Peter Brownback

Peter Brownback

Peter E. Brownback III is a retired military officer and lawyer. He was appointed to be a Presiding Officer on the Guantanamo military commissions, by retired general John D. Altenburg.

Brownback is also a combat veteran who served two tours in Vietnam. The first as part of the 173rd Brigade and later as a member of the US Special Forces. He was the honour graduate of his special forces course that he completed in 1972. The Washington Post reported: "...that Brownback and Altenburg have known each other since 1977, that Brownback's wife worked for Altenburg, and that Altenburg hosted Brownback's retirement party in 1999."

Defense attorneys challenged the bias of five of the six presiding officers, including Brownback. Three officers were removed by Altenburg, but Brownback was allowed to remain. Brownback was the only officer appointed to the first commission who had any legal training.