OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former U.S. soldier from Oklahoma who was pardoned this week for his 2009 conviction for killing an Iraqi prisoner said Wednesday that he initially didn't answer the White House's phone call to tell him of the pardon.

Former Army 1st Lt. Michael Behenna said he was on the phone with his father, retired FBI agent Scott Behenna, when the call came about 2:30 p.m. Monday as he was driving. He didn't recognize the number and thought it might be a telemarketer, so he let it go to voicemail.

After checking his messages, he returned the call and was told President Donald Trump...