Haditha Article 32: 1st Lt. Andrew A. Grayson

Defend Our Marines ^ | June 17, 2007 | David Allender

[RedRover]

This will be the fourth Article 32 hearing into the incident at Haditha. For summaries of the previous hearings, see...

• Capt. Randy W. Stone

• Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani

• LCpl. Justin L. Sharratt

[RedRover]

[freema]

Grayson...the discharged Marine.

[RedRover]

Casas said the nomination praised the Marine for learning of two other roadside bombs in Haditha from Iraqis he questioned in the wake of the attacks. He was also cited for obtaining information that led to the capture of two men who detonated the bomb that sparked the violence.

The medal nomination also cites other instances in which Grayson obtained information that may have saved American lives over a five-month period from August to December 2005, Casas said.

Bears repeating.

[RedRover]

By the way, friends and family of Lt. Grayson are welcome here. Send me a “private reply” and I’ll give you the basics about using this site.

[freema]

Most definitely this bear repeating.

[freema]

Most definitely this bear repeating.

[freema]

Most definitely this bear repeating.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the info, Red. It will be interesting to see what plays out tomorrow morning with 1st Lt. Grayson.

If you would like to help with the civilian lawyer’s legal fees for the
Haditha Marines you can do so by going to these sites.

Defend Our Marines

Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt

SSgt. Frank Wuterich

Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani

Military Combat Defense Fund

[ticked]

Yep it does.

Prayers up for 1st Lt. Grayson.

[lilycicero]

:)

[Girlene]

1st Lt. Grayson was nominated for a Bronze Star before the investigation:

Casas said the nomination praised the Marine [Grayson] for learning of two other roadside bombs in Haditha from Iraqis he questioned in the wake of the attacks. He was also cited for obtaining information that led to the capture of two men who detonated the bomb that sparked the violence.

Wonder what happened to those 2 men who detonated the IED that day? Still in custody? Released?

1st Lt. Grayson still deserves that Bronze Star, irregardless, for saving other Marines' and Iraqis' lives that day by finding the two other IED's.

[freema]

I love your mind!

I would hope those two men gave valuable intelligence.

[freema]

s
s
s

I forgot those. I wasn’t really talking about a bear.

[Defend Our Marine]

You know Red, there is this big deal about Lt. Grayson telling Laughner to erase the pictures of the dead Iraqis.

I can imagine we can make the case that Lt. Grayson was just following a standing order that combatants are not to take pictures of fallen enemy or comrades for unofficial use. Briones, Wright and Laughner said they took pictures. Were they ordered, in an official capacity, to take said pictures. It will be interesting to find out who issued the orders to take the pictures. Who was in charge of the Haditha engagement scene after the IED and SAF attack. I can only put 2nd Lt Kallop on the scene that day.
Were any of these pictures taken under “lawful orders?” If not, then they are irrelevant. Actally they were illegal.
Darryl

[jazusamo]

Good points all, Darryl. I’ve had those same thoughts and though it’s possible, I find it iffy that three of them were ordered to take photos.

[4woodenboats]

Looks like the AP is getting mileage out of it's new prosecutor provided sound bite: "A squad of enlisted Marines executed the civilians after a bomb struck their truck convoy in 2005

[lilycicero]

I wasn’t really talking about a bear.

Whew, I thought you knew a talking, repeating bear.

[RedRover]

This just in from the Associated Press...

...the lawyer for an officer charged in the case said an Article 32 hearing scheduled for his client would move forward despite an administrative error by the Marine Corps.

First Lt. Andrew Grayson is now due in court July 23, attorney Joseph Casas said. On Wednesday, Casas told The Associated Press his client might not be eligible for prosecution because he had been discharged. The Marine Corps said it issued the discharge papers in error.

[lilycicero]

Even though I am sorry that any of the Marines have to go through this, IMO it is probably better for Lt Grayson to go forward so his name is cleared by the same system that has put a mark on it.
I noticed the big delay...once again.