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Another Step Toward Justice for Sam Snow and Fort Lawton
Rep. McDermott Secures Funding Provision in DoD Authorization

May 16, 2008

For Immediate Release

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) announced today that his effort to see justice finally delivered in the Fort Lawton case has taken another big step forward.  He succeeded in getting language included in the Department of Defense Authorization bill reported out of committee this week that includes a formula for compensating Sam Snow and other Fort Lawton victims.  The full House is scheduled to vote on the bill next week.

After the military cleared Mr. Snow’s name last fall in the Fort Lawton case, the Army sent him a check for $725 as compensation for all back pay and benefits denied Mr. Snow since his wrongful and racially motivated conviction in 1944.  Rep. McDermott labeled the compensation wholly inadequate; in a letter to the Secretary of the Army, McDermott urged the military to include interest in its calculation.  But, the Secretary replied that current regulations prohibited the military from doing more, even though the Secretary signaled that he agreed with McDermott. 

The outcome was for Rep. McDermott to introduce legislation in the House that would award back pay plus interest, to Samuel Snow and others.  While an exact amount will vary by individual and the exact interest rate employed, the legislation would result in compensation substantially higher than the $725 Snow received from the Army.  Senator Bill Nelson of Florida introduced the same legislation in Senate and it passed out of committee two weeks ago and is awaiting action by the full Senate.

“This has always been about justice,” McDermott said, “and after more than six decades, it is time for Sam Snow, the family of Booker Townsell, and others wrongly convicted in this case to be treated fairly.”

McDermott added:  “I’ll urge my colleagues to join me in applying a new phrase to the Fort Lawton case:  Justice delayed is no longer denied. I look forward to action next week in the House and sometime after Memorial Day in the Senate.

Mr. Snow and other African American soldiers were wrongly convicted of participating in a 1944 riot at Seattle’s Fort Lawton that resulted in the lynching of an Italian prisoner of war.  They were dishonorably discharged from the service, several were imprisoned and their lives were forever changed over a crime they did not commit. 

Seattle author and journalist Jack Hamann brought the case to light in an award-winning book and Rep. McDermott launched an effort in Congress to direct the military to re-open the case for any soldier who made a request. 

Mr. Snow, one of only two soldiers still alive, filed an appeal and the military cleared his name- and others- last fall.  Other cases are still pending.