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After the Maine deaths last week, Captain John A. Kasparian writes this letter.
In summary:
We will always keep our honor and avoid hurting the Iraqi people. When Gunnery Sergeant Charles Hurely IV's platoon from Company L became engaged by heavy machine guns, he ordered his Marines not to fire back because the insurgents hid among innocent Iraqis.We have had heroes like Lance Corporal Todd Corbin and Corporal Jeffery Schuller Jr from Weapons Company who saved the lives of 11 Marines during an ambush when the enemy used a hospital from which to attack.
The Marines who gave their lives in the last week had courageously cleared a town in Operation Matador, going house to house, so they would not inflict injuries to the many civilians who lived there. We have had instance after instance of Marines going above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant John Howarth, a scout sniper, ran out into a hail of enemy small arms fire in New Ubaydi to pull an Iraqi to safety.
Many times Marines have looked after their own. With a supporting M1A1 tank main gun firing, Captain Billy Brown from Company L calmly walked in front of the fire power to a fallen Marine. With rocket propelled grenades firing point blank at him, he scooped the warrior up and moved him away from the enemy. 3/25 has continued to clear the roads and the insurgents. We have been the focus of main effort for the Regimental Combat Team 2 and 2d Marine Division during major operations, recently during the clearing of the city of Hit.
A U.S. Marine, no worse enemy, no better friend.
Posted by The Vorlon at August 9, 2005 8:10 AM