Marine faces collaboration trial

Pfc. Robert Garwood, the US marine who returned home in March 1979 after 4 years as a prisoner in North Vietnam, faces a general court-martial and a possible prison term on charges of collaborating with the enemy.

Marin Corps spokesman at Camp Lejeune, N.C., said the court-martial was ordered by Brig. Gen. David Barker, the base commander, after a Marine Corps investigating commission had heard witnesses, including other US servicemen imprisoned with Private Garwood. Witnesses in his defense partly supported his claim that he had worked to improve conditions of other American prisoners, but other witnesses contradicted this.

Under terms of the court-martial proceedings, as set by General Barker, Private Garwood, it found guilty, could face a prison term but not the death penalty.