thedrifter
07-05-09, 01:03 PM
Marine flees from ship
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Cairns Post
A US marine who went AWOL from one of the visiting American warships has been found in Perth by Naval Criminal Investigative Service officers.
The Weekend Post understands the Lance-Cpl went missing shortly after arriving in the Far North last Sunday.
Officials have not released details of which ship he arrived on.
Sources said a note was left in the marine’s room telling of the reasons why he chose to leave and where he intended to travel.
NCIS officers worked in conjunction with Far Northern police to track the man after he was discovered missing, although the situation is classified as an internal navy issue.
It is understood Far Northern air and sea ports were put on an increased level of alert and told to be on watch for the missing marine after he left the ship.
US Marines Capt Jorge Escatell confirmed an incident was being investigated.
"A US Marine is currently in an unauthorised absence status. There is an ongoing investigation and we have notified the appropriate Australian and US authorities,’’ he said.
"This will have no impact on the schedules."
It is not the first time a marine has gone AWOL in Australia, with Pte Douglas Bean leaving Vietnam during the war and fleeing to Australia, where he married and lived for the next 16 years.
Pte Douglas was eventually found by the US Navy when he tried to contact his ill father.
Ellie
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Cairns Post
A US marine who went AWOL from one of the visiting American warships has been found in Perth by Naval Criminal Investigative Service officers.
The Weekend Post understands the Lance-Cpl went missing shortly after arriving in the Far North last Sunday.
Officials have not released details of which ship he arrived on.
Sources said a note was left in the marine’s room telling of the reasons why he chose to leave and where he intended to travel.
NCIS officers worked in conjunction with Far Northern police to track the man after he was discovered missing, although the situation is classified as an internal navy issue.
It is understood Far Northern air and sea ports were put on an increased level of alert and told to be on watch for the missing marine after he left the ship.
US Marines Capt Jorge Escatell confirmed an incident was being investigated.
"A US Marine is currently in an unauthorised absence status. There is an ongoing investigation and we have notified the appropriate Australian and US authorities,’’ he said.
"This will have no impact on the schedules."
It is not the first time a marine has gone AWOL in Australia, with Pte Douglas Bean leaving Vietnam during the war and fleeing to Australia, where he married and lived for the next 16 years.
Pte Douglas was eventually found by the US Navy when he tried to contact his ill father.
Ellie