Posted on 09/27/2006 11:27:14 AM PDT by Froufrou
An Army medic who fled rather than serve a second tour in Iraq because he believes war is immoral turned himself in Tuesday to face a possible court-martial. Army Spec. Agustin Aguayo, 34, turned himself in around 6 p.m. at Fort Irwin, an Army base in the Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles, said Army spokesman Ken Drylie.
Aguayo has unsuccessfully fought the Pentagon for more than two years to be declared a conscientious objector and win a discharge. Aguayo, a U.S. citizen who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, said he was not anti-war when he enlisted in 2002. But his military experiences changed his mind. He applied for conscientious objector status in February 2004 before he was sent overseas. He served a year as a combat medic in Tikrit, Iraq, in 2004 after the military turned down his request. (Story continues below) Advertise Here Advertisements He then jumped out of a window of his base housing in Germany on Sept. 2 rather than be forced to ship out for a second tour with the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment. "I have come to believe that it is wrong to destroy life, that it is wrong to use war, that it is immoral, and I can no longer go down this path,"Aguayo said. After being taken into custody, Aguayo will be sent to either Fort Sill in Oklahoma, or Schweinfurt, Germany, said John Wagstaffe, an Army spokesman at Fort Irwin. Army officials would then decide whether to court martial him, said Wagstaffe. Aguayo likely will be charged with being AWOL and with a separate charge of missing movement because he didn't ship out to Iraq with his unit, said James Klimaski, one of Aguayo's Washington attorneys.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
My brother in law is a JAG at irwin...I woder if he will see this case?
You're a friggin Medic!
He'll probably take up a job with Plannned Parenthood.
I had to cut the part where he talks of 'not being a coward.' Pretty sickening, but I can see why they don't just give him a desk job.
Here! Here!
I can only imagine, not being a man or a veteran, that knowing what we do of the murderous thugs who call themselves Muslims, I'd rethink the 'cannot hurt my brother' thing in favor of saving my own hide and that of my platoon members.
So he doesn't believe in war. Why did he enlist?
Having never been in a war situation with real bombs killing my buddies I will give the guy the benefit of doubt; he did one tour more than I.
Fair statements. But he's now a US citizen. Can that be deprived of him?
That's very sensitive of you. Did you see my other post on this guy, where he talks of guard duty without arming his weapon? Putting everyone else in danger?
If he took his oath under false pretenses, or lied in becoming a citizen, then that citizenship can be withdrawn.
We've done this with former Nazis who lied about their past.
Thank you
Seriously. There is nothing finer on earth than a gentleman, and you are one. And, thank you for your service.
Does anyone know if he was a U.S. Citizen prior to joining the U.S. Military?
Makes me wonder about some of the illegals that join the U.S. Military, stating that will fight for this country in-order-to become a U.S. Citizen....then 'cut and run'.
How did you know I was in the Marine Corps?
He's not only AWOL, he's a deserter and should be tried as such then promptly executed if found guilty.
I didn't. I just knew you served. My husband is a shellback.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.