Who's Who in the Iraqi Prisoner Abuse Scandal

I've been reading all of these articles and watching news shows covering the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. And I've had trouble tracking who is who. So here's my list of the players, to be updated over time. Let me know if I've missed someone or I've gotten something wrong. I'll figure out how to make it easier to navigate later. Sources for this information center on the New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Monthly, and ABC News.

Note that the text below is dated but you can download an updated list (5/22/04) here:

PDF: Download whos_who_at_abu_ghraib.pdf

Word Doc: Download whos_who_at_abu_ghraib.doc

320th Military Police Battalion Consists of 1000 reservists, based in Ashley PA. Under command of Lt. Col. Jerry L. Phillabaum. Orders to Iraq came on Feb. 5, 2003. Specialty was intended to be guarding enemy POWs but few troops trained to do so. No time for training due to short deployment timeframe. Initially stationed in Kuwait, then to British POW camp, then Camp Bucca. Most of battalion sent to Agu Ghraib in July 2003. With 372nd MP Company and 800th MP Brigade, oversaw Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca, Camp Cropper, and Camp Ashraf.

205th Military Intelligence Brigade Based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Assigned to Abu Ghraib as chief interrogators since its opening.

372nd Military Police Company Based in Cresaptown MD. Has approximately 150 soldiers and is divided into five platoons, four of which consist of MPs. Arrived in Iraq in May 2003. Initially assigned to work with marines in Hilla to reconstitute Iraqi police force. Specialty in law enforcement. With 320th Battalion and 800th MP Brigade, oversaw Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca, Camp Cropper, and Camp Ashraf. Arrived at Abu Ghraib in October 2003. Company commander is directly responsible for all actions taken by his soldiers, or those that they fail to take. The 372nd's commander and the relevant platoon leader either knew or should have known of the actions of their subordinates, as should have their noncommissioned officers.

800th Military Police Brigade Headquartered in Uniondale NY. With 320th Battalion and 372nd MP Company, oversaw Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca, Camp Cropper, and Camp Ashraf.

Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of American forces in the Middle East

Senator Danial Akaka Hawaii, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Fazel Akbar Governor of Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan. Quoted as saying US military officials reported that Abdul Wali died of a heart attack.

Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, Deputy Chief of Staff, US Army. Head of intelligence for the army. Said he believed that the abuses were carried out by "a group of undisciplined military police," adding that he had seen no evidence that military intelligence officers had told them what to do.

Senator Wayne Allard Colorado, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Specialist Megan M. Ambuhl, facing court martial in relation to Abu Ghraib abuse. Charged with conspiracy and dereliction of duty but not implicated in the most serious abuse. Says she was merely a bystander who treated the Iraqi detainees kindly, giving them copies of the Koran and making sure their meals contained no pork.

John Ashcroft, Attorney General. Apparently has decided to push for federal prosecutions against the civilians involved at Abu Ghraib -- including CIA employees and private contractors.

Senator Evan Bayh Indiana, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee. Asked Rumsfeld if resignation would be valuable statement to rest of world.

Nick Berg, 26, beheaded by al Qaeda militants in Iraq who claimed it was retaliation for Abu Ghraib abuse.

Paul Bergrin, lawyer for Sgt. Javal S. Davis. Accuses the government of abusing Davis by interrogating him for 20 sleepless hours right after he worked a 60-hour shift at Abu Ghraib.

Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo Guam, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin: Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. He's the one who got in trouble last year for describing his battle with a Muslim Somali warlord by saying "I knew that my God was bigger than his God. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol", saying President Bush was chosen by God, and generally that the war on terror is an apocalyptic struggle between Christianity and Satan. The Pentagon investigation into these comments that Boykin requested in fall '03 is still underway.(Thanks to TPM for the info.)

L. Paul Bremer III, American administrator of Iraq. Warned Rumsfeld and other senior administration officials of problems in the prisons as early as fall '03. Warned of political fallout.

