Dead US soldier hung on public display

The Age ^ | 4/1/2003 | AFP

[sjersey]

US Marines moved into the southern Iraqi town of Shatrah today to recover the body of a dead comrade which had been hanged in the town square, officers said.

Hundreds of troops were dispatched on the operation after intelligence reports indicated the body of a dead American, who was killed in a firefight last week, had been paraded through the streets and hanged in public.

"We would like to retrieve the body of the marine but it is not our sole purpose," said Lieutenant-Colonel Pete Owen, of the First Marine Expeditionary Force.

Military sources said another part of the operation was to arm local militias to fight against members of the ruling Baath party loyal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Shatrah is some 40 km north of Nasiriyah, where Iraqi forces have been harassing US supply lines and putting up tough resistance for more than a week.

[Ciexyz]

I wonder if the US Military is trying to downplay and coverup the full horrible details, because they don't want our soldiers to get crazy over it.

Why would the initial reports say that he was strung up, and now they're saying no?

[jwalsh07]

To be honest, I don't know. I do know that the military was in very bad straits back in the post Vietnam Era, I was in it for a couple of those years.

I do know my brother sat on the Ike in the Persian Gulf for a year and he would have been more than happy to pull the trigger on the nuke. He hasn't mellowed in all those years either. :-}

[TXBlair]

"I dont feel badly for anyone of them that is wiped-out man, woman, or child - think, their survival could mean your extinction or your childrens children."

You really make an interesting point. When you think about it, Saddam himself was once a little boy. Look what he grew up to be. How many people would still be alive today if he had somehow not made it past childhood? I certainly don't think the Coalition forces should deliberately try to kill the innocent, but it is sobering to imagine what some of those innocents will grow up to be. We'll still be dealing with them decades from now.

[Ligeia]

I wonder if the US Military is trying to downplay and coverup the full horrible details, because they don't want our soldiers to get crazy over it.

No, they'd let the facts stand. That's MacNamara's military you're thinking of. Besides, if the second report is the accurate one, an atrocity was still committed and should be treated accordingly.

[Ciexyz]

That's MacNamara's military you're thinking of.

Thanks, that sounds right. And yes, an atrocity was committed, and will surely be dealt with.

[CARepubGal]

Your Corps is a terrible thing when provoked. I think Chesty Puller would be proud of these Marines. Semper Fi to all Marines, Old Corps and the Young'uns. And thank you USMC for keeping all of us safe at such a cost. God's grace go with the family of the deceased Marine. And His rage and that of the Corps against the scum we fight against.

[ClearBlueSky]

" God is dead." - Nietzsche
" Nietzsche is dead, God."

[SuziQ]

They have turned these young Marines into a blooded killing machine that will bring havoc to the lives of those bastards.....
At the core, it's STILL the Corps!

And Thank God, they are NOT like the Fedayeen thugs who use women and children as shields. They don't want to harm civilians, and for those who think they ought to mow them all down to get to the Fedayeen, remember something. Those Marines may not have a lot of nightmares about killing Iraqi Army and Fedayeen when this thing is all said and done, but it would grieve them to the end of their days if they had to kill innocent people.

The soldiers who had to shoot to stop that car in Najaf today are hurting terribly. I'd hate for many more of our guys to have to live with that horror!

[Naspino]

I hate hearing this "those who perpetrate these acts will be prosecuted as war criminals". All I can think is "la-de-da -- whoooooo -- scared now.".

I would rather we remind the freaking world of what our military is capable of -- so that individual soldiers don't have to carry it out.

[gonzo]

"...I don't see how our Marines can keep from wiping out these lowlife thugs that would do this! These Iraqi troops loyal to Saddam are the lowest form of scum! Other words are not printable!..."

Tens of millions of the Islamaniacs are gonna have to die before they realize that they're facing extinction.

I'm not just talking about Iraq! ............FRegards, Barry/gonzo

[gonzo]

Never piss-off a Marine............FRegards

[fatima]

Dear God,Prayers for the parents and loved ones,We love him very much and God has him now.

[placebo]

The fools have no idea what kind of he-double hockey sticks is about to rain down on them!
Semper Fi

[JackelopeBreeder]

Way to tell it, Bubba. That summed it up entirely.

A soldier without honor is just a thug with a uniform. I would have turned in my uniform and stripes before dealing in what some here are calling for.

The loudest bunch here probably never wore so much as a Girl Scout uniform.

United States Army, Retired.

[piasa]

I'm sick of it too, because we did not ... it's a myth.

[RaceBannon]

The Marine was part of an air-wing support squadron making its way north late at night when it was hit by rocket-propelled grenades and machine-gun fire.

Air Wing Support Squadron. Just like mine. MASS-1 or MASS-2 or MASS-3 maybe??

[happygrl]

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy tempers justice.

The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare

[happygrl]

Maybe that Columbian professor should get a taste of what he wishes on our soldires.

Tar and feathering and riding him on a splintery rail out of town.

[MCFujiTanker]

"The Age" is the big daily paper in Melbourne, AS. I was TAD there with the USN to support a port visit last May02. I read the paper every day. It remeinded me of the Star Ledger, in Newark, NJ. A liberal paper...but still with some standards. Semper Fidelis!!

[happygrl]

And we all know that Mohamed is the only founder of a major religion who was a full time soldier.

Thank you for the insight.

Jesus was led to his slaughter, like a lamb; Mohammed slaughtered others like lambs.