Ohio Soldier’s Remains Found in Iraq
By TERRY KINNEY
The Associated Press
Monday, March 31, 2008; 3:57 PM
BATAVIA, Ohio — Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin’s parents vowed to never let the U.S. Army forget about finding their son.
Their efforts included trips to the Pentagon and even meeting with President Bush, but they ended in disappointment Sunday: An Army general told them the remains of Maupin, a soldier who had been listed as missing-captured in Iraq since 2004, had been found.
“My heart sinks, but I know they can’t hurt him anymore,” Keith Maupin said after receiving word about the remains of his son, who went by Matt.
On Monday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed sympathy to Maupin’s family.
“This has been especially difficult for the Maupin family because of not knowing for almost exactly four years. So I want to extend my condolences,” Gates said, speaking to reporters aboard a flight to Denmark.
The Army didn’t say how or where in Iraq his son’s remains were discovered, only that the identification was made with DNA testing, Maupin said. The discovery of a shirt worn by soldiers at the time Matt was captured helped the Army focus its search. (more…)