SAPULPA, Okla. — A Sapulpa mother is hopeful after the Army announces leadership changes at Fort Hood.
I hope it’s not just a stunt the military is pulling hoping we will back off. I hope it is the first of many needed changes.
This announcement hits close to home for Kim Wedel of Sapulpa. Her son, U.S. Army Soldier Specialist Gregory Morales disappeared from his army base at Fort Hood in August 2019. Morales remains were found ten months later in a shallow grave.
READ MORE: Family's fight to have fallen soldier's status changed pays off
Officials also announced an investigation into the chain-of-command actions surrounding the case of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. Morales and Guillen were two of three soldiers who died under suspicious circumstances while stationed at Fort Hood.
Army officials said the previously-scheduled change takes effect Sept. 2. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, is directing that Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV formally assume duties as deputy commanding general for operations of III Corps and acting senior commander of Fort Hood.
READ MORE: Army announces Fort Hood leadership changes, investigation into Spc. Vanessa Guillen case
Wedel said investigators aren't sharing much information about Morales' death and the family still does not have an autopsy or cause of death.
Morales served in the U.S. Army for six years. Due to Texas investigators not knowing when or how Morales died, the army had his status as absent without leave (AWOL). The family's fight to have Morales' military status changed paid off. According to Wedel, Colonel Patrick Disney of Fort Hood told her Morales will be reinstated to active duty from AWOL, "based on information from Killeen Police Department."
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