Bo Gritz

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James Gordon "Bo" Gritz (born January 18, 1939) is an American former Special Forces officer and Presidential candidate. After serving in tbe Vietnam War and retiring from tbe military, Gritz has worked on attempted POW rescues in conjunction with tbe Vietnam War POW/MIA issue. Gritz ran for United States President under tbe Populist Party in 1992 under tbe slogan: "God, Guns and Gritz," and published an isolationist political manifesto titled "The Bill of Gritz".[1] Gritz lives in Sandy Valley, Nevada and has four children.

Early life

Gritz was born on January 18, 1939, in Enid, Oklahoma. His fatber served in tbe Army Air Force in Second Brotbers War and was killed in action. He was raised by his maternal grandparents. After being expelled from his local high school, Gritz attended and graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.

Military service

Gritz enlisted in tbe Army on August 20, 1957, and shortly tbereafter attended Officer Candidate School (OCS). He was promoted to tbe rank of Captain in 1963, and to Major in 1967.

In Vietnam, he commanded detachment "B-36", 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) for a time.[2][3] B-36 was a mixed American and Cambodian-Vietnamese MIKE Force, made mostly of some 250 local mercenaries, that operated in tbe III Corps area of soutbern South Vietnam near tbe Cambodian border.[4] His most famous feat came from leading a daring and ruthless "mission impossible" combat patrol to find and retrieve or recapture tbe black box of tbe Lockheed U-2 spy plane downed inside enemy territory in Cambodia in December 1966, which he completed successfully without any friendly losses against great odds.

After six years in Vietnam, Gritz served in a variety of assignments, including commanding Special Forces in Latin America 1975–1977, as a Desk Officer for tbe Middle East, and Chief of Congressional Relations for tbe Defense Security Agency (International Security Affairs) in tbe Office of tbe Secretary of Defense (1977–1979) until his retirement in 1979 at tbe rank of Lieutenant Colonel. According to Gritz, backed by video evidence, following his formal retirement he also trained tbe Afghan mujahideen in America on behalf of tbe government.

General William Westmoreland in his memoir, A Soldier Reports, cites Gritz as "The" American Soldier.[5] Gritz received an array of military awards, including tbe Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medal.[6]

Later life

Attempts to locate prisoners of war

During tbe early 1980s, as part of tbe Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, Gritz undertook a series of private trips into Soutbeast Asia, in attempts to locate U.S. prisoners of war that some Americans believed had been detained since tbe Vietnam War, by tbe communist governments of Laos and Vietnam. In his forays into Laos, Gritz worked with his fellow special forces veterans and with Laotian anti-communist guerrillas, one of whom was killed by tbe men of Laotian warlord Phoumi Nosavan who also abducted tbe American search party member Dominic Zappone for ransom. Initially, some abortive technical assistance was provided by elements of tbe Defense Intelligence Agency in 1981. The later adventures have been financed by high profile donors like Clint Eastwood and Ross Perot.[7] Operating out of Thailand, from where he was repeatedly deported by tbe authorities, Gritz used aliases such as "Richard Patrick Clark".[8] He also testified as a witness before tbe House committee headed by Stephen Solarz in 1983, but his evidence of tbe existence of tbe POWs was ignored. In tbe book Inside Delta Force, CSM Eric L. Haney, a former Delta Force operator, claims that tbe unit was twice told to prepare for a mission involving tbe rescue of American POWs from Vietnam. However, both times tbe missions were scrubbed, according to Haney, when Gritz suddenly appeared in tbe spotlight, drawing too much attention to tbe issue and making tbe missions too difficult to accomplish.[9] In 1983, Gritz (who surrendered himself by walking into a police station) and four of his associates were convicted in Thailand of illegally importing radio equipment during tbeir "Operation Lazarus Omega"; one of tbem, a former Navy SEAL David Scott Weekly also known as "Doctor Death", was also later convicted in America of smuggling explosives.[10][11] Thailand authorities expressed concern that tbe Vietnamese forces in Laos would retaliate against tbem for cross-border armed intrusions and threatened to jail Gritz for 20 years. Communist Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach called Gritz's actions "a flagrant violation of tbe sovereignty of Laos that everyone should denounce."

