Tillman Family Slams Pentagon Probe

Calls Report On Death Of Pat Tillman "Unsatisfactory," Urges Congressional Investigation

(CBS/AP)  Pat Tillman's family firmly rejected the Defense Department's findings into the former NFL star's friendly-fire death in Afghanistan, calling for congressional investigations into what they see as broad malfeasance and a coverup.

"Perhaps subpoenas are necessary to elicit candor and accuracy from the military," his family said in a statement Monday night, after hearing the results of the latest probes.

The men who shot Tillman have always claimed the April 22, 2004, incident was a terrible mistake in the fog of war, and the Army officially agreed Monday, declining to press charges.

But possible punishments still hang over several high-ranking officers who allegedly botched the investigations and key administrative tasks.

"There's still actions that have to be taken," CBS News military analyst Ret. Army Col. Mitch Mitchell told CBS' The Early Show.

Nine Army officers, including four generals, made errors in reporting the friendly fire death to their superiors and to the Tillman family, the Pentagon said. Defense officials said one or more of those officers who provided misleading information as the military investigated could be charged with a crime.

A central issue in the case is why the Army waited about five weeks from the time it suspected Tillman's death was friendly fire until it told his family. Several officers have testified they wanted to wait until the early investigations were complete, but regulations required the Army to notify family members if friendly fire was even suspected.

Calling the government's findings "unsatisfactory," the family said in a statement: "The characterization of criminal negligence, professional misconduct, battlefield incompetence, concealment and destruction of evidence, deliberate deception, and conspiracy to deceive are not 'missteps.' These actions are malfeasance."

The latest investigation reserves its strongest criticism for Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger, the now-retired three-star general who was in charge of Army special operations.

"We found compelling evidence that Kensinger learned of suspected fratricide well before the memorial service and provided misleading testimony" on that issue, the report said. That misrepresentation, the report said, could constitute a "false official statement," a violation of the Military Code of Justice.

Because Kensinger is out of the military, it would be difficult to charge him criminally, however.

Referring to Kensinger, Tillman's family said, "While he is not blameless, we believe he is the pawn being sacrificed to protect the king, that king being secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld."

Mitchell said it was likely discussions on how to handle Tillman's situation reached Rumsfeld. "I absolutely believe it did," he said. "Because with a figure as important as Pat Tillman — granted, he's a soldier — but he's a soldier with some notoriety."

Acting Army Secretary Peter Geren asked Gen. William Wallace, who oversees training for the Army, to review the actions of the officers and to provide a progress report on possible punishments in 30 days.

"We as an Army failed in our duty to the Tillman family, the duty we owe to all the families of our fallen soldiers: Give them the truth, the best we know it, as fast as we can," Geren told reporters at the Pentagon. "Our failure in fulfilling this duty brought discredit to the Army and compounded the grief suffered by the Tillman family. For that, on behalf of the Army, I apologize to the Tillman family."

"The briefing we just received was shamefully unacceptable," the family said in a statement issued from their home in San Jose, where Pat Tillman grew up. "Our family is therefore compelled to continue our (pursuit of) the full truth about the circumstances of Pat Tillman's death and the so-called 'missteps' and 'deficiencies' of Pat's unit, the Army, the Department of Defense, and this administration."

In its rush to honor the high profile NFL hero, the Army failed miserably in telling Tillman's family the truth, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin. The Army waited 35 days to tell the family the truth, leaving Tillman's father in the dark at a nationally televised memorial service.

this is a shame. That young person is dead by our own men and we didn't even have the courage to tell his family.

[mcvet]

I'm so sorry for what the Tilman Family are going through and I'm so sorry for what this Great Nation finds itself going through. We no longer have the ability to say that this nation has never invaded any country that did not attack us. We have the worlds strongest Military yet we have NO friends in the entire world. Our fathers fought HITLER only to have the World today compare our present Leader to him. This is were this nation finds itself and more. In fact I could write another full page but what's the use. The Army should be ashamed and the Administration who withheld the truth so they could boast and strutt should leave NOW!

[acauble1]

If I was his father, I'd take my son's remains (wherever burried) and my entire family and move to Canada.

