www.starbulletin.com > News > Breaking >
War Objector Leaves The Army
By Associated Press
POSTED: 07:12 a.m. HST, Oct 03, 2009
FORT LEWIS, Wash. >> An Army lieutenant who refused to deploy to Iraq in 2006, saying he believed the war was illegal, has officially left the service.
Fort Lewis spokesman Joseph Piek confirmed that Ehren Watada was discharged yesterday.
Watada was charged with missing his unit's deployment and with conduct unbecoming an officer for denouncing President Bush and the war — statements he made while explaining his actions.
His court-martial ended in a mistrial in February 2007. The Army wanted to try him in a second court-martial, but a federal judge said a second trial on key charges would constitute double jeopardy.
Watada lawyer Kenneth Kagan said last week that the Army had finally allowed his client to resign. Kagan added that Watada was granted a discharge "under other than honorable conditions."
The 31-year-old Watada, a Honolulu native, has told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin he's happy the matter has finally been resolved. Through his lawyer, Watada declined other interview requests.
FORT LEWIS, Wash. >> An Army lieutenant who refused to deploy to Iraq in 2006, saying he believed the war was illegal, has officially left the service.
Fort Lewis spokesman Joseph Piek confirmed that Ehren Watada was discharged yesterday.
Watada was charged with missing his unit's deployment and with conduct unbecoming an officer for denouncing President Bush and the war — statements he made while explaining his actions.
His court-martial ended in a mistrial in February 2007. The Army wanted to try him in a second court-martial, but a federal judge said a second trial on key charges would constitute double jeopardy.
Watada lawyer Kenneth Kagan said last week that the Army had finally allowed his client to resign. Kagan added that Watada was granted a discharge "under other than honorable conditions."
The 31-year-old Watada, a Honolulu native, has told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin he's happy the matter has finally been resolved. Through his lawyer, Watada declined other interview requests.
You need to be a member of maoliworld to add comments!
Replies