FN: Ollie North w/ 3rd Infantry in Baghdad: "It has been a difficult 24 hours for the 5th Marines... in Baghdad suburbs...Iraqi general, now believed to be the chief of staff of SRG..killed....smoke from oil refinery ...detonated by Saddam's regime this morning, destroying an enormous resource...we have medivaced 17 Marines in last 24 hours...light helicopt. squad 267 flew some remarkable missions..took several holes in helic.,,,rergimental commander pulled his Humvee up and fired on attackers...was able to make it back to the medical center...Most of the folks seem to be glad to see us. It has been tough..but this is the 5th Marines..they know their legacy and they're ready"..
"Rick is with 3rd LAR, there's also the 1st LAR (who) fired at the general's car....killed the general, his driver and his dog"..."Civil Affairs folks put out the (warrant) that his body was here)...thought at first to be general head of Al Nida,
"About 70 RG units were taken out of here on flatbed truck and taken to (our facility), but most of the men have decided to go home...They really don't want to fight...My sense is that most of the Iraqi people are glad that (Saddam Hussein's) on his way out."