Tillman killed by friendly fire http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0529tillman29.html Billy House Republic Washington Bureau May. 29, 2004 12:00 AM WASHINGTON - Pat Tillman, the former Arizona Cardinals football player who died in April while a U.S. soldier fighting in Afghanistan, likely was killed by friendly fire, an Army investigation has concluded. News of that finding was disseminated Friday to some members of Congress and some Tillman family members just as the Memorial Day weekend was to begin, including today's dedication ceremonies in Washington of the World War II Memorial. "It does seem pretty clear that he was killed by friendly fire," said Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which was alerted to the information by the Army's Legislative Liaison Office. "This does not take away one iota from the heroic nature and courage of the man. The source of that fire is of little consequence in terms of heroism," Franks said. He said that after learning of the Army's conclusions, he made some follow-up inquiries and was satisfied the information was accurate. Friendly-fire accidents are an inevitable part of warfare, according to an expert, who agreed that it should not diminish acts of heroism. "It's tragic, and we probably feel worse about it," said Stephen Walt, a professor of International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. "But warfare is a inherently unpredictable activity. Friendly-fire accidents are a part of modern warfare and probably existed as far back as the Stone Age." The Army reported last month that Tillman, 27, was killed April 22 while leading his team of Army Rangers up a remote southeastern Afghanistan hill to knock out enemy fire that had pinned down other U.S. soldiers. As Tillman and other soldiers neared the hill's crest, the Army reported, Tillman directed his team into firing positions and was shot and killed as he sprayed enemy positions with fire from his automatic weapon. The Army did not specify who fired the shot or shots that killed Tillman. For his actions, the Army posthumously awarded Tillman the Silver Star, its third-highest award for combat valor, saying Tillman led his Ranger team that day "without regard for his own safety" and was shot and killed heroically trying to save his comrades. The Army said his actions helped the trapped soldiers maneuver to safety "without taking a single casualty." Tillman's platoon was in the region as part of a spring offensive called Operation Mountain Storm, aimed at rooting out hard-line Taliban and al-Qaida fighters. Tillman, who to many people had become a symbol of American patriotism, had walked away from a lucrative contract extension offered by the Cardinals to join the Army in 2002. Officials at the Pentagon and at Central Command headquarters in Tampa, late Friday declined to provide more details of the investigation's findings. But an e-mail circulated within the House Armed Services Committee from committee staff members said: "Army just called to give us a heads up. They have every reason to believe the 15-6 investigation shows Pat Tillman was killed as a result of friendly fire." That same message continues, "The Army has notified his family, so it may come out in the media this weekend." Army Regulation 15-6 is used as the basis for many investigations requiring a detailed gathering and analyzing of facts, from "fratricide accidents," or friendly-fire incidents, to other matters, including civilian shootings or injuries, accidental weapons discharges or allegations of misconduct.
Doesn't change the fact that he was over there attempting to hunt down those responsible for 9/11. RIP, Pat.
This announcement bothers me,... but just like Rocketman95 said, It doesn't take away from his legacy...
I have no problem with the "war" in Afghanistan. Unfortunately these things happen in wartime. Whether he died accidentally or by the "enemy," he still died doing what he felt was best for the country that allowed him to live the life he loved. He deserves respect.
Sorry...maybe I should have posted this in the regular hangout, but it seems like most of the war talk is in here.
Yeah, it is probably more appropriate here in case someone comes up with a way to flame. It would be truly sad to learn that Tillman died from friendly fire, but I support what he was doing (given that he was in Afghanistan) and I am awed by his decision to forego the NFL for the Army. Rest In Peace, our fallen warrior.
I was watching Sports Reporters this morning, and Sal Palantonio, a veteran, was saying that apparently that there is something about it in the military that makes it less distinguishable. I don't really understand what he was saying, maybe some of the posters who have been through the military can tell us.
I really oppose war and the injustices that this administration is commiting, still I feel bad for all the people who die in Afghanistan and Iraq everyday, it has to be unberable for their families to loose someone regardless if they are pro football players or not. for those families, their relatives fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq are very important.
This does lose some of the luster as far as comparing friendly fire vs. Afgan...etc.. But, this doesn't diminish his sacrafice to make our world a better place and to stand up for what you believe...
