An Army investigating officer called 1st Lt. Ehren Watada "sincere in his beliefs" about the war in Iraq but recommended that Watada's case move to a general court-martial.

"As an officer and leader his refusal to obey a lawful order cannot be excused and serves to embolden others to commit the same or similar misconduct," Lt. Col. Mark Keith wrote in his report, dated Tuesday, in which Keith found reasonable grounds that Watada violated Article 87 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (missing movement), Article 88 (contempt toward officials) and Article 133 (conduct unbecoming an officer).

Keith's nonbinding recommendation will be forwarded to the special court-martial convening authority, Watada's brigade commander, who will forward it to the general court-martial convening authority, the I Corps and Fort Lewis Commanding General Lt. Gen. James Dubik for final disposition.

Dubik's options include recommending no action be taken, administrative actions or uniform code of military justice proceedings to include a general court-martial.

In his report, Keith wrote that Watada's "beliefs regarding the war in Iraq do not excuse his refusal to deploy or his public statements."

Keith found reasonable grounds that Watada — a 1996 Kalani High School graduate — used "contemptuous words against the president of the United States during multiple media interviews."

"First Lt. Watada's contempt for the president serves to break down the good order and discipline of all military personnel by casting doubt regarding his integrity and leadership attributes while under the stress of combat operations."

In finding reasonable grounds that Watada committed conduct unbecoming an officer, Keith recommended that the convening authority "consider 1st Lt. Watada's convictions, age, lack of experience and the significant influence of third parties as they impact his convictions. Although he is clearly misguided regarding the legality of the war, his personal physical conduct (manner of expression, demeanor and oral communication skills) during his various public interviews has been consistent with the proper conduct of an Army officer. I find his message (contempt for civilian leadership and description of Army actions on the ground as 'wholesale slaughter') and his actions (missing movement) support a charge of conduct unbecoming an officer."

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, back in Honolulu after a 20-day trip that included stops in China and the Philippines, said yesterday that some Japanese-American veterans on the Mainland had said Watada's actions shamed them and other veterans like them.

"I don't know (all) the facts, but I'm not praising him," said Inouye, who was among the senators who voted against the Iraq war. "I'll await the outcome of the court-martial. I think it's appropriate."

Inouye, a Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team — the famed Go-for-Broke regiment — noted that he did not have to volunteer to serve in World War II. At the time, Japanese-Americans were declared "enemy aliens."

"I understand the command structure," he said. "I understand military orders. He (Watada) will have an opportunity to explain to the court."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com and William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.