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Marine Commandant 'Gravely Concerned' Over Alleged Misconduct in Iraq
American Forces Press Service ^ | Gerry Gilmore

Posted on 06/07/2006 6:02:23 PM PDT by SandRat

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2006 – The Marine Corps will get to the bottom of allegations that some of its members wrongly killed a number of civilians during two separate operations in Iraq, the organization's commandant told reporters here today.

Click photo for screen-resolution image

Gen. Michael Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, said during a Pentagon press briefing June 7 that three Marine officers, a battalion commander and two company commanders, have been relieved of duty while investigations continue on two incidents of Marines' alleged misconduct in Iraq. Photo by Helene C. Stikkel  

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

At a Pentagon news briefing, Gen. Michael W. Hagee said he couldn't comment on specifics regarding ongoing investigations centering on events surrounding alleged Marine misconduct that took place at Haditha, Iraq, on Nov. 19, 2005, and other alleged misconduct that took place April 26 this year in Hamdaniya, Iraq.

News reports have said at least 15 civilians were killed during the alleged incident at Haditha, while one Iraqi was allegedly killed in Hamdaniya.

"As commandant, I am gravely concerned about the serious allegations concerning actions of some Marines at Haditha and Hamdaniya," Hagee told reporters. "I can assure you that the Marine Corps takes them seriously."

The Marine Corps is committed to fully support the investigations of both incidents, the general said. "We want to ensure the investigations are complete with respect to what actually happened on the ground and actions taken or not taken by the chain of command," Hagee said.

Hagee recently returned to Washington after visiting with Marines and soldiers serving in Iraq.

"I can tell you that their morale is really quite high. The operational tempo is also high. They are very proud in what they're doing. They know they're well-equipped, they know they are well-trained, and they know that they are making a difference," the general said.

Hagee said he couldn't discuss specifics of the investigations until they're complete. However, he confirmed that three Marine officers, a battalion commander and two company commanders, have been relieved of duty.

"We intend to keep you informed to the fullest possible extent possible without interfering with the legal process," Hagee told reporters.

Marines are trained to perform their duties to the highest professional and ethical standards, Hagee said, noting that thousands of Marines have performed superbly on the dangerous, complex and stressful battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, if any Marines are found to have broken the law and their services' ethos, then they will be held accountable, Hagee said, regardless of rank or position.

"While I am concerned about the current allegations, I am confident that the American people recognize that Marines are men and women of the highest caliber," Hagee said. During more than 230 years of Marine Corps' history, its members have "acquitted themselves with honor, dedication and dignity in some of the most difficult and dangerous environments imaginable," Hagee said.

"We don't intend to change," he said.

Biography:

Gen. Michael Hagee, USMC


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: allegedmisconduct; commandant; concerned; gravely; haditha; iraq; marine; over
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VIDEO
1 posted on 06/07/2006 6:02:29 PM PDT by SandRat
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To: SandRat

I was listening to Michael Savage's show tonight and one of the fathers of one of the Marines called in. There have been no charges filed against these Marines and yet they're in solitary and put in shackles when they go anywhere. They're in cells with a tiny slit and they can't even see anything but sage brush. The POS terrorists aren't treated this poorly. Tomorrow I'm calling the White House, Rumsfeld's office, Department of Defense, Camp Pendleton, my Congressman's office. I would call my Senators, but they're Liberal POS and it would be wasted calls. Our soldiers need to know that the American people support them and won't stand for this outrage. The slimes in Iraq won't let them even dig up the bodies to prove anything. I'm livid!! I'm asking all the Marine Freepers out there to call their Representatives, Senators, White House, and anywhere else they can think of. BTW, the Marine whose father called in said that his son was on his third tour in Iraq.


2 posted on 06/07/2006 6:13:42 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: ExTexasRedhead

It looks like they're trying to frame a bunch of innocent heroes.


