Shot in head, Marine is fine - Charlotte Observer

Bullet tears through helmet; fragments are removed from his neck

TODD PITMAN
Associated Press

RAMADI, Iraq - The young Marine had just shot a suspected insurgent and was walking back across the villa's rooftop when he keeled over from a terrific thud to the back of his head.

A sniper had fired a single, well-aimed bullet that tore through the top of Lance Cpl. Richard Caseltine's helmet, traced a path along the edge of his skull and buried burning bullet fragments in the back of his neck.

"You expect when somebody gets shot in the head, they're dead," the soft-spoken Caseltine said Friday, cradling the battered camouflage helmet that saved his life. "I consider myself very lucky."

Semper Fi