Clearly, if I was his father, I'd feel so betrayed by the U.S. that it would no longer be worth supporting, either from tax money collected or through blood. My (hypothetical) son was used from the very beginning as a 'hero' figure in order to further whatever goals the Bush Administration had in mind. My (hypothetical) son died in vain.
....
Now as an individual, I can clearly see why Pat's parents are outraged. As usual, those in this Administration who are clearly responsible are let off the hook... again... always.

[kirkules]

What an unfortunate series of events for what should have been a picture postcard United States Army soldier. So are there any army soldiers out there who like Tillman who gave up lucrative careers and had happier endings?

[king77shaw]

This administration does not care about America, the American middle class or the sons and daughters that we send off to fight their wars ... it's about profit ... not prophet ... the ruling Republican elite cares not for America ... so what are we fighting for ? follow the dollar and the answer is easy ...

[truthfulone-2009]

A central issue in the case is why the Army waited about five weeks from the time it suspected Tillman's death was friendly fire until it told his family. Several officers have testified they wanted to wait until the early investigations were complete, but regulations required the Army to notify family members if friendly fire was even suspected.

It's obvious to me that there was a coverup to keep military recruitment numbers up as this guy originally made the supreme sacrifice by giving up a lucrative NFL contract to serve his country. Sadly, in the end, it seems that his country sacrificed him for an unjust cause...our government never ceases to amaze me!

[musty2u]

So where is the beef? There are countless friendly fire incidents from other conflicts that have remained quiet and are unresolved by families. Give it a rest.

[kirkules]

Accidents happen in the fog of war. This just seems like a bad omen all the way around the way this all happened. A statement about the war.

[rafterman1]

"Because Kensinger is out of the military, it would be difficult to charge him criminally, however."

Why? If he did wrong, he should be punished. I mean, what, if he killed someone and then retired, the Army would just say "oh well, he's retired" and drop the matter?

It's sad to see someone who served their country and reached Lt General to fall down from grace like this, but if he didn't have stars on his collar, you know the Army would not drop it. And it would be disrespectgful to the memory of Pat Tilman, who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Especially a guy like him who didn't have to do it. Though he did play for Arizona, a fate worst than death. Sorry, couldn't resist a Cardinals joke (God help Matt Leinart).

[fleshmonger1]

The hardest thing about having power is remembering that it doesn't make you any different than those you hold power over...

[inventagod]

"So where is the beef? There are countless friendly fire incidents from other conflicts that have remained quiet and are unresolved by families. Give it a rest.
Posted by Musty2U at 08:39 AM : Mar 27, 2007"

Yet another thoughtless pre-teen with a computer heard from. If this had been YOUR brother, there might be a small bit of anguish and frustration in your heart and soul. Instead you spout your incredible wisdom on the internet, then go eat dinner with your family...

[musty2u]

Inventless, how foolishly wrong you are; I retired from the military. I've been there, lived it, seen it. Come back when you know what you are thinking.

[coffeehead-2009]

One explanation -- well actually 2.

1. Users - like dad said they killed their poster boy.
2. Liars - this is the initial report.

U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Matthew Beevers said Saturday that Tillman was killed Thursday night in a firefight at about 7 p.m. on a road near Sperah, about 25 miles southwest of a U.S. base at Khost.

After coming under fire, Tillman%u2019s patrol got out of their vehicles and gave chase, moving toward the spot of the ambush. Beevers said the fighting was %u201Csustained%u201D and lasted 15-20 minutes

Beevers said Tillman was killed by enemy fire, but he had no information about what type of weapons were involved in the assault, or whether he died instantly.

An Afghan militiaman fighting alongside Tillman also was killed, and two other U.S. soldiers were wounded.

A local Afghan commander, Gen. Khial Bas, told The Associated Press that nine enemy fighters were killed in the confrontation.

Bas said six other enemy fighters were believed to have escaped. Beevers said he had no information about any enemy fighters killed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815441/

[huskerarmy]

"Give it a rest."
When he gave up the bucks and glamour of the NFL to fight in Iraq, he was the darling of the right, a poster boy for obedient patriotism. Now that his family questions his death, he's of no use and they should just shut up and go away...

