Pat Tillman Update(take it for what you will)

[Secret Squirrel]

Report: Tillman
was killed by friendly fire
Former NFL player died fighting in Afghanistan
Former Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman, 27, died in Afghanistan in April.
NBCSports.com news services
Updated: 5:35 a.m. ET May 29, 2004Former Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman, who died in April while a U.S. soldier fighting in Afghanistan, likely was killed by friendly fire, according to an Army investigation, the Arizona Republic has learned.

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"It seems pretty clear that he was killed by friendly fire," Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the Republic. "This does not take away one iota from the heroic nature and courage of the man. The source of that fire is of little consequence in terms of heroism."

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command was to release information Saturday morning about the death of Tillman, who walked away from a multimillion-dollar NFL contract to fight for his country.

Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger, USASOC’s commanding general, was to issue a statement about a completed military investigation into the circumstances of Tillman’s death, the Army said in a statement released late Friday.

Tillman, 27, died in a firefight near the Pakistan border as he was leading his team to help comrades caught in an ambush. Until now, the Army has given few details about his death, saying he was fatally shot while fighting “without regard for his personal safety.”

Tillman was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and was based in Fort Lewis, Wash.

The military posthumously promoted Tillman, a member of the Army’s elite Ranger unit, from specialist to corporal. He also was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star.

He never publicly offered reasons for joining the Army, but friends said the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, affected him deeply.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5088646/

[seruriermarshal]

You change title ?

You tell me why use : Pat Tillman Update( take it for what you will )

and link title :Report: Tillman
was killed by friendly fire

[Trident-za]

You change title ?

You tell me why use : Pat Tillman Update( take it for what you will )

and link title :Report: Tillman
was killed by friendly fire

I think the answer to your question is pretty obvious....

[seruriermarshal]

You change title ?

You tell me why use : Pat Tillman Update( take it for what you will )

and link title :Report: Tillman
was killed by friendly fire

I think the answer to your question is pretty obvious....

Then answer is ?

[Trident-za]

People use "thread" titles" which differ from the titles of articles linked to in the topic very often. It's not a big deal....

In this case, I suspect that Secret Squirrel was trying to say: "make of this what you will" without getting into silly arguments about wether he was being "anti-american" by posting the thread. :roll:

[mocking_loudly_died]

Now guys lets not get to pedantic over a title change. :D

[seruriermarshal]

People use "thread" titles" which differ from the titles of articles linked to in the topic very often. It's not a big deal....

In this case, I suspect that Secret Squirrel was trying to say: "make of this what you will" without getting into silly arguments about wether he was being "anti-american" by posting the thread. :roll:

:roll:

[MEGR]

It seems that he was killed by one of his fellow rangers, but that doesn't take away his actions. However, this incident needs to be looked into, studied, and hopefully not repeated... Who knows what conditions there were like, so I can't comment on how the Rangers bungled, and should be criticized blah blah blah...

[Secret Squirrel]

People use "thread" titles" which differ from the titles of articles linked to in the topic very often. It's not a big deal....

In this case, I suspect that Secret Squirrel was trying to say: "make of this what you will" without getting into silly arguments about wether he was being "anti-american" by posting the thread. :roll:

thats right Trident. I didnt want to start any arguments over his life or death. I wanted to give an update on his story as there hasnt been anything really reported regarding how he died.

[seruriermarshal]

People use "thread" titles" which differ from the titles of articles linked to in the topic very often. It's not a big deal....

In this case, I suspect that Secret Squirrel was trying to say: "make of this what you will" without getting into silly arguments about wether he was being "anti-american" by posting the thread. :roll:

thats right Trident. I didnt want to start any arguments over his life or death. I wanted to give an update on his story as there hasnt been anything really reported regarding how he died.

A lie ?

[Durandal]

Just to play Mr. Logic...

All we have in this article is the following:

"It seems pretty clear that he was killed by friendly fire," Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the Republic.

Huh? Now, I am not saying this is not true, but come on now. We have a POLITICIAN claiming this.

