Is President Bush a Deserter? How the military defines the crime.

Slate ^ | Brendan I. Koerner

[Mo1]

Heroism, and growing concern about war

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.

[Jaxter]

"The bottom line is that Kerry could have remained but he chose to seek an early transfer."

My understanding is that one of the wounds caused him to miss two days duty and the other two were mere scratches. So he requested and received a return to the states after only 4 months in-country. I'd be willing to bet he wrote himself up for the Silver Star as did LBJ. I hope this crap comes out before November. I served 12 months in Vietnam which is 33% more than Gore and Kerry combined.

[Mo1]

more from that link

Kerry declined a request from the Globe to sign a waiver authorizing the release of military documents that are covered under the Privacy Act and that might shed more light on the extent of the treatment Kerry needed as a result of the wounds.

[Mo1]

BTW .. I have a question

Didn't Edwards say he was too young to serve in the war back then?

[Howlin]

Yes.

[EllaMinnow]

Hmm...he's the same age as my veteran husband. My husband wasn't in Viet Nam, per se, but was in US Navy planes making drops over Viet Nam, and definitely during the war.

[OPS4]

Kerry gave comfort to the enemy in Nam while our boys were being killed, as per John McCain.Kerry and Hanoi Jane were protesting the War, and loving the Commies, Oh well George W is a hero compared to Kerry the Traitor.

OPs4 God BLess America!

[Mo1]

Correct me if I am wrong ... but It's my understanding that the draft ended in 1973

Edwards was 20 yr. old in 1973

[Mo1]

Hmm...he's the same age as my veteran husband. My husband wasn't in Viet Nam, per se

Yes, he's the same age as my older brother .. he wasn't in Viet Nam either .. but he was in the Marines

[EllaMinnow]

I think Mr. Edwards will have a little 'splainin' to do.

[Mo1]

but was in US Navy planes making drops over Viet Nam

Your husnad may not have be on the ground over there .. but it sounds like he is a Vietnam Vet to me

Please tell him I said thank you for his service

[Mo1]

Sounds like it to me

[Mo1]

Your husnad may not have be on the ground over there

And in English that ment ... Your husband may not have been on the ground over there

NOTE TO SELF: preview can be your friend

[EllaMinnow]

Yes - he wasn't on the ground. He's always careful to refer to himself as a "Vietnam Era veteran" instead of a "Vietnam Veteran" since he wasn't really "in country."

He wasn't drafted, but enlisted at 18 or 19 - even though the draft was still in effect, and left college for the Navy.

Betcha Edwards got a student deferment.

[Mo1]

Betcha Edwards got a student deferment

Betcha he did too

Which is TOTALLY different from saying he was too young to serve

[EllaMinnow]

Exactly.

I bet he LOVED it when Kerry made the "diapers" remark.

[Mo1]

Yep .. which explains why he didn't make a big deal out of Kerry's comments too