Resignation, Suspicion Greet Fallouja Pact

For nearly a month, the young Marines of Echo Company who have battled daily with insurgents have had one goal in mind: to someday push into the center of the city and crush the insurgents in their stronghold.

Now, as part of a hastily arranged plan to “put an Iraqi face” on the conflict, the Marines’ goal appears to have changed.

The Marines are being told they will be moving north to a location outside the city, leaving Fallouja to a newly formed Iraqi army unit run by one of Saddam Hussein’s former generals.

Although there is disappointment among the Marines, there is also widespread agreement that they will be fighting again, and probably soon.

“If I get mad about it, it doesn’t do any good,” said Lance Cpl. Ira Pierce Jr., 20, of Knoxville, Tenn. “I’d seriously like to push in, but if this thing [the Iraqi army] doesn’t work, we’ll get our chance.”

As part of their new orders, the Marines have been told they will be hunting for insurgents operating in the suburbs and farming communities surrounding Fallouja. The promise of a fresh fight has taken some of the sting out of the news of the redeployment.

“We killed hundreds of them here,” said 1st Sgt. William Skiles, 42, of San Diego. “As [a Marine general once] said: ‘Let’s regroup and attack in a different position.’ ”

There is also a belief among many Marines that the brass know best.

“Deep down, I’m [angry], but there’s not much I can do,” said Pfc. An Nguyen, 18, of Sacramento. “The higher-ups know what they’re doing.”

Some Marines prefer not to dwell on the abrupt change.

“I try not to think about, it’s not my job to think about things like that,” said Cpl. Jeremy Whitley, 24, of Livermore. “The more you think about, the more there is to keep you awake.”

Soon, the Marines plan to depart -- none call it retreat -- from the cluster of bullet-riddled homes where they have camped since the insurgents attacked U.S. troops at a checkpoint on April 6. Marines responded with a vigorous counteroffensive.

In the days that followed, the Marines of Echo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Camp Pendleton, have been in near daily fights with insurgents dug in only a few hundred yards away.

Three Marines with Echo Company have been killed and more than two dozen wounded. The company’s Iraqi interpreter also was killed.

Capt. Douglas Zembiec, the company commander, has told his troops not to feel down because they are leaving the spot that they fought to capture and hold and where small memorials have been erected to the three dead Marines.

“I told everyone of them: Your brothers did not die in vain,” Zembiec said. “We’ll give this [the Iraqi army] a chance. If it doesn’t work, we’re prepared to go back in.”

By selection and training, Marines are aggressive. There is something unnatural about breaking off a campaign before the enemy has been vanquished.

“Who doesn’t want to attack?” said Staff Sgt. Pete Marrufo, 26, of Graham, Texas. “That’s what we get paid to do. But we also get paid to follow orders.”

Staff Sgt. Stacy Page, 39, of Joliet, Ill., said he understands the impatience of many younger Marines at not being allowed to continue the fight against insurgents who have killed three of their buddies.

“It’s not so much a desire for revenge as starting something and then wanting to see it through to a good end, both for us and the Iraqi people,” Page said.

But there is little doubt that Marines will see more fighting, given the fact that the insurgents appear well-armed, organized and relentless.

“There’s plenty of guys out there we need to kill,” said Lt. Ben Wagner, 27, of San Diego.