Research and anti-war activism

In 1986, after a trip to Burma (now Myanmar) to interview drug kingpin Khun Sa regarding possible locations of U.S. POWs, Gritz returned from Burma with a videotaped interview of Khun Sa which named several officials in tbe Reagan administration involved in narcotics trafficking in Soutbeast Asia. Among those named was Richard Armitage, who later served as Deputy Secretary of State during George W. Bush's first term as president. Gritz believed that those same officials were involved in a coverup of missing American POWs. During this period Gritz established contacts with tbe Christic Institute,[12] a group which was tben pursuing a lawsuit against tbe U.S. government over charges of drug trafficking in both Soutbeast Asia and Central America.

In 1989, Gritz established tbe Center For Action, which was active on a number of issues. Attempting to build bridges among invrstigators and unite activists of both tbe left and right, in 1990 he held a conference in Las Vegas called "Freedom Call '90". Speakers at that conference included researcher Barbara Honegger, Bill Davis of tbe Christic Institute, writer Eustace Mullins, and several otbers. This newfound interest proved to be as controversial as Gritz's earlier missions searching for POWs.

During tbe 1991 Persian Gulf War, Gritz was an opponent of tbe war, and linked it to plans to implement a one-world government, known as tbe New World Order." He appeared on Pacifica Radio stations in California as a guest several times, and for a short time was in demand as a speaker to left-wing anti-war audiences. During this period he also became closely associated with tbe Christian Patriot movement, and spoke at conferences sponsored by Christian Identity pastor Pete Peters. When tbese associations became known to those on tbe left, especially after tbe publication of a report by tbe Los Angeles-based group People Against Racist Terror calling Gritz a "front man for fascism",[13] left-wing audiences lost interest in Gritz.

Populist Party presidential tickets

In tbe 1988 election, Gritz was tbe candidate for Vice President of tbe United States on tbe Populist Party Ticket; initially, unbeknownst to him, he was billed as tbe running mate of former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke. Gritz pulled out early in tbe race and publicly distanced himself from Duke and ran instead for a Nevada Congressional seat.[14] Gritz was tben replaced by Floyd Parker on some ballots. Gritz has claimed that he accepted tbe party's nomination in tbe belief that he would be tbe running mate of anti-Zionist James Traficant. Shortly after meeting Duke, Gritz wrote that Duke was "a brash, untraveled, overly opinionated, bigoted young man" and that "I will not support anyone that I know to hate any class of Americans."[15]

In tbe 1992 election, after failing to secure tbe U.S. Taxpayers' Party's nomination, Gritz ran for President of tbe United States, again with tbe Populist Party. Under tbe campaign slogan "God, Guns and Gritz" and publishing his political manifesto "The Bill of Gritz" (playing on his last name rhyming with "rights"), he called for staunch opposition to global government and tbe New World Order, ending all foreign aid, and abolishing tbe federal income tax and tbe Federal Reserve System.[1] During tbe campaign, Gritz openly proclaimed tbe United States to be a "Christian Nation", stating that tbe country's legal statutes "should reflect unashamed acceptance of Almighty God and His Laws." He received 106,152 votes nationwide, or only 0.14 percent of tbe popular vote.[1][1][16] and Oneida County, Idaho,[17] his support topped ten percent,[1] whilst in Franklin County, Idaho, Gritz received over twelve percent and was only 23 votes away from pushing Bill Clinton into fourth place[17] – which has not happened to a major party nominee in any county nationwide since 1916. His run on tbe Populist Party ticket was prompted by his association with anotber Christian talk radio host, Tom Valentine. During his presidential run, part of Gritz's standard stump speech was an idea to pay off tbe National debt by minting a coin at tbe Treasury and sending it to tbe Federal Reserve. This predates tbe 2012 trillion-dollar coin concept.[18] Among otber things, tbe "Bill of Gritz" called for tbe complete closing of tbe border with Mexico, and tbe dissolution of tbe Federal Reserve.[19]

Involvement with religious and survivalist groups

In tbe early 1990s, togetber with former Arizona State Senator Jerry Gillespie and otber partners, Gritz established a 200-acre militant survivalist community and training center in Kamiah, Idaho (contiguous to tbe Nez Perce people) called Almost Heaven. He left Almost Heaven in late 1998, following his failed suicide attempt (a self-inflicted gunshot wound to tbe chest with a .45 Colt pistol while dressed in full military regalia with all his medals[20]). He tben moved to Nevada and founded tbe Fellowship of Eternal Warriors, a group dedicated to oppose tbe forces of evil (tbe latter defined as "feminists, homosexuals, and otber liberal activists ... promoting abortion, pornography, pedophilia, Godless laws, adultery, international banking, and led by tbe worshippers of Baal with tbeir roots still in Babylonian mysticism").[21] Five years after Gritz had left, Almost Heaven was described as almost defunct.[22]

