Pardon Lt. Ridge Alkonis

null By The Editorial BoardDec. 29, 2023 6:13 pm ETDerek and Suzi Alkonis pose with a photo of their son Lt. Ridge Alkonis, Dana Point, Calif., June 1, 2022. Photo: Denis Poroy/Associated PressJapan helped mend a diplomatic sore before Christmas when Tokyo transferred an imprisoned U.S. Navy lieutenant back into American hands. But this international incident isn’t over, and the outcome matters to U.S. troops wondering if they’re vulnerable to rough justice while stationed abroad.Lt. Ridge Alkonis was assigned to a Navy destroyer in Japan in 2021 when he fell unconscious while driving, and two Japanese nationals died after the attendant crash outside a restaurant. Lt. Alkonis maintains he experienced a medical emergency—acute mountain sickness—while driving his wife and children back from a daytime hike. Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8Sponsored OffersTurboTax: Up to 10% off online tax services with TurboTax discount code

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Opinion Dec 30, 2023 Add to Reading List

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The Editorial Board

Dec. 29, 2023 6:13 pm ET

Derek and Suzi Alkonis pose with a photo of their son Lt. Ridge Alkonis, Dana Point, Calif., June 1, 2022. Photo: Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Japan helped mend a diplomatic sore before Christmas when Tokyo transferred an imprisoned U.S. Navy lieutenant back into American hands. But this international incident isn’t over, and the outcome matters to U.S. troops wondering if they’re vulnerable to rough justice while stationed abroad.

Lt. Ridge Alkonis was assigned to a Navy destroyer in Japan in 2021 when he fell unconscious while driving, and two Japanese nationals died after the attendant crash outside a restaurant. Lt. Alkonis maintains he experienced a medical emergency—acute mountain sickness—while driving his wife and children back from a daytime hike.