Former NFL player Pat Tillman killed in action

Hi Stevin, im not saying she should not get due respect for being in Iraq. All I am saying is that she did not deserve a Bronze Star. We all know it was the higher-ups that tried to push her into getting a Silver Star for propaganda purposes.

I do praise her for being in Iraq but, it ends with taking the Bronze Star in the way she did because it cheapens the meaning and merit of that award.

This is like john kerry, writing to a congressman during the Nam War, to get one of his three Purple Hearts, because of a scratch. Having a third PH also meant he could request to no longer have to be "on the front lines" and also ticked off many-a-vet as well in his doing so.

See what I mean?

 

Service: Currently U.S ARMY
HHC 1AD 1BCT 42A Human Resource Specialist


Unlike Lynch when I was in Iraq I did not play dead when I was surrounded by Iraqis. I had to clear the road and move Iraqi vehicles (with my rifle) so our convoy would pass on a busy road in the sniper alley. So please let me write a book

 

Framert - The Navy has posted a limited amount of information online regarding the two Navy sailors who died off Basra. A Coast Guardsman who was wounded in the same attack has also died, but neither the Coast Guard nor the DOD have posted any information online regarding that sailor.

Two Sailors Killed in Arabian Gulf Oil Terminal Attacks

Story Number: NNS040424-01
Release Date: 4/24/2004 6:21:00 PM

From Commander, Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Two U.S. Navy Sailors from a coalition boarding team were killed and four other crew members wounded April 24 as a result of three concurrent waterborne attacks on oil terminals located in the northern Arabian Gulf.

At approximately 5 p.m. (local) coalition naval personnel observed an unidentified dhow approaching the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) in the northern Arabian Gulf. Standard Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) procedures required the crew to board the dhow for inspection.

As the seven-member boarding team approached the dhow in a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), the dhow exploded, flipping the RHIB and throwing the crew into the water, killing two and wounding four.

All crew members were recovered by other coalition naval forces in the area, and evacuated to a military hospital in Kuwait.

All names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Approximately 20 minutes after the first dhow explosion, two unidentified small boats were observed approaching the Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT). ABOT security forces immediately took action to intercept. Prior to reaching the terminal, the boats exploded.

Initial reports indicate no damage to either terminal.

Coalition forces captured both oil terminals during the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom last year in the effort to prevent environmental sabotage of the terminals by Iraqi forces.

Coalition maritime forces are operating under the command of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

 

Skelly- P.F.C. Warren, William E. III
1355th S&S Co. 1987-1990
Mississippi Army National Guard

5th Bat. 8th Field Artillery Reg (ABN)
Ft. Bragg N.C./Desert Shield/Storm 90-92

1/505th Mech. Infantry 1st Cavalry Div.
Mississippi Army National Guard 95-97.

I stand by the opinion of Carl on the Lynch fiasco! After Clinton became president they likewise starting giving just anyone a Bronze star.

 

Yes, Carl, I DO see what you mean.

 

soon they'll be giving out MOH like AAM's. I should know I give out medals

 

Thanks V/Wilconquor/Stevin I really did not mean any disrespect for Pvt Lynch--especially since I am not in Iraq.

Oh and Stevin, I figured that I had to say that other reply because, I don't want to see Dutch paratroopers dropping from the sky over Corpus Christi

Course, if that is the case, I will have to buy them all a 96 OZ steak dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. If they could eat all that, they would be too stuffed with steak to THINK of fighting.

 

And just in time too. I had most of my air mobile buddies together. They kinda looked forward to an "reenactment"...

Now you're talking! When I tell 'em that, there is no holding them back. These guys have the biggest appetite I have EVER seen...

They are looking forward to their Texas Road/Air Trip, Carl...Put the beers cold!

