[Vision2020] Congress to Repay Wrongfully Accused Troops

[Tom Hansen]

>From the Army Times at:

http://www.ArmyTimes.com

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Congress to repay wrongfully accused troops

By Kelly Kennedy - Army Times Staff writer
   
Twenty-three African American World War II soldiers who were wrongfully 
convicted of murder are a step closer to financial restitution for their 
dishonorable discharges and jail time.

Following the Senate’s lead, the House Armed Services Committee also asked 
that cost-of-living and interest adjustments be added to the soldiers’ 
back pay in the committee’s version of the 2009 defense authorization bill.

In 1944, 43 black soldiers were tried in the hanging death of an Italian 
prisoner of war, Pvt. Guglielmo Olivotto, at Fort Lawton, Wash. Of those, 
23 were found guilty of either the murder itself, or of participating in a 
riot after the murder. All 23 were dishonorably discharged, and several 
served time at the military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

But according to the research of journalist Jack Hamann, who wrote a book 
about the case called “On American Soil,” court documents point to a white 
man, Clyde Lomack, as the real murderer. According to Hamann’s research, 
Lomack also started the riot to cover up the murder.

Lomack had been upset that the Italian POWs were allowed to roam freely 
about the base. He was later court-martialed for being unable to account 
for his time during the riot. He has since died.

Hamann’s research also showed that the prosecutor, Leon Jaworski — later 
to gain fame as the special prosecutor in the Watergate scandal — withheld 
evidence from the defense that could have proven the soldiers’ innocence.

After Hamann’s book came out, the Army awarded compensation to the 
surviving soldiers — only two of the 23 are known to still be living — and 
their families. But when Sam Snow, now in his 80s, received his check, it 
was for only $725. Without Congressional action, the Army said could not 
pay the men or their families more.

If the language in the House version of the defense bill makes it through 
a floor vote next week, Snow could receive a new check — for $80,000. The 
other families also would get large payments.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho



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