U.S. Marine Says Civilians Warned Them

[thedrifter]

Apr 16, 7:49 AM EDT

U.S. Marine Says Civilians Warned Them

By PANOS KAKAVIATOS
Associated Press Writer

LANDSTUHL, Germany (AP) -- Even in the tense days when U.S. forces were gaining control of Baghdad, civilians helped warn Marine guards at a checkpoint that a suicide bomber was approaching, a wounded U.S. Marine recalled Wednesday.

U.S. Marine Cpl. David McCallen, 23, of Columbus, Ohio, received shrapnel wounds in the April 10 attack at a U.S. checkpoint in northern Baghdad. He was one of four Marines wounded, but he says it could have been worse.

"The civilians noticed one man running up on us... strapped with explosives. He got within just a few feet of us and detonated himself," McCallen said. "The civilians, they helped us out. They saved a number of people from getting hurt."

McCallen also said the crowds of civilians welcoming U.S. troops created an uneasy environment for the advancing allies - creating a distraction as well as cover for Iraqi soldiers who were discarding their uniforms.

"Our fight is not with the Iraqi people. Our fight is with Saddam's regime," he said at a news conference. "At the same time, you've got those individuals who are fighting us, they're dropping their uniforms so you have to watch who you are dealing with."

Sempers,

Roger