Army Hid Truth Of Tillman's Death

Officials Knew, But Waited Weeks Before Admitting It Was Friendly Fire

(CBS/AP)  "I wish that I would have taken a half second to positively identify the targets," wrote one of the soldiers in the report. "Maybe CPL Tillman would still be alive or maybe the outcome would still have been the same, but at least I wouldn't have to live with the guilt and re-experience that ambush while I sleep."

The soldiers were punished by being kicked out of the Rangers.

The documents show that officers erroneously reported that Tillman was killed by enemy fire, destroyed critical evidence and initially concealed the truth from his brother, also an Army Ranger, who was near the attack, the Post reported.

The memorial service in San Jose, Calif., took place May 3, 2004. The Army announced May 29 that Tillman likely died because of friendly fire.

Brig. Gen. Gary M. Jones, who prepared the report, concluded there was no official reluctance to report the truth, according to the Post.

But an Army spokesman, Paul Boyce, told the newspaper: "Notifying families in a timely way that they have had a loved one killed or severely injured is complex and imperfect work. We can do better."

Logan reports that Tillman's former college coach is "outraged, absolutely outraged."

"We all should be so really angry," Bruce Snyder said. "It's so contrary to the way Pat lived his life."