Sierra
05-29-2004, 10:27 AM
U.S. Army Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former professional football player killed last month in Afghanistan, probably died from friendly fire, the Army announced on Saturday.
Tillman joined the Army after the September 11, 2001 attacks -- turning down a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
He served as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan.
Platoon ambushed
Tillman was killed April 22, when his platoon was ambushed during a ground convoy assault near Khowst, Afghanistan, near the eastern border with Pakistan.
Two coalition soldiers were wounded in the ambush and an Afghan militia force soldier was killed.
He was posthumously promoted from specialist to corporal and awarded a Silver Star.
In a written statement announcing the award, the Army said Tillman died while performing heroic duty "without regard to his personal safety."
Tillman's platoon was divided into two sections when it was attacked, the statement said.
Tillman led his section into a position where it could return fire against the enemy forces, which were targeting the trail section of the convoy, the statement said.
The statement said that because of Tillman's leadership and his team's efforts, the trail section of the convoy "was able to maneuver through the ambush to positions of safety without a single casualty."
Tillman was a member of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Lewis, Washington.
His brother, Kevin, trained with him and served in the same unit.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/05/29/tillman.report/index.html
Tillman joined the Army after the September 11, 2001 attacks -- turning down a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
He served as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan.
Platoon ambushed
Tillman was killed April 22, when his platoon was ambushed during a ground convoy assault near Khowst, Afghanistan, near the eastern border with Pakistan.
Two coalition soldiers were wounded in the ambush and an Afghan militia force soldier was killed.
He was posthumously promoted from specialist to corporal and awarded a Silver Star.
In a written statement announcing the award, the Army said Tillman died while performing heroic duty "without regard to his personal safety."
Tillman's platoon was divided into two sections when it was attacked, the statement said.
Tillman led his section into a position where it could return fire against the enemy forces, which were targeting the trail section of the convoy, the statement said.
The statement said that because of Tillman's leadership and his team's efforts, the trail section of the convoy "was able to maneuver through the ambush to positions of safety without a single casualty."
Tillman was a member of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Lewis, Washington.
His brother, Kevin, trained with him and served in the same unit.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/05/29/tillman.report/index.html