Army Still Trips Over Cover-Up

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Posted by Military.com) ^ | March 16, 2006 | Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[Belasarius]

What this reminds me of more than anything is the death of Christa McAuliffe on the space shuttle. So much publicity surrounded her being on the Challenger that it made the whole tragedy far worse when she was killed. After all, she was just a teacher, not a NASA professional. We entrusted her to NASA and they got her killed.

Tillman has a similiar story. This was such a dreary end to a fairy tale that an unusual amount of pressure must have been on the Army to give it a "happy" heroic ending. It just couldn't end any other way. Nothing sounds like incompetence greater than "friendly-fire death." I'm sure that was just intolerable to the Army. I don't support the route they took because it ended up with them looking like screw-ups AND liars. Sad story.

[ex-snook]

There was also Private Lynch the lady Rambo shooting. The first casualty in war is truth. It's what happens when political chickenhawks control the military.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

The truth, though, was that Tillman had been killed by three bullets to the forehead fired by American soldiers in a friendly fire accident, and Army officials knew it immediately. Officers on the scene knew it, which may be why they ordered that Tillman's body armor and uniform be burned. Abizaid knew it when he made those comments to the press a week after Tillman's death. The officers who drafted the false Silver Star citation knew it, too.,

These are mere assertions by an AJC reporter with no backup. I doubt this is fact.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

There was also Private Lynch the lady Rambo shooting. The first casualty in war is truth. It's what happens when political chickenhawks control the military.

The Jessica as "Rambo" story came from the media. Not the Pentagon. Rumsfeld was asked several times about the incident. He said we don't know the facts. And has warned reporters many times, to no avail, that first reports are usually wrong.

[indcons]

BTTT

[ex-snook]

"The Jessica as "Rambo" story came from the media. Not the Pentagon. Rumsfeld was asked several times about the incident. He said we don't know the facts."

Yep, that sounds like Rumsfeld.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"These are mere assertions by an AJC reporter with no backup."

You may be right. He doesn't cite specifics. We shall see how the fourth investigation pans out.

[beckett]

A worthless editorial. Never are the facts of Tillman's death explained in detail, and without that no reasonable person can make a judgment about what happened.

[highball]

OK, they lied. So what?

I'm always amazed at how willing some people are to throw ethics out the window, if they think they can get a political gain.

[DeaconRed]

"AJC reporter with no backup. I doubt this is fact."

Having lived in Atlanta once upon a time, and reading the AJC due to the fact the NET hadn't come into play like it is today, I can almost guarantee you the AJC is 180 degrees off. I would not put much stock in anything they print.

[Yasotay]

A couple of other notes.... take it for what it's worth:

I think Abizaid was "Leaning Forward" to try and get the award out....not cover it up

Abizaid served in both 1/75 and 2/75 Rangers

Tillman's LT was a cadet at West Point (1st Captain)... while Abizaid was the Commandant of Cadets. Tillman's LTs published account of the incident is brutally honest.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"Tillman's LTs published account of the incident is brutally honest"

Where can I read it?

[Yasotay]

Here is Part 2 of the Washington Post Article. You should be able to find Part 1. The SFgate also did the article but I REALLY don't like them....

Link

[rdcorso]

I didn't know that he was killed by three shots to the forehead.If that's true it might explain the reason for the army's fake story of his death.It would be more difficult to explain a death like this than one that involved an errant bomb or friendly fire from a helicopter.In the end it really doesn't matter because every friendly fire death is a tragedy.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"Here is Part 2 of the Washington Post Article. You should be able to find Part 1. The SFgate also did the article but I REALLY don't like them...."


A very indepth article. sounds like the army PR wanted something really good to come out of a bad accident. which is what it apparently was. His service was not a waste. Only tragic. There are other Friendly Fire soldiers that also are tragic. New husbands, new fathers, but they weren't high-profile, selfless pro athletes. But their sacrifice is just as poignant. God bless them all.

[Yasotay]

Blue on Blue sucks .... you are right .... tragic and not a waste. I hope something good comes out of it and may God Bless Them All. RLTW.