Family Is Finally Told How Soldier Died in Iraq
The Army said it had known for more than a year that 1st Lt. Kenneth Ballard, who died in Iraq in May 2004, was not killed in action, as it initially reported. The family was told the truth Friday.
The Army disclosed that Ballard, 26, died of wounds from the accidental discharge of a machine gun on his tank.
Ballard’s mother, Karen Meredith, of Mountain View, Calif., said she was angry and would press for a full explanation.
A letter from Army Secretary Francis Harvey was hand-delivered to her Friday. She said Harvey wrote, “I sincerely apologize to you for the unfortunate series of events that resulted in your not being informed.”
Army officials said the failure to notify the family of the true cause of Ballard’s death was an oversight.
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