Justice for a Vietnam Veteran?

Question

I have a buddy who is a Vietnam Combat Veteran (U.S. Army).

In his first tour of duty in Viet Nam in 1966-67, 3 fellow American soldiers did these atrocities to him: beat him, harassed him, staked him out in the boiling sun (by piling sand bags on his legs, arms and shoulders), etc. mainly because he was an FNG (the new guy) and because he is slight in stature (he later served as a tunnel rat and in Special Forces).

If the Statute of Limitations has not run out, this veteran would like to file charges against those three soldiers.

Has the Statute of Limitations has run out?

Would it be best to contact the Army JAG or DAV?

Are there organizations that can help him find justice?

My buddy told me I am the only person he has confided this information to, which is why so much time has passed.

10 points to the person who can give us clear information or refer us to an organization that can help him.

A few points I need to clarify:

This was not a one time hazing. These 3 thugs assaulted this veteran over a period of several months.

Yes, he's legitimate--there really were tunnel rats in Vietnam.

If it was a one time thing it would be easier for him to "get over" but it happened repeatedly and officers and soldiers just pretended they did not notice it.

Yet another update: Yes, I have seen his DD-214 and the VA has him on 100% Disability for PTSD. I have seen the VA's documentation, his medals and some photos of his two tours.

I am surprised at the venom pointed at my friend; rather than sympathy or outrage at his treatment (which our military wouldn't even do a enemy prisoner), some of the responses given here are very much like the receipton these soldiers received when they returned home from Vietnam; no support, just criticism.

What bothers him the most is that renegades in his own army made him fear for his life and humilated him and no one helped him--even those in command.

Answer 1

I would contact the Army. Though honestly, I don't think anything will be done. It's his word against whose? Does he even know the names of the men or how to locate them? If there is no record of the incident, which you can be assured their isn't, no one will do anything. Now if he knows the dates, the location, his sgt's name, the other troops names, he can get "morning reports", or information on how to obtain them, from the National Archives.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html

My husband was hurt in an explosion during a firefight where he had to be carried back to the base, in Vietnam but their was no record when I researched. Because of the horrors happening around them, people just didn't complain about something that didn't blow their legs off, or severely wound them.

My husband was in the 4th ID (deceased), and went into the tunnels but was a demolitions engineer. (He blew them up!) Hazing in the jungle? I have never heard of it but a lot of other things happened there amongst the troups I nor others that served have heard about, so don't doubt it.

I would have to believe it was nothing to talk about or complain about during the horror of war; that war especially. Most of the veterans I have spoken with have told me this..."there were only a few I would call "brother"..there were a few if they were dying, I would ignore their cries...there was one or two I would die for or die helping...the rest, I didn't really care about"...speaking of the guys in their unit. More than one veteran has basically told me this. But that is how it is in any society or group of people. No different in war, or the military.

So all you can really do after you have done all of what I have suggested, is just have him continue to get counseling in his group & to talk to his therapist.

A personal suggestion....don't allow yourself to be consumed with this. Because my whole life has been consumed by that war. In war, in combat situations, people do "things" they would never have imagined they would do. No one can explain what happens to the mind and soul when you are in a daily situation where you experience horror, trauma, and there are really no rules to go by. Justice isn't a word you will hear spoken in combat; ever.

Answer 2

Can't help with limitations, but I know hazing has always existed. Blood pinnings are a far cry worse than what I see here. There are some things in life we must get over. Otherwise I'd tell you both that REVENGE is best served cold. With 30+ yrs. behind him they would have to look way back to see the problem. I'm talking psychological type not physical, as this appears to be where he was done in by them. There are a million things you can do to make people realize that they did things that they should atone for. Chances are they know that it was wrong and would probably jump at the chance to at least apologize for it.

Answer 3

If what he said is true then he can go to the VA and request to see some one at the mental heath facilities. Again if he is telling the truth he is probable suffering from PTSD and that can be verified. One of the first things they inform patients is if any form of atrocities were performed by you or against you they have to inform the proper authorities and that will start the ball rolling. Again this is if he is telling the truth and willing to go to the VA. Also he will need to qualify if he isn’t yet registered at the VA

Answer 4

Wow. I feel for the guy, I really do, but I'm willing to bet that in the military, like the civilian world, a crime similar to hazing would have a pretty short statue of limitations. Sadly, had he been killed, I think that's the only way any charges could be brought up upon the alleged assailants this late in the game. Murder is the only crime that has no statute of limitations.

Answer 5

I really don't care about you're points, But organization that can help him 40 years later, Is busy helping our Iraqi(((vitrines))), ( The ones with real need any way), If he lost an arm or a leg ??, His justice would be to get the beast medical attention, But if you want to help him you should go further than (40) years go to his school day's and get him justice for that time too, -it's a batten you know-, But while you are seeking (justice), For him you should go and talk to the kid's in the school they get bulled too, And seek (justice) for them as well, And my guess (justice) Is going to take the form of $$$$, Give him the 10 points, And have him move on life is great and the bullet that don't kill you makes you stronger.

Answer 6

I also find it hard to believe that someone that survived being a tunnel rat and who served in special forces would be complaining 40 years later. Except for the "beating" it doesn't sound any worse than many FNG's got. He should be thankful because many new guys didn't survive their first few weeks due to enemy activity.

Answer 7

I think the onus would be on your buddy to prove the continual hazing was connected to his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder contact J.A.G. and see what they think.

By the way, while hazing is bullying of the worse kind, it does not fit the legal definition of an atrocitie.

Answer 8

sorry son, hard to believe but hazing has been a long time tradition of all the branches of the service!!!

like in the navy when you first cross the equater you have to dive off the crows nest and drink mopwater and if you on the fire crew you have to squat naked and get lashes with a fire hose!!!

edit: it took me several years of doctors experimenting with different medications to my finally getting the right ones for my post traumatic stress but i think they finally got it right!!

havent you noticed my answeres are mor polite?!!!

and yes tunnel rats were very brave men and very useful in vietnam!!!

we couldnt fight what we couldnt find!!

and yes some hazings were more extreme than others, some even caused deaths!!!

this incident will never make it to the light of day!!!

but hey, somebody tell me if i am wrong, things may have changed!!!

Answer 9

Those are not Atrocities
Your "buddy" is full of it if he says he was a tunnel rat in the Special Forces. My bet is he was neither.
My next bet is that you are not the first one he has told, you are the first one gullible enough to believe it.

Answer 10

The quantity of members convicted of crimes even as on lively provider is microscopic in comparison to the whole in uniform. As to the the rest of the remark, I might say that Viet Vets are in the direction of finding out the reality than many others on the grounds that forty% people have already died. That is over one million million.