Death Memorial

Richard Thomas Davis
“He was murdered on July 15 2003 upon return from Iraq. He had witnessed His Battalion Commander murder two Iraq prisoners that he was watching. They had my son murdered to keep him quiet. After all they didn’t want Bush, Chaney and Rumsfield to get embarrassed about a war crime.”
Lanny Davis, father

Death Memorial

Our son, PFC Jason Pirro, wanted to provide a better life for his wife and daughter. He wanted to honor his Country. He wanted to be a Marine. Jason joined the Marines in November of 2003 and left for boot camp at Parris Island, SC in January of 2004. Shortly thereafter, he found out that his wife was pregnant with their second child. Our son finished basic training and completed his Crucibles with a broken foot.

In May 2004, Jason went to Camp Geiger’s School of Infantry in North Carolina. On July 9, 2004, Jason called home to ask about an old car we had and said that even if he had to work two jobs, he couldn’t wait to get out of “this hell hole.” On the 14th of July at approximately 10 p.m., Jason talked to his wife, Christina. He told her that he loved her and would call in a couple of days to let her know what was going on. Jason had also talked to a couple of his friends and had several jobs waiting for him when he got home.

On July 15, 2004, three Marines came to our door. They told us that Jason was found hanging in the barracks. They would not answer any of our questions. They told us that there would be an investigation into his death. We were told that upon the completion of the investigation, someone from the Military would sit down with us and go over the findings of the investigation. That never happened.

On July 18, 2004, the Marines had a memorial service for Jason at Camp Geiger. During the service, the clergy stated that PFC Jason Pirro committed suicide. Our family was not notified of any press release, nor were we notified when the investigation was completed. We have not seen any member of the Marines or other Military personnel since the initial interview with NCIS in October 2004.
We have never been officially notified that the investigation into my son’s death was closed. As of this date, we have not received his “dog tags.”

Over the last two and a half years, I have not had much cooperation from the Military. We have tracked down several Marines who knew Jason and agree that he did not commit suicide. A couple of Jason’s fellow Marines believe, as we do, that he was murdered.
We have been requesting as much information as we can from the Military under the Freedom of Information Act. Although we did receive some information, there are a lot of missing documents and photographs.

We have been in touch with our representatives in Congress for help in getting the investigation reopened. As of this date, we have heard nothing. We are being ignored by our Military and our Government.

The Military says our son committed suicide. We strongly disagree with their opinion, but they will not take the time or effort to meet with us or even talk to us. The documents that we have received and the photographs of the death scene (which arrived on Mother’s Day weekend in May 2006) show enough discrepancies to back our belief that PFC Jason Pirro was murdered while stationed at Camp Geiger, NC.

PFC Jason Pirro loved his family. His daughters have been deprived of a loving and caring father. His wife has lost her best friend, companion and the man she loved. We have lost our son. PFC Jason Pirro has lost his future.

We want the Marines who did this to our son to be brought to justice and to take responsibility for their actions. We want justice for PFC Jason Pirro.

Are you willing to help us? If you can help us right this wrong, please contact us through this website.

Gary and Vicki Van Horn
Link to blog: Justice for Jason Pirro
If you have any information about this case, contact the Van Horns through this website.

Death Memorial

As we heard of our son’s death:

Our 26 year old son, Sgt. Benjamin Thomas Griego, was found dead in Army housing at White Sands Missile Range on July 13, 2007. He was serving our country as Cadre, on his second term enlistment, representing the New Mexico Army National Guard. His duty involved training military branches of service for transition to a Warrior Transition course previously transferred to Dona Ana Range from Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

When we first heard of our son’s death, there was no official report released from the Army National Guard to his wife or to us, his parents. The information we received early that morning on July 13th, was that our son had died. The information was received from the public through their phone calls and visits of sympathy and condolences.

As we tried to make sense of this, we brushed it off as gossip since the rumor had come from a Wal-Mart employee. Later, we learned that it had been channeled down from a sergeant on post at White Sands Missile Range to a family member employed at the local Wal-Mart in Clovis, NM. That in itself was devastating and shocking to find this out in this manner. We were on the phone early that morning frantically trying to make contact with someone from the White Sands Missile Range and the Army National Guard in Santa Fe, NM who would put these rumors to rest. But to my disbelief, we were notified hours later that the worst had turned out to be true, our beloved son was gone.
Jeronimo, Ben’s father, was the last person to speak to Ben just hours before his death. He had made his father promise that he would call him while he was on the range the next day. We had made plans with Ben to pick up his father at the airport in El Paso, TX Monday, July 16^th after duty. His itemized phone statement showed two phone calls were made to housing on base that evening. We believe that he was trying to make accommodations for his father’s visit.

Ben was 26 years old, and the youngest of my three sons. He kept close contact with us. We spoke to him every day, we knew our son, and nothing was out of the ordinary the day prior. Everything was going well for him, except for altercations he had been having with three unit members who had recently returned from Iraq. A DVD was given to us by his commander on the night of the Rosary, July 19^th , which clearly demonstrates that problems existed.

My son presented a formal class on “Integrity”, ordered by the commander. The commander, first sergeant, and unit members were present. The class was recorded on a DVD. Some of the unit members admitted to “bum rushing” Ben before he presented the class. On the same DVD, a death threat was made. This was three weeks prior to his death. The unit members admitted to bum rushing him and the commanding officer, the highest commanding officer present, asked if it was “round two”. She was well aware what was going on.

Criminal Investigation Division
Our experience with the CID is that they were quick to close his case, claiming self-infliction and filling in the blanks without thoroughly investigating claims. We, his family, had real concerns and questions and presented concrete evidence. The CID Senior Agent from El Paso, Texas seemed too bothered to return phone calls and delayed and rescheduled meeting after meeting. That went on for months. The CID Agent scheduled a meeting in November, 2007 and finally met with us in March, 2008.

We could not and do not understand why the CID did not keep or know the whereabouts of Ben’s blood stained clothes he wore the night of his death. They were not aware that the Ft. Bliss Casualty office had picked up and washed the clothes, and made sure to destroy evidence in an on-going investigation. Even to this day some blood stains still remain.

