"What justification can there be to excuse Desertion in a combat zone?"
None that I accept. So, let's take the offense seriously, get the facts out properly and apply justice fairly according to the UCMJ. The "facts" reported in the media and by the multitude of pundits don't meet the standard.
I'm not offering any new ideas, and have no agenda regarding the guilt or innocence of the accused. I just want to support the diligent use of due process, minus politics and public opinion, for a situation that occurred in a very difficult place and time in this man's life.