Saddam Hussein’s Final Days:
History remembers Saddam Hussein as a ruthless dictator who never hesitated to put his opponents to death. However, in his final days before reaching the gallows, an image of Saddam emerged that was completely different from what the world saw. To the American soldiers deployed for his security, he was not a ‘psychopathic killer,’ but rather like a ‘Grandfather.’
This startling revelation was made by Will Bardenwerper, a former soldier of the US Army’s 551st Military Police Company, in his book ‘The Prisoner in His Palace: His American Guards, and What History Left Unsaid.’
The ‘Super Twelve’ and a Friendship with Saddam
The responsibility for Saddam’s security was entrusted to a special team of 12 American soldiers, known as the ‘Super Twelve.’ Bardenwerper writes that when the time came to hand Saddam over to the Iraqi authorities for execution, the eyes of these American soldiers were filled with tears.
Quoting his colleague Adam Rogerson, Bardenwerper writes, “We never saw Saddam as a psychopathic killer. He appeared to us like our grandfather.” This was despite the fact that Saddam was on trial for the murder of 148 Shiites.
Mary J. Blige Songs and ‘Cohiba’ Cigars
During his prison days, Saddam’s lifestyle was highly disciplined yet full of contradictions. He liked listening to songs by American singer ‘Mary J. Blige’ and exercised on his rickety old bike, which he affectionately called ‘Pony.’
He had a great fondness for sweets, especially muffins. Additionally, Saddam was a connoisseur of ‘Cohiba’ cigars. He often kept his cigars in a wet-wipe box and would proudly tell the guards that Fidel Castro had taught him how to smoke cigars years ago. He also had a passion for gardening and treated even the wild weeds in the prison compound like beautiful flowers.
Royally Fastidious About Food
Bardenwerper mentions in the book that Saddam was extremely sensitive about his food. He ate his breakfast in steps—first the omelet, then the muffin, and finally fresh fruit. If the omelet was accidentally broken, he would refuse to eat it.
Ordered Fire on Son Uday’s Cars
Saddam shared many stories from his past with the soldiers. One incident involved his son, Uday. Uday had opened fire at a party, killing several people. Enraged by this, Saddam ordered the burning of Uday’s luxury car collection—which included Rolls Royces, Ferraris, and Porsches. Saddam laughed as he recounted how he watched the flames rising from those cars.
Emotional Connection with American Soldiers
A strange human bond formed between Saddam and his guards.
• When a soldier received news of his brother’s death, Saddam hugged him and said, “From today, consider me your brother.”
• He told another soldier that if he were allowed to access his money, he was ready to pay for the soldier’s son’s college education.
• Once, seeing a 20-year-old soldier named Dawson in a poorly fitting suit, Saddam gifted him his own suit. Bardenwerper writes, “For days we laughed at Dawson because he walked around wearing that suit as if he were on a fashion show catwalk.”
A Store Room That Became ‘Saddam’s Court’
Saddam was kept in two locations—a basement in the International Tribunal in Baghdad and an island palace in northern Baghdad. The American soldiers tried to ensure Saddam’s dignity was not hurt. Guards like Steve Hutchinson and Chris Tasker converted a store room into an office for Saddam. A small table and chair were salvaged from a junk pile, and a small Iraqi flag was placed on it so Saddam could feel ‘at home.’
Will Bardenwerper writes, “We didn’t give Saddam anything more than what he deserved, but we never compromised his dignity.”
This story proves that even amidst war and politics, human emotions find a place in some corner, even if that place is a dictator’s prison.
Saddam Hussein’s Final Days
