Posted on 01/26/2012 12:57:05 PM PST by smoothsailing
Haytham Faraj and Neal A. Puckett
January 25, 2012
The last Marine charged in the deaths of 24 Iraqi’s in Haditha on November 19, 2005, begins his new life today. SSgt Frank Wuterich has finally been exonerated of all murder and manslaughter charges after prosecutors failed to produce any credible evidence of those crimes. He took responsibility for his tactical decisions, all of which were based on his Marine Corps training.
He told the court he is saddened by the outcome of combat action that morning but that he did the best he could under extremely difficult circumstances. Since that day in 2005, he has always taken responsibility for the actions of his squad as the senior member of the team and has always been willing to accept the consequences of that day.
The court-martial convening authority, Lieutenant General Waldhauser, discovered the truth after the first few government witnesses had testified. He then took immediate action to dismiss the baseless manslaughter charges. He offered to allow SSgt Wuterich to plead guilty to the least serious charge, negligent dereliction of duty, with a promise he would not allow the single father of three to go to jail.
SSgt Wuterich accepted the plea deal as a just and fair outcome as he stepped up once again to take responsibility for the actions of his squad, an act that continues to show his true character and innate leadership traits. SSgt Wuterich now can focus on the rest of his life and requests his privacy be respected for the sake of his children.
Seems to me we've been here before:
I think this then explains the tenor of Major Jeffrey Dinsmore, USMC detailed on your website:
Unlawful Command Influence.
As we all know, up until that fateful day in Haditha, SSgt. Wuterich's training and experience was based on Fallouja and the actions the Marines had to take in similar conditions, especially in clearing houses. The Nazario Trial (in civilian court) brought out the fact that "Marine brass changed the 'Rules of Engagement' in mid-battle" to counteract the insurgents tactics in November 2004. Five months later those rules were embedded in the Marines DNA, it doesn't just get switched off without a command decision. Every one of these Marines - from LCol. Chessani on down had their war-fighting skills honed by Falluoja, and thus under like conditions in Haditha used those skills to devastating effect. This was a kill or be killed scenario, which is why the utterance of SSgt. Wuterich was to save lives, not take them.
UCI has been endemic in this whole saga, due to the raw acceptance of the propaganda spewed from McGirk and his ilk, and fomented by Murtha and the perfumed princes of the Pentagon.
Due to the actions behind the scenes of LGen. Waldhauser, Haytham Faraj and Neal A. Puckett never got to put on any defense of SSgt Wuterich, thus denying the official record of his full story. I believe had they done so, the jury could only have come back as not guilty on all specifications.
My best wishes to SSgt. Wuterich and his family.
Lancey,
It’s been hard for me to accept the final decision, but it was not my future on the line. I pray for Frank and his family, may God Bless.
I believe the Lt Col had enough also. He knew that these Marines were not guilty of murder, Frank was not guilty of murder. In my “dreams” courtroom I have to wonder how four battle hardened sergeants would have reacted with an ending remark similar to this....
Looking them dead center in the eyes ....
SSgt Frank Wuterich did his DUTY..His Duty was to protect the lives of HIS Marines. He did HIS DUTY... NO MORE MARINES DIED THAT FATEFUL DAY IN HADITHA. NO MORE MARINES DIED UNDER HIS WATCH.
I don’t know about you, but this is the way I feel and will always feel.
God Bless Our Haditha Marines
Darryl Sharratt
...thus denying the official record of his full story.
Agreed, and while I am glad this ordeal is over for SSgt Wuterich and his family, part of me is deflated. Without an official record, there are still media stories like this today: Iraqi government planning legal action over Haditha massacre.
Haditha will remain a massacre to most people because that opinion is just too well entrenched by now and there's nothing to counter it beyond what is already out for the world to see--if anyone cares to look which they really don't.
That sounds more depressed than I feel but it's hard to celebrate this outcome--especially when the Marines should never have been charged in the first place. But that goes without saying. We can only hope these Marines can get their lives back on track and that the damage this has done to our nation and our military is not permanent.
It kind of reminds me of the time Karl was in danger of falling out of boot camp, due to illness/exertion. He said something to the effect of “I need not a badge upon my shoulder to prove my honor. I had honor when I came here and I will have it when I leave.” He went on about finding another way to serve if it didn’t work out.
So, if someone can pass the word to Frank that he is not alone, I would appreciate it.
Thanks for your kind reply.
I agree with everything in your post, and will never second guess Frank Wuterich for his decision. Nobody knew first-hand better than Frank what was going on with his case for every second of the past five years. I think he got screwed by Marine Corps “leaders”. Those cowardly “leaders” wanted to hoist Wuterich up a flagpole in order to show the liberal newsrooms how politically correct they are, and they failed miserably. Poking him in the eye with a “dereliction” count on his way out the courtroom door was pathetic.
In the end, I am happy that it’s (finally) all over and Frank is free to get on with his life. He is a smart guy, and I’m sure he’ll be successful in whatever he does.
FRegards,
LH
Thank you for your words, POP. I'm passing them along.
""It is time for all these fine soldiers to sue the Murtha estate."Is this a possibility with the inclusion of the jerk mcgirk?
Thanks SS and all who kept this story in front of us.
Thanks for the update.
I guess from the lawyers’ perspective, they did okay.
The inability to completely clear SSgt Wuterich demonstrates the negative influence politics has on the interpretation of fact. But in the end, Murtha did not get what he wanted. Regrettably, the rein of persecution persisted beyond his death.
Sorry to say more bad days than good lately, but hobbling along.
... the damage this has done to our nation and our military is not permanent.
I fear we're too late on that score, but we all gotta keep fighting! Cheers.
Well said, Gene.
Murtha was corrupt for most of his of years, but what he did regarding the Haditha Marines was unforgivable. I truly believe the Haditha Marines will one day be judged much more favorably than him, by Him.
Thinking of you and your family on this day.
I hope he gets a break on finding a future job outside the Marine Corps..
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