John Walker Lindh, The American Taliban
John Phillip Walker Lindh is a U.S. citizen who was captured as an enemy combatant during the United States’ 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. He was captured and detained at Qala-i-Jangi fortress, used as a prison. He took part in the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi, a violent uprising of the Taliban prisoners.
During the battle at the prison CIA officer Johnny “Mike,” Spann was killed, together with all but 86 of the estimated 300–500 prisoners. Johnny Mike Spann was the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan. Johnny Micheal Spann’s star was the 79th carved on the Agency’s Memorial Wall, and his name appears in the CIA Book of Honor. He received the Intelligence Star and the Exceptional Service Medallion posthumously.
Lindh was brought to trial in United States federal court in February 2002 and accepted a plea bargain; he pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole. I hope he enjoys his new digs.
