Fort Campbell Army Pfc. Jennifer Cole Died of a Non Combat Related Incident in Bayji, Iraq; Cause of Death Ruled Negligent Homicide (August 2, 2008)

On August 2, 2008September 13, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Army Pfc. Jennifer Cole died of a non combat related incident in Bayji, Iraq on August 2, 2008. Pfc. Cole was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 426th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. An investigation revealed that Jennifer died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. According to the family, she was accidentally shot by a fellow Army soldier while they were cleaning their weapons. They learned that the weapon had not been cleared prior to the cleaning and no one is sure how it got into the place where Jennifer was shot. The soldier (Thurston) responsible for the accidental shooting was charged with negligent homicide. He spent 30 days in military jail and was given a general discharge from the Army. Jennifer’s mom, Candy Gholson, shared with Napa Valley, California newspapers that the Army wouldn’t give her information, provide her with paperwork, or tell her exactly what happened to her daughter.

Candy Gholson shared that she heard three different versions and wanted to know exactly what happened. She also shared that she learned from Jennifer’s roommate in the Army that no one ever questioned her and they both thought that odd considering most investigations start with those closest to the victim. Both Jennifer’s parents shared the frustration that it is not easy getting answers from a military organization or is it easy dealing with the bureaucracy of the Army and their typical federal government run-around. The parents were told to go through the Freedom of Information Act for the investigation report but the Army warned them it could take up to a year to get the trial transcript they were requesting. Jennifer’s step father, a US Marine Corps veteran, reiterated that he too wanted to know the details of what happened and that he didn’t have hard feelings towards the soldier who killed his step-daughter. But he does feel that Thurston’s superiors should have been court-martialed for ineffective supervision and oversight of the weapons.

“I understand they had a trial for the guy (Thurston) who shot my daughter. I was told he spent 30 days in a military jail and was discharged from the Army. He didn’t get a dishonorable discharge, but the one just above that. But I have never received any paperwork to that effect,” Gholson said. “I just want answers. And it’s not easy trying to get them from a military government institution. “I’ve heard three different stories from the Army about what happened the day Jennifer died,” Gholson said. “I want to know what exactly happened that day. There were witnesses. Why can’t the Army get the story straight?” ~Napa Valley Register (December 11, 2008)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)

On September 30, 2007September 10, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/27/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mathew Taylor, 21, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

09/27/2007: Airman Missing In Action From WWII is Identified

09/27/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Pfeifer, 21, Afghanistan, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Charles Milam, 26, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Zachary Tomczak, 24, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Anthony Bento, 23, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kevin Brown, 38, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/25/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Blaskowski, 27, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

09/24/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Watson, 29, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/24/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Reeves, 26, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/23/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jonathan Lankford, 42, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston), Texas

09/22/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Roselle Hoffmaster, 32, NCD, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/22/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: John Young, 24, NCD, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/21/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Luigi Marciante Jr, 25, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/21/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Graham McMahon, 22, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/20/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Edmund Jeffers, 23, NCD, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/20/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christian Neff, 19, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/19/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Aaron Walker, 23, Iraq, Vilseck, Germany

09/19/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Joseph Landry III, 23, Nicholas Olson, 22, and Donald Valentine III, 21, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington

09/19/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Emerson, 20, NCD, Iraq, Fort Bliss, Texas

09/18/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Thorsen, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Bliss, Texas

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Townes, 29, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Terry Wagoner, 28, Todd Motley, 23, Jonathan Rivadeneiva, 22, and Christopher McCloud, 24, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Terrence Allen, 21, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: John Mele, 25, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/14/2007: Marine Missing From Korean War Is Identified

09/13/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Yance Gray, 26, Gregory Rivera-Santiago, 26, Michael Hardegree, 21, Omar Mora, 28, Nicholas Patterson, 24, Ari Brown-Weeks, 23, and Steven Elrod, 20, NCDs, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/12/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Courtney Hollinsworth, 26, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/12/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Carlos Gilorozco, 23, and Jon Hicks Jr, 20, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/12/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Travis Woods, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Javier Paredes, 24, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Sammie Phillips, 19, NCD, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Lance Clark, 21, NCD, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Alexander Gagalac, 28, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Drew Jensen, 27, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Marisol Heredia, 19, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/10/2007: History Of 9/11 Attack On The Pentagon Published

