Letters from you are the only real way to convey to John that we care and are fighting on his behalf to right this injustice. He has no access to the internet so he will not see the comments posted on this website and he can not receive email. Thank you for taking the time to let John know that you appreciate him putting his life on the line in Iraq for our freedom and that you are now fighting for him!
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Send your letters to:
John E Hatley #87613
1300 N. Warehouse Road
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-2304
[NOTE: John Hatley makes it a habit to respond to every letter he receives, so expect to receive a letter back!]
[If you are interested in sending John something in addition to just letters, please contact us for any questions you may have. Books and magazines may only be sent directly from the manufacturer to John's address. These items cannot be mailed "from" you. The source must be directly from the manufacturer, for example you can order the item thru amazon.com and provide John's address for it to be shipped to. Only money orders may be sent to John, but it must have his inmate number written next to his name. Any monies sent in this form can be used by John for applying to his prison phone account, so that he may be able to call his family and/or used for him purchasing toiletries and other small items in the prison store.]
Click on “contact” at the top of this page to send any questions you may have!
Why are we letting “our American soldiers” be treated this way? Read below….
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,576646,00.html
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Please note: (He will not see the comments left below. You must actually physically mail him a letter to correspond with him.)
John(1sg)
Hey hows it goin? I know its a tough question for me to ask. Im doin ok, still hurting that they would lock up a GREAT NCO like you. There is not a day that goes by that i dont think about you. You where and still are like a father to me. I have to thank you for molding me into the fine NCO I am today. I prey every day and hope to see you out of that place.
Im currently in Afghanistan. It sucks out here. We lost alot of guys, when we first got here. But we are holding in there. Just like we did in Iraq…..
One thing i want to leave u with is that we are all family.
WOLFPACK………
MISS YOU
SGT PARKER
I wish you where not in this situation. I am recalled like you said i would be but you said i would be a truck driver to. still infantry kind of just doing convoy security its even worse than guard tower. i am still married to the german girl i introduced to you going on 4 years now soon. i have a lttle girl now shes turning 2 on the 4th of febuary. Her name is jordan. I am not sure what to say I know you dont deserve this you are without a doubt the best nco I have ever met and I am not just saying that. Same said from others I still talk to Bundy and englishramsey. You will get out of there it has to happen. As hard as it probably is right now to do smile its the one thing they cant take away from you. words of wisdom by philip krumrie. lol
Top,, What a injustice to you and your men.. I am so sorry that you and your men have been treated the way you were and are still being treated.. How many lives did you all actions save that day,, I want to give you the greatest thanks I can so let me say Thank- You!!!!!! We train our men and women of the military to fight then when it happens you all are made scape goats.. We can not go to war againist these terrorists without really stooping to their standards,, I know it it going to be an uphill battle for you and all the troops at this place you are but stand tall be proud you saved so many lives with your actions.. BEING A VETERAN OF THE US ARMY MYSELF I CAN ONLY SAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU TOP!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH THEY WOULD LET ALL OF YOUR SUPPORTERS DO OF SOME YOUR TIME FOR YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN TOP,,,, Max Smith
John you will always be 1SG to me. I never worked for you directly but i was out at JSS Blacklion with you. I remember you always led your troops the way i always thought a leader should. For that reason i look up to you to ths day. I myself has taken alot of your leadership style for my own. Its not right what the legal system did to you. You were just taking care of your troops and your country. I feel like a better man just for serving beside you in 07-08. I am honored to walk on the battlefield with someone of our caliber thank you for giving me inspirtion. I will pray for you and kim. god bless your family and you
I can not believe these great men are being treated like a common criminal. Where is the justice in that??? I know these men and they are kind, courageous people who DID THE RIGHT THING and this is how they get paid back. They deserve to be set free right now, not in ten or twenty years from now. They are missing so much of their family and their own lives. It is a terrible thing that this is how they get treated for taking care of their country. I stand behind them 100 %. When they are set free, is when real justice will have been served, not locking them away for ridding the world of murderers. So tell me this, when someone is on death row and it’s time for the injection, the person who administers that shot, is he/she also a murderer and should be put in prison??? Same difference here, how can one be right and the other wrong??????
