The Good Soldier on Trial: A Sociological Study of Misconduct by the US Military Pertaining to Operation Iron Triangle, Iraq

by Stjepan G. Mestrovic (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0875867427

ISBN-10: 0875867421

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An expert witness in legal cases involving rules of engagement and the US military murder of prisoners, Prof. Stjepan Mestrovic exposes profound contradictions and systemic flaws that confuse criminal brutality and heroism, making victims of soldiers like Sergeant Michael Leahy who won a purple heart but also was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009.

A shocking follow-up study of Operation Iron Triangle, Iraq, the current work outlines the treatment of US soldiers who apparently were following their orders as they understood them and who were then accused of having committed war crimes. These include Corey Clagett and William Hunsaker, who were charged in the Iron Triangle incident, and Michael Leahy and Joseph Mayo (from the February 2009 case).

Chock full of quotes from official documents and hard data, the book amply demonstrates that the US military has profound, systemic and immensely troubling flaws. In particular, says the author, the distinction between a good versus bad soldier as well as good versus bad Army has become completely, fatally muddled. To see how US soldiers implicated in war crimes are being treated, Mestrovic goes to see his soldiers in Leavenworth whenever he can. In this book he includes a brief report about how they're doing and gives eye-witness details from inside the United States Penitentiary.

Here are some of the ironies that emerge from the facts: The Army treats its own soldiers, when accused of crimes, the same way it treats detainees at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, complete with sleep deprivation and chains and stress positions. The soldier prisoners even have to take showers and sleep in chains. There is absolutely no rational need for this.

In addition, when soldiers act wrongly as a result of their understanding of the assigned Rules of Engagement, how are the officers to be treated?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Major Sullivan's investigative report included a loose end that was not noticed in the initial cover-up. He reported officially and formally that the blind folds were still on the bodies of the dead Iraqis at the make-shift morgue, and somebody had cut them at the morgue. The obvious, commonsense question raised by this fact is: 'Why would American soldiers kill blindfolded enemy combatants?' Now the brigade had a problem. The original story by LT Wehrheim's soldiers that the Iraqi prisoners had cut themselves free would not stand. At this point, somebody had to be 'thrown under the bus.' It seems to be a universal principle that in such situations, the scapegoats are always the weakest and most vulnerable members of the reference group. Suddenly, the group turns on them, and transforms them into the enemy within. --Major Sullivan, Investigative Report

'The message in this book is so alarming. It documents the betrayal of codes of honor and conduct and exposes campaigns of distortion and outright lying that are common in today s military. The ordinary 'grunt' is hung out to dry and sadistic commanding officers are celebrated and permitted to carry out further campaigns of murder and destruction. It also tells the tale of a few courageous lawyers, academics, and ordinary citizens, modern-day Quijotes perhaps, who are willing to resist our military s freefall into hell.' --Michael Flynn, Associate Director, Center on Terrorism, John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY

'Stepan G. Mestrovic has made a career as the destroyer of myths.

'In this book he destroys one of the biggest American myths of all: the myth that America treats its servicemen and women with justice, understanding and tolerance.' --Chris Rojek, Professor of Sociology & Culture, Brunel University, West London

About the Author

Prof. Mestrovic has testified as an expert witness at The Hague and at Fort Hood. He is the author of 17 books (two with Algora) and numerous articles. His particular areas of interest include Abu Ghraib, culture, and race and ethnic studies in the Balkans. He holds three degrees from Harvard University and has been teaching at Texas A&M since 1991.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Algora Publishing (August 7, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0875867421
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0875867427
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #14,754,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,559 in Military Law (Books)
- #79,250 in Law (Books)

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Connie Callahan

Military injustices exposed

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2015

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The book is indeed enlightening as a previous reviewer stated. The average American has no idea what our military members face in the war on terror day to day and unfortunately most are happy with their heads in the sand not knowing. For those of us who do take the time to read numerous books/articles on the war and actually talk with our military members/vets about their experiences, most have no clue that such heinous injustices and cover-ups occur and occur all too often in the military bureaucracy. This book is extremely well researched and well documented, leaving no doubt as to the disturbing level of dishonorable activities of the government and U.S. military senior leadership. I only wish all Americans would read this book and know that we are sending our sons and daughters who join the military to an enemy at home which is worse in some ways than our actual enemies. It is worse because we expect the government and military leadership to protect, respect, and honor the men and women who serve and are willing to sacrifice their very lives if required. They are willing to give all they have and the least we can do is take care of them and treat them with dignity. Maybe if we could over-haul the military justice system along with the way our troops are utilized/supported in combat, we would not have 22 veteran suicides per day.

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Fox

A cry for justice

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2015

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It's a very enlightening book. I was very interested in reading it, because I know Corey Clagett and his Mom. It's an abomination what has been done to the Leavenworth 10. These men should have been treated like heroes, instead of condemned as criminals. The criminals are the judge and prosecutor who already decided behind closed doors that these soldiers were guilty, even before the court martial trial. These soldiers received no justice. Their cases should be re-opened, and they should all be declared not guilty with all military honors restored. The military justice system needs to be reformed, closer to the civilian justice system that our troops fight under and fight for. Everyone should read this book, and demand that the government do the right thing for these soldiers who have served our country voluntarily and honorably at a time of war. Many have served multiple tours in war, beyond human endurance.

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JOHANNA M GUILLIAMS

Misgivings of the Military

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2016

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I had no idea that this was going to be such an incredible book! I was in the military and had no idea these things were going on. This is a must-read!

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Edward P. Horvath

Definitive account of Iron Triangle incident

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2010

Meticulously documented and superbly written, Dr. Mestrovic's account of the shootings during Operation Iron Triangle render incomplete and/or inaccurate all prior reports of this incident. A sociologist by degree and profession, Dr. Mestrovic demonstrates unique insights, not only into the legal and military elements of this case, but also into its moral and psychological aspects. He describes how a "poisoned" command climate, especially an aggressive predisposition to kill--as opposed to capture--insurgents, can result in young, inexperienced soldiers misunderstanding rules of engagement. Prosecuting and incarcerating these same soldiers for "murder" has created considerable resentment in the general public--especially among veterans--and growing unease in Congress. Treating these cases solely as violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), without addressing underlying causes as described by Dr. Mestrovic, does little to reduce the risk of recurrence for such incidents in future conflicts. This book should be required reading for all military officers, members of Congress, and anyone interested in military justice.

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