Montana Rep. Pushes DOD for Answers After Green Beret’s Death

The death of a Green Beret in Afghanistan could very well lead to another Benghazi-like investigation into the type of support U.S. officials are providing to troops on the ground.

30-year-old Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock was killed in action last Tuesday in Southern Afghanistan, leaving behind a wife and infant son. Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke says McClintock’s death may have been preventable.

"There were assets available, particularly, in specific, there was an AC130 gunship, and they did not get permission to give support even though the troops were in enemy contact, they were in a firefight. Someone made the decision not to give them the support they needed for hours, the report I got was as much as 12 hours!"

Zinke is a retired Navy Seal Commander, and says he learned of the details surrounding McClintock’s death from current Special Forces members. Zinke is asking for a meeting with high ranking members of the defense department to explain.

"I still maintain a good relationship with special operations folks. Quite frankly, I value the information from a Sergent more than from some DOD official. I want to know the truth, and I want to know the truth from a man in uniform in a committee hearing. It can be behind closed doors, but, eye to eye, I want to know the truth of what happened."

Zinke has argued that the Rules of Engagement in Afghanistan have hampered the efficacy of U.S. troops and, like in the case of Matthew McClintock, have increased the danger for American soldiers.