I think of you and your families often, I wish you all the best.
Chrstina Magrum
I find it very difficult to accept the charges against John, Joseph and Michael. Fueling my opinion is the fact that our goverment plays judge, jury and executioner on a regular basis every time they fire a missile from a drone or ship on a suspected terrorist target. These missiles are often fired from a soldier on American soil sitting in front of a computer screen not in the heat of battle. Their commanders giving the orders are acting on suspicion of terrorist activities and intelligence that is wrong in many cases not fact as you see in a combat patrol. Futhermore they know there will be collateral damage killing innocent people but proceed anyway. Why are they not charged? They make judgement calls as our three soldiers did. The terrorists fight with only one rule anything go’s espically reguarding american captives, meanwhile America becomes weaker because the rules of combat are continually changing in favor of our enemies. Our white collar high ranking military officers and politicians are constantly covering up situations that could cause their downfall. Where are they when our blue collar foot soldiers could use the same consideration? The only crime here is our goverment instead of down playing this situation and keeping it in house did the opposite and wanted this high profile for whatever reason. At best if they felt it was necessary to charge these soldiers it should of been involuntary manslaughter with specail circumstances with no prison time. Anyone that knows the whole story should know they did not want to do this but felt they had to. We are at war with enemines that have no value for innocent victims lives and laugh at the rules of war. I would not be surprised if it is getting to the point that some of our brave soldiers do not return fire due to possible ramifications inturn putting other soldiers at risk. It’s war fought by trained soldiers let them do their job. Even though the mission these soldiers were on did not start that way the end result should of been deemed black operative and classified. I believe the reduction in black opts. missions hurt the chances of winning the war.
1SG,
Not sure if you remember me, I was with you and 1-18 from 2001-2005 (I was the C Co. PL and then XO). I just wanted to let you know that I find many of the comments from different people unbelieveable. It seems everyone has an opinion about what happened, whether they know you or know what it’s like to be in the situation you were in or not. The truth is, I don’t know what really happened, and frankly i don’t care. What I do know is that John Hately the man is a good man. A great soldier who took care of the men he led and the officers he worked for. Our country asked you to go to war and placed you in a position that had no workable solution. I’m out of the Infantry now, but still serving as a JAG officer. I’ve read all about geneva conventions and classifying combatants and have even helped write ROE for my Division. It’s easy to sit back in safety and critique the way in which someone else does the work. The book answer is always simple, but when you really have to apply it, when your life, and the lives of your men are on the line, it isn’t nearly as clear cut. I want you to know that I support you. I know who you are. This single event, whatever the truth is, does not define you. You are a good man. Please remember that. I will be praying for you and Kim.
Respectfully and gratefully,
CPT Jeff Blank
Two things that will help set John free are:
1. MONEY
2. PRAYER
Please do both.
Bob
Top,
My father was a former major, I was a former soldier and now my son is a soldier with 3 tours in Iraq under his belt and he is going to Afghanistan soon. He is a squad leader on a forward route clearing platoon. He defuses IEDs.
I want you to know you have my 100% support. War is ugly. Soldiers are trained to take care of America’s dirty business. We are not there there to shake hands and kiss babies. If it was an easy job those pukes who sentenced you to prison whould have been there with you getting some mud and blood on their boots.
You and your brothers did the right thing. The only one I am ashamed of is the SOB who turned coward and spoke about some of the unspeakable things that are sometimes necessary and ugly. It is too bad it happened but it is what it is and the people who made the decision to mess with our country paid for it.
Good job, keep your chin and and you will always be a good soldier. Don’t let them take your pride away from you.
John
Thanks so very much for the sacrifices you have made defending our country so all of us living in the United States can live free, which so many of take for granted.
When we fight wars against people you can and will kill you at any given minute, you as a trained warrior must do what you have to do to protect yourself and your fellow buddies.
You do what you have to do and for those who have NO clue how our enemies can turn on you especially a captured one.
For you to be jailed for your warrior actions by some that have NO CLUE of the circumstances and what war is all about.
I will be praying for you each day John
Dear 1st Sergeant Hatley,
If I had been in that environment with those conditions I would have made the same choice.
Soldiers are CONDITIONED to defeat the enemy and even more so, to protect your brother soldier so the enemy can be met in force. If a soldier does not watch his brother’s back the enemy cannot be defeated. Unfortunately, the top brass has forgotten that essential logistic.
My prayers are that each of you will be released soon.
With love AND RESPECT,
Laurel Simpson
John,
Please know that you are believed in and cared about. You served your country with distinction and are being persecuted for something that had it happened during WWII would have been thought of as an unfortunate part of war. I consider you a political prisoner who has been scapegoated by people who don’t have the guts to fight a war but are satisfied by a police action where our soldiers often fight with one hand tied behind there backs.
God Bless,
Wendell T Webber
One word, Hero.
All I can say is this having been in Desert Storm and Somalia wars: That would have done the very same thing as the three of you. I support this/your issue 100%. Stay strong, I’m sure it’s no picnic where you are now, but there are a few of us who are on your sides.
Honorably Retired United States Air Force Veteran
Critisizing men of action for their course of action seems to be the function of policy makers and academics who have the luxury of experiencing ethical dilemas only in theory.
All I can say about the war is, what a way to run a railroad.
Best wishes to you, 1st Sgt.
By the way Im A different Adam than the coward above
so u know what im talking about..
I in know way want to be associated whith the Adam above who has no idea what hes talkin bout and should be sent over there himself and see if he is treated fair and just by Iraqis since he obliviously is on there side
Anyways this is what I wrote
I have never been to war and I am not in any type of milatary service, but I do know that if I am over there fighting a sensless war with no end and I am putting my life on the line when I have family back home, I am killing the enemy no matter what b4 they kill me. U r sent over there to Kill THE ENEMY.
Look most soldiers sign up to get a head in life ya know, they dont sign up saying I want war. But then they r thrown into this SCARED FOR THERE LIFE AS ANY HUMAN BEING WOULD BE.
What these suspects r let go and they go on to kill a soldier, then wat U r responsible for letting this terrorist go.
Let me ask u all this do u think at Home in the U.S. that these men would just kill people for no reason. Do u think these men r really cold blooded murders that after they are home from Iraq that we have to worry about these men being criminal?
Hell No!!!!
These men r trained to kill over there, there minds r messed up Im sure from everything they have been seeing. Watching there friends die at the hands of these terrorist. How the Hell do u know whose who over there they all look the same. This is F’in rediculous. This man was serving his country the best way he knew how and TRYIN TO MAKE IT HOME ALIVE…
FREE THIS MAN AND OUR SOLDIERS DONT PUNISH R SOLDIERS FOR KILLING LIKE THERE TRAINED TO DO.
Man I could go on for days!!!!!
Some of u people MYSELF included have no idea what these men have been thru over there… they r not MENTALLY STABLE over there. They have watched friends die at the hands of these people.
I dont get how some of u can say they deserve wat there getin…
Unreal
FREE THIS MAN
I have never been to war and I am not in any type of milatary service, but I do know that if I am over there fighting a sensless war with no end and I am putting my life on the line when I have family back home, I am killing the enemy no matter what b4 they kill me. U r sent over there to Kill THE ENEMY.
Look most soldiers sign up to get a head in life ya know, they dont sign up saying I want war. But then they r thrown into this SCARED FOR THERE LIFE AS ANY HUMAN BEING WOULD BE.
What these suspects r let go and they go on to kill a soldier, then wat U r responsible for letting this terrorist go.
Let me ask u all this do u think at Home in the U.S. that these men would just kill people for no reason. Do u think these men r really cold blooded murders that after they are home from Iraq that we have to worry about these men being criminal?
Hell No!!!!
These men r trained to kill over there, there minds r messed up Im sure from everything they have been seeing. Watching there friends die at the hands of these terrorist. How the Hell do u know whose who over there they all look the same. This is F’in rediculous. This man was serving his country the best way he knew how and TRYIN TO MAKE IT HOME ALIVE…
FREE THIS MAN AND OUR SOLDIERS DONT PUNISH R SOLDIERS FOR KILLING LIKE THERE TRAINED TO DO.
