SFC Walter Taylor is a wounded warrior, who was disfigured by a hit to the face with an RPG while serving in Afghanistan. 

He is now facing criminal negligent homicide charges by the United States Army. 

SFC Taylor was doing exactly what he was trained to do, and exactly what we asked him to do.  He deserves and desperately needs our help.

With the blessing of the SFC Walter Taylor facebook page administrator, I have set up this fundraiser to help SFC Taylor recoup what it has cost him out of pocket so far to defend himself against the ridiculous charges our government has brought before him.  They are offering him up for sacrifice to a seemingly ungrateful nation leader who does not want us there anyway. SFC Taylor has served his Army and the American people with nothing but valor. 

The Article 32 (a civilian equivalent to a preliminary hearing) ended on June 22, and a determination on if our government will go forward with court martial will be decided in the weeks to come. 

If he is cleared of the charges, the US Military will not reimburse him for their error.  His life savings is gone forever, no matter what the outcome is.

SFC Taylor should NOT be left financially devastated for defending himself, and for defending his troops.  He is not just a Soldier, he is also a father, husband, and has two small children.   Please take a minute to read about what has happened.  Then, please make a contribution and share this fundraiser, and the story of SFC Walter Taylor. 

Imagine you are a decorated combat infantryman.  Your job is to detonate/dismantle roadside bombs, and often times, you take small arms fire from the insurgents who planted the bombs while trying to do your job.  As a Senior NCO, it is also your job to do everything in your power to bring your troops home alive.  You have survived three combat tours, and are on a fourth.  

On a day like many others, there is an explosion.  You have five wounded.  You and your troops are being shot at.  Chaos ensues.  You act to protect yourself and your troops.  Based on your training, you and your fellow infantrymen survive. 

Shortly after, you are targeted by the enemy for that day you survived, that day you protected yourself and your troops.  The targeted attack nearly costs you your life, and leaves you permanently disfigured. 

Then you are charged with a crime ... for doing what the Army would normally expect you to do.

How would you feel when you discover the very military you have pledged your life to serve, is offering you up for political sacrifice?

SFC Walter Taylor is that soldier.

He serves with the 541st Sapper Company ("The Outlaws") based out of Bamberg, Germany.  During his fourth combat deployment, SFC Taylor was a Platoon Leader for the 38th Route Clearance Platoon.  The job they do is dangerous, but one that he and his fellow Sappers do every day proudly with dignity and honor.  

On July 21, 2011, while on patrol along what is known as the "Highway of Death" in the very dangerous area of Wardak province, a roadside bomb detonated.  The powerful blast sent one of their 22.5 ton Buffalo mine clearing vehicles 10 feet into the air.  Five soldiers were wounded.  All the while, they were taking small arms fire from two white vehicles, and insurgents on the hillside.  Suddenly, a black car raced up behind one of the white vehicles.  It stopped.

Within minutes, a figure, dressed in black bulky clothing emerged from the black car and began walking toward the trunk.  SFC Taylor saw a trigger wire which snaked directly toward the black car.  In less than a second, SFC Taylor had to make a critical decision about the intent of the figure in black.  In a split second, he had to decide whether he and his troops would die because the figure posed a threat.  Given the immediate circumstances, SFC Taylor shot the figure heading toward the trunk.

The figure turned out to be a well respected, female doctor.  Dr. Aquilah Hikmat was one of only four OB/GYNs in Afghanistan.  It was a tragic mistake, but given the circumstances, a logical decision. 

Afghan president Hamid Karzai is not as understanding about the circumstances of the shooting. 

Karzai ordered an investigation into the death of Dr. Hikmat, her 18 year old son, and 16 year old niece on that day in July.  In a peak time where the Taliban prided themselves for using women, children, and men dressed as women in bulky, black clothing to detonate themselves, what is there to not understand?

SFC Taylor could have never guessed he would be charged with negligent homicide, and dereliction of duty for doing his job. 

