Iraq war objector leaves Army
(AP) – 3 Oct 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 Friday.
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.
Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com
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Michael Waddington is a court martial lawyer – court martial attorney that defends military personnel worldwide as well as deployed civilian contractors subject to the UCMJ. He defends Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and civilian contractor court martial cases. He has successfully defended military personnel as a court martial lawyer Army Navy Marine & Air Force court martials in Germany, England, San Diego, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Yokota, and throughout the United States.
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