Pantano faced possible death sentence for killing insurgents
A Marine officer exonerated after a high-profile, year-long investigation into an accusation he murdered two suspected Iraqi insurgents is publishing a memoir.
As WorldNetDaily reported, 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano, a platoon leader in the volatile Sunni Triangle, insisted he acted in self-defense against suspected insurgents during a weapons-cache raid in the spring of 2004. But Marine Corps prosecutors contended Pantano broke the military code and executed the Iraqis to send a message to the enemy.
Before being cleared by his commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Richard Huck, Pantano had faced a possible court-martial and death sentence.
The tile of Pantano's upcoming book, "WARLORD: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy," alludes to a sign he placed on the insurgents' vehicle with the words of revered 1st Marine Division commander Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis. The slogan meant Iraqis who sought justice, freedom and peace would find no better friend than the United States, while those who engaged in terrorism would meet no worse enemy.
Simon & Schuster's new imprint Threshold Editions
Threshold's editor-in-chief is leading Republican political strategist Mary Matalin.
"Lieutenant Ilario Pantano represents the best of America," Matalin said in a statement. "His extraordinary Marine's story is a resounding semper fi to courage, conviction, valor and American values."
Pantano says his story is about "the love of being a father and a son, both to my own flesh and to America's sons that were entrusted to me."
"It's a story about a love so strong that you would give your own life or use whatever brutality is required to protect it," he said.
Pantano announced his resignation from his Marine Corp commission in June.
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