Topeka Paper Covers Father's Quest To Find Out Why Son Died in Iraq

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Topeka Paper Covers Father's Quest To Find Out Why Son Died in Iraq

By E&P Staff and The Associated Press

Published: September 20, 2007 1:05 PM ET

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It has been seven weeks since his son died in Iraq, and David Finch is still trying to find out what happened.

Kansas Army National Guard Sgt. Courtney D. Finch, 27, of Leavenworth, died July 24 of unknown causes. The Department of Defense reported only that Finch died of “injuries sustained from a noncombat-related incident.”

Finch’s father, David Finch, said he was told he would receive a cause of death within six weeks. Seven weeks later, he is upset at what he sees as the slow progress.

“What’s the holdup?” he said. “I’ve had no word from anyone.”

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David Finch said he has learned that after returning from patrol on July 24, members of his son’s platoon each took two IVs of saline solution and drank a gallon of water. Finch said he also has heard that his son hadn’t urinated in the two days before his death.

“His kidneys were probably shutting down and you don’t force IVs to someone like that,” Finch said.

Gonzales said he didn’t know anything about the IVs, but that it wasn’t uncommon for soldiers to use them after spending time inside a Humvee, where temperatures can reach 140 degrees.

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