Marine commander fired after deadly assault vehicle accident
A U.S. Marine Corps commander was fired Tuesday, March 23, 2021, following an investigation into the sinking of the amphibious assault vehicle that killed nine service members last year. Navy via AP, File)SAN DIEGO – A U.S. Marine Corps commander was fired Tuesday following an investigation into the sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle in the ocean off Southern California that killed nine service members last year. Col. Christopher J. Bronzi was relieved of command of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit by Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, a statement said. Rudder relieved Bronzi “due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command,” the statement said. San Clemente Island, lying about 70 miles (112.6 kilometers) northwest of San Diego, is a training ground for the Marine Corps and Navy.
Trump pardons 15, commutes 5 sentences, including GOP allies
He and his allies have discussed a range of other possibilities, including members of Trump's family and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. Trump also commuted the sentences of five other people, including former Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas. Trump also announced pardons for two people entangled in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Trump has granted about 2% of requested pardons in his single term in office — just 27 before Tuesday's announcement. Bush, another one-term president, granted 10% of requests.
Fever, symptom screening misses many coronavirus cases
(AP Photo/Lolita Baldor)Temperature and COVID-19 symptom checks like the ones used at schools and doctor's offices have again proved inadequate for spotting coronavirus infections and preventing outbreaks. The study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, has implications for colleges, prisons, meatpacking plants and other places that rely on this sort of screening to detect infections and prevent outbreaks. The recruits were tested for coronavirus when they arrived for the military quarantine and 7 and 14 days afterward. Previously, federal officials said a screening project to check temperatures and symptoms at U.S. airports caught fewer than 15 cases out of 675,000 travelers. A separate study published Wednesday in the New England journal reports on an outbreak last spring on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Trump insists he's free of virus, ready for campaign trail
In a memo released Saturday night by the White House, Navy Cmdr. The memo did not declare Trump had tested negative for the virus. Biden's campaign said the nominee again tested negative on Saturday for COVID-19. Masks are mandatory outdoors for most people, but the regulations don’t apply on federal land, and the Trump White House has openly flouted them for months. White House officials have declined to answer when Trump last tested negative for the virus before his diagnosis or release detailed information about lung scans taken while Trump was hospitalized.
Trump restarting campaign with White House, Florida events
A Marine is posted outside the West Wing of the White House, signifying the President is in the Oval Office, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Washington. Trump will address the Saturday group, expected to be at least several hundred supporters, from the White House balcony. Masks are mandatory outdoors for most people, but the regulations don’t apply on federal land, and the Trump White House has openly flouted them for months. The president's White House doctor, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, said that means Trump, who has been surrounded by minimal staffing as he works out of the White House residence and the Oval Office, could return to holding events on Saturday.
The Latest: Harris says Breonna Taylor didn't get justice
Addressing criminal justice reform at Wednesday’s vice presidential debate, Harris says a Joe Biden administration would ban chokeholds and require a national registry for police officers who break the law. Vice President Mike Pence was also asked if justice was done in the Taylor case. For several minutes, a fly landed in Vice President Mike Pence’s hair, not moving as he answered questions about racial injustice and whether justice has been done in the death of Breonna Taylor. The vice presidential debate is much more cordial than last week’s raucous presidential debate with frequent interruptions and outbursts. The campaign reported her results on Wednesday, less than 12 hours before she is scheduled to debate Vice President Mike Pence.
Family, friends remember long and happy life of 'Sam the Marine'
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. - Veterans Day is nearing and the family of a World War II veteran is honoring his life of service. 'Sam the Marine' passed away last weekend at the age of 101. The love story, life story and the life of service to country is told all around Sam Nebesky's apartment. For the boy from the Bronx, his tour as Marine air mechanic in World War II framed his life. He got his own 'Sam the Marine' Day and was honored at a Florida Panthers game and a Miami Dolphins game.
Dying veteran reunites with beloved dog for final time
The 69-year-old was hospitalized in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before being transferred to a nearby VA hospice facility. (CNN) - When a veteran was admitted to hospice care last week, he had only one last wish: to say goodbye to his beloved dog, Patch. The 69-year-old was hospitalized in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before being transferred to a nearby VA hospice facility. Because Vincent has no family in the area, his 6-year-old Yorkshire Terrier mix was taken to Albuquerque's Animal Welfare Department. A palliative care social worker called and told Ricci that Vincent didn't have much time left -- maybe just a few days.
Toby Keith, vets' group give wounded Marine all-terrain wheelchair
(CNN) - Before Toby Keith took the stage for his concert in Pittsburgh, he had a special gift for retired Marine Corporal Brandon Rumbaugh. After being fitted with a prosthetic he told CNN in 2012 that he worked hard for two years to beat the odds and walk again. Rumbaugh told CNN affiliate WPXI he wanted this type of wheelchair because it will allow him to be more active outdoors and play with his six-month-old daughter. The Independence Fund, a nonprofit that assists wounded veterans, teamed up with Keith to give Rumbaugh the $16,000 wheelchair, along with backstage passes and a meet and greet with the singer. The Marine enjoyed the concert from the side of the stage and even joined Keith onstage during his performance of "American Soldier."
Witness in murder trial of Navy SEAL says he didn't see any stab wounds
Giorgio Kirylo, who was deployed in Mosul with Gallagher in 2017, testified that he did not see stab wounds on the ISIS detainee's neck. Kirylo testified he moved the body, after medical efforts failed, to take a "trophy photo." Last week, Special Operator First Class Corey Scott, a medic in Gallagher's deployment, testified that he was the one who killed the ISIS prisoner, not Gallagher. Ealier this week, Navy SEAL Special Operations Chief Craig Miller testified he saw Gallagher stab the wounded fighter "on the right side of his neck, toward the jugular vein." Another witness said he saw Gallagher stab the prisoner under the collarbone but didn't see any blood.