EOD’s Name to Stay on Memorial Wall

The name of an explosive ordnance disposal Soldier who died of a stroke in Iraq will remain on an EOD Memorial wall after an explosive outcry from the Soldier's family and fellow EOD techs prompted the memorial's governing board to reverse itself.

The EOD Memorial Foundation earlier this month voted to remove Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan M. Lankford's name from the memorial at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., because of complaints that he did not die in the line of duty. Lankford's widow, Cheryl Lankford of San Antonio, learned of the decision from foundation executive director Jim O'Neil.

"It felt like the chaplain and sergeant were knocking on my door to tell me my husband had died … It was like ripping open an old wound," she told the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Robert Fay, president of the foundation, said in a letter published by the Northwest Florida Daily News that Lankford's name would remain in place.

"We would like to express our most deep felt apologies to the Lankford family and the EOD Community for any pain that has been caused," he wrote. Fay also said the foundation would be reviewing the process for approving names for the wall and would seek member input.

The decision also rankled many in the EOD community -- active-duty, veterans and retirees.  E-mails flew among members, many harshly critical of the board's decision.

In one e-mail, a lieutenant colonel identified as the battalion executive officer at the time of Lankford's death told fellow EOD specialists that Lankford met criteria for inclusion on the wall because he engaged in training required in support or in preparation for assigned EOD missions.

"Additionally, by being in a combat theater as a battalion command sergeant major … Lankford was performing EOD duties commensurate to his rank and position. It's a very bad day if a CSM has to don a bomb suit or conduct [a render-safe procedures]" operation, the officer wrote according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the EOD Memorial Foundation.

In one of the most passionate e-mails, a Marine EOD specialist asked "did anyone on the [foundation] committee have the balls to ask his family their opinion" before voting to strike his name from the wall, and whether the committee wondered what the EODs whose names are "on the wall would think of this shameful act?"

"If anyone has a problem with what I said, feel free to contact me and I would gladly come pay you a visit on my own dime and we can iron out this matter in person," the Marine EOD tech wrote.