Col. North Asks to Leave Corps

WASHINGTON — Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, indicted for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal, has asked permission to retire from the Marine Corps, Pentagon sources said today. North asked to take his retirement from the Marines effective May 1, when he will have the required 20 years of service, in the last day or so, the sources said.

His active duty career with the Marines has effectively ended since he has taken leave from his current job in the Marine Corps Plans Division, the sources also said. They said North has more than enough leave to cover the period between now and his May 1 retirement date.