Army Secretary Francis Harvey resigned Friday, one day after he dismissed the commanding general of Walter Reed Army Medical Center over charges that the pre-eminent hospital failed to adequately treat solders wounded in the Iraq War.
Harvey’s hasty departure came as Congress prepared hearings next week over the deplorable living conditions of the outpatient care at Walter Reed in Northwest Washington.
Wounded soldiers were shuttled to rat- and mold-infested apartments and visiting family members had to fend for themselves and their loved ones because the Army didn’t provide enough support staff, according to reports by the Washington Post.
In announcing Harvey’s resignation, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said he was disappointed that some Armyleaders did not appreciate the seriousness of the problems at Walter Reed, the Northwest Washington hospital that cares for thousands of wounded soldiers.
“Some have shown too much defensiveness and have not shown enough focus on digging into and addressing the problems,” Gates said. “Some do not properly understand the need to communicate to the wounded and their families that we have no higher priority than their care. Our wounded soldiers and their families have sacrificed much and they deserve the best we can offer.”
Gates said he did not ask for Harvey’s resignation.
Harvey’s resignation came a day after he relieved Walter Reed commander Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman.
Harvey had served as Army secretary since November 2004. Undersecretary of the Army Pete Green will serve as acting secretary.
President Bush on Friday ordered a bipartisan commission to review the conditions at Walter Reed and the network of military hospitals.
