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Quote by: trueheart Unfortunately in all the wars there are some accidental deaths; some in Iraq and even in World War II have been killed in vehicle accidents. I had an uncle who died this way in an earlier war. Friendly fire affects all military organizations. But I wonder why they say "probably." He was a true hero who gave up a great career to serve his country.

Absolutely. In my book he would be a hero for this even if he had lived. Some think he needed to shed his blood to merit being a true hero.

BUT. there's friend fire and there's 'unfriendly fire'. The first goes with the territory and is probable what you are speaking about.

BUT. The 'unfriendly' friendly fire has two separate types.

1. Is straight forward murder. It was common in the closing years in Vietnam. As PH has reminded me, it was called 'flagging'. It got it's name for the practice of rolling a fragmentation grenade into sleeping officers tents. Unlike in democratic armies, US officers did not sleep with the men then. Flagging was quite common in the latter years. Two officers were flagged in Iraq for sure.

2. If you take the time to read the

rh #100 Please, in memory of Pat Tillman, inform yourself of his last days Barrage of Bullets Drowned Out Cries of Comrades and then you will be in a position to speak.

below you will see in grim detail the events that lead to his death. It all started with a BAD order overruling the officer on the scene. All to save a bust Humvee! That BASTARD has probably being promoted by now, as is standard practice in great US army. The officer who nearly countermanded a superior officer had his career stunted. Read please and then please comment.