Pentagon
and Army officials are disputing claims from a member of former POW
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's unit and the mother of a fallen soldier that
troops died looking for Bergdahl after he walked away from his post.
Berghdahl
was released by his Taliban captors one week ago in exchange for five
prisoners from Guantanamo. Since then charges have surfaced calling
Bergdahl a deserter along with claims at least six soldiers died
searching for him when he disappeared in Afghanistan in June 2009.
A military official told CNN
there is no definitive finding Bergdhal deserted but an Army
fact-finding investigation concluded he left his post deliberately. Army
Secretary John McHugh promised this week a "comprehensive, coordinated"
review would be conducted.
But
Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl's platoon, told CNN men "were
injured and killed in the search for him. The mission was to find
Bergdahl."
Sondra Andrews,
the mother of 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews, said she is convinced her son died
searching for Bergdahl in September 2009.
She
told CNN Saturday she thinks her son was part of a group "strictly on a
mission looking for Bergdahl … based on (information from) the men that
served with Darryn." She is asking the military to explain "why they
lied to us" about what her son was doing.
"I'd
like to see Bergdahl given an opportunity to tell his story, be on
trial, have the witnesses come forward and tell their story and get the
truth through that, and then I would like to see the full measure of the
law followed for his punishment," Andrews told CNN.
In a separate report, CNN quoted a senior U.S. official as saying Bergdahl was physically abused
during his five years of captivity. The official, who asked not to be
identified, said Bergdahl attempted to escape but got caught and
confined to a small cage or box.
Bergdahl currently is being
treated at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. It was unclear
when he would be transferred to the United States.
Meanwhile in Bergdahl's Idaho hometown, residents are reeling from the backlash, USA Today
reported. A number of those shown on national media rejoicing over the
news of Bergdahl's release last week found themselves the recipients of
nasty calls and e-mails.
"The community here is shaken by the
negative reaction, but remains undivided in its support for Bowe and his
parents, (Bergdahl's parents) Bob and Jani," Blaine County Commissioner
Larry Schoen said. "My main message is, people should not rush to
judgment." |
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