Three Tap Frag

America's hero Pat Tillman may or may not have been killed in action. Early reports had Tillman, a professional football player who gave up a lucrative contract to join the Army, being killed by enemy combatants in an action in the Eastern highlands of Afganistan. When that story changed to him being killed by friendly fire during an ambush, things began to take a turn for the worse. Now, after the true facts began to filter out to the public, it appears that Corporal Tillman, a squad leader met his death in a totally different way.

First of all, Army investigators found no sign enemy action as alleged by the members of his squad. Army medical examiners also questioned the head wounds which were the cause of his death. It was clear to the examiners that he was shot three times at close range by an American assault rifle. Ouch, three taps in the head from close range by a member of his squad. Could we have a fragging here?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term fragging it refers to the act of soldiers killing their own commanders. The Vietnam conflict was the first I'd heard of it and from all accounts it happened with increased frequency as the combat force became increasingly top-heavy with conscripts and they were lead by green officers right out of ROTC. The offensive officer either got it in the back during a firefight or someone slipped a grenade into his living quarters.

What is interesting about the Tillman case is that despite the lack of evidence of a firefight and despite the close-up and personal taps to the forehead with a good guy assault rifle, his squad members are sticking to their story. Hmmmmm!

Dog Out