The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - A former Marine is gathering signatures online to get U.S. citizenship for the Iraqi who helped rescue an American prisoner of war by leading Special Forces to her bedside.

"We feel it would send a powerful message to the Mideast and the world of what good comes to those who help U.S. troops and citizens in danger," the petition says.

The online petition, which was posted Sunday, was getting more than seven signatures per minute and passed the 7,300 mark Thursday afternoon.

"I was struck by the humanity of this gentleman's effort," said Rick DeMarco, 57, of the suburb of North Royalton.

A man identified as Mohammed saw a Fedayeen commander slap prisoner Pfc. Jessica Lynch at Saddam Hospital and walked six miles to reach American military troops. He returned to the hospital twice, resulting in Lynch's rescue April 2.