Eight U.S. soldiers have been charged in the death of Pvt. Danny
Eight U.S. soldiers have been charged in the death of Pvt. Danny Chen, the 19-year-old soldier from New York City who was found shot to death in a guard tower in Afghanistan two months ago.
Chen, who is Asian and is from Chinatown, was found dead Oct. 3 with a gunshot wound below his chin. Army officials never gave details about his death, but it was believed the wound was self-inflicted.
The military’s investigation found that Chen had been the target of racially motivated taunts and physical attacks at the hands of his superiors and comrades before he died.
Five of the soldiers have now been charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide in Chen’s death.
It was not clear Wednesday whether investigators believe Chen shot himself amid the alleged bullying or someone else did.
A family spokeswoman said Wednesday that relatives had been told Chen was dragged from his bed, pelted with rocks and forced to drink liquids while hanging upside down, among other abuse, during his short time in Afghanistan. He was deployed there in August, and had been in the military just seven months.
Elizabeth OuYang, New York branch president of OCA, said in October that some 3,000 Asian Americans were recruited to serve in the U.S. military in 2009 alone.
What is with this bullying? We are all on the same team!