PFC Corey Clagett was trained by the United States Army to obey orders, fight for his country, and to obey rules of engagement. On May 9, 2006, Corey and his squad participated in Operation Iron Triangle at Lake Thar-Thar, 120 kilometers north of Baghdad.
While in Iraq for no longer than three months, his squad was given orders to ”kill all of military age males” in an operation called Iron Triangle. Instead of coming home an army hero, he rots in the United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) in solitary confinement at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Has the military forgotten the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War? Lt. William Calley was convicted of premeditated murder of 104 innocent civilians.
Calley was sentenced to life in prison at Fort Leavenworth at hard labor. He gave the order for the massacre, yet he served three and one half years at Ft. Benning, GA under house arrest. In contrast with PFC Clagett’s remorse and wiliness to aid the army in his trial, Lt. Calley showed no remorse and tried to cover up what happened lying during his court-martial.
Is the military court system so incompetent that it can't make a distinction between an officer who gave the order to kill, and PFC Corey Clagett? PFC Clagett followed an order to kill. He cooperated with the military and admitted he wrongfully followed the order to kill.
The case of Corey Clagett requires immediate review and his release so that he can once again become a productive member of society.
Clemency hearing video: See the 15 minute charade first hand.
After viewing this video one must ask the question should the Uniform Code of Military Justice, (UCMJ) be forever called the Uniform Code of Military INJUSTICE—(UCMIJ)?
The first clemency hearing was concluded with a single question from a member of the board.
The board member's question was clearly out-of-order, and was indicative of both a lack of preparation on his part and a lack of understanding and respect for the law. At this point one must ask were all the board members as equally ill prepared?
Contact members of new 2011 members of Congressional Military Oversight Committee
Please send Email and letters to the Secretary of the Army through Corey's attorney here.
It had already been stipulated in the original hearing followed by the court-martial that PFC Clagett’s squad had been given the order to shoot all al Qaeda and those of military age on sight.
The board member's question was a clear violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
10 USCS § 876, Art. 76. Finality of proceedings, findings, and sentences The appellate review of records of trial provided by this chapter [10 USCS §§ 801 et seq.], the proceedings, findings, and sentences of courts-martial as approved, reviewed, or affirmed as required by this chapter [10 USCS §§ 801 et seq.], and all dismissals and discharges carried into execution under sentences by courts-martial following approval, review, or affirmation as required by this chapter [10 USCS §§ 801 et seq.], are final and conclusive.
Please sign: Petition Site to be presented at clemency hearing.
Corey literally lives for mail. According to his mom it's about all that keeps him going. You can write Corey your words of encouragement at:
Corey Clagett 82477
1300 N.Warehouse rd
Ft.Leavenworth, KS
66027
Corey can receive donation for his phone bank. You will help him by sending a United State Postal Service Money Order in any amount to the above address. Again, it must clearly have the address with his serial number on it or it will be returned.
If you would like to send him postage stamps they must come online at www.usps.com Corey's serial number must be included. He can also receive books as long as they come directly from the vendor like Amazon etc.
The operation was called Iron Triangle and carried out in an area called Thar-Thar.
According to Iraqi officials, the area was the largest insurgent training camp that had been discovered in the war at that time.
Just before leaving, on their May 9th the soldiers had been given an order to “kill all military-age men” at the site by their superior officers. The soldiers were also told to expect heavy resistance because an Army Ranger Unit had previously suffered casualties while in the area.Military officials in Baghdad have declined to comment on whether such an order, which would have been a violation of the law of war, might have been given.
Clagett was among 9 American Cavalry Scouts who accompanied 100 Iraqi commandos on the raid.
Corey's squad reported to the colonel, Michael Steele, the brigade commander. Col Steele led the 1993 mission as a captain in Somalia made famous by the book and movie “Black Hawk Down.”
Please contribute here: All contributions used for Travel, Printing Supplies, Web-Site Maintenance, and Corey’s phone bank at Leavenworth when he is allowed to phone his family.
A Blackhawk helicopter dropped Corey’s squad off on an island consisting of two homes. The squad then approached one of the homes and discovered three military-aged males using two women as human shields. Corey’s squad handcuffed and detained the three men while the squad leader, Staff Sergeant Girouard, radioed Command to report the three detainees. The response was, “Why aren’t these terrorists dead yet
Girouard held a meeting of the entire squad. He then ordered Corey and another soldier, William Hunsaker, to kill the three detainees. Corey and Hunsaker were coincidentally the two lowest-ranked members of the squad.
