The aim, according to the U.S. military, was to capture a reputed death squad leader.

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During Vietnam, Sergeant Hagel served as an infantry squad leader, along with his brother, where they both were wounded twice.

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As a weapons squad leader with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants.

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But Sax said that after he had seen a "60 Minutes" interview with the Marine squad leader who had led a deadly sweep through Haditha he was shocked and felt his battalion should have asked hard questions much earlier.

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The unassuming captain, glowingly described by head coach Gary Street as a "great leader", is not the only member of the squad who has had to make financial sacrifices ahead of the World Cup.

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Their spectral presence is most frequently sensed around the prison chapel, where 1916 Easter Rising leader Joseph Plunkett married Grace Gifford just hours before his execution by firing squad.

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