"Now, more than a year later, an Army report on Tillman's death reveals a shocking story of delay and coverup, along with callous disregard for the feelings of Tillman's family. The responsibility begins with soldiers in his unit and extends all the way up the chain of command to General John Abizaid, who was then the commander of the Afghan theater. News of the report, and the Tillman family's response to it, were published this month in the Washington Post.

"The Army initially said Corporal Tillman had been killed by enemy fire as he was storming a hill along the Pakistani border. In fact, his death was caused by friendly fire, a fact apparent almost immediately to men in his unit, who destroyed key evidence such as Tillman's body armor and uniform. The real cause of his death was also apparent early on to high-level officers, but the Tillman family was not informed until a formal investigation had been concluded several weeks after his nationally televised memorial service."