3 posted on 06/07/2006 6:25:38 PM PDT by libstripper
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To: SandRat
Gen Hagee is a olitico, as far as I'm concerned.

His bio is suspect.

General Hagee's staff assignments include: Communications-Electronics Officer, 1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron (1971); Assistant Director, Telecommunications School (1972-1974); Training Officer, 3d Marine Division (1977-1978); Electrical Engineering Instructor, U.S. Naval Academy (1978-1981); Head, Officer Plans Section, Headquarters Marine Corps (1982-1986); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 2d Marine Division (1987-1988); Executive Officer, 8th Marines (1988); Director Humanities and Social Science Division/Marine Corps Representative, U.S. Naval Academy (1990-1992); Liaison Officer to the U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia (1992-1993); Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (1993-1994); Director, Character Development Division, United States Naval Academy (1994-1995); Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.; Executive Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence (1995-1996); Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters, U.S. European Command (1996-1998); and Director Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command (1999-2000).

There has never been a 1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron (1971)according to the USMC Historical division, and he hasn't changed his bio since I informed his command before he became Commandant.

I don't know if his people are afraid of correcting him, or if he is intentionally falsifying.
4 posted on 06/07/2006 6:31:05 PM PDT by opbuzz (Right way, wrong way, Marine way)
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To: SandRat
Gen Hagee is a politico, as far as I'm concerned.

His bio is suspect.

General Hagee's staff assignments include: Communications-Electronics Officer, 1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron (1971); Assistant Director, Telecommunications School (1972-1974); Training Officer, 3d Marine Division (1977-1978); Electrical Engineering Instructor, U.S. Naval Academy (1978-1981); Head, Officer Plans Section, Headquarters Marine Corps (1982-1986); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 2d Marine Division (1987-1988); Executive Officer, 8th Marines (1988); Director Humanities and Social Science Division/Marine Corps Representative, U.S. Naval Academy (1990-1992); Liaison Officer to the U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia (1992-1993); Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (1993-1994); Director, Character Development Division, United States Naval Academy (1994-1995); Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.; Executive Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence (1995-1996); Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters, U.S. European Command (1996-1998); and Director Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command (1999-2000).

There has never been a 1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron (1971)according to the USMC Historical division, and he hasn't changed his bio since I informed his command before he became Commandant.

I don't know if his people are afraid of correcting him, or if he is intentionally falsifying.
5 posted on 06/07/2006 6:31:27 PM PDT by opbuzz (Right way, wrong way, Marine way)
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To: libstripper

I urge you and others to contact the powers that be about this outrage. If any of the Freepers out there have contact info, please post it, e.g., Dept of Defense, Marine Corp Commandant, Camp Pendleton Pubic Affairs Office, Rumsfeld's office, etc.


6 posted on 06/07/2006 6:33:42 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: ExTexasRedhead

I emailed the Whitehouse re: borders, amnesty, immigration laws, our imprisoned and shackled Marines and Naval Medic and their immediate release pending trial of their peers. I also have a check ready to mail to their defense fund.

The fund can receive your checks at: Patriot Defense Fund, P.O. Box 80862, San Diego, CA. 92128-0862.

If everyone would email the President at president@whitehouse.gov, maybe they would hear us, at last!


7 posted on 06/07/2006 6:35:51 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( on the cutting edge.)
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To: SandRat

"While I am concerned about the current allegations, I am confident that the American people recognize that Marines are men and women of the highest caliber," Hagee said. During more than 230 years of Marine Corps' history, its members have "acquitted themselves with honor, dedication and dignity in some of the most difficult and dangerous environments imaginable," Hagee said.

"We don't intend to change," he said.


8 posted on 06/07/2006 6:36:09 PM PDT by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
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To: Paperdoll

Comment Line for the White House is 202-456-1111. God willing, we fill their recording tape up! BTW, Savage asked the Marine's Dad to call in with their attorney and MS will ask his listeners to all contribute to their defense fund. The absolute "in your face" attitude in DC by one and all is beyond belief. We owe it to our troops to support them as they put their lives on the line for us.


