In late December 2008 the U.S. Army sent 7,000 letters to the families of soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. The letters were meant to notify the families of services available to them from nonprofit agencies, but due to a printing error all began with "Dear John Doe" and included incorrect return address information. The U.S. Army Human Resources Command's Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Center in Alexandria, Virginia issued a formal apology for the error on January 7, 2009. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. will also send a personal letter of apology to all the families affected by the letter.CNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
Formal Statement Excerpt
There are no words to adequately apologize for this mistake or for the hurt it may have caused. It is important the original intent of the letter is not lost. The organizations mentioned are dedicated to honoring loved ones and recognizing their sacrifice and commitment.—Brig. Gen. Reuben D. Jones, Army adjutant generalCNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
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Letters were sent by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command's Casualty and Mortuary Affairs CenterCNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
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Letters were meant to notify families of fallen soldiers of services and benefits made available to them by nonprofit agenciesCNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
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Due to a printing error all letters began "Dear John Doe" and contained improper return address informationCNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
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The Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Center issued a formal apology for the letters on January 7, 2009CNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
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Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. will also send a personal letter of apology to the families who received the letterCNN: Army sorry for John Doe letters... (January 7, 2009)
