A former Navy SEAL cried as he described a military dog that died in the futile search for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl during the deserter’s sentencing hearing.
Not only did the dog die in the search for Bergdahl, who walked off his post in 2009, but retired Navy SEAL James Hatch was hit with an injury that ended his career, The Associated Press reports.
Hatch was able to keep his composure while recounting his own experience on the search mission to find Bergdahl, but when it came to talking about the military dog who died, Hatch couldn’t contain his emotion.
“His name was Remco,” Hatch said.
“Take your time,” prosecutor Army Maj. Justin Oshana said.
Hatch said that he was dropped off with his team and Remco near the Pakistan border, when Remco came too close to two fighters who fired at the dog and the rest of the team with AK-47s. During the ensuing firefight, Hatch was hit in the leg.
“I screamed a lot. It hurt really bad … I thought I was dead,” he said.
Since he’s come back stateside, Hatch has founded a non-profit to support for military dogs.
Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy last week and now faces up to life in prison. However, given recent comments from President Donald Trump, which essentially reaffirm his anti-Bergdahl comments made during during the campaign, Army Col. Jeffrey Nance is still considering the defense lawyers’ argument Monday that the trial has been unfairly prejudiced.
“I can’t comment on Bowe Bergdahl because he’s — as you know, they’re — I guess he’s doing something today, as we know,” Trump said Oct. 16. “And he’s also — they’re setting up sentencing, so I’m not going to comment on him. But I think people have heard my comments in the past.”
Testimony is expected to continue for several more days before Nance makes a ruling on Bergdahl’s fate.
Follow Jonah Bennett on Twitter
Send tips to jonah@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.