Posted on 04/03/2003 6:32:43 PM PST by MindBender26
Bill ORiley and Brett Beher (sp) of FNC both all but 100% confirmed that at least some of the 11 bodies that were brought back from Iraqi hospital were U.S. POWs. It appears that at least some were executed. Beher at DOD did not want to go too deep into story, as notifications were not yet complete.
SEAL and Ranger teams found two of the eleven bodies in the morgue of the hospital where PFC Lynch was found. An employee of the hospital led them to a shallow grave were another 9 bodies were found. All were returned by helicopter to U.S. control. It is assumed these bodies are from the 507th Maintenance Company at Ft. Bliss, but there is no confirmation. Due to the conditions of the bodies, advanced forensics work is required to determine the identity and exact cause of death
There is also no confirmation of whether or not these bodies might be some of the U.S. POWs that Iraqi television featured in an interview.
Although DOD will not officially confirm anything, there is talk about making some announcement once notifications are complete. If not U.S. soldiers or Marines, why would notifications be necessary?
If it is proven that these were U.S. soldiers and were executed, there will be lots of issues to be resolved.
This morning, Rita Cosby reported that Jessica was taken captive by the Fedayeen and they are known to be wild, undisciplined men. Sources had told her that that made Jessica's plight much more dangerous. They are speculating that she's alive because she was injured and taken to a hospital where caring Iraqi's reported her presence to the Marines. Anyway, Rita's report seems to confirm your belief--there is a difference between regular Iraqi soldiers and these paramilitary groups. She said that the two pilots shown on TV were in the hands of the regulars and did not appear to be harmed. Huge difference. I hope she's right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.