Pablo Paredes
Encyclopedia
Pablo Paredes was a Petty Officer Third Class
and weapons-control technician in the United States Navy
who refused to board the USS Bonhomme Richard
as it deployed to the Persian Gulf, December 6, 2004 as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom
.
During his 2002 tour in Japan, Paredes met several people who were highly critical of the US military interventions. After his return to the United States in 2004, Paredes tried unsuccessfully to switch to the military police in order to avoid involvement in the war. When that failed, he purposely went absent from his ship, eventually returning to Navy custody on December 18, 2004- after his ship had already set sail. The same day he made a statement to local press saying that he was fully aware of the possible repercussions of his decision. Paredes then applied for discharge as a conscientious objector on January 4, 2005 but was denied by the Navy in July of that year.
Paredes was brought up on two charges, violation of Uniform Code of Military Justice
, Article 86, absence without leave
and Article 87 Missing movement, and found guilty by court martial on May 10, 2005. The sentencing came the day after his conviction and included two months restriction, three months hard labor without confinement, and reduction in rank
from E-4 to E-1. September 19, 2005 Paredes filed a lawsuit against the United States Navy in federal district court. The petition said the Navy improperly rejected his application for discharge as a conscientious objector, and asked the Court to order the Navy to give Paredes an honorable discharge. The request was denied by both the courts and the Navy; Peredes has submitted a rebuttal and is awaiting the final decision of the courts.
Petty Officer Third Class
U.S. NavyGood conductvariationU.S. NavyPetty officerthird classinsigniaPetty officer third class is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above seaman and below petty officer second class, and is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer, equivalent to a corporal in...
and weapons-control technician in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who refused to board the USS Bonhomme Richard
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)
USS Bonhomme Richard is an Amphibious Assault Ship, and the third United States Navy ship of that name. It was named in honor of John Paul Jones' famous frigate, which he had named the French language equivalent of "Good man Richard," in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the U.S. Ambassador to France at...
as it deployed to the Persian Gulf, December 6, 2004 as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
.
During his 2002 tour in Japan, Paredes met several people who were highly critical of the US military interventions. After his return to the United States in 2004, Paredes tried unsuccessfully to switch to the military police in order to avoid involvement in the war. When that failed, he purposely went absent from his ship, eventually returning to Navy custody on December 18, 2004- after his ship had already set sail. The same day he made a statement to local press saying that he was fully aware of the possible repercussions of his decision. Paredes then applied for discharge as a conscientious objector on January 4, 2005 but was denied by the Navy in July of that year.
Paredes was brought up on two charges, violation of Uniform Code of Military Justice
Uniform Code of Military Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice , is the foundation of military law in the United States. It is was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power . ....
, Article 86, absence without leave
Desertion
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning...
and Article 87 Missing movement, and found guilty by court martial on May 10, 2005. The sentencing came the day after his conviction and included two months restriction, three months hard labor without confinement, and reduction in rank
Reduction in rank
Reduction in rank may refer to two separate concepts:*In military law, a reduction in rank is a demotion in military rank as punishment for a crime or wrongdoing, imposed by a court-martial or other authority...
from E-4 to E-1. September 19, 2005 Paredes filed a lawsuit against the United States Navy in federal district court. The petition said the Navy improperly rejected his application for discharge as a conscientious objector, and asked the Court to order the Navy to give Paredes an honorable discharge. The request was denied by both the courts and the Navy; Peredes has submitted a rebuttal and is awaiting the final decision of the courts.
External links
- Pablo Paredes Wins Surprise Victory (Democracy Now)
- The case of Pablo Paredes (ZMag)
- Put the War on Trial (Socialist WorkerSocialist WorkerSocialist Worker is the name of several socialist/communist newspapers associated with the International Socialist Tendency...
) - Conscientious objector application