A Dover Air Force Base mortuary employee offered to show John Glenn's dead body to people while the famed astronaut and senator awaited burial, a document claims, Military Times reported.
Now officials are investigating whether misconduct was committed, according to the Military Times.
A May 11 memo written by Deborah Skillman, director of casualty and mortuary affairs for the Defense Department, said the worker's alleged actions were "clearly inappropriate and personally shocking," the Military Times noted
Glenn died on Dec. 8 and the Air Force was asked to hold Glenn's remains until he could be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
He was eventually buried with on April 6 on his 74th wedding anniversary, The Washington Post reported.
The offer to view the body was reportedly made to members of an inspection team who were at the mortuary to determine whether it was in compliance with procedures.
Military Times' Karen Jowers wrote: "Glenn's family asked the Air Force to care for his remains in the interim, a request that was granted to 'ensure an increased level of privacy and security for a renowned public servant, Marine Corps officer, and pioneer of space exploration,' Skillman's memo states.
"It was during that time, first on Feb. 28 and again on March 2, when William Zwicharowski, the mortuary's branch chief, 'offered to allow the inspectors to view the deceased.' Skillman was among them."
Officials told Military Times the inspection team declined to view Glenn's remains.
"Concerning to me," Skillman's memo reportedly states, "is that even after Mr. Zwicharowski was counseled by his chain of command regarding the inappropriate nature of his earlier offer, he repeated it."
Zwicharowski could not be reached for comment, Military Times said.
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