Following the meeting, Girouard cut off the detainee’s zip-ties and ordered Corey and Hunsaker to shoot them. Corey recognized that he had been given an unlawful order. However, he knew the Rules of Engagement were to “shoot to kill.” Corey was aware of the Intelligence and knew that under the new “catch and release” program, the detainees would likely be released very quickly. These consequences weighed heavily on Corey as these detainees, once released, would most likely provide damaging intelligence to al Qaeda or even kill other U.S. soldiers. As the youngest and lowest ranking member of the squad, he was fearful of the consequences of disobeying the order.
Corey decided to follow the order and accompanied by Hunsaker, told the detainees to run away and then began to shoot, killing two of them. The third detainee was found alive and barely breathing. However, the squad doctor believed there was no way to save him. As such, Girouard ordered Specialist Graber to put the third detainee out of his misery. Graber shot the mortally wounded man in the head.
Girouard, in an attempt to make the killing seem justified, decided to create the appearance that the detainees had attacked Corey and Hunsaker while attempting to escape. Prior to returning to base camp, Girouard instructed Corey and Hunsaker on the manner in which they would cover up the shooting.
Two days later, command authorities began a criminal investigation into the deaths of the detainees. Corey and Hunsaker were instructed by Girouard to “stick to the story.” Girouard even threatened other members of the squad in order to keep them quiet. The investigation eventually uncovered the actual events of that day and Corey was charged with the deaths of the detainees, along with Hunsaker and Girouard.
During his pre-trial confinement in Kuwait, American guards abused Corey. He would often go unfed. He was forced to sleep while chained in the fetal position. He was subjected to 24 hours of bright lights. He was held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, enduring harsher conditions than the terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.
Finally, after being threatened with the prospect of life in prison or the death penalty, his military attorney, a jag officer who had never tried a murder case advised the young PFC to take a plea. In doing so, Corey decided to plead guilty to murder. He agreed to cooperate with the government and testify against Girouard. Corey was then sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Incredibly, despite the extent of Girouard’s involvement, he was found guilty of a lesser-included offense. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and released after 3. Additionally, Graber, who was charged with the mercy killing of the third detainee, served only 9 months in prison. Following his release, he was redeployed to Iraq and was subsequently promoted.
How much time is enough for a young soldier who made the tragic error in judgment to follow an unlawful order in a combat zone to kill men who he believed to be Al Qaeda operatives?
How much time is enough for a soldier who took responsibility for his actions and provided substantial assistance to the Government in the prosecution of his squad leader who ordered the killings?
How much longer should this young man, who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, along with anxiety and depression, continue to be held in solitary confinement at USDB Fort Leavenworth?
Given the unique circumstances of this case, the four years already served in solitary confinement and one year confined to military prisons in Kuwait. His time in confinement has been more than sufficient. It is in the interest of justice that Corey Clagett be released.
A US Naval Academy graduate, Timothy Parlatore was recently retained to handle Corey’s case. Mr. Parlatore, served two deployments to the Middle East as a Lieutenant. Since his graduation from law school, Mr. Parlatore has earned a reputation as a respected defense attorney in New York City.
To learn more about the injustice Corey has endured please click here.
Additionally, a “Free Corey Clagett” Facebook page is now up and running. Please ask anyone and everyone with a Facebook account to join the Facebook group, post supportive comments, and solicit others to join the “Free Corey Clagett” Facebook page. His mother will print all well wishes and send them to Corey.
Corey's legal defense is sponsored by a non-profit organization The United American Patriots
This organization depends on donations from people like you to insure that our warriors receive the best possible legal defense.
Additionally the numbers of online supporters will be used as evidence at the clemency hearing of public support for Corey’s release.
Those having connections with media coverage please contact Corey’s attorney Mr. Parlatore at Timothy@efranzlaw.com Phone: 212-355-2200.
Media coverage will provide additional support to bring this horrific saga to a happy conclusion.
Once Corey’s story becomes more prominent, public support for his Clemency will skyrocket. As such, key writers from widely disseminated publications for full coverage of Corey’s story and petition for Clemency are being solicited as well.
In conclusion, have you ever wanted to do something that seems impossible, something bigger than yourself, and once accomplished it will stay in your heart forever? Please join us in making sure that Corey Clagett is released following his upcoming clemency hearing in April.
