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]

I hope there are as many of him out there as I think there is

Based on my own experience here in flyover country stateside at places like Klamath Falls, OR and elsewhere...I can say that I believe there most certainly are.

[SAMS]

Now let's go after the little "RAT" that snitched!

[Jeff Head]

I also believe, in a perfect world where we were on our toes and fully aware as a people of the nature of the fight we are in, that LTC West should receive a commendation...which meanns he should now too.

According to my Dad and uncles from WW II, we went through a similar learning curve to come to grips with that war and the nature of our enemy and what it would take to win and survive. Unfortunately, in war time, the cost of that learning curve is measured in a currency of American blood.

LTC West is out in front of the curve on this IMHO.

[Jeff Head]

Al West reported himself.

[Conspiracy Guy]

My experience too.

[Poohbah]

IMHO, that's a purely speculative and leading question that is not gremaine to what actually happened here.

If it isn't germane, then the alleged ambush plot isn't germane, either. After all, it didn't actually happen, did it? There really is no evidence of any such plot, except what came out of a guy who had just been subjected to some of the same methods used by the late and unlamented Mukhbarat.

If the allegations of a plot to ambush American troops is germane, then this question is definitely germane. It's why we have standing orders concerning how prisoners are to be treated--and how they are to not to be treated.

And I fully understand why you and other supporters of LTC West don't want to engage the question.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...BUMP.

[Poohbah]

Now let's go after the little "RAT" that snitched!

How do you propose to go after the "RAT," and what do you propose to do when you find the "RAT?"

[Grampa Dave]

Jeff, again, thanks for doing what you do so well for all us, not just Lt Col West.

We both know that the left wing lunatics in the military or whereever can't stand being dragged out in the white hot heat of public opinion not spun by the media.

You helped to drag these left wing lunatics out into that white hot heat of public opinion. As usual, they dropped what they were trying to do and slither back into the dark alleys and filth that they infest.

[Poohbah]

I worry when the military becomes subject to the opinion of a public that, by and large, has not served, chooses to not to serve, and has no frickin' clue what-so-frickin'-ever about serving.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Jeff Head]

It has nothing to do with not wanting to engage it.

Enemy collborators were arrested based on the information West obtained...there's is no speculation in that. Attacks stopped in the area...there's no speculation in that.

The article 32 has been held, the presiding military legal authority has made its recommendation and they have heard the evidence on both sides. There is no need to specualte on that either.

Soon, the CO will make his decision. It is speculative, but I believe it is likely that he will take the recommendation of the article 32. Which is what West expected would happen all along.

The fact that the collaborators were arrested and attacks ceased lends very strong credence to the LTC's story, which was surtely all considered in the article 32.

Just where else do you want to go with it Pooh?

As to what happens when the guy doesn't talk after West's firing the gun...since West has indicated that he had no intention of hurting the man...it proabbly ends there. But information was given and it did pan out, so that's where in fact it ended.

[Jeff Head]

The answer to his question is in post 164...and the action is in the process of being taken.

[Mr. Silverback]

Great news, an answer to prayer! Of course, if I were his commander, I would take the punishment down to the bare minimum, and not do any of it if I had that option.

[Grampa Dave]

"I worry when the military becomes subject to the opinion of a public that, by and large, has not served, chooses to not to serve, and has no frickin' clue what-so-frickin'-ever about serving."

The goal of most of those in power in the Rat Party since they marched against and spat on our military personnel in the 1960/70's is the same now as then.

They hate it when American has a wonderful and efficient military like we have now.

Maybe even more dangerous are the perfumed princes, princesses and its who got embeddeded in our military during the Clintoonian reign of terror. Then, they wait like asps to strike good men like Ltc West.

[Jeff Head]

Just who is it that you think is serving Pooh? You are implying things here about yourself that I do not believe you intend.

Our military serves at the behest of civilian leadership...public leadership. Always has and always will as long as we adhere to the oath.

You want that to change?

It is the public that is serving in the military Pooh...that's where the people come from and that is who they answer to through their elected officlas who are subject to the people they represent.

Now, that does not mean that every whim of public opinion should steer the military. It does not. I do not believe the Military code of justice was subverted here. It went ahead just like it was supposed to despite public opinions and even international opinions on both sides of the issue.

It is in the process of making a decision. It's not the best decision from my perspective,...but it is one I accept.

And it is the one the LTC expected.

[Jeff Head]

It is an answer to prayer. And I agree 100%v with your own sentiments.

[dennisw]

At minimum this man must get his military pension and an honorable discharge. I'm sure his employment prospects are good with all the publicity he got.

Still, he should be allowed to stay and advance in the Army if this is his choice. The Army is being way too PC and I blame this on Army lawyers

[MeekOneGOP]

Excellent ! Excellent ! Excellent !
Good to hear this confirmed !

[JudyB1938]

When I was a little girl, the whole city of Tulsa would turn out for the parades in honor of "our boys" (WW 2). The crowds would cheer so loud as the units marched by, with Our Flag flying high. It would be so nice to see something like that for this heroic man.

Do you plan on contacting the VFW? I am sure hundreds of Vets would show up, along with the hundreds of FReepers. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this turned into a major event like the March for Justice! Televised on C-Span, too. That would certainly let the inepts and PC'ers know where the true heart of America lays.

God Bless You, archy, for doing this. And thank you all of you guys who have been in touch with Lt Col West. I am sure when he was at his lowest ebbs, you were able to give him comfort and solace.

HURRY HOME, LT COL WEST. YOU ARE LOVED AND WELL RESPECTED!

When [Allen] Comes Marching Home Again
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!

The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel [great]
When [Allen] comes marching home