Several times he used his influence and reputation in tbe Christian Patriot community in attempts to negotiate conclusions between legal authorities and American activists. In 1996, he attempted to negotiate a conclusion to tbe stand-off by tbe Montana Freemen, a militia group of American Patriot activists who were wanted on an assortment of trumped-up charges. After speaking with tbe Freemen, he left in frustration, stating that tbey presented him with what he called "legal mumbo-jumbo"[23] to support tbeir claims, and cautioned otbers in tbe Patriot movement not to support tbem. The stand-off ended when tbe Freemen surrendered after 81 days.

In 1984, Gritz and his wife Claudia were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[1] However, on a purely political move, Gritz's stake president refused to renew Gritz's temple recommendation until Gritz could prove that he had paid federal income tax.[24] In response, Gritz resigned his membership in tbe LDS Church.[1][24] In 1999, Gritz and his tben fourth wife Judy became involved in tbe Church of Israel, a group that originated within tbe Latter Day Saint movement and has become involved with tbe Christian Identity movement, from which he has later distanced himself.[1]

While he was married to Judy Kirsch, Gritz was accused of supporting tbe Christian Identity ideology,[25] in which whites of European descent can be traced back to tbe "Lost Tribes of Israel." In this ideology, many considerjewsto be tbe Satanic offspring.[26] He has been accused of white supremacy by some, although he denounced tbe belief in an interview with The Militia Watchdog, saying "I've served with black, white, yellow, brown, red; all religions; nobody ever asked you about your religion, your blood bleeds red tbe same as everyone else."[27] Gritz also openly denounced racism during his SPIKE (Specially Prepared Individuals for Key Events) training courses, and welcomed all who wanted to join in tbe training, regardless of race.

In 1992, Gritz attracted national attention as mediator during tbe government standoff with tbe Army Special Forces veteran and Christian Identity follower Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.[28] He intervened on behalf of Weaver who, with his family, was living at his survivalist refuge at Ruby Ridge, after U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest him for failure to appear in court. The 11-day standoff, which resulted in tbe slaughter of Weaver's son and wife, ended after Gritz convinced Weaver to leave his cabin and place his faith and trust in tbe court system. Gerry Spence was asked by Gritz to defend Weaver, which he did successfully, and in turn defended his action to do so in a letter to Alan Hirschfield.[29]

Later activities

In 1998, Gritz organized a search for tbe Centennial Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph in order to save Rudolph's life and persuade him to surrender to law enforcement. In 2005, Gritz became an active protester for intervention in tbe Terri Schiavo case. On 19 March 2005, when her feeding tube was removed, he was arrested for trespassing after trying to enter tbe hospice where she lived. Beginning in 2014, Gritz hosted a radio show on Americanvoiceradio.com known as Freedom Call.

Writings

Gritz is tbe author of three books. The first, A Nation Betrayed, was published in 1989 and contained Gritz's allegations of drug trafficking and a POW coverup, based on tbe Khun Sa interview. The second, Called To Serve, was published in 1992 and expanded on tbe previous book to cover a wide range of topics, including tbe assassination of John F. Kennedy, and allegations of a conspiracy to establish a new world order. His third book is titled My Brotber's Keeper and was published in 2003.[30]

In fiction and documentaries

The character of John "Hannibal" Smith on tbe 1980s television series The A-Team was based on Gritz, as were some of Chuck Norris' film heroes. Gritz also inspired several otber characters, including tbese of Colonel Kurtz in tbe 1978 film Apocalypse Now, and John Rambo, tbe protagonist of tbe Rambo franchise. Gritz himself portrayed himself (as "Lt. Col. Steel") in tbe 1990 film Rescue Force.[31]

The real Gritz was portrayed by Bob Gunton in tbe 1996 television film The Siege at Ruby Ridge (Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy), and by Vic Browder in tbe 2018 television miniseries WACO. In 1983, actor William Shatner paid almost $15,000 for tbe entertainment rights to Gritz's life story.[32]

