The Pentagon Thursday defended a Marine Corps general who was quoted as telling an audience this week that it was "fun to shoot some people," referring to insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lieutenant General James Mattis was "counselled" over the remarks by the commandant of the Marine Corps, General Michael Hagee, the marines said.
But the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps General Peter Pace, defended Mattis when asked about the remarks at a Pentagon press conference.
"I was not present when General Mattis made those specific comments so I will let him address what he said for himself," said Pace.
"But, I will tell you that the last three times that that general has been in combat when he was leading marines in Afghanistan and the two times he led his division in Iraq, his actions and those of his troops clearly show that he understands the value of proper leadership and the value of human life," he said.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he had not read Mattis remarks and deferred to Pace when asked about them.
Mattis made the remarks Tuesday during a panel discussion in San Diego, California about insurgents in Iraq, telling the audience it was "fun to shoot some people."
"Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. I like brawling," he said in remarks widely quoted by US media.
"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."
In a statement, the Marine Corps commandant called Mattis "one of this country's bravest and most experienced military leaders."
"While I understand that some people may take issue with the comments made by him, I also know he intended to reflect the unfortunate and harsh realities of war," Hagee said. "Lieutenant General Mattis often speaks with a great deal of candour."
"I have counselled him concerning his remarks and he agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully," he said.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on the Pentagon to discipline Mattis.
"We do not need generals who treat the grim business of war as a sporting event," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad.