General Neller is front row on the right at recent SOTU Address...I think Trump had him that close in case somebody needed their neck broken...👍
Posted on 02/11/2018 3:02:42 PM PST by MarvinStinson
Major who led unit calls for more public apology
The United States Marine Corps has finally exonerated a group of special forces Marines accused of war crimes in connection to a 2007 ambush in Afghanistan.
Major General Frederick M. Padilla, speaking on behalf of Commandant General Robert B. Neller, sent a letter to Rep. Walter Jones (R., N.C.) acknowledging that seven members of the Marine Corps' first special forces unit acted appropriately when they returned fire following a suicide bombing and ambush from enemy forces. Padilla quoted from a 2008 Marine Corps Court of Inquiry, saying the Marines "acted appropriately" and "reflected sound military judgment" in responding to the attack.
"The Marines acted in accordance with the applicable operations order, the rules of engagement, and the law of armed conflict," Padilla said in the January letter.
Rep. Jones hailed the letter as a victory for the seven Marines who stood before the Court of Inquiry, the Corps' highest administrative investigative body.
"These men have been to hell and back," he said in a statement. "They were bravely serving their country, only to have their personal and professional lives ruined by misinformation and poor timing. I very much appreciate General Neller and his staff for taking a look at this case and reiterating that these men did nothing wrong on March 4, 2007."
The military sent out a press release announcing the Marines' acquittal on the Friday before Memorial Day in 2008. Padilla's letter, according to Jones, affirmed the exoneration in a more public manner. The muted response stood in contrast to major public condemnations from top military leaders in the aftermath of the March 2007 attack. General John Nicholson, who now commands all American troops in Afghanistan, called the Marines "a stain on our honor" (he was a colonel at the time) and apologized to Afghan villagers killed in the attacks in a May 2007 press conference with reporters.
Nicholson did not respond to a request for comment about the exoneration or his past comments about the Marines.
Retired Major Fred Galvin, who led Fox Company and helped develop the training regimen for the Marines' first special operations force, wants further action taken. He said the public statements from commanders irrevocably damaged the reputations of his men. He objected to Padilla's assertion that "there is nothing to be gained by revisiting the events of March 4, 2007." Three of his Marines have suffered from PTSD and only one of the original seven remains on active duty. The high profile nature of Nicholson's comments has damaged their ability to find work despite the Court of Inquiry findings, their honorable discharges, and other commendations, including multiple Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts.
"It was very favorable for the careers for everyone who condemned us, but all of us involved in the ambush when you look at the finance and families—I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemies," Galvin said. "From an institutional perspective it may not be worth revisiting, but if you look at the men who had their lives shattered, their wives and kids gone, their profession destroyed."
Retired colonel Steve Morgan served on the Court of Inquiry that initially cleared the men of charges. He welcomed the letter from Padilla and praised Rep. Jones for his advocacy on behalf of Galvin and his men. He called the commandant's acknowledgment of their innocence "long overdue."
"I think the letter is very important, and it gets right for the Corps what the Marine Corps got wrong," Morgan told the Washington Free Beacon. " These Marines suffered a moral injury at the hands of their leaders. That needs to be addressed by the Marine Corps."
Galvin said the Marine Corps could complete the reconciliation by awarding Fox Company members the Marine Corps Raider badge in a public ceremony. Marines who join the elite unit now receive the badge after completing the training requirements that Galvin helped develop. He and his men have never received that recognition.
"If they would award that Raider insignia, that would be a sign from our service chief that these Marines have been brought back into the fold and set the record straight," Galvin said.
Jones has sponsored a resolution that would establish the Marines’ exoneration as a matter of congressional record. More than 6,700 people have signed a petition to help lobby Congress on its behalf.
bmp
It’s an utter disgrace that these Marines’ integrity and bravery were impugned for ten years. Nicholson must be a steaming turd and should not be in command of combat forces.
Semper fi.
Exactly
The military sent out a press release announcing the Marines’ acquittal on the Friday before Memorial Day in 2008.
The muted response stood in contrast to major public condemnations from top military leaders in the aftermath of the March 2007 attack.
General John Nicholson, who now commands all American troops in Afghanistan, called the Marines “a stain on our honor” (he was a colonel at the time) and apologized to Afghan villagers killed in the attacks in a May 2007 press conference with reporters.
Nicholson did not respond to a request for comment about the exoneration or his past comments about the Marines.
bmp
Because he is a piece of shit.
Thank God.
Ping.
They were exonerated ten years ago. What was this all about? I suspect Jones needs some good press since he, a Republican, voted against the tax bill. He has been siding with the Dems quite a bit.
They were probably told in 2008 that the event would not affect their careers. I wonder how that panned out besides not ever getting their Raider patch they deserve.
“Extra tough Marine” — ok
“Extra elite Marine” — ok
“Special Forces Marine” — ?????
To complete the process, everyone involved in carrying out this persecution needs to be publicly shamed with their names, addresses and phone numbers published via public service announcemeents in their hometown papers.
General Neller is front row on the right at recent SOTU Address...I think Trump had him that close in case somebody needed their neck broken...👍
Yes, General Nicholson is one of the Bush/Obama “perfumed princes” steeped in political correctness and SJW mission orthodoxy. He largely destroyed the lives of these honorable Marines but, by doing so, insured his continued promotions. A real piece of crap, IMHO.
I am experiencing a visceral reaction to this. How does this bucket of shit continue to be in charge of anything, except licking toilets clean?
OUTSTANDING!
Ten years of hell and shame. Outrageous is insufficient.
The tables should be turned against their accusers and convictors. Bastards all.
United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_Force_Reconnaissance
Force Reconnaissance (FORECON) is one of the United States Marine Corps’ special operations capable forces (SOC) that provides essential elements of military intelligence to the command element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), by supporting their task force commanders, and their subordinate operating units ...
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