Criminal Investigation of Green Beret
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/c...f-green-beret/
CIA job interview leads to criminal investigation of Green Beret
Quote:
Maj. Mathew L. Golsteyn was investigated by the Army Criminal Investigation Command for an undisclosed violation of the U.S. military’s rules of engagement in 2010 that resulted in the death of a known enemy fighter and bombmaker in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to the officials. The Army closed a lengthy investigation last summer without charging Golsteyn with any crime, but Army Secretary John McHugh revoked a Silver Star that Golsteyn had been awarded for heroism on Feb. 20, 2010, during the iconic Battle of Marja.
The Army also took away Golsteyn’s Special Forces tab, a qualification that goes to any soldier who completes Special Forces training, and reassigned him to the conventional Army as an infantry officer, several officials said. He is in the process of determining his future with the Army, said his lawyer, Phil Stackhouse.
Unless this article is inaccurate, or leaving out a lot facts, I'm perplexed by the Army's decision to revoke this officer's Silver Star and SF tab.
His violation of the ROE resulted in the death of a known bomb maker and enemy fighter, so apparently we're not talking about innocent civilians being killed due to a violation of ROE, but an enemy combatant.
No one seems to be questioning the officer's heroic behavior, so why revoke his Silver Star?
His team worked in the same sector as the Marines, and Marine officers who worked with him vouched for his professionalism and judgment.
Something isn't adding up, so hopefully there is more to the story that justifies the Army's decision.
