Army says 200 or more remains at Arlington National Cemetery misidentified or misplaced

Army: Bodies misidentified at Arlington Cemetery

WASHINGTON — The Army says at least 200 remains in Arlington National Cemetery may have been misidentified or misplaced, casting a shadow over what has been called America’s “sacred ground.”

Defense officials said Thursday that the Army has forced out the cemetery’s two civilian leaders and appointed a new chief.

The Army says it plans a more thorough investigation of the questioned grave sites under the new management.

More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including service members from the Civil War as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army Secretary John McHugh told a Pentagon press conference that the investigation found 211 graves where there were problems of misidentification or improper record keeping.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army says at least 200 remains in Arlington National Cemetery have been misidentified or misplaced, casting a shadow over what has been called America’s “sacred ground.”

Defense officials said Thursday that the Army has forced out the cemetery’s two civilian leaders and appointed a new chief.

The Army says it plans a more thorough investigation of the questioned grave sites under the new management.

More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including service members from the Civil War as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army Secretary John McHugh told a Pentagon press conference that the investigation found 211 graves where there were problems of misidentification or improper record keeping.