B.G. Burkett: Navy Commanders to Cast Doubt on Kerry's War Record

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/04/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

B.G. Burkett: Navy Commanders to Cast Doubt on Kerry's War Record

Several Navy officers who supervised Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry when he commanded a swift boat in Vietnam are preparing to publicly question his war record - including the circumstances under which he was awarded three Purple Hearts - a noted Vietnam War historian revealed on Sunday.

Burkett, whose 1999 book, "Stolen Valor," is considered to be the definitive history of of falsified Vietnam War claims, told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg that Kerry's former commanders would allege that the top Democrat's Purple Hearts were awarded for "self-reported injuries that were virtually nonexistent."

"He never got a day of treatment, he never spent a day in a medical facility," Burkett said. "These were all self-reported wounds, which you're going to hear from some swift boat guys in the future as to the nature of those wounds."

Burkett said he had personally spoken to the Navy commanders who were preparing to go public about Kerry's decorations.

"You're going to get quite a showing [of those speaking out]," Burkett told Malzberg. "I don't know [the number] yet. They're trying to get it to be unanimous of every swift boat guy who ever served."

As to the timetable for the upcoming revelations, Burkett said that Kerry's superior officers "were still discussing that."

"You've got some major rallys being planned against John Kerry by Vietnam veterans on the mall, at the convention - this type of thing," he said. "And we're going to make America aware of John Kerry's military record."

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[DustyMoment]

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.

Sounds like Kerry is about to be formally and publicly "outed".

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[samtheman]

I'll believe it when it actually happens. Remember the "revelations" about Kerry's girlfriend? Ended up coming to nought.

I hope there's a real story here.

In the meantime, I'll wait for the real story to really surface before I express jubilation.

[stocksthatgoup]

one more the the kat........ping

[hershey]

Teraysa might be thinking of using the old carrot or stick ploy here. Didn't she threaten to use every cent of her $700 mill if necessary to stop negative attacks on Botoxboy?

[hershey]

There are real girl pals. They left for Europe in a hurry.

[SkyPilot]

[300winmag]

I'll believe it when it actually happens. Remember the "revelations" about Kerry's girlfriend? Ended up coming to nought.

I think the bimbo erruption was real, and was orchestrated by the klintons as a show of force against Kerry. This story was floating around the Beltway watercoolers for a long time before the Enquirer mentioned it to "flyover country". Then, after a few days of worry, those same people who called Kerry a dirtbag issued afadavits that they worshipped the ground he walked on.

I think the klintons proved to Kerry that they could make or break him, and this was just a little taste of what they could do to him on much bigger issues.

[samtheman]

But whether it's a case of liberal-media-coverup or nothing-really-there, the end result was the same thing: the girl-friend story disappeared. I fear the same thing will happen with this purple-heart story.

Not that I doubt the truth of the story. Kerry is a liar about everything else, why would he not lie about his "wounds"?

But will the real story really make into the public spotlight?

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

...injuries that were virtually non-existent.

The devastating chin injury must have been real.

[zip]

ping

[Semper Paratus]

I would have given Kerry a pass on his war record but not only did he never shut up about it but let questions concerning the President's Vietnam era service go forward.

He "Brought It On" himself.

[BlessedBeGod]

ping!

[wingman1]

I prefer to view this from a different perspective. As one who served in Vietnam a long time ago, I'm aware of what is becoming another myth about those who served: that "medal inflation" was commonplace.

Ask anyone who has received a medal for valor or gallantry and they, themselves, express doubt they were deserving of such an honor.

I did serve in a combat unit and knew many who received wounds deserving the PH. I myself, am glad to say that I did not receive one. What I recall best is that one of the company medics or the battalion surgeon first filed the paper work, depending on the nature of the wound.

Much is made about Kerry only spending 4 months in-country. How likely would it be for him to have made the contacts necessary to suggest to a medical officer that he be recommended for one PH, let alone three, in such a short time? A guy who was there 4 months was likely to be considered an FNG - without a whole lot of clout or connections.

My opinion is that Kerry received light schrapnel wounds that were treated in the field. These wounds and the wounds of any other soldiers would probably have been mentioned in after action reports, which would have been reviewed by officers higher up in the chain of command, who then may have gotten the ball rolling on the awards. Still, it is my belief that the process would not have been started by "higher ups" without some paperwork also being filed by a medic or medical officer who was present during the time in question.

I always thought it ironic that those killed in action also received the Purple Heart. Among the soldiers I served with, it would have been considered dishonorable to have claimed a medal such as the PH if one was not deserving. Though I strongly disagree with members of Kerry's crew who support him, I do feel that we were cut of the same cloth of the common experience, and that they would strongly disapprove of anyone, including Kerry, who would do something as dishonoble as claiming three bogus Purple Hearts.

In order to have received even a minor wound, one DID have to be there.

[jamaksin]

... as they "broke" Howard Dean.

[Peach]

Hi, prairie. Taking a half hour before we finish getting ready to head out for the week.

Please make sure this gets the attention it so richly deserves.

I gave my brother the book Stolen Valor for Christmas and he mentioned it was a must read, although he didn't mention Kerry specifically. I'll try to read it while in Jacksonville - it's my homework assignment. LOL

[Bringbackthedraft]

"You've got some major rallys being planned against John Kerry by Vietnam veterans on the mall, at the convention - this type of thing," he said. "And we're going to make America aware of John Kerry's military record."

Great, But which of the major News Network will cover it? I seem to recall early on that they refered to Kerry as a former SEAL?

[wingman1]

"I seem to recall early on that they refered to Kerry as a former SEAL?"

It may have been KerrEy.

[Publius6961]

Self-serving?
Who woulda thought?

Damn!