policy. u.s. forces are not in iraq on a combat mission, and do not have boots on the ground. the white house and pentagon have been reluctant to say this american soldier died in combat. because the president promised no combat, no ground troops in iraq. >> i want to be clear, the american forces that have been deployed to iraq, do not and will not have a combat mission. as your commander-in-chief, i will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in iraq. >> today the defense secretary faced tough questions about where a support mission ends and a combat mission begins. he finally admitted what everyone knew. >> this is combat, things are complicated. this is someone who saw the team that he was advising in and assisting, coming under attack. and he rushed to their, to help them. >> midwester sergeant josh wheeler will come home tomorrow.