Copyright © 2010 Jim Campbell
Comments
What a tragic case.. This man will live with his actions for the rest of his life. Thanks for sharing Jim and please keep us posted on the progress of this case.. Praying for This soldier and his family. I don't think there is a more difficult thing for a young soldier than how to act on a bad order. The real Criminals are those who knowingly issued this illegal order.
Hi Cindy appreciate your comments, I'm in this until Corey is out, we have an amazing game plan. Appreciate your prayers, but I'm asking more, please send the link to everybody you know or drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. Happy New Year, Jim
I am appalled at the way our military is currently treated the darkness in evil of the current administration to control an individual and set them upon a people then try to cover their mistake in even being in the peoples country and blame it upon those they trained and basically brainwashed
I will continue to support our military and try to abolish this government as I can , I Pray he is out soon!
The tragedy is that the soldier admitted knowing that the order was wrong and did it anyway. He was trained to obey orders and he did so but there is recent history that dictates doing so counts against the person obeying the order, In war (which I have no experience) I would say that it probably hard to think that quickly about the ramifications of one's decision. While this young man has been punished enough in my opinion, his superior officers need to face the music. In a hostile environment who amongst us would not want to eliminate all potential enemy combatants. I will keep this soldier and his family in my prayers.
Thanks for taking the time to read this article Joel.
Appreciate your prayers, but I'm asking more, please send the link to everybody you know or drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. Happy New Year, Jim
Are we at war or not he obeyed is officer nothing else. Do you not think for a minute if the roles were reversed our guy would be in a ditch. We need to stay out of other countries battle because our leader are turning kiss ass and wimpy shared on FB
Thanks Renee for putting you wall. Would you consider doing more to help? Would you please send the link to everybody you know on your Email Account, or drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. Happy New Year, Jim
The rules of engagement in these current wars are just ridiculous and should be reviewed. No one should be serving prison time when given an order that they don't really feel is justified but are afraid of the consequences to their career. If we were in a real war, things would be much different. God bless this young man and his family. Thanks, Jim for keeping this in the news.
Thanks for your comments Libgrim. We are in a real war. Unfortunately the liberal mind can't seem go get it mind around Ronald Reagan's quote, ' In war there is only one outcome, we win they lose.
Perhaps you might consider helping Corey and his family more.
Could you take an additional action and please send the link to everybody you know on your Email Account, or drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. Th goal is to make this go viral. Happy New Year, Jim
Is there some place where I can obtain a list of books Corey would like to have?
Hi Mighty Woman: Corey's Mom will be hear each day she will be able to provide that information. How about making his day and dropping him a note asking him what he would like to read. This is such a wonderful offer on your behalf. Corey's address is in the middle of the Article...must be written exactly with serial number. Thanks, God Bless, happy New Year!
You can go to Free Corey Clagett on Facebook. It is a group to support Corey. Under the discussion board we have what things Corey would like and if they were ordered or not...
He wants some fiction Cowboys & Indians books...
@ Mighty Woman please see post below mine below it's from Corey's Mom Melanie Thanks for your support, Jim
Jim,
Thank you for sharing the story of Corey! I think this is the biggest gift you can give him and his family. What our military leaders are doing to our soldiers is WRONG.
I pray that there is clemency in Corey's NEAR FUTURE.
Thank you Alisha as usual your comments are on the money.
Can I ask you to do more for Corey and his family?
Could you take an additional action and please send the link to everybody you know on your Email Account, or drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. The goal is to make this go viral. Thanks my friend, Happy New Year, Jim
Another injustice....I will keep all this in prayer--
Thanks AC please don't take my comments that I have issues with prayer. We are all praying, and to date God has not seen fit to answer our prayers. We continue to pray please keep praying.
Can our team ask you to do more for Corey and his family?
Could you take an additional action and please send the link to everybody you know on your Email Account? Of drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. The goal is to make this go viral. Thanks my friend, Happy New Year, Jim
PFC Corey shouldn't be punished in any way, shape, or form for following orders. This soldier has been used as a scape goat for his superior who gave the order, and was hardly punished. Corey deserves Medical Care, and given full benefits as a veteran, and have his records cleared of any wrongdoing. Also his discharge should at least be general if not honorable, keeping all benefits. God help us to make a wrong right. God Bless him and his family.
