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]

In my estimation, he most certainly is!

[Jeff Head]

You are welcome.

The CO of the 4th ID now has the decision. He doesn't have to abide by the recomendation so it could go either way. We are praying that there is no letter of reprimand or punishment...but it is likely that he will follow the recommednation.

From his email to me, it is apparent that LTC West expects him to do that.

We shall see

[blackie]

Too bad the higher ups aren't of the same mind.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Good news Jeff.

The "Perfumed Princes" would do well to emulate an officer, like LTC West who puts his men and his mission before self.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...my latest correspondence with LTC Al West.

Good news...could be better (as in no reprimand), but still far better than the last few weeks.

[Jeff Head]

It is too bad...but at least the LTC will keep his well earned and deserved retirment and will be able to soon be home with his wife and daughters.

I am convinced that he will do well and serve well in his community wherever he is and thus the nation will still be benefited.

[Jeff Head]

Amen...would to God that we had more like him in every segment of our society (and I believe there are more than we give credit for some times...it is one reason, despite all the other negatives, why God in Heaven still smiles upon us)...but we need them particularly in public service at the higher levels.

[Jaxter]

"We need more good men like LTC Allen West."

Amen. Maybe Fox News can find room for one more LTC as a news contributor. I'll bet O'Reilly could pull some strings.

[blackie]

I think he said he was going to Florida to teach high school?

[John D]

I am sure Ispy4u is deeply saddened. Yesterday he was extremely excited when he thought LTC West would face a Court Marshall for protecting his troops from ambush.

[Jeff Head]

That was his intent based on the new position/promotion his wife got in Florida with the company she works for.

We shall see. I believe he will have many, many opportunities.

[blackie]

I agree!

[Jeff Head]

ALthough I have not agreed with Ispy4U on this issue and we have debated it extensively on the threads...I belive you misjudge the man. See his post on this thread here at post 23.

His convictions are sincere and his motives honorable IMHO, even if we strongly disagree.

[MindBender26]

re: the SJA:

There are reports that lawyers are now part of OPNS and OPPLAN sections and the Orders Group, to approve "legality" of plans and orders!

If a commander doesn't know what orders are "legal," or doesn't have enough faith in his/her ability to do so, then they should not be the commander. That applies all the way from E-4 squad leader to O-10 COSUSA!

LTC West knew that his actions were justified under the concept of preventing imminent and actual significant danger and damage to his troops.

In addition, since the Iraqi was a combatant not in a recognizable uniform of a opposing combatant force, LTC West could have shot him on sight as a spy.

In other words: It was legal under Geneva to shoot this SOB, but not to scare him?

PS. Had a lawyer working for me in RVN as Battery Supply Clerk. (He wanted 2 years US and out, not the 4 year SJA deal.) His attitude? Do anything you want to do, Sir. We'll figure a way to justify it later.

Winners write the history books!

PS, What branch R U?

[Jeff Head]

FYI...latest on LTC Al West from the LTC himself.

[colorado tanker]

Good news, Jeff. Gee, where are all the amateur lawyers who said LTC's West's conviction was a foregone conclusion? JAG couldn't even get this through a preliminary hearing.

[Jeff Head]

Sounds almost like...political officers, huh?

[Jeff Head]

It is good news.

I am glad the LTC will keep his retirment and now will come home to momma and kids.

He expected his career was over when he reported himself. In my estimation, and based on the information I have rooted out on this, it is too bad that it is.

But I expect the LTC will land on his fieet and be a tremendous contributor to whatever community he lives in so we as a nation win out just the same.

[FourtySeven]

Wow! Good work! Cool "scoop", if I may be so bold. hehe Score one for FR!

Now, as for the good Colonel: He NEVER should have gotten as much trouble as he did from this. He protected the troops under his charge, and he didn't even HURT anyone! It's a win-win situation as far as I'm concerned.

He didn't even TORTURE the guy, so you can't even say that against him. All he did was fire a few shots away from the guy; HARDLY "chinese water torture" for days at a time!

I'm pleased to hear that he won't loose his pension. At least that's a good thing. Also, doesn't look like jail time. That's another good thing. The best circumstance however, would've been him staying in the military, maybe even a promotion!

[OldCorps]

I was infantry. In the late 80's i attended numerous division command and staff meetings. Those who have not served have no idea of the power and authority of a division commander. Back in the day, the SJA was viewed as a member of the lesser important staff and had nowhere near the authority and prestige of a brigade commander or member of the primary general staff (G1, G2, G4 and especially the G3).

Now it appears the litigization of america has become complete. Now we have lawers down to squad level (figurtively speaking). I attribute it to the Clinton years, but even then its even bigger than them.

Obviously this bodes poorly for our armed forces. Commanders will be second guessed and eventually no one will be willing to fight. Anyone who has spent a few years in uniform know you can only have one commander; heck, unity of command is a principle of war!

Back in the old Soviet Union, military commanders had a commissar (zampolit) as the political officer to watch over the shoulders of the commander. Military professionals knew the stupidity of such rules, but it expressed very well the communist greater value of political reliability over lives of soldiers. Now, we the US, are approaching this level of stupidity. I fear for our country and our freedom; not now, or even 5 years from now. But maybe in 20 years.