Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-06
'McKeon, Sentence Cut,
Stays in Corps as Private

terday for about five hours during
his last day of freedom before
entering the same brig in which
he spent seven weeks-"the dark
days" -immediately following the
tragic drowning. Two Catholic
chaplains barred reporters from
Sergt. McKeon and his pretty
wife, Betty.
Sergeant Breaks Deadlock
One of the chaplains. 1t.
Comdr. Anthony Bielski. accused
a newsman of seeking to cruelty
this man, a human being 1t
was Sergt McKeon, himself, who
broke the deadlock between the
Ichaplains and reporters.
Secretary Thomas decision
drew sharp criticism from an
Alexandria woman, Mrs. Alma T.
Coughlin, mother of one of the
recruits who drowned on the
night march.
Its no more than expected.
I knew they never really in
tended to do anything to him, !"
Mrs. Coughlin said. ct was a
mock trial if there ever was one.
If that's the kind of trash
the Marine Corps wants, I guess
they are full of them from the
top right on down.
when the leaders of this
country put up with that and
approve of it there is not much
a plain American citizen can do.
They are leaving the door open
for the same thing to happen
again"
Her son was Pvt. Jerry La
mont Thomas, II, who had been
student at Mount Vernon High
School in Fairfax County before
he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Mrs. Coughlin lives at 27O8 Elm
wood drive, Alexandria.
Marine Corps League AppIauds
William Derderian, national
commandant of the Marine
Corps League, telegraphed con-
gratulations to Secretary
Thomas for his action.
your announcement fulfilled
our faith in you and our entire
American system of justice" Mr..
Derderian's message from New
New Britain, Conn, said. 1.-The
treatment of this unfortunate
accident as just that provides
for continuation of the type of
Marine training so vital to the
defense of our country"
Mr.. Derderian also telegraphed
Sergt. McKeon the Leagues
sincere best wishes for the
future"
Sergt. McKeon was convicted
of negligent homicide. He also
was convicted of drinking on
duty. but was cleared of charges
Iof manslaughter. oppression of
recruits, and drinking before a
recruit.
Mr.. Thomas indicated that
while he could not condone
Sergt. McKeons drinking on
duty, he was strongly influenced
by the testimony of recruits
that the sergeant was a patient,
helpful platoon leader.
The Secretary said:
by renting the bad conduct
discharge. I have restored to
Sergt. McKeon the opportunity
to build for himself a useful
and honorable career, and /
hope and believe that he will
avail himself of this opportunity
E. I am giving him his chance. !"
separation Held Unnecessary
At another point Mr.. Thomas
said he was convinced that a
punitive separation from the
service "is not necessary as a
punishment for this man nor
would the interest of the Marine
Corps be furthered by such a
separation.
For him I believe that the
real punishment will always be
the memory =" he continued.
"Remorse will never leave him.
Further, he is the father now
Of three children. He may be ex-
pected to appreciate the feelings
of those whose sons were lost
that night. His conduct imme-
diately following the loss and
the spontaneous statements he
made at the time speak elo-
quently Of remorse.
The Secretary said retention
Of McKeon as a noncommissioned