Army vet gets 80 years in killing over argument about military branches. Situations like this make all of us look like idiots. Doesn't it?

2015-06-11T10:36:22-04:00

This is what irks me when some idiot takes it to an extreme. This does nothing but help the civilian population believe we are a bunch of drunken idiots ready to fight anyone and everyone at the drop of a hat.

Goes to show that neither of them had the sense of a grapefruit. We have all been in these quibbles over the years. Everyone thinks there branch is the best, toughest whatever it maybe, but in the end we all agree that WE are the best damned Armed Forces in the world. It takes all of us to win battles and wars.

We don't attack our own brothers and sisters in arms we attack the enemy. I'm glad he got 80 years and to the family of the Marine, my deepest condolences and prayers for you loss.

This is a loss that should have never happened.
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(Note: Full article added by RP Staff)

BILLINGS, Mont. — An Army veteran has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for slashing the throat of a former Marine during a drunken argument over which branch of the military was better.

The Billings Gazette reports that 63-year-old William Earl Cunningham was sentenced Tuesday after his March conviction of deliberate homicide in the August 2014 death of 40-year-old Nathan Horn in Laurel.

Cunningham claimed he acted in self-defense when he slashed Horn's throat. The men were arguing over whether the Army or Marines is the better branch of the military.

At the sentencing Cunningham told the family he prays for them to have peace and comfort and told them he was sorry Horn had died.

Horn's aunt said Cunningham "deserved to hurt" because of the pain he caused their family.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/crime/2015/06/10/army-vet-gets-80-years-in-killing-over-argument-about-military-branches/71019150/

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 11 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-06-11T10:47:50-04:00

What was he thinking? Senseless and retarded. I agree CSM Lynch this typs of action makes us all looke like idiots!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 11 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-06-11T10:52:20-04:00

"Situations like this make all of us look like idiots. Doesn't it?"

Well, no, or at least not in my way of thinking, no more than i think a cop throwing a teen to the ground without need makes all cops look like an idiot, or a fireman caught setting fires makes all firemen look like an idiot.

Im kind of big on personal responsibility..what I see from this event is two Military members making themselves look like idiots. .. both for engaging on such a nonsense topic, more for not walking away, and big time for taking it way too far.

But I feel, nor accept any egg on my face from thier actions.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 11 at 2015 10:55 AM

2015-06-11T10:55:56-04:00

63 years old gets you into the Vietnam Era.
Interesting that none of his Army background didn't make it into the story.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 11 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-06-11T10:56:23-04:00

Yes, yes it does. :(

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jun 11 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-06-11T10:56:41-04:00

Agreed.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jun 11 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-06-11T10:58:55-04:00

This kind of trash is so damn stupid and senseless.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jun 11 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-06-11T11:01:13-04:00

Wow.
I love inter service rivalries. I look forward to the Army Navy football game every year. When the bullets start flying, nobody cares what is on the uniform tape, only that the person next to them has their back. This is a sad situation. CSM Michael Lynch you put it perfectly. Thank you for sharing.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 11 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-06-11T11:06:31-04:00

For me it's always all in fun and it is for the other guy too. Just for the record, the only good Marine is a submarine. One of my silly favorites.

Seriously, that guy is an idiot.

Response by SSG Pamela Smejkal made Jun 11 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-06-11T11:20:05-04:00

No, I makes that person look like an idiot.

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made Jun 11 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-06-11T11:31:49-04:00

Personally I don't feel it makes us all look like idiots. But, in the minds of people who have never served and or already have a negative picture of the military and veterans actions like this do nothing but validate their preconceived notions to themselves. We as a group, the fraternity of military brothers, sisters and respective families know better.