9 posted on 06/07/2006 6:41:28 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: SandRat

Given that these boys are so young and having children their age, my heart goes out to the parents of the boys in shackles. I find it unbelieveable that this would happen in my country during my lifetime. Notwithstanding the traitor Murtha and the leftist socialist revolutionary main stream media's constant drum beat that these fine young men are guilty of atrocities, I DO NOT believe it. There is something dreadfully wrong with this picture! Our soldiers are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law (or uniform code of justice). Our soldiers should be supported by our President and Secretary of Defense until such time that otherwise would be the case.


10 posted on 06/07/2006 6:42:10 PM PDT by olezip
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To: bnelson44

How about being "gravely concerned" over the lies and truth stretching the media has spewed out?


11 posted on 06/07/2006 6:42:47 PM PDT by abercrombie_guy_38
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To: bnelson44

Meanwhile, these Marines have had no charges filed against them and they're in solitary and shackled! Give me a break. The POS terrorists in custody have prayer rugs, racket ball, and made nice to. Put Hagee and Rumsfeld in solitary and in shackles and see how they like it.


12 posted on 06/07/2006 6:44:17 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: SandRat

Gen. Michael Hagee: Stick up for your Marines or get the hell out!


13 posted on 06/07/2006 6:45:33 PM PDT by Minutemen ("It's a Religion of Peace")
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To: opbuzz
1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron

I think it refers to MACS-1. http://www.3maw.usmc.mil/macg38/macs1/default.asp
14 posted on 06/07/2006 7:07:05 PM PDT by SICSEMPERTYRANNUS
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To: SandRat

"Gravely Concerned" sounds like the military equivalent of Lib-speak. Did a search using the phrase "deeply concerned" but not on the current subject.

Kennedy-"troubles me deeply" (this one was funny)
Hillary-"deeply disturbed"
Arabs-"acutely suspicious"
Congress regarding Bowl Championship Series-"deeply flawed"
Wilson, CBS News, Tim Treadwell, MSM-"deeply saddened"
Schatten-"deeply implicated"
Marine Commandant-"gravely concerned"




15 posted on 06/07/2006 7:51:26 PM PDT by madison10
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To: SandRat

How dare anyone degrade these fine young men and women in our military! I am so darn sick of this I could just scream! What the heck is wrong with country????


16 posted on 06/07/2006 7:54:25 PM PDT by ladyinred
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To: Paperdoll

I emailed the President and plan to call tomorrow. If anyone has contact email addresses or numbers for Rumsfeld, Dept of Defense, Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office, etc., please post them.


17 posted on 06/07/2006 7:58:48 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: Paperdoll

I used the link and expressed my outrage that the left is trashing our military daily and asked him and his administration to stand up and defend them! I did not go into immigration laws, etc. as I feel that the WOT is the most important issue of our lives. Thanks for the link!


18 posted on 06/07/2006 8:01:21 PM PDT by ladyinred
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To: ExTexasRedhead
You know, I've been thinking about this and I believe that if I was a Marine I would be ok with having to wait. I am sure it is agonizing for the family.

It is painful in the process, but in the end it might just help preserve the integrity of the organization. Remember, they are ALL Marines, even the ones who are relieving these men of their duties. They ALL have a stake in finding the truth.

Hold tight. In the end, the truth and justice will be served, and the Marines will not be damaged.
19 posted on 06/07/2006 8:06:57 PM PDT by pollyannaish
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To: Paperdoll

Message sent to the White House. They will have to be buried under similar emails and letters to get their attention. This President allows such things to happen while he get's his marching orders from Fox of Mexico.


20 posted on 06/07/2006 8:07:36 PM PDT by armydawg1 (" America must win this war..." PVT Martin Treptow, KIA, WW1)
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