This memo issueing a reprimand for Obstruction of Justice is issued to a Major for his wrongfully impeding criminal investigation into drowning death of an Iraqi citizen in an incident know as the Tigris River Incident, Samarra, Iraq, January 3, 2004 contained in CID Report 0011-04-CID469-79630.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
4Th INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED)
TIKRIT, IRAQ
APO AE 09323-2628
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
AFYB-CG
/t44,,c), 2404
MEMORANDUM FOR MAJIIIIIIIIIIHeadquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-8th Infantry Battalion, 3 1. Brigade ombat Team, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
SUBJECT: Reprimand for Obstruction of Justice
1.
You are hereby reprimanded for wrongfully impeding a criminal investigation division (CID) investigation into the drowning death of an Iraqi citizen by members of the battalion. Specifically, you instructed soldiers in A Company, 1-8 th Infantry Battalion, to deny that two civilians were pushed into the Tigris River which was totally false. Your conduct was wrongful, criminal and will not be tolerated.
2.
Good order and discipline requires leaders to live and enforce standards of conduct we expect from our soldiers. In the 4 th Infantry Division, we have an inherent trust in our commanders to do the right thing which you violated. Your conduct is a poor example for other soldiers to follow. As a commissioned officer, I expect much more from you. Your actions have brought discredit upon you, 1 st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3 rd
th Infantry Division, the Officer Corps, and the United States Army. Your Brigade, 4 violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice casts severe doubts on your suitability for leadership in the U.S. Army.
3. This reprimand is imposed JAW Article 15, UCMJ and will be filed in conjunction with DA Form 2627.
RA (h¦ OND T. ODIERNO Major General, USA Commanding
020485
DOD-043565