The Roswell Report: Case Closed

Fig 28. Capt. Dan D. Fulgham at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio several days after the balloon accident with a "traumatic hematoma" on his forehead. This photo shows Fulgham after blood had been aspirated from under his scalp and a substantial amount of swelling had dissipated. Concerns that Fulgham's odd appearance might startle uninformed persons was why he was returned to Wright-Patterson AFB aboard a specially arranged flight from Holloman AFB, N.M. (photo collection of Dan D. Fulgham)

When the balloon gondola struck Fulgham's head, he received, according to his clinical record from May 21, 1959, an "Extensive hematoma forehead and ant [anterior] scalp." $ ^{229} $ A hematoma is a localized blood-filled swelling, that in this instance was on the forehead. The hematoma resulted in immediate facial swelling, two black eyes and later caused his skin to turn yellow. $ ^{230} $

The rapid onset of the swelling caused both of Fulgham's eyes to close. As it progressed, according to Kittinger who accompanied Fulgham at the hospital, "His whole face had swollen up and his nose barely protruded." $ ^{231} $ This appearance lead Kittinger to characterize Fulgham's appearance at the time as "just a big blob" and "grotesque." $ ^{232} $

When interviewed, Fulgham remembered that even though he didn't feel bad, "I didn't know how bad I looked." There was no attempt to hide or limit Fulgham's exposure to persons in the hospital that day. In fact, when he arrived at the hospital Fulgham recalled that he stopped outside the building to smoke a cigarette. Kaufman also recalled that the injured pilots, Fulgham and Kittinger, waited for treatment on a bench in the hallway of the hospital. Kaufman added that a number of military wives were present in the hospital that day for prenatal care, and there was no effort to keep Fulgham from their view. $ ^{233} $