 

Har har, after eating 96 OZ of staek and drinking a pitcher of cold beer, they will wish they had never messed with Texas

 

Framert, there is an announcement posted on the Defense Department's webiste regarding those dailors:

Department of Defense Identifies Navy, Coast Guard Casualties

Story Number: NNS040426-10
Release Date: 4/26/2004 2:24:00 PM

Special release from the U.S. Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced April 26 the death of two Sailors and one Coast Guardsman who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 24 in the Northern Persian Gulf as a result of a waterborne attack. They were assigned to USS Firebolt (PC 10), forward-deployed to Manama, Bahrain.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Pernaselli, 27, of Monroe, N.Y.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher E. Watts, 28, of Knoxville, Tenn.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, of Smithtown, N.Y. Bruckenthal was assigned to Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, Detachment 403.

[ 03. July 2004, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]

 

US Army
Army News Service

Commentary: None for the money

By Gary Sheftick
April 29, 2004

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 29, 2004) - In an era when professional athletes often demand: "show me the money," Pat Tillman gave up $3.6 million, and ultimately his life, to serve our nation.

Tillman shocked sports fans worldwide a few months after Sept. 11, 2001, by announcing that he would leave the Arizona Cardinals, turn down a lucrative NFL contract, and enlist in the Army.

Cpl. Tillman eventually became a member of the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served with his brother Kevin who gave up a budding career for the Cleveland Indians' minor league baseball team.

Both brothers served in Operation Iraqi Freedom last year.

Last week, Cpl. Pat Tillman was killed during a firefight in southeastern Afghanistan, while on a coalition combat patrol that was ambushed April 22 near the village of Sperah, about 25 miles southwest of Khowst.

In a statement following the tragedy, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said "Pat Tillman personified all the best values of his country and the NFL."

Sen. John McCain of Arizona said that Tillman's example and humility inspires us all "to reclaim the essential public-spiritedness of Americans that many of us, in low moments, had worried was no longer our common distinguishing trait."

That spirit of public service was the norm during World War II, when hundreds of professional athletes hung up their uniforms to don fatigues. The first was Cleveland Indians pitcher "Bullet Bob" Feller, who enlisted two days after Pearl Harbor. Among the NFL stars who served was the New York Giants' offensive tackle Al Blozis, who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge.

A rush to public service by pro athletes hasn't exactly been the case so far during the war on terror. But Pat Tillman told his teammates in December 2001 that his great grandfather had served at Pearl Harbor and many of his family had helped defend America. He felt he needed to do his part.

Pat and Kevin Tillman not only stand out for their spirit of public service, but also for the extent to which they shunned publicity. The brothers repeatedly turned down a multitude of requests for interviews. The Tillmans said that they didn't deserve any more credit than the Soldiers serving next to them.

Even the Army News Service was unable to interview the Tillmans. After the brothers enlisted in 2002, a number of Army officials thought their story could help recruiting. Some were disappointed that the duo wouldn't talk to the press, but Army officials respected the Tillmans' request for anonymity.

Despite their efforts to avoid the spotlight, the Tillmans were eventually thrust into the public eye as they finished up their service in Iraq last July.

The brothers were chosen as recipients of the 11th annual Arthur Ashe Courage Award, presented live on ESPN as part of the Espy Awards. The Ashe award is given annually to those who serve a greater good outside the sporting arena, officials said.

Kevin and Pat refused to leave their duty station, though, to attend the ESPN broadcast. Their brother Richard accepted the award on behalf of the family.

Actor Keifer Sutherland presented the Espy award to Richard, who said the family was very proud, but added that Pat and Kevin felt they didn't quite deserve it.

"Pat and Kevin don't think they are better than anyone else," said Richard. They don't feel that the Soldiers fighting alongside them are giving any less than they themselves are, he said.

The Tillmans certainly didn't serve for fame or money. Nor do any of the thousands of others deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Djibouti and other hot spots around the world.

It's often said that the true measure of a man's character is in what he does when no one is looking. That being the case, then Pat Tillman is a true American hero -- along with all Soldiers who serve bravely but quietly at the frontlines of the war on terror.

