"Friendly fire" was probably to blame for the death of a Royal Marine in Afghanistan, an inquiry has concluded.
Jonathan Wigley, 21, was fatally wounded on 5 December 2006 during battles with Taleban fighters near Garmsir, Helmand Province.
The Ministry of Defence inquiry ruled that an American pilot acting "with the best of intentions" mistook British forces for enemy combatants.
Marine Wigley's family said he "died doing what he wanted to do".
'Good faith'
The Royal Navy Board of Inquiry (BoI) said the US plane "misidentified and strafed a friendly position, injuring one and fatally wounding another UK Royal Marine".
It found that Marine Wigley was most likely hit by a 20mm "dud" round, fired by a US servicemen referred to as "XXX 01", who was working with a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC).
"Jonathan was an outstanding young Royal Marine whose tenacity, determination and professionalism shone through in everything he did""It is the opinion of the BoI that the key players in this event, XXX 01 and the JTAC, acted in good faith throughout," the inquiry concluded.
It judged that Marine Wigley was wearing appropriate protection and that the first aid treatment he received was "entirely adequate".
Due to the extent of his injuries, the BoI said it was "highly probable" he was dead by the time he was taken from his trench.
However, it recommended that a mechanism to highlight friendly force positions should be developed.
Marine Wigley, who served with Zulu Company 45 Commando Royal Marines, was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
He was mostly brought up in Grantham, Lincolnshire, before joining the Royal Marines aged 17. He had previously served in Northern Ireland.
In a statement, his parents Sharon and Clive and brothers Christian and Dominic said the young man they knew as "Jonna" loved the marines.
"It was his whole life and he was immensely proud to serve," they added.
His commanding officer, Lt Col Duncan Dewar RM, said Marine Wigley "died doing the job he loved".
"Jonathan was an outstanding young Royal Marine whose tenacity, determination and professionalism shone through in everything he did," he added.
BoI president Col Paul Denning said his thoughts were with the dead man's family.
"This accident is a reminder that military operations will always carry risks," he said.
"We are, however, determined to minimise those risks, and work is ongoing to develop combat identification practices and equipment to further reduce risks."
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