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

[clee1]

No worries on that score. The man is an American Hero in the truest sense of the word.

His financial future will be very bright.

[MeekOneGOP]

Amen !

[LoudRepublicangirl]

It's good, moral men like Lt Col West that makes me love my country so much!!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I wrote this and had a fellow freeper read it on Soldier Radio. I was thinking about West and all our Troops when I wrote it. For the sake of this thread I dedicate this poem to Lt Col West. Come on home Sir and shake some thankful hands.

CG

We Owe You

We owe you all for all you do,
You risk it all each day.
We’d like to send our deepest thanks,
To you we’d like to say.
You are our bravest and our best,
We’re proud of all of you.
You serve your country selflessly,
Your country knows this too.
So know that while you’re far away,
This nation backs your fight.
With your hard work and God’s Dear Grace,
This all will come out right.
So please stay safe and do your best,
Our hearts are with you there.
We hope you know that here back home,
The people really care.

Conspiracy Guy December 2003

USAF 1972-76

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Well done Conspiracy guy. And also, thank you for your service. I'm an AF brat myself. My father was stationed at Keasler AF base in Biloxi when I was born.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I was at Keesler in tech school from Aug 72 - May 73. Spent the rest of my time in SAC, mostly McConnell AFB Kansas with a lot of TDY's here and yon.

Thanks, wish I could serve now. Instead I support!!!

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks so much for the update on this fine man. I am sorry he has to lose a penny but at least his retirement is intact and he is coming home...

[Jeff Head]

Their morality, honor, commitment and love for this nation spills over to those around them and those who hear of them.

Those qualiteis are what have made this nation strong and keep it strong.

[Jeff Head]

Great poem. Thanks for sharing it with us.

With their hard work, and our support,
and the guidance of God's Hand,
All things will work out for the best,
and our liberty will stand.

[Jeff Head]

You are very welcome for the update.

With his drive, commitment and integrity, Al West will succeed at whatever he puts his mind to. Although he will be sorely missed in the military and we need more men like him there, we will not suffer in the exchange as he comes home and continues to serve his family and his community.

We need good men like him in those places too...even more so.

[Ben Hecks]

This is great news! Thanks for your efforts in communicating our support to LTC West - I wish him the best in what I'm confident will be a rewarding second career.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks. I am positive that the LTC has a bright future in front of him with his family, whatever career he chooses and within his community...because of the type of individual he is.

[tiki]

Good news but I hope that when the furor dies down that he is wrong about his career. History and war is full of brave men who bucked the rules to save lives and PC or not West did the right thing.

They need to make a movie out of this not Jessica Lynch.

[Jeff Head]

West did the right thing

Yes he did.

Who knows where his caree may lead. He's a good man, dedicated, honrable, a man of faith. If he goes into public service, who knows, maybe he will be their boss someday, LOL!

Either way, I am sure he will be successful.

[Quix]

I do think the line defining assault was drawn overly tenderly.

[Jeff Head]

Maybe there was an axe to grind in there somewhere and then some aspiring JAG wanted to make a name for themselves...I don't know.

The entire thing should have been handled this way from the get-go...and would have...and I believe the LTC was willig for that to happen. When they tried to not only end his career, but take his retirement and drum him out dishonorably, he defended himself, which I cannot fault in the least.

I'm glad it's coming to a close and that LTC West is coming home to his family and will be able to get on with his life in the community and the vocation of his choice. I believe he will be successful in both.

[Quix]

AMEN.

The Bible says the letter of the law kills,

but the Spirit brings liberty.

I think a moderately stern VERBAL exhortation by his superior would have been plenty for him to suffer, all things considered.

If combat is not a context and set of contingencies within which HORSE SENSE needs to be applied, then horse sense is useless anywhere.

If horse sense is useless,

then Alice has terminally lost to the Red Queen, or however that goes.

The endless list of pontificating Monday morning quarterbacking, arm-chair idiots certainly does not help the man in the street nor the troop in combat a bit.

One thing I've always appreciated about the Chinese--in general--is their almost obsession with practicality. It sometimes gets railroaded aside but most of the time, given enough time and enough options out of the glare of publicity, they will virtually invariably come up with a common sense, practical solution . . . if their pride doesn't get overly and terminally hooked in the process.

I suspect some pride was overly involved in this process with West, too.

Sad.

[MJY1288]

Great news today on LTC West, I wonder if we can take up a collection and pay his fine?

[Jeff Head]

Two women interrogators could not get the information from the prisoner. West entered with male NCO's and his own determination and got the info. The interrogators were somewhat shamed in the process.

It may have had nothing to do with it...but West reported himself to his superior who did not act on the issue, and apparently had not intention of acting. It wasn't until weeks later, when another female JAG saw a mention of the incident in another report in passing, that the SHTF and charges were brought by that particular JAG.

Like I saod, that may all be totally circumstantial, and I have nothing at all against women per sey. My wife is, next to my Saviour, the greatest light in my life...and my three daughters have taught me how to truly be a good father (allong with my two sons...but I knew better how to handle them). But the role of female soldiers in these particular combat decision making positions is not a good one IMHO in any case.

[Jeff Head]

I'm sorry he had to suffer an artcile 15 and that his pay was docked over this incident. But I am glad he is coming home to a full retirement and an honorable discharge after 20 years of honrable service. It is well deserved.

He will be a tremendous asset to whatever community he resides in.