What was he thinking of?

Read this news report from MSNBC.

CHICAGO - A young Marine who feared returning to Iraq persuaded his cousin to shoot him in the leg, then told police he was hit by random gang gunfire, authorities said.

The shooting early Saturday was meant to keep 19-year-old Moises Hernandez from going back to Iraq, prosecutors said.

He was charged with filing a false police report. His cousin, Juan Hernandez, 19, faces a felony weapons charge.

I was sorely tempted to give Moises Hernandez the Knucklehead of the Day but decided to give him the benefit of having served his country. His fellow Marines may be grateful he chickened out now rather than in Iraq.

Hat tip- Mudville Gazette