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ryan Woodward, 22, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Christopher Poole Jr, 22, Bryan Scripsick, 22, John Stock, 26, and Michael Yarbrough, 24, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/08/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Lee Wilson, 30, Jason Hernandez, 21, and Thomas Hilbert, 20, Iraq, Fort Bliss, Texas

09/08/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mykel Miller, 19, Afghanistan, Arizona Army National Guard

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Joel Murray, 26, David Lane, 20, and Randol Shelton, 22, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Keith Nurnberg, 26, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Cooper Jr, 36, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Delmar White, 37, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/06/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: William Warford III, 24, and Dane Balcon, 19, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/05/2007: Airman Missing from WWII is Identified

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Rodney Johnson, 20, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Patrick Magnani, 38, NCD, Afghanistan, Aviano Air Base, Italy

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Patton, 21, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kevin Gilbertson, 24, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/03/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Justin Sanders, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/03/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Travis Virgadamo, 19, NCD, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/01/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Daniel Scheibner, 40, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/01/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Nelson, 22, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Army Spc. Marisol Heredia Died at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas of Injuries Suffered from a Non-Combat Related Injury in Iraq (September 7, 2007)

On September 7, 2007September 8, 2020 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Army Spc. Marisol Heredia, 19, died September 7, 2007 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas of injuries suffered from a non-combat related injury on July 18, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Spc. Heredia was a Petroleum Supply Specialist supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. At the time of the Department of Defense press release the circumstances surrounding the death were under investigation. According to media reports, Spc. Heredia was severely burned while refueling a generator in Iraq and died of an infection at the hospital stateside because her bodily defenses were seriously compromised due to the extent of her burns.

In war-torn Baghdad, Heredia, who held the rank of Specialist, was badly burned in an accident July 18. According to family members, the accident occurred while she was fueling a generator. –Los Angeles Times

Army SSG Alicia Birchett Died of Injuries Suffered From a Non-Combat Related Vehicle Accident in Baghdad, Iraq (August 9, 2007)

On August 9, 2007August 1, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat Death1 Comment

Army SSG Alicia Birchett, 29, died of injuries suffered from a non-combat related vehicle accident in Baghdad, Iraq on August 9, 2007. SSG Birchett was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 887th Engineer Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. At the time of the Department of Defense August 15th press release, the incident was under investigation. According to media reports, her family said Alicia was fatally injured when the brakes of a military truck failed while she changed a tire.

Navy Seaman Sandra Grant Died of Natural Causes While Aboard the USS Eisenhower in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (December 31, 2006)

On December 31, 2006December 31, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death1 Comment

17695945_116985239713 — Seaman Sandra Grant, US Navy

Navy Seaman Sandra Grant, 23, died of a natural causes (cardiac arrest) while aboard a ship in the Arabian Sea on December 31, 2006. Seaman Grant was a Damage Control Fireman supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Naval officials reported the death was under investigation but preliminary findings pointed to natural causes. Sandra was a sailor, a family member, a friend, a wife, and the mother of a baby boy. She was also one of three sailors announced in the Department of Defense press release that died of ‘natural causes’ or an ‘accident’ in a hostile fire zone in support of OIF. Lt. Cmdr. Jane Lanham, 43, died from natural causes on September 19, 2006 in Bahrain. Petty Officer 3rd Class Roger Napper, 20, died of trauma from a single motor vehicle accident on October 7, 2006 in Bahrain.

[Sandra’s] father said the news came as a total shock because she was always healthy and didn’t have any prior medical condition. –The-Dispatch.com

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)

On September 30, 2006September 1, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/30/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Blaney, 19, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/29/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Edward Reynolds Jr, 27, and Henry Paul, 24, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/29/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: James Chamroeun, 20, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/28/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jose Lanzarin, 28, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/28/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Lyons, 28, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/28/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Casey Mellen, 21, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/27/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jared Raymond, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/27/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Riviere, 21, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/26/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Velton Locklear III, 29, and Kenneth Kincaid IV, 25, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/26/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Carlos Dominguez, 57, Iraq, Army Special Operations Command, New York

09/26/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Windell Simmons, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Howard March Jr, 20, and Rene Martinez, 20, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Kavanagh, 20, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Charles Jones, 29, NCD, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Bobby Callahan, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ashley (Henderson) Huff, 23, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Allan Bevington, 22, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Cesar Granados, 21, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robb Needham, 51, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Yull Estrada Rodriguez, 21, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/22/2006: First Identification of U.S. Soldier Missing in Action from World War I

