The process of investigating serious allegations regarding executions in Haditha is nearly over and the honor of the US Marines has been retained intact.

An investigating officer has recommended dismissing murder charges against a U.S. Marine accused in the slayings of three Iraqi men in a squad action that killed 24 civilians in the town of Haditha, according to a report.

The government’s theory that Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt had executed the three men was “incredible” and relied on contradictory statements by Iraqis, Lt. Col. Paul Ware said in the report, released Tuesday by Sharratt’s defense attorneys.

“To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, and sets a dangerous precedent that, in my opinion, may encourage others to bear false witness against Marines as a tactic to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq,” Ware wrote.

H/T to reader Crosspatch for the link. The process of making reparations by those who flung wild and unsubstantiated acussations against these Marines and our Military has yet to begin. Especially from those ex-Marines like Jack Murtha who took the word of enemy propagandists over the word (and evidence) of our people on the front lines.

It is time for the Haditha Hounds who brayed in the press and smeared the reputation of good people caught in an unforgiving situation. Death is the ultimate tragedy and war brings way too much of it. But exploiting death for ones personal, political benefit – and smearing others in the process – is a sin nearly as bad as the sin of baseless killing. The liberal Democrats owe these Marines a public show of support and gratitude for surviving the attack, and then surviving the smear campaign and ultimate investigation, and in doing so restoring honor to the US Marines. Anything short of this act of recognition would simply confirm the motives of the mud slingers. Semper fi!