The U.S. Navy’s top officer will uphold the punishment for a SEAL who posed for a picture next to the body of a dead ISIS fighter.
Former Chief Petty Officer Eddie Gallagher of San Diego was sentenced to four months of confinement and loss of rank. He was convicted on one charge of taking the pic.
“After careful consideration as the convening authority, Adm. [Mike] Gilday decided to uphold the sentence as adjudged by a jury of Gallagher’s peers but disapproved the automatic reduction in rate to E-1,” Navy Cmdr. Nate Christensen said.
Chief petty officers in the Navy have achieved the rank of E-7, usually after years of time in service, time in grade, and coursework.
Instead, Gallagher will be reduced to E-6, which his attorney, said would cost him $200,000 upon retirement.
Gallagher was charged with several war crimes, including shooting civilians in Iraq and murdering a wounded Islamic State fighter in 2017.
However, a jury of mostly Marine combat veterans only convicted him on the photo charge.
The case was marked by leaks as well as accusation the the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) sent email trackers to Gallagher’s defense lawyers as well as a reporter in the weeks leading up to his trial.
In addition, a key witness stated that he killed the IS fighter, not Gallagher.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said the case proves that the military justice system is “completely broken and desperately requires a complete overhaul.”
Hunter, co-founder of Justice for Warriors Caucus, also said the ruling was “mind boggling” and requested a presidential pardon for Gallagher.
I’d have to see the photo before rendering a decision. But it seems to be we need some documentation as to who was killed and who did the killing. In a wartime operation I don’t think it is any worse than some deer kills that I have seen. The hunter, the successful shooter, is just happy that he’s not the one killed. Like I said, I’d hae to see the photo first.
IAM GLAD THESE GUYS WERE NOT AROUND IN 1967….HILLS 823 AND 875…….ME AND MY ..BUDS….WOULD STILL BE I JAIL…………173RD AIRBORNE…….
As a Vietnam vet and an Iraq war vet I can confirm that the US military can’t fight it’s way out of a paper bag without the aid of armored vehicles or air strikes. Whose fault? Butt heads like this “admiral”. He is no doubt a Clinton officer, Clinton would only promote Democrats to higher rank. He wants our grunts to love their enemies.
You have to hate them in order to kill them. If you don’t hate them you are just a murderer.
I am so, so happy that I’m retired. The system is so broken and has been for so long. It all depends on who you are and who you are connected with. I really feel for this guy and his family. Brother, after your ordeal is over, fair winds & following seas.
What a scam. The military treated Bergdahl better.