Local Paper Uncovers Another Mysterious U.S. Death in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Source: Editor & Publisher

Local Paper Uncovers Another Mysterious U.S. Death in Iraq
By Greg Mitchell

NEW YORK Although the U.S. death toll is down in Iraq, many troops continue to perish in what the military officially announces as "noncombat" or "nonhostile" incidents. An investigation is launched but the press rarely learns the result.

However, local papers often obtain information directly from family members, exposing death by vehicle accident, friendly fire, illness or suicide.

It happened again this weekend, thanks to reporter Matthew Stolle of the Post-Bulletin in Rochester, Minn.

He revealed that details about how Sgt. 1st Class John J. Tobiason died last week remained sketchy, but his sister, Nancy Mitchell of Mantorville, said that The was in a "safe zone" when the incident happened. "He reportedly stepped outside of a tent when shots were fired," Stolle reported.

That would leave open friendly fire, murder, accidental weapon discharge, or suicide.

Read more: http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003680052

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Declare everywhere a "safe zone" then when a guy gets sniped

it's termed an accident or friendly fire.

[aquart]

4. Yah. It could have been one of those things.

Or it could be that there is no safe place for an American in Iraq.

[Javaman]

2. Let me hazzard a guess...

was Sgt. 1st Class John J. Tobiason part of the militaries accounting office over there?

[tanyev]

5. This article says he was a cook. I thought that was all done by private contractors these days.

"This is what he lived for, ... and it is what he died for. We need to be proud," his sister, Nancy Mitchell of Mantorville, said this morning.

Sgt. 1st Class Tobiason, who was an Army cook, died in Baghdad of injuries he suffered in an incident. The military told the family that an investigation has been completed, though they have not seen the report yet, Mitchell said.

She said all the family knows is that Tobiason stepped outside of a tent and shots were fired. . . .

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=317402&z=2

[Javaman]

7. That is screwed up then...

perhaps they are keeping the lid on some crap going down in the "safe" green zone. If it got out that the place was less then safe, the blogs would have a field day with it.

Aside that the safe green zone is mortared just about everyday now, I'm sure there are a few loose guns running around there as well.

Sounds like Saigon before the fall.

[postman07]

3. non combat

Doesn't the military give less benefits for non-combat related injuries? I am surprised they haven't made more of the country safe just so they could care less for the injured.

[Maq]

8. LIFE INSURANCE likely is only payable for COMBAT related death

Life Insurance is probably worded to pay only for a combat death. Can't be sure as I don't have a policy to read.

Remember, Uncle Sam insures each soldier for as much as $400,000.00 at no cost or very little cost to the Soldier.

Listing the death officially as non-combat may mean the Government is wiggling out of paying ANY MONIES to the fatal casualty beneficiary usually the family.

It may be in the best $$$$$$interest of the government on behalf of the Insurance Industry to list the casualty as non-combat death. IMHO

[Barrett808]

6. Earlier Story: Who Will Probe 'Noncombat' Deaths in Iraq?

E&P: Who Will Probe 'Noncombat' Deaths in Iraq?
About 20% of the U.S. deaths in Iraq are officially labeled "noncombat," and that number has been surging. This includes accidents, friendly fire and well over 120 suicides. But the government, and the media, seem reluctant to expose the tragedy, argues vets leader Paul Rieckhoff.

By Greg Mitchell

(more)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x319268