USA: MARINE CORPS DESERTER IS COURT MARTIALLED

(8 Feb 1996) English/Nat

A US Marine Corps deserter has been court martialled after almost 25 years on the run and made to serve out the last seven months of his contract.

Corporal Don Bailey left the Corps and fled to Canada in 1970, disgusted with the treatment he received from the public after returning home from the war in Vietnam.

But he decided to surrender to Marine officials last October and finally received his court martial this week.

For nearly 25 years, United States Marine Corporal Don Bailey lived a life on the run.

In December 1970 he fled the United States for Canada, leaving behind the Marine Corps he loved.

It was the height of the Vietnam War, but the then 19-year-old Corporal Bailey didn't leave the Corps because he feared for his life - he had already completed a tour of duty in Vietnam.

It was the hostile response he received when he returned to the United States on leave that made him flee.

On Tuesday, a U-S military court finally meted out punishment to Bailey.

The man who gave himself up to authorities last October was court martialled and demoted.

The ruling will take effect in three months time, following a review.

Bailey, who expected to get an administrative discharge, accepted the punishment.

SOUNDBITE:
What I did was wrong. It's a criminal offence and the Marine Corps needed to do what they needed to do. Yes, I feel that justice has been served here.
SUPER CAPTION: Corporal Donald Bailey, U-S Marine Corps

The ruling closes the final chapter in a story which saw Corporal Bailey spend nearly 25 years living and working in Canada.

He married and started a family in Vancouver where he played in a blues band.

But he was finally convinced by his brother to turn himself in.

The Marine Corps are also making Bailey honour the last seven months of his contract.

Donning the uniform he once wore so proudly, the 45-year-old Bailey has spent the last few months as the oldest corporal at Camp Pendleton, California, managing the barracks where he lives.

But his thoughts are with those he fought with - some of whom never made it home.

A passage from a poem he has hanging in the barracks sums up his feelings for them - and perhaps himself.

SOUNDBITE:
I've been here all these many years. I've shed my blood, sweat and tears for my country. Why can't I come home?
SUPER CAPTION: Corporal Donald Bailey, U-S Marine Corps

But Corporal Bailey has finally realised his dream of coming home.

A bittersweet ending to a story that has taken almost 25 years to complete.

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