I do not have enough information either way to make a comment on the issue, other than, based on this article a SINGLE individual is claiming this.

I wouldn't roll my eyes at anyone skeptical over the nature of this...it makes complete sense.

[Secret Squirrel]

Just to play Mr. Logic...

All we have in this article is the following:

"It seems pretty clear that he was killed by friendly fire," Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the Republic.

Huh? Now, I am not saying this is not true, but come on now. We have a POLITICIAN claiming this.

I do not have enough information either way to make a comment on the issue, other than, based on this article a SINGLE individual is claiming this.

I wouldn't roll my eyes at anyone skeptical over the nature of this...it makes complete sense.

The army's investigation should be announced in a couple days at the latest.

[seruriermarshal]

Just to play Mr. Logic...

All we have in this article is the following:

"It seems pretty clear that he was killed by friendly fire," Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the Republic.

Huh? Now, I am not saying this is not true, but come on now. We have a POLITICIAN claiming this.

I do not have enough information either way to make a comment on the issue, other than, based on this article a SINGLE individual is claiming this.

I wouldn't roll my eyes at anyone skeptical over the nature of this...it makes complete sense.

The army's investigation should be announced in a couple days at the latest.

And you great lie :" Saddam no WMD."

[Durandal]

And you great lie :" Saddam no WMD."

Can you post something relevant to the thread please. Tillman was not in Iraq.

[seruriermarshal]

And you great lie :" Saddam no WMD."

Can you post something relevant to the thread please. Tillman was not in Iraq.

In fact Secret Squirrel lie said :"Iraq no WMD."in other post .So I please give me answer , but he send more lie to me , so I hope he tell me fact answer .

[Seoulstriker]

From: Press Service <afisnews_sender@DTIC.MIL>
Subject: Investigation Concludes Friendly Fire Killed Tillman
To: DEFENSE-PRESS-SERVICE-L@DTIC.MIL
Precedence: list

American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, May 29, 2004 – Friendly fire probably killed former National
Football League star Army Cpl. Pat Tillman in Afghanistan on April 22, U.S.
Central Command officials announced in a news release today.

The release said that while an investigation made no specific finding of fault,
the results indicate Tillman died "as a probable result of friendly fire while
his unit was engaged in combat with enemy forces."

Tillman's unit was ambushed by 10 to 12 enemy fighters with small arms and
mortar fire, resulting in an intense firefight lasting about 20 minutes. The
CENTCOM release said the incident took place on "very severe and constricted
terrain with impaired light conditions." Following initial contact, the release
continued, Tillman left his vehicle and moved into position to suppress enemy
fire.

"There is an inherent degree of confusion in any firefight," the release said,
"particularly when a unit is ambushed, and especially under difficult light and
terrain conditions which produces an environment that increases the likelihood
of fratricide."

In the release, CENTCOM officials expressed regret and emphasized that the
circumstances of Tillman's death do not diminish the value of his service and
sacrifice. "Corporal Tillman was shot and killed while responding to enemy fire
without regard for his own safety," the news release said. "He focused his
efforts on the elimination of enemy forces and the protection of his team
members."

Tillman, 27, was deployed with the 75th Ranger Regiment from Fort Benning, Ga.
Inspired by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, he left
a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals on the table to enlist in
the Army and become a Ranger. He held the rank of specialist when he was
killed, and received corporal stripes posthumously.

Related Article:
Former Football Star Killed in
Afghanistan [/news/Apr2004/n04242004_200404241.html]
<spacer type=vertical size=5>

Related Sites:
U.S. Central Command [http://www.centcom.mil/]
75th Ranger Regiment [http://www.soc.mil/75thrr/75th_home.htm]

_______________________________________________________
NOTE: This is a plain text version of a web page. If your e-mail program
did not properly format this information, you may view the story at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2004/n05292004_200405292.html
Any photos, graphics or other imagery included in the article may also
be viewed at this web page.

[Durandal]

Ok, that's better...

[Secret Squirrel]

Ok, that's better...

And of course with any story theres conflicting reports. I'll try to track down the link for this bit of info, but again take it for whatever you think its worth.

