Heres How Yahoo/AP Justify Killing and War.
Posted in H.L. News, Main Blog (All Posts) on July 31st, 2006 10:22 am by HL
USMC sniper metes out swift death in Iraq
RAMADI, Iraq – He was 5 when he first fired an M-16, his father holding him to brace against the recoil. At 17 he enlisted in the Marine Corps, spurred by the memory of 9/11. Now, 21-year-old Galen Wilson has 20 confirmed kills in four months in
— and another 40 shots that probably killed insurgents. One afternoon the lance corporal downed a man hauling a grenade launcher five-and-a-half football fields away.
Wilson is the designated marksman in a company of Marines based in downtown Ramadi, watching over what Marines call the most dangerous neighborhood in the most dangerous city in the world.
Here, Sunni Arab insurgents are intent on toppling the local government protected by Marines.
Wilson, 5-foot-6 with a soft face, is married and has two children and speaks in a deep, steady monotone.
After two tours in Iraq, his commanders in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment call him a particularly mature Marine, always collected and given to an occasional wry grin.
His composure is regularly tested. Swaths of central and southern Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, are dominated by insurgents who regularly attack the provincial government headquarters that Marines protect.
During a large-scale attack on Easter Sunday, Wilson says, he spotted six gunmen on a rooftop about 400 yards away. In about 8 seconds he squeezed off five rounds hitting five gunmen in the head. The sixth man dived off a 3-story building just as Wilson got him in his sights, and counts as a probable death.
“You could tell he didn’t know where it was coming from. He just wanted to get away,” Wilson said. Later that day, he said, he killed another insurgent.
Wilson says his skill helps save American troops and Iraqi civilians.
“It doesn’t bother me. Obviously, me being a devout Catholic, it’s a conflict of interest. Then again, God supported David when he killed Goliath,” Wilson said. “I believe God supports what we do and I’ve never killed anyone who wasn’t carrying a weapon.”
He was raised in a desolate part of the Rocky Mountains outside Colorado Springs, “surrounded by national parks on three sides,” he says. He regularly hunted before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as a teenager. His brother also serves in the military.
Guns have long been part of Wilson’s life. His father was a sniper in the Navy SEALS. He remembers first firing a sniper rifle at age 6. By the time he enlisted he had already fired a .50-caliber machine gun.
“My father owned a weapons dealership, so I’ve been around exotic firearms all my life,” said Wilson, who remembers practicing on pine cones and cans. “My dad would help me hold (an M-16), with the butt on his shoulder, and walk me through the steps of shooting.”
Technically, Wilson is not a sniper he’s an infantryman who also patrols through the span of destroyed buildings that make up downtown Ramadi. But as his unit’s designated marksman, he has a sniper rifle. In the heat of day or after midnight, he spends hours on rooftop posts, peering out onto rows of abandoned houses from behind piles of sandbags and bulletproof glass cracked by gunfire.
Sometimes individual gunmen Marine slang for stealing glances at U.S. positions from behind a corner. Later, the distance was measured at 514 meters 557 yards.
“I didn’t doubt myself, if I was going to hit him. Maybe if I would have I would have missed,” Wilson said.
The key to accuracy is composure and experience, Wilson says. “The hardest part is looking, quickly adjusting the distance (on a scope), and then getting a steady position for a shot before he gets a shot off. For me, it’s toning everything out in my head. It’s like hearing classical music playing in my head.”
Though Wilson firmly supports the war, he used to wonder how his actions would be received back home.
“At first you definitely double-guess telling your wife, mom, and your friends that you’ve killed 20 people,” Wilson said. “But over time you realize that if they support you … maybe it’ll make them feel that much safer at home.”
He acknowledges that brutal acts of war linger in the mind.
“Some people, before they’re about to kill someone, they think that ‘Hey, I’m about to kill someone.’ That thought doesn’t occur to me. It may sound cold, but they’re just a target. Afterward, it’s real. You think, ‘Hey, I just killed someone,'” says Wilson.
Insurgents “have killed good Marines I’ve served with. That’s how I sleep at night,” he says. “Though I’ve killed over 20 people, how many lives would those 20 people have taken?”
Wilson plans to leave the Marines after his contract expires next year, and is thinking of joining a SWAT Team in Florida — possibly as a sniper.
H.L.s Take:
He’s a DEVOUT Catholic. Well I went to Church, every Sunday, and Cathecism once a week until I was 16, and I never heard anyone over there say it was Ok to blow people away from 400 Yards. They never said it was OK to kill in war, they never said it was OK to kill period. In fact quite the opposite. But, more importantly, what the hell kind of a rah rah story is this. It sounds like an advertisement for morons like this guy to go out and join the Army so he can kill ragheads who can’t even see him. What is the Pentagon paying AP now to write these stories. Ok lets hear it, I know people have opinions on this one.
