"Didn't the original source say that the poor kid had been shoot in the face by an insurgent and then returned to duty?"
Yes, earlier in the day. Plus a Marine from his unit was killed a few days before when a booby trapped body exploded. He had every right to shoot this slob.
The media is in complete orgy mode over this. It's the cure to the hangover they've had since November 3.
Call the Marine Corp public relations line: 703-614-2500 and show your support.