Posted on 11/06/2003 4:44:20 AM PST by Jeff Head
The following is Lt. Col. Allen B. West's own candid comment regarding the situation he faced in Iraq, as reported by the Washington Dispatch on November 5, 2003:
"I have never denied what happened and have always been brutally honest," said Col. West. "I accept responsibility for the episode, but my intent was to scare this individual and keep my soldiers out of a potential ambush. There were no further attacks from that town. We ... apprehended two other conspirators (a third fled town) and found out one of the conspirators was the father of a man we had detained for his Saddam Fedeyeen affiliation. "Colonel West takes personal responsibility for his actions. He makes no bones about it, he threatened this Iraqi spy bodliy harm to get information from him. And that is what he was, a spy working within the Iraqi Police Force that has been established and supported by the coalition authority. As a spy, under the so-called rules of war, I believe he could have shot the man. Perhaps that is an angle that should be explored.
In either case, Colonel West's actions no doubt saved the lives of Americans...the lives he is principally responsible for...and that was his motivation.
He understood that while he may have violated the rules (and he admits to and takes responsibility for this as well)...he also understood he was going to do what had to be done, in a war zone, to save the lives of the men under his command.
The rules were written by men and women sitting in safe seats far away from combat and the brutal reality of the moment. For the most part they are good rules and should not be violated. But there are times when the SHTF that you have to do what you must to save the lives of those you are responsible for, American lives, and accomplish the mission. Colonel West knew his greater responsibility and he performed it, regardless of personal cost. The trait of a true leader in my book.
President Truman incinerated tens of thousands of Japanese to save hundreds of thousands of Americans...and in so doing he also saved millions of Japanese. In today's world and PC nomenclature this might be considered a war crime...a violation of the "rules". But back then it was heralded by the soldiers as a God-send...and by Americans back home as what had to be done to end the war. People who had seen for themsleves the cold reality of four years of World War.
That generation is dying out and it seems we have forgottent their experiences and the lessons.
The reality is, that by scaring this man in the fashion he did...West not only saved American lives...he saved the lives of Iraqis as well.
God bless you Colonel West...you've got my back any time!
Charlie Mike.
As regards...
And I agree more than a few would be interested in hearing his story. His weapon didn't jam and he remembers what happened, after all.
I know I would buy and read it.
Two small details that made a little girl $1,000,000.
We certainly live in a strange world.
I believe he will have a bright future.
Printed version should be up on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in a couple of weeks.
Try reading the article - if you can. Punitive Articles of the UCMJ Article 128—Assault .
It isn't anything like you say. For instance simple assault is defined as " That the accused attempted or offered to do bodily harm to a certain person..." and "It must be done without legal justification or excuse ...." There is every legal justification and excuse, namely that said "victim" was a spy with knowledge about an intended strike upon American forces. Defense against an iminent threat of violence is the highest form of legal justification. So we get right to the issue of motive. The issue of motive is rife throughout Ariticle 128 and is explication but you are too dim to see it.
What should happen in this case is that the Commanding General should simply exhibit some adult leadership and supervision, dismiss the case on operational exigencies, return Col West to his duties and award him a medal. It does not require anyone reviewing or revising any rules. It merely requires an adult in charge - of which we have precious few in the U.S. military. And don't go patting ISPY4U on the back too much. He is making claims all out of proportion to his experience, grade, or capabilities as many have so amply demonstrated.
Remember "Deep in the Hurtgen Forrest." Get a clue.
If the senior leadership stands by and lets this happen they are going to lose Iraq because it shows they don't know a right decision from a wrong one.
I never said or implied that it required that, only that it was my hope that it occurr...and given the fact that this fine officer had to violate the rule to obtain this outcome...I believe it is certainly warranted.
As to the comment to: get a clue...the entire thread is all about that.
My comments to ispy4u regarding his attempt to remain civil and reasoned while he presented his views stand. I appreciate those efforts even though I disagree with his views, as I have clearly pointed out. He has raised some valid points...even though I do not believe they rise to the level of negating West's actions, judgement or decision. Just the same, an attempt to discuss such differences in a reasoned manner is never a waste of time.
Just my thoughts on the matter, to go along with those I posted that started this thread...and with the summary I made in post number 238.
Later today, should he give his permission to that effect...I intend to post part or all of it.
IMHO, he is a great American deserving of our continued support and of the thanks of a grateful nation.
God will move mountains if you bring a shovel - I've emailed my congress critters, Rumsfield, everyone I can think of. Colonel West should be promoted to general and be put in charge of all Iraq op's!
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