The U.S. Army will not consider rewarding Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with any medals of valor until after he is court-martialed for desertion and misbehavior before the enemy in August.

In a pre-trial hearing last week, Bergdahl’s lawyers asked military judges why their client had not been awarded the Purple Heart or Prisoner of War medal. His lawyer argued that withholding the medals Bergdahl has qualified for is “prejudicial” to his case because he must walk in and out of the courthouse, in public, while wearing a military uniform devoid of decorations.

His civilian attorney Eugene Fiddel suggested that preventing Bergdahl from wearing any medals was akin to pronouncing him guilty before the trial had even begun.

“A soldier has a right to appear in court wearing all military decorations to which he or she is entitled,” Fiddel said. “Why can’t Sgt. Bergdahl be treated like any other soldier  — and afforded the presumption of innocence?”

Whatever concerns Bergdahl’s representation may have about the wrongful withholding of his medals, it will have to wait. The Army won’t make a decision until it prosecutes Bergdahl for deliberately abandoning his post and endangering his fellow soldiers in 2009.

“To ensure compliance with governing statutes and regulations, the Army cannot determine Sgt. Bergdahl’s eligibility for any award until the conclusion of his court-martial,” said Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk, an Army spokesman, in an email to The Washington Post.

The Purple Heart is awarded to military veterans who were injured in the line of duty. The Prisoner of War medal goes to troops with “creditable” service who were held captive by an opposing force. The Taliban captured Bergdahl and tortured him for five years, so his defense team can probably make a great case that he is eligible for both medals.

His court-martial will take place from Aug. 8-19.

[WaPo]