Army 'Warned on Wiring' Before Soldier's Electrocution

Sergeant filed work order after being shocked in the shower

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2008 12:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – A sergeant warned Army administrators about faulty wiring months before a soldier was electrocuted in a shower at the same quarters, CNN reports. "Pipes have voltage, get shocked in the shower," he wrote in a work order. A House committee probing the electrocution deaths in Iraq had previously heard there was no evidence the Pentagon or contractor KBR knew of electrical problems at the facility.

A KBR executive blamed the accidents on the Army. "The reality is that KBR's actions were not the cause of any of these terrible accidents," he told investigators. "The responsibility lies with the Army."

This undated photo shows Cheryl Harris with her son Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth. Ryan, 24, was electrocuted in his shower in Iraq on Jan. 2, 2008. (AP Photo)

US soldiers from Gator Company 2-12 Infantry Battalion set up their first shower stalls in an old Iraqi shop at their combat outpost in this 2007 file photo. (Getty Images)

Cheryl Harris testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 11, 2008, before the Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing looking into electrocution deaths of troops in Iraq. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

US Suspects al-Qaeda Behind Syria Bombings

Group may be looking to exploit the chaos

(NEWSER) - Al-Qaeda's Iraq branch is moving into the chaos in Syria, and is responsible for two recent bombings and most likely yesterday's bombing in Aleppo , US officials tell McClatchy . Intelligence reports seem to back up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad assertions—disputed by the opposition—that al-Qaeda has been involved in the 11-month uprising. More»

Islamic Extremist Gets Life for Killing 2 US Airmen

Arid Uka shot at servicemen in Frankfurt last year

(AP) - An Islamic extremist who killed two US airmen bound for Afghanistan at Frankfurt airport last year and injured two others was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison today. The state court in Frankfurt convicted 22-year-old Arid Uka of two counts of murder. It also found him guilty of three counts of attempted murder and serious bodily harm for wounding two other servicemen and taking aim at a third before his 9mm pistol jammed. More»

Marine Corps Snipers Posed With Nazi Logo

Scout sharpshooters stood with flag whose logo resembles that of SS

(NEWSER) - In what commanders say was the result of an ignorance of history, not racism, Marine Corps scout snipers in Afghanistan apparently adopted the logo of the Nazi SS. The military launched an investigation after a photo surfaced in November of snipers posing with what looks like the logo of the Nazi special unit responsible for killing millions. Probers determined there was no malicious intent—Marines believed the SS symbol was meant to represent "sniper scouts"—although the logo had apparently been used for years, reports AP . The Marines involved were not disciplined, and the incident is now being used as a training tool, says a military spokeswoman. More»

US Military Looking for Foothold in Philippines

But doesn't intend to reopen bases

(NEWSER) - The US military is seeking more access to the Philippines, sources tell Reuters , though not, they hasten to add, new full-blown bases there. The Philippines voted to remove gigantic US naval and air bases 20 years ago, but the country remains a US ally, and the US is hoping for more access to its ports and airfields to refuel warships and planes. "It's access, not bases," one official clarified. And the desire seems to be mutual. More»

Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Females will still not be able to serve as infantry, however: sources

(NEWSER) - Defense Department rules are entering the 21st century. The Pentagon will recommend to Congress today that women in the military should be allowed to serve in a greater number of positions close to front lines. The AP notes that the rule shift would formalize a practice that has already been happening: Though women are technically prohibited from serving in combat battalions, over the past decade many have served at the front lines in roles including medic, military police officer, intelligence officer, and helicopter pilot. The military has previously dodged the rule by "attaching" such women to battalions, rather than formally assigning them, meaning the women would not receive credit for serving in combat arms. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Army 'Warned on Wiring' Before Soldier's Electrocution

Sergeant filed work order after being shocked in the shower

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • US military • electrocution • KBR

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Suspects al-Qaeda Behind Syria Bombings

Group may be looking to exploit the chaos

Islamic Extremist Gets Life for Killing 2 US Airmen

Arid Uka shot at servicemen in Frankfurt last year

Marine Corps Snipers Posed With Nazi Logo

Scout sharpshooters stood with flag whose logo resembles that of SS

US Military Looking for Foothold in Philippines

But doesn't intend to reopen bases

Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Females will still not be able to serve as infantry, however: sources

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Army 'Warned on Wiring' Before Soldier's Electrocution

Sergeant filed work order after being shocked in the shower

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • US military • electrocution • KBR

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Suspects al-Qaeda Behind Syria Bombings

Group may be looking to exploit the chaos

Islamic Extremist Gets Life for Killing 2 US Airmen

Arid Uka shot at servicemen in Frankfurt last year

Marine Corps Snipers Posed With Nazi Logo

Scout sharpshooters stood with flag whose logo resembles that of SS

US Military Looking for Foothold in Philippines

But doesn't intend to reopen bases

Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Females will still not be able to serve as infantry, however: sources

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?