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Pentagon inspector general probes Tillman death
23 Aug 2005 21:52:04 GMT
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's inspector general is reviewing the Army's investigation into the friendly fire death of Army Ranger and former professional football star Pat Tillman in Afghanistan, a defense official said on Monday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, confirmed a report in the San Francisco Chronicle that the Army asked for a review of its investigation into the April 22, 2004, incident.
The Army determined almost immediately after Tillman's death that he had been killed inadvertently by fellow Rangers in a confused spree of gunfire in a remote canyon near the Pakistani border, according to Army investigators.
But Pentagon officials said in June that the investigation found that the Army also kept the fact from his family and the public for weeks and even destroyed evidence.
The Army admitted to "procedural misjudgments and mistakes," but rejected criticism by Tillman's parents and denied covering up facts in his death.
Tillman played for four years in the National Football League, but walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to sign up as an elite Army Ranger in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America.
Tillman's brother also served as a Ranger.
May 29, 2004, the Saturday of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, was the first time the Army linked Tillman's death to friendly fire. Before then, the Army's public account of Tillman's death had been that he was slain by enemy fire during an ambush.
Tillman's parents welcomed the review by the Pentagon's top investigative officer. His father, Patrick Tillman, told the San Francisco Chronicle that "the other investigations were frauds."
The Defense Department previously conducted a separate investigation into Tillman's death, but has not announced the results.
23 Aug 2005 21:52:04 GMT
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's inspector general is reviewing the Army's investigation into the friendly fire death of Army Ranger and former professional football star Pat Tillman in Afghanistan, a defense official said on Monday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, confirmed a report in the San Francisco Chronicle that the Army asked for a review of its investigation into the April 22, 2004, incident.
The Army determined almost immediately after Tillman's death that he had been killed inadvertently by fellow Rangers in a confused spree of gunfire in a remote canyon near the Pakistani border, according to Army investigators.
But Pentagon officials said in June that the investigation found that the Army also kept the fact from his family and the public for weeks and even destroyed evidence.
The Army admitted to "procedural misjudgments and mistakes," but rejected criticism by Tillman's parents and denied covering up facts in his death.
Tillman played for four years in the National Football League, but walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to sign up as an elite Army Ranger in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America.
Tillman's brother also served as a Ranger.
May 29, 2004, the Saturday of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, was the first time the Army linked Tillman's death to friendly fire. Before then, the Army's public account of Tillman's death had been that he was slain by enemy fire during an ambush.
Tillman's parents welcomed the review by the Pentagon's top investigative officer. His father, Patrick Tillman, told the San Francisco Chronicle that "the other investigations were frauds."
The Defense Department previously conducted a separate investigation into Tillman's death, but has not announced the results.