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Aaron Smith, 31, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Jennifer Hartman, 21, and Marcus Cain, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/21/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Zimmerman, 28, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/21/2006: Navy Aviator Missing In Action From Vietnam War is Identified

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Russell Makowski, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Worster, 24, NCD, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeffrey Shaffer, 21, Iraq, Bamberg, Germany

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Adam Knox, 21, Iraq, Ohio Army Reserve

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Davis, 32, Iraq, Fort Wainwright, Alaska

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Clint Williams, 24, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Bernard Deghand, 42, Afghanistan, Kansas Army National Guard

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: David Roddy, 32, Iraq, Norfolk, Virginia (Multi-National Corps – Iraq)

09/16/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Emily Perez, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/16/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Miller, 19, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/15/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Ramsey, 27, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/15/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Harley Andrews, 22, Iraq, Bamberg, Germany

09/15/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Weir, 23, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/14/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Mattingly, 30, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/14/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremy DePottey, 26, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Drum, New York

09/13/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Fuga, 47, Afghanistan, Missouri Army National Guard

09/12/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Alexander Jordan, 31, Iraq, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Anthony Seig, 19, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: John Carroll, 26, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Merideth Howard, 52, and Robert Paul, 43, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nathaniel Lindsey, 38, Afghanistan, Oregon Army National Guard

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Johnathan Benson, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Luis Montes, 22, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/09/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Gordon, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/08/2006: Airman Missing in Action From the Vietnam War is Identified

09/08/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Jason Merrill, 22, and Edwin Andino II, 23, Iraq, Wurzburg, Germany

09/08/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Vincent Frassetto, 21, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/07/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremy Shank, 18, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/07/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Marshall Gutierrez, 41, NCD, Camp Virginia, Area Support Group, Arijan, Kuwait

09/07/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Germaine Debro, 33, Iraq, Nebraska Army National Guard

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Richard Henkes II, 32, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Angel Mercado-Velazquez, 24, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Ralph Porras, 36, and Justin Dreese, 21, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Christopher Walsh, 30, Iraq, Missouri Navy Reserve (Multi National Corps – Iraq)

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Hannah Gunterman, 20, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Shannon Squires, 25, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Vosbein, 30, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Miller, 21, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Jared Shoemaker, 29, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Oklahoma

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Eric Valdepenas, 21, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Massachusetts

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Shane Harris, 23, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Cliff Golla, 21, and Philip Johnson, 19, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Eugene Alex, 32, Iraq, Fort Wainwright, Alaska

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Deason, 28, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nicholas Madaras, 19, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/01/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Hanson, 27, Iraq, Minnesota Army National Guard

09/01/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Colin Wolfe, 19, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/01/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Moises Jazmin, 25, Qixing Lee, 20, Shaun Novak, 21, and Tristan Smith, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank (February 7, 2006)

On February 7, 2006August 8, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, Scandals, Stateside Death, Suicide, USAFLeave a comment

Army Wives Lifetime — Army Wives, a Lifetime television series based on the non-fiction book written by Tanya Biank.

In Their Name:
Colette, Kimberley & Kristen MacDonald, Fort Bragg (Feb. 17, 1970)
Michael James & Jackie Burden, Fayetteville, NC (December 7, 1995)
Captain Frank ‘Marty’ Theer, U.S. Air Force (December 17, 2000)
Lt. Col. Rennie Cory, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg (April 7, 2001)
Pfc. Gary Shane Kalinofski, U.S. Army, Fort Drum (March 4, 2002)
Army Spouse Teresa Nieves, North Carolina (June 11, 2002)
Army Spouse Jennifer Wright, North Carolina (June 29, 2002)
Army Spouse Marilyn Styles-Griffin, North Carolina (July 9, 2002)
Army Spouse & Veteran Andrea Floyd, North Carolina (July 19, 2002)
Major David Shannon, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg (July 23, 2002)
Sgt. Erin Edwards, U.S. Army, Fort Hood (July 22, 2004)
Sgt. Ronna Valentine, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg (May 21, 2005)

Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives or Army Wives by Tanya Biank was an excellent read. I first heard about the book when I was researching the 2002 Fort Bragg murders of Teresa Nieves, Jennifer Wright, Marilyn Griffin, Andrea Floyd and Major David Shannon. I ordered it from Amazon and threw it in a pile with all my other military crime books until I saw a Forbidden: Dying for Love episode about the murder of Army spouse Jennifer Wright. The show didn’t mention it but I knew Jennifer’s murder was one of five homicides at Fort Bragg that occurred within a two month period in 2002. I learned more about Jennifer Wright from Investigation Discovery than what’s available on-line. And at the time, the national media was quick to speculate whether war & violence, frequent deployments or anti-malaria drugs were to blame. But after the Army investigated itself, it determined that the high operational tempo after September 11, 2001 placed a great strain on already troubled marriages.

