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Saved POW’s Kin Say She Wasn’t Shot

Thurdsay, April 3, 2003
NBC, MSNBC & News Services

The military has said that some of the 11 corpses found in and near the Nasiriyah hospital after Lynch’s rescue are those of U.S. troops. U.S. officials, who spoke with NBC News early Thursday, said nine of the bodies are those of U.S. troops and that most are believed to be from the 507th Maintenance Company.

WASHINGTON -- MSNBC
The father of rescued POW Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch said Thursday that she was in great spirits following her first surgery and denied reports she had been shot and stabbed during her captivity in Iraq.

“WE HAVE HEARD and seen reports that she had multiple gunshot wounds and a knife stabbing. The doctor has not seen any of this,” Gregory Lynch Sr. said.

Lynch said his 19-year-old daughter, who is at a military hospital in Germany, had surgery on her back.

“She didn’t have any feeling in her feet,” he said outside the family’s home in this West Virginia hamlet. More surgery was scheduled for Friday on her fractured legs and arm, he said.

The family spent several hours with Pentagon representatives discussing her ordeal in Iraq. They hoped to learn why the 507th Maintenance Company convoy made a wrong turn in southern Iraq on March 23 and was attacked.

But Gregory Lynch said he had not discussed details of his daughter’s captivity during telephone conversations with her. He and his wife, Deardra, did not immediately elaborate on what they discussed with military officials.

The Pentagon has said little about Lynch’s captivity, saying details will be provided at the appropriate time.

* ‘SHE’S A FIGHTER’
* RESIDENT MADE TORTURE CLAIMS
* RELIEF AT HOME
(More: MSNBC.com)
2003 © MSNBC.

Dan