Vietnam-era deserter arrested entering US - U.S. Marine Allen Abney

AP ^ | March 13, 2006 | Calgary Sun

[Former Military Chick]

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) - A man who deserted the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968 was being held at the military prison here following his arrest as he tried to enter the country from Canada, officials said.

Allen Abney, 56, was arrested Thursday when he and his wife tried to cross into the United States from their home in Kingsgate, B.C., for a trip to Reno, Nev..

His daughter, Jessica Abney, said he had crossed into the United States hundreds of times without incident. But officials said a routine computer check this time disclosed an arrest warrant.

Allen Abney was born in the United States but grew up in Canada. He retained his American citizenship and enlisted in the marines in 1968, soon after his younger brother received a draft notice.

Abney was sent to boot camp at Camp Pendleton but fled to Vancouver after receiving a weekend pass to visit Mexico.

Marine corps officials said his case will be reviewed by the current commander of his former unit. Deserters face punishment ranging from discharge to five years in jail, officials said.

[Former Military Chick]

Anyone know anything about this group? I plan to google.

War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada

What irrates me, he took pleasure, Abney had made hundreds of crossings into the United States since his desertion without ever logging an incident, Abney's daughter, Jessica Abney, said Sunday.

Desertion can carry a one-year jail sentence. A charge of desertion to avoid combat can carry a five-year sentence.

But commanders can also settle such cases without a court-martial by discharging the defendant.

I am glad he is finally being held accountable .. perhaps this will start sending a message to those who volunteered for today's military and have fled to Canada?

[tet68]

I thought carter pardoned them.
He'll get a discharge, and that's about all.
Some where MPs are crying at the thought.

[Former Military Chick]

PING (learn something new everyday)

War Resisters Support Campaign in Canada - sanctuary for U.S. war resisters

The War Resisters Support Campaign is a broad-based coalition of community, faith, labour and other organizations and individuals that have come together to support U.S. soldiers seeking asylum in Canada because they refuse to fight in the illegal war in Iraq.

The Campaign works on two fronts: we support the material needs of war resisters when they arrive in Canada; and we campaign to persuade the Canadian government to provide sanctuary for U.S. war resisters.

[DoughtyOne]

Yes Carter did. One more thing to remember him for.

[Former Military Chick]

I have to research more about that ... but you might check out comment #3.

[Farmer Dean]

I think the pardon only covered draft dodgers,not active service personal who deserted.

[elcid1970]

Nail his worthless draftdodger ass! Good and hard! That's what this Vietnam vet wants. I have my rights!

[Gay State Conservative]

Last summer there was a story on the tube about a soldier who deserted during the 60's after having done two tours in Vietnam.

He turned himself in and was given a general discharge which,IMO,is pretty reasonable given that he did his time in harm's way.

It sounds like the guy in this current story was just a coward,as were many others...including a a guy who once was "Commander-In-Chief" of the Arkansas National Guard.

[Former Military Chick]

That is what I read about Carter. Yet, there must be a disconnect because it would seem quite easy for all the articles to put that in the first paragraph, I mean the MSM is so anti military ... but none of the articles have that in there ...

Not disputing just find it curious.

Man Who Deserted in 1968 Is Arrested

[mlstier]

Actually, Carter provided a mechanism for deserters to seek forgiveness. However, they had to apply for it, and This guy didn't.

If it wasn't for 9/11, and the current military engagements, I would agree with you, however, the Chain-of-Command may have to atleast make an example of this guy, or risk problems with current enlisties.

[mfnorman]

I believe Carter pardoned the ones who never answered their draft notices, not the ones who were actually in uniform and deserted.

[Former Military Chick]

C B C . C A   N e w s   -   F u l l   S t o r y : U.S. deserter likely to be released soon Last Updated Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:00:27 EST CBC News The United States will likely release a B.C. man who was arrested last week for deserting the U.S. Marine Corps nearly four decades ago, a spokesperson for the marine corps says. Allen Abney was arrested at the border last Thursday while trying to enter Idaho from southeastern British Columbia. Authorities discovered he deserted in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Abney could still be given a court martial and sent to a military jail for several years. But Lieut. Lawton King, who speaks for the marine corps at Camp Pendleton, Calif., said that is unlikely. He said the most likely outcome is an "administrative separation," a dishonourable discharge from the marine corps. "Unless there is more information of a criminal nature or other factors that must be accounted for, most cases like these are separated administratively, and fairly quickly," King said. King said most cases are handled within seven days. Abney was 19 when he deserted because he didn't want to fight in the war. Now 56, he lives in Kingsgate in British Columbia's East Kootenay region, in a house about 100 metres from the Canada-U.S. border. He and his wife were heading to Reno, Nev., for a holiday when U.S. officials accused him of desertion and took him into custody. King said Abney is being held in a military prison, where he has access to exercise facilities and a library and is free to make phone calls. He denied rumours that the marine corps is stepping up efforts to hunt down and punish deserters. "The marine corps does not man the borders. They're manned by civil authorities, and it was civil authorities who apprehended Mr. Abney." Copyright ©2006 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved

[ChildOfThe60s]

The way I remember it is that Carter pardoned the draft dodgers, those who fled the country to avoid the draft. Not deserters. Completely different animal(s).

[Howie66]

Shoot the maggot.

And, just for public info....there is NO MARINE CORPS "Boot Camp" at Camp Pendleton (during that time frame)........it would have been either San Diego (Ca), or Parris Island (NC).

[RHINO369]

I gotta say I don't see the difference between joining and then whimping out, and not joining at all. If you were drafted and left maybe its a different story. Oh and they should have to pay for the cost of training them.

[LK44-40]

He'll get a discharge, and that's about all.

True. Ruined his trip to Vegas, though!

(I hope that they have given him a haircut, issued him a set of fatigues, and had him on a few latrine details while they're shuffling the paperwork.)

[Muleteam1]

>>I thought carter pardoned them.<<

I thought it was Ford who pardoned these guys. But I think it was just Vietnam draft dodgers.

Muleteam1

[processing please hold]

He's been living the good life in Canadistan for far too long. I hope his stay in the slammer is as long and miserable as can be.

look at his age, he'll make a soft room mate for Big Bubba.

[Uriah_lost]

Carter pardoned those who fled to avoid the draft, not those who joined up and then bailed.