[toldyouso21]

It is never a good idea for a "star" in civilian life to enter the military in a time of war and to not get a desk job. There will always be the suspiscion that the "friendly fire" may not have been accidental, but could have been the deliberate result of jealoussy and resentment of some against as young man who distinguished himself in both civilian and military life.

It may have just been an accident that was covered up (but why?) OR it may have been deliberate. After all, in the heat of a fire fight how hard is it to 'frag' someone and then say OOPs? This conjecture is made possible by the cover up of the military and it WAS a coverup. If it had not been, then after the army suspected friendly fire, they would have informed the family--not over a month later. Instead they had to learn about it from another source before the Military came forth.

Dishonest doings in the Bush Administration, in the DOJ, in the FBI, in FISA,in the Congress, in the military. Bush taints everything he presides over

[nyckate]

It's time for the Tillman family to move on - war is brutal and unforgiving in its nature and 'friendly fire' is an unfortunate aspect of war - it's clear that nobody set out to murder Tillman and I've no doubt that the guy that killed him will spend the rest of his life hurting over it.

And yes the Pentagon covered up certain aspects of Tillman's death - they had a 'star' athlete who was probably a darned good recruiting poster - and with recruitment down and Bush Administration's ever-increasing unpopularity they needed a 'hero' - and Tillman was the very picture of a 'hero'. And he's still a hero - he was a brave American who after 9-11 sacrificed a great deal to join the forces and serve his country - and there is no greater sacrifice than his life.

I understand the family wants things to be different - and what they really want is their son back - not going to happen and now its time they grieved and stopped fighting over his tragic death.

[jimibear]

This is another incident which typifies the dishonesty and incompetence with which this war has been run from day one.

Was Cheney on patrol with Tillman?

[darkfyreaol]

I don't know why the Army's letting the retired general off the hook, but if it were my family member, I'd be scaling the walls at the Pentagon in search of the truth.

Or maybe in the words of a former political figure, 'You can't handle the truth'. Maybe this incident was planned by those who killed him?

[coffeehead-2009]

Pat Tillman had come to oppose the Iraq war by the time of his death. His family opposes both fronts of the war now. That includes his brother Kevin, who was assigned to the same Ranger unit with Pat at the time of Pat%u2019s death.

Pat Tillman was gifted in a way that precluded his exposure to the narratives of the left (as we are all insulated from those narratives); and he went to war. But while he was in Iraq, he concluded from his own experience, %u201CThis war is so f~cking illegal.%u201D

Pat, like 95 percent of the rest of us lesser beings in the heart of Empire, was not a fully-formed anti-imperialist. He was, however, extremely well read and a diligent student of history. He did not deserve to be used as a posthumous recruiting poster by Donald Rumsfeld%u2019s ministry

If Pat had survived, he would have been a powerful voice against the war.

The fact is, Pat Tillman%u2019s family has not rested in its struggle to hold the military to account for covering up how Pat Tillman died; and they have done so because they believe without exception that that is exactly what Pat would have wanted.


Truthdig -
actually an anti-LEFT rant by a friend of Tillmans. Regardless it is very obvious that Mr. Tillman was not "going along" with the screenplay and was not the ideal "poster boy" after all.

[musty2u]

So who gets the movie rights?

[pghlady3]

we are at war. People die in war. Military and civilians. Mr Tillman knew he could die before he even signed up. Thank you Pat for your sacrafice.

[coffeehead-2009]

We aren't at WAR!!!

We are "liberating" - REMEMBER

[xsoldier2]

A Smart lady good for her the witch hunt should not be abided. Congress has already made up its mind and will not be fare.

[xsoldier2]

Everyone needs to get over it Stuff happens in war. He was a hero in my book and needs to be laid to rest. The more that is starred up the less he becomes, or is that what the liberals want?

[xsoldier2]

coffeehead, We are at war, have been for the last 15 years. It was declared by the Taliban.

