Camilo Mejia
| Camilo Mejía United States Army | |
|---|---|
SSG Mejía in an undated photo
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| Born |
August 28, 1975 Managua, Nicaragua |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | ?1995?-2004 |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Other work | Road from Ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejía |
Camilo Ernesto Mejía (b. Managua, Nicaragua, August 28, 1975) is a Nicaraguan who left the United States Army as a private after receiving a bad conduct discharge, best known for being an anti-war activist and deserter. He is also the son of Carlos Mejia Godoy, Sandinista songwriter.
Mejía is a graduate of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he majored in psychology and Spanish. Mejía spent six months in Iraq (his first and only combat tour). Mejia returned to the United States on a 2 week furlough in order to address an issue with his Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status; after which he did not return for duty. He was charged with desertion and sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to return to fight in Iraq. In March 2004 he turned himself in to the US military and filed an application for conscientious objector.
On May 21, 2004, Mejía was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to one year confinement, reduction to the rank of Private E-1, and a Bad Conduct Discharge.
Mejía served his sentence at the Fort Sill military prison in Lawton, Oklahoma. During his time in custody he was recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was awarded by Refuse and Resist with its Courageous Resister Award. He was also the recipient of the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award which was presented by his attorney Louis Font. Camilo was recognized by the Detroit, Michigan, City Council with a commendation for his stand.
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Wikipedia