The Murder of Pat Tillman

There are many reasons why I snort when an "Army Strong" commercial appears. But perhaps the greatest reason is our military's never-ending contempt for truth. A good example, and an example that is far from an aberration, is the military's handling of the death of Pat Tillman.

Tillman, the Arizona Cardinals defensive back, volunteered for the Army in the spring after 9/11, giving up a $3.6 million N.F.L. contract extension. On a second tour of duty in Afghanistan, on April 22, 2004, he was killed. On April 30, an official Army press release announcing his Silver Star citation, said that Tillman stormed a hill to take out the enemy, even as he "personally provided suppressive fire with an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon machine gun."

Five weeks after Tillman's death, the Army acknowledged, without providing details, that he had "probably" died from friendly fire. And now just recently, the AP has reported Tillman many have been murdered, shot three times closely spaced in the forehead.

According to the AP, "The documents show that a doctor who autopsied Tillman's body was suspicious of the three gunshot wounds to the forehead. The doctor said he took the unusual step of calling the Army's Human Resources Command and was rebuffed. He then asked an official at the Army's Criminal Investigation Division if the CID would consider opening a criminal case."

The problem for the army that the more facts that emerge, the less credable the army is. Already, the army has demoted Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger Jr. and has issued stinging rebukes to the chain of command involved in this conspiracy. And there will be more investigations, especially looking at the relationship between the administration and the military. The question is no longer how and why did the Rangers shoot Tillman. The more relevant question is: who authorized Tilman to receive the silver star and why? The answer could lie in the heart of the Bush administration.

Watch for the other shoe to drop.