Colonel West...you've got my back any time

Self | 6 Nov 2003 | Jeff Head

[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.

Jeff

[tbpiper]

In war time, spys can be summarily executed. West showed the haji more mercy than he deserved.

[Poohbah]

Suppose the guy hadn't talked after LTC West fired the pistol. What should LTC West have done next? Once you start disobeying orders that you dislike, it gets easier to justify the next little breach. See Enron for a classic case study in this.

Of course, this was all done on the say-so of an informant. You know how to tell when an informant's probably lying to you? His lips are moving.

[Poohbah]

In war time, spys can be summarily executed.

Not under US law.

[Jeff Head]

if for no other reason but to ensure that other warriors will know that they to will be defended by their patriotic countryman if they are ever faced with the same situation.

I agree with this. Actions that save American lives and take the fight to the enemy that are accomplished at the risk, and in the face of personal harm and loss should be lauded and defended by the citizenry whose lives and liberty are also being defended in the process.

[Jeff Head]

But that didn't happen in this case. The info panned out and a planned attack was foiled.

The other is purely conjecture and hypothetical and therefore not relevant to this case.

Clearly...shooting him between the eyes would have not gotten info out of him.

West knows he violated rules and he had admitted as much. The issue will now take its own course, but will do so with the avoided attack and capture of enemy agressors serving as a back drop.

[Jeff Head]

Got to be off to work. Will check back in on my lunch break.

[maica]

Just a brief mention of the fact that the Iraqi was a policeman. This was in the weekly Edition of the WT.



Army officer supported after threatening Iraqi

---

By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

---

riends and military advocates on Oct. 29 rallied around a U.S. Army officer who had been charged with assault in the interrogation of an Iraqi who provided critical information about pending attacks on American soldiers.
     "He's getting a bum rap," retired Army Col. Mike Kryschtal said about his friend, Lt. Col. Allen B. West of the 4th Infantry Division.
     The Washington Times reported on Oct. 29 that Col. West, desperate to learn information about pending attacks in Iraq, fired his pistol twice into the air to scare the detained Iraqi into talking.
     An Army official at the Pentagon confirmed to The Times that Col. West had been charged with one count of aggravated assault. Col. West faces a maximum eight-year prison sentence if convicted at court-martial.
     The Army's public affairs office at the Pentagon referred questions to the 4th Infantry Division's spokesman in Iraq. The officer did not return phone messages or e-mails yesterday.
     It is typical for the military to release a "charge sheet" once criminal counts are filed. An Army official said the 4th Division's staff judge advocate, who brought the assault charge, had not provided a copy to Army lawyers at the Pentagon.
     Col. West's wife says she has retained a lawyer in North Carolina. The lawyer did not return a reporter's phone messages yesterday.
     Contacted by e-mail by The Times this week, Col. West said the division's staff judge advocate had given him a choice: resign and lose all retirement benefits, or face court-martial proceedings.
     "Al West is an outstanding officer," said Col. Kryschtal, who served with Col. West in South Korea in 1995 and 1996. "His actions were consistent with his selfless dedication to duty and the welfare of his soldiers. The fact that he reported this incident speaks to his integrity. He should be commended, not persecuted, for saving the lives of our soldiers."
     News of the charges hit a visceral note with some active and retired soldiers. They questioned the Army's decision to charge Col. West, a 19-year veteran who says he reaches 20-year retirement this Saturday. The soldiers say their colleagues in Iraq are operating in a dangerous environment where the next step could be their last, as loyalists of Saddam Hussein attack them relentlessly.
     "I suspect there is a great deal of sympathy for Colonel West, especially among the combatants in Iraq and among families of soldiers here at home," said retired Army Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, who recently toured Iraq and visited 4th Infantry soldiers. "The difficulty that the 4th ID faces is that the enemy is wearing civilian clothes and hiding behind women and children. So when you ask a battalion and company commanders to stop the violence against the Iraqi people and against soldiers, the pressure to use aggressive interrogation techniques seems to be reasonable."
     The Times contacted Col. West in Iraq via e-mail this week. He responded by providing a narration of his actions on Aug. 21 when he questioned the Iraqi in a town north of Tikrit. He went to question the Iraq policeman after an informant said the detainee was involved in deadly ambushes of American soldiers.
     "I did not want to expose my soldiers to a possible attack," he said. "When they told me they were not progressing I decided to go along. I asked for soldiers to accompany me and told them we had to gather information and that it could get ugly.
     "I did use my 9 mm weapon to threaten him and fired it twice. Once I fired into the weapons-clearing barrel outside the facility alone, and the next time I did it while having his head close to the barrel. I fired away from him. I stood in between the firing and his person."
     Col. West, an artillery battalion commander, said he reported the incident to his superior officer.
     The Army says the aggressive interrogation method constitutes an assault under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
     Col. West said in an e-mail on Oct. 29, "I really wanted to stay hidden but that is no longer possible. I am now at a critical decision point to resign. I cannot afford to be sent to jail and my daughters never see their daddy again. My family is all I have now."
     Courtesy 4th Infantry Division
     Army Lt. Col. Allen B. West (left), who has been charged with assault, was congratulated during a ceremony in June when he took over command of a battalion.

