THE COURT-MARTIALS OF WAR HEROES

THE COURT-MARTIALS OF WAR HEROES - San Antonian natives SFC Trey A. Corrales and SGT Leonard Trevino were charged with murdering terrorist prisoners in Iraq. If convicted they could have been sent to prison for life. Corrales was tried in Hawaii and Trevino was tried at Ft Hood Texas.

After spending months in limbo and going throught hell not knowing what their fate would be they were both acquitted of all charges. Two brave and courages soldiers who had laid their lives on the line for their country were treated like a couple of common crimnals. Damn the military for charging them in the first place.

At last count 33 San Antonians, not to mention the number wounded, have been killed in the Iraq/Afghanistan War by the same kind of murdering, scumbag terrorists Corrales and Trevino were accused of murdering.

It's tough enough that we have to send troops like Corrales and Trevinio, both volunteers and heroes, to fight a bunch of cowardly terrorists who torture and murder US troops and innocent Iraqi civilians, refuse to wear a uniform or follow any rules of warfare, and then charge them with murder for killing one.

US troops, especially combat troops, aren't a bunch of volunteers singing in the church choir on Sunday morning and helping old women cross the street. Fighting a war is just about the toughest, nastiest, dangerous job there is. As a combat veteran of three combat tours in Vietnam I know just how tough it is.

Unfortunately, Corrales and Trevino aren't by themselves in what is becoming an endless number of trumpted up court-martials of US troops accused of "murder" everytime a so-called "civilian" is killed during a firefight. In their cases it was a terrorist prisoner. Fortunately, and in their trials, the majority have ended in aquittals or significantly reduced sentences.

Corrales has been in the thick of battle as evidenced by his many awards and decorations. He has the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) a much coveted badge awarded to soldiers who have been under enemy fire, the parachutist badge, a Ranger tab, the Bronze Star, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and fourteen other decorations. Trevino is also a decorated combat veteran. Hardly the type of awards worn by some rear area, desk bound staff officers or noncoms who have never felt the sting of battle.

I suspect that Corrales and Trevino are a couple of decorated combat warriors who have been the victims of what many view as an "unpopular war." Both were thrown under the bus by the military brass to cover their own rearends and appease the politically correct crowd, those who hate America and the military and those in Congress who oppose the war.

People like Rep. John Murtha, D-Penn., who called US Marines cold-blooded killers. The Marines Murtha accused were later aquitted of all charges. Peolple like Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who compared US troops at GITMO to Nazi SS troops, Sen John Kerry, who accused US troops of terrorizing Iraqi women and children in the dark of night. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Senate Majority leader said, "The war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything." When this kind of treasonous talk is made by members of Congress with impunity the damage done to the military is enormous.

The liberal media, of course, applauds this kind of talk from their pals in Congress. The terrorist throughout the world and especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan are encouraged by such talk and the court-martials of our troops who are fighting and dying in defense of freedom.

Rarely are US troops the subject of news articles when they are decorated or win battles in Iraq or Afghanistan. Only when the news is bad, such as the trials of soldiers like Corrales and Trevino, is it news worthy and front page material. The liberal editors of the San antonio Express-News made sure the article on Corrales' trial was on the front page with a color photo of Corrales in his uniform.

SFC Paul Smith was the first soldier to receive the Medal of Honor (posthumously) in the Iraq War. SFC Smith was killed while manning a heavy machinegun in which he killed 50 attacking enemy troops in Baghdad. His actions saved many lives of US troops in his unit. You had to look hard to see it mentioned anywhere in the liberal newspapers or hear it on TV or the radio.

When Gen. David Petraeus, America's top general in Iraq and a highly decorated combat trooper, appeared before Congress to report on the war and his troops he was not well received by the Democrats chairing the committees in both the Senate and the House.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY., and presidential candidate, told Gen. Petraeus, "The reports you provide us really require the willing suspension of disbelief." In other words she called the top general in Iraq a liar and got away with it. Where was the outrage on the part of the Republicans on the committee. If there was any it didn't amount to much more than a whisper. The liberal press didn't make much of it, which was no surprise.

When one of America's top generals is subjected to such shabby treatment by members of Congress and the liberal press is it any wonder that our troops are victims of trumpted up court-martials.

The military has been given a raw deal ever since MacArthur was fired for insisting on winning the Korean War. In WWII American troops were not hauled before a military court for killing prisoners or when civilians were battle casualties. A single soldier, charged with desertion, was executed by firing squad in all of WWII. The enemy on the other hand, executed thousands of their troops. Russia under Stalin purged the military killing and sending to prison tens of thousands including generals.

The big question remains as who in the hell is looking out for our combat troops who are bearing the brunt of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Where were Corrales and Trevino's superior officers, the platoon leaders, company commanders, battalion and regeimental COs, the division commander in these trumpted up trials. Congress dismisses the top general's report on the war as a bunch of lies. It's up to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to put a stop to Rules of Engagement (ROE) that are getting our troops killed and wounded and back up his generals in stopping these kangaroo type court-martials.

The enemy dosen't follow the Geneva Convention or recognize any rules of warfare other to win by any means thay can. Why should our troops be forced to fight with one hand tied behind their backs.

The enemy should be made to fear our troops as was the case in WWII. The Japanese feared US Marines and the Germans feared US paratroopers who were called "Devils in baggy pants." When a bunch of terrorists have their heads hacked off with a bayonet they'll get the message that the rules of engagement have changed.

During WWII when asked about war Gen. Curtis Lemay replied, "I'll tell you what war is all about; you've got to kill people, and when you've killed enough they stop fighting." I wonder what todays congressional Democrats and the liberal media would say to that.

SFC Corrales and SGT Trevino should be decorated and promoted. The general that ordered the trial and military lawyers who tried them should be relieved of duty, demoted and assigned to the most dangerous combat areas in Iraq. If they're lucky and survive then maybe they'll know what it's like to "feel the sting of battle."

I hope Robert Gates, Congress, and the liberal media are listening.