"The Afghan official told the AP that two groups of soldiers had drifted some distance apart during the operation in the remote Spera district of Khost province, close to the Pakistani border.

"Suddenly the sound of a mine explosion was heard somewhere between the two groups and the Americans in one group started firing," the official said, citing an account given to him by an Afghan fighter who was part of that group, not Tillman's.

"Nobody knew what it was — a mine, a remote-controlled bomb — or what was going on, or if enemy forces were firing. The situation was very confusing," the official said.

"As the result of this firing, that American was killed and three Afghan soldiers were injured. It was a misunderstanding and afterwards they realized that it was a mine that had exploded and there were no enemy forces."

U.S. military officials in Kabul had no immediate comment."

[Trident-za]

Interesting, if true.

[Secret Squirrel]

Interesting, if true.

it would certainly fit the friendly fire conclusion if its true. And no i'm not trying to start a flame, but the U.S/U.S military seems to hold up Heros as its idols instead of the entire military. Lynch was the spokes person for the invasion, and Tillman was pushed into a smiliar role for Ghanny.

[sethen]

[quote="Secret Squirrel"][

"Nobody knew what it was — a mine, a remote-controlled bomb — or what was going on, or if enemy forces were firing. The situation was very confusing," the official said.

"As the result of this firing, that American was killed and three Afghan soldiers were injured. It was a misunderstanding and afterwards they realized that it was a mine that had exploded and there were no enemy forces."

:cantbeli: :cantbeli: :cantbeli:

[scm77]

:cantbeli: :cantbeli: :cantbeli: Indeed.

[ariweiner]

May 29, 2004
Release Number: 04-05-55


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CPL TILLMAN INVESTIGATION COMPLETED

MACDILL AFB, FL - A military investigation into the circumstances of the 22 April death of Corporal Patrick Tillman is complete.

While there was no one specific finding of fault, the investigation results indicate that Corporal Tillman died as a probable result of friendly fire while his unit was engaged in combat with enemy forces.

Corporal Tillman's unit was ambushed with small arms and mortar fire at about 7:30 PM local time while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. The enemy ambush was immediately responded to by a coalition patrol including Cpl Tillman with direct fire, and an intense firefight lasting approximately 20 minutes ensued.

The ambush was conducted by 10-12 enemy personnel from multiple locations over approximately 1 kilometer in very severe and constricted terrain with impaired light conditions. Following initial contact, Cpl Tillman disembarked from his vehicle and, in support of his unit, moved into position to suppress enemy fire.

The results of this investigation in no way diminish the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Cpl Tillman. Cpl Tillman was shot and killed while responding to enemy fire without regard for his own safety. He focused his efforts on the elimination of enemy forces and the protection of his team members. There is an inherent degree of confusion in any firefight, particularly when a unit is ambushed, and especially under difficult light and terrain conditions which produces an environment that increases the likelihood of fratricide.

U.S. Central Command regrets the loss of life resulting from this tragic incident.

Media interested in additional information can contact US Central Command Public Affairs.

[Secret Squirrel]

ariweiner, that info has already been posted in the thread. Strange how the U.S version paints a picture of confusion and heroism why an Afghan official paints one thats much more logical. I mean really, how could he have been shot by his own guys if he was with them when it started and the enemy were (assumed) to be a click away? Kind of conjures images of a Rambo type show of force by one soldier. *shrugs* shouldnt be hard to find out if three Afghan soldiers were with an American unit that night and if they were injured.

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

ariweiner, that info has already been posted in the thread. Strange how the U.S version paints a picture of confusion and heroism why an Afghan official paints one thats much more logical. I mean really, how could he have been shot by his own guys if he was with them when it started and the enemy were (assumed) to be a click away? Kind of conjures images of a Rambo type show of force by one soldier. *shrugs* shouldnt be hard to find out if three Afghan soldiers were with an American unit that night and if they were injured.


"There is an inherent degree of confusion in any firefight," the release said,
"particularly when a unit is ambushed, and especially under difficult light and
terrain conditionswhich produces an environment that increases the likelihood
of fratricide."


