This story caught my eye a few moments ago. It reminded me of the Japanese dead ender soldiers who lasted for many years (some ten, some twenty, some fifty) in the jungles of Okinawa, or other Pacific islands and finally gave up.
As one who prosecuted many of these young men from 1966-1970, I have no more desire to see "justice" done thirty years after this war ended.
Especially when Mr. Carter granted amnesty during the late seventies to all of the draft dodgers of the day.
I wonder how a man in his late fifties feels in a brig with young men the age of his grandchildren when all he did was run away so many years ago.
I guess I am getting soft.
7 comments:
It does seem rather pointless. What's up with the putative tip from a relative? It looks rather like the Marine Corp is being used by one side in a family feud.
Try him, cashier him, give him a DD, and put him on the bus. As you say, after Carter's pardons, it seems sort of pointless.
What happened to that man who came back from North Korea not so long ago? Wasn't he given some kind of pardon?
Yes, he was young and he scewed up. I know the Marines are different but still, cut the guy some slack.
Well, he isn't AWOL. After 30 days, you're a deserter. (Well, at least that's how it works in the Army--I can't imagine that the Marines are too different.)
Like that guy who went over the border in Korea, most likely they'll just give him a some sort of general discharge and be done with it.
Still, it cannot be ignored, and and they used to hang men for deserting. The situation is a little different from all the draft dodgers.
Eric:
He certainly could have been charged with desertion. The specification would allege that he left his organization with the intent "...to remain away permanently". A lay down for conviction, of course.
My point is "what is the point now?"
Vietnam is over and done with. He should be given whatever action (administrative or punitive) necessary to assure that he does not receive veteran's benefits.
I am sure, Mark, that you can guess my thoughts on both those questions. I am not taking troll bait.
If there's no point to it, why even make sure he doesn't get VA benefits?
At the time, because he didn't go, somebody else had to. Same with all the draft dodgers.
Now, obviously marky-mark will start making comments about the President, but hey Mark, what did you do during Vietnam?
As to Bush 'blowing off' the MAANG, from everything I've read, he was out by then, essentially RIFed in the huge draw down of personnel at the end of the Vietnam War. Did the MAANG even fly F102's in 1973-74? Answer me that Marky.
And answer your next snark, gee, if the Democrats had sent the reserves to VN, then Bush would have had to go then, wouldn't he?
You are being silly, marky. Just silly. Quit speaking about things of which you know nothing.
Post a Comment