Military needs to stop hiding behind "under investigation" on non-combat deaths

These are just some of the non-combat deaths. Some have been counted in the death toll of war but far too many have not.

death under investigation (36)

Staff Sgt. Derrick Degrate
attempted suicide sent back
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/08/soldier-sent-back-to-duty-three-days.html

Spc. John R. Fish
suspected suicide
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/08/spc-john-r-fish-death-suspected-suicide.html


Sgt. Denise A. Lannaman fatally shot herself in Kuwait

http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/09/from-queens-to-kuwait-where-life-was.html

Spc. Michael Crutchfield suicide
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/10/suicide-of-mike-crutchfield-army.html

Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Lucey, who died by his own hand in June 2004.
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/11/marine-lance-corporal-jeffrey-luceys.html

Sgt. Matthew A. Proulx, a soldier to the end, had no interest in seeking help
Staff Sgt. Justin Reyes, a proven leader in Iraq, was troubled back in the U.S
Sgt. Gary Underhill loved the Army life, but had nightmares and anxiety.
Airman Andrew Norlund, praised for his work ethic, was frustrated and angry
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/11/four-erie-county-soldiers-commit.html

Spc. Melvin Henley was on his second tour of duty in Iraq The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/11/local-paper-uncovers-another-apparent.html

Tyler Curtis survived bullets and bombs. But once he got home, he couldn’t escape the emotional wounds he suffered.
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/tyler-curtis-survived-bullets-and-bombs.html

Sammantha Owen-Ewing, a soldier who hung herself
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/sammantha-arlene-owen-ewing-after.html

Pvt. Daren Smith died Dec. 13, 2007, of self-inflicted wounds.
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/another-non-combat-death.html

Jason Scheuerman, death came on July 30, 2005, around 5:30 p.m., about 45 minutes after his first sergeant told the teary-eyed private that if he was intentionally misbehaving so he could leave the Army, he would go to jail where he would be abused.
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/despite-signs-suicidal-soldier-not.html

Sgt. T.J. Sweet, 23, of Bismarck, N.D., was fatally shot in his barracks in 2003 in Iraq in what she says the Army has determined to be a self-inflicted wound,
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-are-family-member-last-to-know.html

Chris Dana came home from the war in Iraq in 2005 and slipped into a mental abyss so quietly that neither his family nor the Montana Army National Guard noticed.

http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/suicide-of-spec-chris-dana-causes.html

Army Specialist Noah C. Pierce.

http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2008/01/soldiers-words-push-mother-to-act.html

Sgt. Lorek was a two tour OIF veteran and under the care of the VAMC for PTSD and a back injury
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2008/01/sgt-joe-lorek-ends-ptsd-combat.html

Sgt. Jacob Blaylock shot himself this month
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2007/12/sgt-jacob-blaylock-wont-be-counted.html

Lt. j.g. Terry Dugas, 37, who hanged himself in a semi-populated area in the small town of Sant’Alfio
http://woundedtimes.blogspot.com/2008/02/lt-terry-dugas-hanged-himself-near.html

Lance Cpl. James Jenkins
Marine Jeffrey Lucey
Marine Eric Hall, PTSD, found dead in Florida
Marine Jonathan Schultz
Sgt. Brenden Teetsell
Sgt. Steven Vickerman
Pvt. Ashley Baker
Sgt. James Musack

The list goes on and on. There were more, too many more non-combat deaths.

If this is not an issue that needs attention, nothing does. There are far too many still listed as "under investigation" and until the media begins to push for answers, we will not know the true number. Some die by their own hands, others as we have seen in the past, die at the hands of someone else. If the problem of suicides in the military is ever going to be addressed, the true number of them must be reported. We need to know what is failing to prevent it in the future. We need to know beyond a doubt what it will take to save their lives and do it.