Iraqi sniper who killed two Marines released as families mark fifth anniversary of deaths http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2011/08/21/2011-08-21_their_killer_walks.html?r=news
I picked up on this article from the Pentagon’s Defense News “Early Bird” the other day. The article caught my attention because it represents a disturbing political trend that our general officer’s seem to be endorsing.
The Early Bird has been around for many years. Basically, it is a daily compilation of news articles from all over the country that may concern the Pentagon generals. The articles used to be “Xeroxed” and delivered to Pentagon general officers and staffers each morning. They now have an email system that I signed up for and consequently regularly receive the Early Bird. This daily news article compilation is used primarily has a public relations gauge to see what is concerning the American public about the US Military.
The above New York Daily News article tells a remarkable story about an extraordinary hero, Capt John McKenna. On August 16, 2006, while patrolling in Fullujah, the Capt’s point man, LCpl Michael Glover, is shot by an enemy sniper. Capt McKenna heroically moves to LCpl Glover’s aid after ordering his other Marines to maintain their position and deploy smoke. As the Capt is pulling the wounded Marine to cover and safety, he becomes the sniper’s next victim and pays the ultimate price.
Enemy snipers, when dealing with our US Marines and Soldiers, know that when they shoot their first victim in the open, another Marine, Sailor or Soldier will come to their assistance, no matter what the risk. The bad guys know this because it is a unique trait of our military personnel. US military small units; a squad, a platoon or a company, are truly a “Band of Brothers”. Our training forges that relationship and bond between each individual to enhance cohesion and provide the small unit combat power that cannot be matched by our enemies. We are taught to never leave any of our fellow warriors on the battlefield and always aid the wounded.
One of the problems with a sniper attack is that once your fellow Marine is shot, everyone nearby instantly understands that the victim is in the sniper’s kill zone. The sniper has just confirmed that his position, sights and marksmanship are correct and he just needs to maintain his sight picture until his next victim aligns himself with the snipe’s sights.
I am sure this thought was going through Capt McKenna’s mind as he moved to the mortally wounded LCpl Glover. Yet, Capt McKenna’s follow Marine’s need proved stronger than his own need for self-preservation. Capt McKenna is truly a hero. The next time I toast our fallen heroes, Capt John McKenna will be remembered.
Not to bring any discredit to Capt McKenna or LCpl Glover, I have to point out that there is shame associated with their story. The shame is not theirs but belongs to our own senior military leadership. The above article brings attention to the Iraqi sniper, subsequently caught by Capt McKenna’s Marines and charged with the murders of both Capt McKennna and LCpl Glover. Muhammad Awwad Ahmad, aka “Big Ears”, was released from Iraqi custody October 25, 2010 a free man. This is yet another example of our general’s flawed Iraq and Afghanistan War “catch and release” program. Remarkably, it is not the first time this sort of injustice has occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan. On January 20, 2007, a group of heavily armed Iraqi males conducted what has now called the “Karbala Raid”. Posing as an American security team, dressed in US Army fatigues, carrying American weapons and speaking English, this group passed through Iraqi security and made straight for the American compound. They immediately killed one American, wounded three and took four prisoners. All four captured Americans were found a short time later; “three of the soldiers were dead and one was dying when they were found 25 miles away from the compound”. Two of the four were still handcuffed. On March 22, 2007, the US Military announced the capture of Qais Khazali, a Madhi Army leader, who is believed to be involved in the planning and execution of the Karbala Raid. In August 2009, General Ray Odierno releases Qais Khazali to the Iraqi government. On January 3, 2010, Qais Khazali was released by the Iraqi government without trial giving him freedom and in effect an unofficial pardon. The five soldiers murdered by Qais Khazali are: Capt. Brian S. Freeman, 31, of Temecula, Calif 1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Neb. Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La. Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y. Pvt. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Ala.
