STORM2K

Family says captured Marine Wassef Ali Hassoun has been freed. -
The family of U.S. Marine Wassef Ali Hassoun, captured by insurgents in Iraq, says he has been freed.

Yup, but isn't he also a deserter? He's alive, but will he ever be able to come back to the states and see his family?

He promised not to come back into the U.S. Military.

Brent wrote:He promised not to come back into the U.S. Military.

Promised not to?

Heck, that was his intention BEFORE he got ever got caught by the Iraqi insurgents. He was a deserter -- listed as UA ("unauthorized absence"). That's not quite the same as AWOL, but it sure as heck isn't MIA.

From what I read in previous news reports, he saw a superior get blown up in front of him and was traumatized by that, he got together with some Iraqis who promised to help sneak him away from his base (and out of the war), and then they turned him over to his captors. But now, because he wants out of the war and isn't willing to fight for the US anymore, they let him go?

Grrrrrrr....

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad they didn't kill him. I'm just ticked at the cowardice he has displayed.

I have to agree with Duckie on this one. While I'm glad he wasn't killed he's not my idea of a US serviceman. He needs to face up to his own actions which led to him being captured...

I am glad he was not killed too. He now needs to face the music on why he was captured in the first place.

mf_dolphin wrote:I have to agree with Duckie on this one. While I'm glad he wasn't killed he's not my idea of a US serviceman. He needs to face up to his own actions which led to him being captured...

Perfectly put MF!!!!!!!

So, I take it that the terrorists are spiriting him away to Lebanon?

IMHO, if he is returned to the Marines, he will have some HARD questions asked...and consequences to pay.

Not clear on exactly what happened but if he voluntarirly left his unit he could be charged with desertion in time of war and THAT carries a possible death sentence. Doubtful that will happen though..most likely if he is returned to US control he will face a court martial at the least.

The terrorists told him they would help him desert the military. He went with them voluntarily and they had other things on their minds.

any word on where he is now? At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I just have minor issues with non born Americans fighting for us.. Not saying it needs to be changed, just saying I have some issues with it.. This being one reason why.. And if you remember back to the begaining of the war one of our own through a gernade in a tent of higher ranking officials.. The offender was not an American born soldier either

Excellent point Chad. I agree with that.

Its a shame.. But a concern of mine all the same

End up in Leavenworth, (via Gtmo?), most likely.

Deserters aren't treated kindly during wartime no matter what nationality he is.

I'm sure he'll have some valuable assistance to give them though if he's an arab speaker. So it may not be the firing squad for him, just some of those lovely torture techniques they claim to be exempt from. Media and Red Cross should be keeping a close eye on this one, if the boys back at the Pentagon let them.

Chad wrote:...if you remember back to the begaining of the war one of our own through a gernade in a tent

What happened to him? The disposition of that case...?

. . . . . .

For the record, UA an AWOL are the same. The Navy and Marine use the UA terminology, and that's what you are when you don't make muster.

Excellent point Chad. I agree. Surprise, surprise!!!!

Excellent point all. Im happy he was not killed.

The Marines use "UA" in place of "AWOL"; it's the same thing. Unless the laws have changed since I left the Corps, you have to be missing for 30 days to be declared a deserter.

To stay on topic... I'm certainly happy to hear of his release, but he may have some serious music to face for his actions.