[nyckate]

inventagod - it's not 'thoughtless' to say that its time the Tillman's accept what they haven't wanted to -- their son died in a 'friendly fire' incident during a fast and furious and sudden gun battle. It happens - it's always happened - its not a crime - it wasn't murder.

There should be congressional investigations - but not about the Tillman Friendly Fire death - there should be congressional investigations into the debacle Bush has made of Iraq and of Afghanistan. Under Bush's control Afghans have become the largest provider of the world's heroin - can't even begin to imagine how much weaponry that kind of cash crop buys for al queda.

[coffeehead-2009]

well apparently the subliminal creation of dividing still sparks in some minds.

I see no "left/libreal/democrat" influence as far as "letting it lie".

Your book doesn't count - whatever putrid party you inflame. Obviously THAT is up to the Tillmans and which "star" they want plastered to his name. I'm betting on them NOT choosing the "let it lay poster boy image" - and apparently doing what their son would have wished - that "star" of justice.

[coffeehead-2009]

B.s. -

we create our own war - and appropriately too.
more islamophobia to the masses.....


Sides -- I wasn't the one who proclaimed ourselves the "great liberators" -- dropped pamphlets saying "come out to the streets of democracy" - and follwed up with MASS destruction. Tillman and many other military and civilians knew about "the lie" -
Prior to Mr. Bushes war for oil, the greatest terrorist threats to our country were from right wing radical groups HERE in the country - statistically verifiable.


War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.

~General Smedley Butler

[sstuff3]

God bless Pat Tillman and his family.

However, when did the Congress change from a Legislative Branch to a Judicial one?? It seems for the last 10+ years they have spent more time investigating and judging than legislating. It's time to put the powers back into their own branches and get on with the business of running our country instead of judicating everything!!!

[racam_us]

How long is America going to be held hostage by our own government? Just as this military is told what to say about the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, also they are told what to say about what happens with other matters. We have been lied to to begin the war, we have been lied to to perpetuate the war, and we are still being lied to even as some form of accountability, for the war, hopefully, may be beginning. These brave men and women who have died for whatever reason should be honored, they should be remembered as willing to fight and even give their lives for a cause that seemed to have been there at the time. But do anymore have to die to help us remember that fact? That is what the Bush/Cheney bunch is counting on. They are playing on the sympathies of the men and women who have given so much and their families who have also given too much to perpetuate this _ _ _ _ _, call it what you might. There is still so much that will come out after Bush/Cheney is out of office that people will be mortified by the continual flow of lies and deceit. Our very existence is going to be shaken for quite a few years to come to think we could have been so gullible. Our children and their children will be left to pay a high price for these lies and the arrogance of the ones who brought them on us. We need to put an end to this charade now. We need to stop this sinkhole before we are all taken under. Just pray to Almighty God we are not to late.

[achadog]

When you go to war...volunteer for war... it's all good untill you die! Stuff happens in war...bad stuff. If they want to honor him they should shut up...He knew the chances he was taking..it's sad it's awfull...but it's what happens in war. Tillman was a big foot ball star, over there he was a soldier with a gun. We lost more good men to "friendly" fire in a week in World War II than we have lost in this 4 year war all together. IT's War not football.

[patriotic9]

coffeehead, We are at war, have been for the last 15 years. It was declared by the Taliban.
Posted by xsoldier2 at 09:58 AM : Mar 27, 2007

We are at war with whom?
What about OSAMA BEEN-FORGOTTEN?
Weren't we supposed to capture him DEAD OR ALIVE?How come we got stucked in Iraq?
Do you think we can capture OSAMA BEEN-FORGOTTEN from Iraq?
Why didn't we send enough troops to Afghanistan to capture BEEN-FORGOTTEN who was in TORA BORA?
Why were we supposed to save troops for IRAQ DEPLOYEMENT which had nothing to do with 9/11?
Why American money and lives were spent in removing a SECULAR GUY from power who was fighting our war against Islamic Radicals of his country and Iran?
Why is BUSH giving our TAX PAYED MONEY on the name of REBUILDING IRAQ and our WEAPONS on the name of ARMING IRAQI SECURITY FORCES to an ISLAMIC RADICAL "MALIKI" for the killing of our troops in IRAQ?
Iraqis,the most extremist SHIA MUSLIMS in the world where two HOLIEST PLACES of SHIA ISLAM namely NAJAF and KARBALA are located,were supposed to vote the MOST EXTREMIST,ANTI-AMERICAN MULLAH.This was the main reason why FRANCE and GERMANY opposed this war.
Why did we help ISLAMIC RADICALS to achieve their goal by US TAX DOLLARS and US Soldiers' lives?

