Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is calling for an investigation of the mortuary at Dover AIr Force Base where American war dead are returned from overseas after a year-long probe by the Air Force inspector general revealed “improper” handling and preparation of the remains of four service members.
Panetta said he “was deeply disturbed” by the charges within the report.
The Pentagon investigation found two incidents where Dover Air Base lost or misplaced body parts of troops killed in Afghanistan.
A military official and two civilians were disciplined for gross mismanagement of operations.
“One of the department’s most sacred responsibilities is ensuring that the remains of our fallen heroes are recovered and returned to their families with the honor and dignity they have earned,” Panetta said in a press release. “The entire senior leadership of the Department and the Air Force has taken these allegations seriously, and the Air Force inspector general has now completed a thorough, year-long investigation into the matter focused on the handling of these remains. I support the findings of the investigation, the disciplinary actions taken and the steps recommended and already taken to strengthen oversight and management of our mortuary operations.”
Panetta thanked the senior leadership of the Air Force and said an investigative panel “will evaluate the changes that have been implemented to ensure that we are treating all of our fallen service members with the greatest reverence, dignity and respect.”
