Soldiers' Remains Mishandled

Details from newly released investigations reveal gross mismanagement of the remains of American servicemembers, including lost body parts and dismemberment without familial consent.

The incidents took place at the Port Mortuary in Dover, Delaware, the arrival spot for American soldiers’ killed overseas. A statement from the U.S. Office Of Special Counsel details a litany of alleged missteps from mortuary personnel, including losing three body parts in two incidents, removing a soldier’s arm and placing it into a pant leg in order to fit the remains into a uniform and, in five instances, shipping military families’ fetal remains in plastic pails and used cardboard boxes.

Allegations of misconduct were investigated by both the Air Force, the military branch that oversees the mortuary, and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Although the investigation led to a change in practices and disciplinary action against two civilian personnel and one military officer, the Office of Special Counsel maintains that the U.S. Air Force has inappropriately downplayed wrongdoing on their end. 

For instance, the Air Force maintained that there was no existing guidelines requiring permission from the soldier’s family to remove the arm nor was a specific carrying case needed for the families’ fetal remains.

In a press conference, General Norton Schwartz, the Chief of Staff for the Air Force, acknowledged that treatment of the remains fell short of “the standard of perfection,” but reaffirmed the Force’s explanations.

“We believed we rendered reasonable and balanced conclusions,” Schwartz said.

The General added that responsibility for the matter ultimately falls on himself and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley.

In response to the new reports, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has announced that former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona will spearhead an independent review of current operations at the mortuary.

The Dover mortuary is the largest morgue overseen by the Department of Defense. It contains a staff of approximately 80 comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel.

The families of the servicemen in each of the incidents were notified of the investigation over the weekend.