Top Marine Apologizes for Photo of Snipers With 'SS' Symbol

Last Updated on Sunday, 12 February 2012 12:51 Written by WSJ Sunday, 12 February 2012 12:42

Marines Nazi flag confusion? The Marine Corps confirmed Thursday, that one of its scout sniper teams in Afghanistan posed for a photograph in front of a flag with a logo resembling that of the notorious Nazi SS. knightarmco.com/AP/File

Washington - The commandant of the Marine Corps issued a public apology Friday after a Marine sniper unit was photographed posing with a flag resembling a Nazi symbol, angering Jewish groups and others.

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A sniper team based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., posed in front of a flag with the stylized letters “SS” resembling the symbol used by the Nazi force that oversaw the displacement and killing of Jews in Europe.

The incident is the second in recent weeks involving Marine snipers that prompted widespread condemnation, including from Pentagon leaders. Last month, a video showed members of another sniper team urinating on the corpses of Taliban militants in Afghanistan.

Some military officers dismissed as a coincidence the fact that Marine sniper teams have been responsible for two offensive images in recent weeks. Others said that given the strategic effects of such images, the Marines need to take steps to prevent a repeat of such incidents in the future.

“In today’s world, images depicting poor judgment or bad behavior can spread quickly, and they can be damaging to our military’s reputation,” said a defense official.