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Operation Desert Storm: Investigation of a U.S. Army Fratricide Incident

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date April 7, 1995
Report No. OSI-95-10
Subject
Summary:

During the Persian Gulf War, one soldier was killed and another wounded when U.S. troops mistook them for the enemy. GAO found serious flaws in an Army investigation of the incident, which cleared Army officers of responsibility. Investigators never sought to resolve inconsistent claims concerning warning shots and purported return fire. A Judge Advocate who reviewed the Army's investigation believed that one of the investigating officer's "objectivity was skewed" and that he had a predetermined conclusion concerning the case. Although the Judge Advocate recommended reprimands for officers involved in the case, the reprimands were ultimately either withdrawn or not entered into the personnel files. Three servicemen involved in the "friendly fire" were later granted awards for valor based on misrepresentations from military officers. On the basis of GAO's findings, the Army decided to rescind these awards.

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