Walter B. Jones: “on April 5, 2005, I rose on the House floor in defense of former Marine Lieutenant Ilario Pantano, who had been accused…”

“on April 5, 2005, I rose on the House floor in defense of former Marine Lieutenant Ilario Pantano, who had been accused of premeditated murder for his actions in April 2004 that resulted in the deaths of two suspected Iraqi insurgents. At that time I encouraged my colleagues to support a resolution calling on the United States Government to dismiss all charges against Lieutenant Pantano who had defended the cause of freedom, democracy and liberty, while serving as a platoon commander in Iraq. In an action of self-defense, Lieutenant Pantano made a split-second battlefield decision to shoot two suspected Iraqi insurgents who refused to follow his orders to stop their movement towards him. Lieutenant Pantano did his duty as any marine officer should when faced with the enemy. Following a 5-day military hearing in May 2005, the truth of Lieutenant Pantano's innocence prevailed, and he was cleared of all charges. Lieutenant Pantano left the Marine Corps following the dismissal of the charges brought against him, as the media frenzy surrounding his case may have put him or other corps members at greater risk were he to return to duty. As an outstanding leader and dedicated servant to the Marine Corps and our Nation, I believe Lieutenant Pantano's resignation was a great loss for the Marine Corps and a great loss for America. Mr.…”