Reuters: Tillman likely killed by 'friendly fire'



Adding insult to tragedy; just when you thought things were really getting bad in the 'war on terror'...

from Reuters.com:

Cpl. Patrick Tillman, killed in Afghanistan last month after spurning a $3.6 million football contract to join the special forces, was probably shot by his own comrades in the confusion of battle, the military said on Saturday.

Previous military statements had suggested Tillman, perhaps the best-known U.S. casualty of the Iraq and Afghan campaigns, had been killed by enemy fire.

"While there was no one specific finding of fault, the investigation results indicate that Cpl. Tillman died as a probable result of friendly fire while his unit was engaged in combat with enemy forces," the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

The term "friendly fire" is used by the military to describe an accidental or mistaken attack on one's own forces or allies.

The investigation's findings "in no way diminish the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Cpl. Tillman," the statement said.

Now you might think I'm nuts, but I strongly support that last statement. The military goes where the Commander and Chief sends them, and does their job as asked. A life given in service to your country is a life given, regardless of the circumstances. I don't often agree with military concepts, but until everybody in the world realizes what an obsolete concept war has become, we're still gonna need folks to fight.

I only wish we did a better job of picking our battles...

My sympathies go out to Tillman's family.

Posted: Thu - June 3, 2004 at 01:35 AM          

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