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Jed Boal Reporting #5 in Utah’s Top Stories list is the puzzling mystery of a Utah Marine who disappeared in Iraq. Was he kidnapped or did he desert?
He insists he was captured by the enemy. “I did not desert my post.” But the military charged him with desertion.
Cpl. Wassef Hassoun: “People who already know me, and those of you getting to know me, know that I am proud to be a Muslim Arab-American, serving with honor. Semper Fi. Thank you.”
But questions still outnumber answers in the puzzling disappearance of Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun. In June news broke of a US Marine taken hostage. A video televised on Arab TV touched a nerve for relatives in West Jordan. The blindfolded Marine, apparently lured from his base, was threatened with death by beheading.
The Marine Corps originally classified Hassoun a "deserter”, then "captured". Then 18 days after he disappeared from Fallujah, Hassoun turned up alive in Lebanon. The Navy investigated whether the abduction was a hoax.
Brigadier General David Rodiguez, Joint Chiefs of Staff: "Investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding his situation."
Doctors proclaimed Hassoun healthy but exhausted.
Mohamad Hassoun, Brother: “It has been very strange, very difficult, an emotional roller coaster.”
The Marines sent him to the states and Hassoun talked.
Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, United States Marine Corps., July: "I did not desert my post. I was captured and held against my will by anti-coalition forces for 19 days."
Hassoun told military officials his kidnappers released him to a sympathetic Muslim group.
Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun: "I would like to tell all the marines as well as those who are serving in Iraq to keep their head up and spirits high. Once a marine, always a marine. Semper fi."
Investigators questioned him.
Lt. Col. Dave LaPan, U.S. Marines "We're not in the position at this point to make a judgment either way."
Late July, Hassoun came home to Utah on leave.
Cpl. Wassef Hassoun: “I’m thankful to God to be home with my family and friends.”
Six weeks later he was back to fulltime duty at Camp Lejeune, but the investigation continued. In November his uniform and other personal effects were found in Fallujah, described as being in "remarkably good shape.”
Cpl. Wassef Hassoun: “Having experienced being in captivity, I ask all people of the world to join me and pray for the safe release of all hostages.”
Three weeks ago Hassoun was charged with desertion and larceny, for taking his weapon and a Jeep. But the case was put on hold ten days ago and answers to the mystery will not be revealed in 2004. A military judge granted a delay at a pre- trial in North Carolina. Hassoun can use the time to hire a civilian attorney.
