Wrong, desertion rates are about normal for a war time period. I think the last person to be executed for desertion in the face of the enemy was during WWII.

So he has made his stand, and this falls into the category of don't let your hummingbird mouth say anything your whippoorwill ass can't handle. He pays back the money, gets a Bad Conduct Discharge and maybe does 6 mos in the brig (stockade in the Army).

You are attaching to much significance to one man.

jackg