In October 2008, Ibrahim al-Qaraghuli, a 29-year-old farmer, was convicted and sentenced to death in the 2006 deaths of Pfc David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass.; Pfc Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston; and Pfc Thomas Tucker, 25, of Madras, Oregon. Walid al-Kartani and Kazim al-Zubaie also changed with the same murders were acquitted for lack of evidence. ” The soldiers were ambushed June 16, 2006, while at an isolated checkpoint near the Euphrates River, at a time of particularly intense fighting in predominantly Sunni areas just south of Baghdad. At the time, the area was known as the Triangle of Death. One soldier was found dead at the site of the checkpoint. The two other 101st soldiers were kidnapped, sparking a massive search effort by the military. Their mutilated bodies were found three days later at a nearby power station, tied together and booby-trapped with roadside bombs. An al-Qaida linked group later posted a Web video showing the bodies of the two soldiers being dragged behind a truck, then set on fire.” I can find no public record that this murder’s sentence, Ibrahim al-Qaraghuli, was carried out. In addition, after submitting a Freedom of Information Act Request to US Central Command asking if Ibrahim al-Qaraghuli execution was carried out, the reply basically stated that this information was not tracked and recommended that I try the US DOS (Department of State). My fear is that Ibrahim al-Qaraghuli is also a free man. Now, as you digest the information about these released Iraqi murders, also consider the Leavenworth 10. These Soldiers and Marines have been convicted of crimes committed in the Iraq War. Lt Michael Behenna USA, 1stSgt John Hatley USA, Sgt. Michael Leahy Jr. USA, Sgt. Joseph Mayo USA, Spc William B. Hunsaker USA, Pfc Corey R. Clagell USA, Sgt. Michael P. Williams USA and Sgt Lawrence Hutchins USMC, all have been convicted and are serving lengthy prison sentences in cases involving the deaths of known Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaida terrorist. The unfairness of releasing Iraqi war criminals for political purposes while our own servicemen remain in prison is striking, especially knowing that a US military general officer can commute the sentence or provide clemency for any of our Leavenworth 10. For our own general officers not to take action on these Soldiers and Marines smacks of political cowardliness.
In addition to the Leavenworth10, we have the SSgt Frank Wuterich Haditha case. This case has been going on for almost six years and it has yet to get to court martial. The US Marine Corps senior leadership is attempting to demonstrate that they are commitment to SSgt Wuterich’s court-martial to silence those political critics who claim the Marine Corps is unresponsive to perceived criminal acts no matter how closely SSgt Wuterich and his Marine rifle squad followed their combat ROE. Of course, this political commitment is made at SSgt Wuterich’s expense. This also means that we are not only committed to keeping our servicemen behind bars but also we are activity trying to add to the Leavenworth prison population while they continue to release Iraqi war crime murders.
Amazingly, SSgt Wuterich’s case also recently received US DOS attention. It seems that the US DOS is seeking assistance exploring the Defend Our Marines (www.defendourmarines.com) archives for information concerning the number of Marines and Soldiers accused, tried and convicted of crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. These questions are apparently being raised at the US State Department and Iraqi Government SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) negotiations. The DOS concern seems to be that SSgt “Wuterich is an embarrassment to the U.S. negotiators. They really can’t use his prosecution as a shining example of American military jurisprudence despite the fact the so-called “Haditha Massacre” indictments were arguably the most publicized criminal cases to come out of the Iraqi War.”
