Letters to the Editor
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Underreporting of casualties
Just to follow up on a prior writer, it seems the Pentagon may have adopted a very narrow definition of a combat death. This is from www.globalsecurity.com . . .
DOD Instruction 7730.22, ("Reports of U.S. Casualties in Combat Areas," January 20, 1967, and March 20, 1973) provided that the Vietnam casualties to be reported were all those occurring within the designated combat areas and those deaths occurring anywhere as the result or aftermath of an initial casualty occurring in a combat area. The current related document, Military Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures" DoD Instruction 1300.18, December 18, 2000, is simply silent on this critical matter.
Is it possible that the DOD is defining combat deaths as only those occuring in the 'combat area' as a direct result of enemy action?
If so, not only are accidental deaths not being reported but deaths occurring in Germany or in the States - which during Vietnam would have been considered combat deaths - are being counted as what, wounded?
How would the benefits to the families be impacted by this narrow classification (if it is indeed being used)?
Please look into this Salon.
A. Todd