Episode
The Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
50:57
Published: Sun Mar 26 2023
Description
The worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire incident in modern history happened during the war in Iraq. In Spring 2004, an explosion rocked a schoolhouse in the city of Fallujah. It left three dead and a dozen wounded. But you won't read about it in the history books. In fact, the event seems to have been scrubbed from the official record. 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 that day? Today, we begin to uncover the truth. We bring you the first episode of Taking Cover, an investigative series from NPR's Embedded podcast. It's a story of betrayal, brotherhood and what's owed to families, the wounded, and the American public.
Chapters
Journalists Tom Bowman and Graham Smith, who have covered wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, bring listeners an investigation about a concealed incident in the city of Fallujah during the Iraq War.
00:00 - 01:09 (01:09)
Summary
Journalists Tom Bowman and Graham Smith, who have covered wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, bring listeners an investigation about a concealed incident in the city of Fallujah during the Iraq War. The series, titled Taking Cover, provides graphic details about the situation that was hidden from the American public.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
This podcast delves into the tragic events that occurred at Hill 488 during the Vietnam War and the subsequent cover-up that kept the truth from families and the American public.
01:09 - 08:11 (07:01)
Summary
This podcast delves into the tragic events that occurred at Hill 488 during the Vietnam War and the subsequent cover-up that kept the truth from families and the American public. The efforts of the podcast host to uncover the full story are chronicled throughout the episodes.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
A former marine reveals that the military covered up friendly fire incidents in Iraq during the war, including the death of a Marine due to the involvement of a powerful politician's son.
08:11 - 14:44 (06:32)
Summary
A former marine reveals that the military covered up friendly fire incidents in Iraq during the war, including the death of a Marine due to the involvement of a powerful politician's son.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
A soldier's trauma from fighting in Fallujah continues to affect him almost 20 years later, as he reveals in a letter to his wife that he wishes he had died in Iraq rather than coming back.
14:44 - 19:42 (04:58)
Summary
A soldier's trauma from fighting in Fallujah continues to affect him almost 20 years later, as he reveals in a letter to his wife that he wishes he had died in Iraq rather than coming back.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
The speaker talks about his experience in Fallujah and the lack of interest from the locals in receiving security and stability.
19:42 - 24:32 (04:49)
Summary
The speaker talks about his experience in Fallujah and the lack of interest from the locals in receiving security and stability. The text also includes mentions of company commander Doug Zembeck and an insert into the Helmand river valley.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
A man describes his encounter in Iraq where the Army seemed unsure of their actions and a little girl warned them of danger.
24:32 - 29:40 (05:07)
Summary
A man describes his encounter in Iraq where the Army seemed unsure of their actions and a little girl warned them of danger.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
A veteran discusses how, until someone actually got shot, it all felt like a video game to him during his time in the military.
29:40 - 33:56 (04:15)
Summary
A veteran discusses how, until someone actually got shot, it all felt like a video game to him during his time in the military.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
The podcast features interviews with combat veterans exploring the experiences of American military personnel who battled in wars from World War II through Iraq and Afghanistan.
33:56 - 39:09 (05:13)
Summary
The podcast features interviews with combat veterans exploring the experiences of American military personnel who battled in wars from World War II through Iraq and Afghanistan.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
A Marine recalls a comrade putting on a Backstreet Boys dance while in war, causing a break in fighting, but ultimately delaying the mission.
39:11 - 43:24 (04:12)
Summary
A Marine recalls a comrade putting on a Backstreet Boys dance while in war, causing a break in fighting, but ultimately delaying the mission.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
A story about a negotiation going wrong after a request for an already freaked black and mild led to the speaker waking up on the ground, having blacked out.
43:24 - 48:55 (05:31)
Summary
A story about a negotiation going wrong after a request for an already freaked black and mild led to the speaker waking up on the ground, having blacked out.
EpisodeThe Sunday Story presents: Taking Cover, an NPR investigation
PodcastUp First
NPR's Embedded podcast thanks journalists and media outlets for providing recordings and editorial input on their series, "The Battle for Fallujah."
48:55 - 50:51 (01:55)
Summary
NPR's Embedded podcast thanks journalists and media outlets for providing recordings and editorial input on their series, "The Battle for Fallujah."