North, Retiring on May 1, Leaves Marines

Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, the fired national security aide who faces criminal charges from the Iran-Contra affair, went on leave Monday in preparation for his retirement from the Marine Corps, which is effective May 1.

“Lt. Col. North began his terminal leave today,” Lt. Col. John Shotwell, a Marine Corps spokesman, said. “He had sufficient leave on the books to cover the period from now until his retirement on May 1.”

North had been in a staff position at Marine Corps headquarters here since President Reagan dismissed him from the White House staff in November, 1986.

North, 44, told reporters last week that he was stepping down because he would probably have to subpoena “the highest-ranking officials in our government” to defend himself against the Iran-Contra charges.

On May 1, North will have completed 20 years on active duty and will be eligible for a military pension.

He earns a monthly base pay of $3,693.60. In retirement, he will be entitled to half that--or slightly more than $22,000 a year.

Meanwhile, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) suggested Monday that Reagan grant North a pardon.

“I continually ask . . . where’s the venality, where’s the corruption, where’s the criminal intent?” Hatch said on “CBS This Morning.”

The President again refused to address the issue Monday, telling reporters: “Not going to discuss that now.”