Human Radiation Research at Womack Army Medical Center, 1944-1974

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L DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY MEMORANDUM FOR Chief, Clinical Investigation Regulatory Office, AMEDD Center & School, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 SUBJECT: Human Radiation Research at Womack Army Medical Center, 1. At the direction of the Chief, Clinical Investigation Regulatory Office, I conducted a search for any evidence of Human Subject Research involving ionizing radiation during the period 1944-1974. This document details the actions that I took and the persons that I contacted as I searched thoroughly for any evidence of this research. 2. The following offices were contacted, with the POC and results a. I reviewed the hospital historical files for any evidence of radiation research. My review confirms the Adjutant's report (1LT Walters) that there are no annual reports present in the hospital files prior to 1981. Similarly, there is no evidence of organized research activity during the period in question. has no record of hospital historical reports, annual reports or research studies retired through the publications section. c. Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security for Womack Army Medical Center (LTC Kirchmar) has no record of historical or annual reports for the hospital prior to 1981. d. The Radiation Protection Office (CPT Dudevoir) has documents dating back only to 1376. There is no evidence of organized research activity involving ionizing radiation to that e. All Department Chiefs were asked to look for evidence of research involving ionizing radiation. No department reported evidence of such research for the period in question. f. The hospital Public Affairs Officer (Mrs. Tippy) has no evidence of radiation research during the period in question. Similarly, the 18th ABN Corps Public Affairs Office (Mr. Saxton) has no evidence of research during that period.

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SUBJECT: Human Radiation Research at Womack Army Medical Center, g. The 18th ABN Corps Historian (SGT Belew) has no record of radiation research during the period in question. This was confirmed by a telephone call to the FORSCOM Historian's office. 3 . To summarize, this search for the use of ionizing radiation in human subject research during the period 1944-1974 yielded no evidence of organized research activity. Because many of the records have been formally retired (or may have been lost) for that period, I cannot be absolutely certain that such research did not take place. I an, however, certain that documentation of that research does not exist within the control of Womack Army Medical Center at the present time. POC is the undersigned at (910) 4 3 2 - Director, Clinical Investigation