Military Wrongly Told Dad Soldier-Son Died

Officials Say Investigation Opened Into False Notification of Soldier's Death in Afghanistan

(AP)  Military officials say they're investigating why an upstate New York man was told his son had been killed in Afghanistan when the soldier was alive and well.

Ray Jasper of Niagara Falls says he was camping Sunday when he received a call on his cell phone from a woman who said she was a military liaison. He says the woman told him his son, Staff Sgt. Jesse Jasper, was killed in action Saturday.

The father says he later called military officials to get details of his son's death and was told that his son is alive. Ray Jasper says the officials couldn't explain the earlier call.

The father says his son called from Afghanistan and said he would talk to his commanding officers about the call reporting his death.

[bubbadubba]

We all agree but one last time for those who don't know.
THE MILITARY DOES NOT NOTIFY NEXT OF KIN BY PHONE, PERIOD.

[JVgirl]

I know for a fact that the military doesn't deliver death messages by phone. They are delivered in person. Years ago my cousin was killed while serving in the military. Two sergeants from Ft. Sill in Oklahoma drove nearly 200 miles to deliver the message to his family in person.

[woeisme1]

I find it hard to imagine but it seems as if the father believed the caller, at least initially. Good thing he had the sense to call the military.

Does'nt he have caller ID. That might help. The phone company can certainly help track that call.

[erasmus111]

Good thing the father didn't have a heart attack or stroke upon hearing the news.

[bubbadubba]

Notice the headlines say "Military told dad soldier-son died".
"Sep 14, 2009 ... Army public affairs say the military always notifies families of solider deaths in person."
See how the media lies?
The AP is totally worthless and do not believe anything they report and Fox news is even worse.

[bubbadubba]

First they don't call, they come in person.
Naw, it couldn't be a crank call.
Let's do a full investigation for about $100,000 for a crank call.
Is everyone in charge insane?

[rhs648]

This sounds like the revengeful act of someone who knows this soldier. Perhaps a former girlfriend trying to get revenge. If that were the case, it is easy to understand why she would be a former girlfriend. Or it could be a jealous or angry coworker. In any event, this person should be punished if caught. It is the military's practice to notify relatives in person of a soldier's death. Some people will jump to blame the military which will be an injustice.

[mav547166]

The military does not do casualty notification by phone.

[kevinusma]

When is this trashy news organization parading as serious news (CBS) going to change the title of this erroneous article? Who ever said it was the military who did this? The military doesn't call to report a death.

[ocbmom58]

The Military never notifies a family of a death by phone. Even if the father was out of town, the officers would wait at his house until he returned. All military families remember, you will not be notified of your soilders death by phone. It was probably a cruel prank and I hope that the military tracks down the scum of the earth that would even try to pull this kind of prank.

[love2ridend]

You are correct. I was a Casualty Officer and no way would you be notified by phone. Someone needs to be sent to jail for doing that unthinkable act.

[midvale3]

Agreed, the title of the article shouldn't say the military told him, some nutcase did, and they should be prosecuted if found.

[Constitionalist]

It is possibly a very bad prank call. His phone records need to be checked to see who actually called.

[blindersoff]

I thought the same thing. Some sick sad woman that possibly had a thing for the father or the son. The military sends representatives to give this news I thought. This was disgraceful and I hope they get to the bottom of it.

[lorajeantn]

If it is found to be a prank call, rather than an honest mistake (which I think is unlikely), is there some crime she can be charged with? I think she needs to face some consequences for her action.