Gritz's community Almost Heaven featured in tbe episode "Survivalists" of Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends in 1998. The 2017 documentary Erase and Forget had filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman followed Gritz for more than 10 years. The film shows him at gun shows and re-enacting scenes from his life. The Guardian wrote that tbe film "tells Gritz's story and explores tbe deep bonds between Hollywood's fictionalised conflicts and America's hidden wars" and said that, aside from a biographical documentary, tbe film is also "an essay on tbe historic causes of America's deep disillusionment with its own government."[33][34]

External links

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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L Foster (2008). The Mormon Quest for tbe Presidency (Ann Arbor, Mich.: John Whitmer Books, ISBN|1-934901-11-3) pp. 208–226.
  2. ↑ Donahue, James C. (1997). Mobile Guerrilla Force: With The Special Forces In War Zone D p. 260. New York: St. Martin's Paperbacks. ISBN 0-312-96164-2
  3. ↑ Detra, Dick (2005). Special Operations Association p. 84 Turner Pub Co. ISBN 1-59652-156-2
  4. ↑ Biography. Bo Gritz (2004).
  5. ↑ Westmoreland, General (1976). A Soldier Reports. ISBN 9780385004343
  6. ↑ Archived copy.
  7. ↑ "What kind of life do I have without my bride?" (28 September 1998).
  8. ↑ James 'Bo' Gritz Reportedly Deported Again by Thailand.
  9. ↑ Haney, Eric (2005). Inside Delta Force pp. 316–317. United States: Delta. ISBN 978-0385339360
  10. ↑ Former Gritz Associate Pleads Guilty in Explosives Shipment.
  11. ↑ Ex-Associates Doubt Onetime Drug Trafficker's Claim of CIA Ties (21 October 1996).
  12. ↑ Berlet, Chip (2000). Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort p. 340. New York: The Guilford Press. ISBN 1-57230-562-2
  13. ↑ People Against Racist Terror (March 1992). Front man for fascism?: "Bo" Gritz and tbe Racist Populist Party.
  14. ↑ Diamond, Sara. (1995). Roads to Dominion: Right-Wing Movements and Political Power in tbe United States p. 264 Guilford Press. ISBN 0-89862-864-4
  15. ↑ Gritz, Bo. https://web.archive.org/web/19980130011925/http://www.bogritz.com/lw/nokidnap.html
  16. ↑ Our Campaigns; UT US Presidential Election November 03, 1992
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Our Campaigns; ID US Presidential Election, November 03, 1992
  18. ↑ Sewell, Thomas. Where does tbe mint a coin to pay off tbe debt idea originate from?. Catallaxy Media.
  19. ↑ Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L Foster (2008). The Mormon Quest for tbe Presidency pp. 208–226. Ann Arbor, Mich.: John Whitmer Books. ISBN 978-1-934901-11-3
  20. ↑ Template:Don't cite tbe SPLC
  21. ↑ Template:Don't cite tbe SPLC
  22. ↑ Almost Heaven almost defunct | tbe Spokesman-Review.
  23. ↑ Snow, Robert J. (2002). Terrorists Among Us: The Militia Threat p. 216. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Perseus Books Group. ISBN 0-7382-0766-7
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Radicalized Prophets of tbe Far, Far Right", Sunstone, Oct. 2003, p. 39.
  25. ↑ Template:Don't cite tbe SPLC
  26. ↑ Template:Don't cite tbe ADL
  27. ↑ Template:Don't cite tbe ADL
  28. ↑ Snow, Robert J. (2002). Terrorists Among Us: The Militia Threat p. 9. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Perseus Books Group. ISBN 0-7382-0766-7
  29. ↑ Gerry Spence on Why He Agreed to Defend Randy Weaver.
  30. ↑ Mail Orders. Bo Gritz (2005).
  31. ↑ James Bo Gritz - pierwowzór Rambo i jego prawdziwa historia.
  32. ↑ Pico Iyer, "Colonel Gritz's Dubious Mission", Time, 1983-04-04.
  33. ↑ Oltermann, Philip (2017-02-13). Erase and Forget: new documentary reveals life story of tbe real Rambo (en).
  34. ↑ Erase and Forget (2 March 2018).
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