Non-Combat deaths

[<Jhk789@aol.com>]

In a message dated 3/31/2002 6:28:08 PM Pacific Standard Time, RonaldS842@aol.com writes:


> Friendly planes appeared overhead. Mortrude moved his platoon out about 1 
> PM. Lt. Smith led out Company A. The men of these units had walked barely out 
> of the area that had been their defense perimeter when enemy bullets whistled 
> past or dug into the ground behind them. At almost the same time four 
> friendly planes in close support of the breakout action missed the target and 
> dropped napalm bombs on the lead elements. The half track in which Mortrude 
> planned to ride was set ablase, Several men were burned to death immediately. 
> About five others, their clothes afire, tried frantically to beat out the 
> flames. Everyone scattered. Disorganization followed. Jesus Christ!


Ron,

I wonder how DOD classified these friendly-fire deaths.
Probably classified as "other" non-battle deaths?

The initial DOD report for "other" deaths in the K.W. was 20,617.
This number was reduced to 2,830 in recent years.
Which number do you believe?

John2