Whom is this Afghan official? Was he there to? If not, you have to consider the source. You were not there, I doubt you have ever been in a situation such as that, so how can you even comment on the confusion of the ambush, let alone the heroism of the soldier(s) involved? You know when I first started reading your posts I caught the drift you were far left, but it's becoming openly more obvious that you are just plain anti-American. :backhand:

[Secret Squirrel]

ariweiner, that info has already been posted in the thread. Strange how the U.S version paints a picture of confusion and heroism why an Afghan official paints one thats much more logical. I mean really, how could he have been shot by his own guys if he was with them when it started and the enemy were (assumed) to be a click away? Kind of conjures images of a Rambo type show of force by one soldier. *shrugs* shouldnt be hard to find out if three Afghan soldiers were with an American unit that night and if they were injured.


"There is an inherent degree of confusion in any firefight," the release said,
"particularly when a unit is ambushed, and especially under difficult light and
terrain conditionswhich produces an environment that increases the likelihood
of fratricide."


Whom is this Afghan official? Was he there to? If not, you have to consider the source. You were not there, I doubt you have ever been in a situation such as that, so how can you even comment on the confusion of the ambush, let alone the heroism of the soldier(s) involved? You know when I first started reading your posts I caught the drift you were far left, but it's becoming openly more obvious that you are just plain anti-American. :backhand:

Well the U.S source claims not to know what happened, the other does. Hrm...Tillman was with his unit when the "ambush" occured. One assumes that he was reasonably trained? So, did he leap from a military jeep and charge out into the darkness taking a bullet into the back from one of his own men? Or is it more likely that the U.S "offical" version isnt correct. You can make up your own mind, i'm still trying to decide mine.

[OB Kenobi]

It seems that he was killed by one of his fellow rangers, but that doesn't take away his actions. However, this incident needs to be looked into, studied, and hopefully not repeated... Who knows what conditions there were like, so I can't comment on how the Rangers bungled, and should be criticized blah blah blah...

They supposedly had Afghan troops with them who were mistaken for Taliban in the poor visibility and confusing terrain. A crossfire ensued, Tillman was somehow caught along with the Afghans.

If this is indeed what happened, I get the feeling not only Tillman died but some of those loyal Afghan troops as well.

Somebody by them some decent uniforms so this doesn't happen again.

[ariweiner]

Hmm...

Army: Friendly Fire Likely Killed Tillman
JAY COHEN

Associated Press

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Pat Tillman was probably killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan after a U.S. solider mistakenly shot at an Afghan soldier in the former NFL player's unit, military officials said Saturday.

Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Previous military statements suggested he was killed by enemy fire.

According to an Army investigation, Tillman was shot to death on April 22 after the friendly Afghan soldier in Tillman's unit was mistakenly fired upon, and other U.S. soldiers then fired in the same direction.

"While there was no one specific finding of fault, the investigation results indicate that Cpl. Tillman probably died as a result of friendly fire while his unit was engaged in combat with enemy forces," Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger Jr. said in a brief statement to reporters at the Army Special Operations Command.

Kensinger said the firefight took place in "very severe and constricted terrain with impaired light" with 10 to 12 enemy combatants firing on U.S. forces.

But an Afghan military official told The Associated Press on Saturday that Tillman died because of a "misunderstanding" when two mixed groups of American and Afghan soldiers began firing wildly in the confusion following a land mine explosion.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Afghan official said, "(There) were no enemy forces" present when Tillman died.

Kensinger, who heads Army Special Forces, took no questions Saturday morning after reading the Army statement. An Afghan Defense Ministry official declined to comment on whether enemy forces were present, while U.S. military officials in Afghanistan referred all queries to Fort Bragg.

In Washington, Pentagon officials refused to comment on the Afghan report.

According to the Army's investigation, Tillman's team had split from a second unit when a Ranger whom the Army did not identify fired on a friendly Afghan soldier, mistaking him for the enemy.