He could have never guessed what would happen to him next, either.

Ten days after the incident, while on patrol, SFC Taylor believes he was given a hearty dose of "Afghan street justice."  With incredible precision, an RPG was launched directly into the vehicle he was in.  The blast blew off his nose, shattered his cheeks, ripped open his lips, blinded him in one eye, and blew his teeth into his throat.  From a hospital bed with tubes and IV's coming in and out of him everywhere, SFC Taylor was awarded a Purple Heart by Brigadier General James M. Richardson.

Shortly thereafter, he was formally charged with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty.

SFC Taylor's injuries are extensive.  So far, he has had 10 surgeries, and has many more ahead.  Soon, he will be brought back to America to replace the temporary nose and tubes he breathes from and a new nose made from bone from his ribs and skin from his forehead will be attached.  He still suffers from pain in his back and ankles due to the blast.  The hopes that they can fully restore sight in his remaining eye are few.

If he is convicted, SFC Taylor will be dishonorably discharged from the Army.  That conviction will result in SFC Taylor losing access to VA medical benefits he has earned, and will likely need for the rest of his life. 

He will also be a convicted felon.

We desperately need your help.

Service members have the option to accept the military equivalent of a public defender, or they can hire a civilian military defense attorney.

Briefly, there are six areas of military law, and all JAG attorneys come from the same pool.  Trial Defense Service (TDS) is one of those areas.  TDS is an 18 to 24 month rotation.  It is "on the job training".  There is no formal training.  There are no classes offered about the differences in criminal law in the military vs. the criminal law in the civilian sector.  Very few law schools offer courses in military law. The differences are vast and complicated.

Motions need to be written.  Arguments to get them granted often need to be made.  Witnesses need to be interviewed, and legal arguments on facts and fallacies need to be made in court. 

Some TDS attorneys have never represented a single person in any capacity, much less a service person accused of a serious crime.  How are they to know exactly what to do?

None of this means the attorney is a bad or incompetent attorney, it just means that they may lack the experience needed to fully and rigorously defend the life and livelihood of the accused military member. 

When faced with serious charges, do you take that chance?  

With the political ramifications of this case, you do not.

The amount to defend a service member can be financially crippling. Please follow this link to understand why:  https://www.facebook.com/notes/in-support-of-sf...

Again, even if he is cleared of the charges, the military does not reimburse the costs for their mistake.  There is no recourse for him or his family to recoup the cost - the government cannot be sued by a service member for false prosecution.

This is why we need your help. 

SFC Taylor is a distinguished Non Commissioned Officer. 

He is a son, a brother, an uncle, and cousin. 

He is also a husband with two small children.

Anything you can contribute to SFC Taylor's defense fund is needed, and greatly appreciated.  Every penny of your contribution goes directly to SFC Taylor to reimburse him for the financial nightmare these charges have caused him and his family thus far, and their financial future.  He should not be left financially devastated by the Army's politically motivated charges. 

He has served and protected us with honor. 

He has suffered enough. 

Together, we can stand behind SFC Taylor by ensuring this leg of his legal battle is taken care of.  Without that enormous burden, he can better focus on his health, and the fight ahead knowing his family will not suffer financially in the interim, no matter what the outcome.

Please help SFC Taylor and his family by making a donation to his defense fund.  Any amount, small or large, will help if we all work together.  

Our mainstream media has chosen to not cover cases like this unless our service members appear to be psychotic.  What message are they sending about those who have given their lives to protect us?

Please help share our message.  Please write your state representatives.  Please let the media know that Americans care about SFC Taylor, and what our government is doing to him, and to his family. 

Please share this page by using the link provided here on Indiegogo.  Tell your friends to donate if they can.  Please tell them to share this story, and to make some noise.  If we all work together, this case can and will receive the attention it so richly deserves.  If we all work together, SFC Taylor can focus on recovery, and not financial hardship.

For news articles, photos, and other information, please visit the official facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/SupportSFCTaylor