| | Defense Department okays media photographs of war dead
 Defense and congressional officials said news organizations will be allowed to photograph the homecomings of America's war dead under a new Pentagon policy.
The officials say Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided to allow photos of flag-draped caskets at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, if the families of casualties agree.
The Pentagon had made a habit of flying in dead soldiers under the cover of darkness -- often just before dawn -- as part of a strategy to keep the media from photograph soldiers' coffins in an effort to keep the press from derailing public support for the war as occurred during Vietnam War.
Mr. Gates planned to announce his decision later Thursday. The current ban was put in place by President George H.W. Bush.
Several photographs taken during the Bush era -- some obtained under the Freedom of Information Act -- are posted below.
The US censored some photos released under the Act, claiming that the soldiers pictured were protected by privacy laws.
DEVELOPING....
With AP.
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