The Search For The Truth About Pat Tillman: Part 1 Of 3 Part Investigation From ESPN

From the article.....

"Were the Army and/or the White House so desperate for a positive spin that they morphed Tillman into a male version of Jessica Lynch, the Army private from West Virginia who was foisted into the spotlight early in the Iraq War during the march to Baghdad? The Pentagon initially portrayed Lynch as fighting until the last bullet was fired before she was wounded and captured. Only later was it learned that she had been injured when her vehicle crashed and she had been knocked unconscious. In her authorized biography, "I Am a Soldier, Too," she said she never fired a shot.

Tillman's Silver Star suggests the possibility of a similar spin. According to military records, 45 Silver Stars for gallantry have been awarded to soldiers for their heroism during the war in Afghanistan. An Army official told ESPN.com that Tillman's is the only one of those 45 that involved friendly fire. Although involved in the writing of Tillman's Silver Star application, Kauzlarich said the medals are "typically not" awarded in such cases.

"I mean, had the story come out that he had been killed by his own guys, then it probably would have been looked at differently," Kauzlarich said.

Army documents and statements given by witnesses during the Army's investigations indicate top officials already suspected fratricide when Tillman's Silver Star application was crafted. According to the transcript of his statement, Tillman's company commander, Capt. William Saunders acknowledged providing the information needed for Tillman's Silver Star recommendation, stating that before submission, "We became aware that his death was a possible fratricide." During a separate interview with investigators, Saunders said he arriving at the scene of the battle early the following morning — April 23, 2004 — and being informed fratricide was suspected.

Though two other Rangers were wounded in the incident, no one else on the battlefield that day was awarded a Silver Star.

Partly for that reason, the Army could be in for an embarrassing PR hit when the Defense Department Inspector General's Office releases its findings after an almost yearlong review of the events surrounding Tillman's death. That could come perhaps as early as September — the start of another NFL season. The IG's Office initiated its current inquiry after determining the three earlier military investigations, including the one by Kauzlarich, failed to fully address concerns and allegations raised by the Tillman family as well as by Washington politicians.

In a March 23, 2006, letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN.com, Reps. Michael Honda (D-Calif.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) wrote: "The Army…should have a shared interest in determining whether Army officials covered up the true facts regarding Corporal Tillman's death." To that end, the lawmakers suggest congressional hearings ultimately might be convened to delve into the matter.

Both the White House and Rumsfeld's office declined comment for this story. Through spokesman Hollen J. Wheeler, the secretary of defense turned down the opportunity to address ESPN.com's questions about the Tillman situation e-mailed to his office."

IMHO, the Pat Tillman situation reflects the entire Iraq debacle....bad choices turn into bad events, and the administration tries to spin it into a positive.

Revolting, ridiculous, and unfortunately typical.

 

i remember reading that article. it's a shame how the media and govt painted him as the one-dimensional hero. he was much deeper than perceived.

 

After reading the article, as far as I am concerned the people who are responsible for Pat Tillman's death are the morons who wouldn't let them destroy the vehicle after the repairs failed and after the front end "gave out", and the Army couldn't get them a helicopter.

Forcing the soldiers to hire some random Afghan to tow the vehicle with his probably 30 year old general purpose truck reeks of a greater concern for the vehicle than the safety of the soldiers. It is one thing to risk their lives when it is necessary to achieve a goal and another entirely when it is out of general stupidity. The soldiers were made vulnerable by the refusal to allow them to abandon the vehicle.

The most succinct summation of World War I that I have ever seen is "Armies of lions being lead by sheep."

I think that applies here as well.