The family of a soldier who blame Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for their son's death said Monday they are "furious" he has been returned to active duty while an investigation into his capture by the Taliban continues. "This is another attempt to give credibility to a deserter to protect the decision to free five extremely dangerous Taliban," Sondra Andrews, mother of fallen 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews, told NBC News. "I just don’t think it’s right that he’s free and collecting pay." Her son was killed in eastern Afghanistan in September 2009, and members of his platoon told the family that he was searching for Bergdahl when he was ambushed.
The Pentagon has not linked Bergdahl's abduction to the death of any service members killed in the weeks that followed as the military searched for him. But a number of families firmly believe that if Bergdahl had not left his base, their loved ones would still be alive, and they have branded him a deserter. Bergdahl was released May 31 after the U.S. agreed to release five Taliban militants from Guantanamo Bay, and he just completed the military's re-integration program.
IN-DEPTH
- Family of Soldier Slain in Berdahl Search Blasts Swap
- Slain G.I.'s Kin Have Question for Bergdahl but Glad He's Home