Secretary Les Brownlee Acting Secretary Of The U.S. Army

Senator Robert Byrd West Virginia, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Steve Cambone Undersecretary of Defense, 52, position created by Congress in 2003. Charged with integrating eight intelligence groups in Pentagon, said to be unpopular there due to "heavy hand". Holds no operational authority over intelligence agencies. Stated at Senate hearings that he made recommendations for better coordination to command shortly before abuses occurred but claims no connection. Clarified that no policy made and no encouragement of MP involvement in interrogations. Urged transfer of General Miller to Iraq. Claims tranfer of prison to intelligence was in relation to facility and not MPs. Holds doctorate in political science, began his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. A missile-defense specialist, worked in Pentagon as director for strategic defense policy under Bush Sr., served as staff director under Rumsfeld on the presidential panel - Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States. At Pentagon under Rumsfeld, first served as principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy under Douglas J. Feith. Then took over the portfolio in charge of transforming the military, one of Rumsfeld's top priorities, and took on the intelligence post in March 2003.

Senator Saxby Chamblis Georgia, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton New York, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Tom Cole Oklahoma, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Senator Sue Collins Maine, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Senator John Cornyn Texas, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham California, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Specialist Joseph M. Darby 372nd Military Police Company. Reported abuse to his superior officer, initially with anonymous note under door but later in person.

Sgt. Javal Davis, facing general court martial for Abu Ghraib abuse. Charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty for failing to protect detainees from abuse, maltreatment of detainees, rendering false official statements and assault. Charge sheet alleges that he forced detainees into a pile "and jumped on" them, and that he stepped on prisoners' feet and struck one detainee "in anger." Also accused of lying to an investigator about such incidents. Told army investigators that he was "made to do various things that I would question morally." Also told investigators that military intelligence personnel appeared to approve of the abuse. "We were told they had different rules." Claims no involvement in pictured torture but admits to "softening up" detainees by stepping on fingers and toes. Not shown in any photos released to date.

Lawrence Di Rita Pentagon spokesman

Senator Elizabeth Dole North Carolina, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Pfc Lynndie R. England 372nd Military Police Company. Shown in multiple published photos. Seen in picture holding naked prisoner by leash around neck. Trained to be an Army administrator. Married and divorced before she was 21, worked at a chicken-processing plant in West Virginia. Wanted to attend college to become a storm-chasing meteorologist. Has not been charged. Is currently pregnant with
Specialist Graner’s child. Stationed in Ft. Bragg where she is being questioned.

Rep. Lane Evans Illinois, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast the top American intelligence officer in Iraq, based in Baghdad. In charge of reviewing the status of the security detainees as a prelude to their release, had three person team for this.

Staff Sgt. Ivan L. Frederick 372nd Military Police Company, 37. Currently facing a general court martial. Charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty for negligibly failing to protect detainees from abuse, maltreatment of detainees, and wrongfully committing an indecent act by watching detainees commit a sexual act. In charge sheet, accused of having taken part in forcing a prisoner to stand on a box with wires placed on his hands; prisoner was told he would be electrocuted if he fell off the box, although the wires were not connected to a power source. Also accused of forcing naked detainees into a pyramid position and photographing the scene. Also alleged to have ordered detainees to masturbate in front of other prisoners and guards and then "placing one in a position so that the detainee's face was directly in front of the genitals of another detainee" to simulate oral sex while photographing them. In letters home, claimed that military intelligence officers encouraged mistreatment of prisoners. Identified by Colonel Phillabaum as primarily responsible for mistreatment. Joined reserves in high school, chose retirement but waiting for 20 year anniversary, reached in April 2004. As civilian, works as corrections officer at Buckingham Correctional Center, medium security facility.

Senator Bill Frist Tennessee, Republican. Senate Majority Leader. Showed up for the PR at the Senate hearing.

Rep. Phil Gingrey Georgia, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Master Sgt. Lisa Girman 320th Military Police Battalion. Court martialed for detainee mistreatment at Camp Bucca in first incident of prisoner abuse involving the unit. On May 12, 2003 urged subordinates to beat and kicked detainee(s) being held down during/after prison riot. Pled guilty in plea bargain and received less-than-honorable discharge.

Senator Lindsey Graham South Carolina, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee. Reprimanded Vice President Cheney on Meet the Press (4/8/04) for comment in regard to Rumsfeld to “get off his back”. Previously served as Air Force JAG (i.e. a lawyer). Strong voice for Congress fulfilling its oversight duties.