Thank you Frank for your well informed reply. The article was longer that usual, but obviously your remarks indicate you head it completely. Your comments hit the nail on the head.
Can I ask you to do more for Corey and his family?
Could you take an additional action and please send the link to everybody you know on your Email Account? Post the article on your wall share with friends on Facebook ask them to do the same?
Or drop him a card or write a letter. You will be helping him stay alive. The goal is to make this go viral. Thanks Frank, Happy New Year, Jim
This is a huge injustice.....a man willing to die for his country, follows orders and is in PRISON....This makes me ill.........I will write letters....this is heartbreaking.
Thanks KP we both know you chose your last name well. You are always on the money and I thank you for writing Corey Letters.
Can I ask you to do more for Corey and his family?
Could you take an additional action and please send the link to everybody you know on your Email Account? Post the article on your wall share with friends on Facebook ask them to do the same?
Yes letters are the only thing keeping him going and our prayers. His mom tells me he lives for mail call. You will be helping him stay alive. The goal is to make this go viral. Thanks Kathleen I know you and you will get involved and become a part of the team we have assembled that will set him free.
Won't mention specifics as these comments will be passed along to Corey by his mom and the military reads everything first. Thanks my Patriot friend,Happy New Year, Jim
I am a Soldier stationed at Fort Stewart, GA. I have deployed 3 times. Once to Afghanistan before Cory was even in the military and twice after. I have been in Iraq 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. I admit I don't like how the military handled the matter but it was stated that they had a meeting before the act in question was committed, they planned it out, they told the prisoners to run and they fired upon them. If I am not mistaken that is premeditated murder. The detainees were tied with zip ties. Even with the "catch and release" program the unit has 24-48 hours with the detained individuals. There is no where in the Rules of Engagement were you can just "Shoot to Kill." The ROE state that you have to have Positive Identification of a hostel target before you can fire. None of the detainees where hostel combatants at that time. They where Prisoners of War. We as American soldiers follow the Rules of Land Warfare. So before you can say he is being wrongfully punished...do your research. He and the others committed a unlawful and unethical crime. Punishment should be as such. He knew what he was doing, he knew what type of order he received, he knew that it was not a order he had to follow but he did such anyways. This is not a life sentence. 18 years is not bad for a premeditated murder. Please don't go and say because he is a soldier he does not have it coming. Btw we are told in basic training that no one can force you to follow a unlawful order no matter their rank or grade.
Spc. thank you for your service, but with all due respect these are not by law "prisoners of war", the definition of a prisoner of war is one wearing the uniform of another nation which they do not. I am not, nor have I been in the military but have studied the laws regarding this matter and you are mistaken by defining them as such. Had we had your mentality of saving the enemy from our soldiers in WWI or WWII we would all be speaking Japanese or German right now. At the point that we send you brave men and women into combat and I repeat combat, not discussion, not negotiation, not diplomacy, but combat, we should all be prepared for you to do what you are trained to do and that is kill people and break stuff regardless of the manner or mechanism you use. Had Pfc Clagett been an Air Force pilot and dropped a bomb on that house and flown on they would have and should have pinned a medal on him. Again, Thank you for your service.
Dear Spec: First I would like to tell you that I appreciate your service. You know the case well, everything your say about the incident is correct. That being said, you are missing some of the facts. You conclusions are yours I stand by mine and the research I've done.
I also served Perhaps you might consider putting his crime in context and think back when you were first deployed.
Corey had been in the Army for a total of six months of training then he was shipped with his unit to Iraq.
Can you remember your first three months? Corey, if you will do a bit more research, admitted that he was fully aware he was following an illegal order.
Obviously Corey isn't or wasn't a cold blooded killer or he would have shot the tangos hiding behind the women. He didn't, he radioed his superiors and said he and his group had taken three prisoners.
They clearly told him on no uncertain terms to kill them immediately. We both know we were taught to follow orders. He did.
I'm in constant touch with his attorney. I've had the opportunity to view the transcripts of legal proceedings. It is very clear that he was railroaded. (below continued)
Back to you Spec
The video of the hearing is quite informative. It is clear they were unprepared, they had no interest in hearing what Corey's advocates had to say.
As stated, the only question asked was illegal according to the UCMJ. This is not about guilt or innocence. Corey admitted his guilt.
The point of the article was, when is enough enough? Re: Lt Calley and My Lai for obvious reasons.
