Unless I read this wrong, I think he deserted first.
BEFORE the investigation and charges.
"he U.S. Marine Corps has charged Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun with desertion following a five-month investigation into his disappearance from a U.S. military camp near Fallujah, Iraq in June."
No, he came back and re-joined the Marines. At the time, those of us who were suspicious of him felt rather stupid. But here we are 2 years later, the Marines have brought charges, and the guy was allowed to go on leave!
UPDATE: U.S. Reopens Missing Marine Case (Cpl Wassef Hassoun)
United Press International ^ | November 19, 2004 | United Press International
Posted on 11/19/2004 12:30:59 PM EST by Former Military Chick
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Marines have reopened their investigation in Cpl. Wassef Hassoun, who went missing in June in Fallujah and turned up in Lebanon, CNN reports.
The move was sparked when troops recently discovered several of his personal items, including his passport, military ID and uniform in Fallujah.
Hassoun vanished June 20 and was listed as a deserter. His status was changed to captured after the release of a videotape that showed him blindfolded with a sword suspended over his head. A few days later, a posting to three Islamist Web sites claimed Hassoun had been beheaded.
On July 8, however, Hassoun turned up at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. How he traveled through Iraq to Lebanon remains a mystery, the Salt Lake Tribune said.
Following a repatriation process and a 30-day compassionate leave in Utah, Hassoun returned to duty at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in September and had his first meeting with military investigators.
He was on leave for much of October, spending the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with his family in West Jordan. He returned to Camp Lejeune Wednesday.
UPDATE: U.S. Reopens Missing Marine Case (Cpl Wassef Hassoun)
United Press International ^ | November 19, 2004 | United Press International
Posted on 11/19/2004 12:30:59 PM EST by Former Military Chick
These are all the article I could find on FR about this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;s=Hassoun
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Marines have reopened their investigation in Cpl. Wassef Hassoun, who went missing in June in Fallujah and turned up in Lebanon, CNN reports.
The move was sparked when troops recently discovered several of his personal items, including his passport, military ID and uniform in Fallujah.
Hassoun vanished June 20 and was listed as a deserter. His status was changed to captured after the release of a videotape that showed him blindfolded with a sword suspended over his head. A few days later, a posting to three Islamist Web sites claimed Hassoun had been beheaded.
On July 8, however, Hassoun turned up at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. How he traveled through Iraq to Lebanon remains a mystery, the Salt Lake Tribune said.
Following a repatriation process and a 30-day compassionate leave in Utah, Hassoun returned to duty at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in September and had his first meeting with military investigators.
He was on leave for much of October, spending the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with his family in West Jordan. He returned to Camp Lejeune Wednesday.