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Updated at 6:54 p.m. ET: WASHINGTON - The U.S. military on Monday dealt out punishment to six Army soldiers for burning Qurans at Bagram Air Base that ignited deadly protest in Afghanistan, and to three Marines for their roles in urinating on Taliban corpses.
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The Army handed out administrative discipline to four officers and two non-commissioned officers for the Quran burning but found no ill intent on the part of the soldiers so none will face criminal charges.
The administrative punishment, however, will likely result in the end of their military careers.
The investigation against one sailor was dropped when it was determined he was simply ordered to drive the truck with the material to the burn site at the base.
The burning of the Muslim holy books in February sparked weeks of protests that led to 30 Afghan deaths. U.S. officials said at the time the books were mistakenly sent along with garbage for disposal after detainees had written messages in them.
The investigation found up to 100 Qurans and other religious materials were burned in the incinerator at Bagram Air Field on Feb. 20.
An Army report released on the incident Monday shed new light on what happened that day.
Report: 5 soldiers involved in Quran burning
Members of the Military Police and Theater Intelligence Team had discovered that Bagram detainees were using library books to pass notes and messages. One interpreter determined that 60 percent to 75 percent of the books contained extremist content. So, soldiers were ordered to remove the books as contraband. In all, about 2,000 books, including Qurans and other religious material, were set to be destroyed.
An Afghan National Army soldier and and interpreter warned the troops not to dispose of the religious texts, but soldiers took some 100 books to the burn pit anyway.
A local man who worked at the burn pit discovered the Qurans and other texts were burning. He grabbed a front-end loader and doused the entire burn pit to extinguish the flames.
An angry crowd of Afghans gathered around the U.S. service members who drove the truck to the burn pit and were burning the material. The U.S. soldiers all fled.
"I absolutely reject any suggestion that those involved acted with any malicious intent to disrespect the Quran or defame the faith of Islam," an investigator wrote. "Ultimately, this was a tragic incident (that) resulted from a lack of cross-talk between leaders and commanders, a lack of senior involvement in giving clear guidance in a complex operation” and “distrust among our service members and our partners.”
Hoshang Hashimi / AP
More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.
In the other case, a statement from the Marine Corps said the three Marines received the punishment for "violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for their role in the desecration and filming of deceased Taliban that became public in January 2012."
As part of a plea deal, three Marines pleaded guilty and will receive a permanent mark on their records that will impact any future promotions and re-enlistments.
Six more Marines are still awaiting their punishments in the urination incident, which was recorded on video. It was announced, however, that two officers will be charged with creating a command climate that led to acts of bad behavior, the Marine Corps said. It was unclear what disciplinary action the four other non-commissioned officers will face.
The three Marines were all members of the Third Battalion, Second Marine Regiment or in units that were attached to the "3/2" during their deployment. Their names were not released.
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One non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to having violated a general order by wrongfully posing for an unofficial photograph with human casualties and urinating on the body of a deceased Taliban soldier, which conduct was prejudicial to good order and discipline.
Another non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to wrongfully posing for an unofficial photograph with human casualties and wrongfully video recording the incident.
A staff non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to failing to report the mistreatment of human casualties by other Marines and making a false official statement to a Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigator about the his knowledge of the video.
The incident took place during a counter-insurgency operation near Sandala, Musa Qala District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan around July 27, 2011.
According to The Wall Street Journal, officials in Afghanistan were bracing for public demonstrations over what might be viewed as lenient punishment of the troops.
Related stories:
- Report: 5 soldiers involved in Quran burning
- Afghan clerics demand trial of Quran burners at US base
- 'Deplorable': U.S. defense chief condemns urinating Marines video
- Extreme war stresses to blame in Marine urination video?
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Leave a Comment:
So its ok to kill em' ya just can't urinate on em, when they in turn behead people, cut off hands and feet and whatever, and oh not to mention killing our soldiers in so called Accidents! give me a freakin break..