I'm not suggesting that two "wrongs" make a right.
I believe you are thinking as a seasoned combat veteran. Perhaps you might have never been in combat and served there in one of the many support positions. In either case,you are a patriot and a hero. If your are still at Fort Stewart GA I can only suppose that you have reenlisted and or have chosen to make a career of service to our country.
I ask you to view this not as the professional you are or were during you three tours but as a 21 year old that was 20 when he enlisted.
Corey couldn't buy beer so he was 20 when he enlisted. He was a kid, kids are use to following yet he decided he wanted to serve his country.
In closing, we can agree to disagree. Please consider commenting again your comments are welcomed and perspective is great.
My best to you and yours, Happy New Year, former PFC Jim Campbell
Ranger
It is sad that our youth, the servicemen and women that take an oath to defend this great nation are lied to and misled bu the very people that misrepresent us all. I defy anyone to name one elected official that is without fault, it is the morally and ethically challenged that set such a high standard for our service people but yet they themselves won't follow their own rules of ethics. Change the rules of engagement and fight a war to win it, do not pity the enemy or those that support them, and if an officer gives an in-appropiate order then punish the officer. Once again we choose to punish our own for doing the job that was asked of them, God bless our troops
First I would like to say thank you Mr. Campbell for your former service in the military. Next I would just like to throw on the table that I am a seasoned combat vet and that I am also in the Combat Arms. Specifically I am a 11B, a Infantryman. Next I was in Afghanistan when I was 20. My birthday was also during that tour. It was also my first tour in a combat zone. Now I am looking at this as a combat vet and I also went threw I don't know how much law and military law books to see how it might be handled on either side of the fence. I have to say that I know he was given a order and there is no need to follow the order. The UCMJ states 892.ART.92 (2) "lawful order". In each case, military personnel have an obligation and a duty to only obey Lawful orders and indeed have an obligation to disobey Unlawful orders, including orders by the president that do not comply with the UCMJ. The moral and legal obligation is to the U.S. Constitution and not to those who would issue unlawful orders, especially if those orders are in direct violation of the Constitution and the UCMJ. With that said I know we are talking about Terrorists. Looking at it though the "Terrorists" were detained. That being said they changed from hostel combatants to Prisoners of War. As stated in my prior comment even if the chain of command did not up hold it Cory still had a duty as a individual to up hold the rights of those detainees. (Continued.)
Included in my argument.....well argument is harsh. We will say this is all my opinion on the matter. I don't want to make it like I am saying what should be done. Continuing on I can recall the tour I just got off of that I had dealt with a lot of detainees. Two of the detainees were held at the JSS I was staying at. They were identified by air support after they set off a IED on a passing route clearance convoy. There were plenty of people that wanted to get their hands on those detainees. Even more so when it was my time to rotate on to guard shift because I was one of the senior enlisted on watch. I stuck to my guns and guarded those detainees against my own fellow soldiers till they were to be handed off. Also we got time to interrogate them ourselves before they were handed off to anyone. Putting that aside thou I know where you are coming from with Cory. Putting his time in service aside and time in the forward deployed area aside. He knew morally what he was going to do was wrong yet he did it. On the fact that he was ordered and the punishment of the ordering party. Well I hate to sound evil on this but orders are just that a set of words. They told Cory and Hunsaker what they should have done. After that it was the choice of Cory and Hunsaker to follow a unlawful order or not. The ordering authority did not perform the act. Now should that person get off with nothing or close to it....no they shouldn't. (Continued.)
Dear soldier from Ft.Stewart.
I have learned there are many good Military persons and there are the rotten apples. Corey was under those rotten apples.
Dr.Mestrovic is a well know war crimes expert and teaches on the ROE. He has testified on Corey's behalf at his Clemency hearing and would have at his trial if Corey would have had one, but due to the pressures of being ( forced) to plea guilty he didn't get the chance to . He also written a letter asking for Clemency which you can find on our website at www.coreyclagett.com under Clemency Letters.
Dr.Mestrovic just e-mailed me saying this below..
( Melanie,
This is an excellent story by Jim Campbell . I hope it has some influence.
I'm pasting below a link to my on-line course on war crimes, which I just finished teaching. It includes down loadable lectures as well as some full transcripts of the trials, including the Article 32 for Iron Triangle. You may want to put a link to it on Corey's website, so those who don't want to believe what happened can read the transcript and see for themselves.
