[Publius6961]

Why wasn't there another vehicle on this patrol? Why did no one know that these soldiers were missing until the young Iraqi went to inform other American soldiers?

Same thing I'm wondering.
With a minimum of two vehicles the odds of anyone either escaping the consequences of an attack or "kids" abusing corpses (or worse) are reduced.
I should add... if these "teenagers" are old enough to commit atrocities, they are old enough to be executed.

I ran out of tolerance long ago, with Americans dying every day.
No, I do not mean cut and run. I mean get serious.

[91B]

I read another story later that said that there were three vehicles in this convoy and that this was the last one and it was hit while the others just took off.

I don't buy it. Any G.I. who was convoying with other vehicles would have noticed if one of them went missing suddenly (especially if they heard shooting), and would'n't have left their buddies in the lurch. Something about this doesn't add up. Frankly, I think that they were out where they weren't supposed to be and were a target of opportunity for the little bastards.