Heads Rolling Over Vet Health

Two senior Army officials have now resigned over the conditions at Walter Reed Hospital and the paperwork nightmare faced by vets trying to be released with Iraq War disabilities. Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, resigned Friday, reportedly under pressure from the Bush Administration.

Harvey should have been involved in the Army's decision earlier this week to fire Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who had been managing Walter Reed for six months. The problems documented by the Washington Post preceded Weightman, but the Army replaced him with Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who was in charge of Walter Reed before Weightman. Odd choice, that.

The Guardian has a brief history of Walter Reed. See casualty data for Iraq.