Specialist Charles A. Graner Jr. 372nd Military Police Company, 35. Said to have supervised abuse, shown in many of the published pictures. Shown in one picture with arms folded, standing behind pile of naked Iraqi prisoners. Identified by Colonel Phillabaum as primarily responsible for mistreatment of detainees. Served in the Marine Corps from April 1988 until May 1996, when he left with the rank of lance corporal. Lawyer states that in November '03 won a commendation from the Army for his work as a military police officer in Iraq. As civilian, held entry-level corrections officer position at State Correctional Institution Greene in PA, a job from which he was fired. (In July 2000, he was fired after refusing to work a mandatory overtime shift that would have forced him to miss a weekly custody exchange of his children. Two years later, an arbitrator ruled that the prison had acted unjustly and ordered Specialist Graner reinstated with back pay.) Currently facing charges at court martial including cruelty and maltreatment of detainees, willfully failing to protect detainees from abuse, adultery, and committing indecent acts. Arraignment scheduled for 5/20/04.

Specialist Sabrina Harman 372nd Military Police Company. Originally from Virginia. Told military investigators that her job was "to keep detainees awake." Seen in at least one published photo.

Nadem Sadoon Hatab, 52-year-old former Baath Party official, died at the Camp White Horse in June '03 after a three-day period in which he was allegedly subjected to beatings and karate kicks to the chest and left to die naked in his own feces. Hatab was targeted for especially harsh treatment because he was believed to be in possession of Jessica Lynch's 507th Army Battalion weapon and suspected of involvement in the ambush of her unit. Criminal prosecution is underway. Hatab's death was ruled a homicide, caused by strangulation, the result of a fracture of a bone in his throat. The medical examiner testified it took him hours to die.

Spc. Myrna Hernandez, 870th Military Police Command, 26, of Antioch. One of three women accusing their commander, Captain Leo V. Merck, of taking photographs of them while they showered.

Sy Hersh, investigative reporter for The New Yorker that broke the story on the Abu Ghraib torture.

Roland Huguenin-Benjamin, Red Cross spokesman

Rep. Duncan Hunter California, Republican. Chairman of House Armed Services Committee.

James Inhofe, Oklahoma, Republican. Made his own outrageous statements saying he was outraged by the outrage over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Said "I'm probably not the only one up at this table that is more outraged by the outrage than we are by the treatment." McCain allegedly walked out on him.

John Israel contractor employed by CACI. Civilian interrogator at Abu Ghraib identified in Taguba report.

Rep. Steve Israel New York, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Jamadi Iraqi man, identified by last name only, whose November 2003 death occurred after he had been captured by Navy Seals, brought to the Baghdad airport and transferred the same day to Abu Ghraib, where he was then questioned by the CIA. He died while being questioned by a CIA officer and a linguist contracted by the CIA. His death is under investigation by the CIA’s inspector general.

Lt. Col. Steve Jordan 205th Military Intelligence Brigade. Headed the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center at the Abu Ghraib.

Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski Commander of 800th Military Police Brigade overseeing all 16 Army-run prisons, arrived in Iraq in late June 2003. Longtime reservist, business consultant. Labelled as failing in core leadership duties. Relieved of her command and reprimanded.

Senator Ted Kennedy Massachussetts, Democrat. Member of Armed Services Committee.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq

Sgt. John Lamela 320th MP Battalion, of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Claimed that military intelligence was definitively in charge. (NYT 4/8/04)

Rep. James Langevin Rhode Island, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Senator Carl Levin Michigan, Democrat. Ranking member of Armed Services Committee:

Senator Joseph Lieberman Connecticut, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee. Ridiculous comments at hearing on how the 9/11 terrorists didn't apologize, et al. He ought to just declare himself a Republican and get it over with. I'm tired of Fox News citing him as the only sane Democrat.

Abid Hamad Mahawish former Iraqi general, whose death in November 2003 is under investigation by the CIA’s inspector general. He died in western Iraq several days after being interviewed by C.I.A. personnel and American interrogators from other agencies.

Stanley L. Martin, lawyer for Specialist Sivits's lawyer

Senator John McCain Arizona, Republican. Member of Armed Services Committee.

Lane McCotter: Sent to Iraq as part of a team of prison officials, judges, prosecutors and police chiefs picked by Attorney General John Ashcroft to rebuild the country's criminal justice system. Directed the reopening of Abu Ghraib and trained guards. Resigned under pressure as director of the Utah Department of Corrections in 1997 after an inmate died while shackled naked to a restraining chair for 16 hours. Later became an executive of a private prison company, one of whose jails was under investigation by the Justice Department when he was sent to Iraq.

