Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

McChrystal Lied About Tillman's Death: Krakauer

New book draws attention to general's role in cover-up

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2009 7:39 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – A new book is dredging up some uncomfortable history for Stanley McChrystal at an inconvenient time. Just as the general's credibility is on the line in Afghanistan, Jon Krakauer’s paints McChrystal as the central figure in the cover-up of Pat Tillman’s friendly fire death. McChrystal says he made an honest mistake in writing Tillman’s Silver Star recommendation, but in a preview of his book yesterday on Meet the Press, Krakauer called that “preposterous.”

“McChrystal was told within 24 hours it was friendly fire,” Krakauer said. Shown a video of McChrystal’s testimony, in which he said he “didn’t review the citation well enough,” Krakauer added, “He just said now he didn't read this hugely important document about the most famous soldier in the military. That’s preposterous. That’s not believable.”

Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal testifies on Capitol Hill, June 2, 2009, before the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing.
Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal testifies on Capitol Hill, June 2, 2009, before the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
McChrystal (right) purposely covered up Tillman's death, Krakauer alleges.
McChrystal (right) purposely covered up Tillman's death, Krakauer alleges.   (AP Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Jon Krakauer calls McChrystal's explanation 'preposterous.'   (msnbc)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 28 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 3, 2009 12:44 PM CST
Erexion, if Tillman's death can help restore the US army's honour, he will not have died in vain. I hope he becomes even more famous to that end. This is an OUTRAGE, and I sincerely hope the cover-up FAILS. And I hope Obama exhibits some balls in this instance.
bewilderbeast
Nov 3, 2009 12:40 PM CST
Cprizzle, until you can wake up and see soldiers don't always serve "their country" but often serve some billionaires and their tame politicians, "showing respect for Pat" just falls right in with the confidence trick they're pulling on you. We all need to show some respect for the truth. That's what's needed. Anyone who is not yelling out loud in absolute OUTRAGE that a leading American General is a self-serving liar willing to sacrifice his troops for personal ambition needs to seriously re-assess their thoughts.
bewilderbeast
Nov 3, 2009 12:33 PM CST
Obama needs to wake up and act like he won an election in which he promised a new deal. The US military needs a fast mea culpa with forgiveness and new orders going forward. Sure, some culprits will get off scot-free, but at least one can turn the page. Whistle blowers need to spill the beans and the new commander-in-chief needs to set a new tone to get it back to where it was pre-Rumsfeld. SHAME on the US army as it is now.

 
Iraq • Afghanistan • Pat Tillman • Stanley McChrystal • Jon Krakauer

More Newser Stories

CIA Fills Void in Iraq, Afghanistan

McChrystal: US View of Afghan War 'Frighteningly Simplistic'

Gen. Petraeus Steps Down

Troops' A/C Costs $20.2B— More Than NASA

US Troops Mark Memorial Day in Iraq, Afghanistan
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne