NationStates Jolt Archive


Military Probes Death Notice Hoax

Eutrusca
23-02-2005, 17:56
These are the same kind of sick bastards who use to call famalies of American soldiers killed in Vietnam to tell them how happy they were their son or daughter had been killed. These sorts of animals had best hope and pray I never get my hands on them!!!

Military Probes Death Notice Hoax
Associated Press
February 23, 2005

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Military police are investigating a cruel hoax in which a man wearing an Army dress uniform falsely told the wife of a soldier that her husband had been killed in Iraq.

Investigators are trying to determine why the man delivered the false death notice and whether he was a soldier or a civilian wearing a military uniform.

"We're taking it extremely seriously. Whatever motivation was behind it, it was a sick thing to do," said Fort Stewart spokesman Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone.

Last month, 19,000 soldiers from the Fort Stewart-based 3rd Infantry Division deployed for their second tour of duty in Iraq. At least eight division soldiers have been killed since then.

Fort Stewart officials would not identify the Army wife who reported to military police that a man posing as a casualty assistance officer came to her door Feb. 10.

"Right off the bat, she noticed some things were not right," Whetstone said. "The individual's uniform wasn't correct - there were no markings or name tags. Plus, the person was alone, and she knew one person does not make (death) notifications."

Whetstone said no similar hoaxes have been reported.

When the 3rd Infantry first deployed to Iraq for the 2003 invasion, some Fort Stewart families reported receiving phone calls from pranksters saying their soldiers had been killed.

This time around, troops and their spouses got pre-deployment briefings that included detailed explanations of how death notices work. Two soldiers, including a chaplain, in dress uniform always arrive to tell the family in person. The Army never makes notifications over the telephone.

Fort Stewart spouses have been spreading news of the latest hoax, said Army wife Michelle Dombrowski, who received an e-mail more than a week ago reporting the incident.

"I can't believe that someone would do that," said Dombrowski, whose husband, Staff Sgt. Joe Dombrowski, is deployed with the 3rd Infantry. "I know the protocol, though."

Military police described the suspected hoaxer as being 6-feet, 1-inch tall and about 180 pounds with black or brown hair and a pale complexion. He was reported to be driving a blue or green pickup truck with chrome wheels, oversized tires and a Georgia license plate.
Drunk commies
23-02-2005, 17:58
I hope this sort of thing is a felony punishable by several years of prison time.
Bobs Own Pipe
23-02-2005, 18:02
Hey where's the link?

People get threads closed on 'em if they don't link articles, right?

So?
Chicken pi
23-02-2005, 18:05
Hey where's the link?

People get threads closed on 'em if they don't link articles, right?

So?

No, they don't.


By the way, isn't it a bad idea to explain how death notices are done in the media? The hoaxer(s) will probably just try to make it more convincing now...
Zoidburg XIX
23-02-2005, 18:06
That's just sick man. No matter what your personal feelings are for the war, dicking with someone's head and heart is wrong. Like seriously wrong. That's a moral issue that I can't see too many people having a problem with.

I seriously hope that impersonating military personel is charged as heavily as impersonating a police officer.
Ice Hockey Players
23-02-2005, 18:06
We ought to round up all the people who do this and then get all the war widows along with all the people wronged by this together to kick the shit out of theses assnuggets. Then we should film it and show it in prime time.
Patra Caesar
24-02-2005, 04:38
What a horrid thing to do! I am left without words. :mad: :mad: :headbang: :headbang: :gundge: :gundge: :( :(
I_Hate_Cows
24-02-2005, 04:44
Hey where's the link?

People get threads closed on 'em if they don't link articles, right?

So?
I wished
Branin
24-02-2005, 04:47
That is sick.


(So, I hear you broke your leg :( . How? And get better. *gives card*)
Andaluciae
24-02-2005, 04:54
Whoever's behind that is just sick...


crappy people :gundge:
Teh Cameron Clan
25-02-2005, 00:55
I hope this sort of thing is a felony punishable by several years of prison time.
i would much prefer it be punishible by something painfull...