Sgt. First Class Scott McKenzie 320th Military Police Battalion, 38, of Clearwater, PA. Court martialed for detainee mistreatment at Camp Bucca in first incident of prisoner abuse involving the unit. On May 12, 2003 beat and kicked detainee(s) being held down during/after prison riot. Pled guilty in plea bargain and received less-than-honorable discharge. As civilian, worked in boot-camp style detention center.

Lt. Gen. David D. McKiernan Gen. Karpinski’s superior.

Rep. Kendrick Meek Florida, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee.

Captain Leo V. Merck, former commander of the 870th Military Police Company. Facinga court martial for allegedly snapping nude pictures of female soldiers as they showered at Abu Ghraib. Accused of such by three female soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller, new Deputy Commanding General for detention operations in Iraq (i.e. chief of interrogations and detentions there). Previously in command of Gitmo Bay, Cuba prison. Toured Iraq prisons in late August, early September, ending 9/9/03 to review the American-led effort "to rapidly exploit internees for actionable intelligence," per the Taguba report. Submitted confidential report after tour recommending that military police, serving as guards at Abu Ghraib, become "actively engaged in setting the conditions for successful exploitation of internees," per the Taguba report. Also recommended that the two principle functions at Abu Ghraib, detention and interrogation, be integrated under a single command. Miller says he never recommended that military intelligence take over Abu Ghraib. "The recommendation was that someone, one organization, be in charge of the operations at Abu Ghraib," he said. "We did not make the recommendation on exactly who it would be." Also said he had never recommended that the guards at Abu Ghraib be involved in actual questioning of prisoners. (NYT 5/9/04)

Sgt. First Class Joseph Mood 320th MP Battalion, of Benton, PA. Claimed that military intelligence was definitively in charge. (NYT 4/8/04)

Gary Myers, lawyer for Sergeant Frederick

General Richard Myers Chairman, Joint Chiefs Of Staff

Senator Bill Nelson Florida, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Torin Nelson, listed in the Taguba report as a witness. Served as a military intelligence officer at Guantánamo Bay with Utah National Guard before moving to Abu Ghraib as a private contractor with CACI in 2003. Blames the abuses on a failure of command in US military intelligence and an over-reliance on private firms as per article in Guardian. Resigned in 02/04 in fear for life due to increased attacks on Abu Ghraib facility. Believes that military intelligence is seeking to blame the Abu Ghraib scandal on a handful of soldiers to divert attention away from ingrained problems in the military detention and interrogation system.

Gen. Peter Pace, Marine Corps, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged in Senate hearing that taken individually some of the approved interrogation techniques could be interpreted as violating the Geneva Conventions.

Colonel Thomas M. Pappas commander of the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, 32 years in military, based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Assigend to Abu Ghraib since its reopening. Received a career-ending letter of reprimand in response to the events at Abu Ghraib.

Lt. Col. Jerry L. Phillabaum commander of 320th Military Police Battalion, based in Ashley PA. Briefed Gen Sanchez on poor conditions at Abu Ghraib in late October, followed by 2 weeks of R&R in Kuwait at Gen Karpinski’s direction. Per the Taguba report, Phillabaum and his chain of command were part of the problem, rarely supervising troops and failing to set basic soldiering standards or make them aware of the protections afforded to prisoners under the Geneva Conventions.

Special Agent Tyler Pieron, Army investigator, testified that: "There was absolutely no evidence that the military intelligence or military police chain of command authorized any of this kind of maltreatment. These individuals wanted to do this for fun."

Sgt. Gary Pittman, facing court martial at Camp Pendleton in San Diego on charges related to the death of Hatab. Accused of karate-kicking Hatab in the chest when the prisoner allegedly refused to follow orders.

Senator Mark Pryor Alaska, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Neal Puckett General Karpinski's lawyer

Abdul Rahman, last name unknown, Iraqi translator at Abu Ghraib, allegedly ran extortion racket arranging visits for detainee family members. Described as a middle-aged former soldier from the old Iraqi regime.

Senator Jack Reed Rhode Island, Democrat. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Capt. Donald Reese commander of the 372nd Military Police Company. In civilian life, is a traveling salesman with a company that sells window blinds.

Don Rehkopf, an attorney for one of the accused reservists.

Senator Pat Roberts Kansas, Republican. Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee. Member of Armed Services Committee.

Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Romig, Army Judge Advocate General. Said the Army was now tracking a total of 83 different prisoner abuse cases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine Reserve Cpl. William Scott Roy, a deputy sheriff in Rensselaer County, N.Y., has admitted his involvement in the death of Hatab and has agreed to testify against fellow reservist Sgt. Gary Pittman.

Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld Defense Secretary, 71

Rep. James Ryun Kansas, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez the ground commander and top american officer in Iraq. Sent his inspector general to Abu Ghraib in late September. Transferred formal command of Abu Ghraib on Nov. 19, 2003 to the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade under Colonel Thomas M. Pappas. Approved interrogation techniques for use in Iraq in October '03. Some techniques required his approval, including sensory deprivation, solitary confinement beyond 30 days and "stress positions" like prolonged periods of standing or crouching.

Rep. James Saxton New Jersey, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

General Peter Schoomaker Chief Of Staff Of The U.S. Army

Dan Senor, Coalition authority spokesman

Senator Jeff Sessions Alabama, Republican. Member of the Armed Services Committee.

Sgt. First Class Paul Shaffer 320th Military Police Battalion, 35, metalworker from PA.

Jane Siegel, attorney for the former officer in charge at Camp White Horse, against whom charges related to the death of Hatab have been dismissed.

Rep. Rob Simmons Connecticut, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Specialist Jeremy Sivits 372nd Military Police Company. Originally from Hyndman PA. Thought by military officials to have taken many of the published photographs. Father says trained as truck mechanic, not prison guard. Facing special (not general) court martial on May 19, 2004 in Baghdad. Answering to three charges, including the maltreatment of detainees at the prison, conspiracy to maltreat detainees and negligently failing to protect detainees from abuse and cruelty. Court martial will be open to media. Expected to plead guilty.

Rep. Ike Skelton Missourri, Democrat, Ranking member of House Armed Services Committee

Lieutenant General Lance Smith Deputy Commander, Central Command (deputy commander of American forces in the Middle East).

Rep. Victor Snyder Arkansas, Democrat, Ranking member of House Armed Services Committee

Rep. John Spratt South Carolina, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Steven Stefanowicz contractor employed by CACI. Leader of team of civilian interrogators. Former Navy petty officer Began work at Abu Ghraib under classified one-year military contract in August 2003.

Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba, Deputy Commanding General (Support), Third United States Army, Camp Doha, Kuwait. Generated confidential report completed in March 2004 uncovering abuse of prisoners. Later leaked to media. Recently tranferred to Pentagon "desk job": Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, Training and Mobilization, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Washington, DC.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher California, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Rep. Gene Taylor Mississippi, Democrat, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Rep. William "Mac" Thornberry Texas, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Abdul Wali a former local Iraqi commander who had fought against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980's and turned himself in to American forces last June in Asadabad in eastern Afghanistan. His death in June 2003 occurred while being interrogated by an independent contract employee of the CIA and is under investigation by the CIA’s inspector general.

Senator John Warner Virginia, Republican. Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 77, a Navy secretary under President Nixon. Once married to Elizabeth Taylor. Enlisted at age 17 to serve during World War II. Known as the "the Squire" on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Curt Weldon Pennsylvania, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Bryan Whitman Pentagon spokesman.

Rep. Heather Wilson New Mexico, Republican, Member of House Armed Services Committee

Specialist Matthew Wisdom, assigned to Abu Ghraib

Paul D. Wolfowitz, Deputy Defense Secretary. Testified in Senate hearing in relation to request for $25b supplemental funding for Iraq and Afghanistan war efforts.

Guy Womack, Houston lawyer for Specialist Graner. Defense is to say Graner was following orders and that he believed the orders were lawful. Conceded that the orders Graner would cite in his defense were often general. "Most are not specific," he said. "Some are pretty clear."

Harvey J. Volzer, lawyer for Specialist Ambuhl

Rose Mary Zapor, lawyer representing Private England

Comments

[Nancy]

Geez - what a list! Thanks for breaking down who's who. Love the "dynamic" of persons on the Armed Services Committee. Do you think Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Dole enjoy tea after an especially fiesty session? Perhaps shots of whiskey????

[Mike]

Very good list! Includes the smaller players and the big ones too. What I think would be interesting to see is an organization chart detailing who works for whom, and the lines of authority...

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