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General Censured in Tillman Death

Chief misled probe after friendly fire cut down ex-NFL star

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 1, 2007 6:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – A retired three-star general has been censured for a "perfect storm of mistakes, misjudgments and a failure of leadership" following the friendly-fire death of ex-NFL star Pat Tillman, the AP reports. Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger misled investigators probing Tillman's death, which was initially said to be the result of heroic action in Afghanistan, and may have his rank reduced.

Kensinger also failed to initiate a safety probe and didn't inform Tillman's family when the investigation was launched. He was "captain of that ship and his ship ran aground," said Army Secretary Pete Geren, who opted not to order a court martial. Tillman, 27, walked away from a multimillion-dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers.

Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger Jr., center, outgoing commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, at Fort Bragg, N.C., kisses his wife, Greta, as U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker, right, looks on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005. Kensinger Jr., one of the highest-ranking officers in the...
Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger Jr., center, outgoing commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, at Fort Bragg, N.C., kisses his wife, Greta, as U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker, right,...   (Associated Press)
Army Secretary Pete Geren briefs reporters at the Pentagon, Tuesday, July 31, 2007, regarding the censuring of retired three-star general Army Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger for the chain of errors that followed the friendly-fire death in 2004 of Army Ranger Pat Tillman. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Army Secretary Pete Geren briefs reporters at the Pentagon, Tuesday, July 31, 2007, regarding the censuring of retired three-star general Army Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger for the chain of errors that followed...   (Associated Press)
Cpl. Pat Tillman is seen in a this 2003 file photo provided by Photography Plus.    (AP Photo/Photography Plus via Williamson Stealth Media Solutions, FILE)
Cpl. Pat Tillman is seen in a this 2003 file photo provided by Photography Plus. (AP Photo/Photography Plus via Williamson Stealth Media Solutions, FILE)   (Associated Press)
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