[tuckerndfw]

From the story:

"what they (Tillman family) see as broad malfeasance and a coverup."

HELLO!!!

That describes George Bush and his entire administration.

Why would they expect anything different from his "commanders on the ground"?

He fires or forces resignations of anyone who is competent or qualified.

George Bush is the worst president in US history and is surrounded by likewise incompetent or corrupt people.

Including his General Officers.

[patriotic9]

what they (Tillman family) see as broad malfeasance and a coverup."

HELLO!!!

That describes George Bush and his entire administration.
Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:31 AM : Mar 27, 2007

Don't forget the statement issued by Bush's mother about Katrina victims
"Those people were underpriviliged anyway"
It seems like his selfishness and careless ness has GENETIC PREDISPOSITION.

[jimibear]

"we are at war. People die in war. Military and civilians. Mr Tillman knew he could die before he even signed up. Thank you Pat for your sacrafice.
Posted by pghlady3 at 09:47 AM : Mar 27, 2007"

Shut the *** up, you retarded dingbat.

That is the most intelligent response your post deserves.

[tuckerndfw]

Sacrificing your life, limbs, sacred honor or fortune for a noble cause is one thing.

Sacrificing anything on behalf of George Bush and his warmongering, war profiteering cronies is stupidity.

But, Tillman wanted to be a "hero," so he got his wish.

[patriotic9]

Tillman sacrifised his life for United States.It wasn't his intention to sacrifce his life for Halliburton to steal money from the US tax payers on the name of war and then to shift their Business to DUBAI,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES(A TAX FREE AND DUTY FREE COUNTRY)in order to avoid paying tax to US govt and to transfer money out of United States in case if the next terrorist attack ruins US Economy.
The blood of Pat Tillman asks us to stop theives like Cheney from their agression against US, her people and her economy.

[calabashe]

The comments of how special and unique a soul Pat Tillman was/is are getting cliche. However, having had the privilege of actually knowing him ... the observations don't cover the half of it.

I can't think of a better qualified soul to haunt the incompetence of the administration and their disregard for the sacrifice of over 3000 American soldiers.

I'm not a family spokesperson but I stand 100% with them.

[gkc99]

Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger, the now-retired three-star general who was in charge of Army special operations.

"We found compelling evidence that Kensinger learned of suspected fratricide well before the memorial service and provided misleading testimony" on that issue, the report said. That misrepresentation, the report said, could constitute a "false official statement," a violation of the Military Code of Justice.

Because Kensinger is out of the military, it would be difficult to charge him criminally, however.


Why? Because he's somehow "out" of military jurisdiction?

So if I rob a bank in Missouri and move to Iowa it would be "difficult to charge criminally"?

Put the SOB on trial. Yes, he's a puppet for Rummie, Dickless, and Bushit. so what? follow the strings back to the masters and try them also!

[vancouverboo]

There will always be fools like Pat Tilman who don't understand what bullcrap comes down from above. He lived in a dreamworld where Good fought Evil and he was on the side of Good. Well, he was used, and his family was used, and we all were used, and Bush got his war, and Halliburton got it's profits, and the world goes on as before.
Hopefully, the little boys and girls will learn something from this - but obviously they won't, they're always around to volunteer for the next war.

[middleman8]

The man volenteered to go to Iraq for G W Bush to kill and be killed, he got what he deserved.

[nyckate]

gkc99 - do you honestly believe that Tillman was killed purposely - that his death was premeditated and carried out for someone in his unit??

