Kerry campaign provides military records

AP | 4/20/04 | NEDRA PICKLER

[abner]

What Howlin said.

What do you mean.

[Williams]

If you know anything about privileged types like Kerry, you know they get all the inside tips from their fellow "in the know" snobs. Obviously, when Kerry found himself in combat he was also advised to collect PH's whenever possible so he could use the 3 PH's rule to get out. That is why he showed up in 2 weeks with a questionable PH request. That is the request for which I believe he is saying he "can't find" the paperwork.

I can't fault Kerry for being in combat and maybe not weven for wanting out. The offensive part is that HE has built a career bragging about these 4 months and all his medals. HE claims it qualifies him for president. Then isn't it reasonable to ask whether it reveals a character flaw that he got himself out of combat asap?

[mass55th]

"I can't and won't fault Kerry for his Vietnam service as he did go and was exposed..... However I wonder if his deferments were about to run out/expire and none others were available to him."

After he graduated from Yale, he attempted to get a year's extension from the Draft Board so he could go to school in France. They denied his request, so he enlisted in the Navy.

[Mo1]

He was reassigned in March of 1969. Interesting.

Why??

[mabelkitty]

That he didn't get the PHs.
He got out, but he needed the PH angle to justify it. Sounds like events created after the fact from memory, then documented.

It explains why nobody can remember details about his service other than what he "rehashed" with his crew. However, there is no doubt that one person remembers he wanted the first PH but didn't qualify and was rejected.

Safely back in the states, he (and who else) recreated the events to document the requirements.

Fulbright or Kennedy. But which one?

[mvpel]

No, Purple Hearts awarded for bruises and scrapes denigrates the service and medals of all.

My name is Forrest, Forrest Gump. I got shot in the but-tocks.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

This is too funny:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20040419T000000-0500_58740_OBS_HILLARY_CLINTON_LEAVES_JAMAICA_HOLIDAYED_AT_TRYALL.asp

[deport]

President Bush's deferments expired on June 9, 1968 after graduation from Yale.... He joined the TANG shortly after that......

Senator Kerry graduated from Yale in 1966..... and joined the Navy.

So your 1970 Lottery drawing for the draft has no import on either one's decision to enlist, imo. Both would have been drafted way prior to the Lottery...

[MJY1288]

Good question, I'm not sure why all three were documented on 8/12/69, but the injury dates are noted. Maybe somebody here on FR with knowledge of these things can answer your question

[Howlin]

Take a look at this:

November 17, 1968:
Kerry arrives in Vietnam, where he is given command of Swift boat No. 44, operating in the Mekong Delta.

December 2, 1968:
Kerry gets his first taste of intense combat, and is wounded in the arm. He is awarded a Purple Heart.

Now, Kerry had REQUEST the Swift boats because, at the time that he requested that duty, they were NOT involved in combat; so he gets to Vietnam and guess what, two weeks later, the Swift boat mission changes to combat.

See how long it took him to get that first PH after that?

[KevinDavis]

However there are some differences, Frank was a Rino, he had a face like a ferret, and at least Burns was a patriot.

[mabelkitty]

Kerry's campaign platform of talking up the draft just died.
He enlisted and couldn't hack it - what makes him qualified to judge our enlisted men?

[familyofman]

When you start the 'selective' acceptance of medals awarded - you sure do. How can you be sure the others weren't just as bogus. You say these 3 PH's are bogus - how can you accept all the others without question. That is truly dishonest & a road I prefer to leave untraveled.
This 'ragging on' the record of JK only most legitimate any questions of GWB's service. Why can't you see the logic in that. Don't let your distatse for one lead to the dishonor of both.

[watchin]

He knew it was 3 injuries and you are out. That's why he picked a scab, made it bleed bad, and asked for a purple heart.

Having never served in the military, I can understand someone being scared and wanting out. But to use the Purple Heart to get out, and later pretend you earned it for political gain? Despicable.

It's time for the veteran's to spit on him.

[MamaLucci]

IMO, Kerry planned his "military career" in advance, with the final plan to be discharged ASAP. He "requested" his Purple Hearts and used the "three Purple Hearts" loophole to be discharged from the Navy, never to serve again.

I agree, and I think his Kennedy family connections greased the skids.

[Howlin]

Notably, Kerry's campaign has not released to the Globe, or to anyone else, the formal evaluations from superior officers or his complete, uncensored military file, as President Bush has. Bush earlier this year released 300 pages of documents after media outlets raised questions about his National Guard service. Those records, which Bush ironically promised to make available during his own appearance in February on “Meet the Press,” included all of the young pilot’s military evaluations and medical records.

:-)

[mabelkitty]

Well, the Democrats made fun of Bob Dole's war wounds.
Wonder if they are laughing now.

Yes, this is a low point in politics.
Kerry never, ever should have gone there with George Bush.

He opened something that will be ugly and is just starting.

[Future Useless Eater]

...so I beached our boat, stormed the dying gook and
blew his f'*ing head... hey! (whack!) Pay attention
kid, or you'll end up some kind of clown like your father.

[mabelkitty]

And when the press found out he was a gifted pilot, they refused to discuss it and dropped the subject like a hot potato.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

For those who are interested, an interesting thread on the thoughts of the Democratic faithful.

Correct Democratic position on Israel/Palestine please.

Bacitracin, aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh