DNA Technology Identifies Body of a Marine Found in 1968

By Robert Mladinich

On November 18, 1968, the body of USMC Cpl. Robert Daniel Corriveau, 20, was found along the Pennsylvania Turnpike near the Downington interchange. He had been stabbed once through the heart. Through a series of tireless efforts by the Pennsylvania State Police, he was positively identified earlier this year through DNA technology. Cpl. Corriveau had been a patient at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, where he was initially held in a secure area because of mental issues related to his duty in Vietnam, but soon moved into a generally populated ward.

Cpl. Corriveau had been classified as a deserter until his body was positively identified. His body was exhumed from an anonymous grave and he was reinterred in his home state of Massachusetts on October 13, 2012. A set of dress blues with personal and campaign decorations including the Purple Heart Medal with 2 gold stars, representing 3 awards of that medal, were on the uniform. It was placed with his decomposed remains.

Retired NYPD Lt. John E. Kelly and Det. First Grade Tom Nerney, both of whom served in the USMC, have been retained by the Corriveau family to assist in the investigation of the suspicious death. Their efforts are being offered pro bono as they attempt to locate and interview any Marines or Navy personnel who were present at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital as either patients or staff members from October to December 1968. They are also seeking information from visitors, whether authorized or not, contractors and anyone one else who might have information from that time period.

"This is a critical stage of the investigation," said Nerney, who has become a globally renowned investigative consultant since leaving the NYPD 10 years ago after reaching the mandatory retirement age. "There has to be that one link out there that will help us solve this case. We don't know where it is, but we are determined to find it. Public awareness and input are our most valuable resources at this juncture."

The lead investigator in the case is Trooper Henry Callithen of the Pennsylvania State Police, Avondale Station. Please forward any information to Trooper Callithen or John Kelly at E-mail: jkellyisc@verizon.net or Tom Nerney, E-mail: sunburst3102@yahoo.com.

Robert Mladinich is the communications director for the New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association. He can be reached at e-mail: rmladinich@sbanyc.org.