Urinating on them makes them cleaner than the mormal filth scum they are
The taliban will purposely stone women and children,rip the clothes off and parade a corpse of a American pilot through the streets and we're worried about peeing on a corpse. The military always was a testbed for political correctness. Yes I did spend 4 yrs in the USN so I know what I'm talking about.
ThinkWise - The only thing Obama has proven over the last 3+ years in office is that our country can sustain not having a president for that period of time and still survive to some extent. He has damaged this country to the point that it will take years to undo - if in fact his actions and ignorance of the American Spirit can be reversed. In regards to taking out Bin Laden HE DID NOT TAKE OUT BIN LADEN - the navy seals did, and they did it with intelligence gathering processes put in place during the Bush administration. (That one was Bush's "fault") And then we have Eric Holder, Harry Reid, and Nancy Palosi - this last 3+ years has the characteristics of a Mark's brothers movie. I am so thankful for the right to Vote!!
While I do not condone what the Marines did, it is a difficult position when you are not allowed to have ammunition, when you can't trust the Afghans you are training and when your President is constantly apologizing for your country.
When our dead soldiers were dragged through the streets in Mogadishu, we were rightfully outraged. However, when our paid soldiers act out, we shouldn't expect the same? The enemy fanatics go nuts and our troops are put in harms way for the acts of soldiers who violated the codes of conduct. We can think of what we'd like to do or what "we" feel is right or wrong but there are laws. You speed, you get a ticket. You rape or kill, you go to jail or get put to death. You disobey the code of conduct, you get brought up on charges or dishonorably discharged. Consequences. It's not hard to understand.
Give 'em medals, a bonus, and 4 weeks leave!
Any soldier who conducts themselves inappropriately that puts our troops in harms way, should be dishonorably discharged. A first world country that we are should obey the laws and act appropriately. We're not savages and we're not the Taliban. We're better and we expect our paid soldiers to protect us and act according to the law. They're not vigilantes, they're our paid soldiers and our tax dollars are spent on soldiers that are qualified and know how to do their jobs and follow the rules.
I think it's a Damned Shame these marines are being punished. These Damned politicians and their "Politically Correct" War is the reason we can't win.
There isn't much PATRIOTISEM left in the US!! The AMERICANS helped make JAPAN RICH from buying their PLAIN AND UGLY CARS and other products after what they did to us in world war two !Now you AMERICAN TRAITORS are siding with the TALIBAN SICKOS!! The families of the victums of 911 should beable to PISS on all you IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's OK to kill them. Just don't piss on them.
Piss on the Taliban! A little bit of ritualistic humiliation never permanently scarred anyone.
Maybe next time they should burn the Taliban bodies and piss on the Quran?
Krushev once said that America's compassion would be its downfall because it was a weakness that could be exploited.
The truth of his words are evident daily. We do not derive any thanks for any compassion or consideration we show an enemy, or even a "hostile ally." We are seen as weak.
Ever since we tried being the Gentle Giant instead of the Screaming Eagle we have been the laughing stock of the world. We keep apologizing for our very existence, to everyone, from terrorists to Mexicans. We are becoming a pathetic shadow of the Nation we once were.
We may not be the altruistic big brother of the world those of us in our fifth and sixth and seventh decades were taught to believe we were, but we aren't the devil, either, and if we don't stop apologizing for being alive, the day will come when we won't be.
I wonder what Gen George Patton would think of the new politically correct, homo liberal military? Chinese military commanders must see how easily they are going bring down the US without firing to many shots. will the USA raise the pink flag of surrender?
""Prisoner of War guard companies, or an equivalent organization, should be as
far forward as possible in action to take over prisoners of war, because troops
heated with battle are not safe custodians. Any attempt to rob or loot prisoners
of war by escorts must be dealt strictly with."
George S. Patton War As I Knew It
"There is only one kind of discipline — PERFECT DISCIPLINE. If you do not enforce and maintain discipline, you are potential muderers. You must set the example."
- George S. Patton, letter of instruction, March 6, 1944.
