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Drowned Marines in full gear
Washington Times ^ | Thursday, March 27, 2003 | By Bill Gertz

Posted on 03/27/2003 4:50:57 AM PST by JohnHuang2

Edited on 07/12/2004 4:02:02 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Two Marines drowned in southern Iraq after attempting to cross a canal without a safety line while wearing heavy gear and rifles, The Washington Times has learned.

The Marines were identified by the Pentagon as Cpl. Evan James, 20, of Hancock, Ill., and Sgt. Bradley Korthaus, 28, of Scott, Iowa. Both were part of a Marine Corps Reserve engineer company in Peoria, Ill.


(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Illinois; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: casualties; drownings; mias; roadtobaghdad
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Quote of the Day by jwalsh07

1 posted on 03/27/2003 4:50:57 AM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
Very sad indead.
2 posted on 03/27/2003 5:12:49 AM PST by truthandlife
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To: truthandlife
Prayers that their bodies are recovered so their loved ones can pay last respects, and are not descecrated by those sicko islamonatzis
3 posted on 03/27/2003 5:16:08 AM PST by duckbutt (God Bless America.......Again!)
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To: truthandlife
Prayers for our troops, for victory and for their safe return home, soon.
4 posted on 03/27/2003 5:19:22 AM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
Yes it's sad.

Was this another preventable screw-up, is my question?

5 posted on 03/27/2003 5:43:33 AM PST by gitmogrunt
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Two Marine CH-47 helicopters also were called in to help with the search.

Gertz usually has his ducks in a row. Marines fly CH-46s not CH-47s.

6 posted on 03/27/2003 6:38:28 AM PST by SMEDLEYBUTLER
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To: JohnHuang2
One observer in Iraq said the Marines were ordered into the canal by a reserve major in charge of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion.

The reserve Major likely will never become a reserve Lieutenant Colonel.

7 posted on 03/27/2003 6:45:57 AM PST by SMEDLEYBUTLER
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To: JohnHuang2
Evans is actually from La Harpe, Ill.
8 posted on 03/27/2003 7:12:15 AM PST by Free Vulcan
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To: Free Vulcan
I blame this incident on the totally MORONIC water surival training the Marine Corps adopted in the early 90's. Guys with specially waterproofed backs, etc. can float, but those packs DO NOT represent realistic combat loads. I was published in the Marine Corps Gazette on this topic in '92, and I forecast well equipped corpses washing up on the beach.

Damn.

9 posted on 03/27/2003 7:14:25 AM PST by IGOTMINE
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To: gitmogrunt
Was this another preventable screw-up, is my question

Your question answers itself. ALL screw-ups are preventable. Unfortunately in a time of war mistakes (screw-ups) will be made. Suffice it to say: The Marines were given an ORDER and they carried it out to the best of their ability. GOD bless them and accept them to a place where there is no war.

10 posted on 03/27/2003 7:20:45 AM PST by PISANO
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To: SMEDLEYBUTLER
He should not be a marine by sunset. Send him home for later court marshal.
11 posted on 03/27/2003 7:26:58 AM PST by mercy
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To: Bisesi
To Err is Human, To Forgive Is Divine.

Neither is Marine Corps Policy.

12 posted on 03/27/2003 7:32:27 AM PST by gitmogrunt
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