Ilario Pantano

Ilario Gregory Pantano
Born (1971-08-28) August 28, 1971 (age 53)
New York City, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1989–1993
2003–2005
RankSecond Lieutenant
Unit1st Battalion, 6th Marines
2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines
Battles/warsPersian Gulf War

Operation Provide Promise
Iraq War

AwardsCombat Action Ribbon with gold star (second award)
Other workDeputy sheriff

Ilario Gregory Pantano (born August 28, 1971) is a former United States Marine Corps second lieutenant. He has also been an author, a television commentator, and served as a deputy sheriff in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was a Republican Party nominee for the US House of Representatives in 2010.

Pantano served in the Persian Gulf War, during Operation Desert Storm, and in the Iraq War, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He came to national attention when he was accused of premeditated murder in the killing of two Iraqi captives, during a unit mission near Fallujah, Iraq on April 15, 2004. An article 32 hearing found no credible evidence or testimony for the accusation and declined to prosecute Pantano, dropping all charges. Claiming terrorist threats against his family, he resigned his officer's commission and was honorably discharged. These events and his other experiences as a combat Marine during the Persian Gulf War and in Iraq in 2004 are the subject of his memoir, Warlord: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy.