Posted on 07/10/2007 1:52:43 PM PDT by RedRover
Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt is a Marine hero. In the horror of the bloody battles of 2nd Fallujah in 2004 and Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005 his actions were in accord with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.
By any standard, his father Darryl Sharrat is a hero too. Faced with accusations that his son is guilty of murdering innocent civilians in Haditha he has devoted almost every living moment to defending his son against what he knew to be false charges at great cost to himself and his family.
"I don't want to paint Justin in the light of being a hero," he told me, "but if you listen to the testimony of Sgt. Wolf [at his son's Article 32 hearing,] Justin pulled a [30 calibur machine gun from its mounting on his Humvee] when he saw two guys starting to assault house number 1 — they were receiving fire from it, they marked with a M203 grenade and Wolf said Justin did one of the best tactical things he could have done when he dismounted [the machine gun], and was laying down suppressing fire with this 30 calibur belt-fed machine gun.
"My thoughts are that possibly his actions may have been what broke the back of this insurgent ambush."
Darryl is not alone. John Tatum, the father of Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum, the second of three enlisted men charged in the Haditha case, and another hero, has gone to bat for his son. It has cost him dearly.
"We are hard working people, and so do not like to ask for help. The Marine Corps cannot pay for civilian lawyers, but we have taken out a second mortgage on our home and used our savings to defend our son."
As Marines are expected to make every sacrifice for the honor of the Corps and country, these fathers have given everything they have to defend the honor of their sons and they deserve every ounce of respect from their fellow Americans.
They too are heroes.
There's another Marine's father who has plunged head first into the battle to exonerate the Haditha Marines even though his son is not among the accused. His name is Don Dinsmore. His son, Capt. Jeff Dinsmore was the battalion intelligence officer of Third Battalion First Marines at the time of the Haditha incident.
Outraged by the treatment accorded the defendants, Don Dinsmore organized a motorcycle crusade and on June 23 set out from Seattle, Washington to travel 1,220 miles down to Camp Pendleton, south of Los Angeles. At Pendelton he organized a well publicized rally in support of the accused.
Said one attendee, "Once Don finished with his interviews, he made his rounds to the rest of us waiting to thank him. This man was very organized and knew exactly what he wanted to do. He had 2 foot by 3 foot foam backed posters. Each poster displayed blown up pictures [those that were taken of Kilo Company] of each Haditha Marine being tried, with their title and name. He had two posters with the words 'not guilty' on them. He had men take on each of the posters to wear around their neck and each man was now the Marine whose photo he wore."
Said Don, a Navy veteran, "As parents of Marines we need to get involved now and get training on how we can support our defenders before they get into trouble. There are definite ways to counter the accusations and charges."
The rally, however, was just the beginning. Before he was finished he would simply walk into the headquarters of Lt. James Mattis, the legendary Marine officer who will make the ultimate decision regarding the defendants, and asked to see Gen. Mattis.
"I was to leave as planned on Monday after what has become the very successful motorcycle ride from Seattle to the main gate of Camp Pendleton, completed on Thursday June 28, 2007," he told me.
"What I wanted to happen happened, and considering that it was a brainchild of just two weeks, support and awareness was raised for our Marines all over this country. But there was something unfinished, I had to see General Mattis, who has the final say, the last hope for exonerating our loved ones.
"So on Monday I rode my motorcycle through Camp Pendleton as if I owned it. I was amazed at the Marines who approached me and thanked me for the support. I had no idea that we had reached so far. One man shook my hand and said, "I know you," I said. "Yes, I'm Capt Jeff Dinsmore's dad, the Marine who has all of the information that totally exonerates the Marines." He said, "No, I don't know him, I know you rode your motorcycle from Seattle to the main gate to support the Marines."
"So I had to finish it. I parked directly in front of the building with the three stars on the flag and waltzed in. I actually expected to be waltzed out just as fast, but to my surprise the general's aide was exceedingly friendly and set an appointment for me with Gen. Mattis for the next day.
"General Mattis was exceedingly busy with a full crew of people before me. They apologized for a few minutes delay and I was taken to the coffee room for coffee that they had made fresh for me. Gen. Mattis came out of his office to greet me and fitted the full description of an officer and a gentleman. I told him that I had come to see him, because my Sgt. son had described him as a Marine's Marine, on the order of what we would think a [late General] Chesty Puller would be. My captain son, Jeff had said I would be speaking to a fair man.
"I was a councilor of people for close to 20 years — it was my profession. I watched his replies to my concerns. I followed his demeanor. I subtly tested him to see if he was really listening to me or just stroking a potential problem. I listened carefully for his political foundation, as in, is receiving his fourth star a political deterrent to doing right on the issue of these Marines. He wrote down each of my concerns and listened carefully, even as he wrote.
"I have a pet peeve of people who listen, but don't hear what you say. Believe me, he did both very well.
"I spent just under an hour with Gen. Mattis and departed at my completion. He never indicated that the meeting was over, it was my choice. When I went out he followed me with sincere concerns for my ride home, into a waiting room full of new appointments.
"I feel that what we discussed should be kept within that office if we are going to see success for our charged Marines.
"I am telling you that we have a friend in Gen. Mattis and he has the Marine corps best interest in mind. With him as the general who makes the decisions, the Marine Corps has the Marine's best interests in mind. I saw absolutely no desire for political gain on his part. I saw a Marine who knows his business and intends to do it as an honest, fair leader of Marines, and we can't ask for any better then that."