We discovered, through emails from a NM Representative (now Senator) in February 2009, that the CID closed my son’s case in October 12, 2008. No official notification was given to the family about the case being closed. How do they not think that this does not warrant personal and public outrage? We are still in contact with the state representatives and senators in the hope of getting some support from them.

Autopsy Report
The original autopsy report was written exactly the way we heard it from the men in his unit. These were the men who were with him the night he died; the men with whom our son had altercations; the men who admitted to bum rushing Ben on the DVD; the men who had threatened him, as recorded on
the DVD, and the men who served as honor guards in burying our son. They made our son sound like he was a drunk, pulling pranks, and that he premeditated his death by giving a key to his roommate that night, but in fact the roommate had a key months prior to his death.

The original autopsy report, which had erroneous entries of race and weight, and another report with
testimony from the members who we suspected of killing him, became final legal documents. We question why they would make these entries when the final report of the investigation had not been completed or finalized.

In the original autopsy report, physical evidence was noted: a singed eyebrow, cut index finger, split
lip, and the examiner claimed his hyoid bone was intact. After having an independent second autopsy report completed, we are told that his hyoid bone is missing. We, Ben’s family, request to have the hyoid bone returned; this clearly belongs with my son’s remains. Why would the Army Examiner remove my son’s hyoid bone, and keep it without notifying the family? According the Pathologist from the Department of the Army, they kept it for evidence. The family asks, “evidence of what? Is it broken and the cause of death strangulation?”

Lastly
Every day we feel the void that my family experiences in their daily lives, as I see it in them and they
see it in us.

We have read many other stories of other soldiers’ questionable deaths and it saddens us that we share the same grief, emptiness, and alienation from what has taken place with our children in the military. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. God Bless.

Judy & Jeronimo
Griego

Link to interview: Even More Suspicious Non-combat Deaths
If you know anything about this case, contact the Griegos through this website.

Death Memorial

Nicholas Davis

Nicholas signed up for the Army on June 24, 2003 through the Delayed Entry Program when he was 17 years old. On January 20, 2004, in the middle of his senior year, he left for basic training. He was the youngest one in his platoon; (Ruff Ryder, A. Co. 1 – 19th INF, ITB, 9075 Holcomb Dr., Ft. Benning, GA 31905) he excelled at PT and was asked to help those soldiers who couldn’t keep up. Nicholas entered Jump School at Ft. Benning on May 10th. On May 25th his parachute failed and he fell 1250 feet. Amazingly, he did not die; however, his left ankle was severely injured, resulting in surgery and permanent damage.

Ironically, his parachute and gear were missing when his father inquired about it the next day.

Despite his injured status, Nick was sent to Fort Wainwright, Alaska in July 2004. We, as parents, wondered who ordered that? How did he pass a physical to go? What was the plan for him when he got there? Nicholas was just 18 years and one month old at the time and had no counseling regarding the parachute accident and possible post traumatic stress.

When Nick arrived in Alaska he was in an air-cast and on crutches. It is my belief that this is when he began enduring abuse from his sergeants and others in his platoon. This unit was preparing to deploy to Iraq and Nick, who was still holding a Ranger status, was not fit for battle or even for regular duty. He held odd jobs within his unit for a while and then with the permission of someone on Ft. Wainwright, enrolled in The University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

His reassignment of barracks seemed fishy to me. They moved him across base where he would have to travel to get to the mess hall. I remember him talking about how hard it was for him to get around, how those who were assigned to give him rides and help him out were not doing well by him. I remember talking about for us (me, Nick’s father and his Aunt Becky in the Navy) the military was like a family; we took care of each other. But it wasn’t like that for Nick.

The sergeants and fellow soldiers in A Co., 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Ft. Wainwright, AK began tormenting and threatening one of their own. A portion of his unit even paid a visit to one of Nick’s friends from college, threatening to beat him up if he did not stop associating with Nick. He was an injured, isolated soldier who wanted to serve his country however he could. He would have done anything in his power to remain one of the elite. But he was no good to his unit and they saw him as an easy target. He feared for his life several times. It became hell for him and Nicholas saw no way to survive other than to leave.

Nick went AWOL for the month of February 2005. He was set up by an acquaintance and caught by his company commander and the MP’s. It was reported to me that he was not taken in easily. The MP’s turned their backs while the unit beat him up. It was soon after this that Nicholas attempted suicide. I’ve been told that the mental ward was where my son felt safe. After a couple of weeks he was returned to his unit. In April he left again, this time flying to his home town in West Virginia. He stayed with some friends, got a job and enrolled in college. But Nick was a patriot and knew the commitment he had made. He decided to return to the Army, hoping that he would not be sent back to his unit in Alaska.

He was taken to the US Army Personnel Control Facility (PCF), US Army Armor Center, Ft. Knox, KY. The day he arrived. near the end of May, he signed paperwork for a dishonorable discharge in lieu of a court martial. Somehow, the abuse he suffered in Alaska found him at Ft. Knox. On June 15th he was admitted to a hospital in Radcliff, KY for another suicide attempt. Again, he chose the safety of the mental ward. On June 27th his discharge was approved. Nick was released from the hospital on July 12th. He made arrangements to go home on the 14th but he never made it. Nicholas was murdered in the latrine and hung on the back of a latrine door in the 7pm hour of July 13, 2005.

My son was a young soldier who should have been protected and mentored by anyone his senior. He was an eager learner with desires to help people. After the parachute accident he somehow slipped through the cracks of the system and all of a sudden no one knew what to do with him. One commander after another let him slide through without concern for his well-being.

---

Hundreds of suspicious deaths occur within our military branches each year. Our military kills their own soldiers to satisfy their needs.

Be careful: if you see too much,
they’ll kill you.

If you struggle with something,
they will kill you.
If you ask the
wrong questions,
they’ll kill you.
If you are in the wrong
place…
even simply by chance…
they will kill you.

You are not protected by the government you serve. The people who “stand behind you” are the ones who will stab you in the back. They will give the order to have you killed.

Kim Slapak-Smith

If you have any information about this case, please contact me through this website.

Death Memorial

Justin Garza was born June 1, 1981 in Taft, Texas. He was the youngest of four boys born to Teri Garza (currently Teri Smith).

