DaytonDailyNews.com

2005

Nov. 19: A four-vehicle convoy containing U.S. service members from 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, 3K2 Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and Iraqi forces encountered a deliberate insurgent improvised explosive device and small-arms-fire ambush near Haditha, Iraq. One Marine was killed and two were wounded.

Nov. 19: Deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians near Haditha.

Nov. 20: Multi National Force-West (MNF-W) issues press release stating that 15 civilians were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation and that Marines and Iraqi forces killed eight insurgents in the ensuing fire fight.

2006

Jan. 24: 'Time' magazine reporter contacts the Multi National Force-West (2nd Marine Division) public affairs officer claiming he is investigating the deliberate killing of civilians during an incident in Haditha, Iraq, on Nov. 19, 2005.

Feb. 14: Multi National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) directs an Army Regulation 15-6 (AR 15-6) investigation concerning the circumstances of 24 Iraqi civilian deaths near Haditha, Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005.

March 9: Multi National Corps — Iraq's AR 15-6 investigation is closed. MNC-I recommends further Criminal Investigation Division (CID) or Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigation into the civilian deaths near Haditha, Iraq.

March 12: Multi National Force-West, initiates a NCIS investigation into the Nov. 19, 2005, civilian deaths near Haditha, Iraq, and a Judge Advocate General Manual (JAGMAN) investigation concerning the official reporting of civilian deaths.

March 17: The Commanding General for Multi National Corps — Iraq initiates a second AR 15-6 investigation concerning the official reporting of events and follow-up actions of 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, 3K2 Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division on Nov. 19, 2005, the training of Marines in the rules of engagement (ROE) and law of armed conflict (LOAC) and the command climate in 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment as it pertains to the disciplined application of ROE and LOAC. The investigating officer is Maj. Gen. Bargewell.

March 28: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division begins its redeployment back to Camp Pendleton, Calif., after the completion of their deployment to Iraq.

June 15: The second Multi National Corps — Iraq AR 15-6 investigation is closed.

July 7: The second Multi National Corps — Iraq AR 15-6 investigation is endorsed by the Commanding General for Multi National Corps — Iraq.

July 17: U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) provides a full copy of the second Multi National Corps — Iraq AR 15-6 investigation to NCIS. NCIS incorporates the second Multi National Corps — Iraq AR 15-6 investigation into its criminal investigation.

Dec. 21: Charges are preferred against four Marines in connection with the Nov. 19, 2005, deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians near Haditha, Iraq. Charges are also preferred against four Marines for their failure to properly report and/or investigate the deaths of the Iraqi civilians. Press briefing conducted at the Camp Pendleton, Calif.