Marine Can Forego Anthrax Shots...12/22/99

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Military officials relented Tuesday and allowed a Marine to forego the rest of his anthrax vaccinations because his mother was so worried she became ill. Pfc. James M. O'Neil agreed to end his unauthorized absence from duty. O'Neil, 21, will report to Quantico, Va., after a holiday leave Jan. 3, according to a news release from the Marine Corps and O'Neil's father, whose name is also James. "At this point, I'd say yes, he's going to report," the elder O'Neil said Tuesday. O'Neil's unit commander at Quantico will decide whether to take disciplinary action against him for his unauthorized absence from duty from Dec. 7 to Dec. 21, officials said. Earlier, officials said he could face up to six months in a military prison and loss of pay.

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