Justin was called Jon by his family and close friends. As the youngest, Jon had to learn how to be tough at a very young age, which, of course, he did and excelled at. Jon was a truly intelligent boy. As he grew up we knew he had an intelligence all his own. He assisted his older brothers with their homework. His outstanding intelligence caused him to get bored with what was handed him while he was going to school. He was never truly challenged enough. That is why he did homework for his older brothers. Jon decided school was not for him and he got in trouble for disrespect and was suspended a few times. I had to change his school. At this time Jon was about sixteen. Jon and I decided to remove him from public school when he was in his teens. Jon could not figure out what to do with himself, so being a single mother at the time, I decided what I thought was best for him. I sent him to a type of boot camp in Aberdeen, Maryland. I believe he lasted three days and decided it was not for him. As this was a voluntary school, I was called to come and pick him up. Once home, Jon found a full-time job and enrolled at our local college and received his G.E.D.

Jon joined he Army at the age of twenty. Once he completed basic and AIT, he was stationed in Ansbach, Germany for, I believe, about three years. During this time, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at the age of twenty-one. While there, Jon earned an AAM. This deployment turned out to be very difficult for Jon in more ways than I will ever know. Jon had to kill his first person. It was kill or be killed. To this day, I do not believe Jon ever got over this and suffered deeply within himself. He thought of himself as a monster.

Jon returned to Iraq again in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment he was injured, not seriously, but enough to leave another scar on such a young man. I was never informed that he was injured and when we finally talked about it all, Jon told me that I was not to be notified when he was injured, only when he died (which, of course, is another story in itself). All in all, Jon was deployed six times in seven years — too much for such a young person.
Jon earned the following awards/medals while enlisted in the Army:

• two Army Achievement Medals
• two Army Commendation Medals
• two Army Good Conduct Medals
• National Defense Service Medal
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon (a few)
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Iraqi Campaign Medal
• Driver’s Badge
• He attended the Preliminary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course
• Two foreign awards
• Polish Award
• Award from Holland for his 100 mile march in uniform and 45lb rucksack
• Competed in the German marksman competition
• Received the German sportsman badge
• Operation Victory Strike

As you can tell, my son worked hard for the Army (Alpha Braves) and gave all he had to give. He gave the Alpha Braves his blood, sweat, tears. He gave his all for them.

Now let’s talk about why I am writing this: My son committed suicide on July 11, 2009. I feel that the Army let my son down and that when he needed them the most, they were not there for him. All I can do is lay out the facts as I know them and hope that I save one soldier, one mother from going through the awful pain and grieving that Jon’s three brothers, extended family, friends, and I are going through.

I need to take us all back a few years and try to begin the story of Jon’s ending. As stated earlier, Jon’s first deployment to Iraq was when he was twenty-one. How traumatic could that have been? Not only did he see what he saw and went through what he went through — he actually had to decide to kill another person, which is totally against all he knew. When Jon came home from Iraq, he came straight home to see me. I can say that he had no counseling. He was just sent home and sent on leave to deal the best way he could. I can tell you it had an impact on my son. It took him quite awhile to readjust to live in the States. He did not talk much about this experience as he knew I could never relate to what he saw or went through. I spent about a week or so with my son and could tell that he was different, but I had no idea how to talk to him or how to help him through this.

Jon deployed numerous times while in Germany. He supported Operation Victory Strike II in Poland. While there he was the American liaison to the Polish Army. He deployed to Normandy, France, to host the 60th Anniversary of D-Day and also went to Holland to compete in a 100 mile, four-day rucksack march.

During the years, Jon would talk about how he wanted to volunteer to go back overseas. He said he felt more comfortable there and I believed him. It was hard for him here in the States, trying to defend all that was going on and yet not being able to discuss it with his friends or family. Soon, the only friends he had were his Army buddies. Yes, we still talked and emailed, but it was never the same as before his first deployment to Iraq. He started coming home to visit less and less, always saying he was bus and had to be there for his unit. At that time, I know I lost my baby and did not know how to get him back, how to be close to him like we were before. He did come home for a few holidays, special occasions, and a family vacation, but it would be few and far between. We did get him home for, I believe, two Christmas’ in a row. It think it was easier for him to talk to us on the phone and email than to see us face to face, as we could then see his depression and desperation.
Please excuse the long background. I want everyone to know who my son was before the Army and while in the Army. He loved the Army and excelled in all that he did for the Army. I have reviewed all the military records I have and can tell you my son got written up for the excellence and motivation he showed in his work and all that he brought out in his soldiers as well. He felt most at home with the Alpha Braves; he loved them and worked as hard as he could to be worthy of them.
My son got reassigned to Ft. Gordon, Georgia in March of 2009. He, for whatever reason, could not settle in. He felt alone and abandoned there. He felt like he just did not fit in, but during this time he again gave 100% to his training and to Ft. Gordon. For whatever reason, looking at all his letters, emails, and talking to his buddies, I believe this was the beginning of the end for my son. I truly believe he had PTSD and will explain a little later.

The downhill started for my son in May 2009. On or around May 15, 2009, my son used his web cam and emailed and talked with a friend of his. During this conversation, he had letters strewn all over the floor and was talking about being a monster and wanting to stop the pain and commit suicide. His friend talked him out of it at that time, or at least so we thought. On May 22, 2009, my son wrecked his car in a suicide attempt and again he survived. At some point in June 2009 (the Army will not provide dates to me) my son went AWOL. He was tracked by his credit card receipts. He was headed to Texas and along the way he bought a shot gun and some alcohol and was in a hotel. Family and some of his Army buddies tried calling him all day, but he would not answer his phone. When one of his closest Army buddies got ahold of him, he told my son he would come to him. Instead, one of his superiors found him and took him to Metroplex Hospital in Killeen, Texas. From the records I found in my son’s car after his death, it looks like he only spent a few days at Metroplex and then was transferred to Darnall Army Hospital on the 19th of June. He hated Darnall (which he told his Uncle, Gary Garza.) It seemed Metroplex did more for him. He was in Darnall Army Hospital for about ten days. When Darnall released him, they released him with specific instructions, as follows:

24 hour adult supervision
Safeguard the home: make sure there is not access to any weapons, knives, medications, guns, or any other items that can be used in a harmful manner.
Discharge level: Acute Psychiatric
He was discharged on June 30, 2009 with adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotion and conduct. Depressed mood.

His first follow-up visit was scheduled for July 9, 2009. I have a message on his phone stating that there is a backup/mix up with counselors and if he does not hear anything by Monday the 14th to give a call. Well, he committed suicide on the 11th. There were also messages from a chaplain.

Okay, who was the “24 hour adult supervision” for my son? Who went to his house with him to ensure there were no weapons? He shot himself in the head. All his appointments were listed as “pending.” Again, why a delay in counseling and why no 24 hour supervision? When he was discharged from Darnall, Ft. Gordon did not want him. They realized he needed to back with the Alpha Braves. Well, Fort Hood had not processed him in, so again he was alone without a Unit, not able to be in formation or on base, so he was alone in an apartment all day with his thoughts. He was not receiving pay, as the Army still had him listed as AWOL. He could not pay his bills and had to borrow money from his Uncle Gary.

I was never informed of any of the above – that my son had an accident, that he was AWOL, or that he was suicidal. If I would have known, I wold have flown to be with him. The Army robbed me of a life with my son and at the very least a chance to see him again and tell him that I loved him. I did not get to say goodbye. My son filled out all the required paperwork and questionnaires tat Darnall Hospital gave him and knew the answers they were looking for. Why would you have someone counsel him who had never been through what my young son had gone through? How could they understand what he was feeling and how did they miss the PTSD? Hell, I could have counseled him! I, at least, knew my son and who he is/was and knew that he was pulling the wool over these people’s eyes.

Once we got the news of my son’s death (By the way, I was never formally notified that he passed away) we headed to Texas. We had to go through my son’s storage shed and car. In his car, I found numerous letters addressed to himself, to me, to his Unit, and to a friend. These letters were dated May 15, 2009 and he died on July 11, 2009. What the hell! Someone had to have noticed the change in him. My son was dating a girl and she was in Texas and my son’s best friend was a friend of hers. I have a very disturbing letter that he wrote and you can tell that PTSD had hit him strong. I am willing to share most of each one of these letters so that the Army and the general public can see how my son slipped through the cracks.

Believe it or not, this is just a general overview of all that took place. If you are interested in my son’s story, please contact me. My son asked in the letter to me and the letter he left on his laptop and to his best friend that his story be told. If this even saves one soldier and one mother from going through what I went through, then telling his story will be worth it. I will be my son’s voice for as long as I can and to whoever will listen to me.

Teri J. Smith, mother of SSgt. Justin Lee Garza
Video
Photos
You can contact Teri Smith through this website by clicking here.

Fort Bragg soldier's story shows why preventing military suicides is a 'frustrating challenge'

Fayetteville, N.C.— At 3:37 a.m. on May 19, Fort Bragg Pvt. Eric Watson sent a text message to his mother:

"I love you mom. I just can't take living anymore and I'm so sorry. I will always be with you."

Read the entire story here.

Army dismisses officer who killed soldier in Iraq friendly-fire incident

By Tom Jackman, Published: July 2The Washington Post

The officer who shot and killed Pfc. David H. Sharrett II of Oakton in a friendly-fire incident in Iraq in 2008 should be terminated from the Army and stripped of a combat badge he received for a battle he fled, leaving the mortally wounded Sharrett and four other soldiers behind, military officials have ruled.

The move was revealed on the eve of what would have been Sharrett’s 32nd birthday, and was the result of four years of investigating and agitating by his father, David Sharrett Sr. , a retired English teacher at Langley and Chantilly high schools in Fairfax County.

Read the entire story here.

Death Memorial

Spc. Morganne McBeth
January 22, 1991 – July 2, 2010

Death Memorial

My name is Lisa Parris, I currently live in rural Montana. I lost my only child, my son Jesse Bartel, age 20, July 1, 2003. He was 17 when he enlisted right out of high school, induction date 9-11-2000. He did his basic training at Ft. Knox, AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and was stationed at Ft. Hood for his MOS D 52 Generator Mechanic, and some radar, 1/21 C Battery, Field Artillery,1st Cavalry Division. He was diagnosed as bi-polar, mismedicated, and took his life by hanging July 1, 2003, stateside. Although he had been on suicide watch the week before, the family never knew, the Army kept us shut out.

My son was born March 28, 1983 at 12:46 a.m. in Ardmore, Ok. He was a beautiful child inside and out. He was a good kid, a great young man with a bright future. He was loving, caring, compassionate, a good friend, and with his love or children, especially special needs, he would have been a great father when that time came.

He loved to play football, Tae Kwon Do, work on cars or motorcycles with his step dad, physical things. He loved his grandparents very much, he actually lived with them during his high school days-they had better school district and I was working many hours and my husband (Viet Nam Vet combat, disabled, decorated) was having multiple surgeries due to injuries sustained during his service. I was unable to keep everything in order, and the school district we lived in was riddled with gangs and drugs. It was not a good situation. It was a very difficult decision to let him go, but it was best for him. We remained very close and he was happy he could go to a school without problems. He was also very happy to spend time with his grandparents.

He wanted a college education, he had a football scholarship but lost it when he injured his knee and ankle, and we couldn’t afford his education. He admired his step dad, he was 101st, SF, MI, and thought that would be a good way to do 2 things at once-serve his country and earn a college education. He had so many plans for after college, and we hoped he would settle down by 28 or so and make a family. He never married (he was only 20!), therefore left no children of his own, no grandchildren for us. He was like a big brother to all his cousins, he loved them so much. They were devastated when he passed, they were young at the time.

I miss my son more than words can describe. My husband and I have been married 19 years, and we have holes in our hearts, a void that can not be fixed. It’s been almost 7 years, however found no help until last year with TAPS. It has actually reopened wounds I thought were buried deep enough. There were so many things that could have been done differently and it is our belief he would not have passed away in that manner. God may have called him Home, we just weren’t done with him yet.

Lisa Parris

If you know anything about this case, you can contact Lisa Parris through this website.