July 31st, 2006 at 1:13 pm
HL soldiers follow orders. He could have refused to do what he took an oath to do and been sent home. I would not have had a problem with that. Some people kill, some people don’t. Your buddy Kerry is a killer buy his own accounts. I am sure it is all different though right??
July 31st, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Oh and something on the same topic but not really. Answer this question if you can.
How responsible is religion for all the conflict in the world today?
Would the world be a better place without religion in it??
July 31st, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Buzz, good posts as usual. I am an Anti-war. guy I believe as Socartes did that all war is fought for money. Or as General Smedley Butler said, “War is a Racket” So therefore it is not OK for Kerry or anyone else. I have a little more sympathy for Vietnam era vets because there was a draft on back then. No one is being forced to go over to Iraq and Kill. However, If I was old enough during Vietnam there is no way they would have gotten me over there. I would have left the US before I would to War.
I would say that Religion is about 70% responsible for war, with greed making up the other 30%. More Greed then religion here, but worldwide overall that would be my guess.
July 31st, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Yeah I am not a rah rah war guy either. There are times to fight and times that it is not needed. I served so I know first hand that there are those who don’t mind combat. I also know that people can be put in a combat situation and feel they need to kill others to save the lives of themselves or fellow service members.
You can get over to Iraq and throw a fit and be deemed unfit to serve and sent home. Refuse to pick up a rifle and serve the rest of your enlistment in the brig. I think some people would feel ashamed to do that or most would feel like they are letting the people they serve with down.
On the other hand there are those that don’t mind killing. I am sure it effects them, they just don’t show it. It is a volunteer military at this point so people inlisting have to have some idea that a combat situation or support role in one of those situations could arise at any time.
I also believe that ones religious beliefs need to be kept out of our governments decision making process. There is no room for god in government. Decesions should be made on the best advice or evidence you have available. And the best options you have available for the parties that will be affected. Not on who you pray to in the evening or whenever.
When Bush was on Larry King talking about asking god for advice before we invaded Iraq. He said he prayed about it…….jeezuz I could not believe it. Since when has praying about anything before you had done it worked for anyone? I really don’t believe that god told him to invade Iraq and it would all work out. I hope no one else did or does either.
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:10 pm
I’d leave him in Iraq or trade him to the IDF for a bag of bagels to be baked later. We don’t need more killers on the streets of the USA.
LA
August 2nd, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Yep even if that killer were joing a law enforcement division in your area. Do you work for NASA??
August 2nd, 2006 at 5:36 pm
This is Galen’s wife and just by chance have any of you ever stopped to ponder the possibility that this a reporter’s take on the situation? My husband does not LIKE to kill people, he is not a psycho. He is simply doing his job so that people like you can maintain the right to say ignorant things as such. He struggles with what he does, but what choice does he have? Would you rather he let them go free so they can invade our country and kill our 16 mnth old? BTW Going AWOL during time of war is punishable by death.
August 2nd, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Marine Wife,
I know the military code of justice. When was the last time you heard a soldier was executed because he refused to fight? I never said going AWOL I said refusing to pick up a rifle or kill. You can refuse to fight and not be sentenced to death.
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Marine Wife, You use the same old tired argument that all War defenders use.
“He is simply doing his job so that people like you can maintain the right to say ignorant things as such”
So he is over there fighting for my freedom, because we all know that if we hadn’t of gone into Iraq, Saddam and his republican guard were going to attack America, occupy the country, and throw us all in concentration camps. He was fighting to protect Bush’ right to steal oil.
You also said:
“My husband does not LIKE to kill people, he is not a psycho. He is simply doing his job”
If he doesn’t like to kill why did he join the Marines. Thats what they do you know, kill people.
If you really are his wife, I’d like to interview him for the site. The interview would not be meant to slam him, but to find out the difference between what he really feels and what they put in the story, also about how he feels things are going over in Iraq, and what he has learned since he went there. Please have him contact me at mail@thehollywoodliberal.com
Thank You
H.L.
August 17th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Has anyone ever wondered if this guy is so great and he is a great sniper why has he been in the service for 3 years and he is only a LnCpl? This has been on my mide since I read the story. I know that if you are a good marksman and a excellent marine you pick up sgt by your third year, this guy hasn’t even picked up Cpl yet. What is really going on here???
August 17th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Great point. Thanks for bringing that up.