I hope the New Year brings Corey home
Stjepan)
sentence Continued--
As a matter of fact they should be punished just as hard. That is one reason why I stated before I don't agree with how this all is being handled. But again the ordering authority is just that a person saying something not actually doing something. So in retrospect they really did nothing more then speak. Oops I had to re-read something. I remember they did call to higher for further guidance. Higher told them to get rid of them for the most part. At that point it fell to the authority in the squad to do the right thing. When the squad leader told them to go ahead with the killing Cory and Hunsaker should have used their own moral understanding and said they would not do it. Just because he is 20 or 21 and one of the lowest ranked people does not give him any leeway when it comes to moral understanding of a situation. Now I know that a lot of this is off of Cory's punishment and how the case is being handled but by law it was First Degree Murder. In order for someone to be found guilty of first degree murder the government must prove that the person killed another person; the person killed the other person with malice aforethought; and the killing was premeditated. To kill with malice aforethought means to kill either deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life. Now saying that I will state again that Cory's actions followed that definition. He only got 18 years. That really is a light sentence. (Continued)
Continued from above--- Dear soldier from Ft.Stewart
Now you don't have to agree, maybe you would do something different, or maybe not. Until you are put in that situation you really know how or what you would do. It is easier said than done. Corey could have come home in a box for not following orders and don't tell me it doesn't happen. My father was in the air force 26 years, my uncles and brother served, My sons Bio father served, my husband of 13 years served, my eldest son served and the list goes on. I know the military tell the soldier one thing and the public another. I know soldiers do things that are not all by the book.
there are soldiers you can brag and say they had a perfect military record, but in most cases its not so perfect. Many ex- military soldiers and families tell what its really like once they are out.I have talked to family who have lost someone by suicide because of what they couldn't handle being told and the things they had to do. What I'm saying is it is not all rosie.
What I can tell you as well is my son Corey is not a killer!
I'm not ashamed of my son or his name.
I am glad you are safe, who knows, maybe my son saved your life!
I can post my name with honor on behalf of Pfc Corey Clagett.
A Soldier's Mother,
Melanie Dianiska
Here is a link to Dr.Mestrovic the expert on War Crimes
http://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/soci-657-cultural-studies/id394384077
I am not saying I want him to do more time. I have been jailed before and I hated it. I do want to see time done for a crime served. 18 years is a well I will not say good sentence but it could have been worse then that. I am sorry if people are not happy about my views but I did not even start to comment on this till just now and that is only because I looked over evidence, I watched videos, I heard comments. I have done my tours in both Combat Zones. I have been a Infantryman for 10 years. MY job is to hunt the terrorists where ever they may hide and to deal with them. I was in Cory and Hunsaker's shoes at one point. Please understand this all is coming from my soul opinion based off of observation and my own personal experience with the military including time in combat zones as a infantryman. If anyone wishes to scold me for all my remarks please do so at your leisure. I hope that you all do not take this all as me trying to be some pro punishment person or how ever you want to state it. I am just doing what was asked. I continued to give my opinion as asked my the writer of the article Mr. Campbell. So I did as such and I did as such as politically correct as I could. I have issues from deployments including PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury from attacks and IEDs. I do hate those terrorists but each of us a rules to up hold no matter our age or our position. (Continued)
@ SPC from J.C. author: I keep reading your comments and this jumped out at me. From you, "I was in Cory and Hunsaker's shoes at one point." have you really been on a mission like Iron Tringle where the orders were to kill every male of military age? This was following a ranger team taking heavy casualties in the area, the largest training area for al Qaeda during the war at that time. Did you ever go on a mission when you knew it was illegal? I'm not challenging you hear I'm just wondering. Would you have gone and if so why? Again my reason for this is the cover up he admitted his guilt. Also he was not tried for 1st degree premeditated murder, he pleaded to a lesser charge of manslaughter with a stipulation that the name Col Steele couldn't not be mentioned by anyone at the pleading, He did this because at the last moment the day before the Army stuck him with a Jag lawyer after his civilian one was removed, she had no time to prepare had never tried a murder case, and advised take the plea or it's Leavenworth for life at hard labor. Kally lied during his court martial, manufactured a story that an air strike mistakenly cause My Lai, he is sentenced to Leavenworth for live, and is out in 2-3 years? When is enough enough? All respectful to your here, just wonder your thoughts, J.C.
