Critical errors, but no criminal wrongdoing in Tillman death

Officers, including 4 generals, responsible for ‘series of mistakes’ in reporting of death

Four generals and five other officers in Cpl. Pat Tillman’s chain of command were responsible for “a series of mistakes” in reporting his friendly fire death, and their actions will be reviewed by a top Army officer, officials announced Monday.

However, an investigation by Army Criminal Investigation Command found that Tillman’s death was an accident, and there was no evidence of negligent homicide or aggravated assault.

“We as an Army failed in our duty to the Tillman family,” Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren said. “I apologize to the Tillman family, but words are not sufficient.”

Tillman, 27, an Army Ranger, was killed April 22, 2004, in Afghanistan. An Afghan soldier fighting alongside Tillman also was killed, and two U.S. soldiers were wounded in the incident.
Shortly after he was buried, the Army informed Tillman’s family that contrary to initial reports that he was killed by enemy fire, members of his own unit mistakenly gunned him down in the midst of a chaotic burst of combat.....