Unfortunately in the modern age and with near two decades of conflict in the forefront of people's minds this only adds to the negative mindset of those who already feel that way. It is up to us to show the true military ethos, values and beliefs so morons like this do not represent us all.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 11 at 2015 11:43 AM

2015-06-11T11:43:39-04:00

It's just a reminder that there is always a Bell Curve. Hopefully it won't happen enough to create a stereotype. Remember "Going Postal"?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-06-11T12:21:50-04:00

Obviously, Army's better. He won the fight.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-06-11T12:27:50-04:00

Sadly, there are homicides every year in Alabama during the LSU vs Alabama football game weekends over rival topics. A retired law enforcement officer poisoned "The Tree" at Tumors Corner in AUBURN after 'Bama lost the Iron Bowl that year. I'm certain that we should not judge all people in Alabama by senseless acts of a couple drunks that may have never actually gone to any of the aforementioned schools, which are still great institutions of higher learning. Point being, affiliation does not equate to representation. These were individuals exercising poor judgment.

Oh, before this goes the wrong route, UC - Berkley, USC, Oregon, and Oregon State are impassioned rivals as well as the SEC schools; provided there is a notion that there is a liberal anti-military agenda afoot.

Response by SSG Branyn Burkhart made Jun 11 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-06-11T14:51:19-04:00

Man, of all the things to go to prison for, this has to be one of the dumbest. And no, I don't think it makes everyone look bad, just the two idiots involved. I can see having pride in your branch of service, but taking it to the extreme where someone gets killed over it? Ridiculous.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 11 at 2015 4:54 PM

2015-06-11T16:54:17-04:00

Too bad they couldn't have solved this dispute "the Ol' Fashioned Way." Yes, that was tongue-in-cheek. But, what happened to "taking it out back" with your Corpsman in the reserve? These two don't represent us. Rather, they represented themselves. THEY are/were idiots. 80-yrs for the 63-yr old? Mr. Cunningham will certainly have the rest of his life to ponder that burning question of service superiority --and his murder of a fellow vet.

Totally. Regretful.

Response by SPC Ei McS made Jun 11 at 2015 7:58 PM

2015-06-11T19:58:33-04:00

Serious arguing about what branch is better is immature and idiotic! "Better" in what?! Each branch has its own purpose and responsibilities! Most importantly though: We are ALL part of one and the same Military Force that belongs to one and the same Nation: The USA!

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 11 at 2015 10:09 PM

2015-06-11T22:09:19-04:00

Wow, and I thought the guys on Jerry Springer were messed up.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 14 at 2015 4:25 PM

2015-06-14T16:25:58-04:00

Alcohol and bullshit arguments don't mix. Old men brawling a sad thought, especially when a killing is involved.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Jul 10 at 2015 5:41 PM

2015-07-10T17:41:08-04:00

Inter-service banter has been around as long as there has been a service. Personally, I have relatives that are veterans, and some that are still kicking in there 70's and 80's, and we have these conversations as well, but like some have said...it is only banter. I retired Army, I have one Son-In-Law that is Navy, and one that is Air Force...how do you think those conversations go? But the point is this...I joined the MILITARY because I wanted to, and NOT because I couldn't handle life on the outside as one person wrote, everyone has a reason. All the banter in the world, should never result in the loss of life of a veteran either by death or imprisonment. Two lives were lost, and yes, they were both misguided. Want to talk about Service rivalries, then talk about it over beer, wings and Basketball, or Football. As it has been said, each has its mission, and we all complement each other. It's called Veterans Day, or Memorial Day...not Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines Day. We are all one.

Response by SPC Don Stringer made Oct 8 at 2015 7:51 PM

2015-10-08T19:51:40-04:00

I agree, but I see from the stort, the Marine was 40, the ex soldier in his 60s. The Marine should not have provoked or insulted his elder, not that that justifies the violence. Some things are just not done, including demeaning another veterans service. I'm about the age of the Marine, and when I encounter vets of the older generation, I show them immense respect, regardless of service.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made May 16 at 2016 10:54 AM

2016-05-16T10:54:32-04:00

CSM - perhaps your question should be worded more like this: What kind and how many resources available to the soldier failed him? Now one of US is in prison and why? The VA and others have failed yet again shipmate. Our brother's life is over. HE is not an embarassment, he is another fallen one...

Response by SPC Ron Hines made May 26 at 2016 11:47 PM

2016-05-26T23:47:34-04:00

Use common scents!

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2018-07-29T17:15:43-04:00

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2018-07-29T20:11:08-04:00

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