Errors at Arlington affected 211 graves - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Errors at Arlington affected 211 graves

At least 211 graves at Arlington National Cemetery — including two in the section where fallen troops from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are buried — were mismarked, missing headstones or burial cards, or were not recorded at all, according to a new internal investigation.

The investigation of operations at the nation’s most hallowed military burial ground found no criminal misconduct, but much evidence of “improper internment, trans-internment of remains — including the loss of accountability of remains — remains in graves listed as empty, unmarked gravesites, improperly marked graves and improper handling of cremains,” Army Secretary John McHugh told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday.

The Army Inspector General also concluded in its seven-month investigation that “mistakes continue to be made.”

The IG also found that rank-and-file employees, who handle an average of 27 funerals daily, were burdened in their day-to-day work by “dysfunctional management, lack of established policy and procedures, and an overall unhealthy organizational climate.”

“That all ends today,” McHugh said, offering an apology to those whose loved ones are resting at Arlington.

The errors affected graves in sections 55, 59, 60 and 66.

“There is simply no excuse,” McHugh said. “On behalf of the United States Army, and on behalf of myself, I deeply apologize to the families of the honored resting in that hallowed ground, who may now question the care for their loved ones.”

McHugh said the Army, as the executive agent for Arlington, will “initiate those steps necessary to best correct yesterday’s oversights, and meet tomorrow’s requirement.”

McHugh said he has demoted John Metzler, the long-time Arlington superintendent who is slated to retire July 2, given him a letter of reprimand and directed a review of his annual performance evaluation award, which had been placed on hold pending the completion of the IG report, “in contemplation of a downward adjustment.”

Metzler will now report to Kathryn Condon, who will fill the newly created position of executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program and will, among other duties, implement “corrective measures outlined in the investigation and inspection reports.”

McHugh also has placed Deputy Superintendent Thurman Higginbotham on immediate administrative leave “pending the completion of other personnel actions.”

McHugh has told the assistant Army secretary for reserve affairs to review the IG reports, “and decide whether any further disciplinary action should be performed.”

The report cites 76 findings and 101 recommendations, most of which, McHugh said, “are both deeply troubling, and simply unacceptable.”

He said he was disturbed to learn that some of the findings are repeated deficiencies that were detailed in a 1997 inspection report by the Military District of Washington Inspector General — “deficiencies which apparently have gone largely unaddressed for the past 12 years,” he said.

The Army IG also found that a supervisor whose name was blacked out of the report “failed to conserve government resources,” in particular by failing to properly implement a plan to automate all Arlington administrative operations.

In one instance, the supervisor paid a contractor at least $200,000 for work that was not completed.

The IG recommended that all cemetery contracts, contracting procedures and budget execution procedures be audited, a step McHugh approved.

The Army has established a hotline for families with concerns: 703-607-8000 and press 0. Also, a dedicated line to address cemetery issues is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 703-607-8199.

See the report

• Investigation ordered (November 2009)

Related reading

• Arlington Cemetery inquiry results come Thursday

• Army secretary orders Arlington Cemetery probe

DISCUSS: Controversy at Arlington