I can't seem to find the quote where he says that a soldier's only job is to kill, kill, kill irrespective of orders and regulations.
OK suits get off their asses. They bleed while you and your pus kids hide. How did we win the West.. we killed all who opposed. how have we won every war that we have???? Unless our pus polticos will grow a set, we will never win, our kids will die and America will wonder" how could this bee? why cant we just leave" like its a crappy neighborhood you moved into. .43 thats what serves the rest just take it for granted. American civilian you make me sick and it the worst ever happens you invited it.
Yes, it reminds me of how we won the War of 1812. As you will recall, our brave fighting men won the war by invading London and killing every man, woman, and child in residence...
well I guess so, see I have 2 kids, that have been to Helmund and faluja. 1 is a WP EOG Capt, other is a LCPL so foaming not so sure but i'll bet this when your phone rings at 4:30 AM your not feeling what I am you keyboard patriot.
No still foaming, your kids 1st gulf was a joke how many men were NJPd. As a Nam vet you know better.See you accept the lose because your gov't told you too. Too bad you AF guys never got dirty
Sorry, thank you for your sacrifice but you are wrong
Thanks, you may have ended my foaming, sorry if I'm an ahole at least tonight
These guys are HEROS and should be given MEDALS.
When I first heard about what these soldiers did I was appalled by their actions...........Having today read the story of how the Taliban beheaded 18 people for dancing and listening to music I have changed my mind...........These Soldiers should be commended and awarded medals for their behavior and furthermore it's time to put a bounty on the heads of these Taliban at least $5000.00 for every body they bring in.
...
These incidents paved the way for the beheadings today.
The Taliban are just frustrated.
Who can blame them?
...
Obama has made this type of thing cool again. When Bush was in office it was a war crime to do this.
You are an idiot. Turn off your computer and don't use it anymore.
Had the Taliban been alive, would citations have been in order?
To understand their actions you have to be there. If you disagree with what they did maybe you should go there and spend a few days. I am sure you would be begging to come home to your cushy armchair. You have NO Idea what these men go through on a dailey basis. I am sure that the conditions are deplorable, the enemy has no uniform a direct violation of any war code. If they make a mistake the White House comes down on them hard. why are we even there are country is in shambles and we are chasing a people and protecting a people that wants nothing to do with us. Bin Laden is gone....We have drones...Bring the bouys home Ohbama...Follow your campaign promises, at least try to, I will end all wars in 6 months if I am elected.....
Absolutely agree... This is Viet Nam all over again...
Booyah Marines... there really doesn't seem to be anything wrong as to what you did other than taking the pictures... if you gotta go, you gotta go...
So this cannot be as bad as the Taliban beheading 17 innocent people while listening to music... right?
Or trusting Afghan security forces for not shooting our boys in the back...
Maybe the ones giving out the sentence have never been in a nasty war where you have to deal with the terrorists and the country's military, not knowing who is going to shoot you first...
Anyone who has been in a war and been responsible for producing dead bodies knows you don't take pictures. We don't photograph what we do to them and we don't photograph what they do to us. We just do it. There are no style points awarded in war, and unspeakable things happen very day. No pictures.
we dont saw off the heads of livung humans because we dont want them.....ahhhh nevermind
You put a rifle in a boys hands, you train him to kill, you send him into HELL where he sees every type of human savagery imaginable, and then you condemn him!
You will NOT do to my son what you did to me after Nam!!!!!!!!!
If you were never there, you have NO right to judge!
War is hell, if you don't like it then don't play, or ask others to!
What did I do to you after Nam?
Your SON volunteered for this illegal war didn't he? No draft? Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, were you at My Lai? Your great granddad at Wounded Knee? Or just relatives working the ovens in the concentration camps?
LevTolstoy2 - apparenty after Nam he experimented enough to win first place in the commercial this is your brain on drugs.
There should be no punishment for urinating on Taliban corpses. It is what the Taliban would do to any US soldier they capture -- after they torture and behead that soldier and dismember the body and throw it in the street. No punishment for any act against the Taliban! None!