Okay Murtha, you miserable REMF bastard, Marine Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt (right) might entertain your profuse apology for calling him a "murderer"--preferably delivered on your knees. He might... but I'd refuse to accept it... especially coming from a Marine of any rank, let alone a colonel of Marines who slandered me at the deepest level as you did Sharratt.
A year ago last May, before charges were even pending, Murtha, claiming he had received a high-level briefing said, “there was no firefight, there was no IED (improvised explosive device) that killed these innocent people. Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.”
But... Lieutenant Colonel Paul Ware investigating officer in the Article 32 hearing, in an 18-page report, recommended that charges against the Kilo Co. 3/1 Marine be dropped; he concluded that the government's allegations that the Sharratt executed a group of men are "unsupported and incredible."
"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, Lance Corporal Sharratt's actions were in accord with the rules of engagement and use of force," Ware wrote.
Seven more "Haditha" Marines remain under various charges from dereliction to murder; charges against an eighth were dismissed.
I'll admit to a personal stake in this; these young Marines belong to 3/1 -- my battalion in Vietnam. This prosecution was a political rush to judgment from the start... the entire case hung from the testimony of Iraqis who will not allow the bodies of the suspects to be exhumed.
May all Marines shun Murtha for the balance of his worthless life. Among us, no greater punishment can be wished.
For complete background see my post, The Good, The Bad, The Very Ugly
Do me and yourself a favor right now.... read Michael Yon's On-Line Magazine for virtually the only real source of truthful, boot-level intel coming out of Iraq. In particular, "Gates of Fire", an account of US Army combat in Mosul.
A good example of Yon's work is seen above; it captures the moment US Army LTC Erik Kurilla is stitched by three AK rounds but comes up firing at the bads guys and directing his troops.
You will come away with the kind of pride in our troops and this country that is being purposely undermined by the chicks**t news media who hide in the green zone and phone it in.
Yon is a former Green Beret and it shows; his writing pulses and is as gritty as the sands of Baghdad.
Amen on the x murtha.
For other good coverage, check out Bill Roggio at Fourth Rail.
Posted by: Grimmy | July 14, 2007 at 09:50 AM