SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Chief Edward Gallagher has retired weeks after it was determined his rank would remain intact, an attorney confirmed.
In late November, Gallagher and three other SEALs were notified that a board of peers would determine whether or not they should remain SEALs, the Associated Press reported.
President Donald Trump then ordered the Navy to allow Gallagher to retire as a SEAL with his rank intact.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper allowed Gallagher to retire without the possibility of being removed from the SEALs — at the President's direction— shortly after firing then-Navy Secretary Richard Spencerover his handling of the case.
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“I have directed the Chief of Naval Operations to terminate the Trident Reviews for three Naval Special Warfare officers. Given the unique circumstances of these three remaining cases, I have determined that any failures in conduct, performance, judgment, or professionalism exhibited by these officers be addressed through other administrative measures as appropriate, such as letters of instruction or performance observations on their officer fitness reports," Modly wrote.
Gallagher was acquitted of murder in the deadly stabbing of an Islamic State militant captive in Iraq. He was, however, convicted of posing with a corpse.