In other words, some form of domestic abuse, financial issues, and adultery in some cases were to blame for stained marriages. I researched the five murders and the motives were similar in four of the cases. Arguments were a pre-cursor to the murders and three out of four of the spouses wanted to leave the relationship. Was rejection the trigger? Domestic violence experts agree leaving the relationship is the most dangerous time. In Major Shannon’s case, it appears that the motive was greed, pure and simple, as greed is one of the most common motives for female killers. Major Shannon’s wife Joan stood to gain a large amount of money from his Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) if he died. This time the Army was most likely correct but unfortunately things haven’t changed to this day. There have been many more victims of domestic violence in the military since 2002 and this book inspired me to honor each and every one of them.

The author Tanya Biank grew up in a military family and covered military issues at Fort Bragg as a reporter for the Fayetteville Observer. Tanya was able to give us a realistic perspective of what was going on at Fort Bragg during the time period right before and after September 11, 2001. Tanya was the one writing about the rash of homicides for the local newspaper during the summer of 2002. As a result of Tanya’s reporting, the main stream media picked up the story and it went national and international. Fort Bragg was forced to answer to a frenzied pack of media outlets and in typical fashion, the Army investigated itself and found themselves not responsible. Although Tanya reported in the book that Congress authorized $5 million for domestic violence programs in the military that year. And on December 2, 2002, President Bush signed into law an act that makes domestic violence protective orders enforceable on military installations.

Tanya was the perfect person to write about Fort Bragg. She had a great understanding of the various perspectives and this was revealed in the book. She talked about how September 11th changed things for both the service member and the families. I found myself feeling thankful for the education about Fort Bragg’s missions and how they fit into the big picture. They train hard for a reason. They are some of the first on the front lines and some of the families have no idea where they are going or how long they will be gone. Unexpectedly, I experienced a myriad of emotions as I read along. Emotions about 9/11, emotions about what was happening at my own squadron, and emotions around the notifications of death. My Commander and a Chaplain informed me of my father’s unexpected death. And my colleagues helped me get home safely. I realized this was standard protocol while reading this book.

I couldn’t put the book down once I started, despite the emotions and memories it triggered. Tanya Biank did a great job of enticing the reader to learn more about the individual and the family, and just when you least expected, the unexpected would happen. It reminded me of my own life and how hard it was to put mission before self year after year when all one was doing was stuffing down the pain. But like those in the book, we don’t seek counseling because it’s considered a career ender. We don’t trust the system so most of us just keep our troubles to ourselves. And for those who want to maintain a security clearance, we know they are going to ask the question about mental health treatment. I understand why the question has to be asked because it’s important to identify someone with suicidal tendencies or anger problems but it prevents the rest of us from asking for the help we need, until it’s too late.

Tanya talked about the unusually high crime rates in Fayetteville and she said its civilians who commit most of the crime. She admitted Fort Bragg was under the shadow of the the murders of Colette, Kimberley & Kristen MacDonald in 1970 because former Captain Jeffrey MacDonald, despite being found guilty, swears he’s innocent. As recently as December 2018, MacDonald was denied a new trial by a federal appeals court and he continues to be the subject of both media and true crime programming. Tanya also talked about the racially motivated murders of Michael James & Jackie Burden in 1995. Army privates James Burmeister and Malcolm Wright were found guilty of the crime. This too made national news and the Army was forced to weed out any perceived Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and skinheads. The media speculated the Army was full of them; turns out this random attack by Fort Bragg soldiers was an isolated incident.

After researching the five Fort Bragg murders in 2002 on-line, I realized that Tanya’s book was the most comprehensive discussion of the incidents. The book gave us an inside look at the people involved and the way it unfolded real-time. Tanya shared that the military likes to keep their problems under wrap because of the way the media speculates. I can see why they would be annoyed with how scandals are reported. Once the information is out there, it’s hard to fight off the perception. But the bottom line is the acts of a few don’t represent the whole. Unfortunately, I could write book after book about clusters of domestic violence related homicides in the military since 2002. This book made me realize how long the military has known about the problems and that throwing money at the problem doesn’t fix it. We need real solutions that save lives.

Editor’s Note: Tanya Biank’s book Under the Sabers inspired the creation of Army Wives on Lifetime television. After reading the book, I can understand why the series was created in 2007. I included links to the show below if you are interested in watching the series. It was cancelled after seven seasons.

Fort Bragg Army Captain Jeremy Chandler Died After Explosives Detonated During Training Operations in Afghanistan (August 11, 2005)

On August 11, 2005August 11, 2020 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Army Captain Jeremy Chandler, 30, died while he was conducting training operations at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan on August 11, 2005. Capt. Chandler died while he was preparing for combat operations in Afghanistan. Capt. Chandler was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time of the Department of Defense press release, the incident was under investigation. According to an article in Savannah Now, Jeremy and his team were conducting pre-mission training operations at FOB Ripley when explosives issued to the team detonated and killed Jeremy.

“The Captain Jeremy Chandler Leadership Scholarship was established at North Georgia College & State University immediately following Jeremy’s death. The scholarship is offered annually to a participant of Ranger Challenge, one of the cadet organizations at the school. The Jeremy Chandler Medical Clinic in Afghanistan was dedicated in Jeremy’s name in November 2006. Jonnie and Al said they wept upon hearing the news of the dedication….Jeremy’s legacy is also being carried on through the Captain Jeremy Chandler Marine Marathon Team in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The event raises money to provide educational assistance for the children of fallen Special Operations personnel.” -Savannah Now (May 16, 2007)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)

On September 30, 2004August 23, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/30/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Titcomb, 20, Iraq, Camp Casey, Korea

09/30/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tyler Prewitt, 22, Iraq, Vilseck, Germany

09/29/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Cox, 21, NCD, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/29/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kenneth Sickels, 20, NCD, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/28/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joselito Villanueva, 36, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/28/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Allton, 34, Iraq, Camp Hovey, Korea

09/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robert Oliver Unruh, 25, Iraq, Camp Howze, Korea

09/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Clifford Moxley Jr, 51, NCD, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

09/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Johnson, 37, Iraq, Oregon Army National Guard

09/25/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Aaron Boyles, 24, and Ramon Mateo, 20, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/25/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Timothy Folmar, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/25/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Leduc, 28, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/24/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Skipper Soram, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/24/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lance Koenig, 33, Iraq, North Dakota Army National Guard

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Adam Harris, 21, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nathan Stahl, 20, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Benjamin Smith, 24, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Adams, 22, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Wesley Wells, 21, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Robert Goodwin, 35, and Tony Olaes, 30, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Foster Harrington, 31, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Alabama

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Henry, 21, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Steven Cates, 22, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/21/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Rosenbaum, 25, and James Price, 22, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/20/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Gregory Howman, 28, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/18/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Ebert, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/18/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Steven Rintamaki, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/17/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Andrew Stern, 24, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/17/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jaygee Meluat, 24, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/16/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Drew Uhles, 20, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/16/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Adrian Soltau, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/16/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tyler Brown, 26, Iraq, Camp Hovey, Tongduchon City, Korea

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: David Weisenburg, 26, and Benjamin Isenberg, 27, Iraq, Oregon Army National Guard

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lauro DeLeon Jr, 20, Iraq, Texas Army Reserve

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Mathew Puckett, 19, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kevin Shea, 38, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jacob Demand, 29, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Carl Thomas, 29, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Guy Hagy Jr, 31, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Dominic Brown, 19, NCD, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Michael Halal, 22, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Edgar Daclan Jr, 24, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Martinez, 29, Iraq, Bamberg, Germany

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason Sparks, 19, Iraq, Camp Casey, Korea

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Cesar Machado-Olmos, 20, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: David Cedergren, 25, NCD, Iraq, 2^nd Marine Division Fleet, Marine Forces Atlantic

09/13/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jason Poindexter, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/13/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Alexander Wetherbee, 27, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Read, 21, Iraq, Kentucky Army Reserve

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Yoe Aneiros, 20, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Faulkner, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Elvis Bourdon, 36, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ryan McCauley, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Chad Drake, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/09/2004: Remains of American MIAs Found in North Korea

09/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Timothy Price, 25, Iraq, Hanau, Germany

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Shawna Morrison, 26, Iraq, Illinois Army National Guard

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Charles Lamb, 23, Iraq, Illinois Army National Guard

