Follow chain of command

Craig Baker asserts that the U.S. armed services should be solely credited with bringing Osama bin Laden to account (Letters, May 5). Certainly the performance of the military was extraordinary, especially in light of dealing with the loss of a helicopter. Mr. Baker’s suggestion, however, ignores the considerable contribution of the intelligence organizations.

Further, the president is commander-in-chief. It was his duty to consider the options brought to him by the military, one of which was to obliterate the compound with 2,000-pound bombs, risking high civilian casualties and the possibility that bin Laden might never be identified among those killed. The decision to launch a daring mission that prevented casualties outside of the compound and allowed positive identification of the target was his, and only his, to make.

If the operation had gone wrong, would Mr. Baker have written a letter suggesting that the armed services alone be blamed? I think not.

Mike Perrin

Spokane Valley