Man I could go on for days!!!!!
Some of u people MYSELF included have no idea what these men have been thru over there… they r not MENTALLY STABLE over there. They have watched friends die at the hands of these people.
I dont get how some of u can say they deserve wat there getin…
Unreal
FREE THIS MAN
John (I will call you 1st Sergeant),
My name is Major Jay Harty and was a Battalion S2 and Co Cdr for 1-325 AIR, 2/82nd Airborne Division. (Also, I was in 1-4CAV inSchweinfurt, GE from 2001-2002 as the AS2 and then moved to Wurzburg, GE to the MI BN and DIV Staff). My Battalion was detached from 2/82 and attached to 2/1ID during the Troop Surge. We arrived in country in Jan 07 until Nov 07 at Camp Taji and had company-level JSSs in NW Baghdad. Hurriyah, Khadamiyah, Fajr, Atafiyah, etc. I can attest to the daily, beorocratic struggles with the DHAA on Liberty which was a definite source of frustration to myself, S3 and TF Cdr. We on several occassions, had to spend late nights/early mornings to re-write 2823s or produce additional 2823s for the detainee packets. And as the TF Intelligence Officer, the last thing that I wanted to see was a detainee released due to a technicality. Because we worked very hard to build these target packets and Soldiers put their lives in the line daily to go do these operations to capture these HVTs. And to have some organization (DHAA) be the sole source of frustration was a definite thorn in our side.
Having said all of that, I will pray for you and your family that you all find peace in all of this.
God Speed,
MAJ Jay Harty
Kim,
I really wish that the people that don’t defend John would just stay off the site. It really angers me that some just don’t get it. Hero’s are hard to idenify at times but not in this case.
No one can understand what they might have done in a situation that not only scares you but puts the fear of your soldiers in your heart. The show last night said there was break down in ranks with John talking to a PFC, that is the way John is. He is not a person to simply ignore or not include the man on the bottom of the totem pole.
You stay strong in this matter and understand that CNN is a little more left than the other news networks. The bond of trucst is hard to break and it just seems that the trust was broken. We are all men and to say less is to say that we are cowards. Something happened that John felt he had to take care of and No one seems to be talking about no bodies were found, families aren’t outrage on that side of the world. Stay strong!!
I just want to say that I have followed your story and I feel for you and your family. I am really torn between right and wrong…now if you did this in dowtown XYZ America then throw the book at you…but some must realize that you guys are in a WAR and in war you faith in god is tested, sanity is tested, what you have been taught as wrong and right is tested. Add the everyday stress of heat, heavy gear, lack of sleep, unconventional warfare from the enemy and then throw in roadside bombs and the fact you just lost your buddies to a guy you had captured before…that is called stress…traumatic stress….when put in situations where you see you friends killed or disfigured…I dont care who you are…it will get to you.
I have been in the fire service for 20 years and have seen lots of trauma and death…and you never get used to it…and it always is in the back of your mind….most would not even be able to function if they have seen what my eyes have seen…and only those that have seen what I have seen can tell me they understand.
Some compare your acts to the Nazis or Japanese during WW2…but guess what….we were following the rules on our end in WW2 by helping..feeding and caring for prisoners….and the nazis and Japanese were not…..and we were fighting countries who signed rules and were to follow rules of war…our new enemies do not..they are not a country and they do not fight as one….they DO NOT follow rules with our prisoners…they cut off there heads on live TV…we are in a catch 22….we are supposed to follow the rules of conventional warfare…but our enemy is not…..how soon we forget about the thousands who died in 9/11…CIVILIANS….or the firefighters and police that were lost just doing there jobs…..so they have proved that they do not follow rules…..and could care less about us or our soldiers….
I have been told..before you pass judement walk a mile in that mans shoes…well guess what….if I saw my buddies getting wasted by the enemy that had been captured and then returned to kill more….well I have to say this…I have friends in Iraq fighting….and in Afghanistan….and if your actions saved my buddies life in the future…so be it….the only ones that can truly judge are the ones that have been in the trenches in this war or past wars….and have lived and felt what these soldiers go through…..
