On Friday, however, the National Archives provided the Globe with a Navy "instruction" document that formed the basis for Kerry's request. The instruction, titled 1300.39, says that a Naval officer who requires hospitalization on two separate occasions, or who receives three wounds "regardless of the nature of the wounds," can ask a superior officer to request a reassignment. The instruction makes clear the reassignment is not automatic. It says that the reassignment "will be determined after consideration of his physical classification for duty and on an individual basis." Because Kerry's wounds were not considered serious, his reassignment appears to have been made on an individual basis.
Moreover, the instruction makes clear that Kerry could have asked that any reassignment be waived.
The bottom line is that Kerry could have remained but he chose to seek an early transfer. He met with Horne, who agreed to forward the request, which Horne said probably ensured final approval. The Navy could not say how many other officers or sailors got a similar early release from combat, but it was unusual for anyone to have three Purple Hearts.
My heartfelt admiration for those of you who were there!
**********
Boston Globe, 4/14/04 "Kerry Faces Questions Over Purple Heart : "
" He had a little scratch on his forearm and he was holding a piece of shrapnel,recalled Kerry's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Grant Hibbard."
"People in the office were saying 'I don't think we got any fire' and there is a guy holding a little piece of shrapnel in his palm."
"Hibbard said he couldn't be certain whether Kerry actually came under fire .. and that's why he continued to question him."
Kerry persisted, correspondence back and forth from Kerry to his CO and finally, the CO " to his chagrin "gave in to Kerry's harrassment and told Kerry " do whatever you want."
Two men serving alongside Kerry were Willaim Zaladonis and Patrick Runyon.
" I assume they fired back " Zaladonis recalled in an interview.
"But,neither he nor Runyon saw the source of the shrapnel that lodged ( ? ) in Kerry's arm."
" Thirty six years later, Hibbard said he can still recall Kerry's wound and that it resembled a scrape from a fingernail."
"I've had thorns from a rose that were worse."