On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, at 10:31  AM, Johnson, Tracy wrote:

> "On Dec. 20, the panel reported that one man should be held
> accountable for the tragedy: Lt. Col. Howard L. Gerlach, who was in
> charge of security at the airport base. But Gerlach's security plan
> had been approved by Col. Timothy Geraghty, commander of the 24th
> M.A.U., and the Pentagon commission recommended that both men be
> disciplined.
>
> However, in an unusual move, President Reagan blocked legal
> proceedings against Geraghty and Gerlach and accepted responsibility
> for the massacre, saying, "The local commanders have already suffered
> quite enough." Gerlach was in a coma for several days after the blast,
> one of more than 50 Marines wounded. He never regained the use of his
> legs. The President' s action forestalled almost certain
> courts-martial for the two officers."

I can understand President Reagan's sympathy for Gerlach. However, as a
former Marine (reserve) officer, I respectfully disagree with the
president's  decision. President Nixon's Watergate activities led to
his loss of the presidency. Of course, good old Ford replaces him and
forgives him for his crimes because he's "already suffered enough".

Sorry. I believe that trials are provided to determine guilt or
innocence. If guilt is determined, then the punishment phase determines
whether the perpetrator has "already suffered enough" or not.

By the way. Note also that Geraghty ( the senior officer and, therefor,
the responsible officer) also went scott free.

FW

Semper Fi

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