Seeing that gunfire and not realizing its origin, other U.S. soldiers fired in the same direction, killing Tillman and an Afghan soldier. Two other Rangers were wounded in the gunfight.

"The results of this investigation in no way diminished the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Cpl. Tillman," Kensinger said.

Tillman, 27, left his position as a starting safety for Arizona to join the Army following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He was posthumously promoted from specialist to corporal and awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star, one of the military's highest honors, awarded for gallantry on the battlefield.

Thousands of people, including celebrities and politicians, attended a memorial service at Sun Devil Stadium earlier this month. At a memorial service in his hometown of San Jose, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called him "a most honorable man."

"While many of us will be blessed to live a longer life, few of us will ever live a better one," said McCain, who spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

A woman who answered the phone Saturday at the home of Tillman's uncle, Hank Tillman, said the family would have no comment on the findings in the Army's investigation.

At Fort Bragg, an officer with the 30th Engineer Battalion said the circumstances of Tillman's death do not change his heroism.

"A lot of us sacrifice something, but no one sacrificed as much as he did to join," Sgt. Matt Harbursky said as he prepared to play a round of golf at the base course. "And it doesn't really matter how he was killed, it's sad."

Prior to Saturday, the Army's most complete account of Tillman's death came in his Silver Star citation, which said he was killed after his platoon split into two sections for what officials called a ground assault convoy. Tillman was in charge of the lead group.

When the trailing group came under mortar and small arms fire, the Army said Tillman ordered his team to return.

"Through the firing, Tillman's voice was heard issuing fire commands to take the fight to the enemy on the dominating high ground," the citation said. "Only after his team engaged the well-armed enemy did it appear their fires diminished."

The Afghan official gave the AP a differing account, based on his conversation with an Afghan fighter from the group that was separated from Tillman's. The Afghan soldier said the two groups drifted apart during the operation in the remote Spera district of Khost province, close to the Pakistani border.

"Suddenly the sound of a mine explosion was heard somewhere between the two groups and the Americans in one group started firing," the official said.

"Nobody knew what it was - a mine, a remote-controlled bomb - or what was going on, or if enemy forces were firing. The situation was very confusing," the official said.

"As the result of this firing, that American was killed and three Afghan soldiers were injured. It was a misunderstanding and afterwards they realized that it was a mine that had exploded and there were no enemy forces."

Tillman's platoon was in the area as part of an effort called Operation Mountain Storm, in which they were charged with rooting out Taliban and al-Qaida fighters.

Tillman became the first NFL player to die in combat since the Vietnam War. He was one of about 100 U.S. soldiers to have been killed in Afghanistan since the United States invaded in 2001.

---

Associated Press writer Stephen Graham contributed to this report from Kabul, Afghanistan and AP Military Writer Robert Burns contributed from Washington.

[Secret Squirrel]

The U.S will stick to their version and ignore any questions as Bush needs a hero for Ghanny. Lynch was the choosen one for Iraq, and Bush is going to pervert Tillman's death into votes. Whats really sickening is, out of the 120+ soldiers who have died in Ghanny, how many got this kind of coverage? Or any coverage at all?

[Trigger]

The U.S will stick to their version and ignore any questions as Bush needs a hero for Ghanny. Lynch was the choosen one for Iraq, and Bush is going to pervert Tillman's death into votes. Whats really sickening is, out of the 120+ soldiers who have died in Ghanny, how many got this kind of coverage? Or any coverage at all?
...and you're going to pervert this into another anti-Bush thread.

I agree:
Sickening.

[Secret Squirrel]

The U.S will stick to their version and ignore any questions as Bush needs a hero for Ghanny. Lynch was the choosen one for Iraq, and Bush is going to pervert Tillman's death into votes. Whats really sickening is, out of the 120+ soldiers who have died in Ghanny, how many got this kind of coverage? Or any coverage at all?
...and you're going to pervert this into another anti-Bush thread.

I agree:
Sickening.

I dont recall anyone from my side of the fense using Tillman's death as political fodder...hrm...did Bush do this?

[ariweiner]

The Army report fits in with both the Afghan officials version as well as the official US Army spokepersons statement.

