Top Marine visits Pendleton; Gen. Hagee reinforces core values to troops

By: DAVID STERRETT - Staff Writer | Wednesday, June 14, 2006 1:23 AM PDT ∞

CAMP PENDLETON -- During a visit that came as several local servicemen face allegations in the deaths of Iraqi civilians, the head of the Marine Corps stressed to troops at Camp Pendleton on Tuesday the importance of honor, courage and commitment, according to military officials.

The visit of Gen. Michael Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, was closed to the public because he wanted to meet privately to talk with his troops, military spokespersons said Tuesday.

Maj. Jeff Nyhart, a Pendleton spokesman, said Hagee reinforced to the troops the ideals, values and standards of the Marines during the visit to Pendleton.

Hagee didn't discuss ongoing investigations into the deaths of 24 Iraqis in the town of Haditha last November and a 52-year-old Iraqi man in the town of Hamdania in April, Nyhart said.

"The commandant is very cognizant that he can't discuss ongoing investigations," Nyhart said.

Nyhart said Hagee met with groups of Marines at various locations at the base throughout the day. Hagee spoke for about 20 minutes and took questions from Marines for another 40 minutes, Nyhart said.

The commandant, who is appointed by the president and reports to the secretary of the Navy, oversees the Marines but is not in charge of combat operations.

Hagee is due to complete his four-year tenure as Marine commandant in January.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that Lt. Gen. James Conway has been nominated to be the next commandant of the Corps.

A top general said Tuesday that the nomination of Conway has been planned for months and has no tie to the investigations.

Nyhart and military officials would not discuss specifics of Hagee's speech on Tuesday at Camp Pendleton, one of several stops on a tour to remind troops of the "core values" of the Marines.

In a news release issued May 25 about the worldwide tour, Hagee said honor, commitment and courage guide Marines.

"To most Marines, the most difficult part of courage is not raw physical courage that we have seen so often on today's battlefield," Hagee said in the written statement. "It is rather the moral courage to do the 'right thing' in the face of danger or pressure from other Marines."

In the statement, Hagee said recent allegations that Marines have murdered Iraqi civilians "caused me concern."

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment Kilo Company for the deaths of 24 civilians in Haditha in November.

In a separate incident, seven Marines and a Navy corpsman from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment's Kilo Company are being held in the Camp Pendleton brig for the alleged kidnapping and murder of a 52-year-old Iraqi man on April 26 in Hamdania.

No charges have been filed in that case.

Two attorneys representing Marines in the brig said they were concerned that Hagee could hurt their clients' chances of getting a fair trail if he suggests the men are guilty or discusses punishment.

David Brahms, a Carlsbad attorney representing a 21-year-old lance corporal being held in the brig, said the commandant should not make any statements about the case with an investigation ongoing.

But Hagee's visit wasn't unique, according to Brahms, a retired brigadier general who said that during the late 1970s and early 1980s, he advised Marine commandants on legal issues.

"He's just coming out to talk with his troops," Brahms said. "As much as his schedule permits, he is out in the field talking with Marines. Senior Marines don't hide in their office."

-- The Associated Press contributed to this story. Contact staff writer David Sterrett at (760) 740-3516 or dsterrett@nctimes.com.

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