Navy Deserter Turns Self In
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SYDNEY, Australia — A U.S. Navy deserter who had been on the run for 19 months and wanted to end a life of “sheer hell” surrendered today to an American diplomat.
David Meyer, 19, of Oregon surrendered to U.S. Consul General John Dorrance in Sydney, a consul spokesman said. Meyer was questioned and will be taken to Los Angeles for further action.
The spokesman said Meyer had a record of being absent without leave, but he refused to elaborate. Meyer said Wednesday that he had survived on food scraps, handouts and a string of odd jobs since Dec. 27, 1986, when he left the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson off western Australia without permission.
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