WASHINGTON — Two U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq in February were killed by friendly fire, according to a military investigation that blamed poor training and planning.
Pvt. Matthew Zeimer, 18, of Glendive, Mont., and Spec. Alan E. McPeek, 20, of Tucson were killed Feb. 2 in Ramadi. Their families initially were told they were killed by enemy fire.
In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the military released its subsequent investigation. The soldiers’ families were told in March that the soldiers may have been killed by their comrades.
The investigation found that the two were killed by tank fire from a second Army outpost after insurgents engaged both outposts from numerous locations. The tank gunner and commander thought they were taking on the enemy position, the investigation concluded.
An Army spokeswoman said she could not say whether anyone had been reprimanded.
