Oklahoma Soldier Who Served With Bergdahl: 'He's Not A Hero'

A former soldier who served with Bowe Bergdahl said he&#39;s outraged that Bergdahl walked away from his post, and he can&#39;t believe the U.S. made a deal to release members of the Taliban to gain his release.<br />

Tuesday, June 3rd 2014, 6:20 pm

By: Craig Day


A former soldier who served with Bowe Bergdahl said he's outraged that Bergdahl walked away from his post, and can't believe the U.S. made a deal to release members of the Taliban to gain Bergdahl's release.

Since he signed a non-disclosure form with the military not to discuss Bergdahl's disappearance, we're not releasing the name of the former soldier who lives in Oklahoma and served in Afghanistan with Bergdahl.

6/1/2014 Related Story: Oklahoma Military Expert Weighs In On US Prisoner Exchange

"He's not a hero and they need to know," said the man we'll call Tom.

The soldier is speaking out because he said Bergdahl is a deserter who put fellow soldiers in danger as they went on missions to search for him.

"Why did he leave is what we want to know," Tom said.

He said a number of members of the U.S. military were killed while searching for Bergdahl.

"I think he was an idiot, he shouldn't have walked off," said Tom.

The Pentagon determined Bergdahl simply walked away from his unit, leaving a guard post on a hill overlooking a small town in Afghanistan, leaving his body armor and weapon behind.

Many say leaving his post during a time of war was wrong.

"Furious that when he came back, that it was ‘we're going to give him a hero's welcome.' He doesn't deserve a hero's welcome. He deserves a court martial," Tom said.

Tom is also outraged the U.S. released five Taliban detainees in exchange for Bergdahl.

"One deserter for five high value targets," said Tom.

He said, he has no doubt, releasing the detainees will lead to the deaths of more U.S. military men and women.

"These are hard core members of the Taliban," the soldier said.

He wants everyone to contact their Congressional delegation in Washington to push for more disclosure about Bergdahl's military service.

He said there is also a petition circulating that calls for Bergdahl to be court martialed.

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