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Libyan Rebels Banish U.S. Student Who Joined Fighting for Summer Vacation

Libyan Rebels Banish U.S. Student Who Joined Fighting for Summer Vacation

“I just thought I’d come check it out.”

The usual vacation spots apparently didn't get 21-year-old UCLA student Chris Jeon's adrenaline pumping. So a few months ago he decided to hop on a flight and join the Libyan rebels in their ground campaign against Gadhafi.

Jeon was quite a sight alongside the motley crue of Libyan rebel fighters covered in kalashnikovs and bandoliers of  ammunition. The Christian Science Monitor described Jeon's battefield dress as:

"A cobalt basketball jersey emblazoned with the words “Los Angeles” and the number 44, camouflage pants, and black and white Converse sneakers. Around his neck hangs a spent ammunition casing on a string, and a black and white scarf is wrapped around his head, courtesy of the rebel fighters."

Jeon speaks no Arabic and was only able to communicate with the rebels in broken Italian. When asked about his motivations for joining the Libyan rebels, Jeon told the Christian Science Monitor:

“At spring break I told my friends a 'sick' vacation would be to come here and fight with the rebels. This is one of the few real revolutions, I just thought I’d come check it out.”

The most recent reports, though, indicate Jeon's adventure tourism has come to an end. Al Jazeera English's Evan Hill tweeted that rebels decided they had had enough of Jeon, and despite his enthusiasm for ride-along Jihad, sent him home.

Jeon should count himself lucky. A father and son from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania joined the Libyan rebels as well, and they were killed instantly when a mortar round hit their vehicle.

Last time he was seen,  Jeon was heading towards Benghazi on a pickup truck.

No word yet on whether Jeon will head to Syria next to "take in the sights."

(h/t gawker)

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