Despite the precipitous pronouncments of “ex-Marine” – and I use the term advisedly – John Murtha, elements at least of the Haditha case appear to be falling apart:
An investigating officer in the case against a U.S. Marine accused of killing civilians in Haditha, Iraq, has recommended that all charges against him be dropped, concluding that the government’s allegations that the Marine executed a group of men in a residential home are “unsupported and incredible…
Sharratt, 22, of Canonsburg, Pa., was never linked to any significant role in the first group of houses and has all along acknowledged that he shot and killed three or four men in another home later on Nov. 19, saying he believed the men were threatening him with weapons. Sharratt told investigators that he used a 9mm pistol to shoot the men when his rifle jammed as he and Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich were searching the house.
Ware said all available evidence shows that Sharratt perceived a threat and reacted appropriately.
“Using his training, he responded instinctively, assaulting into the room and emptying his pistol,” Ware wrote. “Whether this was a brave act of combat against the enemy or tragedy of misperception born out of conducting combat with an enemy that hides among innocents, LCpl Sharratt’s actions were in accord with the rules of engagement and use of force.”
A final decision on the case against Sharratt resides with LGEN James Mattis, IMEF Commander, but it’s good to see that the prosecution of young men sent forward into horrible conditions is finally being tried in an actual court of justice rather than in a kangaroo court of political advantage.
Something terrible certainly happened in Haditha, as it will when murderous insurgents take to hiding among non-combatants – a specatacle with which we find ourselves increasingly familiar. Whether or not this terrible thing was something for which Marines in combat should be found criminally culpable is what the military justice system will determine. That takes time and judgement, qualities evidently in short supply on the Hill.
Civilians interviewed by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service said the Marines, including Sharratt, came to the final house and separated women and children before leading the men inside to kill them. Ware found their accounts questionable and inconsistent, alleging that the families believed they could receive money from the Marines if they said their family members were killed inappropriately. He also wrote that Sharratt’s account better fits with forensic evidence from the scene.
“To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary and sets a dangerous precedent that, in my opinion, may encourage others to bear false witness against Marines as a tactic to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq,” Ware wrote. “Even more dangerous is the potential that a Marine may hesitate at the critical moment when facing the enemy.”
The fact that even those who voted to send them into harm’s way couldn’t wait to pronounce them guilty of a war crime based on the mere accusations of a hostile and financially interested set of witness is almost inexplicable. Almost, until one remembers the cloying temptations of bloated self-importance and blind partisan gain.
How ever marginally comprehensible it might be, it is nevertheless entirely unforgivable.
This is from Doc Russia’s website. But here are his words, signed by me. I make them my own. Now every time I hear on the news, “Mr. Murtha, a decorated Marine….”, I can say , “Not any more, NOT ANY MORE.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To all those who shall read this; Greetings.
Know ye that the special trust and bond of brotherhood between Marines has forever been the essence of our esprit de corps.
Know ye that Marines always have and always will watch out for each other from the day we first wear the eagle, globe, and anchor; until we have drawn our last breath, and our hearts lay forever still.
Know ye that it is a bond forged in centuries of blood, sweat and tears wherever we have marched.
Know ye that being forged in such fires is not a trivial matter, and is not forgotten easily.
Know ye that while this bond supports and encourages the noblest of warrior virtue, it breeds the opposite if betrayed.
Let it be known that Colonel Murtha, USMC has so betrayed this bond. He has, for personal gain amongst the lowest of our nation, and in standing with his disreputable new colleagues, undermined the mission that the United States Marine Corps have been ordered to carry out. He has also not only failed to speak up for his brothers dying in foreign lands, he has now gone so far as to condemn them out of hand. He has betrayed his brothers to their enemies, foreign and domestic. He has committed the ultimate sin amongst Marines, he has put himself before the Corps.
Therefore, let it be known to all who may read these words that Colonel Murtha, USMC is disavowed, and is brother to this Marine no more.
So be it, from this day forward, until the end of the Corps.
Semper Fidelis,
Mark Harrington
Sgt. USMC
Haditha Accusations Falling Apart?…
In the last year or so I have lost any remaining belief I had in the possibility of major media reporting with objectivity, competence or credibility. It’s been a gradual process that began with the accusations leveled at a group of Marines over a ye….
Waiting for the apology from the ‘Ex-Marine’.
Just as a note… my nephew just finished the Crucible (sp?) at boot in San D’Eggo… soon to graduate from boot. I could NOT be MORE proud of him. He is now in my eyes an 18 year old MAN. I will see him in three weeks during the short time that he is home before he embarks upon his newest adventure at The Citadel. How’s about that for a summer vacation? Marine Boot Camp followed by being a freshman at The Citadel, and all that it entails. (If you are not sure, then try reading Pat Conroy’s novel The Lords of Discipline.
I digress…
When I see him I will hug him, and hold him close, and whisper in his ear how proud I am of him and how pleased I am to see his character proven. And then I will shout the same to the assembled masses…
I am unbelievably proud of my nephew and unbelievably ashamed of the “ex-marine”. While I am not a Marine (US Army 1983 – 86 and NG 1986 – 89) I do understand brotherhood and esprit de’corps… and I do understand how the ‘Ex-Marine’ has failed his TRUE constituency.
Shame on you sir.
This work of fiction by Time, Inc. will cost them. Wait until the libel suits are filed.
And this type of persecution (and I use that word with intent), the eager and aggressive prosecution of those who stand in harm’s way with the luxury of nano-seconds for decision making, is having its planned efect.
The border guards are backing off, law enforcement officers agencies are starving for recruits, and sooner or later, the men at the very point of the sharp end will decide that when my society disdains my efforts, so will I.
My opinion is that the Corps should set up a website.
On this website would be found a database.
The database would contain:
A. Names of disgraced EX-Marines
B. Their last known location.
C. Their offense which removed US Marine from their resume.
No–I wasn’t a Marine or in the Military. But it would be nice to have these A-holes like Murtha from being able to say” I was a Marine”.
Who would have thought that an enemy could be so clever as to make false accusations?
Those sneaky insurgents!
Thanks God the truth came to light.
A mild reproach to my USMC brothers-in-arms…
I truly admire your esprit de’ Corps and glorious history and fully understand that this is primarly a Naval/Marine centric blog… so I expect to get hammered on this… but as an outsider and a sometime astute observer of the passing scene… I would suggest that you all cease the gnashing of teeth and heavy breathing and get over this John Murtha-apostate Marine thing… the Corps is a proud military organization… not a cult…there were/are bad apples in the Corps as there are in all organizations.
Yes John Murtha is a walled-eyed pecker-head… a bum…you name it they all fit…likely always was…and yes, horrors of horrors… he is/was a Marine…but he was first and remains a man, however deeply flawed…and the Corps, in my opninion, had absolutly nothing to do with that. Best
SE, Excellent Points in Your mild reproach to the issue of Murtha’s fecklessness.TBS,IMO Congressman Murtha should be brought up on charges of Treason, with all that entails.
Snake Eater,
Agree with your basic premise. Marine Corp had nothing to do with the current state of Murtha’s character. However… the point is made over and over that he ‘… was a Marine.’ or ‘… is a Marine’ by the media. My conviction is that to the un-knowing this is tantamount to setting the exact thought that you (and I) agree is not true… therefore any efforts to dis-associate him from the Corps is valid. (As I mentioned above, I am not a Marine…)
John V.
Lex
Did you notice that the IO in LtCol Chessani’s recommended charges. We will see what the CA does.
http://dreadnaught.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/haditha-update-ltcol-chessani-and-cpl-sharratt-results-of-the-article-32/
yojoe out