Muslim chaplain receives honorable discharge

9/17/2004 8:00:00 AM GMT

A Muslim chaplain, who was jailed for 76 days in solitary confinement and then cleared in an espionage investigation, is to receive an honorable discharge, according to his lawyer.

The Army approved Capt. James J. Yee’s request, a year after Yee was arrested at Guantanamo Bay, carrying what authorities alleged were classified documents.

"It's amazing to think just over a year ago, he was behind bars ... and being vilified throughout the country," attorney Eugene R. Fidell said. "On a certain level, justice has triumphed."

Yee refused to comment on the case, however he expressed his resentment in his resignation letter.

"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," Yee said.

Yee, 35, is staying at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, where he will continue to serve until he is discharged in January, Fidell said.

Fort Lewis spokesman Lt. Col. Bill Costello wasn’t available for an immediate comment on the case.

Yee was jailed at the Guantanamo Bay naval station, where the U.S. military says it holds terror suspects.