although he appeared to be perfectly sound mentally he was apparently brooding and I think he was drinking somewhat. I asked him why he was drinking and he said he thought it would help him to sleep.”
Q. “Did you notice a bruise or dark spot on his cheek and if so state if you know what caused it?”
A. “Yes I noticed that on Wednesday and asked him what caused it and he said he stumbled against the closet.”
Author Analysis
This line of questioning does not jibe with the following testimony of the cabdriver, John Johnson, who supposedly shuttled Kermit from Loussac’s residence on the morning of his death. Also, no mention of the bruised cheek is followed-up anywhere in the report. No mention is made in the inquiry (or in any record) of just what new assignment was expected by Kermit nor any indication of Kermit’s possible mental illness by Loussac.
John Johnson (driver for Special Cab in Anchorage)
Q. “Did you bring an officer from Anchorage to Ft. Richardson, Alaska, the morning of Friday, June 4, 1943?”
A. “Yes. Mr. Loussac called and told me that he had a Major he wanted ta
ken to Camp but he didn’t tell me his name.”
Q. “Just where did you pick this Major up?”
A. “In the Loussac apartments, on the second floor, in a closet. He had one shoe and his coat off.”
Q. “What was the officer’s condition when you picked him up?”
A. “He was so drunk he could hardly walk. Mr. Loussac and I had to help him from the 2nd floor of the Loussac Building to the cab.”
Q. “Was the Major able to talk?”
A. “Yes. The only thing he said to me was to ask how much he owed me.”
Q. Did he appear to be just intoxicated, out of his mind, or just how did he act?”
A. “He acted serious but evidently knew what he was doing. But he was too drunk to walk.”
Author Analysis
Loussac was not questioned in a follow-up testimony about this visit from Kermit on the morning of his death, helping him to the cab or his being too drunk to walk, and Loussac neglected to mention any of this. Wouldn’t he have volunteered this important information if Kermit was too drunk to walk? Why didn’t Moore follow-up with additional questioning of Loussac considering the conflicting testimony of Johnson?
Major Phillip H. Hoff, Inf, ADC, Censor
Q. “Will you state what you know about the facts and circumstances surrounding his death including the dates etc.?”
A. “Major Kermit Roosevelt was assigned as Assistant, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Alaska Defence Command, by General Order number 90, dated May 28, 1943. His duties included procuring, compiling and recording information for the ‘Alaska Digest.’ Such duties necessitated pursuit of information work.