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 the Vietnam War and retiring from the military, Gritz has worked on attempted POW rescues in conjunction with the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue. Gritz ran for United States President under the Populist Party in 1992 under the 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 faTher served in the Army Air Force in Second Brothers 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 the Army on August 20, 1957, and shortly Thereafter attended Officer Candidate School (OCS). He was promoted to the 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 the III Corps area of souThern South Vietnam near the Cambodian border.[4] His most famous feat came from leading a daring and ruthless "mission impossible" combat patrol to find and retrieve or recapture the black box of the 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 the Middle East, and Chief of Congressional Relations for the Defense Security Agency (International Security Affairs) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (1977–1979) until his retirement in 1979 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. According to Gritz, backed by video evidence, following his formal retirement he also trained the Afghan mujahideen in America on behalf of the 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 the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medal.[6]

Later life

Attempts to locate prisoners of war

During the early 1980s, as part of the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue, Gritz undertook a series of private trips into SouTheast Asia, in attempts to locate U.S. prisoners of war that some Americans believed had been detained since the Vietnam War, by the 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 the men of Laotian warlord Phoumi Nosavan who also abducted the American search party member Dominic Zappone for ransom. Initially, some abortive technical assistance was provided by elements of the 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 the authorities, Gritz used aliases such as "Richard Patrick Clark".[8] He also testified as a witness before the House committee headed by Stephen Solarz in 1983, but his evidence of the existence of the POWs was ignored. In the book Inside Delta Force, CSM Eric L. Haney, a former Delta Force operator, claims that the unit was twice told to prepare for a mission involving the rescue of American POWs from Vietnam. However, both times the missions were scrubbed, according to Haney, when Gritz suddenly appeared in the spotlight, drawing too much attention to the issue and making the 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 Their "Operation Lazarus Omega"; one of Them, 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 the Vietnamese forces in Laos would retaliate against Them 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 the 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 the Reagan administration involved in narcotics trafficking in SouTheast 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 the Christic Institute,[12] a group which was Then pursuing a lawsuit against the U.S. government over charges of drug trafficking in both SouTheast Asia and Central America.

In 1989, Gritz established the Center For Action, which was active on a number of issues. Attempting to build bridges among invrstigators and unite activists of both the 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 the Christic Institute, writer Eustace Mullins, and several others. This newfound interest proved to be as controversial as Gritz's earlier missions searching for POWs.

During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Gritz was an opponent of the war, and linked it to plans to implement a one-world government, known as the 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 the Christian Patriot movement, and spoke at conferences sponsored by Christian Identity pastor Pete Peters. When These associations became known to those on the left, especially after the publication of a report by the 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 the 1988 election, Gritz was the candidate for Vice President of the United States on the Populist Party Ticket; initially, unbeknownst to him, he was billed as the running mate of former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke. Gritz pulled out early in the race and publicly distanced himself from Duke and ran instead for a Nevada Congressional seat.[14] Gritz was Then replaced by Floyd Parker on some ballots. Gritz has claimed that he accepted the party's nomination in the belief that he would be the 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 the 1992 election, after failing to secure the U.S. Taxpayers' Party's nomination, Gritz ran for President of the United States, again with the Populist Party. Under the 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 the New World Order, ending all foreign aid, and abolishing the federal income tax and the Federal Reserve System.[1] During the campaign, Gritz openly proclaimed the United States to be a "Christian Nation", stating that the 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 the 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 the Populist Party ticket was prompted by his association with another Christian talk radio host, Tom Valentine. During his presidential run, part of Gritz's standard stump speech was an idea to pay off the National debt by minting a coin at the Treasury and sending it to the Federal Reserve. This predates the 2012 trillion-dollar coin concept.[18] Among other things, the "Bill of Gritz" called for the complete closing of the border with Mexico, and the dissolution of the Federal Reserve.[19]

Involvement with religious and survivalist groups

In the early 1990s, togeTher with former Arizona State Senator Jerry Gillespie and other partners, Gritz established a 200-acre militant survivalist community and training center in Kamiah, Idaho (contiguous to the Nez Perce people) called Almost Heaven. He left Almost Heaven in late 1998, following his failed suicide attempt (a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest with a .45 Colt pistol while dressed in full military regalia with all his medals[20]). He Then moved to Nevada and founded the Fellowship of Eternal Warriors, a group dedicated to oppose the forces of evil (The latter defined as "feminists, homosexuals, and other liberal activists ... promoting abortion, pornography, pedophilia, Godless laws, adultery, international banking, and led by the worshippers of Baal with Their 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 the Christian Patriot community in attempts to negotiate conclusions between legal authorities and American activists. In 1996, he attempted to negotiate a conclusion to the stand-off by the Montana Freemen, a militia group of American Patriot activists who were wanted on an assortment of trumped-up charges. After speaking with the Freemen, he left in frustration, stating that they presented him with what he called "legal mumbo-jumbo"[23] to support Their claims, and cautioned others in the Patriot movement not to support Them. the stand-off ended when the 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 the LDS Church.[1][24] In 1999, Gritz and his Then fourth wife Judy became involved in the Church of Israel, a group that originated within the Latter Day Saint movement and has become involved with the Christian Identity movement, from which he has later distanced himself.[1]

While he was married to Judy Kirsch, Gritz was accused of supporting the Christian Identity ideology,[25] in which whites of European descent can be traced back to the "Lost Tribes of Israel." In this ideology, many considerjewsto be the Satanic offspring.[26] He has been accused of white supremacy by some, although he denounced the 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 the 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 the training, regardless of race.

In 1992, Gritz attracted national attention as mediator during the government standoff with the 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 the slaughter of Weaver's son and wife, ended after Gritz convinced Weaver to leave his cabin and place his faith and trust in the 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 the 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 the Terri Schiavo case. On 19 March 2005, when her feeding tube was removed, he was arrested for trespassing after trying to enter the hospice where she lived. Beginning in 2014, Gritz hosted a radio show on Americanvoiceradio.com known as Freedom Call.

Writings

Gritz is the 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 the Khun Sa interview. the second, Called To Serve, was published in 1992 and expanded on the previous book to cover a wide range of topics, including the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and allegations of a conspiracy to establish a new world order. His third book is titled My Brother's Keeper and was published in 2003.[30]

In fiction and documentaries

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

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

Gritz's community Almost Heaven featured in the 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 the film "tells Gritz's story and explores the deep bonds between Hollywood's fictionalised conflicts and America's hidden wars" and said that, aside from a biographical documentary, the film is also "an essay on the 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 the 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 the Racist Populist Party.
  14. ↑ Diamond, Sara. (1995). Roads to Dominion: Right-Wing Movements and Political Power in the 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 the mint a coin to pay off the debt idea originate from?. Catallaxy Media.
  19. ↑ Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L Foster (2008). The Mormon Quest for the Presidency pp. 208–226. Ann Arbor, Mich.: John Whitmer Books. ISBN 978-1-934901-11-3
  20. ↑ Template:Don't cite the SPLC
  21. ↑ Template:Don't cite the SPLC
  22. ↑ Almost Heaven almost defunct | the 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 the Far, Far Right", Sunstone, Oct. 2003, p. 39.
  25. ↑ Template:Don't cite the SPLC
  26. ↑ Template:Don't cite the ADL
  27. ↑ Template:Don't cite the 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 the real Rambo (en).
  34. ↑ Erase and Forget (2 March 2018).
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