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Lynndie England joined the unit at age 17, having insisted to her parents that she finance her own college education. Independent and tomboyish, England had enough of a wild streak to enjoy standing outside during thunderstorms and even a twister. She dreamed of becoming a storm-chasing meteorologist, says her family. At 19, she surprised many by impulsively marrying a friend. Says Shoemaker-Davis: "When she was was on leave from Bosnia, she ran up to me laughing in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven and said, 'Look what I did!' and showed me her ring." The marriage was brief and the divorce amicable.
Shoemaker-Davis, who counts England as a good friend, says the "tiny" private was well liked in the company and often volunteered for tasks outside her official job as an office clerk. "Even though she was in administration, when platoons went out, if we needed another person, we would have to fight over her. She was awesome. A quick study, very sharp." Shoemaker-Davis describes England's formula for proving herself to the men as Be strong, train hard, don't be afraid to break a nail or get as dirty and stinky as the guys.
The most senior member of the 372nd facing charges in the Abu Ghraib abuses is Frederick, 37, who has served with the company for 20 years. Frederick was just short of qualifying for a full pension when he was mobilized last year. Married, with two stepdaughters, ages 14 and 18, Frederick has a civilian job as a guard at a medium-security Virginia prison, where his wife Martha also works. His uncle William Lawson describes him as "very laid back" and "a practical joker." Shoemaker-Davis sees him as a "tough guy," used to being in charge: "He has a very strong personality. He's a prankster and likes to do your typical rude guy things. He's quite the belcher."
Specialist Charles Graner, 35, a former Marine, is also a prison guard, having worked since 1996 at a maximum-security prison in southwestern Pennsylvania. Those who subscribe to the bad-apple theory of what went wrong can find a few nasty morsels to chew on in Graner's biography. He has a history of violence against his ex-wife Staci, who has obtained at least three restraining orders against him since they separated in 1997. According to the New York Times, Staci charged in a 1998 court document that "Charles picked me up and threw me against the wall" and also sneaked into her home at night. "I just don't think this is normal behavior." Prisoner abuse was a problem at the penitentiary where Graner worked, but he was not implicated in a 1998 scandal that led to the firing or transfer of 24 guards. The divorced Graner became romantically involved with England while serving in Iraq, and England's family has confirmed through its attorney that she is about five months pregnant with Graner's child.
Although most members of the group formed strong bonds, Darby and Frederick had their differences. "He and Freddie didn't get along very well," Shoemaker-Davis says, although she doubts this explains why Darby blew the whistle. "I believe that in his heart he thought he was doing the right thing."