When the the defendants are finally cleared, it will be because of Don's son, Capt. Jeff Dinsmore. As the intelligence officer of the battalion he followed every second of the day's action on Nov. 19. In eight hours of grueling testimony videotaped before he left for another tour of duty in Iraq, he provided solid and irrefutable proof of the innocence of all the accused Marines.
He did so at the risk of his 20 year career in his beloved Marine Corps, standing firm in defense of the truth.
I'll let his dad tell you the story.
"My eldest son, Capt. Jeff Dinsmore called me immediately after his people were charged in December 2006. He asked Dad what he should do.
"I said, 'You know what you have got to do; you are a Marine.' But, I asked, 'Do you understand what it will cost you?'"
"He said, 'Yes, probably my career.' He then said, 'We went over there together as Marines, we watched each other's backs like Marines, we were ready to take a hit for each other, because we are Marines. If I had taken that hit for any of them it would have wrecked my career. They are innocent and I can prove it, and I'm a Marine and I will leave no man behind.'"
Three fathers and one son — four brave men who know the meaning of loyalty to family and to country.
Semper Fi
He also served as a staff aide for the House Republican Policy Committee and helped handle the Washington public relations operation for the Alaska Statehood Committee which won statehood for Alaska.
He is also a trustee of the Lincoln Heritage Institute and a member of the Association For Intelligence Officers.
_____________________________________
Related threads:
Don Dinsmore
Darryl Sharratt
John Tatum
Also see this birthday thread for Phil Brennan...
Thank you, this was so well written.
Can’t wait to see what Don has up his sleeve for Round Two.
Don wrote...
I was to leave as planned on Monday after what has become the very successful motorcycle ride from Seattle to the Main Gate of Camp Pendleton, completed on Thursday June 28th 2007. What I wanted to happen happened, and considering that it was a brainchild of just two weeks, support and awareness was raised for our Marines all over this country.
But there was something unfinished, I had to see General Mattis.
So on Monday I road my motorcycle through Camp Pendleton as if I owned it. I was amazed at the Marines who approached me and thanked me for the support. I had no idea that we had reached so far. One man shook my hand and said, "I know you," I said. "Yes I'm Capt Jeff Dinsmore's Dad, the Marine who has all of the information that totally exonerates the Marines of 3/1." He said, "No, I don't know him, I know you rode your motorcycle from Seattle to the Main Gate to support the Marines."
So I had to finish it. I parked directly in front of the building with the three stars on the flag and waltzed in. I actually expected to be waltzed out just as fast, but to my surprise the General's Aid was exceedingly friendly and set an appointment for me with General Mattis for the next day.
General Mattis was exceedingly busy with a full crew of people before me. They apologized for a few minutes delay and I was taken to the coffee room for coffee that they had fresh for me. General Mattis came out of his office to greet me and was the full description of an officer and a gentleman. I told him that I had come to see him, because my Sgt son had described him as a Marines Marine, on the order of what we would think a Chesty Puller would be. My Capt son had said I would be speaking to a fair man.
I was a councilor of people for close to 20 year, it was my profession. I watched his reply's to my concerns. I followed his demeanor. I subtly tested him to see if he was really listening to me or just stroking a potential problem. I listened carefully for his political foundation, as in, is receiving his fourth star a political deterrent to doing right on the issue of these Marines. He wrote down each of my concerns and listened carefully, even as he wrote.
I have a pet peeve of people who listen, but don't hear what you say. Believe me, he did both very well. I spent just under an hour with General Mattis and departed at my completion. He never indicated that the meeting was over, it was my choice. When I went out he followed me with sincere concerns for my ride home, into a waiting room full of new appointments.
I am telling you that General Mattis has the Marine corps best interest in mind. With him as the General who makes the decisions, the Marine Corps has the Marines' best interests in mind. I saw absolutely no desire for political gain on his part. I saw a Marine who knows his business and intends to do it as an honest, fair leader of Marines, and we can't ask for any better then that.
I am riding back to Seattle with confidence that we completed what we set out to do. All of you faithful supporters can feel proud of what you accomplished.
Now get ready for round two.
Don Dinsmore
The fact that Gen Mattis wrote down Don’s questions before he answered them says a lot about the General. It demonstrates a desire to understand what Don was asking and to respond fully to his questions. I pray that Don’s impression is correct.
I’ll bump that, hawk, and raise you one:
“I have a pet peeve of people who listen, but don’t hear what you say. Believe me, he did both very well.
This piece... makes the eyes sting.
Yep, it does.
ain’t that a beotch.
NCIS has a thick plot tonight on the tayvee....Republican Guard with a bag in the US. Hell, with a the Marines locked up, I guess we’ll be at the mercy of the f’n NCIS to save our arse.
Another great article, as usual, by Mr. Brennan.
Semper Fidelis,
fontman
Good post Rover. Thanks. Don’t let anyone forget what the JAGoffs and the ncis are doing.
No idea. But whatever it is, it’s going to be big fun.
Does that entail you on a motorcycle?
I was wondering the same thing..
This is a great post!
It’s a great post indeed. You were gone but I labled Don and Red as:
Operation Red Don.
I know you get that.
That sounds very encouraging. Thanks for sharing!
No idea, but I can’t wait!
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