October 16th, 2006 at 7:35 am
Ya\’ll are a bunch of f**kin pu**ies. Just because he manned up and joined the military he should be bashed on for doing his job. I can not even count the number of Marines that he saved, incliding mine. He has the guts to go over there and put his whole heart and soul into doing everything he can to help save his fellow Marines. Think about this you liberal pu**ies, if he hadn\’t killed those people when he did, how many Americans would those ragheads have killed then. Promotions in the infantry go a lot slower than any other MOS so shut the f**k up about that s**t. LA well let me give you this situation you f**kin little bitch, you are takin hostage in a robbery and your only chance to live is for someone to drop this guy. Would you rather have some little kid with no experience, or a man who is calm in the face of danger and an amazing shot. War has been around scince the begining of mankind, and it will always be there, you can\’t stop it by bitching or anything, you just sound like a whinny assed crybaby.
October 16th, 2006 at 9:13 am
Whose the whiny asses crybaby “None Givin” too afraid to use a name. Yeah you were in the Marines I’m sure you lying little piece of turd. Former_Marine makes a valid point. You got no answer for that then to talk curse and lie. The answer to your question if he hadn\’t killed those people when he did, how many Americans would those ragheads have killed then.
Answer: None, becuase we shouldn’t even be there. Bush lied us in, so if we were not there, it would never have happened. Your little scenario about a hostage (always with the FEAR FEAR FEAR,) Is as stupid as you are. What does that have to do with war???
October 17th, 2006 at 5:50 am
The reason that I don\’t want to give my name is because ya\’ll liberals are a bunch of war hating, hate mail writting mother f**kers. I have been there with him and the comment about me lying infurities me to the point that I am about to loose my damn mind son. The reality is is that we are there and there aint a damn thing that you can do about it, not even your protest. You need to stop thinking that you are back in the 60\’s. It appears to me that this site is a complete hoax of some sort. So, is this the \”popular thing to hate\” now days in hollywood. Well let me tell you this, Marines fight for your right to say all this bullshit you say. But speak this shit \”within armes reach of me and I will give you a good old country ass whoppin\”- Trace Adkins. What do you think about singers like that? Who are you to lay judgement on anyone in the military, you don\’t have to do what we do, live the way we live, or endure the hardships that we do. We choose to do what we do, in boot camp we are taught \”honor, courage, commitment\” and we honor this, and I dont hing that this is something that you could do, just by your attitude.
October 17th, 2006 at 9:54 am
OK so if you were there how about a little pertinent information about what unit you were in. Something that can be verified. The people that comment on this site that were in the Military usually give information that shows they know what they are talking about. Just to say “I was there†is not enough. Everytime I call someone on that, it’s the last time I hear from them.
You Say: “The reality is is that we are there and there aint a damn thing that you can do about it, not even your protest.â€
Wrong The protest is something I can do about it. on February 15, 2003 over 6 Million people marched against the war worldwide, we put out the message that there were no WMDs, this was before the war even started. How come we knew what Senators and other Government officials claimed they didn’t know. Answer: Because we weren’t lying. We were right, everyone else was wrong. If it wasn’t for us, the Anti-war movement, which is now penetrating congress, yes even Republicans, this war would go on indefinitely.
Another thing I can do is write this blog, which I assure you is no hoax, and expose the truth, and piss off war loving republicans like you. Let me ask you this. How come everytime I go to a anti-war protest I meet Vietnam vets, and WW2 vets who are totally against this.
Answer: Because they don’t have their heads up their butts like country boys like you do.
Trace Adkins??? Never heard of her, but she sounds like a pretty tough chick.
1 more thing. If you want to comment on here, clean up the languague. Also you are posting to a story from 2 and a half months ago. No one except me is even seeing these comments.
October 20th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Actually HL I stumbled across this story. You live in a pretend world where you think your in a safe little box. America is over here and the bad men are over there. I wish. I am just glad that guys like you are the minority. Ill tell you what, just google Lcpl. Galen Wilson. We love you Lcpl. Wilson, keep protect HL and his family.
February 16th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
All I have to say is your welcome. Not that the iraqi guard would come over here and imprison us. But what you should understand is that we do know a little more about the happenings over there than you do. We see it first hand where as all you have to go on is what you read or hear on the news. As clearly well educated people Im surprised that you take what you here as gospel. Some of what the reporter said was elaborated for story enhancment. But what you should take into consideration is by our fighting there we are not fighting here, whether it be terrorist which those on the battle field have found are infact present in iraq. Not just in Afghanistan. Regardless he took the call to duty not for the joy to kill but to help the iraqi people as well as the US. And further more we careless about the oil. And to LA if you are so deep and so educated and just so in touch with whats right, I cannot for the life of me understand that someone as your self who I am sure dosent put a price on another human life, suggest tradeing my little brother for a bag of baggels! And to the israelies for a bag of baggels, WOW sounds like you are a little antisemetic. At the end of the day we could live in a country like the former iraq where expressing your views as you do here would result in your execution in public! Good thing good men and women are willing to die so that you dont have to. So your welcome.
Ryan Wilson -his brother.