Marines release new plan to prevent sexual assault

WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps on Monday released a plan aimed at preventing sexual assault and holding offenders and commanders accountable, noting that “despite our efforts, we have been ineffective at addressing and eliminating sexual assault.”

The plan, signed by Commandant Gen. James Amos, addresses many of the issues that victims and victim advocates frequently highlight — including an undue focus on victims’ personal life and command climates that foster sexual harassment and discourage reporting. It outlines a three-part campaign plan with a goal of “true zero tolerance, effective sustainment, empowered reporting, effective deterrence, engaged leadership and evolved culture.”

Anu Bhagwati, a former Marine officer and current executive director of Service Women’s Action Network, said the plan shows that the Marine Corps “has finally caught up to where the rest of the DOD leadership is, which isn’t saying that much.”

Read the entire story here.

Panetta: Junior leaders can stop suicides

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Friday that preventing suicides is a foremost leadership responsibility shouldered by all commanders, but especially by junior leader, non-commissioned officers and petty officers with direct oversight over troops.

Calling suicide “the most frustrating challenge” of his position, Panetta said the Defense Department can create programs, conduct research and lead innovation in neuroscience, but leaders must tackle the issue “head on” because prevention falls to them.

“We will not tolerate actions that belittle, that haze, that ostracize any individual, particularly those who have made the decision to get help. Leadership throughout the department must make it understood that seeking help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness,” he said.

Read the entire story here.

Army Releases May 2012 Suicide Data

The Army released suicide data today for the month of May. During May, among active-duty soldiers, there were 16 potential suicides: four have been confirmed as suicides and 12 remain under investigation. For April, the Army reported 14 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of 15 potential suicides: four have been confirmed as suicides and 11 remain under investigation. For 2012, there have been 78 potential active-duty suicides: 42 have been confirmed as suicides and 36 remain under investigation. Updated active-duty suicide numbers for 2011: 165 (confirmed as suicides and no cases remain under investigation).

During May, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were nine potential suicides (two Army National Guard and seven Army Reserve): two have been confirmed as suicides and seven remain under investigation. For April, among that same group, the Army reported 13 potential suicides. Since the release of that report, three cases have been added for a total of 16 potential suicides (seven Army National Guard and nine Army Reserve): 11 have been confirmed as suicides and five remain under investigation. For 2012, there have been 46 potential not on active-duty suicides (26 Army National Guard and 20 Army Reserve): 33 have been confirmed as suicides and 13 remain under investigation. Not on active-duty suicide numbers for 2011: 118 (82 Army National Guard and 36 Army Reserve) confirmed as suicides and no cases remain under investigation.

In a May 10, 2012, memorandum titled "Suicide Prevention for Department of Defense Personnel," Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta stated, "Suicide prevention is first and foremost a leadership responsibility. To that end, leaders throughout the chain of command must actively promote a constructive climate that fosters cohesion and encourages individuals to reach out for help when needed. We must continue to fight to eliminate the stigma from those with post-traumatic stress and other mental-health issues. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and department personnel, both military and civilian, must show this strength or assist those in need of help."

Panetta ended his memorandum by stating, "As leaders of the department, ensuring the health and safety of our people is our most important responsibility. Working together, we can and will make a difference."

Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and pressing "1" for military members and veterans or by visiting their website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .

The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil .

Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf .

Suicide prevention training resources for soldiers, leaders, Department of the Army civilians, and family members can be accessed at: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials) .

Information about Military OneSource is located at http://www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the United States. Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.

Information about the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf .
The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil .
The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org , and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council site is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp .

Source:  DOD Announcement, verbatim

Glitch blocks funds for military suicide prevention

A legal technicality is preventing the Pentagon from spending millions of dollars set aside to curb suicides, even as suicide in the ranks is on the rise, a nonprofit advocacy group says.

The Pentagon has not spent much of some $8 million Congress has provided for suicide prevention because the funds are allocated only for “in-house,” or hospital, care — not education and outreach programs, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Read the entire story here.

DoD conference to address military suicides

“The goal of the conference is to provide basic information, research findings and share best practices in the realm of suicide prevention, different interventions, post-ventions and surveillance activities,” said Jackie Garrick, head of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

The Associated Press reported 154 suicides among active duty personnel as of June 3, nearly one a day for the year and 24 more than occurred between Jan. 1 to June 3, 2011.
Read the entire story here.

DoD cracks down on off-label drug use

A letter landed in Stan White’s mailbox in Cross Lanes, W.Va., in April.

It began: “On behalf of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces … I extend my sincerest and deepest sympathy for the loss of your sons.”

But the note wasn’t simply a condolence. The message from Air Force Lt. Gen. Brooks Bash informed White that U.S. Central Command had decided in March to remove the powerful antipsychotic drug Seroquel from its approved formulary list.

Under the new rules, CENTCOM doctors now must request a waiver if they write a prescription for Seroquel, also known as quetiapine.

The change is a small victory for White, who had already lost one son to combat and has sought restrictions on the drug he believes contributed to the death of a younger son.

Read the entire story here.

Suicides Eclipse Car Crashes as Top Non-Combat Cause of U.S. Troop Deaths

For years, motor-vehicle accidents have killed more U.S. troops than any other non-combat cause. There have been safe-driving campaigns on military posts since troops and transportation first got together. “Many military members are young, single, male, and high-school educated,” the Pentagon’s Medical Surveillance Monthly Report noted in March 2010. “These characteristics are associated with high risk of dying in motor vehicle crashes.”

That changed Wednesday, with the publication of the May issue of the same monthly report, which tracks trends in troops’ ailments and medical care. In the dry and clinical prose favored by the medical community, the report said that in each of the past two years, more troops have died at their own hands than in motor-vehicle accidents. “From 2005 to 2011, the proportion of deaths due to suicide increased sharply while the proportion due to transportation accidents generally decreased,” Wednesday’s study found. “As a result in 2010 and 2011, suicides accounted for more deaths of service members than transportation accidents.”

(MORE: U.S. Military Suicides in 2012: 155 Days, 154 Dead)

Read the entire article here.

Military Suicide Epidemic: More U.S. Soldiers Have Killed Themselves Than Died on Battlefield in 2012

Death Memorial

AIC Kelsey Sue Anderson

Suicides Among U.S. Troops Averaging One a Day in 2012

The 154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of the year far outdistance the U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan — about 50% more — according to Pentagon statistics obtained by the Associated Press.

