LTC Al West Responds to FR Article

Personal Correspondence | 13 November 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

I recently wrote an article an published on FreeRepublic entitled Colonel West...you've got my back anytime.

That article haas received a lot of attention and became a very good thread with people inside and outside the military analyzing and commneting on the episode in Iraq where this fine Lt. Colonel acted on his own volition in a time-sensitive, combat environment to extract information from an enemy spy within the coalition fomred and supported Iraqi Police Force.

The method of intimidation Colonel West used to extract the information has become the center of controversy and is leading to military legal proceedings against the Colone...despite the fact that the information panned out, other enemies conspirators were caught and an enemy ambush against American forces was averted.

It has been my own position that while Colonel West's actions may have violated general rules concerning enemy detainees or prisoners, his dicretion and initiative in accomplishing his mission (securing and pacifying the area of operation) while minimizing American casualties should be applauded and should lead to subtle changes in the rules to ensure that such successful initiative and disretion is not punished in the future.

Colonel West did not harm the prisoner and had no intention of doing so.

Having been given Colonel West's military email in the course of discussing that initial article on FreeRepublic, I emailed him informing him of the article and of the strong support he has amongst the public. I presumed (as it turned out correctly) that he was receiving hundreds of emails a day and that I would probably not hear from him.

To my surprise, I did hear from him and have now carried on an exchange of emails with him regarding his circumstances and plans. He has given me permission to post the email he responded to me with in the hopes that people will understand his position, his plans and his feelings regarding this episode.

Here is that email:

Mr Head,

You honor me greatly and your words have made this ordeal a bit more palatable. I am humbled by the support and care of the Americanpeople and tell them all I love my Land and my Army.

However, my road has ended and I accept that and will gladly take the reward and commendation of a hug from my wife and daughters.

Please remember our family in your prayers and God bless you and all of America!

Regards,

LTC Al West

Lt. Colonel Al West is a great leader who exhibits that rare quality of being willing to take great personal risk in the accomplishment of his mission and the protection of the troops under his commmand in doing so. He also has been and remains willing to take personal accountability for the risks.

At almost any other time in history we would call that type of action in a combat zone "service above and beyond the call of duty".

He deserves our support and our prayers. I pray that he will not be marked by this incident, that he will be allowed to retain his full military honor and retirement and that he will write his story for all Americans to read. I have encouraged him to do so.

[all_mighty_dollar]

As an Army Enlisted Man I demand that Ltc West be promoted for saving the lives of American Enlisted personnel.

Listening to his story being discussed on KSFO radio this morning by Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan.

Rathen than harassing Ltc West, President Bush should purge the JAG section of the military.

Maybe it's time JAG officers pull tours as door gunners and tank drivers before retiring to cushy offices in DC.

[Jeff Head]

I corresponded with LTC West yesterday morning. He is in Tikrit at the 4th Inf. Division HQ where the article 32 is being held.

At this point he just wants to come home honorably and with his full retirement. He believes the Marine Lt. Colonel (Ret.) who is representing him will get him there...and so do I.

Here is a part of the email he sent:

Hearing starts for sure tomorrow and should wrap up on Weds. Then it is just a matter of awaiting final resolution. Please keep up the prayers and God has this under His hand.

Will prayerfully see the shores of America soon! My lawyer LTC Neal Puckett (USMC, Ret) is not leaving without me.

I'll be back in touch with him tomorrow and will copy you all then or the next day on what he has to say.

[Grampa Dave]

Keep us posted, and please let him know that a large chunk of Americans are behind him.

[Jeff Head]

See my post number 242 on this thread for an update.

[Jeff Head]

Roger, wilco, bro.

Continued prayers and effort for LTC Allen West.

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the update, Jeff. I'll add a few prayers for LTC West and his family.

[SAMWolf]

Please keep up the prayers and God has this under His hand.

Will do, thanks for the update Jeff

[Jeff Head]

You are both welcome...and thanks for the continued prayers for this fine officer.

[snopercod]

Thanks and bump.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

If Michael Spann had done the same thing, he might be alive today.

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for the update.

Prayer bump.

[calvin sun]

I remember an episode from "Gomer Pyle USMC" (do I ever feel old now). In it, Gomer and his peers were responsible for training guard dogs. Well, at inspection time (with senior military officials present), Gomer and his peers had to demonstrate what they had taught the dogs. All of them displayed the required aggressiveness. But, Gomer's dog was docile and friendly. Sarge of course was furious at Gomer for making the dog this way. But then the senior officer said, "?Private? Pyle, you are to be commended. This dog would never have been able to function in a war situation. Thank you for identifying this problem now, rather than in a war situation."

Do you think that would ever happen in real life?

[mystery-ak]

Yes, keep us updated. Mike is on his way back to Iraq as I type...he was very much interested in this story.

[MileHi]

Thanks for the update, Jeff.

FReegards, sir.

[4CJ]

I'll be back in touch with him tomorrow and will copy you all then or the next day on what he has to say.

I'll keep him in my prayers - he deserves much better than this treatment.

[ForGod'sSake]

Thanks for the update. Will be interesting to see what the army does with this.

FGS

[Libertina]

Nice work, Jeff!

[Travis McGee]

You can bet the results of this hearing are going to have huge consequences at the troop level.

[Jeff Head]

See my post HERE on this other thread where his pretrial article 32 hearing is being discussed.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks so much Libertina!

This issue is SO critical. Are we going to fight this war, or are we going to play patty-cake with our avowed enemies?

Don't get me wrong, I do not condone atrocities...which I view as needless killing, butchery and thugary for their own sakes. In my world, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not atrocities. They were horrible, terrible decisions that had to be made to win the war and preserve more life.

LTC West's actions and decisions were on par with that IMHO, and should not be condemmed. He should be extolled and the rules should re revisited for this type of action IMHO.

Sorry to get long winded...but this is one that strikes way down to the core IMHO.