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Clarence Adams III, 28, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: John Boria, 29, NCD, Qatar, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tomas Garces, 19, Iraq, Texas Army National Guard

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Devin Grella, 21, Iraq, Ohio Army Reserve

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Michael Allred, 22, David Burridge, 19, Derek Gardner, 20, Quinn Keith, 21, Joseph McCarthy, 21, Mick Nygardbekowsky, 21, and Lamont Wilson, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/07/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Gary Vaillant, 41, Iraq, Camp Casey, Korea

09/07/2004: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Eric Knott, 21, Iraq, Port Hueneme, California

09/05/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Nicholas Wilt, 23, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/05/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ronald Winchester, 25, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/04/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Nicholas Perez, 19, and Alan Rowe, 35, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/03/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joseph Thibodeaux, 24, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)

On August 31, 2004August 17, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Non Combat Death, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

08/31/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Aaron Holleyman, 26, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/31/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Nicholas Skinner, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/31/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualtiy: Nickalous Aldrich, 21, NCD, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/31/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Edgar Lopez, 27, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/31/2004: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Carl Anderson Jr., 21, Iraq, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

08/30/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Omead Razani, 19, NCD, Iraq, Camp Greaves, Korea

08/30/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Luis Perez, 19, NCD, Iraq, Pennyslvania Army Reserve

08/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Marco Ross, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/27/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Barton Humlhanz, 23, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/26/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Charles Neeley, 19, Iraq, Ohio Army Reserve

08/26/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Alexander Arredondo, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/26/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jacob Lugo, 21, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

08/25/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Donald Davis, 42, NCD, Iraq, Ohio Army Reserve

08/25/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robert Thornton Jr, 35, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/24/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Richard Lord, 24, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/24/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Edward Reeder, 32, NCD, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/23/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Belchik, 30, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/23/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Nicanor Alvarez, 22, Jason Cook, 25, Seth Huston, 19, and Nachez Washalanta, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kevin Cuming, 22, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Stovall, 25, Iraq, Mississippi Army National Guard

08/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Charles Wilkins III, 38, and Ryan Martin, 22, Iraq, Ohio Army National Guard

08/20/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Brad McCormick, 23, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Tennessee

08/20/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Caleb Powers, 21, and Harvey Parkerson III, 27, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/20/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Dustin Fitzgerald, 22, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/20/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jacob Martir, 21, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/19/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Henry Risner, 26, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

08/19/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Titus, 20, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

08/18/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Heath, 30, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/17/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Fernando Hannon, 19, and Geoffrey Perez, 24, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/17/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mark Zapata, 27, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/17/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Goins, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/16/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: John Howard, 26, Iraq, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California

08/16/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Tavon Hubbard, 24, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/16/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Sapp, 21, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/16/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Daniel Shepherd, 23, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Anthony Santoriello, 24, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Nicholas Morrison, 23, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/14/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kane Funke, 20, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

08/13/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Tarlavsky, 30, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/13/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Daniel Galvan, 30, Afghanistan, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

08/12/2004: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Rick Ulbright, 49, Iraq, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland

08/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Houghton, 25, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

08/09/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jonathan Collins, 19, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Craig Cherry, 39, and Bobby Beasley, 36, Iraq, Virginia Army National Guard

08/09/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Yadir Reynoso, 27, and Roberto Abad, 22, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Potter, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Raymond Faulstich Jr, 24, Iraq, Fort Eustis, Virginia

08/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Bunch, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/07/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Moses Rocha, 33, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/07/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Larry Wells, 22, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/06/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Donald McCune, 20, Iraq, Washington Army National Guard

08/05/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Dean Pratt, 22, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/05/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Elia Fontecchio, 30, and Joseph Nice, 19, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

08/04/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Justin Onwordi, 28, and Harry Shondee Jr, 19, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/04/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Gregory Ratzlaff, 36, NCD, Iraq, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California

08/04/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tommy Gray, 34, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/04/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Juan Calderon Jr, 26, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/03/2004: Remains of American MIAs Found in North Korea

08/02/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Anthony Dixon, 20, and Armando Hernandez, 22, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Category: Accidents

Fort Campbell Army Pfc. Jennifer Cole Died of a Non Combat Related Incident in Bayji, Iraq; Cause of Death Ruled Negligent Homicide (August 2, 2008)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)

Navy Seaman Sandra Grant Died of Natural Causes While Aboard the USS Eisenhower in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (December 31, 2006)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)

Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank (February 7, 2006)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)

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