Tillman Killed by 'Friendly Fire'
Probe Cites Error By Platoon Mates

By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 30, 2004; Page A01

Pat Tillman, the former pro football player, was killed by other American troops in a "friendly fire" episode in Afghanistan last month and not by enemy bullets, according to a U.S. investigation of the incident.


New details released yesterday about Tillman's death indicate that he was gunned down by members of his elite Army Ranger platoon who mistakenly shot in his direction when the unit was ambushed. According to a summary of the Army investigation, a Ranger squad leader mistook an allied Afghan Militia Force soldier standing near Tillman as the enemy, and he and other U.S. soldiers opened fire, killing both men.

That Tillman, 27, wasn't killed by enemy fire in a heroic rescue attempt was a major revelation by the U.S. military more than a month after the April 22 incident, which the Pentagon and members of Congress had hailed as an example of combat bravery. Tillman's sacrifice of millions of dollars when he left the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals to become a soldier has been held up as a stark contrast to the prison scandal in Iraq.

Shortly after his death, Army officials awarded Tillman a Silver Star for combat valor and a Purple Heart. He also was promoted from specialist to corporal. They said Tillman was killed while charging at the enemy up a hill, allowing the rest of his platoon to escape alive.

Instead, it appears Tillman's bravery in battle led him to become a victim of a series of errors as he was trying to protect part of his stranded platoon, which Army officials say was attacked while hampered by a disabled vehicle it had in tow. The report said Tillman got out of his vehicle and shot at the enemy during a 20-minute firefight before he was killed when members of his unit opened fire after returning to the scene to help.

A woman who answered the door at the home of Tillman's parents in San Jose said the family did not have anything to say publicly.

News of Tillman's death by friendly fire was first reported yesterday in the Arizona Republic and the Argus of Fremont, Calif., and new details emerged yesterday.

Military officials could not explain the discrepancy between earlier reports and the releases yesterday, saying that a month-long investigation into the attack helped clarify the events. The investigation reports that Tillman was killed after he got out of his vehicle and fought about a dozen insurgents in restricted terrain and in poor light conditions.

"While there was no one specific finding of fault, the investigation results indicate that Corporal Tillman probably died as a result of friendly fire while his unit was engaged in combat with enemy forces," said Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger Jr., who is in charge of the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command, based in Fort Bragg, N.C. "The results of this investigation in no way diminish the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Corporal Tillman. Corporal Tillman was shot and killed while responding to enemy fire without regard for his own safety."

The report summary, however, leaves no doubt that Tillman was killed by friendly fire, saying that the Afghan fighter was "misidentified" by a Ranger squad leader, who then attacked. The report said other soldiers, who generally look to squad leaders for guidance, followed suit.

"Other members of the platoon, observing the direction of fire by the squad leader, oriented their fire in the same direction," the summary says. "This fire fatally wounded one Ranger and the AMF soldier."

Two other U.S. soldiers were injured by friendly fire in the same melee, though Army officials said yesterday that they could not provide details. The full investigative report has yet to be released.

According to summary, the incident was the result of a series of problems and failures as the Ranger platoon moved from one assignment to another through the mountainous terrain along the Pakistan border, about 90 miles south of Kabul, near the village of Spera.

First, a vehicle with Tillman's unit broke down and the platoon mechanic could not fix it. Then, without air resources to lift the vehicle out of the area, the soldiers decided to tow the vehicle as they moved to their next assignment. On April 22, the soldiers split the platoon, sending a working vehicle ahead while Tillman's unit towed the disabled one, slowing it down, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command in Florida.

"Approximately 30 minutes after the platoon split off in their separate directions, the section with the non-mission capable vehicle was ambushed by anti-coalition forces," the summary said. "Hearing the engagement, the other section of the platoon maneuvered to the location of the ambush and engaged in the fight."


It was then that the Afghan soldier was mistaken for the enemy and was killed when the other half of the platoon returned. Tillman, who was by his side, also was shot, the report said.

