In an effort to stay away from politics, I've slowed down my blog. However, recent events in the National news drive me to sit at the computer and share some thoughts about the subject of Prisoners of War.
Recently, a certain United States Army Sergeant was released from captivity in Afghanistan. He was reported to be the ONLY United States Prisoner in that theater of operations. His release was immediately hailed as a victory for the United States and our cause to defeat the Taliban. Having survived years of captivity, the Sergeant was hailed, a HERO!
As the days passed and the news cycle chugged along, stories began to circulate that the media's newest hero was not quite what he seemed. Questionable "twitter" posts were deleted but still made it into the media and stories about this soldier began to surface from members of his own squad/platoon which called the character of our "hero" into question.
It would seem that rather than being hailed as a hero, many believe that he needs to be prosecuted as a traitor to America. Now, Treason is a very strong word and as a crime in the United States, it is very specific. If the stories of desertion while deployed in an Hostile Fire zone are true, the very serious charge of Desertion (Article 85; UCMJ) may be brought. Under the circumstances, the penalty can be as grave as death or such other punishment as a Courts Martial may direct.
I mention all of this because I do not believe any of it will happen. In the political climate that this country now enjoys, it has been said that the Soldier involved has had enough of a harrowing experience that he and his family should not "suffer" any more. As this is my blog, I get to voice my opinion. This is in fact the wrong attitude. Members of the Uniformed Services of the United States are held to a higher standard than civilians. Many civilians do not understand that standard. This is exactly why civilians do not sit in judgement at a general courts-martial.
If the Sergeant did in fact desert his post, an investigation in accordance with the Uniformed Code of Military Justice should be undertaken to determine the facts. Furthermore, if while a "captive" if this same service member did not comport himself to the best of his ability with the Code of Conduct for Prisoners of War, that too is cause for discipline. Only by appropriate investigation by proper authority, free of political pressure can the people of this country maintain faith in our government and it's armed forces.
Above, you will find a picture of a hero of mine. Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, USN (RET) (1923-2005). You may notice the Medial of Honor the Admiral wears. He received it for his conduct while the Senior Prisoner of War in Vietnam. One of his most noteworthy acts was that he beat his head and face against a stone wall just before he was to be filmed for propaganda pictures. This action, together with his leadership of the other prisoners helped convince his captors that they could not use the Americans for propaganda and conditions improved.
As a 19 year old Seaman, on my first ship; in 1976, I met Admiral Stockdale when he visited our ship in Holly Loch, Scotland. He addressed the entire crew through the ship's TV system and told us some of what had gone on while he was a prisoner. Admiral Stockdale was a modest and soft spoken man who when he spoke and a conviction in his voice which told all of us that he was absolutely convinced of the "rightness" of what he was doing, both when he was a prisoner and then, inspiring Sailors to always do their duty first, last and always.
It's been 38 years since the day I got to shake the hand of an honest to goodness American Hero. I remember it like it was yesterday. I imagine I always will.
In view of the stories about America's latest POW, I thought you would might like to hear the story of how one Sailor met the challenge of combat and capture. Certainly, no stories of desertion or collaboration surround his name.
Read more about VADM James Bond Stockdale via Google.
As Always...
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