General Censured In Cover-Up

WASHINGTON (AP) _ _ The Army on Tuesday censured a retired three-star general for the chain of errors that followed the friendly-fire death in 2004 of Army Ranger Pat Tillman. <br/><br/>It referred to

Tuesday, July 31st 2007, 2:46 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ _ The Army on Tuesday censured a retired three-star general for the chain of errors that followed the friendly-fire death in 2004 of Army Ranger Pat Tillman.

It referred to a special panel whether retired Army Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger should also have his rank reduced.

Army Secretary Pete Geren told a Pentagon news conference that Kensinger was ``guilty of deception'' and had deceived investigators.

``It's a perfect storm of mistakes, misjudgments and a failure of leadership,'' said Geren in announcing his decision after an investigation into the death of the former pro football player.

Kensinger headed Army special operations.

The general bore the brunt of the punishment. Nine other officers were criticized but not punished.

The panel will decide whether Kensinger should be stripped of his third star.

Geren said he considered recommending a court-martial but ruled it out. ``I looked at many factors,'' he said.

Kensinger, he said, ``compromised his duty.''

``He failed to provide proper leadership to the soldiers under his administrative control. ... He let his soldiers down,'' Geren said. ``General Kensinger was the captain of that ship, and his ship ran aground.''