hree senior U.S. Marine Corps officers have been sanctioned in connection with the killings of 24 civilians in Haditha, Iraq, but it was determined they didn't commit any crimes, the Marine Corps said Wednesday.

"While these three officers have served their country and Corps exceedingly well for decades, their actions, inactions and decisions in the aftermath of the Haditha incident did not meet the high standards we expect of Marine senior officer leadership," Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, said in a written statement.

Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck, former commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division; Col. Stephen W. Davis, former commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division; and Col. Robert G. Sokoloski, former chief of staff of 2nd Marine Division (Forward) all received letters of censure from the secretary of the Navy.
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The letters of censure are expected to end the military careers of the three officers. When they file for retirement, their request will be reviewed by Winter, who will determine if they will retire at their current ranks or at the last rank at which they served satisfactorily, Marine officials said.

Huck is currently the deputy assistant commandant for plans, policy and operations at Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Davis is now the chief of staff for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Sokolowski is the staff judge advocate general for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune.

I do have a certain level of compassion for the troops . . . but I also do not excuse horrible crimes because of stress.