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December 9, 2004

'Abducted' Marine's desertion charge

Topics: Middle East News and Perspectives

The Australian reports for Dec 10 from correspondents in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina a story that I would rather not hear about, much less write about. Although I suspected as much all along, I had been hoping that I was wrong. The following is not an excerpt, it's the entire article:

A US Marine who was reported abducted in Iraq and later turned up in his native Jordan was charged today with desertion.

Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun was charged following a five month investigation into his June disappearance from a US military camp near Fallujah, Iraq, according a statement from the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Corporal Hassoun, of West Jordan, Utah, is accused of taking unauthorised leave from the unit where he served as an Arabic interpreter.

He is also is charged with the loss of government property and the theft of a military firearm for allegedly leaving the Marine camp while still in possession of his 9mm service pistol, as well as theft and wrongful appropriation of a government vehicle.

No date has been set for an Article 32 hearing, one of the first steps toward a possible court-martial in the US military justice system, said Major Matt Morgan, the brigade spokesman. Source...

I have felt somewhat of a kinship with Corporal Hassoun up until now, we both served time at 2nd Marine Division and we both have lived in Utah, he in SLC, me near-by in Park City. I hate to see any one mess-up their life, especially a Marine. There is a difference though between Hassoun and the two worms - Hinzman and Paredes; Hassoun turned himself in and when he got back he didn't speak against his country or the war. I feel like I have to at least give him that!

Update: Looking around before I shut down for the night(I just noticed that Rusty quit early - he's getting old) and I see that Spoons and Jawa Report have both posted on the report also, but from a different source. You need to read what they have to say, they have a little different take on it and besides, they are both always worth reading.

Posted by Hyscience at December 9, 2004 8:41 PM

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