"By rules, regs and decency, we do not shoot wounded enemy combatants. Period.
If this young Marine did so, he was in violation of those rules and regs.... and a sense of decency. In addition, by doing so, he gives equality to those who would say it's alright to shoot wounded Americans."
Wrong. In fact, I cannot begin to comprehend just how wrong you are. The FACT is that those rules are subject to certain conditions. Once certain conditions are satisfied, then it does indeed become illegal.
The other argument is of percieved threat. see my earlier posts.
"Trying to now invent some story that he was a suicide bomber is foolish. No one would believe it. Heck, you don't believe it, do you? There are times when you don't leave a combat-capable wounded enemy combatant behind you. By all accounts, this was not one of them."
Correct, speculation is foolish. But again, if the soldier felt threatened, (only he can make that determination), then UCMJ cannot touch him as he is without fault. The only thing that would have hurt him is if he shot the corpse repeatedly.
"There will be an Art 31 Investigation, and we will see where it goes.
We do not need any false jingoism about him being hung out to dry. He apparently screwed up. He got caught."
Actually, what we do not need, is more speculation and judgments against him. If he FELT threatened, then he "got caught" getting a clean kill.
Bottom line.
*before you flame me or call me a troll, or dismiss me as a newbie-- think carefully, I am Very familiar with this situation, as it happened to me in 2002.
Try the decaf.
"I am very familiar with this situation, as it happened to me in 2002."
Welcome to FR and thank you so much for your service! I loved the pictures on your page.