When we go back on upholding those laws and ethics we are no better then those terrorists and those that support them. To tell you the truth when we as American soldiers do stuff like that we do give the Terrorists something to use against us. In a Combat Zone everything has eyes and ears. Those three Iraqis may or my not have been Al Quaida informants but for those three there were a dozen more watching. In that country you can not positively say that you are not always being watched. In closing for now. I will just reiterate one thing and one thing only. This was all my opinion and my opinion based off of the facts I have been shown. I am not a lawyer, a judge or a jury member. I am just another service member in the armed forces using what I know and have on hand to state my side of all this. If you want to tear me apart then do so if you wish. I was once like Cory in the fact of being fresh in a combat zone. In order to be a Combat vet I had to start somewhere. Also remember this. If you are at a point where a moral decision is at hand and it involves a unmoral act and you don't know what to do....don't do it. Follow your moral compass. No one can force you to perform a unethical act. Only you can do the deed. Thank you for you wishes Jim and my family sends their best wishes and they and I hope that your holiday is or did go well.
This is such a travesty. It angers me that terrorists at Gitmo get better treatment than our own precious troops. Jim, thank you so much for staying on this. You ask a pertinent question: When is enough, enough? Clearly those on the board were not interested in anything Corey's advocates had to say and they were very ill-prepared. Why do they even bother to have a hearing? We've become so politically correct we care more about what our enemies think than those who sacrifice for our country. Jim, please do not let go of Corey's case. He needs all of us behind him.
Whoever abused Corey during pretrial confinement in Kuwait should be hunted down and punished. Imagine if this had been done to a terrorist! Human rights organizations would be squealing like stuck pigs....no worries, though. It was just a US soldier. Everyone reading this: PRAY FOR COREY and write everyone you can think of. This nightmare must end. God bless our troops.
Dear SPC: I meant no disparagement with my comment that you may not have not been in combat. I recall the ration was about 10 support member/per shooter. As I stated you are not privy to what went so I will clarify thing for you from documents of the proceedings. First Corey was not tried for 1st degree murder. At the advice of his Jag who was assigned 1 day before the court martial and had never tried a defended a murder trial, he agreed to accept a plea at her urging a lesser plea of manslaughter. The civilian attorney that proceeded her was a rogue and went directly after the brigade commander Col Steel. Big error in judgment for an equally inexperienced attorney. Why did he get thrown in jail? He was running a house of prostitution, selling drugs and one of the girls working for him died from an O.D. Now as to your eloquent statement," I know he was given a order and there is no need to follow the order. The UCMJ states 892.ART.92 (2) "lawful order". In each case, military personnel have an obligation and a duty to only obey Lawful orders and indeed have an obligation to disobey Unlawful orders. Please think back, when you were in country your first tour, did you know about article .92.
Continued for SPC:
I've spoken with a Marine Master Gunny who is on his 4 or 5 tour. He advised this stuff wasn't covered or taught. I personally knew nothing of the UCMJ as a E1-E-2-E-3. For you to tell us that you were so well versed makes you truly exceptional indeed. Like I said we can agree to disagree. I would have done exactly as my superiors demanded of me. That was how I was trained. Perhaps back then, the military wasn't so P.S. Please continue commenting if you like, you will not change my opinion and it's unlikely you will change yours. Perhaps you would view things differently if you were sitting in solitary confinement or you were old enough to have your own son sitting in Corey's place. Happy New Year to you, former PFC J.C. P.S. Oh and again there is so much miss information about this situation that you don't have access to and will not be provided here. I will tell you that I've sourced stories to the canal shooting at Tar-Tar which occurred a year earlier, and all the events mistakenly list all the shooters of Corey's group by name when he had not arrived in Iraq. I'm talking about the NYT. Over and out.
Thanks, Jim, for setting the record as straight as anyone can at this point. As stated, please stay on this case. You are truly doing the Lord's work. I am absolutely certain that my father, who flew 38 missions over Nazi Germany in WWII, would be considered a war criminal today. May God bless our troops and Corey Clagett.
Thank you I'm humbled by your comments Striker Mom. Is you son still in country? Wouldn't it be cool if soldiers could circulate this sign in with funky names if they felt they had to and we can make this go viral throughout the military? I'm betting you are circulating this to everyone you know I appreciate your help our team appreciates your help. XPFC J.C.