Tillman and his fellow Rangers were attacked in a region where U.S. forces have been searching out Taliban and al Qaeda leaders who are believed to be hiding there. Operation Mountain Storm has been scouring the area for months -- looking for such leaders as Osama bin Laden -- and has frequently been involved in skirmishes.

Kensinger, in his statement yesterday morning at Fort Bragg, said Tillman's unit was ambushed with small-arms and mortar fire at about 7:30 p.m. local time in the vicinity of a military base in Khost, Afghanistan. He described the ensuing firefight as "intense" and involving about a dozen enemy fighters shooting from multiple locations.

"There is an inherent degree of confusion in any firefight, particularly when a unit is ambushed, and especially under difficult light and terrain conditions which produce an environment that increases the likelihood of fratricide," Kensinger said.

Marine Capt. Bruce Frame, a Central Command spokesman, said there has been one other friendly-fire investigation during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, arising from a combat death in March 2002. According to the Defense Department, 51 U.S. soldiers have been killed in action in and around Afghanistan, and 122 U.S. soldiers have died in the operation.

The friendly-fire incident appears to be a classic example of what can happen in a chaotic combat situation, with soldiers getting out of vehicles in bad light while trying to engage an unknown enemy on unfamiliar terrain. It also highlights the potential for problems that can come with assembling multinational forces -- in this case, an Afghan coalition fighter mistaken as the enemy touched off the volley of friendly fire.

"Blue on blue" fire has become less of a problem for U.S. forces in the modern era, as they increasingly rely on better technology for airstrikes and have fewer soldiers out in the field doing operational missions. Still, such attacks occur, especially at night.

"It can be very confusing, particularly in an environment like that," said Allan R. Millett, a professor of military history at Ohio State University and a retired colonel with the Marine Corps Reserve.

"Everybody is piling out of vehicles, and they pile out shooting. That's always a dangerous situation. Doctrine is to put out a lot of fire and keep moving. If people respond properly, there are a hell of a lot of bullets flying around. It sounds like Tillman was just unlucky."

Millett said modern-day friendly-fire incidents are statistically low, especially compared with previous wars. U.S. forces in World War II had about 40,000 friendly-fire deaths, or about 10 percent of total losses.

A member of Company A of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Tillman was one of an elite force of Army light-infantry soldiers often used for difficult assault missions around the globe. He and brother Kevin joined the Army in 2002 after he expressed deep patriotism in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Kevin Tillman also was an Army Ranger and was part of the same battalion.

Pat Tillman, a safety with the Cardinals, walked away from a $3.6 million contract and made less than $20,000 in the Army. He shunned media attention, telling his family and the military he wanted to be treated like other soldiers.

More than 600 NFL players served in the military during World War II and 19 were killed. One U.S. pro athlete -- James Robert Kalsu, an offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills -- was killed in combat in Vietnam.

About 3,000 people, including politicians, soldiers, professional athletes and relatives, honored Tillman at a 2 1/2-hour memorial service in San Jose on May 2. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) spoke that day of Tillman's resolve.

"Pat's best service to us all was to remind us what courage really looks like," McCain said.

Last week, the owners of the 32 NFL teams began discussing how the league would pay tribute to Tillman. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue mentioned the possibility of a decal being placed on each player's helmet, but said no decisions had been made.

Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said in a midweek meeting with Washington Post editors and reporters that Tagliabue would honor the family's wishes.

"I know how Tagliabue feels about this," Upshaw said. "He wants to make sure that it's done with the best interests of the family and what the family wants."

Staff writers Thomas E. Ricks, Mark Maske and Steve Fainaru contributed to this report.

[Secret Squirrel]

The Army report fits in with both the Afghan officials version as well as the official US Army spokepersons statement.

The Afghan version says that there wasnt an ambush; so how exactly does that fit with the U.S's version? When it occured, the U.S didnt give any details other than he charged into a hail of gun fire...then it was "probable" that Tillman died by friendly fire while charging into gunfire...then it was confirmed that it was friendly fire while fighting off an ambush...and on and on...each new report seems to move closer to the Afghan version.