Former Pfc. Jordan Fox, whose injuries in Iraq forced him to leave the military before his enlistment period ended, will not have to repay a portion of his sign-up bonus after initially being asked to do so by the Army.

Army Decides Not to Seek Sign-Up Bonus from Wounded Soldier

The Associated Press
November 22, 2007

A former Army private whose injuries in Iraq forced him to leave the military before his enlistment period ended will not have to repay a portion of his sign-up bonus after initially being asked to do so by the Army.

In a statement Wednesday, the Army said former Pfc. Jordan Fox "inadvertently" got a letter asking him to repay $2,800 of his $7,500 enlistment bonus. Army officials said they are checking to see whether other injured soldiers have been told to repay their bonuses, too.

The statement came after Fox appeared on local and national TV and radio shows to talk about the letter.

Soldiers who are injured or become ill while on active duty can keep all sign-up bonuses due them, the Army said. But the Army hasn't decided whether to pay Fox his unused leave, Army spokesman Major Nathan Banks said.

Fox, 21, of Mount Lebanon, a Pittsburgh suburb, was partially blinded in his right eye and also sustained a back injury in a roadside bomb explosion in Baquba in May. He returned to the United States two months later and received a discharge from the Army.

In late October, Fox got a letter from the Army seeking repayment of part of his enlistment bonus because he had only completed about a year of his three-year service. Another letter arrived a week later warning that he could be charged interest if he didn't make a payment within 30 days.

"I was just completely shocked," Fox said. "I couldn't believe I'd gotten a bill in the mail from the Army."

Army officials said they don't know how many other soldiers may have faced similar situations.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., said he found out about the problem when a presidential commission on veteran issues this year reported that the Army stops bonus payments once a soldier is wounded.

"I think if you go into combat and you serve this country bravely and you're injured in combat, you have fulfilled your obligation," Altmire said.

Fox said his sight has improved, but he still has back pain. He helps his family run Operation Pittsburgh Pride, a volunteer group that has sent 4,000 care packages to troops in Iraq.

"I'm fortunate," Fox said. "I have both arms and both legs. A lot of people aren't that lucky."