An army investigator has recommended that four U.S. soldiers accused of murder in a raid in Iraq face the death penalty, The Associated Press has reported.

Based on available evidence, the investigator concluded that the slayings were premeditated, which carries a maximum penalty of death under military law.

The report renewed the media attention paid to controversial military actions in Iraq, and soldiers may be paying the price.

If the men did receive such orders, then they are victims of the military training they have received. Soldiers are trained to not question orders, and certainly not to screen them with their own views of morality.

The case will undoubtedly bring additional attention to the way the military is trained particularly in regards to civilians, but it may also result in a blame game among military officials.

The soldiers, who allegedly killed three Iraqi men in May, admitted to the killings. However, they told investigators they acted in self-defense after the Iraqis attempted to escape. Three of the soldiers also said they were ordered to "kill all military age males" during the raid.

The orders create an ethical dilemma for officials. Do they punish commanding officers or the soldiers for the action?

Three of the soldiers who may face the death penalty are also accused of threatening to kill another soldier who witnessed the attack.

The BBC has reported that the witness testified, in a pre-trial currently being held, that he objected to killing the men, but the other soldiers "just smiled."

It is possible the men were always capable of murder, regardless of what the military taught them.

However, if they were following orders according to their training, then their senior officers need to be held accountable as well.

World history has shown us similar circumstances in years past.

Regardless of the blame, innocent lives cannot continue to be lost.