U.S. Deserter Weeps Upon Release in Japan

Yahoo!News - AP ^ | November 27, 2004 | Eric Talmadege

[El Oviedo]

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - Free for the first time in nearly four decades, U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins sobbed with joy as he was released from a military jail on Saturday after serving 25 days for abandoning his squadron and crossing the border into North Korea (news - web sites) in 1965.

The frail 64-year-old, still in uniform and carrying a heavy duffel bag, broke down in tears after arriving at this U.S. Army base, where he was flown by Blackhawk helicopter after completing his sentence at a nearby naval prison.

When asked how he felt, he told The Associated Press he was "happy," and then sobbed for several moments.

"Forty years is a long time," he said.

[El Oviedo]

This proves how great America is. Even deserters, at the end, will still face justice just to be called American once again.

[MizSterious]

Yes, our country is so horrid that people by the hundreds of thousands do whatever it takes to get in--and live here, if they don't get caught. Must be a world of masochists?

But tell that to the left...

[-=Wing_0_Walker=-]

"This proves how great America is. Even deserters, at the end, will still face justice just to be called American once again." ... and Draft Dodgers and Traitors can run for President. (Sorry, I am not that forgiving.)

[carumba]

Since Dubya was re-elected there has been a dramatic decrease in Cubans fleeing in boats, rafts, inner tubes etc.

[billorites]

"abandoning his squadron and crossing the border into North Korea"

That's gonna look terrible on a resume.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

"I want to go back to the United States, but only once. With my wife..."

...so we can both register to vote for Hillary Clinton in 2008.

[Edward Watson]

When first hearing of him, I initially thought the US military should throw the book at him for desertion. But then, living in the nightmare of North Korea for 40 years, daily ruing his stupidity and how wonderful America really was, is punishment enough. I'm glad he is released and can spend the rest of his life with his family, tasting freedom, and having relief from his crime.

I hope he brings his wife and daughters to the US soon so that they can experience America, and perhaps decide to stay there instead of in Japan.

God bless them.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

That's gonna look terrible on a resume.

That'll go on your permanent record, young man.

[Old Phone Man]

I was in the Army the same time as Jenkins and walked the same ground he did ...I'm glad they let him go. I hope he finds some peace, too!

[Cricket24]

After living in squalor in N. Korea for almost 40 years, I'll bet that combat in Vietnam looks a lot better. I also thought they should throw the book at him but he must have suffered in N Korea. I hope he does lose his American citizenship though.
What a shock America will be to him. This country has certainly changed a lot since the 1960's!

[Vigilanteman]

Jenkins initially stayed behind, but Soga's effort to reunite her family generated great sympathy in Japan. In July, Tokyo arranged for Jenkins and his two North Korea-born daughters to join Soga in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This guy owes his wife, his daughters and Japan big time for getting him out. He would still be rotting in the north except for their efforts.

[mamalujo]

no, my bet is he will write a book and make millions

(then all that looks good on a resume)

[WestVirginiaRebel]

He was sobbing because he was "Ronery" all those years.

[Welsh Rabbit]

As much as this guy's past actions disgust me, I'd be interested in hearing some details about his daily life in North Korea. I'm surprised they let him out alive.

[DemforBush]

I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, I figure the sheer hell he went through in North Korea is punishment enough for a foolish, foolish, act committed so many years ago. On the other hand, my old man fought in Korea. He went through hell, too. So did all of my dad's buddies. And some of them came home in a body bag.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Wait until he hears rap music...he might want to go back! :-)

[elli1]

Compared to his experience in NK, time in an American military jail would be almost like a trip to Disneyland.

[Welsh Rabbit]

His mind is definitely going to blown by all the changes since the Fifties...

[Ginifer]

I'm not torn by this...while other soldiers honored their commitments, he went AWOL. If he had a horrible life in N. Korea, he got what he deserved. Sorry...have no pity for someone who would desert other soldiers in violation of orders/oath. He should have remember:

The Military Oath

The following oath is taken by all personnel inducted into the armed forces of the United States, as found in the US Code, Section 502.

I, _________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

[Wilhelm Tell]

I have an idea on how he can make up for his crime. He could go to American and European universities and do talks about his life in communist North Korea.

The leftist students would probably riot and I can imagine a lot of school administrations would refuse to allow him to speak (their idea of "diversity" is allowing you to speak if you are a Stalinist or a Maoist, no one else need apply).