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Friendly Fire Probed In U.S. Troop Deaths

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By LOLITA C. BALDOR, The Associated Press

Published: January 16, 2008

WASHINGTON - Three Army soldiers who were killed in an intensive, three-hour firefight in Salahuddin province north of Baghdad last week may have died from friendly fire, military officials said Tuesday.

The three 101st Airborne Division soldiers were part of an Army company that was attacked by as many as 15 insurgents on Jan. 8, after discovering several large caches of explosives.

Military officials said the incident is being investigated to determine whether the soldiers were killed by shots from the enemy or by U.S. forces, including members of their unit and aircraft called in later in the battle.

A detailed account of the incident was described by several officials to The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is not complete.

The three soldiers were part of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. They were searching buildings southwest of Samarra early that Tuesday when they found more than 1,000 pounds of homemade explosives, two 55-gallon drums rigged to blow up, a roadside bomb, and bullets and bomb-making materials.

They soon found a second building filled with explosives, guns, ammunition and a disassembled suicide vest.

Reports said the soldiers searched the area and found four vehicles loaded with explosives. They then determined there were at least two insurgents hiding nearby.

When they moved on the insurgents, reports said the soldiers found an extensive tunnel and trench network defended by 10 to 15 insurgents, who attacked with mortars, grenades and guns.

The two sides fought for about three hours. U.S. aircraft blasted the insurgents with rockets, 500-pound bombs and .50-caliber guns.

The soldiers then found Pfc. Ivan E. Merlo, 19, of San Marcos, Calif., and Pfc. Phillip J. Pannier, 20, of Washburn, Ill., dead and three injured, including Sgt. David J. Hart, 22, of Lake View Terrace, Calif., who died later.

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