Overview

James Gordon "Bo" Gritz (born 1939) is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel who was reportedly the most decorated Green Beret of the Vietnam War, receiving 62 decorations including five Silver Stars. After retiring from the military, Gritz became involved in efforts to locate American POWs he believed were still held in Southeast Asia, leading unauthorized missions into Laos. He ran for President of the United States in 1992 on the Populist Party ticket, receiving approximately 100,000 votes. During the Ruby Ridge standoff in August 1992, Gritz traveled to the scene and served as a civilian negotiator, ultimately convincing Randy Weaver to surrender and end the 11-day standoff. The FBI had already killed Weaver wife Vicki Weaver and 14-year-old son Sammy before Gritz arrived, and a deputy U.S. Marshal had also been killed. Gritz later testified about his negotiation role before Congress. After Ruby Ridge, Gritz became increasingly involved in the patriot and militia movements, founding a covenant community called Almost Heaven in Kamiah, Idaho. He attempted suicide in 1998 but survived. His role at Ruby Ridge remains significant as one of the few civilian interventions that may have prevented additional deaths during a federal law enforcement operation that was later found to have involved unconstitutional rules of engagement.

Key Affiliations

Controversies & Concerns

Related Investigations (1)

Known Associates & Connections

Sources & Documentation

3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports