Posted on 11/16/2004 7:01:14 AM PST by areafiftyone
FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. Marines rallied round a comrade under investigation for killing a wounded Iraqi during the offensive in Falluja, saying he was probably under combat stress in unpredictable, hair-trigger circumstances.
Marines interviewed on Tuesday said they didn't see the shooting as a scandal, rather the act of a comrade who faced intense pressure during the effort to quell the insurgency in the city.
"I can see why he would do it. He was probably running around being shot at for days on end in Falluja. There should be an investigation but they should look into the circumstances," said Lance Corporal Christopher Hanson.
"I would have shot the insurgent too. Two shots to the head," said Sergeant Nicholas Graham, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "You can't trust these people. He should not be investigated. He did nothing wrong."
The military command launched an investigation after video footage showed a U.S. Marine shooting a wounded and unarmed man in a mosque in the city on Saturday. The man was one of five wounded and left in the mosque after Marines fought their way through the area.
A pool report by NBC correspondent Kevin Sites said the mosque had been used by insurgents to attack U.S. forces, who stormed it, killing 10 militants and wounding the five. Sites said the wounded had been left for others to pick up.
A second group of Marines entered the mosque on Saturday after reports it had been reoccupied. Footage from the embedded television crew showed the five still in the mosque, although several appeared to be close to death, Sites said.
He said a Marine noticed one prisoner was still breathing.
A Marine can be heard saying on the pool footage provided to Reuters Television: "He's fucking faking he's dead."
"The Marine then raises his rifle and fires into the man's head," Sites said.
NBC said the Marine, who had reportedly been shot in the face himself the previous day, said immediately after the shooting: "Well, he's dead now."
THOROUGH PROBE PROMISED
The Marine commander in Falluja, Lieutenant General John Sattler, said his men followed the law of conflict and held themselves to a high standard of accountability.
"The facts of this case will be thoroughly pursued to make an informed decision and to protect the rights of all persons involved," he said.
Marines have repeatedly described the rebels they fought against in Falluja as ruthless fighters who didn't play by the rules. They say the investigation is politically motivated.
"It's all political. This Marine has been under attack for days. It has nothing to do with what he did," said Corporal Keith Hoy, 23.
Rights group Amnesty International said on Monday both sides in the Falluja fighting had broken the rules of war governing the protection of civilians and wounded combatants.
Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Garza, 30, favored an investigation but like other Marines said the Pentagon should weigh its decision carefully.
"He should have captured him. Maybe the insurgent had some valuable information. There may have been mitigating circumstances. Maybe his two buddies died in Falluja," he said.
Sites said: "I have witnessed the Marines behaving as a disciplined and professional force throughout this offensive. In this particular case, it certainly was a confusing situation to say the least."
The U.S. military has been embarrassed by scandals in Iraq, most prominently the Abu Ghraib affair in which at least eight U.S. soldiers have been tried or face courts-martial over the abuse of prisoners at the jail outside Baghdad.
There have also been several cases in which soldiers have been charged with wrongfully killing Iraqis during operations.
Is that like when Zell gets mad? Or did you mean 'dual'?
At least I'm not a DU troll with two FR logins
The press still dosen't WANT to protray this as a "WAR"..
THEY want it to always be a " Conflict "--
that's how it will wriiten in the history books by the libbies.
Hmmm, I'm not a DU troll with 2 logins either. But thanks for sharing the love.
I wonder if anyone on FR is married? Has girlfriends or boyfriends who post? Maybe someone's at work and someone at home?
I think I'd like an apology for being called a troll, thank you.
That's why we can't let them write the books this time!
Why did you post a picture of two black people hung from a bridge?
If you can explain what this reporter did wrong, then why don't you do that instead of making accusations against people who agree with you? I asked a legitimate question that I wanted a legitimate answer to.
"A second group of Marines entered the mosque on Saturday after reports it had been reoccupied. Footage from the embedded television crew showed the five still in the mosque, although several appeared to be close to death, Sites said."
Is Sites with both groups of Marines???
If so, why didn't Sites inform the second Marines about the wounded insurgents BEFORE they went into the mosque????
Why does Sites let the second group of Marines go in thinking these are new insurgents when he KNOWS that they are not?
Seems like criminal negligence on the part of Sites to know there were wounded in the mosque without telling the Marines.
If they punish this young marine there will be hell to pay for the embedded reporters.
DONE.
FWIW, I agree that the reporter did nothing wrong with the possible exception of not turning the tape over to military authorities.
I posted on another thread last night that I couldn't understand what the soldier was thinking. In retrospect, it was an ill-considered comment; I completely understand what must have been going through his head.
What I've come to realize is that allowing running cameras on the front lines is a mistake. Will soldiers now hesitate because they're afraid of how an act will play out on TV, where it's most assuredly seen out of context?
I think it's most likely that both the marine and reporter did their jobs well in this instance. It's the system that put them together in that room that's broken down, and likely will again.
Look, without going into great detail about this whole matter, I feel confident that there was communication between the Marines and believe me if I were in the Mosque and one of these clowns made a false move, he would be history. PERIOD!
I didn't survive Viet Nam by being "politically correct!"
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Lol...back when the media knew which country was providing them with freedom of the press.
Please call public relations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, in DC. 703 614 2500 and let them know we stand behind them and this young Marine.
I know what you mean. Sometimes my daughter uses my 'puter. I always tell her, keep my machine clean. I used to use hers before I got mine. I used it for months. Family members do use each others computers.
Yes! LOL! As a Southerner there's no love lost for Sherman in my house, but I like this particular sentiment of his. Thanks.
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