To me a life time sentence or 20 years for fighting a war…and being put into the stresses of war….and expect to be robots is one of our downfaults….we are human and humans will show a different side when put into a survival mode…..remember the “lord of the flies”…..people will do what they have to…if they have to survive…you cant fight biology….
I doubt these good men would have been in this situation if they were not forced to be in this situation….meaning I doubt that these men would have killed anybody in there whole life if they were not put into this War.
An Eye for and eye a tooth for a tooth…..and if you live by the sword you die by the sword…those terrorist live by the sword and they died by the sword……
Thank you for your commitment…and I hope that America will see that in a War that is non-conventional….you cant always follow conventional rules.
Paul Fullerton
Captain
UCDFD
Mrs. Hatley,
I wrote your husband a letter today and while doing so I became curious of what avenues you’re taking in pursuit of his freedom. I want to help and I want to make this a successful grassroots campaign to gain what’s rightfully his…his freedom. Not only would I like him to be a rightfully free man but I would also like to see him get the recognition he so deserves.
I wonder if you’re contacting every news agency possible, who have you spoken to (Congressman, governor, etc.), have you contacted talk shows such as Brian and The Judge, John Gibson, Wilkow Majority, etc, etc? I ask this because until CNN published your plight…I had heard nothing of your fight to free John and why. What I had heard before this was three American soldiers killed harmless Iraqi civilians. I’m sure that’s what most of the public has heard and that needs to change.
My thoughts are with John and with you. As a veteran myself, I’m utterly disgusted by his treatment, and I want all political idealogies set aside to right this wrong.
FREE JOHN!!
FREE JOSEPH!!
FREE MICHAEL!!
(I’m not a religious man but does anyone else notice anything about those three names???)
Sincerely,
Michael C.
Shinglehouse, PA
USN Seabees ret.
We are a natons of laws. You do not go around killing people that are even a threat to you. On the battlefield yes, when you have captured men/women NO. This is what the Nazis did.
However the USA uses drones for extra judcial killings?? Or is that considered the battlefield?
There is a Constitution that must be adhered to, when it’s not then we bcome them.
they killed people in cold blood. they didn’t follow orders. this kind of behavior cost more danger to our troops than protection.
I pray daily for John, Michael, Joseph and all men and women serving our country.
Adam, obviously you have never walked in the shoes of war. Your the kind that takes our country for granted and do not appreciate the sacrifice that our people in the service make for “US” I pity you.
Adam,
Have you no breaking point? Emotions? People make mistakes and so do governments expecially in a time of unconventional war! I’m not saying it’s right to kill someone who is unarmed, but when that unarmed man has been shooting at you, and will eventually kill you if not stopped, then the rules change. Rules. Something that the enemy doesn’t acknowledge and we do.
Put yourself in these soldiers’ shoes for a moment…
These fine men lost their cool because of external stress factors; thus, making them momentarily insane and I understand that. The courts will also understand that and in return give them a slap on their hands in the appeals process. I’d suggest that you keep your judgemental comments to yourself Adam.
Have a nice day!
Dear Sir,
You my friend are a hero. You have sacrificed above and beyond for this country. I appreciate my freedom and the fact that I can still walk down the street safely because of folks like you.My kids go to school with no worry of being shot at because of you. So please know I will write my congressmen and women on your behalf. We as free Americans are forever in your debt. May God bless you and watch over your family until you are with them again.
Sir,
I want you to know that average Americans like myself are outraged at the treatment of a true National Hero like you!
It is a national shame and disgrace that you have been treated the way you have been treated. You should be given a parade instead of incarceration.
You have not been forgotten! I know that is little consolation as you sit there in Leavenworth but just know that there are lots and lots of plain folks who remember what you have done for US.
I pray for you and your family that God will be with you through this ordeal and that it will end soon and you can regain your life.
I read of your situation (I did remember it though) in the Groesbeck Journal. I lived for a while at Lake Limestone and recently moved back to Friendswood, Tx.
