Post by JohnEakin on Feb 23, 2013 0:18:55 GMT 8
I know that there are a lot of other family members of unknowns who follow this forum and may be interested in how our efforts to identify the remains of Bud Kelder are going so I'll just give you a quick update. There are more details over on bataanmissing.com
We have caught JPAC withholding their own internal documents which recommend disinterment for identification and they have recommended to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Winfield that he not authorize disinterment (and return) of my Cousin's remains. We're still waiting for Winfield to decide. If he decides against disinterment, the case will automatically proceed to the Judge for review.
This isn't a simple disagreement over the facts of the case. We have already provided JPAC with dental evidence much better than what was used in most of the WWII identifications. Plus, we have reports from two odontologists (forensic dentists), both of whom frequently consult for JPAC, and they have independently concluded that we have a good identification and the remains should be disinterred for DNA confirmation.
Further, we know (don't ask how) what is in JPAC's files and is being withheld.
This is why there are 3,744 unknowns buried in Manila and nearly 9,000 worldwide. It isn't that they can't be identified. It is because the US Government doesn't want to identify them. Fill in your own answer as to why.
We have caught JPAC with dirty hands and now we're wondering if the coverup goes all the way up to the Secretary of Defense or will he exercise a bit of diligence and actually consider all the evidence.
On the brighter side, we have obtained a lot of policy information which wasn't previously available and should be helpful to the next family who wants the remains of their family member identified.
Stay tuned.
We have caught JPAC withholding their own internal documents which recommend disinterment for identification and they have recommended to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Winfield that he not authorize disinterment (and return) of my Cousin's remains. We're still waiting for Winfield to decide. If he decides against disinterment, the case will automatically proceed to the Judge for review.
This isn't a simple disagreement over the facts of the case. We have already provided JPAC with dental evidence much better than what was used in most of the WWII identifications. Plus, we have reports from two odontologists (forensic dentists), both of whom frequently consult for JPAC, and they have independently concluded that we have a good identification and the remains should be disinterred for DNA confirmation.
Further, we know (don't ask how) what is in JPAC's files and is being withheld.
This is why there are 3,744 unknowns buried in Manila and nearly 9,000 worldwide. It isn't that they can't be identified. It is because the US Government doesn't want to identify them. Fill in your own answer as to why.
We have caught JPAC with dirty hands and now we're wondering if the coverup goes all the way up to the Secretary of Defense or will he exercise a bit of diligence and actually consider all the evidence.
On the brighter side, we have obtained a lot of policy information which wasn't previously available and should be helpful to the next family who wants the remains of their family member identified.
Stay tuned.