The numbers reflect a military burdened with wartime demands from Iraq and Afghanistan that have taken a greater toll than foreseen a decade ago. The military also is struggling with increased sexual assaults, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and other misbehavior.

Because suicides had leveled off in 2010 and 2011, this year's upswing has caught some officials by surprise.

Read the entire story here.

Death Memorial

Sgt. James “Mac” McElroy, 30, of Petal, MS, died June 6, 2011 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Sgt. McElroy recently returned from his third tour in Afghanistan, serving with the Mississippi National Guard. He also served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps and in Iraq with the Mississippi National Guard. He was found dead in his barracks of suspected polypharmacy from prescription drugs.

My name is Alicia McElroy. I am the young widow of SSG James “Mac” McElroy.We have a 4 year old son.

My husband served in the Marines from 1998-2002. He served 1 tour of duty during that time. He moved to MS after the Marines and soon found himself longing to be part of the military again. In 2004, he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard. Right after he joined he learned he would be deploying to Iraq. He was in Iraq all of 2005 and it was a pretty rough deployment. They had several fatalities, many he was a witness to. He came home and remained active duty while working at Camp Shelby. He worked there until his 3rd deployment in 2010.

Right before he deployed Mac was hospitalized for accidentally taking too much medicine for a back spasm. The only reason the doctor admitted him to the hospital was because I requested he be admitted just to make sure he was ok. I didn’t want to take him home and something happen with our small child at home. While in the hospital a rep from Pine Grove which is a mental health treatment facility came and saw him and said he was fine. Mac came home from the hospital on Monday. His chain of command was aware of his hospitalization however they later denied any knowledge of it.
On Wednesday, Mac was a complete mess and told me he was taking himself to the hospital to get help. I couldn’t go with him because I had no one to watch our son. Once he was at the hospital they determined he needed to be admitted to Pine Grove. He was in Pine Grove until Sunday. During that time I was in contact with his chain of command and they were well aware of what was going on. They now deny any knowledge of him being in Pine Grove.

I was also told to tell Mac that he had a federal order to go to war and he better be at the unit on Friday. Mac reported to his unit as instructed and spoke directly to the company commander about being in Pine Grove and that he was fine now. Once again, the company commander denies this occurring! They left on Monday for Ft McCoy in Wisconsin.

Mac had been prescribed Depakote while in Pine Grove and he found out at Ft McCoy that you can’t deploy while taking that drug. Mac was instructed to not reveal that medication and that he should have me get it from a public pharmacy and send it to him in a care package!

While Mac was in Afghanistan he felt better so he quit taking the Depakote. Mac came home in Oct 2010 for R&R. For about the first week things were good. Our son was just starting to adjust to daddy being home when things took a turn for the worst. Mac became withdrawn, cried almost all the time, depressed, anxious, irritable, agitated, couldn’t sleep and was a “basket case.” He stayed in bed most of the day, not eating or drinking anything.

On Sun Nov 7, 2010 I went into the bedroom just to check on him as I did throughout the day and found him curled up in the sheets crying uncontrollably. I tried to comfort and console him but was unsuccessful. Finally he looked at me and said, “Please, help me.”

I immediately took him straight to Keesler AFB ER in Biloxi. Finally psych came and after assessing him, decided he needed to be admitted to the VA inpatient psych unit. His company commander was called in Afghanistan and informed of his condition. The commander stated that he was shocked because in Afghanistan Mac was a high performer, very reliable, better than most in the unit handling their duties. Mac seemed to be fine no matter what came his way.

He went on to say that Mac had a lot of responsibility but seemed to handle it very well as reported by Mac’s platoon sergeant. He was finally transferred in the early morning hours of Mon Nov 8, 2010. He stayed at the psych unit until Fri Nov 12, 2010. He was doing much better and the psych doctor thought he was doing good enough to come home. He stated, however, that Mac was not to return to Afghanistan and needed to continue receiving services for PTSD and other issues. The doctor did say he could work a desk job that wasn’t stressful. The doctor was discharging him to ME! I had the doctor talk to rear detachment, who was a Lieutenant, on my cell phone and tell him the same thing he had told me. The Lieutenant voiced understanding and stated he would let the company commander in Afghanistan know.

We got home and the weekend went well. On Monday, the Lieutenant from rear detachment called and wants Mac to report to the unit on Tuesday! We thought Mac would be part of rear detachment until the unit returned. The company commander took him off orders because he wasn’t returning to Afghanistan. The commander even made the statement to the rest of the unit that he was going to make an example out of Mac. If you went home and didn’t come back your orders would be cut and you would be processed out of the military! So, I quit my job as an Occupational Therapist and devoted myself to taking care of my husband.

We took a hard hit financially with me not working. We used Mac’s leave time he had accrued for income. My parents were pretty much paying our bills. I jumped right in to caregiver mode and made sure to keep his meds and truck keys in a lock box. I made him go everywhere with me. I never left him alone at the house. He was my responsibility and nothing was happening to him under my watch!
I called the VA and set up his first psych appointment; I took him to groups; I went to counseling with him. He probably resented me at that point but I didn’t care as long as he was ok. Some weeks we went and saw psych multiple times because he was having problems or didn’t feel like the meds were working. We had a great psych doctor who was very cautious about prescribing meds, especially strong and habit forming meds. He encouraged Mac to start the PTSD program the VA provided. Mac was starting to experience new symptoms at this point like nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. We decided he would go to the PTSD program. Right before Mac was scheduled to start we got a call from a really good friend and he had got Mac put back on orders. We were told Mac would be given a job at Camp Shelby again. That was good because he was running out of leave and we were fixing to have no income. It had been a long, hard four months for both of us with me caring for him.