Of course, asking politicians to stand up for US servicemen is a far cry from the political correct answer the DOS wants to provide. The real answer to the Iraqi government questions concerning the SSgt Wuterich case is that Haditha is not a murder or a war crime committed by US Marines. A war crime, however, was committed by insurgents who used Iraqi civilians as shields. The true Haditha answer is: US Congressman, John Murtha, attempted to secure enough political favor with his own party in a bid to be appointed as the House of Representatives Majority Leader by throwing SSgt Wuterich and the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines combat actions in Haditha under the bus with false charges of “cold blooded murder”. The US DOS, in their SOFA negotiations, is allowing the Iraqi government to ask the wrong questions. They are asking the wrong questions because our general officers are not insisting that their own Soldiers and Marines be treated fairly. They should be insisting that the question is; of the 4474 US military Iraq War combat deaths, how many Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaida terrorists have been arrested, tried and convicted of murder in Iraqi courts for those thousands of killed US Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen? And of those very few convicted, how many have been released? Why was Qais Khazali and Capt McKenna’s killer, Muhammad “Big Ears” Awwad Ahmad, released as free men? These questions should be screaming not only at us but also at our own general officers. Because they are not asking these questions, our general officers, associated with any of the above named US servicemen legal proceedings, are tarnished with shame. Those generals wear “tarnished brass”. Capt John McKenna is a hero who paid the ultimate price by going after a wounded Marine lying in an enemy kill zone. Capt McKenna’s dedication to one of his wounded Marines sets an exceptional standard in both physical and moral courage. His demonstration of courage is a leadership example that is not being followed by US general officers associated with the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Instead of demonstrating courage, our general officers are cowering behind political dogma and marching down the halls of congress with “tarnished brass” and that tarnish is a sad and shameful state of affairs. Drop the charges against SSgt Frank Wuterich and free the Leavenworth 10 now. Semper Fi,
Bob Weimann LtCol, USMC Retired Former Commanding Officer, Kilo Company 3/1
Ping!
bump
Col thanks for your service and thanks for the post.
The only way this will get better is when we start making the generals and admirals walk point. When their lives are in danger, they’ll start doing the right thing.
"No man left behind" isn't a term these pencil, paper pushing and promotion seeking sellouts would understand. They are treating and using the warriors named above as collateral damage as they whore themselves in negotiating with and placating the enemy without and within. They are a disgrace to themselves and the uniforms they wear.
The problem we are seeing, again, is the REMFs, Perfumed Princes, Politicians, and NGOs without risking their personal skin are making rules for others.
To ask a practical question - Who is more successful, Hollywood aside, a professional football coach who has played in the NFL or one who hasn't?
If that level of personal experience is so important for such an unimportant event as Pro Football (how many NFL players have been KIA/WIA in the last decade?) why shouldn't the same criteria be applied to combat operations?
One final observation. In every conflict I have been in, or read about, snipers when captured don't normally survive their capture. That's been the general trend for centuries. Why is it different today?
9/9/09
“Obama’s Rules Of Engagement In Afghanistan Costing Our Troops Lives”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335891/posts
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9/8/09
“’We’re pinned down:’ 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush”
“GANJGAL, Afghanistan — We walked into a trap, a killing zone of relentless gunfire and rocket barrages from Afghan insurgents hidden in the mountainsides and in a fortress-like village where women and children were replenishing their ammunition.
“We will do to you what we did to the Russians,” the insurgent’s leader boasted over the radio, referring to the failure of Soviet troops to capture Ganjgal during the 1979-89 Soviet occupation.
Dashing from boulder to boulder, diving into trenches and ducking behind stone walls as the insurgents maneuvered to outflank us, we waited more than an hour for U.S. helicopters to arrive, despite earlier assurances that air cover would be five minutes away.
U.S. commanders, citing new rules to avoid civilian casualties, rejected repeated calls to unleash artillery rounds at attackers dug into the slopes and tree lines — despite being told repeatedly that they weren’t near the village...”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335336/posts
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9/10/09
“Ambushed Marines’ Aid Call ‘Rejected’”
“NATO-led forces are investigating the death of four Marines in eastern Afghanistan after their commanders reportedly rejected requests for artillery fire in a battle with insurgents, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. Tuesday’s incident was “under investigation” and details remained unclear, press secretary Geoff Morrell told a news conference. A McClatchy newspapers’ journalist who witnessed the battle reported that a team of Marine trainers made repeated appeals for air and artillery support after being pinned down by insurgents in the village of Ganjgal in eastern Kunar province. The U.S. troops had to wait more than an hour for attack helicopters to come to their aid and their appeal for artillery fire was rejected, with commanders citing new rules designed to avoid civilian casualties, the report said....”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2340992/posts
8/21/11
“Iraqi sniper who killed two Marines released as families mark fifth anniversary of deaths”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2766916/posts
defendourmaries.com ? Defend Our Maries? Come on Bear, you’re pulling my leg! :)
Amen to that. Very well said, Bear!!