The top-ranking US military officer has raised the possibility Sgt Bowe Bergdahl could be prosecuted if he abandoned his post before his capture.
Gen Martin Dempsey wrote Sgt Bergdahl, 28, "is innocent until proven guilty".
But he said the Army would not dismiss "misconduct if it occurred".
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama defended his decision to free five senior Taliban leaders to secure Sgt Bergdahl's release on Saturday after five years in Taliban captivity.
'No conditions'In Warsaw, Mr Obama said the US had a "pretty sacred rule" not to leave soldiers behind, arguing that the most important consideration was to bring home a young American held captive for five years.
"We don't leave our men or women in uniform behind and that dates back to the earliest days," Mr Obama said at a news conference. "Regardless of the circumstances, whatever those circumstances may turn out to be, we still get an American soldier back if he's held in captivity. Period. Full stop. We don't condition that."
Videos released periodically by Bergdahl's Taliban captors appeared to show him in diminishing health Since Sgt Bergdahl's release on Saturday, a growing chorus of opposition Republicans have criticised the president's decision to order the prisoner swap.
They have attacked the president for undertaking what they describe as negotiations with terrorists, and say the transfer of five Taliban senior prisoners from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Qatar, puts Americans at risk.
And some have accused the president of contravening a law requiring the White House to notify Congress 30 days in advance of any transfers of prisoners from Guantanamo.
In Poland, Mr Obama said his administration had consulted Congress "for some time" about the possibility of a prisoner exchange, though he acknowledged Congress was not briefed ahead of time on the operation.
"We saw an opportunity, we were concerned about Sgt Bergdahl's health... and we seized that opportunity," he said.
On his Facebook page, Gen Dempsey, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, wrote the operation was "likely the last, best opportunity to free him".
"As for the circumstances of his capture, when he is able to provide them, we'll learn the facts," he wrote. "Like any American, he is innocent until proven guilty. Our Army's leaders will not look away from misconduct if it occurred. In the meantime, we will continue to care for him and his family."
'Anti-American'Sgt Bergdahl of Idaho is in stable condition in a military hospital in Germany.
He went missing from a remote base in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, in June 2009. After mounting an intensive effort to locate and rescue him, the Pentagon concluded he had intentionally abandoned his post before his capture, US media have reported. Efforts to win his release moved from the field to the negotiating table.
Since Sgt Bergdahl's rescue, the reaction from Republicans has grown increasingly hostile.
"There has to be a congressional investigation of the release of the five terrorist commanders. This policy is crazy and must be stopped," former House Speaker and presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich wrote on Twitter. "Do not be surprised if thousands of people die as a result of Obama Administration release of terrorist commanders."
Sarah Palin, the party's 2008 vice-presidential candidate and an influential figure among the party's populist right wing, attacked Sgt Bergdahl personally, questioning his honour and referring to his "anti-American" actions and beliefs.
• Mohammad Fazl served as the Taliban's deputy defence minister during America's military campaign in 2001. Accused of possible war crimes, including the murder of thousands of Shia Muslims and others including Pashtuns and Tajiks.
• Khairullah Khairkhwa was a senior Taliban official serving as interior minister and governor of Herat, Afghanistan's third largest city.
• Abdul Haq Wasiq was the Taliban's deputy minister of intelligence. Said to have been central in forming alliances with other Islamist groups.
• Mullah Norullah Noori was a senior Taliban military commander and a governor. Also accused of being involved in the mass killings of Shia Muslims and others.
• Mohammad Nabi Omari is alleged to have been involved in attacks against US and coalition forces, with close links to the Haqqani network.
Bowe Bergdahl 'could be prosecuted'
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