Witnesses, Army records describe confusion and cover-ups in Tillman case

ESPN.com offers a series delving deeper into the 2004 death of Pfc. Pat Tillman, who left the NFL to serve with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan, and the questions still under investigation by the defense department. TThe story of Tillman's patriotism and personal sacrifice made headlines, but the Pentagon later acknowledged that he was killed by friendly fire. "For the past five months, in an effort to shed light on how Tillman died and whether there was an attempt to use his good name and valor for political purposes, ESPN.com has interviewed nine of the 35 Rangers who were engaged with Tillman in the firefight, more than 50 additional Army officials, politicians, and medical and military experts, plus relatives of the principals involved in the incident." Mike Fish's reporting is accompanied by links to eyewitness interviews and original documents. The second part explores official efforts to promote Tillman as a fallen hero. "The Army began crafting Tillman's Silver Star application in the days just after his death; and according to transcripts of investigation witness statements, top Army officials already suspected fratricide when they wrote it."