Rumsfeld uses "I don't recall" excuse in Tillman death

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld testified before a House committee

August 1, 2007 Washington, DC - Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld claimed in a House committee hearing Wednesday that he personally did not engage in a cover-up of Army Ranger Cpl. Pat Tillman.

"I know that I would not engage in a cover-up. I know that no one in the White House suggested such a thing to me," Rumsfeld testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is examining what senior Defense Department officials knew about Tillman's April 2004 death by friendly fire and when they knew it.

Rumsfeld testified that he didn't recall precisely when he learned of Tillman's death. "It could have been internally or it could have been through the press," he said.

"I don't recall when I was told. I don't remember who told me," Rumsfeld said under questioning by Rep. Tom Davis, the committee's ranking Republican. However, he said that because investigations were ongoing, he didn't make anything public.

"I have a great deal of heartbreak for the Tillman family and the way it was handled, adding to their grief. ... We certainly owe the young men and women better than that."

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