Battleland

Alleged Afghan Killer: Staff Sgt. Robert Bales

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The Army has identified the staff sergeant suspected in the killing of 16 Afghan civilians last Sunday as Robert Bales, who is now at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He could be charged in the case as early as this weekend.

The father of two, 38, appears to have a good military record. He returns home after three months in Afghanistan. It was his fourth combat tour, following three in Iraq, where he reportedly was wounded twice. One was a traumatic brain injury he suffered in Iraq in a vehicle rollover, and the other involved his foot.

Unlike many suspected notorious killers (Lee Harvey Oswald), the Army notes: (“No Middle Initial”). But he does have a raft of commendations, according to an Army statement issued late Friday, including six Army Commendation medals and three Good Conduct medals.