Aug 14 2008
Another War Crime – Another Loss of a Marine
Sadly, yet another Marine gave the ultimate sacrifice on Thursday morning.
A Marine standing guard to protect his area of responsibility aboard Camp Fallujah was shot at about 10 times and soon died of his wounds. The enemy once again showed their cowardice and disrespect for the Law of war.
The Law of War defines rules of engagement (ROE) and escalation of force (EOF) procedures. A goal of the Law of War is to protect life & property and minimize/prevent unnecessary suffering.
One figure that comes to mind when I think about the Law of War is General Edwin Rommel (Germany) and General George Patton (United States). On the battlefield these men demanded quick, accurate, and decisively devastating blows to adversaries. However, they were also known as gentlemen soldiers who cared for the protection of captured enemy troops. Both worked vigorously to ensure the captured were not abused. In fact there is many a story of how Rommel even executed his own soldiers who were found guilty of prisoners of war.
Marines are continually taught about the Law of War. In fact I was just in another class speaking about it the other day. Please know too that our military has more then a few Marine in jail today for violations. President George Bush has set very high standards for us and no unnecessary suffering or taking of like, unless it’s an accident, will be tolerated.
Three of the most important procedures stressed with the Law of War include:
- Do you have positive ID?
- Is the target showing hostile intent?
- Do you know what lies behind your target?
Bottom Line: If you answer no to any of those questions you cannot shoot. Period.
What did that savage do last night?
- Yes the Jihadist had positive ID
- Did the Marine show hostile intent? No. The Marine was standing their in protection of his base and Marines.
- Did the Jihadist know what lied behind the Marine? By throwing at least 10 round down range he was just spraying the area indiscriminately. No care for what other damage he would create so that too is a violation.
Jihadists are not men of honor or men of religion. The idea of being a gentleman soldier is beyond their limited mental capacity. They are murders, rapists, extortionist, and thieves. They have no concern for life. They are just simply savages.
Will any of the Muslim faith speak out against these thugs today?
Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins
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That is something I wished more Americans understood. Something that only those who fought in the War understand well enough.
There’s a certian amount of anger that comes with that knowledge, anger that has fueled some to go against the Law of War. Monkey see, Monkey do.
May that Marine rest in peace, and the family know that they will always have the strength of others behind them for their loss.