FreeRepublic Exclusive: LTC Allen West personally confirms 'no prosecution advisement' from Iraq.

LTC Allen West from Tikrit | December 10, 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Upon hearing the preliminary news from Fox about LTC West and the disposition of his case last night (12/9/03) at about 11:15 PM mountain time, and the interview with his lawyer on O'Reilley, I fired an email off to the LTC for confirmation. I got a reply back from Iraq early this morning (12/10/03) confirming it. I am posting that email exchange:

Here is what I asked him in my email.

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Al,

We just got preliminary word on Fox from Atlanta (and I'm in Idaho so I am using FR to scour the net) that there will be no prosecution.

Apparently O'Reilley interviewed one of your lawyers and indicated:

"Col West's attorney was interviewed tonight. The attorney said that the investigating officer would recommend that there not be a court martial but that he might be reprimanded. Likely half of his salary for two months and that he would not lose his pension."

Is this accurate? If so, God bless you man...you should be promoted in my opinion, but this has got to be good news...sane news. Sounds like they, albeit belatedly. This should never have gone as far as it did and I only hope it has not effected the moral and willingness for other CO's to do what must be done over there.

Sincerely,

Jeff Head

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That email was sent at about 11 PM or a little after last night. This morning at 05:30 AM I Had the following reply from LTC Allen West himself. Here it is:

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Jeff,

Yes Jeff, that is pretty much it. My attorney contacted me by e-mail last night with the news. Furhterance of my career is not possible because of being relieved of command, death kiss!

I am thankful to God and looking forward to coming home and getting on with my life. Now it is just a matter of going before my CO and receiving the punishment, no problem. Stay in touch and I may be on a flight home within the week.

God Bless,

Al

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I am glad that this good man, who understood the likely impact of his actions, but was willing to take them in that time-critical combat situation he faced in order to better accomplish his mission and minimize casualties to his troopers, and who in fact reported himself...I am thankful to God in Heaven that he will receive his full retirement and come away from this as honorably as he went into it.

We need more good men like LTC Allen West.

While I do not agree with the overall circumstances in this case, our military justice system has worked as the LLTC felt and hoped it should have and I am content in that. I am sorry LTC West had to go to such lengths to make it work, particularly in these circumstances we face as a nation. I will be writing my congressional representatives about it at length in the hopes that some adjustments, particularly in attitude, can be forthcoming.

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Typo in link in reply #1, mod updated per request.

Thought everyone would like to know the latest from LTC West himself.

For those following and documenting this story, here are the earlier two threads I have posted on this topic here on FR.

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

LTC West responds to FR artcile

Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Thought everyone would like to know the latest from LTC West himself.

For those following and documenting this story, here are the earlier two threads I have posted on this topic here on FR.

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

LTC West responds to FR artcile

Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

For those following the story...here's the latest from LTC Al West himself.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Fantastic news, Jeff! Thanks so much for sharing it -- and please thank him for all that he's done for us. :)

[trebb]

Good news - it could have been ugly. While I personally agree with his methodology under the circumstances, I can also see the need to keep the bleeding hearts from trashing everybody because they hate what an individual did. Politics runs rampant in the military and those who decide to do their duty to their troops are often committing political suicide. I saw it during the last half of my 24-year career and was disgusted to see the good leaders leaving because they couldn't stand having to commit betrayal of the troops in order to keep their careers healthy.

[Just another Joe]

This IS great news, Jeff.
It's not the news that we would have liked to have heard but it's much better than a court martial conviction and no retirement.

Ltc West did the right thing and is now paying a price that should not have been demanded.

[Rebelbase]

Great news. I'm hoping the private sector will recognize the leadership and character quality of Col. West and offer him opportunities that will be satisfying and challenging.

Not to mention I hope he makes out like a bandit financially.

[an amused spectator]

bump for Colonel West. Salutes for you, sir.

[snopercod]

This is good - not great - news.

I am very pleased that there will be no prosecution.

I am disappointed that the American military will lose a good man.

God bless Col. West for doing the right thing.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...thought you would be interested in this.

[Free Trapper]

Great news!!!

[R. Scott]

Good news. Too bad it kills his chances for promotion.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, Jeff.
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Upon hearing the preliminary news from Fox about LTC West and the disposition of his case last night (12/9/03) at about 11:15 PM mountain time, and the interview with his lawyer on O'Reilley, I fired an email off to the LTC for confirmation. I got a reply back from Iraq early this morning (12/10/03) confirming it. I am posting that email exchange:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ping!

[Sloth]

Cool, thanks for the ping.

[Jeff Head]

You are welcome. I will certainly pass it along. I know that arch here on FR is working to arrange as bug a homecoming for the LTC as he can, involving as many Freepers as possible.

[Jeff Head]

Such politicizing of the military has a cost...sadly, in war, that cist is measured in human blood. LTC West, IMHO, did what he could to avoid that and was willing to pay the political price in order to do so. God bless him for that...and would to God that there were a lot more like him.

[Alberta's Child]

This is good news, for Lt. Colonel West, the Bush Administration, and the country.

I kid you not -- if he had been prosecuted in a military court, I would have written "Mickey Mouse" in for President of the United States in November 2004.

[Jeff Head]

Agreed 100%.

[PGalt]

Thanks for the good news post and thanks LTC West for your service to this great nation.

[Jeff Head]

I believe they will...and hope he will too. Cream has a way of rising to the top.

[Jeff Head]

I'll pass it on to him and point him to this thread.