Taking Cover : NPR
Taking Cover It was the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire incident in modern history. But it's not in the history books. An explosion in Fallujah, Iraq left three dead, a dozen wounded, and – for high-ranking officials – a dilemma. So, why were the families of the deceased lied to? Why did the reports mysteriously disappear? And why do survivors still have to wonder about what happened on the worst day of their lives? Taking Cover, an NPR investigative series from the Embedded podcast, isn't just a show about unraveling blue-on-blue tragedy during the Iraq war. It's about what happens when we send our young to war. It's a story of betrayal, brotherhood, and what's owed – to families, the wounded and to the American public.

Taking Cover

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It was the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire incident in modern history. But it's not in the history books. An explosion in Fallujah, Iraq left three dead, a dozen wounded, and – for high-ranking officials – a dilemma. So, why were the families of the deceased lied to? Why did the reports mysteriously disappear? And why do survivors still have to wonder about what happened on the worst day of their lives? Taking Cover, an NPR investigative series from the Embedded podcast, isn't just a show about unraveling blue-on-blue tragedy during the Iraq war. It's about what happens when we send our young to war. It's a story of betrayal, brotherhood, and what's owed – to families, the wounded and to the American public.

Most Recent Episodes

NPR

Accountability

In this Taking Cover update, a U.S. senator wants answers from the Marines about what went wrong - and we meet an Army soldier still serving on active duty who's been denied the truth about his war wounds. To listen to this series sponsor-free and support NPR, sign up for Embedded+ in Apple Podcasts or plus.npr.org.

Accountability

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A photo of Shihab Mansour Hussein during his time as a interpreter for the US military is held by his brother. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

The Gulf School

Tom and Graham meet Shihab's brother in Baghdad — but he's wary. They also visit Fallujah, to find the schoolhouse and talk with people who were on the other side of the occupation. Then, finally... back to Camp Pendleton.

The Gulf School

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Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal (right) testifies while flanked by Navy Adm. James Stavridis (center) and Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser (left) during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on June 2, 2009. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Cover-Up

The team turns to Pat Tillman's family for help. Duncan Hunter the elder, and the younger, respond to NPR's questions... kind of. A breakthrough in the search for the interpreter has Tom and Graham planning a trip back to where it all began.

Cover-Up

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With four different versions of the JAGMAN investigation in hand, plus additional information uncovered through the course of reporting, NPR was able to piece together a complete picture of what happened on April 12, 2004. Emily Bogle, Chris Haxel and Alyson Hurt/NPR hide caption

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Emily Bogle, Chris Haxel and Alyson Hurt/NPR

Up the Chain

Tom and Graham work their way up the chain of command, looking for someone — anyone — who can explain how and why this incident was buried. One general claims he can't recall the incident. Another talks with the team at the Pentagon, then changes his story about Duncan Hunter's involvement.

Up the Chain

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David Costello stands in his parents' home near Cleveland, Ohio. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

Finding David

As Tom and Graham work to track down the men in the courtyard, one of the wounded Marines has long remained elusive. His former comrades wonder if he's even still alive. Eventually, with help from Carlos, the team finds David. His chilling story reflects the lingering wounds of war.

Finding David

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Elena Kennison-Zurheide and a photo of her and husband Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Zurheide Jr., who was killed in 2004. Graham Smith/NPR hide caption

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Graham Smith/NPR

JAGMAN

Hoping to get their hands on the official investigation, the NPR team flies to Tucson. But problems begin shortly after arrival. The widow of a man who died in the explosion wants to know why the Marine Corps lied to her. Tom and Graham want to know why the recommended punishments were overturned. The team finally confirms a crucial detail from the original tip.

JAGMAN

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Marines share descriptions of the horrors of treating and evacuating more than a dozen men — all in the middle of a massive firefight that kicked off after the explosion in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Angelica Alzona for NPR hide caption

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Angelica Alzona for NPR

Stand-To

The wounded are evacuated. The battle subsides. Now the men of Echo 2/1 begin to wonder: What happened? The Marine Corps says "no records exist" but Tom and Graham find testimony before an obscure Congressional subcommittee that says otherwise. The team also finds that promises made — to Congress, to the families of the dead and to wounded Marines — have been broken. And, they hear from one man who knows exactly what happened in the courtyard of that schoolhouse — but they still have to wonder, why was this covered up?

Stand-To

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Crosses honoring fallen Marines stand at the top of Horno Ridge at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Graham Smith/NPR hide caption

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Danger Close

NPR's Pentagon Correspondent, Tom Bowman, receives a shocking tip from a trusted source: A deadly explosion during the Iraq War was an accident—friendly fire, covered up by the Marine Corps—and the son of a powerful politician may have been involved.

Danger Close

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Jesse Brown for NPR

Introducing Taking Cover

Hosted by NPR's Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman and Graham Smith of the Investigations unit, Taking Cover isn't just a show about the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire incident in modern history. It's a story of betrayal, brotherhood, and what's owed—to families, the wounded, and to the American public—when we send our young to war. Coming everywhere March 23.

Introducing Taking Cover

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