Charges Against 2nd Lt. Pantano Dropped

NewxMax, from the AP, is reporting that the charges against Marine 2nd Lt. Illario Pantano have been dismissed. These charges should never have seen the light of day. The preliminary, in the field investigation, found that Pantano's actions were correct and justified. This is where this should have ended. Here is the article.

"Huck could have accepted Winn's recommendation, given some form of administrative punishment or gone ahead with a court-martial. He decided that Pantano should face no punishment for any of his actions.

"The best interests of 2nd Lt. Pantano and the government have been served by this process," the Marine Corps said in a statement.

Supporters of Pantano said troops should not be second-guessed for decisions made in fleeting seconds of combat. A North Carolina congressman had urged President Bush to intervene and dismiss charges."

As I posted above, these charges should never have been brought. Second guessing actions of troops in the field, after an investigation has been concluded by those in the field and no wrong doing has been found, should be stopped, except in if overwhelming evidence points to the contrary. And I do mean overwhelming, not just the words of an obvioulsy disgruntled subordinate.

"Pantano is now helping to train troops at Camp Lejeune, but his attorney said he hopes the decision will clear the way for the Marine to return to a combat unit.

"I think (the decision) demonstrates that Ilario acted honorably in combat and the suggestion that he didn't that tarnished his reputation was unjustified," Gittins said. "I'm pleased for Ilario and his family because the nightmare is over.""

We need more men and women like 2nd Lt. Pantano in our Military. They are our rock and our line of defense against those that wish us harm. - Sailor