Tillman was killed saving comrades
By MAKI BECKER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Pat Tillman
He truly died an American hero.
Pat Tillman, the NFL-star-turned-G.I., was awarded a Silver Star yesterday for saving fellow Special Operations soldiers last month from a sneak attack by heavily armed militants in Afghanistan, the military disclosed yesterday.
As a team of Army Rangers was trapped in cavernous terrain and warding off incoming mortars and gunfire, Tillman, 27, led a team up a hill close to a position held by enemy fighters, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said.
Tillman's team had already made it out of the area but returned when an Army squad trailing them was ambushed.
"As they crested the hill, Tillman directed his team into firing positions and personally provided suppressive fire" with a machine gun to help the other unit, command officials said.
As the battle ensued, "Tillman's voice was heard issuing commands to take the fight to the enemy forces."
The firing soon stopped and the second Ranger team moved to safety - but Tillman was fatally wounded.
The medal for valor in combat honored Tillman's final act of selfless bravery. On Thursday, the Army announced Tillman had been posthumously promoted to corporal from specialist.
In keeping with Tillman's humble ways - he consistently turned down interviews about his decision to leave the Arizona Cardinals for the Army - his family has decided against holding a funeral with military honors. Instead, his widow, Marie, will be presented with a folded American flag, an Army official said. A public memorial service is planned Monday in Tillman's hometown of San Jose, Calif. Another public ceremony is set for next Saturday in Arizona.
Originally published on May 1, 2004 |