He reported to Camp Shelby as instructed. Once he got there and they started doing all his paperwork somebody decided that they wanted to get him help first. I trusted the military to make decisions that were in his best interest. It was decided he would go to a drug and alcohol program in New Orleans. Nobody knew how to treat him so they just sent him somewhere. This place was a JOKE! I went on several occasions and couldn’t believe the military had sent my husband there. He successfully completed the 28 day program and returned to Camp Shelby. We thought he was going to work now. Nope, they then decided they wanted to get him treatment for PTSD. They decided he would go to Ft Benning, GA to their PTSD program. Mac arrived at Ft Benning on April 4, 2011. He was there for approximately six weeks before seeing a psych doctor! He ran out of meds during that time and was having severe panic attacks, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and all the other symptoms I mentioned earlier came raging back but now he also had anger! He would call me all the time freaking out and I would have to calm him down. Sometimes I was able to, and sometimes I wasn’t.

It didn’t help that his barracks were right by the firing range and he heard gunfire all day and night, which is very disturbing for someone with PTSD. He was pretty much scared to leave his room. He finally got in with psych and they loaded him up on meds, including Seroquel, Paxil, Klonopin, Hydroxyzine HCL, Lunesta, Buspar, and Ativan!! That’s just all that I know about!
His meds were changed multiple times during a very short time frame. At one point, he asked to be taken off Seroquel and something else because it made him feel “too sedated.” He was told, “no” because of his mental health past. He was actually prescribed more meds that day. I saw a gradual decline in my husband physically and mentally. He could barely walk, talk, keep his eyes open, and function at a normal level. He was experiencing memory loss, cognitive problems, and would fall asleep in mid-sentence. He even fell asleep while standing straight up! I called his squad leader on numerous occasions, expressing my concerns, and he would reassure me that he was going to take care of it. Well he didn’t!

I remember one specific phone call where I said if you don’t get my husband some help with his meds you are going to find him dead. I eat those words everyday! He promised me he was not going to let him die and he would report my concerns! Didn’t happen! My husband’s best friend was at Ft Benning at the same time. He went to the same squad leader numerous times with concerns about my husband. He was blown off pretty much and sometimes the squad leader would say he would take care of it. Well, this guy was smart and wrote down everything: who he talked to, what they said, date, time, witnesses, etc. After my husband passed away he wrote a 3 page sworn statement detailing what happened with my husband from the time he arrived at Ft Benning until the time he died. On Sunday, June 5, 2011, I talked to my husband about 5:30 my time, so it was 6:30 pm his time! Little did I know that would be the last time I heard his sweet voice ever again! I fell asleep early Sunday night while getting our son to sleep and it wasn’t until I woke up Monday morning that I realized Mac never called me to tell me good night. I didn’t think too much about it and got ready for work. Then I called my husband on my way to work like I always did. No answer! Okay, maybe he was still asleep or at formation: he will call back soon. He never called back! I kept calling throughout the day and could never reach him. I knew something was wrong but I just told myself maybe he left his phone in the room or maybe he’s in the hospital. I even called the squad leader and, of course, he didn’t answer. His best friend was out of town with his wife for their anniversary so he couldn’t help me out. I worked all day and went to a meeting that night and still no word from Mac. I went home and went to change clothes and was contemplating going to Ft Benning to check on my husband when the doorbell rang.

They told me who they were and asked if I was Mrs. McElroy and I finally nodded my head “yes.” I just stood there and they asked if they could come in so I let them. They told to please sit down that they had some information regarding my husband, Sgt James McElroy, that they had been sent to tell me. They said a lot of words, but all I heard was “Sgt James McElroy pronounced dead at 11:58 am on June 6, 2011 at Ft Benning, GA.” I asked what happened and they said they didn’t know and then I looked at the clock and it was 7:30 pm and I asked what took so long to tell me and they didn’t know! About that time everybody started showing up at my house because everybody knew before me! They had me sign some papers and said my CAO would be in contact with me soon!

The Captain from the WTB Mac was in at Ft Benning called first thing the next morning. He said he was sorry and wanted to tell me what happened so he gave me his version of the story. Mac didn’t show up for formation on Monday morning, so after formation they went to his room thinking he overslept. They were beating on the door and calling his cell phone which they could hear ringing, but he didn’t answer the door or the phone. They went and got the key for his room and when they went in his room they found him DEAD. This was about 9:30 am but he wasnt pronounced dead until 11:58 am. I asked where they found him and he wouldn’t tell me, I asked how they found him and he wouldn’t tell me. I got off the phone with the captain and prepared to meet my Casualty Assistance Officer. We signed a ton of paperwork and I had to pick out the casket. I was told he would receive a full honors service. I decided he would be dressed in military blues and he was promoted posthumously to E6 SSG. The week went by pretty fast and we went to the funeral home and made arrangements and decided that his service would be Sat June 11, 2011. We had my CAO make some calls to Ft Benning to let them know we wanted his body by Friday. He was flown into Jackson late Friday night. My wonderful CAO drove me and my family to receive his body. That was rough! We were allowed to go through the gates and park by the terminal. The hearse got there and I couldn’t look. Then they came and got us to go to the gate where his plane would be landing. Then I saw that plane land and I lost it. The plane landed and the officer escorting his body emerged and she came straight to me. She hugged me and extended her condolences. Then I saw the soldiers coming from behind the plane with the casket and the American flag draped over it. I ran to the casket but could never catch up. The guys kept a steady pace and never missed a beat. Finally, they reached the Hearse and had to stop. I made it to the casket and while sobbing said, “Baby, what happened? Tell me what happened; give me some kind of sign!” And then they loaded him into the hearse and it was time for that long ride back to Hattiesburg! Saturday came way too fast and it was time for family visitation so my CAO picked us all up and took us to the church. We got to the church and everybody let me go in first! I approached the entranceway inside the church and I saw the casket. There was a soldier standing guard at his casket. We made eye contact and that was it. I slowly walked down the aisle to the front of the church, praying my legs wouldn’t collapse before I got there. As I approached the casket. I took a deep breath and prayed. “God, please don’t let it be him!” I looked down slowly and lost it: it was him, my husband, father to our son, my soul mate, my everything! This can’t be happening! I stood at the casket for the entire 3 hour visitation. So many people came to the service! Mac was a well-liked person, which I already knew, that but this just confirmed it! Then the dreaded part came! Our final goodbyes! I stayed at the casket just holding his hand and crying! I couldn’t tell him goodbye! I knew it had to be done so I ran my fingers thru his hair one last time and kissed his lips one last time and promised him right then and there I was going to find out what really happened to him and they weren’t getting away with it! I knew from day 1 that my husband would never intentionally do something to cause himself to die!

