Jessica Lynch Sticks Up for Former Iraqi POW Pal

ABC 7 ^ | October 26, 2003 | Associated Press

[yonif]

El Paso-AP, October 26, 2003)- — The father of former prisoner of war Shoshana Johnson on Friday accused the Army of shortchanging his daughter of disability benefits after she was offered a smaller paycheck than fellow POW Jessica Lynch.

"She is not getting what she deserves," Claude Johnson said.

Family members confirmed that Lynch, a private first class who was snatched from her Iraqi captors on April 1 in a rescue by Special Forces, is receiving an 80 percent disability. Johnson, a specialist who was released on April 13 with four other American POWs, has been offered 30 percent, Claude Johnson said.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who consulted the Johnson family, said race was playing a part in Army's decision. Lynch is white; Johnson is black.

"There's a long history of blacks not receiving fair and adequate recognition in the military," said Jackson. "The first black female POW who survived is about to be discharged and suffers the trauma, the emotional injury and has a 3-year-old daughter to raise. She deserves more."

Army spokesman Maj. Steve Stover said Shoshana Johnson's payment can be appealed.

Stover said the two cases are different and race is not an issue.

Stover disputed reports that Lynch had been medically discharged this summer, even though she has been allowed to reach a $1 million book deal.

He said Lynch is on the Temporary Disability Retired List and has not technically been discharged. She will be reevaluated periodically and if recovered sufficiently, she could go back on active duty or request an official discharge.

Shoshana Johnson will be discharged soon.

"The disability compensation is based on each individual soldier's condition," Stover said.

Military officials said Lynch was hurt after her Humvee utility vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and crashed into another vehicle. She suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries and it was four months before she could walk again.

Shoshana Johnson was shot in both ankles and was held by Iraqi captors for 22 days. She still periodically uses a walking cast, has a hard time staying on her feet for any period of time and is not sleeping well, her father said.

She was shown in an Iraqi video fearfully watching her captors as they peppered her and the other POWs with questions.

The disability and discharge status of the other former POWs was not immediately known.

Claude Johnson said Lynch and his daughter, who were both stationed at Fort Bliss near El Paso, have become friends.

In a statement released Friday by her attorney, Lynch said she was "disappointed for Shoshana."

"When she visited me in West Virginia last month, we discussed the extent of our injuries and the long road back to health, including a lifetime commitment to physical therapy and rehabilitation," Lynch said. "I support her efforts 100 percent and wish her a continued ... recovery."

[roylene]

WOW! My dad lost an arm in WWII and received a rating of 10% disability - I wonder if that was racist - we are Italian after all.

[Norse]

These girls never shoulda been there in the first place

[Arpege92]

I hope no one is surprised that the race card has been played once again!

[ChemistCat]

I do not believe any of our wounded veterans are getting the treatment they deserve. Oh, Private Lynch got treated well--but she is very much in the public eye.

It's a shame on us, and a poor reflection on how we value our defenders. They face in the field every day what few of us face, except--some of us did, if we could only remember:



Now how did the people who were injured or who lost loved ones HERE fare, financially, and medically? Any of them languishing in concrete barracks, still waiting to have their wounds treated and diagnosed?

Jesse Jackson ought to be taking up for ALL the military personnel who come back less than whole forever.

[thegreatbeast]

From what I understand Johnson, while terrorized, was not injured to the degree that Lynch was. That is the only pertinent fact.

[Mike Darancette]

"She is not getting what she deserves," Claude Johnson said.

She wanted a carreer in the Army and has at least one child. I think she should get a larger disability which can be re-evaluated at a later date.

I saw Shoshana of Leno and I like her as a person better than I do Lynch.

[CGTRWK]

The last thing this unfortunate woman needs is Shakedown Jackson playing the race card. I don't know whether she has a legitimate grievance or not, but with Jackson involved that doesn't matter - his involvement alone is going to polarize everyone involved (and everyone watching) based on their feelings towards him, and what did or didn't happen to Shoshana is going to be ignored.

[DAPFE8900]

Thank you, Johnson was walking.. And not injured... Lynch was carried out of the iraqi hospital on a stretcher. Wow it is racism now to be not be injured and to expect money from the man..This makes me sick.

[ChemistCat]

Shot in both ankles isn't injured to you?

Wow, I suppose you think Terri Schiavo is just resting.

[dark_lord]

20% is the standard payout for a wound of that type. The military actually has percentages based on type of injury. Lynch's higher percentage is due to the greater number and location of injuries.

That is all.

[SC DOC]

Disability Ratings

[ChemistCat]

Sure. I know what you're saying. But it's not that she was NOT INJURED.

[norton]

Infortnately, who you like or dislike has no bearing, nor does rationality ...
POW status has no bearing, both were POWs, one longer, one not so long.

I expect that Lynch had more broken bones and bruised innards than did Johnson - otherwise they'd both have been in a hospital or a prison. (ergo, dissimilar disability)
I also expect that Ms Johnson will get a greater disability via review - just because.
Both ladies will have a rough row to hoe, and both should get all the support they can from a "grateful nation".

However,
I know men still showing Vietnam brain-scars who get nada.
I was OFFERED ten percent for jungle rot and turned it down. (I now know the names of each and every fungucide on the market but none that actually works...)
I have a co-worker who gets $350.00 a month plus for fainting in line during draft physical. (one day minus, count 'em, one!)

So go figure.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

'Remember the Lost and Suffering on September 11, 2001'

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33

(Photos & Thread)

[cyborg]

You never know... Italians were looked at as greaseballs and part of the great unwashed immigrant wave anyway. If Jackson wants to whine, whine about the way blacks were treated in the military during WW2. Today the military opens up tremendous opportunity for black youth, and youth in general from poor backgrounds. GI bill for education, job training esp. if it's something that can transfer to civilian life.

[cyborg]

I haerd her appearance on Jay Leno was really good. She's very personable and good natured lady.

[cyborg]

If any grievance needs to be addressed, it should be addressed towards the schizophrenic media, not the military. The media are always obsessed with cute,little blonde girls.

If I ever saw Jesse Jackson coming to offer his 'help' I'd tell him go away.

[BushisTheMan]

However, Lynch received $1 million for her book/TV movie deal. If anyone gets this much money, they should NOT be received any type of compensation from the military. I say revoke Lynch's money and give it to other injured soldiers.