Staff Sergeant Ryan MasethI recently posted a blog “US Soldiers Electrocuted In Iraq” (click here to read it). It would appear that maybe our politicians have taken notice of this senseless tragedy. The Democratic Policy Committee in the Senate, chaired by Senator Byron Dorgan and The Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chaired by Congressman Henry Waxman are currently investigating the accidental electrocution deaths of our soldiers.

In a recent letter from Chairman Waxman to Defense Secretary Gates requesting documents for the investigation it states:

According to the Army and Marine Corps, at least 12 service members have died in Iraq as a result of electrocution since 2003. In fact, in October 2004, the Army issued a safety publication noting that five soldiers died from electrocution in 2004 alone and warning that improper grounding of electrical wires is “a factor in nearly every electrocution” and “a serious threat for soldiers in Iraq”.

On January 2,2008, Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth was electrocuted while taking a shower in his living quarters in the Radwaniyah Palace Complex in Baghdad. According to a memorandum issued by the Army Criminal Investigative Division, Staff Sergeant Maseth’s death was due to improper grounding of the electric water pump which supplied water to the building’s pipes. When Staff Sergeant Maseth stepped into the shower and turned on the water, and electrical short in the pump sent and electrical current through the water pipes to the metal shower hose, and then through Staff Sergeant Maseth’s arm to his heart.

(click here to read the entire letter)

FIVE SOLDIERS WERE ELECTROCUTED IN 2004 ALONE. THIS IS 2008!!!!! WHY WASN’T SOMETHING DONE SOONER!!!! (yes…I am yelling!)

As an electrician and an American I am just sickened by this….heartbroken…..angry.

The photo above is Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth. He was a US Soldier, someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s friend. There are AT LEAST eleven others just like him. I am trying to find out their names and I will list them as well.

I will be following these investigations closely and will keep you updated. I hope they are not just a “dog and pony” show for the elections.

Ms Sparky