Pentagon reverses policy on photos of coffins

04/29/2005

Star Tribune
April 29, 2005

Released: More than 700 images of flag-draped coffins of American service members killed at war have been released by the Pentagon this week.

For families and troops: “This is an important victory for the American people, for the families of troops killed in the line of duty during wartime ...,” said University of Delaware professor Ralph Begleiter, whose October 2004 lawsuit spurred the release.

Freedom of Information: He sought the release under the Freedom of Information Act. A ban on media coverage of returning casualties had been imposed since the Gulf War, intended to respect families who had lost their loved ones, a Defense Department spokesman said.

What they show: The photographs were taken by military photographers between 2001 and 2004 and depict honor guard ceremonies as well as caskets.

“This ... should make it difficult, if not impossible, for any U.S. government in the future to hide the human cost of war from the American people,” Begleiter said in a written statement.