Well I see that everyone believes that time has been served. I will make a few closing remarks because no matter the amount of legal information I throw up here it still boils down to the fact that because you all think his age and experience are the thriving factors here I will state just these things. I did not know it all but I was taught all I know about law and land warfare regulations before deployment just like every other unit before moving forward. As far as what that Gunny says well I was attached to a Marine unit while in Iraq the first time and they had a ROE based off of the Rules of Land Warfare. Continuing on to USMJ Articles it is not that hard to look that stuff up but that is besides the facts. Now the one everyone knows. The United States Military follows the Geneva Convention. Thus we follow the rules of treatment under the Geneva Convention on the treatment of POWs. Even if our enemy does not we are held to the standard. As stated before you don't even have to look those up. This still boils right down to ethics. It was unethical and unmoral to release a POW, tell them to run and then shoot them in the back. I know I will not change everyone's mind and I know that. I just know that even if things were not handled right in the reviewing boards case the fact is still there. Rules of land Warfare where broken, Geneva Convention Articles were disobeyed and thus no matter how you look at it a morel wrong doing was done rather ordered to or not. (Continued)
Dear SPC: You failed to answer what if it were you or you son? Your referral to the Geneva convention is correct. I don't wish to make this political, but factually the left is anti-war and come up with bizarre politically correct ways to fight wars when few have ever been there. There is no place for PC in the military. You happy with the turning over of Don't ask don't tell? As long as we have liberal wimps involved soldiers will be receiving medals for not shooting an enemy, they will patrol with an unchambered round in their weapons. I did catch the comment that you don't believe he should necessarily serve any more time so we are on the same page. The kid has admitted his guilt and remorse. The choice really amounts to releasing him now to the Physician who has worked with him since his imprisonment at a VA where he works with a team that will work with Corey as an inpatient and only be released when they determine he is fit to reenter society not before. It's all in the clemency videos had you taken the time to watch the video, you would not have challenged my credibility and told me I didn't know what I was talking about. I assure you sir I do.
SPC, these are not POW's by law!!!
Justice is always to be tempered with mercy, or at the very least common decency. I do not believe Corey Claggett received either. Pfc. Claggett needs to go home.
Well stated, GMA213. I agree!
I just sent a donation to United American Patriots. It's the least I can do. Keep your head up, Corey!
My son very recently returned from Afghanistan and is currently home on leave. I sent the link to my prayer group. Many of us have sons in combat. I know but by the grace of God this could have been any of our boys. I recently sent Corey a money order to pay for phone calls and personal necessities from the Leavenworth store. All of this must be purchased at their expense. My prayer group routinely sends cards to the Leavenworth 10. They must not be forgotten. A word of encouragement means so much to them. I do not know any of them personally, but I pray for them as though they were my own. Keep up the good work, Jim!
Now I am sorry that the public sees this as a wrong doing on the military justice system part and some of it might be but what facts are public is that he committed a crime, not just any crime but a War crime. Those were POWs. There were entitled rights once captured even if I don't agree with it but it is still a known fact that POWs have right and we are upheld to follow them as US Military soldiers. I know that everything I just said was a waste of time because no one is really bothering to look up Regulations on the treatment of Prisoners of War. So I figure it is my time to say ado. As said before we will have to agree to completely disagree. My closing statement will be this Age is not a factor. Experience can not be used as a scapegoat. People outside the military are judged regardless of age, gender or religion. We as soldiers are held to a higher standard because we are trained to kill. Our choices are held to a higher standard then civilians. Not knowing a regulation does not permit you to perform a unethical act. Punishment is just even if you believe it isn't. As far as I am concerned you are making him a martyr for the killing of two individuals that were under POW regulations once they where detained regardless of what they might or might not have done once released. My best to you all and may we never be invaded my a nation that up holds these same beliefs. If so war crimes will go threw the roof. Goodnight and good luck.
SPEC this was continued from my comment to you that said I do as the last sentence.
Are you familiar with Stjepan G Mestrovic, Professor, Department of Sociology University of Texas. He is considered one of the worlds experts on War Crimes. Here is a link on I tunes where you may download his works for free, lectures, papers, books. http://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/soci-657-cultural-studies/id394384077 He has read the article and knows the case very well it's part of the Leavenworth 10 he just wrote and advised that I was on target. So as we have begun this exercise and let it go we can agree to disagree. XPFC J.C.
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