Posted on 06/04/2005 3:54:05 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
WILMINGTON -- After fighting nearly a year against the Marine Corps he loved, 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano on Friday lay down his gilded officer's sword, exhausted and uncertain about his future. Pantano, 33, was cleared last week of charges that he murdered two Iraqi detainees in April 2004 while he made them search their own car. Pantano unloaded his gun into the men, whom he said had moved toward him in a threatening way.
On Friday, Pantano was the star attraction at an American Legion fish fry to announce his decision to leave the Marine Corps and thank veterans and families for their support.
A former Wall Street trader and film executive who re-enlisted after 9/11, he said he'll always think of himself as a Marine. But because so much has happened between him and the Corps, it's time to resign his commission.
"It's been extremely trying on my family," Pantano said in an interview. "For them, really more than any other reason, I need to give up the guns, the bombs and the helicopter rides."
Pantano, who was based at Camp Lejeune, lives with his family in Wilmington.
He presented his Marine sword to one of his most ardent supporters, U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, in an emotional exchange that nearly overwhelmed the Republican congressman. As Jones entered the Legion hall, Pantano greeted him with a shout of "Sir, sir!" and a bear hug.
He introduced Jones to his mother, Merry Pantano of New York, and he guided the congressman to the sword and scabbard. They were mounted carefully inside a wooden case and engraved with an inscription for Jones.
"This, sir, is my thank you," Pantano announced. "This, sir, is my most prized possession."
"Oh my god," Jones said, stammering. "I do not, I do not ...
"I do not deserve it."
As cameras flashed, Pantano nodded. "To give it to you is, I think, the rightest thing I've done in a long time."
Pantano, who commanded a platoon, was arrested in Iraq last June on charges of murdering the two detainees during a patrol. A sergeant in his command was there when Pantano shot the Iraqis more than 30 times and left a taunting sign over their bodies: "No better friend, no worse enemy."
The sergeant had his back turned when Pantano fired, but he thought Pantano's actions were wrong. His complaints made their way up the chain of command.
The day after Pantano learned of the accusations, he had to stay behind as his men fell into a firefight. Many were badly wounded.
"That was the hardest day," Merry Pantano said Friday.
During the past year, Ilario Pantano's case has seized the attention of many conservatives and military families. His mother started a Web site, www.defendthedefenders.org, to raise money for him and other troops accused of wrongdoing in the line of duty.
All along, Pantano said Friday, he thought the case would go away. He figured the Marines would realize a mistake had been made.
Then came the Article 32 hearing this spring, akin to a grand jury proceeding in civilian court, when the military heard testimony to decide whether to proceed with a court-martial.
When his commanding officer threw out the charges, it meant Pantano probably could claim a promotion to first lieutenant and continue his career as a Marine officer. But a few days ago, he called his mother and told her he was leaving the Marines.
He has submitted his resignation, but it has not been accepted yet.
'Best for both sides'
Pantano said Friday that he feared that if he did not resign, he could be redeployed to the Middle East, where he thinks he remains a high-profile target for terrorists and could be a danger to the Marines in his command. Death threats are still being made against his family, Pantano said, and his name is still circulating on a Pakistani Web site.
He and his wife, Jill, have two sons, ages 2 years old and 7 months.
"It was one of the most difficult decisions of his life," Jill Pantano said Friday. "The Marine Corps for him is like a religion."
Even in the past week, the Marines were talking about which unit Pantano would be assigned to, said Maj. Phillip Stackhouse, Pantano's Marine attorney.
If Pantano had to return to Iraq, Stackhouse said, he would face again all the questions that have surrounded him in the past year, including being second-guessed about his actions in combat.
"It's sad, but it's understandable," Stackhouse said. "Ultimately it's best for both sides."
As his friends spoke and veterans picked up fish and coleslaw at the Legion, Pantano spent Friday afternoon glad-handing with the practiced skill of a politician, showing the intensity and charm that his colleagues have praised him for in the past.
"Hello!" he shouted in his deep, booming voice. "How are you? Thank you for supporting the Legion."
Gray-haired men, some in American Legion caps, lined up to meet him. Middle-age women wiped their eyes. Pantano clasped hands, patted arms and embraced all comers. He signed an autograph for a young boy.
And when one well-wisher asked what he'll do now, Pantano said that he wasn't sure but that the family wanted to stay in Wilmington.
"We're going to take some time to catch our breath," he said.
He'll probably take a vacation and spend time with his sons and wife, a stay-at-home mom.
Pantano knows he wants to help veterans somehow.
"I want to put together a foundation for the injured men in my company," he said. "I want to make sure they're taken care of."
Staff writer Barbara Barrett can be reached at 829-4870 or bbarrett@newsobserver.com.
he also outght to call Michael Savage and thank him for taking up his cause. I wish Pantano well.
It's shameful what they did to this hero.
Anyone know what the inscription says?
Did Savage ever send him the $50,000 he pledged, or was that all done just to juice sales of his book?
I don't know for sure.
I think what a truly blessed woman his wife is. And those boys are sure to be raised true blue men. Makes me hopeful for my daughter's prospects in the future.
That moron Savage is likely to a person he advocates for more harm than good, he's a raving idiot.
Lt Pantano is a great loss to the corp. There will be others. Let us pray that they do not have to endure the monday morning quarterbacking and backstabbing the Pantano experienced. Let us also pray that the corp rids itself of its politically correct "commissars" like major Keane who was even unwilling to shut his stupid mouth after his commanding general threw the case out.
I don't believe the Marine Corps is PC or will ever become PC - if it had Pantano would be facing a court martial instead of having the charges dropped.
I received an e-mail back from LT Pantano today thanking me and others who supported him during this painful and trying time. Lt Pantano is a hero and did not deserve what the leftist media and other tried to do to him. He is moving on with his life and I'm sure that he will be a success at whatever he choses to do.
Semper Fi' from one Jarhead to another!
I appreciate that you keep us updated. I was disappointed to see that he had to leave the military.
The media was not his friend, but, at least many at FR were in his corner.
When you write to him, tell him we appreciate his service and wish him and his family well.
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