*

[Jeff Head]

FYI.

[El Laton Caliente]

http://PatriotPetitions.US/colwest

[Ispy4u]

Drivel...

[Ispy4u]

Execution of spies is not the job of a LTC BN Commander. Nor is it his job to determine the prisoners/detainees status as a spy.

[Publius6961]

I agree completely.
Our country seems to be infested with mental deficients who can't figure out the difference between rules and objectives.

They would, after someone rescues a drowning child, want to jail the rescuer for neglecting to wear a life jacket, as the rules require.

I am actively calling out every idiot who gives me that " we must not sink to their level" bu*****t!

[B4Ranch]

No vet can ever say that Lt. Col. Allen B. West's thinking was wrong. Maybe the politicians who want to play games with our soldiers lives will, but never a vet who's been in the hot fire.

[Publius6961]

There are many here who will attack me for this reply, but it is not opinion, it is fact.

I usually don't respond to the combination of megalomania, delusional and ignorant.
In this case I will make an exception to make a point.

Anyone who punctuates a statement of speculation with "it's a fact." is seriously in need of both psychological help and brain food.

[xsrdx]

The breach of faith occurs here: the "offer" of voluntary resignation to a 19-year valor-decorated soldier to avoid the hassle

The offer of resignation in lieu of Courts Martial is automatic - depending on the charge, it may or may not be an available option.

LTC West, should this go to Court Martial (seems doubtful given public sentiment at this point),will have a jury of PEERS - fellow officers and commanders - that will likely see this for what it is.

Assuming what has been written thus far is true, this will be a very difficult case for the prosecution.

[Ispy4u]

For that reason is exactly why I argue that his first priority is to be simultaneously a leader and a follower.

His actions may encourage many more soldiers to issue their version of "justice" on detainees.

Soldiers save lives by winning battles and killing enemy. EPWs and detainees are of the enemy, but they are no longer "the enemy" once they are under our control. The difference is plain as day to those who are willing to know the techniques and conduct of a professional soldier.

[ChadsDad]

Well said. Hope the flames don't get to hot. This place is quite brutal.

[Ispy4u]

I have stated facts.

Please give me evidence to prove my "facts" are "opinions".

Since I'm obviously ignorant, I could use some help.

[Publius6961]

EPWs and detainees are of the enemy, but they are no longer "the enemy" once they are under our control.

Tell that to the officers who died at the hands of that whack job who lobbed grenades into that tent a while back.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

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.

Thanks, Jeff. Well stated.

I zipped off a few letters to the Army last week, too.

This week I'm wondering whether Col. West is being used by some in the military to incite just such a public reaction.

The Army leadership must have known how many of us would react. Now they can forward OUR outraged letters and press editorials to the ACLU, Amnesty Int'l, DNC, UN - and their powerful terrorist-appeasing pals in the press. Then, when it becomes necessary to use distateful tactics to prevent another potential 9-11, response from the public today may quell protests from the critics tomorrow.

Poohbah has a point. We need to know more.

Glad to be part of the PR effort to silence the appeasers, though.
~~~

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