Post by kyblueintenn on May 29, 2004 15:44:25 GMT -5
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Cpl. Patrick Tillman, who spurned a $3.6 million football contract to join the U.S.-declared war on terror, probably died from his own comrades' fire while trying to protect them during a clash in Afghanistan (news - web sites) last month, the military said on Saturday.
An investigation of the April 22 death of Tillman, 27, an ex-safety for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals, did not blame any individual for the apparent accident.
Previous military statements had suggested Tillman, perhaps the best-known U.S. casualty of the Iraq (news - web sites) 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 accidental or mistaken victims of firing by one's comrades or allies.
Tillman's elite Army Ranger platoon was ambushed by 10 to 12 enemy combatants firing small arms and mortars while on patrol at about 7:30 p.m. near Khost, in southeastern Afghanistan, the Army Special Operations Command said in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The ambushers struck from "multiple locations over approximately one kilometer in very severe and constricted terrain with impaired light conditions," the Central Command said.
Tillman left his combat vehicle and, "in support of his unit, moved into position to suppress enemy fire," the command said.
The investigation's findings "in no way diminish the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Cpl. Tillman," the statement said.
For more:
FriendlyFire
An investigation of the April 22 death of Tillman, 27, an ex-safety for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals, did not blame any individual for the apparent accident.
Previous military statements had suggested Tillman, perhaps the best-known U.S. casualty of the Iraq (news - web sites) 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 accidental or mistaken victims of firing by one's comrades or allies.
Tillman's elite Army Ranger platoon was ambushed by 10 to 12 enemy combatants firing small arms and mortars while on patrol at about 7:30 p.m. near Khost, in southeastern Afghanistan, the Army Special Operations Command said in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The ambushers struck from "multiple locations over approximately one kilometer in very severe and constricted terrain with impaired light conditions," the Central Command said.
Tillman left his combat vehicle and, "in support of his unit, moved into position to suppress enemy fire," the command said.
The investigation's findings "in no way diminish the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Cpl. Tillman," the statement said.
For more:
FriendlyFire