NBC’s Brian Williams’ Career in Jeopardy After Grave Iraq War Lie.

NBC News anchor Brian Williams conceded Wednesday that he was not aboard a helicopter that was hit by enemy fire in Iraq in 2003 and forced down while he was covering the invasion - a story he retold as recently as last week. On NBC Nightly News, Williams read a 50-second statement apologizing (WaPo, Slate, me)

• "...I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago...I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by [rocket-propelled grenade] fire. I was instead in a following aircraft. ... This was a bungled attempt by me to thank one special veteran and, by extension, our brave military men and women, veterans everywhere, those who have served while I did not."

• The admission is a rare black mark for Williams, a poised, veteran newsman who has anchored NBC's news since 2004 and has endeared himself to non-news audiences through appearances on "30 Rock." "The Tonight Show" and other shows. No word from NBC on discipline or not

• Williams's apology came after Stars and Stripes newspaper contacted crew members of the Chinook helicopter that Williams had said he was aboard when it was hit by two rockets and small arms fire. They said that Williams was not aboard. They said Williams arrived on another, undamaged helicopter an hour after the crippled Chinook had landed (sooo "following?")