We finished the service and made the long journey to Vancleave for the graveside service. It was nice, and they did the gun salute and all that stuff. And it was over! It was really time to say good bye. I sat in my chair for the longest time and finally told him “bye” and promised I would take care of our son. I walked away clutching the American flag I had been received to my chest!

A few weeks later we were invited to Ft Benning for a memorial service for Mac. Of course, we went.
We returned back to Mississippi and CID wanted to interview me. Two men came to my house and they were pretty intimidating. The interview lasted 3 hours. It wasn’t too terribly long after they left that the investigating officer from Ft Benning that had been assigned to the case wanted to meet, so we scheduled it.

He was forty minutes late getting to my house. He made several comments throughout the interview that rubbed me the wrong way and then he examined the Line of Duty report he was responsible for, as well as the AR 15-6 Report. I knew right then and there I needed to watch this guy. My husband died in June 2011. To this day, the only thing I have is a death certificate. I requested everything 2 days after he passed away!

Several months after Mac passed I got a call from Ft Benning saying it was determined Mac’s death was accidental due to multiple drug toxicity. He went on to say he was prescribed all the drugs found in his system. All the drugs were in normal range so no excessive amount of any drug had been taken. He had taken the meds as prescribed. I knew right then something had gone wrong and I better start looking into it. I started researching and talking to whoever I could get in touch with and I was appalled at what I was finding out. Soldiers and vets all over were dying at an alarming rate due to this deadly PTSD cocktail. Then I found out that the Investigating Officer let other soldiers and chain of command read Mac’s autopsy and toxicology reports during the investigation. I was livid! This was a HIPAA violation! I did find out that the autopsy said the combination of drugs in his system slowed his heart rate to the point it was unable to sustain life. Wait a minute! I’m no doctor, but how do you know that happened? He would have to be hooked up to a heart monitor to prove that! Next, I called the investigating officer to find out where the line of duty was because it was almost February. He said he hadn’t turned it in until January. My husband died in June and it took seven months to do the report? He went on to say this was his first death investigation! I started questioning him about the Line of Duty Investigation and he answered me, much to my surprise! I asked if he interviewed a specific individual and he told me “no” and I asked why, and he said he didn’t feel what they had to say would help or hurt the investigation. The guy he didn’t interview is the one that spoke to Mac’s chain of command when he was in the hospital and pine grove so he was very important because Mac’s chain of command lied during the investigation! Then, I asked if PTSD was in the line of duty and he told me, “no”! That drew the line right there! I asked, “Why not,” and he said it wasn’t
relevant to how he died. He was at a PTSD program and the meds he was on were for PTSD and he said the meds were in the report. That made no sense at all! I was ready to petition the Line of Duty and I haven’t even received a copy yet! He kept talking and went on to say that Mac’s chain of command was allowed to read the Line of Duty Investigation before it left Ft Benning. Conflict of interest! They read the original with names, social security numbers, addresses, and everything. I was shocked! He went on to say that he felt he did the soldier justice and that I would be pleased with the outcome. I knew I wasn’t going to pleased with anything because PTSD wasn’t in there. I made some phone calls to Ft Benning and ended up on the phone with the Chief. He listened to my allegations against the investigating officer and said he would look into it. He said it may be a few days before I heard anything. The next morning the Chief called me and told me the officer had been removed from the case and was under investigation and that he was not to contact me, and if he did let him know! My phone didn’t stop ringing for days. Legal, all the way down to just general assistance was calling me! Then my favorite person and the only person from Ft Benning I trust who’s a Chief, called to tell me the psychological autopsy had been delayed again because it had been handed over to three different people. They said it would be complete by May 29th. That didn’t happen!

We talked about PTSD not being in the LODI and he agreed with me and said it played a major role in Mac’s death. Throughout this time I had also called the Captain from WTB who called me the day after Mac died, just to ask him some questions. He answered me and I got what I needed from him but I could tell he was nervous. I later found out that he sent out an email to the unit saying if I called don’t talk to me!

As you can see this has been nothing but a nightmare since my husband my husband died! I still have not received a LODI, medical records, autopsy, toxicology. Nothing but a death certificate!
I decided that I just couldn’t let this go! Something has to be done about this! Our men and women who serve this Country proudly and are not expendable! I decided to raise awareness about the situation! I knew I had to get my story out! If I could keep another tragic ending from happening then my husband’s death would not be in vein! I also knew we had to approach treating PTSD differently! The “cocktail” had to stop! And they needed to offer other treatment methods such as peer counseling, professional counseling, prolonged exposure therapy, etc. While looking into all of this I have met some wonderful families who experienced the loss of a Hero in the same way! I knew I wanted to be an advocate and they are helping me.

Alicia McElroy
If you have any information on this case contact Alicia through this website

Death Memorial

Col. Theodore S. Westhusing 44, A U.S. Military Academy professor serving with the Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq Dallas, Texas Died of non-combat related injuries in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 5, 2005.

6/1/2005. COLONEL TED WESTHUSING 44 BIAP, IRAQ GUNSHOT
I am Sullied-No More. Faced with the Iraq war’s corruption, Col. Ted Westhusing chose death before dishonor by Robert Bryce Ted Westhusing was a true believer. And that was his fatal flaw. A colonel in the U.S. Army, Westhusing had a good job teaching English at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was a devout Catholic who went to church nearly every Sunday. He had a wife and three young children. He didn’t have to go to Iraq. But Westhusing was such a believer that he volunteered for what he thought was a noble cause. At West Point, Westhusing sought out people who opposed the war in an effort to change their minds. “He absolutely believed that this was a just war,” said one officer who was close to him. “He was wholly enthusiastic about this mission.” His tour of duty in Iraq was to last six months. About a month before he was to return to his family—on June 5, 2005—Westhusing was found dead in his trailer at Camp Dublin in Baghdad. At the time, he was the highest-ranking American soldier to die in Iraq. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Command report on Westhusing’s death explained it as a “perforating gunshot wound of the head and Manner of Death was suicide.” He was 44.