Ft. Benning soldier discharged in trainee beating

The Army has kicked out a soldier for beating a Jewish trainee who complained about religious harassment in their basic training unit, a Fort Benning spokesman said Monday.

Citing federal privacy laws, the Army had previously refused to discuss how it punished the attacker of Pvt. Michael Handman, 20, of Atlanta, other than to say the case had been handled as an administrative matter rather than as a crime.

That changed after the southeast director of the Anti-Defamation League met Fort Benning officials Friday. Col. Charles Durr, chief of staff at Fort Benning, told the ADL's Bill Nigut the assailant had been discharged.

"The soldier that was punished for the assault on Pvt. Handman has been processed for discharge from the Army," Fort Benning spokesman Bob Purtiman confirmed Monday.

The Army says Handman was beaten Sept. 24 by a fellow trainee in a laundry room near his barracks. Handman was treated at an Army hospital for a concussion and bruising to his face. He has since been transferred to another basic training unit at Fort Benning in Columbus.

Four days before the attack, Handman was interviewed by commanders of his basic training unit about complaints he'd made in letters to his parents that he had been harassed by two drill sergeants because he's Jewish.

The Army later acknowledged one drill sergeant had ordered Handman to remove his yarmulke, which he wore with his uniform, as he ate in a dining hall. Another drill sergeant had called him "Juden" - the German word for Jews.

Officials said last month that Handman's attacker had been punished administratively but refused to release further details, citing federal privacy laws.

Click here for previous GPB News coverage of this story.

(AP)

Army trainee faces punishment for beating Jewish soldier

An Army trainee at Fort Benning will face punishment for beating a Jewish soldier so badly he was treated by a hospital. Fort Benning commanders decided not seek a court-martial in the attack on Private Michael Handman and will resolve it as a personnel matter rather than a crime. That keeps many details of the attack secret. Twenty year old Handman of Atlanta was beaten four days after commanders interviewed him about his complaints he was harassed because he’s Jewish.

(Associated Press)

Army reprimands DI's over harassing Jewish soldier

Jewish soldiers carefully roll up a Torah scroll after religious services in the multi-denominational chapel at Fort Benning. (file/Dave Bender)

Officials at Fort Benning in western Georgia say they're taking seriously a reported beating and charges of religious harassment against a Jewish soldier.

Private Michael Handman of Atlanta, was severely beaten days after two drill sergeants forced him to remove a cap worn by observant Jews, in a mess hall. The two are also accused of anti-Semitic slurs against the soldier for reportedly praying during guard duty, and for asking about religious services.

Handman's parents, fearing for their son's safety, contacted Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, who asked the army to investigate the incidents, which took place in September.

Neil Block, president of Temple Israel in Columbus, and (former) post chaplain, Maj. Rabbi Avrohom Horovitz leading services at a multi-deminational chapel at Fort Benning. (file/Dave Bender)

Neil Block is a Jewish lay leader in nearby Columbus, and conducts religious services for the trainees:

“The Army is not taking this lightly, the army is not attempting to sweep this under the rug, the Army is addressing this absolutely straight up and forward – and the chips will fall where they have to.”

Block is working with Handman and the Army to resolve the incident.

Handman has been reassigned to a medical rehab unit, to recover from the attack, and for unrelated medical issues.

Army officials say the drill sergeants will be reprimanded, and that they and battalion officials will be trained in accommodating religious troops.

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Fort Benning.

Army investigates Jewish soldier beating

Army officials at Fort Benning are investigating the beating of a Jewish soldier. 20-year-old Pvt. Michael Handman of Atlanta says another soldier knocked him unconscious Sept. 24. Before the attack, Handman told his parents one sergeant used an anti-Semitic slur and another ordered him to remove his skullcap in a dining hall. A Fort Benning spokeswoman said today an Army private is being held on suspicion of attacking Handman, but he has not been charged.