Hang in there MSG!
Lonnie Moffitt
Friendswood, Texas
John:
When I listened to Colin Powell, give that speech at the UN I knew it was @!#%. I saw the CIA director behind him, and thought it was simply nonsense that someone like Saddam Hussein adminsitration would obtain nuclear weapons; UN inspectors found none.
Since the outbreak of the war I managed to read every book about the war, and the Bush administration handling of the war. No book was favorable; no learned author had anything good to say about the mission into which you were sent to possibly give your life (which in some senses you did).
I cannot sit by idly in your situation.
Very truly yours,
Geoffrey Nathan
ranger
hey there ranger, i really don’t know what to say, and u probley have herd it a 1000 times, so i wont go there, just will say there are allot of guys that you have made a great effect on,and difference ,in my life and thiers… anyway
well kim might have told you i got hit in iraq, but im good, alittle sore and half blind, a little def,”pre iraq ass chewings from some asshole platoon sgt”….but im tactical…..i wear my brown underware now and then….maybe i should wash em.. they are in great shape, as you know i dont wear any,,,,,lmfao. cant believe you told kim that story …man the storys… just wish that id stayed with 1/18…, not that 10th mnt, was bad, just missed you guys, didnt have time to bond.. wow that sounded gay…well you know what i mean.
anyway i brought up a myth that happened in the box in Germany, the guerrilla suite….do you remember the shit we would pull? i aslo remember an ODS Bradley. seems a plt sgt wanted to see if it could swim…….at 1:30 am……
ill remember dropping that ramp for the rest of my life, anyway , i m retired…trying to do good and whats right these days,i think you would nod yr head in approval, i am proud to have had you as a leader,a mentor,a friend. you hold a place of honor in my home. and many others
so keep yr tab to the slab ranger , wild deuce
“band of brothers”
“MR!” Eric Lanstrum US army ret.”and missing it”
Dear John,
You don’t know me, but I was a very good friend of Kim’s in high school. Due to the fact that I was a navy brat, and we moved 2 days after graduation we lost touch w/each other. I only realized she found me on FB, last night. My joy was as over whelming, as my pain is for her, and you after hearing your story, and being made aware of your very serious situation. First, I want to thank you for your selfless service to your ungrateful country. So many people try to rationalize this war away, and it can’t be. We NEED people like you defending us!! I am deeply troubled by your situation, and feel in anguish for you and Kim. I pledge to bring your situation to the attention of my church, and the Bible Studies I attended, and I will pray God through Christ will give you and your families Peace in the storm, and that he would give youquick and miraculous victory, and exonerate you, to include any military honor that you deserve. We are to go before our King with boldness. He promised us trouble, and we all have troubles, their just different troubles, and in those He is shaping us, usually quite painfully, into the person He wants us to be. Hold fast to his promise He will never leave you, and remember even when it “feels” like He isn’t there, He is. God isn’t a feeling, He’s our loving righteous Savior, who had to turn his back on his own son, yet He will never turn away from us. That’s awesome!! Peace to you my brother. I can’t wait to talk to Kim!! I will this morning bring you before my ladies Bible study. they are Prayer Warriors! Their prayers avail much!! I’ll be in touch later. In Christ, BRenda Tamura
John,
I continue to keep up with you and your family as these days, I know are filled with not knowing. I want you to know from the start that you are are constantly in our prayers for your release. I feel God will lead and direct in all these matters, and that you will fulfill what He has instore for you.
Bro Hatley and your family have always been special to us since they came to Pt. Enterprise. Micah was able to come and see the chickens at your moms. Aunt Claude, Aunt Tommie and myself came many times to your mom’s for WMU and other church events. Jaime (our daughter) also remembers and prays for you too. She was always with us when we visited in Mexia. I remember the Sunday you came home and they had the special service at church. I have that in my bible, and when I go to that scripture and that message, I always think of you.
You know that God’s grace is sufficient and He will get you through these times. Will continue to stay in touch with you and your family.
In our prayers, Bob, Phyllis Bishop