The dismissal Thursday by Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis found Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt, 22, innocent, the Washington Post reported. The general also praised Sharratt for fighting "a shadowy enemy who hides among the innocent people."

An investigating officer found Sharratt acted appropriately when he shot armed men hours after other Marines killed as many as 24 women and children in a Haditha house, the Post reported.

Mattis also dismissed charges against Capt. Randy W. Stone, a military lawyer accused of not properly investigating the Haditha killings.

Two enlisted Marines still faced charges in the Haditha killings, and three officers faced charges of failing to investigate the killings.