Operation Desert Storm: Investigation of a U.S. Army Fratricide Incident

GAO discussed the Army's investigation of a fratricide incident during the Persian Gulf War, focusing on allegations that Army officials hindered or influenced investigations of the incident. GAO noted that: (1) factors that contributed to the fratricide incident included incomplete and confusing operation plans and orders, disintegrated corps coordination, and a lack of control over Army units; (2) the investigation's completeness is questionable, since the Army failed to gather evidence, overlooked many documents, and did not obtain evidence to confirm or support some statements; (3) the Forces Command Staff Judge Advocate believed that one Army investigating officer reached a predetermined conclusion concerning the case, and recommended that three officers be reprimanded and another admonished; (4) there was no evidence of document destruction, witness intimidation, or witness retaliation during the Army investigation; (5) the Army's Inspector General investigated and revoked several heroism awards that were related directly to the fratricide; and (6) there was no evidence of a coverup regarding the Army's investigation of the incident and subsequent findings.