Personally I believe it was a tragic incident of 'friendly fire' - the miliary officers didn't want to admit that a national hero figure was killed by one of their own - they NEEDED heros - they NEEDED recruits - cause by that time Bush's invasion/occupation of Iraq was obviously falling apart - the lies and deceptions and incompetence was becoming clear to America - and the last thing Bush or the Pentagon needed was the loss of Tillman by Friendly Fire - they needed the nationt to think that the 'bad guys' did it.

The Bush Administration and the Pentagon leaders should be punished for once more putting their political agenda ahead of the nation -- but there is no criminal misdeeds - and in fact my heart goes out to the poor soldier who accidently killed Tillman - what a heavy heart this poor guy must have.

[realpatriot1]

Vancouverboo,

I have read some unbelievably ignorant *** on this blog(mostly from 7 pesos and xsoldier) but you take the cake.

Regardless of how one feels about the immoral and cowardly leadership of the political class, those who choose to serve and risk their lives in doing so are honorable even if the cause is not totally honorable.

No, I don't mean the ones who go off the reservation and brutalize others. I mean the vast majority who serve honorably under the most stressful of circumstances. I don't know if you're American or Canadien, but I'm talking about all soldiers.

Pat Tillman gave up a cushy life to slog through the mud to protect others. Who didn't believe that Afghanistan was a nobile cause at the time? The Taliban?

[nyckate]

middleman8 - stop being such an idiot - Tillman was killed in Afghanistan NOT Iraq - remember afghanistan - the country that aided Al Queda and protected them and went to war to defend them after 9-11?? HEL-LO????

I despise Bush as well - but come on now - being poorly informed is supposed to be a purely Bushie Trait.

[nyckate]

realpatriot1 - with you 110% -- our soldiers do not make the political decisions - its not their decision to invade or not invade countries -- and fact is that Afghanistan was and still is a major part of the war on terror -- I can't even begin to imagine what kind of weaponry and terrorism that heroin is purchasing for Al Queda - Bush moved our troops out of Afghan much too quickly and made as big a mess as possible there - they're now the largest provider of the world's heroin supply. Taliban and Al QQueda have re-emerged there and control large parts of the country - the US backed government doesn't control all of its capital city nevermind the rest of the country.

[drewworth]

patriotic9 - You got it right about Halliburton, but there is one more reason why that company moved its headquarters to Dubai: the UAE has no extradition treaty with the United States. Even if they are charged with war crimes (e.g., war profiteering) in the United States, the people who run Halliburton will remain free to live and run their business in Dubai.

[hennighg]

Alas. War is hell. Friendly fire happens. Innocent civilian deaths happen. We cannot blame everyone who accidentally does something. How many WWII vets would be in jail if we did? This is just one reason why war has to be the last resort. Bush doesn't know anything about this.

[newsreader2]

From what little I've heard, it sounds like Sgt. Tillman was killed due to the incompetence and/or inexperience of the soldiers in his unit. This is probably even harder to take for the Tillman family. Regardless, they deserve empathy, not ridicule.

[patriotic9]

the UAE has no extradition treaty with the United States. Even if they are charged with war crimes (e.g., war profiteering) in the United States, the people who run Halliburton will remain free to live and run their business in Dubai.
Posted by drewworth at 12:51 PM : Mar 27, 2007

Totally agree with you.
UAE is the Switzerland of Middle East.They don't check and care who from what source got money from and how some body's money is increasing and there is no tax at all in that country.The country is predominantly Muslim but they have kept religion completely out of politics and the city DUBAI is the CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL PROSTITUTION.

[samael2014]

The only that sounds compelling in this article (and it certainly isn't CBS News Military Propogandist Mitch Miller) are the concerns and statements made by the Tillman family, and I don't think anybody doubts that this was a result of freindly fire, so I can't imagine why people think that the Tillman's are just having trouble adjusting to that fact --- maybe it should have been a member of your family since you seem so ready to serve up someone else's life and have it used for war or military propoganda.

Anybody who has worked with DoD inspector generals knows that the explanation and recommendations given are riddled with hidden culpability and accountability. Inspectors, when they're not under pressure to hide something and have an investigation closed without further pursuance, are usually far more candid [ultimate and irrefutable credibility is a fundamental is a requirement of their job]about giving details of culpability when important figures in the government or military are not involved.