James “Bo” Gritz, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer who claimed to have inspired Sylvester Stallone’s iconic character John Rambo, has passed away.
He was 87, according to a statement by his wife.
“It was just a terrible scene”
A decorated Vietnam War veteran with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Gritz retired as a lieutenant colonel after earning multiple awards, including three Silver Stars.
After leaving the military, he became involved in politics, drawing attention for his association with conspiracy theories, militia movements, and the Christian Patriot movement. He ran for president in 1992 under the Populist Party and served as a mediator during the Ruby Ridge standoff in Idaho.
Gritz’s military career also included covert missions to rescue American prisoners of war in Laos, though none were successful. He remained committed to defending the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens, often putting himself in dangerous situations to mediate with anti-government groups.
During the famous 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff, Gritz flew to Idaho at the request of federal agents to negotiate with Randy Weaver, who had survived a deadly siege that killed his wife and son.
“It was just a terrible scene,” Gritz recalled during an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“Weaver hadn’t fired a shot at anybody. And yet, his son was dead.”
Be First to Comment