OLYMPIA, Wash., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Capt. James J. Yee, the Muslim chaplain cleared of charges of espionage in March, cites "irreparable damage" in his decision to quit the military.
Yee, 36, spent 76 days in prison without a hearing last fall and remains subject to a military gag order preventing him from publicly defending himself. He has requested a discharge by Jan. 7 and plans to pursue a post-graduate degree in international relations, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. He is a graduate of West Point.
Yee's attorney, Eugene Fidell of Washington says he expects the Army will grant the request.
"It'll go through the chain of command, and they'll either approve it or disapprove it," said Fort Lewis spokesman Lt. Col. Bill Costello.
Yee's request letter reads in part: "In 2003 I was unfairly accused of grave offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and unjustifiably placed in solitary confinement for 76 days. Those unfounded allegations -- which were leaked to the media -- irreparably injured my personal and professional reputation and destroyed my prospects for a career in the United States Army.
"The only formal punishment I received was overturned, but at the same time official statements again unfairly tarnished my reputation."
