US Soldier may be a Fraud
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
(SNN)A website called ansarnet.ws carried a frightening claim today. A message from Iraqi militants claimed to have taken a US solider hostage and threatened to behead him. A statement posted with the picture suggested the group was holding other soldiers.
Iraqi militants claimed to have taken a US solider hostage and threatened to behead him.
“Our mujahedeen heroes of Iraq's Jihadi Battalion were able to capture American military man John Adam after killing a number of his comrades and capturing the rest," said the statement. “God willing, we will behead him if our female and male prisoners are not released from U.S. prisons within the maximum period of 72 hours from the time this statement has been released.” The statement was signed by a group calling themselves the "Mujahedeen Brigades”.
However, the U.S. military had a different story. “No units have reported anyone missing,” said Staff Sgt. Nick Minecci of the U.S. military's press office in Baghdad.
A clue in this kidnapping came from, of all places, Southern California
Surprisingly, a clue in this kidnapping came from, of all places, Southern California. A toy manufacturer, Dragon Models USA Inc. recognized the image of the soldier as one of their action figures named “John Adams”. Items in the photo included desert camouflage fatigues, a vest, knee pads and a gun which pointed at the soldiers head. All the items are similar to ones that came in a box with the action figure.
"It is our doll ... to me it definitely looks like it is," said a Dragon Models spokesman. "Everything the guy is wearing is exactly what comes with our figure." The company confirmed that the dolls were available for sale in the Middle East, as they had been ordered by the US military in Kuwait for sale at their bases.
As all the facts of the alleged kidnapping came together, only one real question remained. Why does the U.S. military think our soldiers want to buy 1/6th size replicas of themselves which come equipped with kneepads?
