A couple of things here for those who choose to climb into the “way-back” machine.
Much of these “Lies” that the pentagon purpotedly told were based originally on reports picked up by soldiers that had “witnessed” Lynche’s capture, picked up by the media and reported as fact before the “fog of war” had cleared.
By the time the facts began emerging, the media had already written the story. Why, at that point should the military refute a story that did so much for Morale?
In Tillman’s case, he was such a celebrity, that to report that he died of friendly fire would have been a major blow to morale.
Clauswitz stated, “All military action is intertwined with psychological forces and effects.” - On War, 1832.
This war, like all wars, is being fought on many fronts. The home front needs heroes to sustain its own support for war. Lynch and Tilmans family, while concerned for the truth, have failed to think through the consequences of their actions. In the end, they will hurt the cause for which they sacrificed.
There was a great scene in flags of our fathers when the three Heroes of Iwo were on the Bond tour and were complaining that they were not heroes and the whole thing was a sham.
One of organizers put it bluntly, if they didn’t get out there and play their assigned roles so the money could be raised to carry on the war, it would be lost, as would the sacrifices of all their buddies.
In both these cases, short-sighted selfish interests have won out over the big-picture of winning the WOT.
You said — “Why, at that point should the military refute a story that did so much for Morale?”
Well, because morale should always be based on the truth of the matter so it doesn’t come back and bite you in the butt.
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And then — “In Tillman’s case, he was such a celebrity, that to report that he died of friendly fire would have been a major blow to morale.”
Except for the fact that now Pat Tillman’s parents are trying to get it straightened out..., plus Jessica Lynch herself.
I mean..., if it weren’t for the *very people themselves* (which includes Tillman’s parents) trying to do this — it might be considered nothing...