That is a sad article, girl. The Co Cdr briefed his men that “the Marine Corps eats its young.” The Lt said he tried to get clarification, because of Haditha, but no one knew or would tell what the proper info was.
The Sgt was told there were bomb planting suspects. He’d seen it before and been awarded for it. He sees it again, opens fire, and then CHARGES the site with his squad. (That above all else proves he was not just shooting people for the heck of it.)
Officers show up to inspect the site and find no bomb.
But, 2 of the dead engaged in this bomb-planting like activity were SYRIANS and not Iraqis.
I’d say that the squad and Winnick had tumbled on a dry run training exercise.
Be that as it may, Sgt Winnick did not violate his orders, his ROE, or his oath.
NO WAY this young man should be in jail for 40 years.
And kudos to his Lt for refusing to give him a bad evaluation. Also, contempt for the officers who ordered the Lt to do so.
It is a sad article. From the AP article (which we can’t post), the area was known for frequent roadside bomb attacks. The truck stopped at the same spot where just days earlier two people had been seen scooping out the area. The radio communications guy, Cpl. Alexander Wazenkewitz, indicated they used force because they felt threatened. He said he didn’t want to die.....that’s why they did it.
Does it get much simpler than that? Sgt. Winnick II had previously been given a meritorious promotion for killing an insurgent planting a roadside bomb. If this one had panned out the same, he’d probably have been given another. Since it wasn’t what he thought it was, he deserves 40 years?
That is just stunning. I am still trying to sort through the implications of a company commander making that statement to men facing combat situations.
I got a phone call from an Vietnam War Marine who read that quote and is so angry he's spitting nails.