Christopher Speer

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Sergeant First Class (SFC) Christopher James Speer was a soldier in an American special forces unit, who was mortally wounded during a skirmish in Afghanistan, on July 27, 2002. Speer suffered a head wound from a grenade, while not wearing a helmet[1], and died of his injuries approximately two weeks later.

The incident received attention because of the alleged involvement of a fifteen-year-old Canadian citizen, Omar Khadr in the firefight.[2][3] Khadr was captured and subsequently imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, and was the focus of several legal disputes. On February 4, 2008, US officials accidentally released an unredacted version of sworn testimony that Khadr's lawyers say shows Khadr had not been responsible for Speer's death.[4] In January 2006 Colonel Morris Davis, Khadr's prosecutor, in statements to the press, said that Khadr owed his life to American medics who stepped over the dead body of their colleague to treat Khadr's wounds. Speer died from his wounds on Aug 6 2002 at the age of 28.[5][6] However the accidentally released sworn testimony revealed that medics dressed Speer's wounds before they dressed Khadr's.[7]

On the second anniversary of the skirmish SFC Speer's widow Tabitha and a comrade of his, Layne Morris, initiated legal proceedings to claim compensation from the estate of Omar Khadr's father Ahmed Khadr.

Speer enlisted in the Army in 1992. On the day of the skirmish he was part of a squad assigned the task of going through the ruins, looking for weapons, and evidence of terrorism.[8]

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[edit] Paramedic training and status as "medic"

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Speer received paramedic training at the Joint Special Operations University, in Hurlburt Field, Florida.[9]

Under international humanitarian law (the law of war), medics are a specially protected class of noncombatants, the killing of which is considered a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions.[10] However, according to Article 24 and Article 40, in order to qualify as noncombatant medical personnel, the individual must display certain insignia.[11][12][13] And they may never take a direct part in hostilities.

[edit] Christopher J. Speer Medical Clinic

The infirmary at a special forces base in Kunar Province is known as the "Christopher J. Speer Medical Clinic". [14] The Pak Tribune reported:

"The clinic looks primitive to Americans accustomed to hospitals filled with the latest medical equipment. The four examination tables are litters propped on stands. The roof is made of wood, and the walls are made of mud. Medical supplies are stacked three rows deep in tall wooden shelves. "

[edit] References

  1. ^ Humphreys, Adrian. National Post, Khadrs must pay $102M, February 20 2006
  2. ^ Sheldon Alberts. "U.S. Supreme Court reverses stance, will review terror suspects appeal", Ottawa Citizen, June 29, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-25. 
  3. ^ Richard Reynolds. "Meet terrorism's first family, or so US military prosecutors allege", Sydney Morning Herald, January 12, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-09-25. 
  4. ^ "New witness account shows Khadr charges should be dropped: lawyers", CBC News, Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  5. ^ "U.S. prosecutor's comments on Khadr reviewed", Toronto Star, January 12, 2006. 
  6. ^ "Terrorism charges reinstated against Khadr", Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, September 24, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-25. 
  7. ^ OC-1. "Criminal Investigation Task Force (CITF) Report of Investigative Activity", Criminal Investigation Task Force, 17 March 2004. Retrieved on 2008-04-29. "[OC-1] went to find SPEER who was a medic. [OC-1] then discovered that SPEER was wounded in the head by the grenade. SPEER was treated by a physician's assistant and a medic from the SFG, and a platoon medic from the 82nd Airborne. SPEER was transported to Bagram Airfield by a UH-60 medevac helicopter. KHADR was pulled out of the alley into the center are [sic] of the compound and was treated by the same 19 SFG physician's assistant and medic and was later transported by a CH-47 to Bagram." 
  8. ^ (Michelle Shephard. "Khadr goes on trial", Toronto Star, April 29, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-29. 
  9. ^ Christopher J. Speer. jsopublic (Fall 2003). Retrieved on 2007-09-25.
  10. ^ First Geneva Convention. International Committee of the Red Cross. Retrieved on 2007-09-25.
  11. ^ Eric Stover. "Medical Personnel". Retrieved on 2007-09-25. 
  12. ^ Barbara Wallraff. "Word Court", Atlantic Monthly, June 2004. Retrieved on 2007-09-25. 
  13. ^ Major Thomas S. Bundt (2002). Force protection (base defense) for level III healthcare facilities. U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Retrieved on 2007-09-25.
  14. ^ "Culture limits medics in Afghanistan", Pak Tribune, Monday September 20, 2004. 

[edit] External links