Cover me

The "cover me" incident - or versions of the incident which incorporate elements of urban legend - is an anecdote told for various effects, but generally to illustrate the importance, or danger, of different groups having different understanding of the same term.
The incident reports a combined military and police raid on a suspected criminal hideout. A police officer asks for cover, and the military respond by firing many shots into the home. To a policeman, the term "cover me" means to be alert and watch for danger (and perhaps the need to fire), while to a soldier, the same phrase means to provide covering fire (immediately fire).
Historical basis
The incident is recounted as historical in James D. Delk, Fires and Furies: The LA Riots, What Really Happened (Palm Springs, 1995), James D. Delk, is a former major general in the US Army National Guard, and was the former Adjutant General of the California Army National Guard, during which time he was the Military Field Commander for the 1992 Los Angeles riots. This is further quoted as historical in Christopher M. Schnaubelt, Lessons in Command and Control from the Los Angeles Riots, Parameters (Summer, 1997). and some other sources following Delk. Perito (2004) records the incident as being a mixed group of LAPD and Marines..
Use as an example
The incident is recounted as an "instructive" anecdote showing on the real difference in multiple meanings of the phrase "cover me". Moats (2007) recounts the incident, where the soldiers are U. S. Marines, situating it in ," noting that "whether this is fact or an urban legend" it demonstrates the need for common terminology." In another version (2010) where it is described as "more urban legend than real event (at least I hope so)" the soldiers are the National Guard.

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