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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSgt. Johnson may have been alive when he was left behind.
PENTAGON -- The American soldiers killed in Niger were helping that country's military combat Islamic militants. The exact details of the Niger ambush have been slow to emerge, including the military's immediate response.
After the bodies of three American soldiers were brought out, Pentagon officials believed that Sgt. La David Johnson was still alive somewhere on the battlefield. For several hours, they tracked a locator beacon, which then became intermittent and finally faded out. By the time they found him two days later he was dead, raising the awful possibility that an American soldier was left behind -- a possibility which the Pentagon's Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie flatly rejected.
"I'll tell you, categorically, that from the moment of contact, no one was left behind, neither U.S. -- our partner Nigerian forces or French forces were on the ground actively searching for this soldier," McKenzie said.
The first reinforcements to arrive were French aircraft, starting about 30 minutes after the ambush was reported, according to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/niger-ambush-soldiers-killed-new-details/
madaboutharry
(40,245 posts)That would be such a tragic finding, to think he could have been saved and died because no one was there to help him.
BigmanPigman
(51,649 posts)Is that normal protocol?
madaboutharry
(40,245 posts)If the remains are badly damaged or horrific in some way or have advanced decomposition the casket is closed. For everyone, not just soldiers.
FakeNoose
(32,854 posts)... like, why were they keeping the whole thing hush-hush?
But I hope for Sgt. Johnson's sake, it's not true.
LenaBaby61
(6,979 posts)And what happened in Yemen STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN.
But of course we still have folks in congress interested in BENGHAZI, so no spotlight will be shined on Niger or Yemen per most in CONgress.
We are SOOOOOO screwed.
JI7
(89,283 posts)flamingdem
(39,335 posts)And Kelly makes me sicker.
No one is minding the store and our best and most patriotic are getting left on the field to die.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)GusBob
(7,286 posts)1. You would think if it was ISIS, the Trumpsters would be falling all over themselves blaming the 'mooslam-terrorists'
2. The flip side is converse, because it was a successful ISIS attack on some of our best-trained troops, the Trumpsters don't want to admit defeat to some rag-tag group of terrorists
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)As if Johnson's family didn't have enough grief already. I almost hope they don't find out about this, but if they do I hope they sue.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Seems unlikely.
rogue emissary
(3,148 posts)No telling how bad the story will get if they actually do an honest investigation.