U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jorge Scatliffe, who perished serving in Mosul, Iraq April 3, will lie in repose for public viewing at Government House, St. Croix, Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1. p.m., according to Government House.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at the Apostolic Faith Mission at 487 Barren Spot. Viewing begins at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Interment follows at Kingshill Cemetery in the veterans section.
Lying in repose is a term used to describe when a deceased person, often of some stature, is available for public viewing and often accompanied by an honor guard. A primary role for honor guards in the United States is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades. "Lying in repose" is different from the formal honor of "lying in state."
Scatliffe will wear the Iraq Campaign Medal, which is awarded to a U.S. military serviceman who has performed duty within the borders of Iraq or its territorial waters. It is given to those who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force or who have been wounded in combat within Iraq. The medal is also awarded posthumously.
Scatliffe received four Army Good Conduct Medals during his military service. The medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service and given when a soldier distinguishes himself from his peers for his character of service.
During his 12 years of military service, Scatliffe also received two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Badge for Mechanics, Driver and Mechanic Badge for Wheel Vehicle Drivers, and Driver and Mechanic Badge for Tracked Vehicle Drivers.
According to the Fort Hood public affairs office, Scatliffe joined the military in April 1998 as a Bradley fighting vehicle system maintainer. He was assigned to Fort Hood since April 2005. Scatliffe deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2003 to August 2004, from December 2005 to December 2006, and from June 2008 to May 2009.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he died in a noncombat-related incident.
