Master Sgt. Robert Ellis and Marianna Riley discuss their book Caring for Victor: A U.S. Army Nurse and Saddam Hussein in the Emerson Library Conference Room Monday Oct. 12.
By MATT BLICKENSTAFF
To many in the world, Saddam Hussein was a monstrous man, guilty of inflicting death and devastation to enemies and innocents alike. Master Sergeant Robert Ellis had a different perspective as Hussien’s army nurse.
During the eight months Ellis was charged with caring for America’s highest valued target, he formed an unlikely bond with Iraq’s brutal dictator and found parallels between his captor’s life and his own.
Ellis and Hussein’s relationship is the subject of a new book, “Caring for Victor: A U.S. Army Nurse and Saddam Hussein.” Ellis and the book’s coauthor, Marianna Riley, spoke to a group of about 25 students in the Emerson Library Conference Room Oct. 12.
“As we explored Robert’s complex relationship with Saddam Hussein, he uncovered more than one area of commonality he shared with a man that some called the ‘Butcher of Baghdad,’” Riley said. “Robert and Saddam grew up in hostile environments; Robert in the projects of St. Louis, and Saddam in a squalid village of thieves and thugs near Tikrit. They both grew up watching their backs at all times.”
Ellis grew up in St. Louis in the infamous Pruitt-Igoe housing projects where he encountered bullies, gang violence and drugs.
Ellis grew out of these chaotic roots and joined the military as a nurse. Near the end of his career, Ellis’ unit, the 439th Military Police Battalion, was mobilized in response to detainee abuse at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison.
“Our job was to go to Iraq and ensure all detainees received humane treatment,” Ellis said. “All of them, and that included Saddam Hussein.”
The army was short on medical personnel and Ellis was brought on to treat Hussein, codenamed “Victor” by the military. The night of their first meeting, Ellis was told to act confident and avoid displays of nervousness or fear because of Hussien’s ability to catch non-verbal cues.
“When I saw Saddam for the first time we shook hands, I administered his evening medications and that was it,” Ellis said.
Twice a day, everyday, Ellis would check Hussein’s blood pressure and dole out medication. His orders were to keep him alive and healthy, so he could be interrogated and, later, face the executioner.
“I was keeping alive a monster,” Ellis wrote in his book. “A monster who was accused of killing thousands of his fellow citizens.”
As the days went by, Ellis thawed to his patient and the two gradually became friendly with one another. Hussein claimed cigars and coffee could lower his blood pressure. On occasion, Ellis would buy Cohibas and give them to his patient.
“We talked about Iraqi culture, we talked about the differences between out cultures, we talked about our families,” Ellis said. “He gave me an education on eating dates. There are dark dates and there are light dates and he said when you eat dates you must have your women near. It must be some kind of aphrodisiac. We’d talk about things that guys talk about. Fine wines and women – Saddam liked both.”
Hussein spoke broken English, but through gestures and the presence of Hussien’s Arabic-speaking FBI handler, George Piro, conversation was possible. The conversations were limited because Ellis was under strict orders not to engage in political discussions with detainees.
On one occasion, Hussein asked what time it was and Ellis gave him a watch. They were the only people in the cell at the time. A few days later, Ellis was reprimanded for the gift. It turned out the cell was bugged. Ellis was also forbidden from telling his family about his mission.
“I was dumbstruck,” said Ellis’ wife Rita. “I just knew he was in Baghdad, but I didn’t know what he was actually doing there.”
Hussein opened up to Ellis, despite the military’s limitations. He asked why America invaded his country. Ellis said it was just politics. When Hussein vented about the new interim Iraqi government, Ellis would listen. One day, Hussein asked Ellis how Iraq was faring.
“Not good,” Ellis told him. “Women were being raped, children were taken away, people were killing each other and nobody was being held accountable. There was never that kind of lawlessness when Saddam was in charge, as soon as we removed him, things changed for the worst.”
Ellis was well aware of what Hussein had done to his people, but he learned about some of the good he had done. Hussein provided free health care for his people. He was given a UNESCO award for literacy. He introduced western style banking and women had some clout in the Iraqi communities.
“He wasn’t evil 24/7,” Ellis said.
Ellis’ experience with the dictator made an impression on Riley, a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter who worked alongside Ellis on “Caring for Victor.”
“I had to grapple with some of the same things that Robert did,” said Riley. “I’ve had to try to internalize the fact that good and evil can exist inside the same person.”
Ellis left Baghdad, retired and was back in St. Louis when he heard about Hussein’s execution.
“It was just a revenge killing,” Ellis said. “I was a little sad and a little disappointed, but I wasn’t surprised. I knew that was going to happen from the day I was told he couldn’t die in U.S. custody.”
