Stand-To
Marines share descriptions of the horrors of treating and evacuating more than a dozen men — all in the middle of a massive firefight that kicked off after the explosion in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Angelica Alzona for NPR hide caption
Marines share descriptions of the horrors of treating and evacuating more than a dozen men — all in the middle of a massive firefight that kicked off after the explosion in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004.
Angelica Alzona for NPRThe men of Echo Company describe the horrific chaos and confusion after the explosion in the courtyard of a schoolhouse in Fallujah, Iraq.
As Navy Corpsmen treat the wounded, an intense battle breaks out.
Hours later, after the fighting finally subsides, the men hear some horrible news. And they start to wonder — what caused the explosion?
As rumors fly within Echo Company — and back to Camp Pendleton — one young Marine is punished for telling his best friend's wife how her husband really died.
The men also share some startling new information with Tom and Graham: It wasn't just two Marines who were killed in the explosion. A third man, an Iraqi interpreter working with U.S. troops, was also killed.
Meanwhile, the Lance Corporal Underground pins the blame for the deadly explosion on one young officer.
Tom and Graham dig around and obtain footage of an obscure Congressional Subcommittee hearing from 2007 that forced the Marines to reveal new information. During that hearing, a Marine general made a promise to Congress — a promise the men of Echo Company say wasn't kept.
Finally, desperate for details about the elusive investigation, the team finds a high-ranking Marine Corps officer willing to talk about what happened. He says he's seen the investigation — and shares his recollection of its findings.