 

American Forces Information Service

Operations Bringing Security to Afghanistan, Abizaid Says

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2004

"... [Commander of U.S. Central Command, Army Gen. John] Abizaid briefly spoke about Army Spc. Pat Tillman, the former National Football League player who enlisted in the Army two years ago and was killed in Afghanistan April 22. During a visit to Afghanistan April 29, Abizaid said, he spoke to an Army Ranger lieutenant, Tillman's platoon leader, who was injured in the fight that killed Tillman.

'I asked (the lieutenant) yesterday how operations were going; I asked him about Pat Tillman,' Abizaid said. 'He said, 'Pat Tillman was a great Ranger and a great soldier, and what more can I say about him?' ..."

 

U.S. Army Special Operations Command

RELEASE NUMBER: 040430-01
DATE POSTED: APRIL 30, 2004

Army awards Silver Star to fallen Ranger

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 30, 2004) - An Army Ranger killed April 22 during combat in Afghanistan has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star, officials at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command here announced today.

Cpl. Patrick D. Tillman, an infantryman assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash., was awarded the medal for his selfless actions after his Ranger element was ambushed by anti-coalition insurgents during a ground assault convoy through southeastern Afghanistan.

The Silver Star is the Army's third highest award for combat valor.

During the Rangers' combat patrol, Tillman's platoon was split into two sections. Tillman, a team leader, was in the platoon's lead section when the trail section began receiving mortar and small arms fire. Because of the area's cavernous terrain, the trail element was unable to maneuver out of the kill zone and it was difficult for the embattled trail section to target the enemy positions.

Although Tillman's element was already safely out of the area of the attack, he ordered his team to dismount and then maneuvered the Rangers up a hill near the enemy's location. As they crested the hill, Tillman directed his team into firing positions and personally provided suppressive fire with an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon machine gun.

Through the firing, Tillman's voice was heard issuing commands to take the fight to the enemy forces emplaced on the dominating high ground.

Only after Tillman's team had engaged the well-armed enemy did it appear that the hostile fires directed at the Ranger trail section were diminished.

Leading his Rangers without regard for his own safety, Tillman was shot and killed while focusing his efforts on the elimination of the enemy forces and the protection of his team members.

As a result of Tillman's combat leadership and his Soldiers' efforts, the platoon's trail section was able to maneuver through the ambush to positions of safety without taking a single casualty.

 

Investigation Concludes Friendly Fire Probably Killed Tillman

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.

- - - - - - - - - -

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND

May 29, 2004
Release Number: 04-05-55
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
<a href="http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/news_release.asp?NewsRelease=20040555.txt" target="_blank">
CPL TILLMAN INVESTIGATION COMPLETED</a>

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.

[ 29. May 2004, 09:59 PM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]

 

DefenseLINK News: Pro Football Has Long, Distinguished Military History, Aug. 7, 2004

 

American Forces Press Service: NFL to Donate $250,000 for Pat Tillman USO Center, Oct. 15, 2004

 

Interesting...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6652618/

 

Startling findings in Tillman probe

Updated 11/9/2006

AP: Startling findings in Tillman probe - USATODAY.com

One of the four shooters, Staff Sgt. Trevor Alders, had recently had PRK laser eye surgery. He said although he could see two sets of hands "straight up," his vision was "hazy." In the absence of "friendly identifying signals," he assumed Tillman and an allied Afghan who also was killed were enemy.

Another, Spc. Steve Elliott, said he was "excited" by the sight of rifles, muzzle flashes and "shapes." A third, Spc. Stephen Ashpole, said he saw two figures, and just aimed where everyone else was shooting.

Squad leader Sgt. Greg Baker had 20-20 eyesight, but claimed he had "tunnel vision." Amid the chaos and pumping adrenaline, Baker said he hammered what he thought was the enemy but was actually the allied Afghan fighter next to Tillman who was trying to give the Americans cover: "I zoned in on him because I could see the AK-47. I focused only on him."

All four failed to identify their targets before firing, a direct violation of the fire discipline techniques drilled into every soldier.

 

Was this blue-on-blue or stupid-on-blue?

 

In Texas it is called "Shoot first and ask questions later". anic::machinegun: