US soldier refuses to serve in 'illegal Iraq war'

He served in Afghanistan, Germany, Japan, and the Philippines and was due to be deployed next month in Iraq.

On Thursday, he refused to go, saying he considers Iraq an illegal war.

"I stand before you today with the strength and clarity and resolve to declare to the military, my government and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq," Chiroux said in the sun-filled rotunda of a congressional building in Washington.

Testimony before Congress by Iraq veterans who have turned against the war indicates they don't believe the U.S. effort in Iraq is succeeding.