John Alan Coey graduated from Ohio State University in 1972 and flew to Rhodesia the day after he graduated. Members killed ĭuring the course of its existence the following American citizens died in Rhodesia: Name This led to some of the Americans deserting before the end of their contract. Like the other foreign volunteers in Rhodesia, the Americans often received a hostile reception from their comrades in Rhodesian units. He also sold t-shirts, sew-on patches and other merchandise using the 'Crippled Eagle' motif and wrote a book that argued that Rhodesia was not racist which included profiles of foreign volunteers. He encouraged the volunteers to call themselves 'Crippled Eagles' due to the perception that they were being harassed, or could be harassed, by their government. In 1976 Moore established what he called the "Unofficial US Embassy" in Salisbury, and began hosting events for the American volunteers as well as doctoral students. Many of the American volunteers wrongly believed that their government opposed their presence in the country, with articles in Soldier of Fortune and works by Robin Moore also claiming this. The activities of Americans in Rhodesia were widely publicised in the United States, leading to protests. The Carter Administration considered taking steps to stop Americans serving with Rhodesia, but this did not result in any policy changes. There is evidence that the Departments of Justice and State tacitly encouraged Americans to volunteer for Rhodesia as part of efforts to prevent the country's collapse prior to a negotiated solution to the war. Despite this, the United States government did little to slow the flow of volunteers to Rhodesia. The United States' Neutrality Act prohibits American citizens from enlisting with foreign militaries or working as mercenaries for other governments. Five served in Rhodesia's most prestigious unit, the Selous Scouts. The Americans suffered seven combat fatalities and many others were wounded in combat, some maimed for life. After 1980, their attention turned to Angola, Soweto and other hotspots around the world.Īpproximately 300 Americans, some with previous combat experience in Vietnam and other theatres, others with none, volunteered to fight in the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War as ordinary soldiers, earning a pay packet in local currency equal to that of a Rhodesian regular, under the same conditions of service. The first issue of the magazine in 1975 actually contained two such articles, prompting some Americans to travel to Rhodesia. From 1976 to 1980 almost every issue contained one or more articles about the ongoing conflict. One of the reasons for many of the American citizens who joined the Crippled Eagles was the Soldier of Fortune reports about both the Rhodesian Bush War and the means of entry into the Rhodesian Army. Further information: Foreign volunteers in the Rhodesian Security Forces
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