The Army waited nine months before finally informing the families of two soldiers that they were killed by 'friendly' fire from Iraqi soldiers rather than by enemy fire in traditional combat. The families were finally notified on Wednesday of the truth behind their son's deaths.
National Guard Sergeant Patrick McCaffrey, 34, of Tracy, California, died exactly two years ago today in Iraq. The Army conducted an investigation into his death and on September 30 of last year, reached the conclusion that Sergeant McCaffrey was killed by insurgents who had infiltrated Iraqi civil defense forces. However, the Army told McCaffrey's family he was killed by an enemy ambush while on patrol and 'a clarification was not provided' after the investigation was completed the Army admitted.
The delay has outraged Sergeant McCaffrey's mother, Nadia McCaffrey. She told the 'San Jose Mercury News,' 'I think it's embarrassing for them, the way my son was killed.'
Also killed in the same incident was 33-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Andre Tyson of Riverside, California. One Iraqi has been arrested and is scheduled to be tried for the killings. The other person believed to be involved is already dead.
'We deeply regret the delay in formal notification to the family,' said Army spokesman Paul Boyce, who noted that Army representatives met with the families of both McCaffrey and Tyson earlier this week.
Critics say the act of withholding information makes things more difficult emotionally for family members. 'The tragic part of it is that they're making the situation worse,' said Mary Tillman, mother of Army Ranger Pat Tillman, a former NFL star whose death was also covered up by the military.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said that the cover-up 'raises troubling questions' about the military. 'If the American people knew that the people we are directly helping train turned on our soldiers, support for this war would slip,' Boxer said.
McCaffrey's father, Bob McCaffrey told the 'Los Angeles Times' that 'Iraqi troops are turning on their American counterparts. 'That puts a knock in the spin that the White House is trying to put on this story - how the Iraqis are being well-trained and are getting ready to take over.'
At the very least, the Army owes the truth to the families of the brave men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty.
