The Marine who led a mission in Iraq that resulted in up to 24 civilian deaths was recommended for a medal by his commander weeks later, according to a memo released by the Marine s attorney Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich is one of a number of members of his platoon under investigation over allegations that they deliberately killed Iraqis civilians many of them women and children after coming under attack last November in Haditha, Iraq. Earlier this month, Pentagon officials revealed that evidence collected about the killings supported allegations that Marines deliberately fired on civilians. On Wednesday, Wuterich s defense lawyer released to the Associated Press a memo in which his commander wrote that the Marine had established security, then led a counterattack on the buildings ... where his Marines were still receiving sporadic fire. That counterattack turned the tide of the ambush and killed a number of insurgents still attempting to fight or attempting to flee the area, wrote platoon leader Lt. William T. Kallop. In a two-page memo, Kallop laid out several previous missions in which Wuterich had participated. He is an outstanding squad leader and undoubtedly a worthy recipient of the NAM 'V,'" Kallop wrote, referring to a type of Navy Achievement Medal. What it shows is that he was a good Marine, well respected, and he was put in for an award for heroic actions on that day, said Wuterich s attorney Neal Puckett. The document was first revealed in Wednesday editions of The Washington Post, which said the memo was written in January and reveals that Kallop believed Marines were under attack when they stormed civilian homes and opened fire. The Marines involved in the incident initially reported that 15 Iraqi civilians had been killed by a makeshift roadside bomb and in crossfire between Marines and insurgent attackers. Based on accounts from survivors and human rights groups, Time magazine reported in March that the killings were deliberate acts by the Marines. The Marine Corps and Navy prosecutors are reviewing evidence to determine whether to recommend criminal charges. Marine Corps spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Scott Fazekas said officials have found no record that any medal was awarded.
