Marine leader during Haditha killings was recommended for a medal

(Washington-AP, Aug. 30, 2006 5:00 PM) _ The commander of a former Meriden man who led an Iraq mission in which up to 24 civilians were killed said the Marine deserves a medal for his action.

The recommendation for Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich was contained in a memo a few weeks after the deaths. Wuterich is among troops under investigation for allegations they deliberately killed Iraqis civilians -- many of them women and children -- after coming under attack November 19th in Haditha.

Wuterich's attorney today released a document to The Associated Press AP in which the platoon commander wrote that Wuterich had established security, then -- quote -- led a counterattack on the buildings ... where his Marines were still receiving sporadic fire. -- unquote. The counterattack, the platoon commander says, turned the tide of the ambush.

Read the rest at WTNH 8

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