Pfc. Matthew Martinek, Staff Sgt. Kurt Curtiss, Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen,  Pfc. Morris Walker, Staff Sgt. Michael Murphrey, 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews.  These are the names of the six soldiers allegedly killed in action while searching for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.  Although many main-stream media outlets won't report their names, we need to remember them as the story of Bowe Bergdahl's capture and release unfolds.

            During conflicts, enemies exchange prisoners – a practice that dates back to the Revolutionary War.  This was an exchange of prisoners, and freeing Bergdahl from five years of captivity was the right thing to do.  Only time will reveal if the five Afghan Taliban terrorists freed in exchange will come back to haunt the United States.

            Politically, there is much ado for and against the prisoner swap.  People should be aware that one side will take advantage of it by downplaying the issue and its impact, using official "talking points," and the other side will call for investigations into the deal and whether any laws were broken or if the move has endangered other Americans.  Attention politicos: People want the truth, not grandstanding for political gain.

            The terrorists were released to a hero's welcome in Qatar, the country that agreed to keep a close eye on the radicals and impose a minimum one-year ban on travel outside of the Gulf state.  Latest reports have them living a life of luxury with their families, in extravagant abodes in wealthy Qatar and roaming freely within the country.

            During Bergdahl's captivity he was promoted from the rank of PFC to Specialist in 2010 and Sergeant in 2011.  PFC Bergdahl disappeared in June 2009 after finishing his guard shift at a combat outpost in southeastern Afghanistan's Paktika province.

            There have been many questions raised about Bergdahl's disappearance that need to be addressed when he is home and well enough to provide answers.  The memories of six soldiers and the accusations by his former platoon members all but demand an investigation into the possibility of misconduct.

            There are accusations by Bergdahl's former platoon members that Bowe, disillusioned with the United States' role in Afghanistan, deserted.  Some of Bergdahl's former comrades noted that they were ordered never to discuss Bergdahl's disappearance for fear of endangering him. Now that he's safe it is time to speak the truth. 

            According to the Associated Press, a former senior defense official, who was involved in the matter, reported that a "secret" Pentagon investigation concluded in 2010 that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl walked away from his unit, and after an initial flurry of searching the military decided not to exert extraordinary efforts to rescue him.  Instead, the U.S. government pursued negotiations to get him back.

            According to Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. Army will not ignore any misconduct by Sgt. Bergdahl, but he should be considered innocent until proven guilty.  He emphasized that the "questions about his conduct are separate from the effort to recover any U.S. service member in enemy captivity … Like any American, he is innocent until proven guilty." 

            Even under these extreme circumstances, officials must not look away from any misconduct – if it occurred.

            The American people and the families of the six soldiers killed in action want the truth.