Operation Desert Storm:

Investigation of a U.S. Army Fratricide Incident

T-OSI-95-11, Jun 29, 1995

Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

GAO discussed the Army's investigation of a fratricide incident during the Persian Gulf War, focusing on allegations that Army officials hindered or influenced investigations of the incident. GAO noted that: (1) factors that contributed to the fratricide incident included incomplete and confusing operation plans and orders, disintegrated corps coordination, and a lack of control over Army units; (2) the investigation's completeness is questionable, since the Army failed to gather evidence, overlooked many documents, and did not obtain evidence to confirm or support some statements; (3) the Forces Command Staff Judge Advocate believed that one Army investigating officer reached a predetermined conclusion concerning the case, and recommended that three officers be reprimanded and another admonished; (4) there was no evidence of document destruction, witness intimidation, or witness retaliation during the Army investigation; (5) the Army's Inspector General investigated and revoked several heroism awards that were related directly to the fratricide; and (6) there was no evidence of a coverup regarding the Army's investigation of the incident and subsequent findings.

Jun 19, 2013

Jun 11, 2013

May 31, 2013

May 29, 2013

May 23, 2013

May 17, 2013

May 16, 2013

May 15, 2013

May 14, 2013

Looking for more? Browse all our products here