USA Today
By Chuck LindellAustin American-Statesman
AUSTIN, Texas – Two U.S. House subcommittees have launched a joint investigation into “an alarming pattern of recent tragedies” at Fort Hood, giving Army leadership until Oct. 2 to deliver documents related to the death or disappearance of seven soldiers, including Spc. Vanessa Guillen.
In a letter sent Tuesday to the secretary of the Army, the subcommittee leaders said a spate of crimes at the Texas military post may be a symptom of leadership, discipline and morale deficiencies across the chain of command.
“Where appropriate, we intend to seek justice on behalf of those in uniform, and their families, who may have been failed by a military system and culture that was ultimately responsible for their care and protection,” the letter said.
The letter from U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., and Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said families of missing Fort Hood soldiers have expressed “anguish and frustration” over the Army’s response, including limited information about investigations.
The subcommittees will determine whether Fort Hood leaders have allowed or enabled a culture that undermines Army tradition, the letter said.
Lynch leads the national security subcommittee on the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Speier leads the military personnel panel of the Armed Services Committee.
Beyond Guillen, who was missing for more than three months before her dismembered remains were found in Bell County in late June, the letter focused on Pvt. Mejhor Morta and Sgt. Elder Fernandes, who went missing before they were discovered dead, and Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, whose body was discovered in June — almost a year after he went missing.
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