Suicide of 20-year-old Marine a sadly common tale
In a report on the death, his commanders and colleagues express surprise and regret. 'I will always wish there was something else we could have done to let him know we cared and were there for him.'
When interviewed about his death, none of the Marine's buddies said they had seen any sign that he was thinking of suicide.
Always quiet, he had seemed more withdrawn than usual. He had never felt at ease in Iraq and he repeatedly said he deserved to be back at Camp Pendleton. His reputation was that of a marginal performer who was good for a few days and then would backslide.
He was embarrassed at getting caught three times not paying attention while standing guard. He had been ordered to write letters of apology to his platoon.
Instead he was found dead on his bunk, his M-16 near his body. Tests on the weapon showed it was in perfect shape, seeming to rule out an accident.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Times obtained the investigatory report on the death of the 20-year-old lance corporal -- one of at least 168 young Marines who have killed themselves since the Marines were ordered in early 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein.
To spare the family additional pain, The Times has decided not to publish his name or identifying information such as his battalion or where in Iraq the death occurred.
The death has been ruled a suicide, although the man's family cannot accept that finding, according to a family friend. The family declined to talk to The Times. News stories about their son's death never mentioned suicide.
If there is anything distinguishing about the suicide, it may be that it was not unusual. An Army study found soldiers had exhibited the classic warning signs -- talking of feeling hopeless and worthless, of not having anything to live for -- in only about half of Army suicides.
The signs are often more subtle, said a Marine Corps chaplain familiar with this case. For young Marines, that increases the difficulty of being on the lookout for a buddy who may be sinking into despair.
"More and more," said Navy Cmdr. John Dickens, deputy chaplain for the 1st Marine Division, "the warning signs aren't predictions of suicide but rather invitations for somebody to ask: 'Are you thinking of killing yourself?' "
If anybody asked that question in this case, it is not reflected in the report. The Marines were busy with their daily duties, excited about going home soon, after a deployment in which several among them had been killed by the enemy.
The suicide left other Marines confused.
