Lt. Colonel Jim Gentry
Scott Swan/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis – An Indiana national Guard soldier was laid to rest Tuesday. He died of cancer after being exposed to a toxic chemical in Iraq. His death raises new questions about a hidden enemy that over 100 Hoosier soldiers faced in a war zone.
It was a final salute Tuesday to Lt. Colonel Jim Gentry, who lost his battle with cancer the day before Thanksgiving.
“I lost my best friend, so it is a tough, tough loss,” said Paul Grube, soldier.
Gentry was eulogized as a friend, husband and father. But most of the people at his funeral were fellow soldiers, including some who served under Gentry during his two tours of duty in Iraq. During one mission, they protected an Iraqi plant with a substance on the ground identified as sodium dichromate. Experts say the chemical can cause nose bleeds and even cancer.
After returning from Iraq, friends say Gentry was diagnosed with lung, bone and brain cancer. He attacked the disease like a military operation.
“His mission was never surrender to the disease. To the very end, Jim never surrendered,” said Lt.Col. Dan Colglazier, Indiana National Guard.
“In our conversations, he believes that the chemical not only affected him but his soldiers,” said Grube.
Some of the soldiers who served with Gentry sued KBR, the American contractor overseeing the plant. KBR has denied deliberately exposing the soldiers to the chemical.
“Jim and his men just did what their nation asked them to do. They went to a site and did their job without any knowledge of any type of contamination. And I pray to God that if the allegations are such and found to be true – that there would be accountability,” said Major General Martin Umbarger, Indiana National Guard.
Those who knew Gentry say he would not complain and instead dedicated his remaining days to his final battle.
Lt. Colonel Gentry is one of 48 Indiana National Guard soldiers suing KBR for knowingly exposing them to sodium dichromate. The trial is scheduled for September 2010 in Evansville.
Attorneys say Gentry was the second Indiana soldier who died from exposure. KBR denies any wrongdoing. (Link to Original)
Letter explaining Veterans Affairs action on the exposure
Heather Browne’s Statement on behalf of KBR
